SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2021

WTO: Finally, US Backs Okonjo-Iweala as Main Challenger Withdraws Festus Akanbi At last, the United State government yesterday gave its formal approval to the emergence of Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director General of the World

Trade Organization, removing the final obstacle to her bid to be the first woman and the first African to run the Geneva-based trade body.

In a swift response last night, Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and

Nigerians for their unflinching support for her run to become the director-general of the WTO. She also expressed her gratitude to the US, and congratulated Yoo Mhung-Hee for “a hard fought campaign”.

She tweeted: “Thank You

President Buhari and all Nigerians for your unflinching support. Thank you friends.

Love to my family. Glory to God.” The endorsement of the candidacy of the Nigerian former minister was sequel to the withdrawal of her main

challenger, the South Korean Trade Minister, Yoo Myung-hee from the race.

In a symbolic approval, the United States Trade Representative office in a statement yesterday said: “Dr. Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of knowledge in economics

and international diplomacy.”

The statement reads: “The United States takes note of today’s decision by The Republic of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung- hee to withdraw her candidacy for Continued on page 5

Capital Importation Slumps to $9.68bn, Lowest in 4 Years… Page 5 Saturday 6 February, 2021 Vol 25. No 9435

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CBN Hammers Cryptocurrency Traders, Directs Banks to Close Their Accounts Festus Akanbi The Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday directed banks and other financial institutions to immediately close any accounts dealing in cryptocurrency or facilitating

payment for crypto currency exchange, with immediate effect.

A cryptocurrency (or crypto) is a digital unregulated currency that can be used to buy goods and services, but uses an online ledger with

strong cryptography to secure online transactions. Much of the interest in the currency, not backed by any government, is to trade for profit, with speculators at times driving prices skyward.

The banking regulatory

authorities directed banks to expose any individual and entity running such accounts, warning that failure to adhere to the directives would attract strict sanctions.

The apex bank, in its circular on the issue cautioned deposit

money banks, (DMBs) nonbank financial institutions (NBFIs) and other financial institutions (OFIs) and members of the public on the risk associated with transactions in cryptocurrency.

The circular was signed

by the Director of Banking Supervision, Bello Hassan and the Director of Payments System Management Department, Musa Jimoh.

Continued on page 5

Farmers-Herders Crisis: Uzodimma, Bagudu, Badaru Seek Unity, Peaceful Co-Existence Urge governors to protect all within their states FG rising stoutly to challenges of insecurity, says Lai Mohammed Charles Ajunwa in Lagos and Amby Uneze in Owerri Determined to ensure a harmonious relationship among ethnic nationalities wherever they reside in the country, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State yesterday hosted a peace parley in Owerri, with the governors of Jigawa and Kebbi states, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru and Atiku Baguda, respectively, in attendance.

The parley was also aimed at easing tension between farmers and herders in the South-east, and to promote peace between Christians and Muslims in the region.

On the same day, amid escalating killings by Boko Haram, bandits, criminal herders and kidnappers in the country, the Minister

of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed declared that the federal government, “is rising stoutly” to the numerous insecurity challenges and that government is alive to its responsibility.

Uzodimma said he convened the interactive meeting for the purpose of fostering harmonious relationships among all the groups listed.

Addressing the audience at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House Owerri, Uzodimma harped on the need for sustainable harmonious and peaceful relationship between all tribes in Nigeria, irrespective of religious beliefs or political inclination.

He lamented the current security challenges in the Continued on page 5

CONDOLENCE VISIT...

L-R: Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, during a condolence visit to Okowa by the CBN governor over the death of the Delta governor’s father, Chief Arthur Okowa…yesterday

DPR Targets $500m from Signature Bonuses to Boost FG's Revenue… Page 5

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Capital Importation Slumps to $9.68bn, Lowest in 4 Years Lagos is top destination with $829.64m of capital investment in Q4 2020 James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The total value of capital importation into the country contracted by 59.65 per cent to $9.68 billion in 2020 compared to $23.99 billion in 2019, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated yesterday.

This represented the lowest foreign capital inflows since 2017 when the country recorded $12.22 billion.

In 2014, total foreign capital injection stood at $20.75 billion: 2015 $9.64 billion: 2016 $5.12 billion: 2017 $12.22 billion:

2018 $16.81 billion: 2019 $23.99 billion and $9.68 billion in 2020.

According to the Nigerian Capital Importation - Q4 and Full Year 2020 report, which was released by the statistical agency, foreign capital importation further declined by -26.81 per cent to $1.06 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $1.46 billion in the preceding quarter and also -71.87 per cent decrease compared to the $3.80 billion recorded Q4 2019.

According to the report, other investment accounted for 73.22

per cent or $783.26 million of total capital importation in Q4 2019, representing the largest amount of inflows by type during the period under review.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) accounted for 23.49 per cent or $251.27 million of total capital imported while portfolio investment accounted for 3.29 per cent or $35.15 million of total capital imported in Q4.

The United Kingdom emerged as the top source of capital investment in the country with $236.88 million

or 22.14 per cent of the total capital inflow in Q4.

This was followed by Singapore $181.11 million, United Arab Emirates (UAE) $131.34 million, the Netherlands $131.21 and the United States $114.13 billion.

By destination of investment, Lagos State emerged as the top destination of capital investment for Q4 2020 with $829.64 million, representing 77.56 per cent of the total inflows.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) attracted $222.64 million in foreign capital inflows,

Anambra $8.86 million, Adamawa $0.02 million, Always IBM $0.81 million, Kaduna $1.99 million, Kano $1.30 million, Niger $4.03 million, and Ogun $0.40 million.

Other states failed to record any capital inflow.

Meanwhile, going by the bank, Citibank Nigeria Limited emerged at the top of capital investment in Nigeria with $216.17 million or 20.21 per cent of the total capital inflow for Q4 2020.

However, by sector, capital importation by shares

dominated in Q4, representing $287.04 million of total capital importation.

Essentially, the drop in foreign capital into the country is not unconnected with the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced restrictions and knockdowns in several parts of the world and which brought major economies on their knees.

The liquidity crisis in the country's foreign exchange market had also been partly blamed for foreign investors' apathy towards Nigeria.

DPR Targets $500m from Signature Bonuses to Boost FG’s Revenue Festus Akanbi The Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR) yesterday said the Federal Government stands to rake $500m from the ongoing signature bonuses to be awarded to 57 marginal oil fields in the country.

A Director of DPR, Sarki Auwalu, who disclosed this, said the amount would come in form of application fees and processing fees.

Auwalu, who spoke in a live programme on Arise TV, said the DPR had also gotten approval for the signature bonuses to be paid in either USD or Naira to simplify the process for Nigerian companies and reduce pressure on the country’s external reserve.

Giving a further breakdown of the figure, Auwalu said, “the application fees and processing fees were $5million per field.

We have 477 applications and the cost of data buying and data leasing is an average between $65,000 and $115,000 and we have about 477 applications, so that is what has already been made for the processing.”

He explained that the department decided to use average signature on the oil fields in order to calculate what is being expected “And for the signature bonus, it is a competition, there are liars that will quote crazy amounts whether it is high or low, so what we did is to look at the CPE reports, that is the Competence Person Report and objectively estimate the average signature bonus on that field after all, the good and valuable consideration for every asset is being computed by DPR, so we use that to guide us on the average signature bonuses

we expect . Some fields are high, some fields are low, so that is what we put together.

We estimate not to have not less than $500 million and this figure is on the very conservative side,” he stated.

On the timeline for the exercise, the DPR chief said the department will not waste time in arranging how operators would enter the fields as soon as all arrangements have been completed.

He said, “Immediately after the payment of the signature bonuses and compliance with the farm out agreement and farm out demarcation area, we will issue the award and bring the companies together for them to arrange how to enter the fields. ” We hope to finish the entire programme before the end of Quarter 1 this year. Going forward, we will give about

90 days during which the Oil Mining License holders will have discussions because no two fields are the same so that we allow these assets to be developed. ” We believe it will increase the reserves of this country as well as provide a lot of stimulants to the economy.’’

He explained that the DPR had learnt from the mistakes made in previous marginal oilfield bid rounds, adding that the 2020 exercise would be devoid of such issues leading to lingering litigations and unproductivity.

While noting that the agency had put measures in place to ensure that the awardees would be credible investors with technical and financial capability, Auwalu said the DPR ensured due diligence on all the applications with the assistance of the Nigerian

Financial Intelligence Unit, the Department of State Security and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

He said, “The criteria was very open, the companies are exclusively marginal fields for Nigerian companies and one of the key criteria for prequalifying any company is that it must have impeccable evidence that you include the people of the community, you have a spread of Nigerian outlook of the company and strong financial base and we did a lot of due diligence on all the companies that applied.

“We contacted relevant government agencies like the financial intelligence unit, department of state, Federal Inland Revenue to really help us to qualify and validate all the information supplied by the applicants. And we put it on a

portal that is up and running which every applicant can see and seek for information with regards to the application because we provide robust guidelines in which people will have a transparent information about all the companies.

“More importantly, we emphasise on community involvement because if you don’t have host, you cannot really operate. We guarantee free operation as the community are fully involved with each and every applicants so that is what gives us confident and where we are now, out of above 300 companies , the 161 shortlisted we are hoping to give them account because this is the first time in this nation where we seek approval to allow the acquisition cost to be paid in naira which makes people buy it for Nigerian companies

impasse last year when the Trump administration vetoed Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy and said it preferred her opponent, South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee.

That opposition was enough to halt the selection process because WTO decisions are made on the basis of a consensus of its 164 members. Yoo ended her campaign yesterday following consultations with the Biden administration.

Yoo Myung-hee had stepped down from the race, leaving

Okonjo-Iweala as the only remaining candidate for the top job.

A statement from the Korea’s trade ministry said Yoo made the decision to withdraw from the race after discussions with the U.S. and other major nations, and took various issues into account “comprehensively” including the need to revitalise the multilateral organisation.

By quitting the race, Yoo was said to have cleared OkonjoIweala’s path to secure the leadership of the Geneva-based institution.

WTO: FINALLY, US BACKS OKONJO-IWEALA AS MAIN CHALLENGER WITHDRAWS Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

“The Biden-Harris Administration is pleased to express its strong support for the candidacy of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the next Director General of the WTO. “Dr. Okonjo-Iweala brings a wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy from her 25 years with the World Bank and two terms as Nigerian Finance Minister.

She is widely respected for her effective leadership and has proven

experience managing a large international organisation with a diverse membership.”

The Biden-Harris Administration also congratulated Minister Yoo Myung-hee on her strong campaign for the position, saying she is a trailblazer as the Republic of Korea’s first female trade minister and the first candidate from Korea to advance this far in the Director General race.

The USTR adds: “looks forward to working with a new WTO director-general to

find paths forward to achieve necessary substantive and procedural reform of the WTO.” The Biden administration’s decision to support OkonjoIweala’s campaign will be viewed in Geneva as a welcome shift in U.S. support for the multilateral trading system following four years of salvos against an organization that former President Donald Trump previously called the worst trade deal the U.S. ever signed.

The appointment of a new WTO chief will help the beleaguered organisation to

confront an array of internal crises and begin deliberating a more structured conversation of how to make 25-year-old WTO fit to govern the 21st century trading system.

The organisation has been without a leader since September, when Roberto Azevedo vacated the position a year before his term was set to expire. Since then, the WTO has been overseen by four unelected deputy directorsgeneral.

The WTO’s leadershipselection process reached an

FARMERS-HERDERS CRISIS: UZODIMMA, BAGUDU, BADARU SEEK UNITY, PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE nation which he said were being instigated by peddlers of rumours and false information, to encourage conflicts between farmers and herders, stressing that "the two groups should complement each other because they need each other to succeed in their businesses."

The governors of Kebbi and Jigawa states, in their remarks, appreciated Uzodimma's wisdom in convening the meeting, and acknowledged that all Nigerians have the right to live peacefully in any part of the nation, under the protection of the leadership of the states.

They advised that all criminals inhabiting the forests should be flushed out both in the Northern and Southern parts of the country and be prosecuted.

The governors stressed the essence of unity among all Nigerians, saying it is the

only way the country can achieve greatness.

Representatives of the Christian, Muslim, traditional institutions, and Miyetti Allah, who spoke, advocated the need for sustainable harmonious relationships among all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

At the end of the meeting a communiqué was issued where all concerned committed to harmonious, peaceful relationship that would foster a united Nigeria.

Also present at the peace parley were the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor; the National Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma; the Chairmen of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from the South-east; Chief Imams from the zone; Leaders of Miyetti Allah from the five South-east states and heads of religious and

traditional institutions.

FG Rising Stoutly to Challenges of Insecurity, Says Lai Mohammed Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed yesterday declared that the federal government “is rising stoutly” to the numerous insecurity challenges and that government is alive to its responsibility.

The minister’s boast comes even as there is an upsurge in mindless killings by Boko Haram, bandits, criminal herders and kidnappers in the country, The Minister, who spoke on a television programme in reaction to the recent meeting between Sheik Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric, and some bandits in Zamfara State stated:

CBN HAMMERS CRYPTOCURRENCY TRADERS, DIRECTS BANKS TO Financial Derivatives Limited, should have concentrated on Rewane: Prohibition Mr. Bismarck Rewane regulation of the means of of Cryptocurrency expressed reservations at the exchange which it started Not Ideal prohibition of cryptocurrency in 2017.

But a leading financial analyst and Managing Director,

by the apex bank.

He said rather than outright prohibition, the CBN

According to him, “In 2017, the CBN raised the alarm and warned that anybody that

“We (FG) are not only rising to the security challenges but we are also making a success of it.”

The minister appealed to all stakeholders involved in finding solution to the persisting conflict involving farmers and herders across the country to also strive to reduce tension, adding that waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari’s comments on the crisis was not important.

He said: “I think we should lower the tension. Nigeria is a big country, diverse. We must continue to live together, recognising each other’s rights.

“We are not going to score any advantage by heating up the polity. I think the governors, traditional rulers and religious leaders are all doing their best to ensure all issues are resolved.

“Comments (of the president) are not of importance; it is the steps the government is taking, and I can assure you there are a

lot of back-channel approaches being taken to ensure that all these crises are tamed.”

On the meeting Sheik Gumi is having with bandits in the forest of Zamfara, where he appealed for peace, Lai Mohammed said there was nothing unusual about it.

He said bandits and criminal elements “are more willing” to listen to religious leaders as mediators than the government.

“There is nothing unusual about employing the services of religious leaders to act as a bridge between the government and bandits. The government employs back-channel approaches in solving crisis.

“As I explained, when we want to resolve issues like this, we use a lot of back-channels.

Again, it is not unusual to use a respected cleric to have the confidence of outlaws or bandits. As a matter of fact, they are probably ready to listen to him more than

they are ready to listen to the government.

“They are probably ready to believe in them, so it is not unusual for him to act as a bridge between the government and outlaws to find solutions,” the minister said.

On the herdsmen crisis and the activism of Sunday Igboho, the minister said non-state actors were free to talk but the government was poised to ensuring the security of lives and property in the country.

The minister said: “I am glad that political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders are all coming together to ensure that this matter, not just in the South-West, but everywhere else is resolved.

“We are not going to score any advantage by heating up the polity. The governors, the traditional rulers and religious leaders are all doing their best to ensure that all issues are resolved.”

CLOSE THEIR ACCOUNTS engaged in cryptocurrency and got his hands burnt would be on his own. The best thing is to regulate it, put it under a rule that will stipulate the number of people that can participate. A lot of

people do not understand it, they will just lose money. So, there are two elements, one is to regulate the market, to protect the investors through capital requirement and the other is to prohibit it’.

“Cryptocurrency is being used as a store of value and also to use it as a medium of exchange and for trade, so it’s parts of the characteristics of money.

Continued on page 38

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ; , 2021

ÏáÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ý×Ý ÙØÖã̚ ×ËÓÖ ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

FG Lifts Ban on Emirates as Airline Suspends Rapid Tests Chinedu Eze

The Federal Government yesterday lifted the suspension slammed on Emirates Airlines from operating outbound flights from Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja) for 72 hours, effective Thursday February 4, 2021, after the airline agreed to withdraw the COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing (RDT) for Nigerian passengers prior to the departure.

Due to the development, the

Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 directed the immediate lifting of the suspension placed on the operations of Emirates Airlines in Nigeria.

The letter signed by the Director-General of NCAA, Capt.

Musa Nuhu expected the airline to comply with the directives by the PTF on COVID-19 and other protocols of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Emirates Airlines will be duly informed of ongoing enforce-

INEC Meets Political Parties, Canvass Increase, Expansion of Polling Units Chuks Okocha ÓØ ÌßÔË

Worried by the constant low voter turnout during elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that it has resolved to work towards increasing as well as expanding the clustered polling units.

The commission also said that it had received requests from over 5,000 stakeholders in 26 states for increase and expanding of polling units in their localities.

The commission said that the last increase polling units was done 25 years ago in 1996 under the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON).

Addressing leaders of political parties in Abuja yesterday, the Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, said that after critically appraising the situation of low voter turnout in addition to other factors highlighted by political parties and other stakeholders, “the Commission is of the firm belief that expanding voter access to polling units in Nigeria is crucial to voter turnout in elections.”

According to the INEC chairman, “Experience has shown that enhanced voter access to polling units increases turnout in elections. Not surprisingly, many countries expand access to polling units with every fresh registration of voters while others do so routinely or before every general election.

“Increase in voter population, emergence of new settlements, urbanisation, distance to existing polling units, difficult terrain and other factors require constant review to give the voter a pleasant experience on Election Day. “Above all, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to decongest polling units to minimise overcrowding and reduce the long distances voters travel often in overcrowded means of transport in order to vote during elections,” the INEC chairman told leaders of the political parties.

Unfortunately, he said, “the last time polling units were established was 25 years ago in 1996 by the defunct National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON). There were 120,000 polling units to serve a projected population of about 50 million voters.

“Today, the number of registered voters is 84,004,084 and is set to rise after we resume Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ahead of the 2023 General Election. Yet, the number of polling units remains static.

“In fact, the biggest category of registered voters on our data base (aged 18 to 25 years) were not even born when the current polling units were established a quarter of a century ago,” he said.

Justifying why the polling units must be expanded, Prof.

Yakubu said, “Certainly, the Commission tried unsuccessfully to expand voter access to polling units in 2007, 2014 and before the 2019 General Election.

However, these attempts were handled administratively. They also came too close to General Elections.

“Consequently, the Commission’s intention was not properly communicated and therefore misunderstood and politicised,” he stated.

In view of this, he said that learning from previous experience, the Commission had now decided to engage with Nigerians by consulting widely.

“We have worked hard in the last two months and produced a Discussion Paper entitled “The State of Voter Access to Polling Units in Nigeria”, prepared satellite imageries of the location of polling units across the country as well as pictures and videos to demonstrate the difficulties faced by voters on Election Day. “The hard and soft copies of the Discussion Paper is being widely shared and will be uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms latest

by Monday 8th February 2021.”, he stated.

COVID-19: 1624 New Cases Recorded Nigeria recorded 1624 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, taking the number of confirmed cases to 137,654 with 111,639 discharged and 1641 deaths.

ment actions by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority with regards to the established noncompliances to PTF directives and protocols as enumerated in our letter of February 4, 2021,” the letter read.

Similarly, the airline expressed its desire to continue flying to Nigeria as it thanked the authorities for their support.

It read, “Emirates can confirm that we will continue to operate services to Abuja and Lagos.

We are strongly committed to Nigeria and would like to thank the local authorities for their trust and support. We look forward to continuing to safely connect our customers, and meet air travel demand from Nigeria to and through Dubai to Emirates’ global network.”

The federal government

and the airline had been at loggerheads over additional COVID-19 examination made mandatory for the airline’s passengers.

The airline had late in January sent a circular to its passengers notifying them that it would conduct the compulsory rapid COVID-19 test, four hours before departure from Nigeria, as mandated by the UAE government, in addition to PCR tests done within 72 hours before leaving, at laboratories approved by the Nigerian government.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) rejected Emirates’ extra test and insisted that the airline may be stopped from operating out of Nigeria unless it drops the idea.

The NCAA wrote to Emirates last Wednesday, suspending it

from operating outbound flights from Nigeria.

The NCAA ordered that during the 72 hours leeway, Emirates Airline was only authorised to bring passengers into Nigeria, as outbound flights would not be authorised.

The NCAA stated that additional sanctions would be imposed on Emirates Airline for violating PFT directives and COVID-19 protocols.

A letter dated 2nd February 2021 and signed by the Director General, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu stated: “It has been brought to the attention of the presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 (PTF) that Emirates has continued to airlift passengers from Nigeria using Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RDT) conducted by laboratories

that are neither approved nor authorised.”

“It is in violation of paragraph five of NCAA letter of February 2, 2021 addressed to your good self.”

The NCAA said its February 2, 2021 letter sent to the airline had clearly stated that: “Based on the foregoing and to enable the Nigerian government to put in place the needed infrastructure and logistics for COVID-19 RDT testing for departing passengers, the PTF has directed that Emirates Airlines should either accept passengers without RDT pending when the infrastructure and logistics are put in place or suspend its flights to and from Nigeria until such a time when the required infrastructure and logistics are fully established and implemented.”

PROMOTING PEACE… L-R: Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; an unnamed representative of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders of Nigeria (MACBAN); President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador George Obiozor and the National Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, at the parley to promote peace among farmers and herdsmen in Owerri…yesterday

Court Ratifies FG’s Appointment of P&ID Nigeria Liquidator Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court yesterday ratified the appointment of a liquidator for Process and Industrial Developments (Nigeria) Limited (P&ID Nigeria), a company registered in Nigeria.

The federal government, acting through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had appointed the liquidator to help trace and secure all assets and property of the P&ID Nigeria, which the court earlier ordered to be forfeited to the Nigerian Government after the firm’s conviction in a

September 19, 2019 judgment.

While delivering ruling in an ex-parte application moved by FG’s lawyer, Mr. Bala Sanga, Justice Ekwo made an order ratifying “the appointment of Messrs Christie Makar of Lexfield Chambers, Abuja, as the liquidator of P&ID Nigeria.”

The judge also held that, “the terms of appointment of the said Messrs Christie Makar shall be as contained in the Deed of Appointment dated December 12, 2019.

“An order is hereby made that Process and Industrial Developments (Nigeria) Limited (P&ID Nigeria) is a debtor to the federal

government of Nigeria upon its assets having been forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria wherever situated or found as at September 19, 2019.

“The complainant/applicant is hereby ordered to file the order convicting and windingup Process and Industrial Developments (Nigeria Limited (P&ID Nigeria) with the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) forthwith.

“The complainant/applicant is hereby ordered to file the Deed of Appointment of the liquidator of Process and Industrial Developments (Nigeria) Limited (P&ID Nigeria), dated December 12, 2019 with the

CAC forthwith.”

The court, had in the proceedings of September 19, 2019 convicted Process and Industrial Development Limited and its affiliate in Nigeria, P&ID Nigeria Limited on an 11-count charge filed by the EFCC over the firms’ unlawful conduct in relation to the controversial Gas Supply Project Agreement (GSPA), over which an arbitration tribunal that sat in London awarded damages estimated at about $9.6 billion against Nigeria.

They were, among others, accused of fraudulently claiming to have acquired land from the Cross River State Government in 2010 for the Gas Supply Project Agreement (GSPA).

Enugu Govt Expresses Sadness over Death of Transport Commissioner Enugu State government has expressed its deepest sadness over the death of the Commissioner for Transport, Mathias Ekweremadu Jnr, who died on Thursday, February 4, 2021, while in active service.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, the state government condoled the late Ekweremadu family, the people of Aninri Local Government Area and Enugu State.

This came, as the Governor of

Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led a state government delegation to the family of the late Commissioner for Transport, Rt. Hon. Ekweremadu Jnr, on a condolence visit, at his Enugu residence.

Ugwuanyi who was accompanied by his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, other members of the House and State Executive Council (EXCO), consoled the wife of the late Commissioner,

Mrs. Stella Ekweremadu, his children and other family members.

Describing late Ekweremadu as “an astute politician and Community leader”, the Information Commissioner,Aroh, added that he “served at various times as ChairmanAninri Local GovernmentArea and member Enugu State House of Assembly, before his present appointment as Honourable Commissioner for Transport”.

“We pray that the Almighty God grants us all the fortitude

to bear this painful loss and grant his soul eternal rest”, Aroh said.

During the condolence visit, Ugwunayi and his entourage were also received by the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, who offered prayers for the repose of the soul of the late Ekweremadu, and for God to grant his family and the state government the fortitude to bear the loss.

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NEWS Five APC Party Chieftains Hospitalised in Ilorin from KwaraViolence Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

WE SHARE IN YOUR GRIEF… L-R: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Chairman, Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha; and Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, during the 8 days fidau prayer of Alhaji Mustapha’s mother, Alhaja Nimotalahi Alake Olayiwola held at Iseyin.

FG Declares Strike by University Workers Illegal Begs SSANU, NASU for three months to pay minimum wage arrears Says Buhari in order for retaining Idris as AGF

Deji Elumoye ÓØ ÌßÔË

The federal government yesterday declared as illegal, the strike action embarked upon by university workers over the non-implementation of their seven-point agenda by government.

It, however, pleaded with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (NASU) to give it three months to offset backlog of minimum wage of their members, saying a supplementary budget to that effect would soon be sent to the National Assembly for approval.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who spoke with newsmen at the Presidential Villa after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, also stressed that the President did not break any law by reappointing Ahmed Idris as the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

According to him, the strike action by SSANU and NASU was illegal since discussions to sort out some of the contentious issues were still on.

He recalled that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU had given the federal government till midnight of February 5 to address about seven-point

demand they made, saying if the government failed to address the issues, they would embark on indefinite strike.

According to him, the meeting with President Buhari was to discuss labour-related matters especially the threat by the university workers to embark on strike.

He said that the government had “apprehended” the strike by engaging on social dialogue with the unions, adding that it would be an illegality if they should go ahead with the planned strike.

His words, “I was around to see Mr. President on so many urgent labour issues. We will not claim ignorance of the fact that three unions in the university system, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT had given us notice of strike.

“The first two unions SSANU and NASU did that under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee, JAC, and as government, we have moved to apprehend the strike because we just came out from a strike that lasted for nine months that was executed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

“So in consonance with the labour laws, we have apprehended both strikes. They

gave us Trade dispute notice, we scheduled meetings with them after apprehension, we held meeting with NASU and SSANU last week Tuesday and government position was explained to them.

“They have a lot of issues mentioned as their grouse; issues like IPPIS. They said IPPIS has amputated some of their allowances, they also have the issue of consequential adjustment that was paid to all civil servants as a result of the new minimum wage of N30,000 for staff above Grade Level One, that is starting from Grade Level two up to level 17.

“Those in the university system have not received their own, that was an inadvertent omission and it was explained to them and even without their prompting, without their trying to go on strike, government on its own has computed the amount involved up to January with effect from 19th April 2019 when the minimum wage took effect to January 2020, that is the allowance or the consequential amount that was missed in the 2020 budget.

“We explained that government plans to put that in the Supplementary budget of 2021 which will be submitted by the National Assembly as soon as the Minister of Finance resumes from vacation. On the issue of IPPIS, we explained to them that it is something that is of general application, a lot of civil

servants, public servants had complained that some of their allowances were omitted in the payment of their emoluments.

“IPPIS office explained that it was work in progress, they are putting back those allowances and they showed evidence that they have put back so many.

So these two issues are the cardinal issues in the points they have made.

“So in the main, after conferring with Mr. President, we are telling the unions not to carry out the action because that action will run counter to ILO Statute on Social Dialogue and Principles at work because their employers have listened, they have brought them to the table. So for SSANU and NASU, we are imploring them not to carry out their threat which they said will take effect from this mid night.

“Moreso, when the meeting adjourned from their own instance. Just this morning I received a letter from them giving us a new date for the continuation of the dialogue, they proposed a new date of Thursday 11th of February and my office has communicated to them back that we will be ready for them at that time because as they claimed they needed time to consult with their constituency and come back on the fresh issues that have cropped up from the discussion. So I briefed Mr. President on that.”

Federal Character Counters Allegations of Contract Scam, Recruitment Kuni Tyessi ÓØ ÌßÔË

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has countered allegations on issues ranging from rule of law, due process, contract scam, guidelines and extant circulars.

Others are the award of contract worth N35 million, stepping down of contracts, recruiting of staff, non-advertisement of waivers, and duty tour allowances.

It said the allegations had been written without thorough understanding by the petitioners on the workings of government and its guiding principles.

The most senior Director of

the commission, Mr. Vincent Onobun who spoke in Abuja during a press briefing on behalf of the management, said the fifth board of the commission has been guided by the principle of the FCC Act. He said, “For some days, the commission was brought to the public domain through allegations and counter allegations on issues ranging from rule of law, due processes, guidelines and extant circulars. With due respect, the allegations have been written without thorough understanding by the petitioners on the workings of government and the guiding rules governing it.”

He said the running cost be-

ing released to the commission was hardly sufficient to fund its monthly activities at the headquarters as well as state offices.

He stated that the commission and indeed Nigeria runs an Economic Growth Recovery Plan (EGRP). Therefore the issue of the alleged N35 million was part of the rolling plan that commenced in 2018 for which a release was expected in 2019.

“The contracts of 2020 were duly advertised, bids received and analysed. Some irregularities in some of the bids were observed and therefore a decision could not

be reached.

“Therefore the issue of the alleged N35 million is part of the rolling plan that commenced in 2018 for which a release was expected in 2019.

“On the issue of waivers, it is pertinent to understand that word. Waivers are issued to MDAs where the staff to be recruited are too few and not deserving for a newspaper advert. Waivers are issued for exigency reasons such as requests from the health sectors at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are issued not to advertise but follow all other processes on recruitment.”

Five chieftains of the Kwara State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) that sustained serious injuries during the recent violent attack at the stakeholders meeting of the party have been hospitalised at undisclosed hospitals in Ilorin, the state capital.

The state chapter of the party has been enmeshed in crisis over the leadership position of the party in the state for past few weeks.

The development however has created faction within the leaders of the party. One faction is allegedly being led by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed while other faction is alleged to be led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The situation has led to the two camps to be parading two state chairmen of the party in the state. This ugly situation snowballed into violent attack during the recent stakeholders meeting of the party in the state.

However, after the violent attack, some members loyal to Alhaji Lai Muhammed camp were hospitalised at undisclosed hospitals in Ilorin for medical attention.

Among those hospitalised for various medical treatment include, Alhaji Dantala Yaro, the State Treasurer; Mr. Wahab Adeshina, a member of the board of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA); Mallam Lai Karatu, a Youths Leader; Alhaja Sidi Gidado, biological mother to our State Women Leader and Mr. Salihu Elepo, Ilorin East LGA Secretary.

Gunmen Kill Man, Wife, Daughter in Anambra Church David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË

Unknown gunmen have allegedly shot dead a man identified as Mr. Ken Ekwesianya in a Seventh Day Adventist Church in Azia, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Mr. Ekwesianya was said to have been shot alongside with his wife and daughter at around 7p.m. on Thursday, right inside the church hall.

Though details of the incident are still sketchy as at press time, the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Haruna Mohammed confirmed it to be true.

Mohammed who also failed to give details said, “Yes, investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and effort is being intensified in order to arrest perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice.”

Biden May Attend Next AU Summit, Pledges Support for Africa Bennett Oghifo ËØÎ Michael Olugbode ÓØ ÌßÔË

President Joe Biden of the United States of America has assured the African union of cooperation and expressed hope that he would physically attend the next AU summit.

According to him, the United States was eager to re-engage with the African Union to better support the people of Africa in everything from battling the COVID-19 pandemic to working with the AU to address conflicts that are costing lives across the continent.

President Joe Biden made the promise yesterday in his virtual remarks on the occasion of the 34th African Union Summit where he craved attendance in subsequent meeting.

The President said the United States would engage in sustained diplomacy, in collaborate with the AU, to address conflicts that are causing deaths across Africa.

He said, “This past year has shown us how interconnected our world is, and how our fates are bound up together. That is why my administration is committing to rebuilding our partnership around the world and reengaging with international institutions like the African Union.

“We must all work together to advance our shared vision of a better future. A future of growing trade and investment that advances prosperity for all our nations. A future that

advances lives, of peace and security for all our citizens; a future committed to investing in our democratic institutions and promoting the human rights of all people: women and girls, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and people of every ethnic background, religion and heritage.”

He said to reach this future, it was imperative to confront the serious challenges we face.

“That includes investing more in global health, defeating COVID-19, and working to prevent, detect and respond to future health crisis, and partnering the African CDC and other institutions to advance health security.

“Raising our climate ambitions and ensuring developing nations can mitigate and adapt to climate impacts that are already causing pain. And engaging in sustained diplomacy, in connection with the African Union, to address conflicts that are costing lives all across the African continent.”

He said, “None of this is going to be easy, but the United States stands ready now to be your partner in solidarity, support and mutual respect.

We believe in the nations of Africa and the continent-wide spirit of enterprenuership and innovation. And through the challenges ahead, although they’re great, there is no doubt that our nations, our people, the African Union- we’re up to this task. I hope I can be with you next time in person.

I want to thank you, though.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ; , 2021

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08054699539

Buhari Should Appraise Corruption Perception Report

S

ome of President Muhammadu Buhari’s men have been going about mocking Transparency International’s 2020 Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

It is shocking to see these presidential aides attacking TI and blaming hapless Nigerians for our country’s poor rating. The President has also maintained a treacherous silence on this report which placed Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in West Africa, with Guinea Bissau in the first position.

According to TI, CPI worsened under the Buhari government. The 2020 Index gave Nigeria 25 from 100 obtainable points, thus ranking this country 149 out of the 180 assessed.

Transparency drew its conclusion from 13 data sources that captured the assessment of experts and business executives on a number of corrupt behaviours in Nigeria’s public sector including bribery, diversion of public funds, use of public office for private gain and nepotism in the civil service.

If the Buhari government is truly interested in fighting corruption as it claims, then, the TI report should be properly engaged. Buhari and his men should spend quality time reading the report and working towards blocking the holes pointed out by the global anti-corruption body. Simply put, our President must take full responsibility for this country’s pitiable ranking in the global Corruption Perception Index. Just as SERAP noted, the Buhari government should see the poor anti-corruption ranking as an opportunity to raise its game in the corruption war and end the legacy of impunity in the country.

The truth be told, corruption under the Buhari government in almost six years has been frightening. This country has never had it so bad. Key officials of this government are deep into corruption. In this country, a serving army chief under Buhari bought a $2 million property in Dubai and shamelessly defended it with impunity. What a country! Evidence of corruption in MDAs abounds. The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation persistently documents some. Also, a recent report by global auditing firm, PwC, revealed persistent corruption and several anti-business dispositions in some of Nigeria’s regulatory agencies. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was worried by the report and demanded sanction. Nothing happened thereafter.

This government hardly engages statistics constantly rolled out about its anti-corruption failings. Its war against corruption remains a fantasy. The memo written by the former Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu on sleaze at the NNPC remains fresh in my memory. The cabal in charge of this administration tightened the noose on Kachikwu, forcing him to recant. Also, payments made by the Buhari government for some comical services often leave me wondering whether the interest of the public is paramount.

Buhari

One of such puzzling expenditures was the $4 million paid to an unknown lawyer from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for God knows what. The office of the Accountant General of the Federation is still struggling to supply details of the lawyer who was paid the $4 million from the already depleted excess crude account, and the nature of the job done. There was also the controversial payment of $1.5 million to consultants from Malaysia to help set up three focused labs aimed at aiding the execution of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

What about the re-looting of recovered Abacha loot under Buhari’s watch? Despite outcry, dubious fees amounting to $17 million were allegedly paid to two lawyers for the recovery of $321 million, stolen by former military ruler, Sani Abacha. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, allegedly engaged the two Nigerian lawyers after the job had been completed by Enrico Monfrini, a Swiss lawyer hired by previous Nigerian government to work on the recovery.

Monfrini openly declared that fresh lawyers were absolutely unnecessary because he had concluded all legal work.

Can you imagine a government fighting corruption approving a frightening N1.4 billion for the design of a 12-floor head office building

in Abuja for the Department of Petroleum Resources? The architectural and engineering designers alone will pocket N1.4 billion. Yes, N1.4 billion. The Federal Executive Council gladly approved the contract. The total projected cost of the building when it is done is about N35 billion. I guess the building will be made all of gold. This is happening in a country where millions of people go to bed without meals and wake up not sure of where breakfast will come from. This profligacy is happening in a country rated among the eight hungriest in the world, with millions of people starving in the North-east. Daily, revenues that should go into the Federation Account are squandered by Federal MDAs in a supposed era of change.

I can still remember the then Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, perspiring while defending the budgetary proposal of the ministry before lawmakers in 2019. The Senate Committee on Trade rejected the ministry’s budget proposal because it voted N42 billion for a firm, Nigeria Special Economic Zone Company, which the minister said was a government firm, but the lawmakers found out that it was a private company. The panel confronted Enelamah with facts and figures showing that the firm was private-owned. This should not be happening in an era of change.

Under Buhari, the NNPC is permanently into these trickeries. Which corruption is bigger than spending billions of Naira (unbudgeted) on petroleum subsidy? In 2018, the grossly mismanaged corporation reported that it incurred a loss of N228.1 billion between April and November, a period of just seven months. Money gobbling has been the name of NNPC’s game under Buhari. In 2017, this corporation once told a bewildered nation that petrol consumption had jumped to 60 million litres daily, with N1.7 trillion paid as subsidy. Rent seekers in the oil industry are obviously still collecting the proceeds of crude oil sales under Buhari’s watch.

This is why the NNPC spent a monstrous $5.8 billion on the importation of 9.8 million metric tons of petrol in four months - October 2017 to January 2018. Many are questioning these figures. NNPC’s petrol import and expenditure claims are cloaked. The four refineries owned and operated by the NNPC are in shambles.

They posted a cumulative loss of N114.3 billion in the first 11 months of 2018.

But for persistent protest by Nigerians, Babachir Lawal, the legendary grass cutter, would have remained as the SGF after allegedly mismanaging about N2.5 billion in the account of the Presidential Initiative on the North East, PINE. What about the sleaze allegations against the then Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf?

This public servant, under investigation by anti-

The Fire from Niger State Stories coming out of Niger State are heart-wrenching. About five years ago, this state slipped into the inglorious banditinfested club, with six local governments becoming killing fields -Shiroro, Lapai, Munya, Rafi, Mariga and Mashegu. It’s looking endless. Early this week, 21 people were killed and 40 others kidnapped in renewed attack on Shiroro communities. Over 300 gunmen on motorcycles stormed Kurege, Sabon Gida, Sararai and Rafin Kanya shooting sporadically.

By the time they left, 21 dead bodies were waiting for the ill-fated people to bury. These bad guys were in Bassa area of the same Shiroro LGA, just days back. As usual, they killed and also kidnapped scores of people. Last week, they were also in Avu community in Lapai Local Government Area, where they kidnapped people.

Rafi Local Government Area is the epicenter of the attacks, with most of its towns and villages in ruins. Recently, the bandits raided Yakila community in Rafi, and left behind blood and tears.

The District Head of Yakila, Mohammed

Sani-Bello

Abdulhamid and three of his daughters were abducted. Bandits have repeatedly

attacked these people, slaying and injuring. With shops/businesses destroyed, Rafi natives are counting their losses.

Just as in other troubled parts of the country, the federal government and its security agencies have failed the people of Niger State. The responses to the attacks have been lethargic. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has also not done anything reasonable in these troubled communities to justify his constitutional position as the Chief Security Officer of the state. This governor must go beyond showboating to protect the traumatised natives of Shiroro, Lapai, Munya, Rafi, Mariga and Mashegu LGAs. He should use his security vote wisely.

The other day, Sani Bello visited Rafi but offered no succour. The governor spent time accusing community members of working as informant to the bandits. This is clearly not the way to help wipe the tears of a bereaved community. I would like to see Sani Bello, creatively playing his role as the Chief Security Officer of the state. He must also compensate victims of attacks.

graft agencies, was reinstated with fiat. What about the then Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Maihaja, struggling to explain how he spent billions of Naira allocated to his agency? What about the pension thief, Abdulrasheed Maina, who was effectively protected by agents of this government for years?

What about the case of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and the sacked Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TeTFund), Abdullahi Baffa, who in 2018 alleged that he was forced out of office owing to his refusal to provide monetary kickbacks to Adamu. Baffa told BBC Hausa Service that the minister sent a contractor to him demanding his share of N200 billion disbursed by the agency to tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Bafa alleged further: “If they bring any evidence indicting me, I’m ready to accept death punishment. I do not regret my refusal to obey the minister’s directives because I cannot sabotage my country. Go and ask the minister.

Eight months ago, Mallam Adamu Adamu sent one of his biggest contractors to tell me that the minister was angry with me for three reasons.

The third issue was that TeTFund disbursed over N200 billion to universities without remitting the per cent kickback, amounting to at least N20 billion at 10 per cent rate.”

Like so many other untreated sleaze cases involving government officials, our anti-graft agencies did not show interest in the Adamu Vs Bafa case.

What about the Abdullahi Dikko shenanigans?

After the change of government in 2015 and removal of Dikko as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, the EFCC moved against him over alleged corruption.

While the anti-graft agency was working on the case, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice struck a “non-prosecution” deal with the ex-Customs boss. Dikko agreed to restitution in lieu of prosecution. The agreement was based on the return of almost N1.6 billion to the coffers of the government being proceeds of the crimes Dikko allegedly committed while in office. Only God knows how Malami arrived at this figure. But Dikko made the refund and Malami signed the “non-prosecution” deal. The Ibrahim Magu-led EFCC thought it could continue with the graft case against Dikko. It felt the loot Dikko needed to return was more than the N1.6 billion accepted by Malami. But the anti-sleaze agency was barred from going ahead with the prosecution of Dikko by a court as a result of the deal. Unfortunately, Magu himself was eventually enmeshed in corruption. A panel was set up to probe him. When the panel handed in its report, Buhari asked another panel to look into the report of the panel. I’m sure that by the time this new panel turns in its report, a third panel would be asked to review.

Buhari will just keep going round in circles.

Fighting corruption in Nigeria is evidently a padi padi arrangement. That was why the United States Department of State, in March 2019, reported a climate of impunity in the Buhari government “that allows officials to engage in corrupt practices with a sense of exemption from punishment.”

In the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018, the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, said Nigeria had made little progress in efforts to limit corruption in its public service.

It stated: “Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, the government (Nigeria) did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.

Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security services.”

The report stated further that Nigeria’s two key anti-corruption agencies, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had broad powers to prosecute corruption, but rarely applied such powers to conscientiously and logically prosecute corruption cases.

So, Buhari should sit down and genuinely tackle corruption within his government instead of showboating.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY

A Judge and His DNA Story Justice Anthonyy Ezonfade Okorodas of Delta State High g Court narrates how the use of DNA helped p him to discover that three of his supposed children are not biologically his own, writes Charles Ajunwa

I

t is estimated that 30 per cent of men in Nigeria are not the biological fathers of their children. Today, many marriages are facing challenges no thanks to infi nfidelity. The use of words like “divorce” and “separation” are now common in our society. In Nigeria, the paternity of any child in contestation is determined by acknowledgement, by presumption and by proof. In all the circumstances, the solution is to prove paternity through a document or DNA tests.

The Child’s Right Act 2003 statutoo rily introduced the use of scientifi ific tests to determine the paternity of a person in Nigeria. By Section 63 thereof, the court may, on application, give a direction for the use of scientifi ific tests, including blood tests and Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) to show that a person is or not the father of that person.

Where a father alleges that a child is his, an order of scientifi ific DNA test may be made on the child. Also, where a child alleges that a particular father is his, the court may make an order for the alleged father to undergo DNA test to prove or disprove the allegation.

The court makes such an order for scientifi ific tests in both circumstances because doing that is in the best interest of the child.

Apart from paternity cases, the use of DNA has been successful in identifi ification matters. After DNA testing entered the U.S. legal system in 1987, Tommy Lee Andrews of Florida was convicted of rape after tests matched a sample of his blood with semen left at the crime scene. DNA also was used to clear someone of a crime. Glen Woodall of West Virginia was in prison for rape, kidnapping, and robbery for years but a DNA testing later proved his innocence. He was released in 1991 after serving four years in prison.

In 1992, the US Army began collecting DNA samples from recruits to make it easier to identify soldiers killed in action, especially when there are few remains. In 1998, DNA extracted from the remains of a bone was used to identify the unknown service memm ber of the Vietnam War buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains were identifi ified Justice Okorodas as Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blassie.

One of the celebrated cases was the famous paternity tests Okorodas, who accused his former wife Celia Juliet Ototo in 1998 that involved US former president, Thomas Jefferson of cheating during their marriage which ended 11 years ago, and a slave named Sally Hemings. Based on DNA from said he was persuaded to carry out the DNA tests after he descendants of both of them, scientists concluded that Jaff received an anonymous call during the COVID-19 lockdown ferson fathered all six of Hemings’ children. Jefferson was an in April 2020 that one of the children wasn’t his. According American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, to Okorodas, after the DNA test proved that he was not the and founding father who served as the third president of the father of his last child, he decided to conduct DNA tests on United States from 1801 to 1809. the two remaining children from his former wife and the Decades after Hemings’ claim that Jefferson fathered her results showed they are equally not his. six children was put to rest through the use of DNA tests, a Given the circumstances, Okorodas and his second wife, Delta State High Court judge, Anthony Ezonfade Okorodas, Ebi, agreed to carry out DNA tests on their four children on Thursday, January 28, 2021, publicly announced that the and the results showed they are biologically his, to the relief three supposed children he had with his estranged wife are of a devastated father. not his.

Despite this discovery, Okorodas insisted that he and his current wife have continued to care for the education of the three children from his estranged wife: “I have taken the decision to address the press in respect of certain traumatic developments that have arisen between me and my ex-wife, Barrister Celia Juliet Ototo of the Ototo Family of Ovom in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. It is now nearly 11 years since our separation and divorce. This press statement is important in order to prevent damaging speculations, half-truths and outright lies from persons who may want to cash in on the tragedy that has befallen my home.

“Sometime during the Coronavirus lockdowns early last year, I received information from an anonymous source that indicated that the last of the three children from the previous marriage was in fact not my biological child. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time, I had to wait until August 2020 to carry out a DNA test. The DNA result which came out in September 2020 confi nfirmed that I was not the biologiical father of the child.

“Consequently, I convened a joint meeting between my family on the one side, and Celia’s paternal and maternal families (i.e., the Ototo Family of Ovom Town and the

Ebi and I would continue to support the children in any y way that we can. Indeed, even after the release of the first DNA test result which p proved that I was not the biological g father of the last child, we have continued to pay for his education in a private boarding school

Agbagidi Family of Yenagoa Town) on the other side, where I confronted her with the paternity fraud allegation.”

He continued, “Although she initially strongly insisted that I was the biological father, she has since confessed to having the child with another man during the course of our marriage. This repulsive act of my ex-wife prompted me to conduct DNA tests in respect of the two other children. A few days ago, the results came out. Sadly, none of them is my biological child.

“This abomination has caused excruciating mental trauma to me, my present wife, Barrister (Mrs.) Ebi Okorodas and all of the innocent children involved. This is particularly so for Ebi, who has had to agree to have DNA tests on the four children of our own marriage. Thankfully, the test results confi nfirm each of them to be my biological child.

“It is important to state that Celia walked away from the marriage when her youngest child (who is now 17 years of age) was just 6 years old. Since then, all of her children have lived with my wife, Ebi and I, and we have been wholly responsible for their well-being and education. Friends who are close to my family would readily attest to the fact that unless specifi ifically informed, no one could tell that children were not the biological children of my present wife.

“Ebi and I would continue to support the children in any fi way that we can. Indeed, even after the release of the first DNA test result which proved that I was not the biological father of the last child, we have continued to pay for his education in a private boarding school. The two other children are university undergraduates. The fi first, female, will be a graduate later this year, and the second will soon enter his 4th year of study. We pray for them to overcome the trauma and become responsible citizens of the country.

For Celia and her boyfriend or boyfriends, we leave them to their conscience.”

Barrister Celia Ototo has not spoken on this mess that has kept the social media abuzz in the last 10 days.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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;˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

IS COVID-19 A RICH MAN’S DISEASE? COVID-19 knows no social boundaries, writes Tayo Ogunbiyi

S

ince March 2019, when the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared it a pandemic, Coronavirus, a.k.a. COVID-19, has continued to wreak havoc across the world; weakling the health care system, disrupting businesses and bringing about a completely new norm in social interactions. At the peak of its reign, the pandemic brought the entire world to its knees, forcing countries to impose a total lockdown with its attendant challenges. It was such a trying moment for a bewildered world.

Toward the last quarter of 2020, there appeared to be a bit of respite, making many nations to progressively relax hitherto stringent COVID-19 protocol.

Gradually, things began to return to normalcy, as people began to piece together the ruins of their businesses. At last, the worst is over! So we all thought. How wrong!

From the blue came a more menacing variety of the pandemic. Now popularly referred to as the second wave, the new brand of the deadly virus, experts say, is more dreadful and ferocious, giving its victims very little chances of survival. Now, across the world, the fear of the second wave of COVID-19 is the beginning of wisdom.

It is, however, puzzling that in the midst of the pandemic’s vicious resurgence, many still see it as a ruse, while others simply term it a ‘rich man’s disease’. Ironically, this view is not only being spread among the uneducated, a few elites also nurse it. For instance, in March 2020, Governor of Mexico’s Puebla State, Luis Miguel Barbosa, said: “If you are rich, you are at risk, but if you are poor, you are not.”

In Nigeria and, indeed, many African countries, many people who reside in high density areas are yet to come to term with the monstrous nature of the pandemic. They still live carelessly, claiming, without scientific proofs, that the virus only seeks the rich to devour. But then, is this really the case?

Is COVID-19 actually a rich man’s nemesis? Are the poor immune from the infection as being claimed?

To start with, historically, pandemics rage more among the poor, but in the case of coronavirus, being a high-class import infection— carried in by business men and tourists returning from trips abroad, the rich, obviously, appear more vulnerable.

Therefore, looking at it from this perspective, the rich certainly stands the risk of contracting the disease. This, perhaps, explains, especially in the case of Nigeria, why the elites seem to be the

THE APPEAL, HERE, IS FOR COMPATRIOTS TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR HEALTH. THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR SAFETY LIES IN OUR HANDS

earliest casualties of the ailment.

Thus, it is safe to establish that at the outset, COVID-19 could be considered a rich man’s disease, considering it was imported by the supposed rich who contracted it abroad. But then, it didn’t take long before the equation quickly changed and the disease became an all-comers’ affairs. It was not long before a pattern of spreading the disease from the rich to the poor and vice-versa emerged. That marked the beginning of a new phase in the spread of the disease, which experts refer to as community transmission.

In countries where it recorded greater casualties, COVID-19 neither spared the rich nor the poor. It killed without taking such social stratification into consideration. The truth, thus, is that the pandemic seeks both the rich and poor to destroy. Hence, the earlier proponents of the baseless assertion that the unseen monster is only after the rich jettisons such wild claim, the better for them and the entire society. Please, get it right, COVID-19 knows no social boundaries!

For that reason, we need to come to term with the reality of what we are contending with. This is not the time to make unfounded statements. Such will only compound the situation. The appeal, here, is for compatriots to take personal responsibility for their health. The ultimate responsibility for our safety lies in our hands. It is quite absurd to read about certain people holding some high society party amid a vicious pandemic. If we continue with such ‘I don’t care’ (unconcerned) attitude, we will not only hurt our families, but we will hurt others too.

According to history, the Spanish flu of 1918 claimed many lives in the first wave, but as soon as the lockdown was relaxed people began to party again and quickly overlooked hitherto treasured protocols. Sadly, before they could come to term with it, the second wave had claimed 10 times more people.

To prevent a spike in COVID-19 cases and forestall our healthcare system being overwhelmed, we all need to take responsibility and follow strictly hygiene practices. Wear your facemask appropriately. It is not a chin mask! Adhere to social distancing rules, wash hands regularly and keep to all safety guidelines. rOgunbiyi is Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED

Uzor Maxim Uzoatu writes that the continued existence of Nigeria is now being put to question

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hings have fallen apart completely in Nigeria. Nothing has made many Nigerians lose faith in Nigeria more than the impunity reigning in Nigeria since General Muhammadu Buhari ascended to power as a supposed civilian president in 2015.The nepotism has been grossly embarrassing.

Insecurity is overwhelming the entire country. Corruption has gone into the stratosphere but the president’s toadies would rather have us believe that it’s Nigerians that are corrupt, not Buhari or the government that he runs. There is war raging in literally all the geo-political zones of the country, and no less a personage than General T.Y. Danjuma has openly stressed: “The Nigerian Army is not neutral!”

The continued existence of Nigeria is now being put to question by Nigerians who used to be unstinted patriots. Something must give for Nigeria to ever come back from the brink.

Going back to the roots, Lord Frederick Lugard’s amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914 is today more than ever being challenged. There is the crying need to ask very hard questions about the country for Nigerians to attain a measure of nationhood. In handling Nigerian affairs, Buhari has shown he pays no heed to Chinua Achebe who once said that Nigeria is neither our father nor our mother, but a child who needs to be nurtured and brought up properly.

Nigeria is being manhandled by the Buhari government in very dangerous ways. It is as though the rampaging Fulani herdsmen are a government unto themselves. They cannot be called to order nor be arrested by the central government. The other nationality groups cannot but resort to self-help. Anarchy looms.

With the divisions being created by the current government, it is now a matter of regret in many quarters that Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, exulted that the country won independence in 1960 “on a platter of gold.” Maybe a dogged fight for independence may have helped to settle some issues.

Nigerians are not forgetting in any hurry that Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first Premier of the Western Region, did raise the crucial issue of Nigeria being “a mere geographical expression.”

Against Zik’s charge that the many nationalities of Nigeria should forget their differences to forge ahead, the then Northern Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, countered by asserting that what was needed was for the different nationalities to understand the differences of the diverse peoples. The government of the day is wantonly showing that there is no use of forgetting the differences or understanding them.

No other regime in the history of Nigeria has so blatantly promoted the differences of diverse Nigerians than the Buhari government. Nigerians have never ever been this divided,

even during the so-called civil war.

In this day and age of the social media, it is becoming clear with the rage various Nigerians are openly airing their opinions that they want to go their separate ways. The centre can no longer hold.

Many commentators cite with anger that the colonizing British masters did not hide the fact that amalgamation was effected to get the Southern “lady of means” to keep alive the arid North that was being maintained through the treasury of the colonizers.

The return to democracy in 1999 was touted as the balm that would help heal the wounds of Nigeria’s many years of military rule. The powers-that-be in the Nigerian scheme of things ensured that a former military Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo, was taken from prison and perforce elected as a civilian president. Obasanjo may have had his faults, especially the Third Term gambit, but he was definitely pan-Nigerian in outlook. He never promoted his Yoruba clansmen over others as is the blatant policy of the state in Nigeria as I write.

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua could not outlive his poor health, but he never displayed crude polarization of the country, and he truly put to play consummate statesmanship in the way he solved the Niger Delta militancy with his amnesty programme.

It is a mark of how things have gone terribly wrong under Buhari

that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who was pilloried as being clueless is now being publicly courted to come back to power!

The campaigners that shouted everybody down in the drive for their chosen messiah to come to power in the heady days of 2015 are today looking shamefully out of sorts. In the house of Nigerian power, shamelessness reigns supreme.

A religious zealot is like a bull in a china shop. The prebendalism that Professor Richard Joseph cited as the ruin of Nigeria is now in overdrive.

Herdsmen protected in high quarters are at liberty to take people’s ancestral lands, highways and forests while wielding guns and suchlike weapons. Many Nigerians now say it is better to be born in Nigeria as a cow instead of as a human being!

This country teeters on the brink of disaster. Killings, banditry, kidnaps, abductions and assassinations are daily and nightly rituals of current Nigerian life. And nothing is being done to stem the hideous tide.

Every nation in history must confront and master its own road to Damascus. Nigeria is today poised on the threshold of monumental historical contradictions. The heart of the matter is that a country cannot forever exist in suspended animation.

Something must definitely give. Can the country be reclaimed from the vile forces of anomie?

I have come to the sad conclusion that Buhari’s Nigeria is not my Nigeria.

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;˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The coast is clear...

TO OUR READERS /HWWHUV LQ UHVSRQVH WR VSHFL¿F SXEOLFDWLRQV LQ 7+,6'$< VKRXOG EH EULHI ZRUGV DQG VWUDLJKW WR WKH SRLQW ,QWHUHVWHG UHDGHUV PD\ VHQG VXFK OHWWHUV DORQJ ZLWK WKHLU FRQWDFW GHWDLOV WR saturdayeditor@thisdaylive.com :H DOVR ZHOFRPH FRPPHQWV DQG RSLQLRQV RQ WRSLFDO ORFDO QDWLRQDO DQG LQWHUQDWLRQDO LVVXHV SURYLGHG WKH\ DUH ZHOO ZULWWHQ DQG VKRXOG DOVR QRW EH ORQJHU WKDW ZRUGV 7KH\ VKRXOG EH VHQW WR saturdayeditor@thisdaylive.com DORQJ ZLWK WKH HPDLO DGGUHVV DQG SKRQH QXPEHUV RI WKH ZULWHU

Discrimination Against Corporal Omolola

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t was with shock and horror that I read the gory news of the sacking of Corporal Olajide Omolola as a serving police officer in Iye Divisional Police Headquarters in Ilejemeje Local Government in Ekiti State on the ridiculous grounds of getting pregnant out of wedlock and she can only be reinstated by the Inspector General of Police. According to the Ekiti State Police Commissioner, she violated Section 127 of the police regulation which states that “An unmarried woman police officer who becomes pregnant shall be discharged from the Force and shall not be re-enlisted except with the approval of the Inspector-General.”

A national newspaper recently listed the litany of discriminatory laws against serving female police officers. Sections 121 and 122 restrict women police officers to certain duties; 123 prohibits women from drill under arms; and 124 requires women police to apply for permission to marry. Clearly, these provisions expose women to discriminatory practices, which in some circumstances can be exploited by their male bosses.

Senator Francis Ezenwa representing Imo State sponsored a bill for the abolition of the discriminatory practices in Sections 122, 123, 124, and 127. We hope that it becomes law soon as the emotionally battered and psychologically traumatized Nigerian female police officers clearly deserve a better deal serving their motherland in the 21st century when their counterparts all over the globe are celebrating female friendly laws on a daily basis.

If on the other hand a serving unmarried male police officer gets a lady pregnant, he doesn’t get sanctioned. Why the blatant discrimination? What is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander! For how long will women be at the mercy f anachronistic and archaic male chauvinistic laws?

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Five states that woman must have equal rights and opportunity and must be completely free from violence and discrimination as it is a sine qua non for the sturdy building of a more inclusive society. Nigeria is a signatory to the UN’s SDG’s so why is it hard for women to have a better deal in our society?

Despite the harsh reality that stares the average Nigerian woman in the face especially when they have to contend with a plethora of gender discriminatory laws, some are making giant strides by breaking the glass ceiling and being an inspiration to many of their

Stand Up for What is Right

I

t is pleasing to see that the US House of Representatives has moved against Marjorie Taylor-Greene and her recent statements. Australia has had a similar event where a representative, Craig Kelly, a climate change septic and supporter of unproven medical treatments was spoken to by the Prime Minister.

A recent news item of the lady wearing a Trump Won face mask is worrying as an assumption of any elected official is that they will tell the truth and the truth is that Trump didn’t win. Most of the rest of her statements were farcical and offensive.

Perhaps the best option is for her to issue an apology, recognise her errors and resign from her seat so that a better representative can fill it. r%FOOJT 'JU[HFSBME .FMCPVSOF "VTUSBMJB

beleaguered counterparts who are tragically part of the daily vulnerable. The likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who made history as the first female Finance Minister and hopefully the world’s first female Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili made history as the first World Bank’s Vice-President for Africa; Chief (Mrs) Ibukun Awosika is the first female Chairperson of First Bank; Osaretin Demuren is the first female Chairperson of Guaranty Trust Bank; Dr (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Awosika is the first female Chairperson of Access Bank; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is currently Nigeria’s biggest literary export; Chidiogo AkunyiliCrosby has sold artworks in the United States at over $1 million. I can go on and on of the exploits that Nigerian women are making both at home and in the Diaspora despite the daunting odds stacked against them. They have dared to dream where angels have feared to tread. In this day and age we should be having critical discussions about having the first female Inspector-General of Police to better tackle the myriad of security challenges in the country where their male counterparts have failed to rise up to the occasion and not this nauseating gender discriminatory law when the world has long moved on.

Section 42 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution states that ‘Every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognised and guaranteed by the basic law without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status’. The law which punished Corporal Omolola grossly violates this law and it should be immediately expunged as it is clearly against natural justice, equity and good conscience. The law is a fall out of what our long departed British Colonial masters gave us and has no place in the 21st century as they have long removed such discriminatory laws from their statute books. Why can’t we do the same for crying out loud? r5POZ "EFNJMVZJ -BHPT T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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

On Stingy Men and Youth in Governance

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ong before now Nigerian youths have been criticised for docility. They have perhaps not been concerned about politics and policies of their governments. Rather, European sports leagues have beclouded our minds while the leaders kept on insulting the youth.

Just this year’s January, Stingy Men Association of Nigeria trended with notable youth leaders lending their voices. SMAN was targeted at spins who feed fat on the “abeg I need N2k urgently” cliche. From Twitter to WhatsApp groups, the campaign against extortion by ladies generated reactions and resulted to “don’t give shi shi”.

Regardless of our multiplicity of tribes, one thing that we have in common is social media assembly. At a time that Nigeria is struggling for its future over insecurity, fragile education sector, poverty, tribalism and other critical sectors, it is a moment for us to join hands together to forget all kinds of enmity and focus on youth activeness to develop this nation.

Here, we are on social media having platforms of stingy men and cheerful givers, stingy women, sugar daddies and mommies’ associations which will not yield good results rather than expose the hidden swanky mindset of younger ones in the social media.

Many Nigerian students are at home doing nothing for almost a year now without little productivity. Effort and energy diverted into creating a platform like stingy and cheerful circles, and prefer to joke around. Then what’s the future of my dear nation?

As strong as social media is, these challenges have gone round capturing the attention of the media. If we use the same power of social media and open platforms that will help us in life, one would imagine how far we will go to achieve a lot.

Fellow youth, always think of being good to yourself and your country. I suggest instead of a Stingy Association why not use the same energy in the new media to campaign for the end to violence, rape and be shaping your ideas collectively. I thought of a vibrant youth political party to send these old fashioned political class packing. We have that power and tool on our palms. r6TNBO "CEVMMBIJ ,PMJ %FQU PG .BTT $PNNVOJDBUJPO "CVCBLBS 5BUBSJ "MJ 1PMZUFDIOJD #BVDIJ

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2021 •T H I S D AY

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2021

TRIBUTE

Sunsets forVeteran Journalist, Irrepressible Politician Festus Akanbi, in this piece, examines the life and times of former Information Minister, Prince Tony Momoh who died on February 1, 2021

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t was the famous American poet and essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, who aptly captured the ephemeral nature of the death of great men whose legacies gave them a permanent space in people’s hearts long after their demise. In his award-winning poem, “All Return Again,” Emerson said: “It is the secret of the world that all things subsist and do not die, but only retire a little from sight and afterwards return again.”

The above lines capture the overwhelming reactions of family, friends, political associates and members of the journalism profession to the passing away of the charismatic media practitioner turned politician, Prince Tony Momoh on Monday.

To this group of people, Prince Momoh is not dead because the echoes of his messages and what he represents in several of his articles and books are reverberating, days after his exit.

Apart from several articles and commentaries on social and political issues which the former Minister of Information churned out, some of his books included Revolt of the New Breed and Other Stories, published on May 3, 1985; Nigeria-Some Facts we Ignore: Nigeria Centenary; Each Man, His Time: The Biography of an Era, January 1, 1995; The Edo Culture Group in the Nigerian Polity: In Search of Sanity, on Jan 1, 1996 and Reflections on Letters to My Countrymen published on Jan 1, 1993.

The story of Prince Tony Momoh is that of a man who recognised the role assigned to him by nature and indeed, he did not fail to rise to the occasion before death came calling on February 1.

From the Beginning

Like a man destined to serve a purpose, he had from the beginning of his life chosen to be different and unapologetic to any of his decisions.

For instance, in 1955, Momoh converted from Islam to Christianity. He was named Suleiman at birth, but changed to Tony — taking after the personality he admired, Anthony Enahoro, one of Nigeria’s foremost anti-colonial and pro-democracy activists.

This was what he said about his faith. “When I was being sworn in as Minister of Information and Culture, I said I wouldn’t swear by the Bible or the Quran and I said, ‘So help me God’. When I stepped out, journalists asked me, ‘They said you are an atheist.’ I said I was not an atheist. They asked why I did not swear by the Bible or the Quran but only said ‘So help me God.’ I said, ‘I am a Christian and a Muslim when they are not quarrelling, and neither when they are.”

Other admirers described him as a very lucky man. In this school of thought is Taiwo Obe, a journalist and media trainer, who disclosed that Momoh’s lucky number was 13. The number, Obe said, was associated with Momoh’s residence, place of work, and notable job positions during his lifetime.

“Many dread #13. But for our dear senior, Tony Momoh, who exited the Earth today, (Feb 1), 13 was his lucky number. He lived at 13 Bush St, Maryland; law office at 13 Sylvia Crescent, Anthony; was 13th editor of Daily Times, 13th Information Minister & chair, 13th Governing Council, UNIJOS,” Obe wrote on Twitter.

Perhaps, his stint in the old Daily Times Plc gave him the needed boost to fully explore the Nigerian media terrain where he left an indelible mark. A story was told of how as the General Manager of the Daily Times, he had to open the door of the car of the then Managing Director of the company any time his boss visited the office in Agidingbi, as a mark of respect.

However, there was a twist of fate when Tony was appointed as Minister of Information and Culture by President Ibrahim Babangida. His first visit to the Times premises was a scene to behold as his former boss had to ceremoniously open the door of Momoh’s car, eliciting a sombre mood among members of staff in attendance.

Laying Foundation from Journalism

When many people of his generation tried their luck in politics for spoils of office, there are reasons to believe that Prince Tony Momoh’s years of journalism and the attendant realisation of the depth of the rot in the society largely influenced his entrance into politics.

Born into a fairly large family, one could say that the Edo Prince was born a politician because he had to explore all survival tactics to remain relevant among his siblings. Tony Momoh’s father, King

Momoh Momoh I of Auchi, Edo State had 257 children with 48 wives between 1903 and 1944. Tony was the 165th child.

His sharp criticism brought him into confrontation with the former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, who in 1981 summoned Momoh for contempt. This caused a major legal battle in which Momoh successfully argued that as a journalist he was empowered by the constitution to hold government accountable at all times.

He was buffeted by harvests of legal battles and in Tony Momoh v. Speaker, House of Representatives (1982) he recorded a victory when it was held that a person had the right to refuse to disclose their source of information. However, in Senate v. Tony Momoh (1983) the Court of Appeals held that the press is not a fourth arm of government. A newspaper publisher has no special immunity and the press can be ordered to disclose its sources in some cases.

These legal battles and the disposition of politicians during the Second Republic must have opened his mind to serve his father land in order to make a significant change in the order of things.

Pandering to the Wish of the Military

So, his first opportunity came when he was appointed Minister of Information and Culture by General Ibrahim Babangida, a position held from September 1986 until 1990.He was Chairman of the African Conference of Information Ministers from 1988 to 1990. However, his seriousness about his writings in defence of freedom of speech and fundamental human rights were tested during the ordeals of former editor of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa.

In 1983, the editor of Newswatch was detained for a week by police for publishing what they called “classified material”. On 17 October 1986, Giwa was accused by Colonel A.K. Togun of the State Security Services (SSS) of anti-government activities including attempting to import arms to foment insurrection. On 19 October 1986, Giwa was killed by a parcel bomb. At first, Momoh pledged that there would be a government probe of the incident. He soon backed down, saying “a special probe would serve no useful purpose”. Till date, no such probe was put in place.

He continued to pander to the wish of the ruling military government and speaking at a seminar in 1987, Momoh said that radio, television and newspapers should be seen as tools “for the promotion of national unity and integration”. In the following year, Momoh announced that the government was trying to find radio sets that could only receive approved broadcasts from the federal and state radio stations. This was “as a means of ensuring that information about the country was adequately disseminated”

Many of his fans began to express worry over his change of focus as he became the poster boy for the Babangida administration which was heavily criticised for its reluctance to hand over power to elected civilian government.

He chorused IBB’s Grassroots Democracy mantra and on several occasions, he had to step forward as the Minister of Information to defend Babangida’s unilateral change of political rules.

For instance, in May 1990, party elections were held for local ward positions using an “open ballot”, where voters showed their preference by standing in front of a photograph of the candidate. Party elections were then scheduled for the state and national elections. Momoh said the government would not interfere in the inner workings of parties. Soon after, all the National Republican Convention candidates for national offices were disqualified on the grounds that there were irregularities in their application forms.

When public criticisms were at their highest over the indiscriminate donation of money, vehicles and offices to local governments, political parties and others, Momoh said the measure was taken to insulate public institutions from the temptation of being hijacked by corrupt politicians.

As Minister for Information, Momoh justified the practice, saying of democracy that it “is not as expensive as people are thinking in relation to the alternative. The alternative is allowing one man to dictate to the whole Nigeria because you don’t want it to be expensive. If money is not spent on democracy and a one-man dictatorship emerges ... it is the same Nigerians who are talking of expensiveness now that will shout that one man is a dictator”.

Babangida characteristically dispensed with the service of Momoh who he replaced with a former customs official who was also a director of Newswatch Alex Akinyele.

Rooting for President Muhammadu Buhari

Having watched politicians from a close range, first, as a newspaper editor and as spokesperson for a military regime, Momoh became well-rooted in politics. He decided to pitch his tent with the late Vice President Alex Ekwueme and became his director of Campaign Organisation in 1999.

Later, he became the chairman, media and publicity, of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). His influence and popularity continue to rise by the day and he was soon to become chairman of the political committee of the Muhammadu Buhari Organisation and national Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of the parties that merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The late politician never hid his support for President Muhammadu Buhari. And until he breathed his last, he kept defending the President. Commenting on his unbreakable ties to Buhari in an interview, he said: “So, my attachment to Buhari has to do with the mission. He is supposed to be part of laying the foundation for a Nigeria that must make a statement to the world in the next few years and I repeat that there is nothing anybody can do about it.

“So, when people think I have an attachment to Buhari, yes I have been with him since 2003. Some people even said I was following a stupid man who would never win an election. It’s now they know that I was the one right because I was seeing beyond just the horizon and it’s not an emotional following.

It is a cosmic following. He is more prepared to rule Nigeria than any other person.”

Educational Records

Momoh attended the Government School, Auchi, a school founded by his father in 1922. He later moved to Anglican School Okpe, where he served as a pupil-teacher. He also served as headmaster of the Anglican School, Ubuneke, Ivbiaro, Owan local government area of the state. Momoh attended the Provincial Teachers Training College, Abudu, Edo State and Government Teachers College, Abraka, Delta State. He proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), University of Lagos and the Nigerian Law school. He possesses degrees in mass communication and law.

Momoh, who was survived by four children, (three boys, and a girl), also served as chairman of the board of the defunct Nigeria Airways and was also a member of the Nigerian Press Council. He was honoured with the Selkyo Culture Award in Japan in recognition of his “great contribution to society”.

Until his death, he was a strong supporter of restructuring and was outspoken about national affairs.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Mr. Eazi is Something Else Teni’s Getting Set for Wonderland pg. 19

Patoranking Bares Video of ‘Mon Bébé’ pg. 21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

18 Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Mr. Eazi is Something Else MarkedlyamajorartisteinAfrica’sflourishingmusicindustry,BankuMusicexponent,MrEazi(Oluwatosin Ajibade) in a fortnight from today will delight his fans with his new EP – “Something Else”, which already has its lead single “The Don” streaming on major platforms. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

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et to drop February 19, Mr Eazi 5-track Extended Play (EP) will showcase some of his recent works till date, with surprise collaboration.

Its lone guest feature is Kenya-based Xenia Manasseh, who was one of 30 emerging artistes handpicked by Eazi to participate in the #emPawa30, the second round of emPawa Africa’s talent incubator programme.

Eazi had hinted on dropping the new single and two new studio body of work, including “Life Is Eazi Vol 3” EP this year and he is already in the studio working up his promise about that “Life Is Eazi, Vol. 3” album will be unveiled before the 4th quarter of this year. 7his will be his Àrst since his 2018 Life Is Eazi Vol. 2 –Lagos To London album. “Something Else” is a follow-up to his 2020 EP, One Day You Will Understand.

The Port Harcourt-bred artiste tweeted: “It’s taken 3 years for me to actually feel like making another project. Maybe I will make 2, but before then, another small EP for You guys.”

The Àrst single oͿ the EP, “The Don”, is already streaming on all platforms. Eazi dropped the single on 29th January. The Afropop superstar shared the new single along with details of his forthcoming EP, which drops via his own Banku Music label and emPawa Africa.

‘The Don’ was produced by Killertunes and E Kelly. “I spent the entire year working on building emPawa Africa and morphing into Don Eazi.

I almost had no time to record. This project was inspired by Kel P and Killertunes, who kept coming to meet me in Accra until I Ànally recorded ‘The Don.’ That opened the door for me getting back into the studio,” Mr Eazi said in a press release.

In addition to Killertunes, E Kelly and Kel P, “Something Else” features production from Spellz, Blaq Jerzee, and Jaylon.

‘The Don’ is a larger-than-life anthem that oͿers listeners a Àrst taste of Something Else, and a window into Eazi’s ever-expanding world. It follows a busy 2020 for the Nigerian recording artiste and music business innovator which saw him appear on the cover of Billboard; expand his emPawa Africa initiative and launched the Africa Music Fund -an innovative Ànancial vehicle designed to make capital available to African artistes.

He also released his own successful collaborations with Major Lazer/ Nicki Minaj ‘Oh My Gaw’ and J Balvin ‘Lento.’ ‘Nobody,’ his link-up with DJ Neptune and #emPawa100 alum Joeboy, was the No. 1 single of the year in Nigeria, generating over 100 million streams worldwide. Since his sophomore album ‘Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2’, Eazi has spent time creating and building his artiste incubator platform emPawa Africa which has successfully funded and powered the next generation of African musical talent.

It’s not surprising that these days, Eazi doubles as a music mogul and musician, a dual persona that contrary to public opinion is a symbiotic relationship between the not so far

oͿ responsibilities since he became a platform for African underdogs through his emPawa initiative. In 2018, the gifted Nigerian singer, born Oluwatosin Ajibade founded emPawa Africa, an initiative geared towards uplifting emerging artistes by sponsoring their videos and music projects.

On his forthcoming EP ‘Something Else’ Eazi, born Oluwatosin Ajibade, appears to be reaping the rewards of his entrepreneurial seeds sown over these past few years as he declares, “The Don And I Paid My Price, I’m Living Like I’m In Paradise.”

Eazi, the crooning singer and rapper, sits on the symbolic border of two distinct cultures and countries: Nigeria, where he was born and raised, and Ghana, where he went to college and spent his young adult years recording music.

He has become a major artiste in Africa’s Áourishing music industry, which is centered largely on Lagos and has produced songs for Nigerian superstars, such as Wizkid, who is an associate of Eazi’s and has done more to popularize the Lagos sound than anyone. But in Eazi’s music, there is as much a unique Ghanaian inÁuence as a Nigerian one: Songs like the smash hit ‘Leg Over’ have the energetic pulse of Nigerian Afrobeats, but with Eazi’s slow and soothing delivery that the artiste says is inspired by the chilled-out vibe of Ghanaian life.

He calls his signature blend “banku music,” a reference to Ghana’s traditional staple food. “You eat it with soup - banku has three diͿerent Áours, so it’s heavy, and it makes me relaxed and tired,” he told Vogue.

“The Àrst time I ever recorded a song, I went straight from the banku joint to the studio, so I was sleepy.

Some people say I sing like I don’t really care. Like, ‘Yo, bro, are you really singing?’ That’s banku.”

The self-acclaimed pioneer of Banku Music, which he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and pattern, before hitting spotlight, holds a remarkable story: “After I came back from Ghana, I got a job in oil and gas in Port Harcourt that paid about $6000 monthly but I quit because I was not Ànding fulÀllment in it. I mean it was the same thing every day, the same routine over and over again.

The decision to quit the job Ànally hit me when my boss’ wife left him even with all the money he had.

“After I left my job, I got my Master’s degree and with all that qualiÀcation I started selling phones in computer village and everyone thought something was wrong with me. Even my mother started special prayers for me but my father didn’t add that Ànal voice that would have decided my fate. My break Ànally came after I got an invite to do two shows in London that made me £12,000 which I used to shoot two videos.

“When I told my mother what I did with the money, she stopped talking to me for about three weeks. I had to move in with a friend because even my relatives didn’t want me around but everything Ànally changed when I went back to London for shows that fetched me really good money.”

Mr Eazi

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Teniola

Teni’s Getting Set for Wonderland Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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inger, songwriter Teniola Apata better known as Teni The Entertainer’s debut album has been conÀrmed for March 2021. In a post on her social media platforms, the Dr. Dolor Entertainment artiste further revealed that the album’s name is ‘Wondaland’. Teni announced the titled of her album with a fairytale-like teaser which she captioned, “The time is near….. And the album shall be called “Wondaland” #March2021 #Wondaland,” she wrote.

The album will be Teni’s Àrst body

of work since “4uarantine Playlist” with DJ Neptune. While announcing her upcoming body of work, the award-winning Afrobeats superstar, also shared a short video that seemed to explain the choice of the album’s name.

“There was a little girl who dreamt of going to the most magical and beautiful place in the galaxy. A place where all her dreams will come true... Wondaland…” read the caption.

This comes after the ‘Billionaire’ crooner shared a viral sneak peek from her collaboration with superstar Davido, thanking him for making an appearance in her video shoot for what appears to be a track on the album.

Just a few days ago, the hit-maker had

penned a heartfelt thank you note to superstar singer Davido for spending eight hours of his time with her watching her go through her video shoot and other things.

She acknowledged that he did everything they wanted and more with them and she is extremely grateful for that.

She further disclosed that they made a hit record together. Teni said: “Davido came to my shoot, stayed eight hours did everything we wanted and more # davidothank you thank you. We have a hit on the way ” Teni who started her music career in 2016 currently has two EPs to her name – “Billionare” released in 2019 and “The 4uarantine Playlist” which she

dropped at the height of &oronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

The 28-year-old singer who was born in Lagos State released her debut single “Amen” while signed to Shizzi’s Magic Fingers Records.

She left the record label and signed with Dr. Dolor Entertainment in 2017 and started gaining prominence after releasing the single “Fargin” in September 2017. Teni’s breakthrough came after releasing the hit singles “Askamaya,” “&ase” and “Uyo Meyo” which propelled her to winning several awards among them Rookie of the Year at the 2018 Headies Awards, and Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

StarTimes Offers Special Nighttime Entertainment StarTimes has demonstrated its unremitting commitment to deliver quality content to African families by bringing Funke Akindele’s Industreet drama series and another season of Jenifa’s Diary as well as movie hours dedicated to new and exclusive Nollywood movies weekly.

This is part of the pay-TV entertainment provider’s ways of making top family entertainment accessible to more audiences across sub-Saharan Africa.

The new season of Jenifa’s Diary airs every Sunday from February 7 at 8pm on its Nollywood Plus channel with a repeat on Wednesdays at 7pm. Industreet will start airing on Saturday, February 6 at

8pm on Area 10 &hannel.

Also, Friday nights just got better African Movie &hannel (AM&) will be showing its newest original and exclusive movies from its own production hub, AM&OP – AM& Original Productions, every Friday at 8pm from January till December 2021, all in stunning High DeÀnition.

AM& is a premium 24-hour African movie channel, showcasing only the Ànest Nollywood movies. The movies include AM&’s own exclusive originals directly from its very own production division, AM&OP, and the biggest and latest cinema blockbusters, all in brilliant High DeÀnition, for the entire family.

Among the new and exclusive AM&OP movies to watch out every Friday at 8 pm this February include Self Sentence starring Anthony Monjaro, Bolaji Ogunmola and Hadiza Abubakar on February 5; Lockdown starring Moc Madu, &hinelo Ejianwu, &ynthia Shalom and Micheal Odeh on February 12; For Richer starring Tope Tedela, Debby Felix, Raphael Niyi and &hinwe &raig on February 19; and Golden Spoon starring Tope Tedela, BoÀe Itombra, Michael Ejoor and Brutus Richards on February 26. These AM&OP movies were released in 2021.

These exclusive originals, together with the latest A-grade and cinema blockbusters on African Movie &hannel,

are showing in stunning HD for viewers’ enhanced viewing experience.

African Movie &hannel HD is available on StarTimes, StarSat, and TopStar across Africa on DTT channel 018 and DTH channel 185.

Lazarus Ibeabuchi, PR Manager, StarTimes Nigeria said: “We want families to enjoy special night time ambience at home through our carefully curated programmes oͿering not only delicious treats but also deepening family fond moments. We carry on from where we left oͿ in 2020, a year that we introduced loads of fantastic channels and content.

2021 is going to be Bigger, Brighter, Better, with more fantastic entertainment.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR XmondT

Some Popular Nigerian Artistes Treated Me Cruelly Multi-talented Nigerian XmondT, whose birth name is Samuel Adetoye, is a singer, songwriter, rapper, entrepreneur, cinematographer, On-Air-Personality, careerist and a record producer. Focused and dedicated to his arts, XmondT is a motivation to quite a lot of Áedgling talents. Starting out as an artiste was quite challenging for him, but he braved the odds and remained true to himself. His moniker, XMONDT, means “Xtraordinary Man of No Denomination Toye.”

XMONDT says it means “I can’t be predicted”. In this conversation with Ferdinand Ekechukwu, the Canada-based artiste opens up on his musical journey, life, challenges and chances as a resourceful creative

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What’s your background like? mondT is from Ifon in Ondo State. Both parents are from Ifon, Ondo State. I was born in the early 80’s. I am from a Christian family of 9 children. I am the last born. I was born in Ajegunle, Lagos State. Parents relocated to Ifon when I was 4 years old. My dad is alive ‘chilling’, mum passed on at the age of 71 in 2016. I was raised in a family named ‘The Book Family’. Dad was very strict on us all. He hated all sorts of lagging behind attitudes. Parents were always bent on making sure we had the best education. I have a master’s degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and also bagged my Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. I also attended Ifon Comprehensive High School, Ifon, Ondo State for my secondary education. I am married to the most beautiful woman in the whole world. Kindly Ànd out who this special goddess is.

help the extreme jobless in Nigeria.

Were your parents supportive of your choice of career starting out as an artiste?

I hid it from my parents for a long time. Like I said earlier, am from a family named ‘The Book Family’. All we know how to do is becoming engineers, top bankers, top IT analysts and CEOS. They actually got to know while I was a banker in Nigeria. They were surprised.... So painful my mum is dead. It hurts badly.

Can you share with us your memorable experience performing as an artiste?

The Àrst week I relocated to Canada; I performed a new song in a club here in Canada. The love from the foreigners was so great. I was approached by a Canadian named Albert Ngwa but Cameroonian by birth. He was interested in my music career. He bought my Àrst brand new car for me…. Can you imagine? First week I relocated to Canada. Kindly check my Instagram page @xmondt. He has been doing lots of giveaways to Nigerians. That’s the love am talking about. A Cameroon/Nigerian…

Take us through music journey?

It all began in 2001/2002 when I relocated to Festac Town in Lagos with the intention of writing JAMB. My immediate older brother (Adesope Ogundimbola) was fond of playing manyAmerican songs.

He would sit close to the disk player listening to songs and was fond of dubbing songs directly from FMs’ to cassette via cassette players. I watched him closely and suddenly had the thought of me composing and recording songs like American stars, but how to achieve it was a problem. Same year, I was watching a music programme on TV and I heard a speciÀc group of Nigerians rapping with the American accent. I was so impressed and decided to go search for the group. Guess the name of the group? Trybes Men. (Eldee, Freestyle and Kaboom), including their signed artistes. I began making enquiries on how to locate them. It was so di΀cult to meet them as they were on tour outside Nigeria.

While on the move searching for them, I met Big Lo, OJB Jezreel and Joe Kenny. I recorded some demos at Big Lo’s studio and OJB’s studio at Surulere. It’s so painful both of them are deceased.

It was not easy paying studio fees all the time. Due to the go getter lifestyle, which was impacted into me by my parents, I decided to learn production. Most times, I visited BigLo and OJB purposely to stand behind them to secretly learn the craft as I had no money to pay o΀cially for the skill learning. Big Lo and OJB noticed my intentions; they smiled and encouraged me to come out openly on what I actually wanted. I did and today the rest is history. I am now a certiÀed record producer. I eventually met Legendary Freestyle Da Shogun who schooled me (Still schooling me), I met Timi the black one (now Dr Timi) who accommodated/fed/advised me while I was searching for Trybesmen. I also met 2shots. Another great icon that had a positive impact in my music career is Keji k-Show Sowoolu. Some Nigerian popular artistes also had negative impact in my career. They treated me like real shit.

What discouragement have you faced in the industry?

The major discouragement is the monopoly in the Nigerian music industry. It’s not like that here in the western world. Industry is full greed in naija.

Starting out here in Nigeria as an artiste wasn’t that a good experience for you. Share with us those early moments and what lessons did you learn?

My experience in Nigeria as a starter was hugely the combination of 30% good and 70% bad, but honestly wasn’t that favourable.

Have you ever asked yourself why is it that we have like minimum

Which Nigerian artistes have you worked with and which would you want to work with in the future?

I have worked with Late Big LO, K Show and Freestyle Da Shogun.

These songs are yet to be released into the market. I recently recorded a song with Seriki Omoowo which is presently the rave of the moment. Song was produced by Soso Beats. I also recorded a song with legendary Eedris Abdulkareem which am about to drop. Big ups to the legendary Eedris for the fatherly love and encouragement.

Concerning future recordings, I would love to work with Davido, Tubaba, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Medalz Medallion, Zlatan, Dbanj, Don Jazzy, KOS G, Yemi Alade, Moriento, Chellz, MI, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Mr Eazi, Blu Drimz, Naira Marley, Teni, Tekno Miles, Kizz Daniel, Flavour, Gracy Soul, Kakadu, Patoranking, Banky W, Ice Prince, Wande Coal, Seyi Shay, Mendulla, Timaya, Falz, Phyno, Mr Eazi, Slimzee and many more.

XmondT

of 5 million talented artistes and in a year only 3 or 4 new artistes become super stars or excel in their music career? The challenges these 5 million artistes are currently facing are what I faced while I was in Nigeria which am going to list out. Nigerian entertainment industry is not well structured. Recording a quality song is expensive from A-List producers. I recorded songs in Nigeria, met some OAPs who collected my hard-earned money from me promising to play my songs. For days I would sit in front of the radio expecting to hear my song. Lolz… but never got played. Except the very extreme few good OAPS who played my song without collecting a dime from me. Shooting an average quality music video, you hear them requesting for N4 million. How do you expect an up-and-coming talented artiste to aͿord such huge amount? I wasn’t allowed to perform in shows because I could not aͿord to pay the organizers.

I am a music producer because I learnt the craft; I am a certiÀed cinematographer because I learnt the craft here in New York. I am an On-Air-Personality because I attended Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). All these were because I was trying to cut cost. I almost ran mad learning all these crafts. OK… The funny thing going on Nigeria is once you become a star, you excel… You are supposed to invest in another artiste. But hmn hmn, ‘Them Go Wan Die There Till Them Fade Out’. Big ups to Banky W, Big ups to Olamide, big ups to Davido (too glaring), big ups to ELdee the Don, big ups to Don Jazzy, big ups to Mr Eazi for his Africa Empowerment.

I sent messages to all the Music Stars in Nigeria, let them check their DMs, till today 90% of dem no answer. God dey ooooo. Only Uncle Paul IK Dairo and legendary Eedris Abdulkareem responded.

I recently spoke to some top music directors in Nigeria concerning me training many guys on how to shoot music videos and learning how to edit. Their response was ‘you want to come and spoil business for us abi?’ One even jokingly said ‘i will poison you oo.’ I knew he meant it. Government is not the only problem we have. We are also our problems. Major lesson I learnt is all hands must be on deck. We all have to help and encourage ourselves. You can’t reign for ever.

Growing up as a child and as an artiste you must have had quite a couple of role models who inspired you. Who are they?

Trybes Family, for their style factor; Fela Anikulapo kuti, for his critically reasoning factor; and Wole Soyinka, for being against all moribund conventions What are you presently working on?

I’m recording new songs, features on new movies here in Canada and America, bagging more degrees and creating foundations to

What motivates you as an artiste?

The Ànal Ànancial outcome, Áyboy and artiste lifestyle, love, the urge to create new music always and women with big ass (for looking sake) <RX KDYH D QHZ VRQJ DQG YLGHR 6LPLÀPLJDUD :KDW·V WKH LQVSLUDtion behind that song?

SimiÀmigara actually came out from my true-life story. I dated a girl named Simi many years back. We were getting along really good.

She introduced me to her parents, but her parents declined. I had no job then. It took me eight years to get my Àrst job after university.

Her Parents said I looked like monkey. Simi suddenly changed to me, I begged her on a daily basis. Most times I would kneel down on public grounds to beg her. People mocked me. This continued for years. She is married now; she is doing well. She admires me a lot now because God has blessed me and the monkey of then now looks like a real human being now. My experience with her actually brought about the song SimiÀmigara. Naso e be oooo.

How would you compare Nigerian artistes with those abroad?

To be candid, Nigerian artistes are the best in the world. Go to any club in the western world, you would hear Nigerian songs.

Abroad artistes respect us a lot and they are trying to imbibe our style which is the Afrobeats. :KDW PDNHV \RX GL;HUHQW IURP WKH RWKHU DUWLVWHV ZKR DUH LQWR entertainment doing the same thing?

What diͿerentiates me is the ability not to give up. I don’t care how long it will take me to achieve something, I don’t give up. Most Nigerian artistes give up easily. I hear some even commit suicide.

Another factor that makes me standout is the fact that I am a producer, a cinematographer, an experienced OAP, a movie actor; an educationist (am working towards achieving my PHD). +RZ KDV WKH &RYLG SDQGHPLF D;HFWHG \RX" Concerned personalities are not making money that much. No shows, people are scared recording or shooting videos because we all feel like the next person might be having covid-19. I can’t attend any shows or concert for now. We are presently on Lockdown here at my base. Everything is strictly based on online for now.

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Joe Boy Goes for Beauty and Magic

After bursting onto the music scene a few years ago with his hit songs “Baby” and “Beginning”, afro pop star Joeboy continues to showcase his tremendous talent and versatility as an artiste following his debut album, “Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic”. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

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inger, Joeboy has released his muchawaited debut album titled, “Somewhere Between Beauty and Magic” (SBBM). The album showcases Joeboy’s versatility with 14 tracks, including songs like ‘Celebration’ and ‘Lonely’. The album was released under Mr. Eazi’s Banku Music imprint and his Next-Gen music venture, emPawa Africa.

Interestingly, the singer was alone without any guest artiste on the LP which is something quite rare because collaborations have so much shaped the music landscape lately. The track list however shows that Joe Boy worked with several producers like Dera, Type A, BeatsbyKO, MOG, Big Fish, Tempoe, Mex Flairz, E Kelly, Killertunes and Semzy on the album. While the body of work was mixed by Oxygen Mix, it was mastered by E Kelly, Oxygen Mix, and Air. Other songs on the album are ‘Lonely’, ‘Consent’, ‘Count Me Out’, ‘Oshe’, ‘Oh’, ‘Sugar Mama’, ‘Police’, “Better Thing“, “Runaway” and “Celebration.

“It sounds like beauty. It sounds like magic. Anytime I’m speaking about the album, I’m really, really excited because I believe I should have put it out, but it was held back due to some delays,” Joeboy says of the album shortly before release.

The pop artiste explains further.

“That’s why anytime I speak about it; I can’t wait to put it out and let people see and understand what Joeboy is all about. It is an exciting album. It has a lot of smash hits on it. It’s diͿerent when it comes to singles. With singles, you have to do

Joe Boy

it in a particular way, but when you have a body of work, you can try diͿerent things. I think this album will showcase my versatility to a large extent.”

While revealing the track list and album cover on his social media platform, the singer said creating records that are life-changing “is

one of the greatest gifts” to humanity.

“Having to create records that are life changing is one of life’s greatest gifts to humanity. I’ve lived in the music to a point where I found myself immersed in all of its rhythm.

I present to you my debut album, ‘Somewhere Between Beauty and

Magic’. #SBBM It’s beautiful.”

Joeboy had hinted of the release of an album earlier in October 2020 when he released the single, ‘Lonely’. The song, which was dropped on October 9, 2020, came with the announcement that the debut album was set to be released later that month. According to sources, the album was set to be released on October 30, 2020. At that time though, the title of the album was unknown.

The 23-year-old artiste, who is an EmPawa talent beneÀciary, belongs to the industry’s new vanguard making music in their own way.

Joeboy was discovered by Mr. Eazi via the emPawa Africa project. The Afro pop singer dropped his debut, ‘Faaji’ a year later. However, it was his hit 2019 song, ‘Baby’ that further thrust him into the limelight. He also dropped an EP in November 2019 titled ‘Love and Light’. The Extended Play contained the two hit singles, the Mayorkun-assisted track, ‘Don’t Call Me Back’ and ‘All for You’. This album takes a diͿerent approach from the Love & Light EP. “Yeah, obviously, there was a diͿerent approach.

Joe Boy declared: “The EP was a bunch of songs I put together just to show people who I am. I remember when I dropped ‘Baby,’ people didn’t know my face because it came with a visualizer. I wanted people to know Joeboy was the guy behind this song. That’s why I put all my songs together to form an EP so people could know they were from Joeboy. The album is a totally diͿerent approach. I wanted to follow a story to a large extent, so it’s totally diͿerent.”

Patoranking Bares Video of ‘Mon Bébé’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Following the tremendous success of his leading smash hit single “Abule” which spent (13) weeks on the o΀cial top 20 UK Afrobeats Charts and currently over 50 million streams across major streaming platforms, Nigeria’s reggae-dancehall exponent Patoranking has dropped the video for his song, “Mon Bpbp,” the third single oͿ his latest studio album, “Three” featuring the talented musician Flavour and a special appearance by Yemi Alade. ‘Mon Bébé,’ visual is a spectacle of colours and culture.

The video also depicts several couples wearing royal wedding attires representing diͿerent countries in Africa including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Benin, Morocco, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Eritrea, Uganda and Somali. ‘Mon Bébé’ highlights the three themes Patoranking explored on the album ‘Three’, which covers 12 solid tracks with guest appearances, Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Sauti Sol and King Promise adding their own regional Áair.

Yet another impeccable visual, directed by Dammy Twitch, who previously worked with him on the video for his last release – “Yo Body.”

Patoranking has undeniably carved out a unique style for himself in this industry. He is known for always pushing the creative envelope and expanding boundaries with his music and videos. Mon Bébé, which undeniably shows oͿ Patoranking and Flavour’s remarkable vocal abilities, is a celebration of love, happiness and life and the video shows exactly that in this exquisite African wedding-themed video.

Patoranking

It’s not as told as often as it should be that Patoranking is actually one of Nigerian music’s greatest success stories. From “Daniella Whine” to “Girlie O” to “My Woman My Everything,” Patoranking and his music has enjoyed great success across the nation, the continent, and even the world at large.

‘Mon Bébé’ is a love song produced by Telz,

which sees Patoranking and Flavour of Africa confessing their love interest. “Girl you set me on Àre/You take my loving go higher/You alone mi desire/Iwa ni kan mo gbe sa ya/Mon Bébé Mon Cherie…”

Patoranking is at the top of a very short list of Nigeria’s dancehall exports. In a genre that doesn’t enjoy as much recognition as it does in its

counterpart nations like Ghana, Patoranking has carved his own lane within the Nigerian music space, creating music that toes the line between Afrobeats and dancehall. Whether he sticks to either side of the spectrum, creates blends of the two, or delves into other genres entirely, one thing is that Patoranking simply makes good music.

And this video works it.

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˜ ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

Grouse About, Not Against/Over/With...

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OVID-19 is real and hellish: please keep safe amid responsibility and compliance with statutory protocols.

Let us go: “This is me diligently serving my fatherland at Ogun State 32 years a go (sic).” Get it right: in Ogun State “I am surprised that organizations that want to be taken serious (seriously) said they are (were) surprised….”

“If you have 3 kids (children) or more and you still survive under our present economy (economic) conditions….” ‘Kid’ is informal for ‘child’ “Oni: My grouse with….” To avoid any litigation: my grouse about (not with or against)…gentlemen of the press.

DAILY INDEPENDENT of February 2 also committed the same blunder in one of its headlines: “My grouse against election tribunals….”

It is not everything that is in the dictionn ary that is correct at all times because of language dynamism. It is for this reason that the dictionary and other reference books are continually revised. So, don’t go about dogmatically chest-thumping that you have an infallible authority when reacting to etymological issues published in this column. You need to do a lot of research-based rationalization informed by voracious reading if you crave purity in communication. That is the only way to go for sticklers.

“They, in turn, could be able to carry out their legitimate duties to their customers.”

Either: could or would be able. ‘Could be able’ is offensive.

“Some people who have axe (an axe) to grind against (with) NIJ and its management” “That is one thing that is not so easy to come by at the Ogba campus of the NIJ” Get it right: on the Ogba campus.

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“The effort of such illustrious alumni are needed to lift it up from the present morass.” Why the subject-verb discord?

Effort is (not are) needed.

“To those close to the corridor (corridors) of power.…”

“Let him breath the air of freedom.” (Vanguard, February 2) Noun: breath; verb: breathe.

“With a stroke of fate, Goodluck Jonathan had been thrust on (in) the leadership saddle of the nation.”

“Rather, we prefer to import the latest from foreign countries, without trying to see whether we can produce better varieties”. Delete ‘from foreign countries’.

“Though successful (successive) governments had at different times urged Nigerians to….” “…the armed robbers have already gone with their loots”. ‘Loot’ is non-count.

“Nigerians need other people friendly (people-friendly) foundations to join the bandwagon”. Either climb or jump on/ aboard the bandwagon.

“Regard the face of our Head of State at formal and informal occasions.” (THE GUARDIAN, February 2) To laugh is human: on (not at) all occasions.

“That shoot-at-sight order in Libya” Get it right: shoot-on-sight order. “…a constitution designed to ensure peace and stability is this nation’s only antidote against (to) national disintegration.”

“When our prisons are bursting at their seems (seams) with political detainees…..”

“The aversion of Nigerians for (to) military rule is clear and unmistakable.”

“The way the principal actors in these two periods acted has become a re-occurring subject....” Why this recurring gaffe? “…alleging intimidation and harassments which made fair conduct of

elections unattainable. “ ‘Harassment’ is non-count.

“But I believe in a Nigeria in which what is good for the goose is good for the gander” (THISDAY, February 2) What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.… ”…Nigeria which should be flying fl with the eagles is roaming about with the chicken” (Source: as above) Always at the brink: delete ‘about’.

“While those with matured (mature) minds were able to control their emotions.…”

“Musicians pay last respect to departed….” Fixed: last respects “The armed bandits struck at HawanKibo, about 60 kilometres from Jos.” Are there un-armed bandits?

“Relationship between the two departt ments cannot.…” Get it right; The relationn ship between the departments cannot…..

“Members of ANCLA are now working on plans to see that this menace is reduced or wiped out completely.” Delete ‘comm pletely’ to foreclose lexical insanity.

“The development is sad, pathetic and constitutes a terrible setback on the objective of the party reform.” Get it right: a setback to (not on) the objective….

“Hopefully, we will end up with a human specie (species) that is half-man and half-dog.”

“We must congratulate him for (on/ upon) these, but....”

“Former President of America Donald Trump expressed confi n dent (confi n dence) that the Nigerian leader will enthrone an enduring democracy in the country.”

“At the end of the day, their children still have to interact with the offsprings of the marginalized masses.” ‘Offspring’ is uncountable.

“And Nigerians, as well as the international community, have evidently warmed to this new hopeful visage.” Get it right:

wormed.

“As we observed last week Tuesday in regard to.…” Either: last Tuesday or Tuesday, last week “Do we have any right to demand for grain supplements from these countries?”

(THE GUARDIAN ON SATURDAY, January 30) Readers have the right to demand (not demand for) formal use of the English language by Nigerian newspapers. “…the oba suffered the indignity in London of having some of his luggages (luggage) identified….”

“Atimes (At times) the person falls asleep easily.…”

“Right from the time she served on the guild’s standing committees, she put in her very best.” The face of grammar: ‘best’ cannot be amplified (very best!) because of its superlative form which abhors infl n ection.

“Firm plans MKO pavillion at poly” Spell-check: pavilion.

“Hence the reluctance of some private sector employers to participate in the new welfare scheme is borne out of the precedence being set by the public sector.”

Get it right: precedent.

Overheard on Wednesday morning: “Are you hearing me…?” This is wrong.

‘Hearing’ cannot function as a verb because of its structural characterization. The correct expression goes thus: ‘Can you hear me?’

“He said people are (were) worried as hell….”

“PMB sends warm greetings and commendation to a Nigerian doctorate (sic) student in University of….” Get it right: doctoral student. ‘Doctoral’ (adj.) (only before noun) done as part of work for the university degree of doctor. ‘Doctorate’ (noun) a university degree of the highest level Credit: Longman Dictionary…

Tambuwal, a Prospect for United, Better Nigeria Anthony Silverman

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he unity of the Nigerian state has never been so badly threatened than now. Sixty years after independence, Nigeria is today on the precipice of breaking up; no thanks to leadership without clear direction, crimes and terrorism, poor human development, insecurity, ethnoreligious division, mutual suspicion, illiteracy and unemployment as well as corruption. There is no gain disputing the fact that Nigeria needs help; just as it earnestly needs a leadership that understands the imperatives of such salvation.

Yes. Nigeria requires a leader that can galvanize resources and instigate impactful policies that can engender such remedy.

We need no pundit to tell us that Nigeria is no longer a united country. Without unity, Nigerians can never realize the dreams of our founding fathers. A dream long abandoned. Unity, they say, can only be achieved when there are better coordination and mutual understanding in the society. Unity will come when there is no friction of thoughts and a clash of ideologies.

However, a herd cannot navigate its way to the greener pasture or watering point without the guidance of a worthy shepherd.

Without the services of an ideal shepherd of unity, Nigeria and Nigerians would in no time be a source of reference in the abyss of history. With the right Shepherd that can unite our country, Nigeria will once again regain its rightful place in the community of nations. It is said that “so powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”

Borrowing the title of a book authored by former Deputy Senn ate President, Ike Ekweremadu, one has to ask: ‘Who will love my country? Nigeria is certainly not bereft of leaders with class.

The problem with us has been how we go about choosing them.

The North and South of Nigeria are blessed with quality leaders.

And at every given opportunity these leaders prove their grit.

Without mincing words, the Sokoto state governor, Aminu Bello Tambuwal is one of Nigeria’s shining stars rising from the North, whose brightness, when kindled can illuminate the entire nation. My recent fi findings on the exploits of Tambuwal during his time as Speaker of the National Assembly and even now, as a governor, have rekindled the embers of my dying hopes for Nigeria. It is said that the only measure of judging a person is through that person’s character because a character is not determined by race, religion, gender or social status.

Tambuwal is a man of outstanding characters.

When Governor Tambuwal turned 55 on January 9, 2021, Main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), issued a statement to felicitate with him. The PDP thanked Tambuwal for being one of the faces of the party as well as its credibility ambassador. Three qualities that define fi Tambuwal were celebrated in that short statement - an outstanding nationn alist, a Democrat and an excellent administrator.

Those following the rising credentials of Governor Tambuwal will recall his spectacular days at the lower chambers of the National Assembly. Being a man of impeccable characters, Tambuwal conquered all opposition hauled against his rise to occupy the Speakership seat of the 7th National Assembly.

He accomplished that not by the act of brigandage or rascality known of some desperate politicians. He achieved that through the support of his colleagues who trusted his leadership qualities and shunned all primordial sentiments to ensure he got elected and sworn as the 10th Speaker of the Federal House of Reps.

Nigerians were amazed on that day seeing Speaker Tambuu wal, disguised in an English suite and a bowler hat affi ffiliated to Niger-Deltans, as he was sneaked into the National Assembly to avoid being arrested by security forces sent in by the then poww ers that be to stall his election as Speaker. On that day, Tambuu wal’s open-mindedness and ability to accommodate all sides to achieve a common goal earned him a resounding endorsement from his colleagues who set aside religion and tribal differences to back a true leader.

As the then number-4 man of the nation, Tambuwal did not only supervise vibrant legislations, he also ensured that no crisis rocked the unity of the National Assembly. The 7th Session of the Federal House of Representatives was rated to be one of the most pragmatic and most stable House of Reps in recent times. When Tambuwal eventually bowed out of the legislative chambers to answer the call of the people of Sokoto in 2015, he ensured that worthy legalese, Yakubu Dogara, the former speaker of the 8th Assembly, succeeded him.

Speaker Dogara had, on June 22, 2015, during a thanks-giving service in Tafawa-Balewa town of Bauchi state, organised by his constituents to celebrate his emergence as the Speaker of the 8th Assembly, tacitly gave credit to Tambuwal for mobilizing support to ensure that a Christian and a minority tribe from the North emerges as Speaker of House of Reps.

Right Honorable Dogara’s words of appreciation still echoed: “This victory that we celebrate here, obviously, we know that it won’t have been possible without the support of the people.

Apart from our other brothers from other sides of this nation, support came from unlikeness of places. I can say it was a project

Tambuwal

that was conceived and delivered by the seat of the caliphate.

So, for us who are Christian minority in the north, which speaks volumes. There is new thinking in this country. These are people who sincerely believe that this is time for the north to come together irrespective of tribe and religion. They didn’t just talk about it, they didn’t just preached but they committed resources to ensure that they put a Christian minority as the number 4 citizen of this great nation of over 170 million people” That was what Former speaker Dogara had said in appreciaa tion of the support his predecessor, Tambuwal, had given to ensure he became the Speaker. As Governor of Sokoto State, Tambuwal has been able to bring character, decency, honesty and accountability to the business of governance in the seat of the caliphate. Tambuwal runs a state where the Assembly is entirely controlled by the opposition, yet he has been able to work amicably without the usual rancour associated with such strange bed fellows relationship.

When governor Tambuwal took over the reins of power as Governor in 2015, he declared a state of emergency on education with a vow to turn around the state’s fortune and make Sokoto one of the best performing states in education. And in no time, Sokoto began to takes its rightful place amongst educationally advanced states. Anyone in doubt of this should take a trip to Sokoto.

––Anthony – Silverman writes from Benin, Edo State Read full article at www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

23

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Oyo Establishes Centre of Excellence in Energy Innovation

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Mouka, Mr. Raymond Murphy; Accountant, J. E Igbinosa and Sons Ltd, Benin City, Ben Egbon; and Chief Commercial Officer, Mouka, Mr. Dimeji Osingunwa, during the presentation of a dummy key of a brand new truck Igbinosa won at this year’s Mouka Business Partners’ Awards, held at Mouka Corporate Head Office, in Ikeja, Lagos… recently

Facebook Marketplace Launches in Nigeria Social Networking Platform, Facebook has announced the launch of Marketplace in Nigeria where customers can explore and eͿect transactions.

The launch of the platform in Nigeria makes it Facebook’s fourth market place in Africa, after establishing its presence in South Africa, Ethiopia and Kenya.

According to the organisation, the innovation is such that through a click on the market place icon, would enable customers to browse and search for items and sort based on distance or category.

Commenting on the innova-

tion, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Adaora Ikenze, stated that the move further highlights Facebook ongoing eͿorts in helping to boost trade activities in Nigeria and connecting communities.

He said, “This comes at a crucial time as the eͿects of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact people and businesses, and with many people buying and selling on Facebook, this will provide people with a convenient destination where they can discover new products, shop for things they want or Ànd buyers for the things they are ready

to part with.”

Describing how the platform works, he added, “When a seller lists an item on Marketplace, they create a public listing that can be seen by anyone on Facebook. This includes people on Marketplace, News Feed, Facebook search, Facebook Groups or search engines.

Sellers can simply take a photo of an item, enter a product name, description and price, conÀrm their location, select a category, and post.”

Users are also advised not to be careless with their privacy details and be wary of potential scams.

The Oyo State government has approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Energy Innovation, which will be situated in the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

The Centre, which is a product of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the state government and Soprano Plc., a Finnish company, will provide training with diploma, certiÀcates and vacationing qualiÀcations in the area of energy generation and capacity building in solid minerals development.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, conÀrmed that the State Executive Council approved the establishment of the Centre and its location at LAUTECH at its meeting on February 2, 2021.

According to the statement, the MoU covers the establishment of a training institute that will develop the capacity of the teeming population in Oyo State in the energy and solid minerals sectors.

The centre, the statement said, would also beneÀt from possible funding from the Public Sector Investment Facility (PIF) of the government of Finland, as well as other sources of funding.

The statement read: “The Executive Council of Oyo State at its 3rd meeting of year 2021 held on February 2, 2021 approved the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Energy Innovation, following a memo from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

“The Centre is to be cited inside the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

“The state’s Ministries of Education, Science and Technology; Energy and Mineral Resources; Justice; Budget and Economic Planning as well as Finance have been mandated to actualise the establishment of the Centre of Excellence, which will beneÀt from the MoU already signed by the government of Oyo State and Soprano PLC of Finland.”

The government stated that it decided to locate the Centre inside LAUTECH because it was cost-eͿective, as the take-oͿ cost of the Centre would be greatly reduced. “Some existing facilities and staͿ of the University (LAUTECH) in the related courses of study like Pure and Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering would be of advantage to the Centre.

Other reasons that placed LAUTECH above other locations include the fact that “the ownership problem of the university had been resolved and it is now solely-owned

by Oyo State; the establishment cost and take-oͿ cost of the Centre would be reduced signiÀcantly by so doing; it would also reduce the running cost and overhead of the Centre.”

The state government enumerated some of the activities of the Centre of Innovation to include; incubating energy innovation by utilising local and natural resources; training on how to use energy e΀ciently; producing middle-level manpower in the area of Energy Innovation and Utilisation.

Others are: production of energy equipment for use and sale within and outside the state; boosting the economy of the state and providing job opportunities for the citizens, as well as capacity building for the installation of equipment and infrastructure in the state.

Firm to Reward Innovations Mouka Rewards in Financial Sector Partners The organisers of the Instinct Business Finance Innovation Awards (IBFIA) is set to hold the sixth edition of the award to further drive performance and excellence in the Ànancial sector.

Previously known as the Ghana Finance Innovation Awards (GFIA), the initiative was put together to identify and reward extraordinary performance in the Ànancial industry on an Africa- wide scale.

SpeciÀcally, the organisers noted that the initiative would recognise and honour stakeholders who have contributed to the smooth running of Ànancial services in the face of the global pandemic.

Chief Executive O΀cer of Instinct Wave, Mr. Akin Naphtal, described the scheme as an impetus that propels human motivation in terms of contribution to the growth of African economy.

He expressed that the event, which will hold in Ghana, was drawn to inspire a new generation of robust work ethics, industry leaders and desired processes in the Ànance sector.

“We cannot underestimate the role of the Ànancial sector and its importance to national and continental development. We are excited to honour and celebrate with organisations at the

forefront of promoting economic growth and lifting the veil on individuals and Àrms that have contributed immensely to the sector.

“Given the adverse impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on Africa’s economic development, the IBFIA will recognise those businesses that have gone beyond responding and recovering, but transforming and rebuilding their organisation in the new norm occasioned by the pandemic for a stronger future.

“IBFIA will also spotlight those working across the Ànancial industry and Ànance support service providers, who

Indigenous bedding brand, Mouka, has rewarded its business partners with 54 new trucks in appreciation of their loyalty and commitment to the brand.

According to Mouka, the reward will go a long way in boosting the morale and trade of business partners.

Presenting the trucks at an award ceremony organised for partners at Mouka Head Office in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of Mouka, Raymond Murphy, stressed that the company will continue to support its partners through different initiatives.

Murphy also restated the firm’s commitment to quality and consumers’ wellbeing by delivering quality products to boost sleep and sound health.

“As a frontline company in the bedding industry, we remain committed to our business partners and other stakeholders, to safeguard consumer wellbeing by delivering products which boost quality sleep and ultimately sound health.”

He pointed out also that the trucks would significantly enhance the trade of partners while enabling them

to distribute and sell products to existing and potential consumers all over the country.

Also speaking at the function, Chief Commercial Officer of Mouka, Dimeji Osingunwa stated the gesture was thought of to appreciate the partners who have contributed to the organisation’s growth and sustainability in the market place.

The partners in return and in one accord, commended the organisation and pledged to intensify their effort in retaining Mouka’s leadership position in the industry.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2021

POLITY

Deconstructing the Access Bank, Seplat’s Loan Tussle Access Bank and Seplat Petroleum Company Plc. have recently been enmeshed in legal tussle in the former’s effortstorecoveranoutstandingU$.85.8millionloantoCardinalDrillingServicesLtd.Olaoluwakitan Babatunde x-rays the issues, and writes that Access Bank is on a misdirected crusade

T

he Nigerian corporate world was taken aback when on 2nd December 2020 a team of fully armed policemen and lawyers took over and disrupted businesses and activities at the No. 16 Temple Road, Ikoyi Lagos corporate office of the Nigerian oil and gas giant, Seplat Petroleum Company Plc. The office was marked “Possession taken by receiver/manager of Access Bank in FHC/L/CS/1588/2020”. They went ahead to seal it after serving Seplat some court processes comprising an interim ex parte order secured by Access Bank’s counsel and receiver/manager, Mr. Kunle Ogunba (SAN) in respect of the suit.

All these were consequent upon credit facility granted Cardinal Drilling Services, an indigenous oil-servicing firm,

by Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) in 2012, but which the former was yet to offset. The loan is reportedly now valued at U$85.8 million.

Seplat’s application for the vacation of the orders was not ruled on by Justice Rilwanu Aikawa on 24th December, even though it had been argued by both parties, thus denying Seplat fair hearing. His Lordship, had instead ruled on the application for interlocutory order granting an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Seplat and the other defendants/ respondents from their assets. Thereafter, he held that having ruled on Access Bank’s application, Seplat’s application for vacation of the ex parte order sealing its offices, among others, had become academic.

The issues: Seplat’s word against Access Bank’s word Access Bank’s move has expectedly ignited legal fireworks between it and the indigenous oil giant bent on fighting off what many analysts have described as “corporate aggression” by the bank.

Seplat’s major argument has been that Access Bank and its counsel had misled the court through misrepresentation and suppression of facts as well as “patently false information” into granting orders against it.

For instance, Seplat argues that even though it is not a party to the loan transaction between Access Bank and Cardinal Drilling Services and that whereas it did not guarantee the Deed of Debenture (which was strictly between Access Bank and Cardinal Drilling), Access Bank knowingly filed baseless insolvency action against it as the First Respondent in clear breach of long settled legal principles, just to harass and embarrass it and do damage to the company’s reputation and goodwill.

Seplat furthers argues that even though its Chairman, Dr. ABC Orjiako, was not a party to the loan agreements or Deeds of Debenture, and did not stand as a guarantor or make any commitment whatsoever in respect of the loan at any point, Access Bank filed action against Dr. Orjiako as the Third Respondent in flagrant violation of well-established and universal principles of law.

Again, Seplat maintains that Access Bank lied that the loan deal between it (Access Bank) and Cardinal Drilling Services was secured with Fixed and Floating Debentures, whereas it was only a fixed Debenture charged directly to four specific Cardinal Drilling Services’ rigs. This automatically limits Access Bank to those four assets in the event of debt recovery.

Seplat asserts that although the claim of Fixed and Floating Debenture was aimed to rope it in, not even a Floating Debenture between Cardinal Drilling Services and Access Bank could still apply to it, being a totally distinct corporate entity that neither took nor guaranteed the loan.

Another major issues is the Access Bank’s claim that Seplat used Cardinal to obtain the loan by proxy. “Seplat employed Cardinal as a veritable ‘vehicle’, ‘smokescreen’, and/or ‘Shell company’ for the facilities from Access Bank cumulating in the mammoth outstanding indebtedness of the Cardinal, in furtherance of the purchase of drilling rigs for the sole benefit and utilisation of Seplat”, Access Bank claims. It also claims that Cardinal Drilling Services, upon drawing down $30 million loan on 12th March 2012, “transferred the entire disbursed sum to Seplat, who made use of same for the enhancement of its businesses”. Seplat has denied that it received a dime from the loan disbursed to Cardinal Drilling and challenged Access Bank to present record to that effect.

But the Bank did not exhibit any evidence to that effect to substantiate its claims. Instead, it said that the company’s account statement, which it claims to have exhibited in court, has details of Seplat’s funds transfers into the account of Cardinal Drilling Limited, which in turn would transfer the fund to Access Bank “as loan repayment”.

However, learned minds argue that the fact that Cardinal

Orjiako does drilling work for Seplat ordinarily means that the oil firm would be transferring money to Cardinal. Documents exhibited in court also shows that the rigs Cardinal acquired with the Access Bank loan were equally used to provide drilling services to several other oil companies.

Lawyers, whose opinions have been sampled on this argument of “smokescreen” have dismissed Access Bank’s argument as untenable in law. They were of the consensus view that as a SAN, Access Bank’s lawyer knew or ought to know that a person could not be liable for banking loan by the mere fact that the he is an exclusive beneficiary of the banking loan facility. They maintain that even in a situation where that person/entity uses the borrower as decoy, vehicle or smokescreen, he/it cannot be held liable unless the incorporation between the two distinct legal entities is unveiled in a court of law, relying on the records of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Meanwhile, whereas Access Bank deposed to an affidavit that Cardinal Drilling Services is a “sister company” of Seplat and its Chairman the promoter of Cardinal Drilling, Seplat has, through records of incorporation at CAC, shown that Cardinal and Seplat are very distinct entities. Also Seplat’s Chairman, Dr. Orjiako is only a member of an international consortium that holds equity in Cardinal in his individual capacity.

Another Access Bank’s claim before the lower court is that Seplat could dispose of their assets or place them beyond the reach of the court, if not restrained. However, Seplat is an oil and gas firm with not less than five Oil Mining Leases (OML).

These assets are not only located in Nigeria, and producing oil on a daily basis, they are equally immovable. As such, they cannot be easily stripped or taken beyond the reach of the court. Besides, Seplat is a Nigerian brand with global appeal. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange in 2014. It boasts of a market capitalisation of more than U$458 million and assets worth over U$2.8 billion.

The oil company further maintains that the sealing of its corporate offices, disruption of its businesses and programmes, and truncation of its bank accounts were of serious costs to it and the nation. These include huge losses in taxes to the government and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) to Nigeria. It amounts to the company’s inability to meet up with its obligations to its customers, service providers, and over 400 workers. In particular, Seplat supplies gas to the Geregu, Sapele, and Azura power plant, which account 40 percent of power supply in Nigeria.

Unfortunately, as earlier stated, not only did the lower court fail to rule on Seplat’s application for the vacation of the ex parte orders against it, it went ahead on to grant Access Bank’s application for interlocutory injunctions against the oil firm.

Appeal Court to Rescue Many have wondered why the continued sidestepping by

Access Bank and analysts, of the fact that the Court of Appeal has intervened in the miscarriage of justice on 22nd January by suspending the interlocutory orders pending the determination of the substantive appeal brought by the oil firm, but that the court’s ruling was predicated on public good and economic consequences of the lower court’s orders.

While they emphasise that Justice Aikawa held in his 24th December 2020 ruling that “all these issues touch the substance of the case and should therefore be reserved for substantive trial” and that “an attempt to delve into any of them at this stage has the potential and danger of determining substantive issues at this interlocutory stage, a tendency which has been frowned upon by the appellate court”, they fail to state that the Court of Appeal thinks otherwise.

The appellate court held on 22nd December that Access Bank had nothing to lose in Seplat carrying on with its businesses and discharging its obligations to its various customers.

It held that it would be “bad and tragic” to continue to seal a firm of such strategic import to electricity supply in the country.

Delivering the unanimous ruling of the three-man appeal panel, Justice Joseph Ikyegh held: “The fear and anxiety expressed by the 1st Respondent (Access Bank) appeared unfounded. It would also not amount to hearing the substantive suit.

“The Supreme Court has held that where machines and workers would be rendered useless, the court would intervene. Disruption of business should be considered in the issue of balance of convenience. The court will exercise its discretion in suspending the injunction. Practical approach should be adopted and not do injustice to any of the parties. Where considerable hardship will be done to a party, the court will intervene by suspending the injunction or stay it”.

It is imperative to note that Access Bank has appealed the suspension of the orders. This is notwithstanding that Seplat had deposited a bond of U$20 million as ordered by the court and averred even right from the lower court its willingness to comply with the judgment of the court if eventually established that it was liable for Cardinal Drilling Services loans.

Many have therefore wondered why the preoccupation with the businessman as though he is even the owner of Seplat, which is a highly regulated company with so many shareholders from around the world. They believe that joining him in the suit, coupled with the ongoing media trial of the Anambra-born business man and Seplat are aimed at bullying both into helping to settle the loan fiasco, being an individual and a company that treasure their reputation. Some also allege a deliberate campaign to rip the armour of integrity, which is Orjiako’s global unique selling point. It is on the strength of that reputation that he is on the African Advisory Board of the London Stock Exchange.

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EBRUARY 6, 2021

POLITY

Jerry John Rawlings and Integrity Eddie Mbadiwe

or four days last week, a grateful nation of Ghana closed shop to honour with dignity her favourite son Jerry John Rawlings. He had fallen to Covid -related death two months after burying his mother. This is not a tribute but a recap on a life dedicated to service. JJ or Junior Jesus as some Ghanaians called him was a true servant leader.

His life is high-lighted so that other African leaders can juxtapose their governance style against that of JJ. Many people forget that JJ Rawlings carried out an abortive coup for which he was arrested, tried and sentenced to death. The important point is that during the trial, he asked the military tribunal to free the other NCOS charged with him since in his own words he was the brain behind the entire exercise. He was condemned to death by firing squad. Before the sentence could be carried out, non-commissioned officers broke the prison gates and catapulted him to Commander in Chief of Ghana Armed Forces. He refused to promote himself and remained Flt Lt till death.

His trial and subsequent execution of former Ghanaian leaders can be assessed against this background. As a person I do not think that killing people is an acceptable way to change government but that argument is for another occasion. Jerry Rawlings saw his ascendency as a revolution and expected most Ghanaians to fall in line. A majority did. He refused to promote himself and remained flight lieutenant until death. He said at the beginning that he was in power to make a difference to the lives of ordinary people and that not all African leaders can be tarred with the same brush of corruption.

Corruption was anathema. He was a maverick, led by example and ordinary people had access to the Castle Osu which was the Presidential palace His wife who was a soulmate from school at Achimota was asked to mobilize women. In her tribute read by one of her daughters, she expressed shock that when she asked for funds to execute the women’s project, JJ told her there was no budgetary allocation and she should devise ways to raise funds on her own. The children also highlighted shortcomings in time spent with them by

Rawling their father. Rawlings had shortcomings but these are prices paid for integrity and commitment.

When the Ghanaian economy collapsed and the Cedi was worthless, Ghanaians moved to Nigeria in troves.

On Rawlings assumption of power, in the midst of ‘Ghana must go campaign’, He mobilized all available vessels both military and civilian and repatriated 2.1 million Ghanaians back from Nigeria and restored their dignity.

Several tributes by many people highlighted zero tolerance for corruption as recorded by international organizations such as Transparency International. This is not an x-ray on corruption but Nigeria has this knee jerk reaction once international bodies release their periodic reports. Transparency International recently released a report rating Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in West Africa. As usual our Minister of Information called a press conference to fight back. The

whole scenario reminds one of the Ostrich burying its head in the sand. Anybody who does business in Nigeria knows that corruption is systemic and endemic. It is a sharped embedded in a major vein of the Nigeria psych. Between corruption and malaria one will find it difficult to decide which is bigger threat to the survival of Nigeria. The government in fact provided the evidence because two leaders of the government set up anti-corruption agencies are currently on trial for corruption.

In governance, there is only one way to go and that is the path of probity. Praise singers and sycophants can deceive for a while but history written by the likes of SJS Cookey, Adiele Afigbo and Obaro Ikimi will record the events as they actually occurred.

As we watched JJ Rawlings for the best part of four days, we could but be filled with nostalgia at what possibly could have happened in Nigeria. The outpouring of affection from Ghanaians right from the President Nana-Akufo Addo down to the sentry guard at Castle Osu was overwhelming. One lady was so filled with grief and in between streams of tears said their regret was that JJ did not build a house in his home town where they could go on pilgrimage. The President Nana-Akufo Addo in his tribute said on a number of occasions he has asked JJ for permission to name a port or a university after him but he turned down all such offers. At his death however he again discussed with his family and the new University at Tamale will be called Jerry Rawlings University. JJ was a true servantleader.

Nigeria was missing as we were neither mentioned from the podium and there was no tribute. The National Assembly has oversight functions on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerians will like to know why we were missing in action. The other countries were represented by their Presidents or Prime Ministers.

You cannot claim to be leading from the rear. Not long ago, Ghana celebrated twenty years of uninterrupted electricity in towns and villages and we are still faffing around from one administration to the next.

May the Angels of God direct JJ a baptised catholic to his earned rest. Africa says JJ Rawlings fair thee well.

––Rt Hon Dr. Eddie Mbadiwe wrote from Abuja.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Director, SIFAX Group, Barrister Tunji Olusinde; Director, Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Auwal Suleiman; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Ajani Magdalene Nwanwuche; Managing Director, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, John Jenkins; and Group Executive Director, SIFAX Group, Bode Ojeniyi, during the assessment and compliance tour of Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited,Tin Can Island Port, Lagos by the federal government delegation... recently

L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; CEO, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe; and Group Head, ‘W’ Initiative, Access Bank Plc,Ayona Trimnell, during the Launch of Lagos State Employee Trust Fund (LSETF) in Lagos... recently

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Agriculture, Mr. Gbolabo Olaniwun; Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya; and Director, Lagos State Agric Training Institute, Dr. Adewale Omirin, during the commissioner’s inspection in ongoing projects at the Agric Training Institute, Songhai Badagry, Lagos...recently

L-R: Anniversary: Rtn Dare Adeyeri, President; RtnToun Giwa, representing Doyen Past President, Dr. Bolaji Ajenifuja, past President Larry Agose, Chairman, 60th Anniversary Committee and past President Ehi Braimah, at the unveiling of 60th anniversary logo of Rotary Club of Lagos...recently

26

POLITY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2021

Dairy Farms’ Value Chain Opportunities in Ogun Sunday Ilori

I

n recent time, it is a known fact that there is a sharp decline in revenues accruing from oil sales, globally. Nigeria is no exception, and has been affected, as a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The negative trend has affected the monthly allocation from the Federation Account to all tiers of government.

As a way of remaining afloat, the federal and state governments have devised other means of generating revenues for the day-to-day running of the government. The governments, at all levels, individuals and corporate organisations, have divested into agricultural business as a tested, viable and reliable sector to bridge the yawning gap in relation to the hitherto over-reliance on oil proceeds for survival. On account of its dominant role, agriculture is a key player in poverty reduction and job creation.

Narrowing it down to Ogun State, the current administration has placed premium in the sector to guarantee food security, job creation and, ultimately, as a source of generating revenue into the coffers of government and also shore up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base.

The agricultural agenda of the present administration is geared towards giving support to private sector’s small holder farming and linkage to industrial process, job creation, agricultural industrialisation, food and nutrition, aimed at ensuring food security. It is also about the resolve to connect all agencies and multinational/international development partners that have the mandate of agricultural and value-chain actors.

It is heartwarming to note that this dairy and cattle value chain job and food security have formed parts of the Agricultural Road Map of the APC-led administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun when it assumed the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2019. No wonder early this year, the administration approved a special focus on food and nutrition with linkage of the people of the state to the nutritious food of animal and plants.

The intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is a partner in this initiative, is a main financial anchor for numerous linkage programmes in agriculture, with a record breaking 7,000 linkages to credit and input, for Cassava and Rice in a short and restrictive COVID-19 season, without precedence. Indeed, it is a good development that the CBN and the state officials in the CBN/Ogun State Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) steering committee, in collaboration with Cattle Farmers Association in the state, have compiled a list of interested youths and farmers who have registered for Dairy and Cattle Value Chain job opportunities.

Without mincing words, it is good news that the state government has opened new opportunities for potential investors, resulting from the new framework for Responsible Intensive Land Investment In Agriculture (FRILIA) that was recently signed by the governor, as

an Executive Order. Thus, the rationale behind the gesture is geared towards providing supplementary free investment promotion advice and training to value chain actors so that the state can continue to reap the benefits, including job creation, food security and sustainability of industries and the overall wellbeing of the people.

Worthy of note is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ogun State Government and Fan Milk Plc., a French Company, on Thursday, January 28, 2021 that signalled the beginning of another milestone in the industrial revolution efforts in the state.

The signing of the partnership agreement was witnessed by the France Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier, France ConsulGeneral in Lagos, Mrs. Laurence Monmayrant, Regional Agricultural Counsellor, Dr. Sonia Darracq, Economic Counsellor, Mr. Paschal Furth, Chairman, FAN Milk, Mr. Olayinka Akinkugbe, Managing Director, Ferdinand Moukwa, Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Mr. Olakunle Olusanya, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Chief of Staff (CoS), Alhaji Shuaib Salisu, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe, and Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, among others.

Governor Abiodun notes that agriculture remains a key sector that the administration, upon assumption of office on May 29, 2019, is seriously working on to ensure the state becomes the food hub of the nation.

While lending credence to President Buhari’s agenda of, “Grow what you eat and eat what you grow”, the governor acknowledged the contribution of FAN Milk Plc., in the past five decades of operations and expressed hope that the signing of the MoU would help the state in its human capacity building, as well as in job creation.

“Agriculture is one of our key sectors. We have the land, the people and traditional farmers. Today, we have done so much to become number one in egg, poultry and cassava production in the country, and rice, kola nuts, cocoa and cotton production in the entire West African sub-region. Our fish production has become a model on the continent.

“We see this opportunity, not just to further increase our contributions to food security, but particularly to allow us reduce the level of unemployment. We realised that agriculture is the easiest and cheapest way to reduce unemployment.

“This is what we want to see in this relationship. It has to go beyond what FAN Milk Plc could get out of this, but how much capacity building are we going to see with this? How many jobs are we going to see with this? Because, we all know that, as we reduce unemployment, we will see a positive benefit in the reduction in crime rate,” the governor stated.

In his own remarks, the France Ambassador to Nigeria justified the signing of the papers which he said, would help in no small measure to reduce food importation and increase food security. He added that the company is poised to diversify, by using local raw materials for

production.

“The MoU is a step in corporate alliance, with one of the most successful (Ogun) states in the country. When fully operational, the partnership would help create jobs for the people of the state and also help develop the modern rearing method of local cows and production of dairy in the state.

“I am happy with the state in the areas of agriculture and education.

You have performed very well and it is my happiness seeing a French company, like FAN Milk taking its fair share of the state’s industrial activities,” said the Ambassador.

Also, the Chairman, FAN Milk, Mr. Akinkugbe, declared that the company had settled down in the state in order to tap from its agricultural potentials for the development of the state and the country, at large. He added that the company has come to contribute to the employment drive of the present administration and the education of the farming communities in the state, as well as to benefit from the available infrastructure meant for investors in the state.

Subsequently, at the ground breaking event of the proposed FAN Milk & Danone Model Dairy Farm and Dairy Training Institute, located at Odeda Farm Institute, an outskirt of the state capital, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Adeola Odedina, said the government “is doing a lot of vigorous engagements, by placing greater responsibility and recognition on the farmers.”

“Here in Odeda Farm Institute, we have 47,000 capacity cassava demonstration technology to deliver 50,000 tonnes of cassava. It is a value chain technology which ought to serve the entire state and beyond. Because, here, we have a driving chain opportunity. Soon, we are going to approach the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) for an award of Diploma certificates,” Odedina said. The Chief of Staff (CoS), Alhaji Shuaib Salisu, who represented the governor at the event, stated that the Odeda Farm Institute is one of the oldest settlements established by the defunct Western Region Government. According to Salisu, members of the host community are hospitable and he, therefore, appealed to the company to establish and maintain cordial relationships with the locales.

Meanwhile, the Backward Integration Operational Plan (BIOP) of the company consists of three value chains. They are: the (a) Model Dairy Farm which entails the setting up of the company by Danone; operations to be carried out by the locals; provision of training support

by Danome; and veterinary/extension services-consultancy; (b) the Dairy Training Farm owns the farm; owns existing and new local Dairy farmers outside own farm; and (c) Milk Collection Centre: sets up milk collection centres for own farm and out growers and finally, own milk trucks.

In addition, the project key milestones and timelines involve the first milk collection from the farm, which is about 18 to 24 months, realistically.

Ilori writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State

Air Peace’s New 13 Aircraft and Impending Jobs Chidiebere Nwobodo

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istory was reshaped on 28th January, 2021.

West cum Central African fastest growing indigenous airline, Air Peace Airline, brought in the first of its brand new E195-E2 airplanes into Nigeria’s airspace. The E195-E2 aircraft is the first of this brand in Africa. In 2019, Air Peace Airline made a firm order of 13 brand new E195-E2 jets and Purchasing Right order of 17 aircraft of the same brand, from Brazilian aerospace conglomerate, Embraer, making it a total of 30 brand new E195-E2 airplanes that will soon dominate Nigerian sky—and beyond.

These 30 new aircraft when fully delivered, have the capacity to create tens of thousands of jobs. What a revolution in the aviation industry!

After the media frenzy that greeted the arrival of this new model of jet and its well-publicised unveiling by Air Peace Airline, I have observed that the media is yet to fest adequately on this landmark development that has the propensity and potential to change the face of Nigeria’s aviation sector, positively. I am yet to see the editorials, columns, commentaries and analysts dissecting the magnitude of impacts these new 13 E195-E2 airplanes will create in the nation’s aviation industry in particular, and Africa in general.

When there are news of killings, job losses or ethno-religious rivalry in the country, it trends for weeks—fueling tensions, anxieties and despondency. But when positive ones occur, the opposite appears to be the case.

This is really sad. When great strides, as done by Air Peace Airline, happens, the media tend to play it down quickly as a “private business affair”. The media sees every limelight given to such unparalleled achievement like this as “commercials”; thereby making it more expensive to promote things that help our economy; give hope to the jobless, attract investors and edify the image of Nigeria abroad. This is one of the major banes of Nigeria age-long underdevelopment and insufferable stagnation. We should thrive to promote positivity and play down the negatives. It is time to redefine standard and turn the tide.

To have 13 brand new E195-E2 airplanes, with single

capacity of 124 passengers, for each of the aircraft, injected into already struggling aviation industry, should be a national milestone that should dominate headlines for weeks. Bringing these large number of new planes in the midst of a ravaging Covid-19 pandemic, weak infrastructure and recessed economy, can be likened to winning an Olympic gold medal in the midst of scorching winter with a broken leg. It deserves more than a standing ovation! It is not only heroic or courageous but undoubtedly inspiring. Air Peace Airline should be celebrated for blazing this trail at an auspicious moment like now.

Chief Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, the chief executive officer and chairman of this promising Airline that has become pride of West Africa, has increasingly proven that businesses, organisations and nations rise and fall on leadership.

Leadership is everything. It is only an eagle that soars in the storm. One great attribute that differentiates eagle—the king of the sky, from other birds is that, while other birds perceive storm as challenging; the eagle sees it as an opportunity to soar to greater heights. It is not a coincident that Air Peace ably led by this aviation maven, Onyema, chose eagle as part of its logo. Air Peace is soaring in the storm! Chief Onyema has not hesitated to reiterate that he ventured into aviation industry for one sole reason—job creation!

Imagine the ripple effects these 13 brand new E195-E2 airplanes will have in the economy. According to aviation experts, these jets will create, cumulatively, eight thousand jobs! just reflect on what it is like taking eight thousand jobless Nigerians out of the street. For every Nigerian employed, at least, five of his or her family members have been taken care of—then multiple eight thousand by five; that gives you forty (40,000) thousands lives lifted out of extreme poverty—just by the ingenuity of an Airline that synchronized its organizational vision with patriotism.

When 40,000 Nigerians are pulled out of extreme poverty; imagine the cascading positive effects on the economy and security situations in Nigeria.

You can see why I am still puzzled that the media is yet to fest on this ongoing revolution in the aviation industry. God forbid, if it happened to be an aeroplane crash that occurred on 28th January, 2021; the media, Nigerian public—even

international media would have dwelled on the story for the next six months. But the purchase and subsequent delivery of thirteen new jets of tested brand like E195-E2 aircraft have made the nation’s aviation industry safer, competitive, and attractive to both Nigeria’s flying public; local and foreign investors. With the delivery and Purchasing Right, cumulatively, of thirty (30) brand new E195-E2 airplanes, Air Peace Airline, has become one of the fastest growing airline in sub-Saharan Africa.

Being the first airline in Africa to receive E195-E2 aircraft and the second highest purchaser of this brand—with 30 aircraft listed against its name in the record of Embraer, coming after Lufthansa Airline with 35 aircraft, Air Peace has started lobbying Embraer and Brazilian authorities to have a Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) hub set up in Nigeria to service the aviation industry in the entire Africa.

If this idea cum proposal is birthed into reality, there will be Embraer facility built specifically for aircraft servicing in the country—making Nigeria the aviation melting pot in Africa.

This will save Nigerian indigenous airlines millions of dollars spent annually to ferry aircraft abroad for maintenance, thereby increasing lifespans of indigenous airlines; quality of their services and general safety in the sector.

Thousands of more jobs will be created for our teeming youths and, most importantly, the attendant technology transfer will strengthen our aviation sector the more.

Imagine other airlines across the continent sending in their airplanes to Embraer facility in Nigeria for servicing.

This is the real positive revolution that Air Peace Airline, under the exemplary and pragmatic leadership of Chief Allen Onyema, has ignited in the industry. The 13 brand new planes, when fully delivered will serve as a huge boost to the noble ambition of Air Peace Airline to competitive favorably in the international routes, with legacy airlines like British Airways, American Airlines, EasyJet, Delta, Lufthansa, Emirates, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Ethiopian Airline, etcetera.

Nigerian flying public will be the highest beneficiaries of new frontiers, because Air Peace will ensure that Nigerians get value for their monies.

Nwobodo writes from Abuja and can be reached at chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

6.02.2021

3

NEWS

THE DECIDER? PAGE. 29

Josh Maja

Mission to Craven Cottage

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ; , 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Josh Maja Mission to Craven Cottage Josh Maja in action for Bordeaux

N

igerian international, Josh Maja joined Fulham on the last day of the transfer deadline from Bordeaux on loan with option to buy for £9m.

Maja originally joined Bordeaux from Sunderland in January 2019 after scoring 16 goals in League One but is now on his way back to England to join Fulham.

Maja said he is “excited and proud” to return to Fulham, seven years after leaving the club’s academy to join Manchester City’s youth set-up.

“This is a big opportunity and I look forward to meeting up with the team and working hard to achieve positive results,” he told the club’s website.

Fulham boss Scott Parker had been vocal about his desire to bring in a striker on deadline day to provide more firepower and cover for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

On the decision behind the signing of Maja, Parker is of the opinion that the Nigerian international learnt his footballing trade at the Fulham academy before moves to Manchester City and Sunderland, so he won’t have an issue adapting to life in the Premier League.

Parker revealed that he went for Maja because of his potential and expects him to follow in the footsteps of summer arrivals Antonee Robinson, Tosin Adarabioyo and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Asked at Tuesday’s press conference if Maja is set to come straight in and get the goals, Parker answered: “Why? It’s just I’ve not seen him at the moment. We’ll have to work it out.

“I’ve brought Josh to the football club because of his big potential and the work we’ve done with Tosin, Antonee Robinson, Loftus-Cheek - all of these players have done fantastically well and I think Josh fits into the same bracket.”

Maja is expected to link up with his new teammates on Tuesday, a day before they face off with Leicester City at Craven Cottage.

“I think we need that in that area because we’re light in numbers,” Parker said.

“We have one recognised striker at our

Seven years after leaving his boyish club, Fulham, Josh Maja is returning to Craven Cottage to rescue the Cottagers from relegation waters. How well the Whites academy product can save Scott Parker’s side from sinking remains to be seen football club in Alek Aleksandar and he’s been fantastic for us. Ivan Cavaleiro has been playing as a nine for us as well and has done remarkably well.

“I think, like all deadline days, they do bring a little bit of drama and I’m certainly very pleased with the signing of Josh. I think he probably falls into the sort of business we’ve done this year in terms of young talent, big potential, someone we can develop.

“He’s a very good finisher and I think it’s clear we need to try and strengthen in that area. We’ve got Mitrovic in our squad but other than that, no real recognised centre-forwards, so I’m very pleased with that.

“Hopefully Josh comes in and we can really push him on. He scored a lot of goals at Sunderland, so that’s the main thing,” Parker said.

Parker expects Maja to seize the massive opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League.

Having brought in young players like Ademola Lookman and Antonee Robinson at the start of the season, Parker believes Maja will take his chance “with both hands”.

“It’s a tough market for many reasons in terms of us as a football club, where we are, where we sit and the commitment already made to this squad,” Parker said.

“While we all recognise what we need and what we would have wanted, it’s difficult.

Josh’s qualities and what he has, there is a step he has to make, but it’s a step I feel he can make, definitely.

“He has good habits in and around the box. It’s a massive opportunity for him, so I expect he’ll grab it with both hands.

“He’ll come into our environment and

history tells me we’ve signed players this season who are young, hungry and want to develop.

“So far, they’ve done pretty well. I don’t see why Josh would be any different.”

Parker believes Maja can help address Fulham’s scoring problems, with the club, who lie seven points from safety, having managed just 17 goals in their 20 Premier League matches this season.

They have scored just six times in their last 10 league games.

“I see him as a clinical finisher, good movement in and around the box,” Parker said of Maja.

“Finishing wise, with both feet, I see him clinical in those moments. I see him occupying between the posts really.

“You can play him off the sides a bit, but I mainly see him as a guy who is going to be on the end of things. Like a Mitrovic that we have, he is a guy you want to be finishing off any play.”

He had scored 16 goals for Sunderland in League One and made the move to France having turned down the offer of a new contract with his deal up the following summer.

Maja has scored nine goals in 20 Ligue 1 starts since arriving in France.

Fulham and Bordeaux have already conducted transfer business with each other in the current window, with midfielder Jean Michael Seri recently joining the French club on loan for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old’s first play for the Super Eagles in a grade A international friendly against Ukraine in September 2019.

He made his debut as a substitute in the game and since then there is no turning back as he had shown he has the talent to play for the Super Eagles.

“Of course, playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues and performing well will improve my chances of international selection,” Maja told BBC Sport Africa.

“The Nigerian team has always had quality, but now there are a lot of young talents playing, so the future is very bright for us.”

The choice to play for Nigeria rather than try to represent England, the country of his birth, seems to have been an easy one.

“Playing on an international stage was a dream of mine. To represent my country and make my family proud,” he insisted.

“I’m familiar with my roots. I went to Nigeria a few times when I was young, and in the next few years I’ll be going again.”

The promising young striker says that Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha was one of his idols growing up.

“Okocha was a big icon and an example to many players, even outside of Nigeria,” says Maja.

“He had lots of qualities and performed well in the Premier League.”

Indeed, there seem to be some hints of this influence in Maja’s game.

He often drops from his position as a striker into the attacking midfield positions where Okocha once wowed fans, linking up play before getting on the end of moves to score.

Maja can also finish with either foot as well as his head and has the ability to pass accurately over any distance.

Maja was born in Lewisham back in 1998 when Gus Poyet, Gianluca Vialli and Roberto di Matteo were still wearing the famous blue shirt, certainly ticks a lot of boxes for this new-look Chelsea side.

He is young, home-grown, and prodigiously talented.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ; , 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Liverpool Host Man City in Potential Title Decider Though the Premier League season just gone past the halfway mark, the title contenders are already making their intentions known. That is why the result of tomorrow’s encounter between first and fourth placed teams - Manchester City and Liverpool respectively would in a long way decide where the title tilts. A win for the Citizens would ensure Pep Guardiola establish a 10-point gap over the Reds, while the defending champions would reduce the gap to four points with a victory. However it pans out, it will be a good game for the neutrals to enjoy

Premiership Table Man City Man Utd Leicester Liverpool West Ham Chelsea Everton Tottenham Aston Villa Arsenal Leeds Southampton Crystal Palace Wolves Brighton Newcastle Burnley Fulham West Brom Sheff Utd

21 22 22 22 22 22 20 21 20 22 21 21 22 22 22 22 21 21 22 22

26 19 14 18 6 13 6 12 11 5 -2 -7 -10 -8 -5 -1 -15 -14 -34 -21

47 44 42 40 38 36 36 33 32 31 29 29 29 26 24 4 22 22 14 12 11

Head to Head 20/08/11 Man City 4 - 0 Liverpool 19/10/11 Liverpool 3 - 1 Man City 19/03/01 Man City 2 - 1 Liverpool 18/07/10 Liverpool 0 - 0 Man City 18/14/01 Liverpool 4 - 3 Man City 17/0 9/09 Man City 5 - 0 Liverpool 17/19/03 Man City 1 - 1 Liverpool 16/31/12 Liverpool 1 - 0 Man City 16/02/03 Liverpool 3 - 0 Man City 15/21/11 Man City 1 - 4 Liverpool 15/01/03 Liverpool 2 - 1 Man City 14/25/08 Man City 3 - 1 Liverpool 14/13/0l Liverpool 3 - 2 Man City 13/26/12 Man City 2 - 1 Liverpool PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Crysta Aston Villa v Arsenal Burnley v Brighton Newcastle v Southampton Fulham v West Ham Man Utd v Everton

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

SUNDAY

Tottenham v West Brom Wolves v Leicester City Liverpool v Man City Sheffield v Chelsea

12:30 14:00 16:30 19:15

MONDAY

Leeds Utd v Crystal Palace Liverpool ‘s Sadio Mane won a penalty from Manchester City defender Kyle Walker when both teams met in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium

W

ith champions, Liverpool, on the ropes, Manchester City have the chance to knock Juergen Klopp’s side effectively out of the Premier League title race at Anfield on Sunday.

City are beginning to look unstoppable having won their past nine Premier League games while Liverpool’s midweek defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion has left them seven points adrift.

Should City win tomorrow they would move 10 points clear of Liverpool having also played one game less and it is hard to imagine Klopp’s spluttering side being able to bridge that gap.

“I’m manager of Liverpool and you always ask as we were champions last year and I have to say ‘oh my God, we want to be champions, yes we want it’,” Klopp said as he looked ahead to the clash with City in the aftermath of defeat by Brighton.

“But you need the games for it and you need the performances for it. And we don’t have them.

That’s the truth as well.”

Klopp, whose side are in danger of losing three successive league games at home having gone unbeaten in the previous 68, stopped short of saying defeat by City would make it impossible to win the title, but the sentiment was clear.

“We have to fight for other

things. We fight for three points,” said the German, who hopes forward Sadio Mane will have recovered from injury and keeper Alisson from illness in time to face a rampant City.

A run of only two wins in their past eight league games has not only weakened Liverpool’s grip on the title, they could find themselves in a scrap just to finish in the top four, something unthinkable last season when they were in a league of their own.

They are four points behind second-placed Manchester United, while Leicester City are in third place, two points ahead of Liverpool.

Meanwhile, second placed Manchester United host Everton at Old Trafford today, as they look to keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the table.

The Red Devils are on a high after a magnificent 9-0 win over Southampton in their last game.

The Saints were down to 10 men in the second minute of that game, after Alex Jankewitz’s red card.

After that, Manchester United put their foot on the accelerator and ran riot. Eventually, Southampton finished the game with nine men, as Jan Bednarek got sent off too.

That result made Manchester United the top goalscorers in the league this season, while also doing a massive amount of good for

their goal difference at this stage of the season.

Everton, too, come into this game on the back of a win in their last game. They beat Leeds United 2-1 at Elland Road, with first-half goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

That result lifted Everton to sixth. They are now just four points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, and have two games in hand as well.

In 205 previous meetings between these two clubs, Manchester United have won 90, while Everton have won 70.

In the reverse fixture this season, which happened at Goodison Park in November, Manchester United won 3-1.

United also beat Everton at Goodison in the quarterfinal of the Carabao Cup. Aston Villa and Arsenal will both be aiming to bounce back from demoralising defeats in midweek when they kick off week 23 matches at Villa Park on lunchtime.

The hosts were put to the sword by West Ham United on their own turf last time out, whereas Arsenal lost in the league for the first time in 2021 at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

West Ham were given a helping hand by two uncharacteristic mistakes from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in midweek, but the Hammers fully merited

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Mohamed Salah Harry Kane Heung-min Son Calvert-Lewin Bruno Fernandes Jamie Vardy Patrick Bamford Callum Wilson Wilfried Zaha Ollie Watkins Alex Lacazette Marcus Rashford Tomas Soucek Danny Ings Neal Maupay Ilkay Gundogan Sadio Mane Harvey Barnes Raheem Sterling

CLUB

20:00

GOALS

Liverpool 15 Tottenham 12 Tottenham 12 Everton 12 Man Utd 12 Leicester 11 Leeds 11 Newcastle 10 Palace 9 Aston Villa 9 Arsenal 8 Man Utd 8 West Ham 8 Southampton 7 Brighton 7 Man City 7 Liverpool 7 Leicester 7 Man City 7

their 3-1 win over a beleaguered Aston Villa team.

Dean Smith’s men have only taken maximum points from two of their last seven matches in the Premier League and now find themselves six points adrift of West Ham in fifth.

Smith’s loyalty to a small crop of regular first-team players could end up proving costly as fatigue sets in - the likes of Ross Barkley and John McGinn did not produce their most fruitful performances against West Ham - and the Villa boss will be expected to shuffle the pack against an Arsenal side who also have a point to prove.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ; , 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

L-R Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, Abia State Deputy Governor, Mr. Ude Oko Chukwu, at Carl Academy 1st graduation ceremony...recently

Wilfred Ndidi has grown to become an integral member of Brendan Rodgers Leicester City side

Rodgers Sets to Unleash Ndidi against Wolves Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is optimistic Wilfred Ndidi will be available for selection against Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow.

The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury against Everton in January and has subsequently missed their last two outings against Leeds United and Fulham.

The Northern Irish tactician has revealed the Nigeria international along with Jamie Vardy should return against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men.

“They should be available for the weekend, so it’s great news

for us. They’ve responded really well,” Rodgers told the club website.

“We’ll see how they are over the next couple of days and they’ll hopefully be back in the squad and available for the weekend.”

Rodgers had previously revealed Ndidi will be back to his side soon and praised the performances of the Nigeria international this season so far.

“Wilf won’t be too much longer after that. It’s just the nature of this season. If you look at how compact the games are and the intensity of them,

it’s very, very difficult for players,” he said.

“I think the players have been amazing in terms of the level of performance they’re giving considering the intensity of the games and how close they are together. It’s just something you have to cope with.”

Ndidi has been struggling with various injuries since the start of the season which have limited his playing time to 15 games across all competitions.

The midfielder recently returned from a groin injury he suffered in September which ruled him out of action for more than three months.

Ajax/Cameroon Goalkeeper Onana Banned for Doping Ajax and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has been banned from football for a year for a doping violation.

The 24-year-old failed an out-ofcompetitiondrugstestinOctoberwhen the banned substance furosemide was found in his urine sample.

Ajax said Onana had mistakenly taken medication prescribed for his wife while feeling unwell.

The club and Onana will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the suspension, imposed by Uefa. In a statement on social media, Onana said he had mistaken his wife’s medicine for aspirin because the packaging was “almost identical” and called his ban “excessive and dis-

proportionate”. “Everything was the result of a human mistake,” he said.

“Everyone knows that I lead a very healthy life, and since I started my sporting career, I have always been strongly against any use of doping and I condemn any unsportsmanlike conduct. “I have no need to resort to doping to further enhance my sporting career.”

Ajax said in a statement that Uefa had agreed Onana had not intentionally cheated but that the governing body believed “an athlete has a duty at all times to ensure that no banned substances enter the body”.

Onana, who has 18 caps for Cameroon, will miss the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon are the

host nation for the tournament, which has been rearranged for January 2022.

He had kept nine clean sheets in 20 Eredivisie matches this season.

Ajax managing director Edwin van der Sar said: “We explicitly renounce performance-enhancing drugs - we obviously stand for a clean sport.

“This is a terrible setback, for Andre himself but certainly also for us as a club. Andre is a top goalkeeper, who has proven his worth forAjax for years and is very popular with the fans.

“We had hoped for a conditional suspension or for a suspension much shorter than these 12 months, because it was arguably not intended to strengthen his body and thus improve his performance.”

Leeds vs Palace, Betis vs Barcelona, Others Live on GOtv Max It’s another football weekend for GOtv customers who are looking for some live action from their favourite players in the2020/21PremierLeague, La Liga and Serie Aseasons on SuperSport for matches scheduled for February 6-8 2021.

For Premier League this weekend, Leeds United will face Crystal Palace on today by 4pm and on Sunday, Wolverhampton Wanderers will clash with

Leicester City at 3pm. Both showing live on SS Football (channel 31).

SuperSport is the only place to get English commentary from the legendary La Liga, where the pick of matches for this round sees Real Betis host Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Athletic Bilbao is also expected to clash with Valencia earlier that day at 4:15pm.

Both showing live on SS La Liga (channel 32).

Elsewhere on La Liga

this weekend, champions, Real Madrid will chase an away victory when they face Huesca at Estadio ElAlcoraz today at 4:15pm. Levante’s clash with Granada will also air today at 2pm and both will be live on SS La Liga (channel 32).

The weekend will wrap up when Atletico Madrid play host to Celta Vigo on Monday live at 9pm on SS La Liga (channel 32), with manager, Diego Simeone

looking for a repeat of his side’s 2-0 win when the teams last met in October 2020.

Theweekend’sroundalso features the title hopefuls, Milan, looking to secure what should be a straightforward three points at home to struggling Crotone, though Rossoneri manager, Stefano Pioli, wants his team to keep working hard and take nothing for granted. This will air today at 8:45pm live of SS Select 1 (channel 33).

Kelly, Akpieye Win 3rd Orodje of Okpe Golf Kelly Eyewy-Luckh was at his best at the 3rd Orodje of Okpe Golf Tournament held at Sapele Athletic Club 1913 (SAC), Delta State, as he emerged overall best golfer at the event.

Kelly lifted the trophy at the expense of over a hundred golfers that teed-off in both category having played a net score of 68 while Ajani and Joseph Aigbe placed second and third with 70 and 72 net score respectively. Sylvanus won best gross with 74 gross.

The tournament was sponsored by Seplat Petroleum Development Company, and was hosted by management of the Golf Section, SapeleAthletic Club in commemoration

of the 14th coronation anniversary of Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Orhue 1 Major General Felix Mujaperuo (rtd), who is a prolific golfer, and Grand Patron of the older club in Nigeria.

Similarly, Lucky Akpieye was far better in the ladies category with an amazing 61 net score ahead of other contenders to win the race, just as Ehis Igbinadolor settled for second place with 69 net, having beaten Deborah Emifoniye on count back.

The veteran categories were not left out when Captain OC Omare with 71 net beat Eric Esiri by 2 net difference to win the vet men. Liz Ogbetuo netted 78 to win the ladies

Abia Speaker Supports Carl Academy’s Sports Development Initiative Charles Ajunwa

T

heSpeakerofAbiaStateHouseofAssembly,Rt.Hon.Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has promised to support Carl Academy in the training of youths to attain their potentials in the area of sports development.

This is as the Speaker has started the construction of a mini stadium in Isieke Secondary School, Isieke Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Area, which he at its completion will be a world class stadium.

Hon. Orji, who represents Umuahia Central State Constituency, made the promise at the first graduation ceremony of Carl Academy sited along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Umuahia, urged students of theAcademy to take their studies seriously, saying they need a high level of morality in order to be successful in their future endeavours.

He thanked the Proprietress, Pastor Mrs. Carol Emeka Inyama, for being dedicated and being the driving force behind the vision of her husband, Pastor Emeka Inyama, seasoned football administrator, sports marketing guru and renowned journalist, saying, one of the greatest legacies anyone could leave behind in life is investment in youths.

The Speaker who made a cash donation to theAcademy, said he was going to liaise with the Founder and Proprietress of theAcademy to be guided in the areas the institution will need his interventions.

The Deputy Governor ofAbia State, Mr. Ude Oko Chukwu, Secretary to the State Governor, Barrister Chris Ezem, Member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, Hon. Jerry Uzosike representing Umuahia South State Constituency, were among dignitaries that graced the occasion.

The groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony of the stadium which took place in Umuahia East State Constituency, was one of the ongoing numerous projects being attracted and executed by the Speaker in his constituency and beyond.

The Prime Minister of IbekuAncient Kingdom, Chief JamesAkwukwuegbu, who carried out the groundbreaking, thanked the Speaker for the gigantic project and prayed that at the completion of the project, many youths will be empowered and many football stars will emerge.

He advised the contractors and engineers handling the project to ensure they live up to the standard of the Speaker by ensuring they continue to use the best materials for the construction.

Speaking at the ceremony, former Nigerian Football International, Paschal Karibe Ojigwe extolled the Speaker and described the project as “capable of producing world class stars from Abia State to Nigeria and beyond.

“I was so elated when I first heard about this project. And I’m even more excited seeing it started live. As a Speaker committed to youth development, and a sports lover, I’m really impressed that he decided to give back to the youths; in fact, the youths of Abia State are blessed to have him at this time because he is simply showing what it means to be a leader,” he said.

On his part, Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze, an international football administrator popularly known as “Mr. Football”, said the project as being attracted by the Speaker is a noble one. “It’s something I have been expecting; I’m especially and sincerely happy that the Speaker has taken up this project. I believe that one of the ways to empower the youths is through sports and the Speaker being a youth-friendly man has followed that philosophy of empowering the youths through sports. What he is doing here is a grassroots legacy; this mini stadium will generate a lot of interest in sports.

“This project will provide a conducive and serene environment for the youths to develop their talents,” Ikwunze said.

Continuing, the obviously elated football enthusiast commended the spirit and large heartedness of the Speaker as he has come forth to help develop the youths of the area and beyond.

On his part, Chief Charles Ogbonna, thanked the Speaker immensely for his selflessness and for siting the project in a place outside his immediate legislative constituency saying it shows that the Speaker is not a sectional leader but a leader of all irrespective of affiliation or affinity.

“This is the perfect example of quality representation; our brother who is the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and Member representing Umuahia CentralStateConstituencyisextendinghishandofphilanthropytoUmuahiaEast State Constituency. It is a thing of Joy to me that we have a Speaker who thinks of the betterment of an average Ibeku man and a Speaker who believes in progress and development. “I want to thank him and pray that God will continue to lead, guide, protect and empower him more with Wisdom,” he noted.

Chief Benard Enyinnaya, the Chairman of Umuajiji Isieke, the host community, expressed delight about the project being executed by the Speaker in his dispensation as chairman of the community, saying it will impact positively on the lives of the youths in the area.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ; , 2021

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GLOBAL SOCCER Kelechi Iheanacho

Has He Won Back Rodgers’ Trust?

After an unimpressive start to the season culminating to a proposed move away from King Power Stadium, his performance midweek may have erased his past‘sins’ as his coach, teammates and analysts heaped praises on him. Kelechi Iheanacho on Wednesday solidified Leicester City’s first-four target after his goal helped the Foxes to third position of the Premier League and Manager Brendan Rodgers was not economical in his praise for the Nigerian

Kelechi Iheanacho got the better of international teammate Ola Aina during Leicester 2-0 defeat of Fulham

fter putting up a Man of the Match performance and even shot Leicester City into the lead in the Foxes 2-0 win over Fulham, Nigerian international, Kelechi Iheanacho has been enjoying praises from his Manager Brendan Rodgers, teammates and analysts.

Iheanacho’s 17th minute strike helped Leicester to a third place in the Premier League table and inching them closer to their first-four target in the league.

It was Iheanacho’s first league goal of the campaign and he almost doubled his side’s lead in the 25th minute when he dribbled his way into Fulham’s defence but failed to direct his shot on target.

The 24-year-old was handed his third league start of the season, spearheading the Foxes attack in the absence of Jamie Vardy.

The Nigerian international made the most of the opportunity to open his account in the English top-flight this term and helped the Foxes return to winning ways after suffering a defeat against Leeds United last time out.

Leicester City manager Brendan

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Rodgers said that he and the players were happy to see Iheanacho end his Premier League goal drought in a 2-0 win against Fulham on Wednesday evening.

Since scoring in the 49th minute against Crystal Palace on July 4, 2020, the Nigerian international hadn’t put the ball in the back of the net, failing to score in 14 consecutive matches.

“I thought it was an excellent win,” Rodgers said after the game.

“You only need to look at Fulham’s record, how hard they have been to beat, especially against big teams.

“We scored two goals of great quality.

The first one we won the ball back and it’s a brilliant cross. We’re delighted for Kels.

“The second was a different type, with good possession, played quickly, and then there’s the left-back getting up there to support with good energy.”

Speaking on Premier League Productions at half-time, former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves praised Iheanacho for his goal and secondary assist.

Hargreaves said : “What a ball from James Maddison, he puts it on a plate for Iheanacho. To be fair, Iheanacho adjusts absolutely brilliantly.”

On Justin’s goal, the former England international added: “This goal is a dream, Iheanacho with a lovely turn and then the rest of it is a dream.”

Meanwhile, Match of the Day pundit Micah Richards insists Iheanacho is better finisher than his goalscoring record at Leicester City suggests.

Richards believes he has plenty to offer if given a regular run of games.

“Yeah, he came as a young kid at Man City and the first thing I realised about him was how good his touch was,” said Richards.

“You could fire the ball in and he has great close control and he was left footed.

“He’s a better finisher than his record at Leicester suggests. I knew he was something special, and I want to see him kick onto the next level now.

“He’s got the chance with Vardy out, but to replace Vardy is always going to be difficult.”

Fellow Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy is surprised Iheanacho has not figured more amid Vardy’s injury absence.

“I’ve been surprised he hasn’t started more while Vardy has been out,” said Murphy.

“I’ve always liked him, he’s more of a

goalscorer in the number nine role than Perez, for me. I know he missed the penalty at Palace, but even more reason to leave him in there and give him time to get over that.

“When he’s at it, he’s a handful, he’s got good game intelligence, he knows when to go in behind and drive on goal.

With Maddison playing as a 10, they link really nicely.”

Continuing, Rodgers revealed Iheanacho remained a key member of his team.

The Nigerian international has delivered impressive showings in the few games he was afforded in the 202021 campaign.

Iheanacho has made 19 appearances across all competitions this season, involving eight starts, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

Rodgers has praised the performances of Iheanacho and looks forward to seeing him make more impact for the club in the second half of the season.

“The role he has been in, he’s done very well in. It’s difficult for any striker when you play with one up front, you need guys who are going to be loyal,” Rodgers said in a press conference.

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2021 •T H I S D AY

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK Top 20 Safety Tips for Driving

Hyundai Kona electric car

Stallion Motor Unveils Nigeria’s First Electric Car in Abuja Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

S

tallions Motors has launched Nigeria’s first electric car in Abuja at an elaborate ceremony held yesterday at the Sheraton Hotel.

The vehicle, Hyundai KONA, was unveiled by dignitaries that included the Minister of Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Director-General National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Abdulahi, and the CEO of Stallion Motors, Anat Badjatya.

The electric car has five years of battery and manufacturer’s warranty, 100 per cent electric, zero-emission and 482 kilometres range for nine hours charging duration.

The car was launched in the nation’s capital, three months after it was first unveiled in Lagos.

Badjatya said the car, which is assembled in Nigeria has low noise and low maintenance, insisting that electric car is the way to go and has come to stay in Nigeria, adding that the country cannot afford to be left behind.

After test-driving the electric car, Otunba Adebayo, described its performance as exceptional. He said concern about the availability of the vehicle’s charging points would be addressed over time because business people would see the opportunity to create a business by setting up charging points.

“Slowly and gradually, like in other parts of the world, there is an increased awareness of what people can buy into. When people start purchasing these vehicles it will give an opportunity for other people to create business for themselves by setting up charging point business,” Adebayo said.

He also said the production of the electric car would result in competition, adding that the federal

government is already in talks with Stallions Motors to reduce the price of the cars to make it affordable for many Nigerians.

On his part, Aliyu said that NADDC has been working very closely with Stallion and other stakeholders to ensure that they assemble and produce vehicles specifically configured for Nigerian buyers.

He expressed excitement that many investors are finding the country worthy to invest and provide further services good for Nigerians.

“This is the very first one. There is another companyhallmark vehicle,- an offshoot of another indigenous company in Nigeria that is making electric minibuses.

This is just the beginning and we believe it will add value to the Nigerian economy,” Aliyu said.

He appealed that electrical challenges in the country should not deter motor manufacturing, saying that though there are always challenges, they should not be allowed to slow the economy.

He said the challenges will allow for creativity to provide power for electric vehicles.

Ford to Manufacture Mustang Mach-E in China for Local Customers

F

ord has announced that Mustang Mach-E, its Àrst global pioneering SUV built on an all-new, all-electric platform, will be manufactured in China by Changan Ford for local customers. A breakthrough vehicle in Ford’s electriÀcation strategy, Mustang Mach-E will set new standards in style and performance in the Chinese high-end EV market when it becomes available in China later this year, according to a statement by the automaker.

Packed with seamless technology Mustang Mach-E will oͿer Chinese customers a smart cockpit equipped with Ford’s latest driver-assist technologies and infotainment system that gets even better over time with advanced Àrmware over-the-air (FOTA) updates.

The newest generation of Ford Co-Pilot360™ suite of advanced driver-assist technologies and SYNC intelligent infotainment system will oͿer L2+ level automatic driving assistance functions, enabling Mach-E drivers to operate their vehicles hands-free on prequaliÀed sections of divided highways. In addition, the vehicle stays at the forefront of technology by supporting all FOTA updates, including for vehicle controls, to freshen the driving experience with improvements and new features delivered over-the-air.

Ford is the Àrst automobile manufacturer in China to oͿer cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology in mass production vehicles and will deploy C-V2X in Mach-E to help drivers in China anticipate potential driving hazards and improve tra΀c safety and e΀ciency.

“Electrifying” performance The Mustang Mach-E manufactured in

Ford Mustang Mach-E China will have a body size measuring 4739mm*1881mm*1623mm, a wheelbase measuring 2984mm 2, and an estimated range of over 600 kilometers1. Tuned using Ford’s racing simulator, Mustang Mach-E is an “electric pony” that inherits the Mustang family’s legendary sportscar performance and delivers driving pleasure to this all-electric intelligent vehicle.

Ford will also localize production of the Mustang Mach-E’s GT performance edition in China, an unprecedented move by a global automaker to locally manufacture high-performance editions. The

GT high performance edition will adopt a front and rear dual-motor layout, joining the 3-second club with its impressive 0-100km/h acceleration capabilities.

Ford is moving quickly in delivering its electriÀcation commitment with investments of more than $11.5 billion in electric vehicle development through 2022. The localized production of Mach-E in China is a key step in the company’s “Best of Ford, Best of China” strategy to oͿer Chinese customers industry-leading smart vehicles and advanced technologies.

If you want to increase your chances of staying safe on the road, review these 20 safety tips for driving. No matter how skilled of a driver you are, it is a good idea to reflect on the basics of traffic safety from time to time just to make sure that you are being careful enough to keep yourself - and other drivers and pedestrians - as safe as possible.

Safety is something that drivers should keep in mind at all times. After all, when you are operating a motorised vehicle, you have a responsibility to do your part to keep the roadways safe for yourself, other drivers, passengers, and others who may be affected by traffic accidents.

1.Stay Alert - Actively pay attention to your actions and those of the drivers around you when you are driving.

2. Avoid Assumptions - Don’t make the mistake of assuming that other drivers are going to do or what you think they should do.

3.Use Turn Signals - While you can’t depend on others always signaling their intentions when driving, you can certainly control whether or not they have realistic expectations for your actions. Always use your turn signals in advance of making a lane change or turning.

4. Buckle Up - Wearing your seat belt is an essential safety tip for drivers. Not only are you more likely to get injured in an accident if you aren’t wearing a seat belt, you can also be fined for failing to do so.

5. Follow Traffic Signals - Pay close attention to and obey stop signs and traffic lights.

6. Respect Yellow Lights - Remember that the intent of a yellow light is to notify drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. A yellow traffic signal should not be viewed as a sign to step on the gas to rush through an intersection before the light turns red.

7.Come to a Complete Stop - When you see a stop sign or a red light, it’s important to bring your vehicle to a complete stop, even if you think no other vehicles are coming.

8. Do Not Text and Drive - It is never acceptable to send text messages when operating a motor vehicle.

9. Obey Speed Limits - When driving, it’s important to stick to the posted speed limit at all times. The restrictions placed on vehicle speed are not established arbitrarily. Rather, they are carefully selected to maximize safety for drivers and for individuals in the homes, businesses, and other organizations in the areas where roadways are located.

10. Make Adjustments for Weather-When the weather is less than perfect, such as rainy, snowy, or foggy conditions, use extra precautions when driving and follow guidelines for staying safe in the particular situation you are facing.

11.Exercise Patience - Many accidents are caused by impatient drivers who are rushing to get from point A to point B. While time is certainly a valid consideration when traveling, safety is even more important. After all, if you are involved in an accident you will certainly experience more of a challenge arriving at your destination on time than if you simply exhibit patience while driving.

12. Be Predictable – Do not make sudden stops or lane changes. Instead, take care to ensure that other drivers are likely to be able to predict your actions to maximize safety.

13.Never Drive Under the Influence – It is essential to avoid operating a vehicle if you have been drinking, taking certain types of prescription or non-prescription drugs, or are otherwise impaired.

14. Yield Right of Way - When other drivers have the right of way, be sure to yield to them. Also, do not make the mistake of assuming that everyone else will yield to you when they should. Regardless of who has the right to go, yield if it seems that the other driver may not be observing standard practices for yielding.

15.Know Where You Are Going - Plan your travel route ahead of time so that you aren’t struggling to figure out where to go while you are operating a motorized vehicle.

16. Respect Stopped Vehicles - When passing vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road, move over to get out of the way if the way is clear for you to change lanes. If changing lanes is not possible, slow down while passing stopped vehicles.

17.Avoid Distractions - Sending text messages is not the only dangerous distraction that drivers need to avoid while operating a vehicle. Changing CDs, using cell phones, eating, and interacting with passengers are just a few examples of the types of distractions that you should take care to avoid when driving.

18. Use Headlights When Needed - Headlights are not just necessary at night. When you are driving in the rain or fog, turning on your headlights can play an important role in keeping you - and those around you - safe on the road.

19. Share the Road - Remember that you are not the only driver on the road. An important safety trip that everyone needs to follow is the need to share the road with others graciously, recognizing that all drivers deserve to be treated with respect.

20. Proper Vehicle Maintenance - Take care to ensure that your automobile stays in good working condition. This includes keeping fluids topped off, performing schedule engine maintenance, making certain tires have plenty of air, and ensuring that the vehicle’s exterior lights are functional at all times.

(Source: lovetoknow)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 6,2021

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AUTO WORLD

SON Renews PAN Nigeria’s ISO 9001: 2015 Certification

P

AN Nigeria, the country’s foremost multi-brand automobile manufacturer and assembler, has announced the renewal of ISO 9001: 2015 certiÀcation of its Quality Management System (QMS) following a successful audit

by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

A statement by the company said while presenting the ISO 9001: 2015 certiÀcate to PAN at the SON o΀ce in Lagos, the Deputy Director, Management Systems certiÀcation, Engr. Richard Adewumi commended PAN Nigeria for remaining consistent through the years. He said, “We are happy PAN is still producing reliable vehicles in Nigeria.”

He added that PAN “is very qualiÀed for recertiÀcation having met the required standards.”

Responding, the Acting Managing Director, PAN Nigeria, Ms Taiwo Oluleye, FCIS, said PAN is totally committed to the production and production and delivery of quality vehicles as well as services that meet and exceed the expectations of its customers while keeping to best practices and standards.

PAN’s principal activity as a multi-brand manufacturing concern, is the assembly, production and marketing of varied brands of vehicles including a broad range of Peugeot and Higer vehicles.

Local assembly by the Company witnessed growth in the 80’s and 90’s riding on popular models like the Peugeot 404, 504

Production line of PAN Nigeria in Kaduna and 505, and in more recent history, the 406 and 307. In July 2014, the 301 was launched, followed by the 508 in December 2015.

The statement said, “Today, with a vision to evolve as the most responsive and endearing motor manufacturing company, PAN

Nigeria continues to exploit opportunities within the local market to improve content, value added and competitiveness.

Jaguar Land Rover Reports Strong Cash Flow, Profit Jaguar Land Rover Automotive plc has reported strong financial results for the three months to 31 December 2020 (Fiscal Q3), with improved pre-tax profits and its best-ever third quarter cash flow.

According to a statement by the automaker, the Fiscal Q3 retail sales were 128,469 vehicles, up 13.1% on Q2 but still 9% lower than pre-Covid levels a year ago. Sales in China were up 20% on the prior quarter and up 19.1% year-on-year. Most other regions were also up on the preceding quarter while down from the prior-year third quarter. Sales of the new Land Rover Defender grew to 16,286 units, a 66.0% increase on the prior quarter.

Profit before tax (PBT) was £439 million (after £37 million of exceptional charges), up £374 million from Q2 and £121 million from a year ago. The significant improvement reflects revenue of £6 billion, up £1.6 billion from Q2 while still lower than pre-Covid levels a year ago, with favourable sales mix, cost performance and partial reversal of prior-period reserves for emissions and residual values. EBIT margin improved to 6.7% (+400bps year-on-year).

Profit and cash improvements from the Project Charge+ transformation programme in the quarter were £0.4 billion, including £0.2 billion of cost and £0.2 billion of investment efficiencies. Savings year-to-date

total £2.2 billion, and the company is well on track to deliver the £2.5 billion target for the full year ending 31 March 2021.

Free cash flow in the third quarter was £562 million, primarily reflecting the strong PBT and favourable working capital after £675 million of investment spending. Cash and short-term investments increased to £4.5 billion, including $1.35 billion of five- and seven-year bonds issued in the quarter. Total liquidity was £6.4 billion including a £1.9 billion undrawn revolving credit facility.

Adrian Mardell, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Financial Officer, said: “We are pleased to report these strong profits and record third quarter cash flows. It reflects our focus on prioritising profitable sales and delivering cost and cash improvements. While sales have not yet fully recovered to pre-Covid levels in most markets, it was pleasing to see China sales up year-on-year for the second quarter in a row and sales of the new Defender continuing to grow.”

Jaguar Land Rover was encouraged by the Brexit trade deal agreed in December between the UK and the European Union. This has avoided the risk of tariffs on automotive parts and finished vehicles, although there will still be increased customs administration requirements.

2021 Range Rover Evoque

Road Accidents Immune Delusion Syndrome-Raids

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he was cute and beautiful. Young and promising. Her life was like a script made in heaven and delivered through mother earth. Lamide (not her real name) was her name. Call her lucky or favored and you would not be far from the truth about her life.

Hers was not just about beauty without brains as she equally had good education where she dusted all in her class with a First class degree. Life seemed smooth and easy for her. Even after graduating and completing her compulsory National Youth Service Corps, destiny sorted her out among her peers as she didn’t have to wait for long to be engaged as a staff in a thriving and promising business outlet.

Like every young girl her age, she met her dream man and got pregnant. Both agreed to live their dreams and fantasy. They met their families and set a wedding date to consummate her lifelong dream of becoming a mother and a wife.

Tragedy however struck barely few months to the set day. Lamide, whose beauty shone the more with the pregnancy, set out on a journey in a commercial vehicle. Everything about the vehicle was begging for attention; the tyres were worn out while the engine needed some push to start. Even the young man behind the wheels was a sight to behold as he had taken a bottle too many before the journey. Yet all the occupants kept saying that they are confident they will arrive safely; the story was the same for both the Christians and Muslims as

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

well as the unbelievers. Before the journey, one of the occupants notice how the driver was multitasking with his phone and driving. His observations were rebuffed by others who assured that they were familiar with the driver’s competence having boarded his vehicle more than once. Unfortunately their assurance failed as barely an hour after leaving the park, a crash occurred. Strangely, only Lamide died in the crash and that of her unborn child, leaving behind a traumatized husband-to-be. As well as traumatied families.

Lamide was an only child whose parents had made sacrifices for, hoping for a better tomorrow.

With her death, their dreams and aspirations died with her. Lamide’s story is one of the numerous tragedies on our roads. Daily, crashes occur, killing, maiming and leaving behind traumatized loved ones, families and sometimes children with no one to care for them. These crashes occur because of

certain delusions such as the case cited where despite noticing the state of the tyres, all the occupants played dumb and insisted on the journey. The fact that the vehicle was not mechanically fit was not even a strong safety reason to persuade them to board another vehicle. The driver was an addict; the type who believes like the case with a handful of commercial and even private car driver that their driving is perfected when they drive under the influence of either alcohol beverages or illegal drugs.

For almost thirty-three years, the Federal Road Safety Corps as a knowledge-driven organization has broadened the scope of its awareness campaign strategies as a plank to raising the stakes on safety consciousness to address the scourge of road crashes which, according to the World Health Organization’s report, accounts for annual death of 1.35 million people across the globe. The WHO acknowledges the place of advocacies and training as effective interventions. That is why experts a trained driver as one of the most effective intervention device in curbing road traffic crashes. The driver who killed Lamide would probably have saved her and other occupants if only he or his employers had taken the pain to properly train him. Such a training would have taught im that a brake applied on a speeding vehicle would result in a possible crash and loss of life .It is therefore ironic that despite the huge amount people spend buying and showing off with the latest machine (car), very few also bother to properly

train their drivers in the modern driving techniques such as defensive driving techniques. Except for multinational companies, rarely do establishments regard drivers as laborers who deserve continuous training and retraining. This is the highpoint of the driving school standardization programme introduced by the Corps as part of measures to change the face of driving in the country. The programme makes it compulsory for all fresh applicants for a driver’s license to undergo compulsory training in one of the certified driving schools in the country. To give credence to this novelty which was a departure from what obtained previously, driving schools were certified and are still being certified while instructors are properly tutored on modern techniques.

Amazingly, despite the huge risk involved in driving, which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in the United Kingdom describes as one of the high risk vocations, fresh drivers often attempt the quick fix approach. In the words of the experts, increased awareness and compliance to safety rules remain the medicine for safer roads. Our individual role and responsibility lies in a changed driving habit that would ensure that the Lamides of this world can live and fulfil destinies even with increased motorization.

So if you are touched by the circumstances of her death, what would you say of the other cases? The first was another tragedy involving a twenty-nine year old Cynthia who died just a month before her wedding date. Cynthia, according to the report, was on her way to see family members on arrangements regarding the wedding when the tragedy struck.

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˜ ˾ FEBRUARY 6, 2021

JOE/FAJ

THEFRONTLINES

In Ibil, A Fiiting g Farewell to Pa Leonard Agom Jarigbe

JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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uring the week, the sleepy agriculture town of Ibil, in Ogoja local council area, the only province in the entire Nigeria that did not metamorphosize to a state, came alive as people from all walks of life converge to give a fi fitting farewell to a nonagenarian, Pa Leonard Agom Jarigbe popularly called Ndah.

Ibil lies on the fringe of Ogoja, about 40 minutes drive from Igoli connected by a dusty road which is currently being revamped, courtesy of House of Representatives member from Ogoja and Yala constituency, Hon Jarigbe Agom. The people are largely farmers and are blessed with arable land stretching up to the boundaries of Ebonyi state for the cultivation of yams, rice, beans and other cash crops.

All that stopped briefly as the entire community stood still to acknowledge and celebrate the passing of an illustrious son whose impact and contribution to their community remains not only unparalleled but also invaluable to date.

Speakers after speakers heaped unflattering encomiums on a

man whose footprints throughout his 90 years dot different the spheres of human endeavor. He was a technocrat, educationist, humanist, devout Catholic, a community builder and a dotting father who sired 11 kids.

In a very elaborate all COVID-19 protocol compliant ceremony, the burial kicked off Wednesday, February 3 with a requiem mass at the St. Benedict Cathedral in Igoli and vigil in Ibil. The following day, an open air mass conducted by the Catholic Church held at St. Michael Primary School, Ibil followed by interment at the family compound.

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors Ben Ayayde, Duoye Diri and Nyesom Wike of Cross River, Bayelsa and Rivers states respectively poured encomiums on the late nonagenarian.

From the National Assemby, Senator Sandy Onor of Cross Central senatorial district, House members Ita Mbora, Daniel Asuquo and hordes of community leaders and party stalwarts across the divide were on ground to commiserate with Jarigbe Agom who has gradually transformed to a ‘man of the people’.

In his condolence message, Gbajabiamila, acknowledged that it

L-R: Managing g g Editor, THISDAY Newspapers, p p Mr. Joseph p Ushigiale, g Deputy p y Chairman, House Committee on Waterways y and Senator-designate g for Cross River North, Hon. Jarigbe g Agom g and former Peoples p Democratic Party y (PDP) Senatorial Aspirant, Mr. Kevin Joe Jedy-Agba at the burial ceremony of late Leonard Agom Jarigbe during the week in Ibil, Ogoja.

Ten Ways to Survive in Nigeria (2)

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s we were saying...last time, we attempted some sort of herd analysis of human patholoo gies as evidenced in the survivalist tendencies of some Nigerians in a nation affi ffianced with power failure (the non-electric type), grindd ing poverty, economic sabotages, and such mind-bending happenstances. Really, living and fl flourishing in Nigeria sometimes need a mindset chiselled in absolute disregard of courtly manners, regular hard work and decent lifestyles.

In introducing the article last time, we made the following statement: “We have profiled ten of many ways intelligent and inventive Nigerians are scooping quality living and survival tools (not necessarily loot) out of the massive dunghill Nigeria is drifting towards. This is not a sanctimonious condemnation of anyone’s understanding of survival tactics, nor is it a liberal glorification of subterfuge. In a jungle of life, prudish gentility is suicidal, and the lion-hearted often live fat and long.” Now, to the final ‘five ways’...

Our sixth behemoth are the Religious Merchants, Intermediarr ies and Warlords. When a nation is laid prostrate by endemic mis-governance, and thus its people malnourished, and vanishh ing mentally and otherwise, the easiest escape is in the blissfully unknown. Since numbers matter, and Nigeria is bursting at the seams in uncontrollable population explosion, with more than a hundred million people looking for divine palliatives - these are the prime targets for smart spiritual business men and women.

These smart alecs merchandise every item of spiritual symbolism as chattel of fortune without means, protection from deadly in-laws, revenge against witches, advantage against competent contenders, love portion for for restless spouses, easy passage of visa protocols, and countless other gobbledegook!

Others become predictors of great doom and magnificent promotions, depending on the gullibility level of their customers.

In the same vein, some self-ordained clerics and canons spit holy fire on government and congregants who seek to erect measures or regulations that may impede easy access to their house of whoreship - regardless of sound scientific reasons for the disruptions.

The other variants are angry, bigoted and archaic champions of religious extremism, hedonism and errant ideologies long abandoned on some modern museum. Unfortunately, many of our internally disoriented and socially distanced youth find attraction and ultimate demise in such bloody scams.

Our next peg is more urbane, professional and covertly more destabilising. It’s the office of Outrageous Spokesmanship. There

are many out there spuriously employed for a single assignment: to run the principal’s opponents or former friends into the old dirty ground, with all sorts of innuendos, blatant falsehood, irritating disclosures, cell-level guerilla outsourcing of dirtier junk to the blogosphere...ad nauseum. The trick with these folks, whether they are professional media operatives or wakapass ideologues or quack PR specialists...their primary duty is to be as vile and vapid as humanly impossible. Such people reason that a ‘great’ and toxic performance as talking-heads of their principals is a gateway to higher opportunities and unlimited access to blocs of animated activities.

This is true, for as long as you are blessed with the capacity to swallow your old vomit and fecal deposits with disarming confidence. They also have a reference, as most of their best performing predecessors have since sequined into the general populace, moving into old offices, different direction or simply floating quietly between jobs...all well and unwounded despite vicious chants and threats of social and professional ‘pariahism’.

When my generation were kids, we used to see lunacy as a major illness... something despicable and evil. We never wished it on our enemies, how much more friends and family members.

Nowadays, it is a source of escape and prosperity. Deviants rule the world... Madness sells... Insanity is good business. You don’t have to look far: transgenders are celebrities (oh, how I hate that the word, celebrity, has been so marginalised), influencers and crowd-pullers with hundreds of thousands, and even millions, of followers! They make asinine statements and sacrilegious quotes, and our youth lap at the dross...scampering over one another for largesse of unspeakable sources.

Have you opened your phones lately, to read one quixotic statement and, of course, a weird picture of some hitherto incriminating pose - now legitimatise by a careless and carefree generation? Nothing is too mad nowadays (in fact, mad is now a word of affection)...or too sick or bizarre... Denizens of the proverbial ‘global village’ are likely to ‘like’, ‘love’, ‘poke’, and such emojis of adoration and wilful surrender... thereby solidifyy ing the erection of giant egos and cargos...and the madness goes on, along with e-money and cash-driven fantasies.

A close cousin is the fragmented community of net-addicts who specialise in formulating, formating and farming our outraa geous lies and lullabies fancifully tagged Fake News. Apparently, the deeper and more inciting the poverty in the land, the more desperate and blatant fake news spread. Many people have been killed online, who have grown tired of telling the world that they are still alive and well. It used to be a novelty, when the media occasionally slipped and announced a passage of a

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

takes God’s grace to bear the loss of a loved one.

The Speaker who was represented by Hon Agbo from Ebonyi state, said it is high time political leaders learnt from the qualities of the deceased who lived for humanity.

According to him, “It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially a parent who has been there from the start. One whose hands have raised you and whose words have charted the course of your life in ways both obvious and subtle.

“It takes the grave and mercy of God almighty to bear such a loss and carry on”.

Governor Ben Ayade, described the departed as “respectable gentlemen, fine administrator and community leader”.

According to him, the Late Leonard Jarigbe rendered dedicated and committed services to his fatherland and prayed for the repose of his soul.

In his remarks, the Chief Mourner, Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, said the deceased made the best of his active days.

He added that he taught them service to the people and promised not to disappoint him even in death. According to him, “You remain a role model , because you were imbued with so much knowledge that could make a man achieve whatever he wanted in life . I remember you said to me ‘my son, sacrifice pleasure ,in order to have pleasure that would last’. You thought me service to my people and I promise not to disappoint you ,even in death ,” he assured.

In the words of Francis Bulem, a community leader, “From the gathering of creme de la creme here today, it shows Pa Jarigbe was a community leader and a devout christain whose legacy speaks volume.

“We, therefore, enjoin everybody who came here to bid Papa farewell to always remember what he did that kept him on for till the age of 90.”

In his Homily, Rev Fr Francis Eworo, prayed for the soul of the deceased and urged all who attended the funeral mass to emulate the exemplary lifestyle of Pa Leonard Agom Jarigbe, who dedicated all his life to the service of catholic church. He called on all leaders to always seek the face of God in all their dealings, saying any nation that abandons God’s injunction shall not progress.

In recognition of the doting nature of their late father, one of his sons, Akaseng Jarigbe recalled that “in 2014, dad and I were at the hospital where he was admitted & receiving treatment.I drove out with the intention of returning before he realizes but some other business kept me out longer than expected.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDEE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

notable personality...only to “error-regret” a tiny piece afterward, to announce their mistake, and somehow apologise. That was zillion years ago. Now, they kill randomly...and bizarrely quote the same ‘corpse’ few days after, to announce his or her good health... without a trace of remorse. And worse things have happened. People have seen clones in ultra-sensitive villas; ghosts and snakes in money chambers... There are daredevil kidnappers whose nationality are usually uncovered by the industrious fake-ists while victims are still in captivity, and the police comm pletely unaware of their whereabouts. Everyone has countless examples of the damage and disruptions these net-cranks have unleashed,and still do, on our social, economic and political lives. But it’s a jungle out there, and they continue to fester and flourish... when law enforcers are busy looking for facemask-less infringers and young techies to extort.

As we wrap up the catalogue of characters that seeks passage to a life of ease and bounty, by whatever means, let us accept that there are several more cadres than we have identified. The last for now is perhaps a silhouette of what the future holds for our children, who will hopefully chaperon the next two decades.

Since ‘fame’ and ‘popularity’ have been monetised, the smartt phones in the hands of our children have been weaponised in disturbing ways. They flock to deeply de-personalized web-zones throwing up all sorts of ‘challenges’, and our youth warmly jump into the fray without adequate thought to the possible impact on their personal safety, integrity and future commitments.

One of the incredibly silly hot items last week, was the ‘Silhouette Challenge’, where a fully clothed human being (mostly females) will dance to some erotic music, and then flow into a red light or light-out setback, naked! Presumably, this self-exploitation meets some needs in their psyche which hitherto had probably been regressed. We made a point of not opening the several Silhouette-like videos awash few WhatsApp groups we are a part...in quiet protest at the headless madness of self-promotion of nudity and joblessness... even amongst supposedly exposed individuals (not kids). This then shows that not all travellers on these paths are in it for money...some people need to satisfy some inner demons...so they sacrifice their bodies, and dignity

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ;,2021

37

NEWS JOHESU Lobbies N’Assembly to Step Down Medical Council Bill

I FEEL YOUR PAIN… L-R: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (left) consoling the wife of the late State Commissioner for Transport, Rt. Hon. Mathias Ekweremadu Jnr, Stella (right) and his children, when the governor led a state government delegation to the family of the deceased, at his Enugu residence ... yesterday

PDP Remains Our Best Bet, Let’s Keep Working on It, Says Ikpeazu Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has pledged greater commitment to do more for Abia people in the days ahead and assured them that the future and development of the state was better assured under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He gave the assurance when he received stakeholders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas at the Governmrnt House on a solidarity visit.

He assured the stakeholders that his second tenure as

governor in the state would witness more giant strides in infrastructural development and urged them to remain steadfast in PDP as it remained the preferred party in the South-east.

Apparently assuring them that he was not jumping ship, Ikpeazu told them that he would remain with them through thick and thin and enjoined them to always remain supportive of his government.

He assured them that he was conÀdent of their support at all times and thanked them for their show of solidarity and support.

Earlier, the leader of the group and Member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha pointed out that they were delegates from the 262 Polling Units in Isiala Ngwa.

He said that they were the practical and direct beneÀciaries of Governor Ikpeazu’s infrastructural development and were happy with his developmental strides including quality roads such as the Obikabia Road which cuts across Àve LGAs. Hon. Nwokocha assured the governor that Isiala Ngwa was an embodiment of PDP, adding that they had resolved to

support the governor to tackle insecurity in the state.

Also speaking, the Member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe commended the governor for the good works he was doing across the state, noting that he is building roads to last.

He thanked the governor for recalling one of their illustrious sons and Chief of StaͿ to the Governor, Dr. A. Agbazuere to work.

The State Chairman of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere was also present at the event.

Imo North: S’Court Refuses to Declare Ararume APC’s Candidate Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË The Supreme Court yesterday refused request by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, to declare him as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the December 5 by-election in Imo North Senatorial District.

The apex court refused to grant Ararume’s request when it dismissed two of his appeals challenging the outcome of the APC’s primary election for the selection of candidate for the Imo North Senatorial bye election.

The Supreme Court held that the appeals lacked merit and should be dismissed.

In two separate judgments, the five-man panel of the apex court, led by Justice Amina Augie, affirmed the decisions of the Court of Appeal, Owerri division, which voided the proceedings and decisions in the suit filed by Lady Uchenna Onyeiwu Ubah before the Federal High Court in Owerri.

The judgments delivered were on the appeals marked: SC/971/2020 and SC/972/2020 filed by Ararume.

The court said the judgments should be applied to the crossappeal, marked: SC/1060/2020 filed by Dr. Edith Uwajimogu, in which she sought to have Ararume declared as the candidate of the

APC. Justice Tijani Abubakar, who prepared the lead judgments held that the lower court (Court of Appeal) was right in coming to the conclusion that the first respondent (Ibezim) was shut out and denied of his right to be heard as a necessary party in the suit at the trial court (Federal High Court).

“Therefore, the proceedings of the trial court constitute a nullity and must be struck out. Appellant’s appeal, therefore, lacked merit and it is hereby dismissed.

“The decision of the lower court, setting aside the judgment of the trial court is hereby affirmed. Par-

ties are to bear their respective costs,” Justice Abubakar said.

Other members of the panel, Justices Augie, Uwani Abba-Aji, Samuel Oseji and Emmanuel Agim, all agreed with the leadjudgment.

Ubah had sued shortly after the APC’s primary election, preparatory to the December 5, 2020 by-election, praying the court to, among others, compel the APC to submit the name of Chukwuma Ibezim to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate for the election.

In a judgment, the Federal High Court rejected her prayers on the grounds that Ubah lacked the locus standi to have filed the suit.

Zulum Boosts Borno Public Transportation with 90 Buses Michael Olugbode ÓØ ËÓÎßÑßÜÓ Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum, has boosted public transportation in the state with the delivery of 90 mass transit buses to the state-owned Borno Express Corporation.

The buses, which were delivered yesterday, at a public ceremony, include 40 units of 50 seaters and 50 units of 14 seaters,

all of which have combined capacity for 2,740 passengers.

Zulum, during the unveiling of the buses at the Ramat Square Ground in Maiduguri, said the project was “in fulÀllment of our electioneering campaign to provide aͿordable means of transportation, we are here to unveil new buses to ease di΀culties faced by the public.”

He urged managers of Borno

Express Corporation, the transportation outÀt, to inculcate a sustainable maintenance strategy which would ensure all vehicles remained functional.

The governor used the opportunity to call on commercial tricyclists in the state to conduct their operations in line with laid down tra΀c regulations to avoid accidents and ensure that the road was safe to all.

He directed the state’s Ministry of Transport to liaise with the Ministry of Justice and all other relevant stakeholders to ensure sanity in the operations of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Keke NAPEP. The state Commissioner for transport, Dr. Abubakar Tijjani assured that the buses would soon be deployed for public use.

Health workers in the country under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) are demanding that the National Assembly step down the Medical Doctors and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Bill to avoid a fresh crisis in the nation’s healthcare sector.

The union, which is the umbrella body of health workers argued that the document was retrogressive and not in the interest of the nation, alleged that the main objective of the MDCN Bill was to expand the discriminatory and oppressive tendencies of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) over other health workers in the country; and “should be stopped”.

It noted that Section 4(9) of the proposed MDCN Bill aims to bring the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) under the control of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, declaring it as direct conflict with Section 4(b) and Section 29 of the MLSCN Act CAP 525 LFN 2004, insisting that it was an attempt to bring Medical

Laboratory Scientists under its control.

National Chairman of JOHESU, Bio Joy Josiah, argued that the National Assembly should not encourage the destabilisation of existing independently regulated practices by supporting illegality.

Section 4 (9) in the Bill states inter alia “Notwithstanding the provision of any other Act to the contrary, the Council shall to the exclusion of any other person or body, perform the following functions: Making regulations for the operation and management of clinical diagnostic centres for the practice of Pathology or Radiology and other branches of Medicine and Dentistry determined

by Council, provided that the regulations shall provide for fully registered practitioners to manage the diagnostic centres.

JUHESU said, “The MDCN Bill Act must limit its scope of regulation to its Medical Doctors and Dentists.” Section 4(9) of the proposed Bill should be completely expunged.”

Lai Mohammed Behind Kwara APC Crisis, Alleges Ajadi Tolulope Ibukunoluwa The crisis in the Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) is traceable to the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed aiming to make himself a godfather that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq must either submit to or be stampeded, Senator Suleiman Ajadi has alleged.

Ajadi, a chieftain of the party, at a press briefing in Ilorin yesterday alleged that the minister was using a former APC chairman in the state “to destabilize Kwara with propaganda and anti-party activities.”

Ajadi alleged that the minister had perfected plans to either stop the ongoing party’s registration through a phantom court case or premeditated unrest using some of his loyalists in the state.

Ajadi alleged: “The person to be blamed is the Honorable Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He brought BOB to Kwara State to come and be the Chairman of the Caretaker

Committee. He was imposed from Abuja, there was no election.

Even before the election, he was encouraging BOB to disrespect the then gubernatorial candidate to the point of not attending the rally at that time.

“Ask anybody, the former Chairman hardly attended rallies with the governorship candidate then. And after he won the election, they continued their antics of propagating their lies against the governor. How can a state chairman of the party be going and encouraging others to go to radio stations to disparage the governor of the state? They were openly discrediting the governor under the guise of not carrying them along. How can you be disparaging somebody and you are accusing him of not carrying you along?

“Taking you along for what?

Most of the people fighting this battle against him, he made their children SA this and that. He is doing projects in their communities.

I don’t know the meaning of he is not taking them along.

APC Chieftains Intensify Membership Drive in Abia Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo ÓØ ×ßËÒÓË Party stalwarts of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) have called on the people of Abia State to embrace the party and register for membership en mass in order to reap the full beneÀts of mainstream national politics.

Chairman of the revalidation and registration committee for Abia State, Ambassador Bala Mairiga, and a chieftain of Abia APC, Chief Ikechi Emenike jointly made the call at the commencement of the ongoing membership validation and registration exercise.

The seven-man team from the party’s national headquarters Àrst revalidated the membership status of Chief Emenike at his Okpuala Umukabia country home in Umuahia North local government.

He said that APC was desir-

ous of taking over Abia State and urged stakeholders in the state to join hands and form a formidable force that “will attack and liquidate” the ruling PDP in Abia come 2023.

Mairiga said that without massive membership registration, the party would not be able to make any headway and rise above its present status of being an opposition party in Abia.

“We need human beings to register in our party,” he said, pointing out that the desire to make Abia an APC state would only be realised if Abia people are adequately mobilised to embrace the party.

He therefore said that his team would visit all Abia APC chieftains to solicit their support to fully mobilise and register as many people as possible in Abia and urged the party chieftains to sink their diͿerences and embrace reconciliation in the interest of the party.

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ;˜ ͰͮͰͯ

NEWSXTRA

Extrajudicial Killing: Mother of Victim Demands Justice t Civil society group vows to seek justice for victims of police brutality Mrs. Florence Gbaraka, the mother of late Gospel Gbaraka who was allegedly shot dead by his colleague in November last year,hasdemandedforjusticefor the gruesome murder of her son.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a briefing organised by the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organisation, Gbaraka

lamented that her bread winner was unjustly killed by a Marine Police colleague in his place of work.

She said after graduation, her son promised to take care of her, lamenting that he had been sent to his early grave.

"My son has been telling me that he would take care of us after he graduated from school.

Osinbajo, Fayemi, Amaechi, David Mark Greet Oyinlola on 70th birthday VicePresidentYemiOsinbajohas joined a long list of prominent Nigerianshomeandabroadwho have eulogised and prayed for former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola onhis70thbirthdaycelebrations.

Vice President Osinbajo, in a telephone call to Oyinlola, while wishing him a happy birthday prayed for God's continued blessings for the former governor. He also prayed for Oyinlola's long life and for God's protection over him and his family.

Also, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in his own message, described Oyinlola as an epitome of courage, dignity and character.

Dr. Fayemi in a congratulatory letter personally signed by him said Oyinlola stood out among his peers not only because of his nobility but also because of “his enormous gift of garb, wits and inner stamina.”

The Chairman of the Nigerian

Governors Forum stressed that Oyinlola had earned the respect of many people as a very loyal and forthright gentleman who never betrays any cause to which he is committed.

“My Egbon, as I fondly refer to him, is a very loyal and forthright gentleman who never betrays any cause to which he is committed.

His forthrightness and frankness sometimes pitches him against those who would prefer guile and deception, but for the Okuku prince, fidelity is the highest form of honour. Even before now, he has always been elderly in conduct and wisdom. A truly prince in courage, dignity and character."

Similarly, Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, said in a tribute that Oyinlola's years "have been well spent in the service of humanity" as well as his commitment to the progress and development of the common man and indeed the nation at large."

Stakeholders in Isiala Ngwa Vow to Resist Criminal Herdsmen Incursion Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo Stakeholders of Isiala Ngwa federal constituency have vowed to resist incursion of criminal herdsmen into the area to avert further breach of the peace and destruction of lives and property.

Hoodlums suspected to be herdsmen had on Monday carried out a night raid at the Divisional Police Station in Omoba, the headquarters of Isiala Ngwa South local government, killing two policemen and razing down the station.

The stakeholders took the stand against agents of death and destruction at an emergency meeting hosted by the member representing Isiala Ngwa federal constituency, Hon Darlington Nwokocha to discuss the wor-

Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the transition of Akirun of Ikirun, Oba AbdulRauf Olawale Adedeji 11.

He commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the late monarch and the people of ancient Ikirunland over the transition.

In a condolence message by his Media Office yesterday,

Tinubu described Oba Adedeji as visionary and progressive.

He said: "I’m deeply saddened by the sudden transition of Akirun of Ikirun, Oba AbdulRauf Olawale Adedeji 11.

"Akirun is a notable traditional ruler in Osun State. His reign brought significant attention, peace, and development to Ikirun and his people.

"As a royal father, he was visionary and progressive. Oba Adedeji was a partner who believes in our cause.

Prudent, a security company situated at Rumuodara which engaged him.

"My cousin Gospel, was posted to a company at Abonnema where he was until he met his untimely death. "In the early hours of Saturday, November 21, 2020 at about 6a.m., we received the sad news of his killing. We were told that one Inspector James Nwabara, a Marine officer with the Nigeria Marine Police who works with him in the same company shot him dead.

"We were told Inspector

Nwabara shot my brother by saying that intruders entered the company's premises. We then wondered how he could not arrest or shoot at the intruders but killed a man that works with him.

"From then till now, it is only God that has been sustaining my uncle and his family because the victim had always been the bread winner of his father's house".

Meanwhile, the Civil Society group led by Mr. Amaechi Kelechi Justin, has noted the inequality in the administration of justice in Nigeria, stressing that justice was

incomplete if all suspects involved in the torture of a victim were not prosecuted.

The group expressed "Worry about the perennial cases of Police murder and police brutality in Nigeria, particularly the gruesome murder of Chima Ikwunado, Chibuike Daniel Ikeagwuchi aka Sleek, Woman/Sgt Lovender Elekwachi, Gospel Gbaraka and the Keke driver in Rukpokwu town, including the vicious torture of Victor Ogbonna, Osaze Friday, Ifeanyi Osuji and Ifeanyi Onyekwere in Rivers State".

CBN Hammers Cryptocurrency Traders, Directs Banks to Close Their Accounts It needs to be studied carefully and controlled not prohibited.

“What CBN should do is to regulate the players and the number of people who can access the service because many people don’t understand the system and they may become vulnerable. This regulation can be in form of stipulated capital requirement or minimum threshold which will discourage some people with bad intention,” he suggested.

Johnson Chukwu: It’s a Contradiction In his response, Chairman, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu said there is need for the CBN to let the public know if it has privileged information about the dangers of the digital means of exchange.

He recalled that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had rolled out regulations of digital money in 2020, wondering

why the apex bank decided to prohibit the use of such means of transaction.

He said, “The CBN, in its circular did not specify their motivation.

They talked about Financial System Stability which was done about three years ago where they warned that cryptocurrency is injurious and could be used for financing of fraud and terrorist activities. However, beyond that, CBN could have genuine concerns that there is a large pool of currencies outside the banking industry and outside its purview and therefore could be an avenue for the financing of terrorising and drugs activities.

“If the CBN has proofs that it’s being used for nefarious activities then it should make it known to the public,” Chukwu said.

The Federal Government had few years ago expressed reservations about the growing popularity of cryptocurrency, warning that criminal

elements may use it as a means of perpetrating fraudulent acts in the country.

Speaking at a seminar with the theme, “Understanding the Interface Between Crypto-Currency and Money Laundering in Abuja, in 2018, the Governor of Central Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said as the global use of cryptocurrency with the associated inherent risks continue to gather momentum, the need for legislative frameworks to address the challenges became imperative.

He challenged financial institutions to prepare and protect themselves against both direct and indirect vulnerabilities, pointing out that there is need to understand the Money Laundering/Terrorist Financing risks as well as the inherent risks associated with virtual currency and attack vectors.

According to Emefiele, “It is evident that criminals have already adapted their attacks to include

vulnerable platforms wherever and when the opportunity manifests itself. Risks associated with the use of virtual currency and exchange would need to be nipped in the bud if the safety and soundness of the financial system are to be sustained.”

Lending his voice to the warning against the adoption of cryptocurrency, Chairman, Presidential CommitteeAgainst Corruption, Prof.

Itsay Sagay, who was also at the seminar said while cryptocurrency yields benefits to those providing the service or trading with it.

He added: “It was like a ‘stateless phenomenon’ that poses challenges.

There is a dark side, which includes the use of cryptocurrency for criminal activities.”

The almost invisible and decentralised nature of virtual currencies, he emphasised, creates a potential for them to be used for money laundering and terrorist financing.

Onuesoke Advises Northern Govs to Emulate Ganduje on Abolition of Cattle Movement Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ

risome security situation in the area.

Nwokocha, who addressed journalists after the lengthy deliberations by the stakeholders, said that the people of Isiala Ngwa "are ready to protect our area" and would not tolerate further incursion into the area by criminal elements in whatever guise.

He said that security agencies should come to Isiala Ngwa and unravel the circumstances behind the ugly incident, assuring that all security agencies would be given maximum support to fish out the suspected killers and arsonists.

"We. don't harbour criminals in our area," he said, adding that his constituents would provide every information needed by security agencies to get to the root of the security breach in the area.

Asiwaju Tinubu Mourns Akirun of Ikirun Kuni Tyessi ÓØ ÌßÔË

He has consoled us that it will be better when he gets a job. He did not offend anybody but he was killed right in his place of work. I need justice," she lamented.

Also speaking, Emmanuel Gbaraka, cousin to the victim, narrated how the young man was killed by his colleague in their company premises.

He said: "He was a graduate of Accounting from Abia State University, a 32 years old man.

Because of the challenge of this country, he wasn't a criminal, he decided to pitch his tent with

Former Governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has advised Northern governors to follow the foot step of Kano

State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje by urging cattle herders to restrict the movement of their cattle from the Northern part of the country to the South.

He stated that Ganduje's call for a ban of herders’ movement across the country was the best

Children Most Trafficked in West Africa, Says UNODC Report Bennett Oghifo Children represent more than 75 per cent of trafficking victims detected in West Africa, says the UNODC Fifth Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, presented at a virtual event, yesterday.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) presented the key findings of UNODC Fifth Global Report on Trafficking in Persons to stakeholders from the federal government, civil society organisations and international partners.

The report covers 148 countries and more than 95 per cent of the world’s population, using primarily official statistics on trafficking cases between 2016 and 2019.

“Countries in West Africa tend to detect more victims than other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly children and for the purpose of forced labour. Out of 4,799 victims detected in 26

Sub-Saharan Africa countries, 3,336 were in West Africa including 2,553 children," the report said.

UNODC data suggests that close to 80 per cent of victims in West Africa were trafficked for forced labour, which remains the major form of exploitation in the region.

“Trafficking in persons is one of the most lucrative criminal markets globally. Nigeria is an origin, transit and destination country and is affected by both domestic and cross-border trafficking. A collaborative approach is crucial in tackling this crime and NAPTIP has made efforts to ensure trafficking cases are being investigated in close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies,” said Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, NAPTIP Director-General.

On behalf of Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Chief of Staff Edima Otuokon welcomed the report as it “will provide valuable insight to all stakeholders and actors as we continue to face

solution to the incessant farmers and herders crisis Recall that Ganduje, while addressing journalists after the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State recently called for the enactment of law banning the movement of cattle from the North to the South as the only way to resolve the conflict between herdsmen and farmers.

Reacting to Ganduje’s call in a statement yesterday, Onuesoke who described it as a welcome development, urged other Northern governors to emulate him, stressing that if

CHANGE OF NAME

government can integrate the herders within their territory, instead of moving round the country, conflicts would definitely disappear and there will be peace in the country to a large extent.

“This time around, Ganduje came-up with a very reasonable idea that could bring about a drastic and effective solution to insecurity in the country. To be frank, Jihadists were actually camouflaging as herdsmen all over the country. Cattle roaming the streets, forest and farms always cause troubles,” he stated.

He, however, observed that the Governor calling for the ban of the movement of cattle across the country is not enough, advising that he should direct or confer with his representatives at the National Assembly to initiate the law banning the movement of cattle.

CHANGE OF NAME

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ; , 2021

SPORTS XTRA

No Need to Rush Verdy, we can Count on Iheanacho, Says Rodgers Leicester City coach Brendan Rodgershasrevealedthathehas no intention of forcing his top scorer Jamie Vardy to rush back from injury to feature in their upcoming league game against

Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 34-year-old Vardy has been unavailable for selection for four games after undergoing minor hernia surgery in January.

The Northern Irishman was

full of praise for the impact that Kelechi Iheanacho had during the game against Fulham, with the Nigeria international opening the scoring via a header before bagging a secondary

assist.

Even before Iheanacho ended a run of 461 minutes without finding the net in the Premier League, he has been one of the Foxes standout players in the

Alex iwobi tries to stop Marcus Rashford when Everton hosted Man United at Goodison Park

Iwobi Charges Teammates to Stop Fernandes in Today’s Clash at Old Trafford Nigeria international Alex Iwobi has revealed that the Everton players must pay special attention to Portuguese sensation Bruno Fernandes to stand any chance of winning today’s Premier League meeting at Old Trafford.

Fernandes winning four Premier League Player of the Month awards since his arrival at Old Trafford from Sporting CP last January is a testament to how influential he is for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

The 26-year-old has participated in an astonishing 49 goals in 54 appearances,

scoring 29 and assisting twenty, helping Manchester United rise from the slump they were in before his signing.

Iwobi has admitted that Everton are targeting a place in Europe and are always aiming to get a result against the big teams.

Speaking to TalkSPORT, the Nigeria international said: “Going off the back of some great wins, we’re very confident.

We got a result at Leicester away.

“If we want to compete for the Europa League or Champions League spots, we have to play against teams like Man United

and get a good result.

“The amount of goals and assists he (Fernandes) gets, and the chances he creates – he’s a positive player, I have to give it to him. He always wants to make something happen.

“I’m sure we’ll have something in mind to try and keep him quiet.”

Everton are occupying the seventh position in the Premier League table with 36 points from twenty matches before their visit to Manchester United.

Nigeria-Arsenal Youngster, Okonkwo Warms up With first choice goalkeeper, Bernd Leno out of Arsenal next three matches as a result of a straight red card issued to him inArsenal 2-1 loss to Wolves midweek, and second choice Mathew Ryan battling with hip problems, Arsenal youngster, Arthur Okonkwo may have a part to play in Gunners visit to Villa Park this afternoon.

Okonkwo has been involved in Arsenal’s first team training session at London Colney before their trip to Birmingham, where they face Aston Villa in the Premier League today.

Manager Mikel Arteta ran the rule over theEnglandyouthinternationalofNigerian descent with a view to his inclusion in the matchday squad.

The Spanish tactician is currently facing a goalkeeper crisis as first choice glovesman Leno is not eligible to be fielded after he was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside his area in the 72nd minute against Wolves.

Brighton & Hove loanee Mathew Ryan is struggling to overcome a hip complaint and will have to prove his fitness in training before he comes back into contention for

a roster spot.

It is looking likely that Okonkwo will be involved in some capacity against Aston Villa if he is not selected for the Premier League 2 fixture against Chelsea this evening.

The 19-year-old arrived with the first team for recent matches against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He has kept an impressive four clean sheets in seven appearances for Arsenal’s U23 team since his debut for the age group.

Club World Cup: Al Ahly Plot Stretching Bayern to Penalties AlAhly coach Pitso Mosimane has urged his players to have ‘fun’ against German giants Bayern Munich in Monday’s semifinal at the Club World Cup in Qatar.

On Thursday the African oversaw a 1-0 win over local Qatari champions Al Duhail to see the African Champions League winners set up the tie against the European champions.

“It would be nice to take Bayern to penalties,” Mosimane said after the match.

“We should have fun I think. We have

nothing to lose, everything to get. Imagine we win that match, our life will turn around.

“Very difficult match to win. Big team, the champions, they’ve won their cup, they’ve won their league, they’ve won the Champions League. What else they haven’t won.

“OK we did the same in Africa, we won everything. The treble. But they are Bayern. Bayern has got pressure. They must beat us.”

The two sides have played each other

once before in a friendly in January 2012 with the Germans winning the match, which was also played in Qatar 2-1.

This time around though there is more at stake as Al Ahly aim to be just the third African side to reach the Club World Cup final, after DR Congo’s TP Mazembe in 2010 and Morocco’s Raja Casablanca three years later on home soil.

“We don’t have pressure. We must have fun. Maybe frustrate them a little bit. And see how it goes. It would be nice to take

Europa League, scoring three goals and setting up three others.

Asked at yesterday’s press conference if Leicester may start Vardy against Wolves, Rodgers was more than happy with Iheanacho, saying : “The beauty of it is we don’t have to. That’s the key. Kelechi, the other night, he was terrific in his work.

“He scored a great goal and hewillbehighinconfidence.We all know Jamie is so important to us, but the beauty of it is, coming out of an operation, we don’t need to rush him.

“Just to have him available, whether to start or from the bench, it’s a huge boost for us.

It’s not a problem. It’s great Kels has got his goal because he’s worked so hard.

“That’s not just in games he’s played, but every day in training, so he got his reward for that.”

Iheanacho opened his 2020/21 account in the Premier League in the 17th minute before James Justin finished a flowing team move to wrap up three points at Craven Cottage.

On the back of their 13th topflight success, the Foxes moved to third in the standings, two points above champions Liverpool, and Iheanacho is keen to build upon their victory in west London.

“We are delighted,” the Nigeria striker told LCFC TV. “It’s a clean sheet and we are really happy we’re back to winning ways. We need to get going now and focus on the next games.

“We’re really happy. It’s not an easy ground, coming here.

They’re really good at their home, so we needed to stay together, stay compact, and we got the win. In the second half, we had to get tight and defend until the last minute.”

The 24-year-old admitted the height of James Maddison’s perfect cross took him by surprise, as he expected it along the ground, but his nodded finish was just what City needed early on in the game.

Following his fourth goal in all competitions this term, Iheanacho says he will continue to work hard in training to earn more opportunities to showcase his abilities to Rodgers.

“Actually, I wasn’t expecting the header,” the former Manchester City forward added. “I got in the space between the two central defenders and I got the header, so I’m delighted.

“I’m always working in training. I need to work really hard to get my chance. Sometimes, the gaffer switches the team around, so I need to work for my chance. When it comes, I need to take it and that’s what I did tonight.”

Foxes Add another Nigerian, Chibueze to King Power Stadium Leicester City have submitted their updated squad list for the remainder of the 2020-2021 season to the English Premier League following the conclusion of the winter transfer market.

The official website of the Premier League has confirmed that former Chelsea goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze has been added to Leicester City’s roster.

Chibueze put pen to paper on his first professional contract with Leicester City after impressing his teammates and coaching staff alike while on trial with the King Power Stadium outfit.

The Foxes monitored his situation for more than a year before signing him to a deal.

The 17-year-old glovesman was on the books of Chelsea for a decade before his departure in October 2020, despite signing a scholarship deal with the Blues just before the start of this season.

Chibueze has been registered as an U21 player in Leicester City’s Premier League squad as he was born after January 1, 1999.

He was in goal for Leicester City against West Brom in the U18 Premier League last November and his second squad involvement for the age group was against Norwich City last weekend but was a non-playing substitute.

Kelechi Iheanacho is listed as a homegrown player in the Leicester squad, Wilfred Ndidi was also registered along with U21 players Daniel Obi and Chituru Odunze.

Fifa Finally Confirms El Haddadi’s The long saga of whether Munir El Haddadi can change his national allegiance from Spain to Morocco is finally over after football’s world governing body Fifa confirmed his switch yesterday.

The 25-year-old has spent years trying in vain to play for the North Africans after initially being prevented from doing so because of a brief appearance he made for Spain in 2014.

Nonetheless, despite his previous failures to change allegiance - two of which he has unsuccessfully appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) - he is now free to play for Morocco.

“The Single Judge of the Players’ Status Committee has approved the following change of association: Munir El Haddadi, (to) Morocco (from) Spain,” a Fifa spokesperson told BBC Sport Africa.

The change in stance comes after Fifa issued new guidelines last week regarding the rules on switching allegiance.

Of particular note was the modification of a regulation which stated that players could not profit from Fifa’s rules amendment, in September, if they had played any match for a national team when aged over 21.

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The Shape of Things to Come in 2023

F

ellow Nigerians, here we go again.

Let me say right away that the ways of our politicians are not the ways of ordinary mortals. At a time our leaders at all levels should be visibly worried and vociferously concerned about our myriad of problems and humongous challenges, they are busy gallivanting and getting ready for the next elections. Never since the last civil war has Nigeria been this divided and dangerously close to another civil war. At the same time, the whole world is in the grip of a rampaging pandemic, called the COVID-19 virus, which is ravaging and savaging everything that lies in its wake. Nigeria is not excluded from the deadly force of this awesome plague. Nevertheless, it is as if our politicians are hell bent on fiddling while Rome burns and going about doing their usual business of horse trading. Since it appears all that seems to matter to our politicians, and indeed the rest of us, is politics, let’s sit back and read my permutations and musings on the leadership contest in Nigeria, as I often do from time to time on this topical and typical Nigerian issue.

Let’s quickly establish some facts based on questions I have been asked by many Nigerians on various social media platforms including Clubhouse, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in recent times. It is generally believed that the next President must come from the South of Nigeria, on the assumption that it would be inconceivable, unfair and immoral that another Northerner should come back so soon after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s hocus pocus and magical stunts. However, let me hasten to confirm that nothing in our Constitution forbids or disallows any Nigerian from any part of Nigeria to contest the Presidential election at any time. Zoning is not part of the Nigerian Constitution, no matter how much people wish it to be. For my part, I believe that this is as it should be. We should never sacrifice merit on the altar of parochialism. The allure and attraction of the centre in Nigeria stems from the humongous power and might that the Presidency and the Federal Government wield coupled with the fantastic and incredible largesse that both dispense. If we have a decentralised and proper Federal Constitution where each State can command and influence the direction of its fortunes and progress, as it existed during the preeminent days of the old Regional Governments, then the appeal and fascination of the Presidency and the Federal Government would soon lose its lure and lustre.

This is part of the restructuring that everybody seems to be clamouring about these days.

We are certainly a long way of achieving what would be an Eldorado in these parts.

Waking up from what is a dream or a mirage right now, the only way forward is to play the game as it currently exists in Nigeria, with the usual suspects as the gladiators. For now, we cannot change the sport, the rules and the participants. The only uncertain aspect of the 2023 contest is how the parties will split and metamorphose into new fledgling or super Parties as the elections draw nearer, and alignments and realignments take place.

Assuming that the current crop of politicians is too chicken to rock the boat, and this is true of a large majority of them, the present political parties, particularly the two main ones, will continue to hold sway. In those circumstances, the scenario I therefore foresee and predict is that if the ruling party APC picks its candidate from the South, the PDP would most probably

Fayemi

pick its own from the North. Having said that, I will not even rule out some people descending on us very soon to demand that Buhari should remain in perpetuity, as our Messiah. While it may appear impossible, I won’t be surprised if a bill to this effect is rushed and rubber-stamped at the National Assembly. For me that’s Act one, scene one.

If that doesn’t happen, we may have a situation where some hawks within APC may insist on having a Northern candidate combine with a Yoruba as Vice Presidential candidate. Their excuse would be that the only zone APC is very strong in the South is the South West. And many prospective South Westerner candidates would be too happy to play that role gladly and gleefully. For this group of South Westerners, they realise that their Presidential aspirations are probably dead on arrival, but they must be seen to be making the necessary noises so they can achieve their real aim of being the Vice-Presidential pick. For them, it would be a case of arguing that we did our best and did not let the side down but had to be pragmatic and settle for second best because our chances as Yorubas are greatly diminished.

There are three to four Northerners in APC who might benefit from such arrangements with this wimpish, inferior Yoruba prospects.

They include Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum and Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. What may work for all these prospective Northern candidates is that they are all relatively young men although quite experienced in governance at the highest levels. In case that kite does not fly due to overwhelming resistance from Southern Party members, these Northern members of the Nigerian ruling elite are also among those to be considered for the Vice-Presidential slots.

On the other hand, there are very serious Yoruba candidates contending to be President for whom nothing short of the Presidency will do. They are by and large not interested in the Vice Presidency either by choice or by law. We can group them into two categories on the ground of religion. If the Yoruba Presidential candidate is a Muslim like Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), or Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Dogara may stand a good chance as running mate to any of them being a Christian from Bauchi State. It may be difficult for a Muslim/Muslim ticket to fly

again this time, unlike what happened in 1993 when two Muslims, Chief MKO Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe paired up and won the monumental election. It was the anathema and abhorrence of a Muslim/Muslim ticket that led to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s bid to join the Buhari ticket in 2015, and which led to the emergence of the current Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. I do not believe that the situation has markedly changed since 2015.

However, If the South West candidate is a Christian like Prof Yemi Osinbajo or Dr John Kayode Fayemi, it would be easier for either of them to have a wider variety of choices from the large Muslim APC Presidential contingent in the North. Dr Kayode Fayemi is of course a strong Vice-Presidential prospect and there are a lot of people who believe that this may yet be his real play whilst galvanising support for his Presidential bid might only just be his opening gambit. It is safe to say that of the South Western contenders one can be sure that only Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and President Yemi Osinbajo are dead certainties for the APC Presidential nomination alone. We can be assured that neither of them will, nor can, settle for anything less. Both hold formidable credentials and are the strongest of the lot of South Western contenders.

If the South East is considered by APC, which I seriously doubt, since APC is not strong in that region, the Party ticket may fall into the laps Chief Rochas Okorocha or Chief Orji Uzor Kalu or even the recent decampee, Governor David Umahi. This seems far-fetched for various reasons.

The lone possibility from the South South is most likely to be the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, two term Speaker, two term Governor of Rivers State and now two term Minister of Transport. He is a kingmaker who may definitely wish to be king. Twice, he’s been the National Campaign Coordinator for Major General Muhammadu Buhari and he readily has the full template used to bring Buhari to power. He controls a formidable war chest which combined with his stupendous courage makes him one of those to watch in any Presidential nomination race! He would be one of the youngest and yet most experienced leaders in the country. From the Middle Belt which may be seen as a minority Region where no civilian Nigerian President has yet emerged comes the young Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahya Bello, who is also being strongly touted. He has his youthfulness on his side, although some reckon it is his youthful exuberance that may yet prove to be his Achilles heel. He also has the fact that he is fiercely loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari as a plus for him in case the President is keen on being the determinant of who will succeed him, which I doubt.

PDP on the other hand seems to be tilting Northwards. Three of their past combatants are returning to the boxing ring, with a vengeance.

They include Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Waziri Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State. If Atiku gets the ticket, he may retain the very brilliant and extremely popular Mr Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, as he did in 2019. It is difficult to see Atiku Abubakar getting the PDP nomination though.

He was very much bloodied in the nose in 2019 and has lost some of his glory as a result.

Furthermore, age is definitely not on his side.

However, Abubakar is a die-hard politician who seems to have the remarkable attributes

of the Phoenix and springs to life at the right and most opportune moment. Like Buhari it may be fourth time lucky for him. He may also consider the new sensation, Professor Kingsley Moghalu as his running mate, although Moghalu prefers to be President in his own right rather than playing second fiddle to anyone.

The other returning Presidential warrior is Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He will be a hard nut to crack as he plans to go all out to clinch the ticket this time around. He believes that he has had enough of being pushed aside for others in PDP because the Party believed they were less controversial and better able to rally the party faithful and attract Nigerians to the PDP philosophy. Having all spectacularly failed, Kwankwaso wants to fully step into the fray and carry the battle to APC. The last time I interviewed him before the 2019 elections, Kwankwaso told me it would be difficult for a candidate who’s not from one of the 3K States in the North (namely Kaduna, Kano and Katsina, in no particular order) to win the Presidential elections in Nigeria. He attributes the failure of the hugely popular Atiku Abubakar to this factor. If he bags the ticket, it isn’t clear who he may consider as running mate.

Aminu Tambuwal is the young Turk that people believe can revest and revert the Presidential crown back to the PDP if PDP decides on a Northern candidate. He is from Sokoto and not a 3K State according to the Kwankwaso principle, but his State has a large population and he himself has a significant personal following in Northern and Southern Nigeria. One powerful PDP combination that everyone is considering and wonderingly looking at and talking about is the Aminu Tambuwal/Nyesom Wike. Governor Wike is known to be very fearless and controls one of Nigeria’s richest States. He’s been working feverishly to turn Rivers into a land of super infrastructures and technologies. To this end, he has engaged the services of the construction giant, Julius Berger in order to be able to beat his chest that he has what it takes to lead at the National level. Remember that he’s also been a Federal Minister.

If the PDP nod goes to the South South, then the strongest contender might be former President Goodluck Jonathan, if he can be persuaded to come out of his semi-retirement. Lately he has become like the beautiful, widowed bride as he is being courted by both the APC and the PDP. President Buhari’s eight years have been so controversial that many are claiming that had they known, Jonathan would not have been sent packing.

From the Southern PDP also comes the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Benedict Ayade who has invested heavily in the industrialisation of his State in order to create employment for the teeming youths.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom is certainly not someone to ignore in the political equation of the country because of the incredible resources available in abundance to him and the interesting and eye-catching deployment of those resources by him.

The battle for the 2023 race will be a battle Royale in both APC and PDP as all the big players fight hard and jostle for the highly coveted ticket and the Vice-Presidential sidekicks.

The possibility of a dark horse emerging from a third force is presently in the real of a miracle or a revolution.

This is my simple Arithmetic for now...

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