SATURDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2021 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

FG Floats N1trn Firm to Tackle Infrastructure Deficit Seed capital to come from CBN, NSIA, Africa Finance Corporation

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of Infra-Co, a Public-Private Partnershipstyled infrastructure company

with an initial seed capital of N1 trillion, to tackle Nigeria’s growing infrastructure deficit. Already, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been saddled with the responsibility of heading a Steering Committee

to facilitate the take-off of the company. Osinbajo's Media Assistant, Laolu Akande, in a statement yesterday said with time, Infra-Co would grow to N15 trillion in assets and capital

and that it would be one of the premier infrastructure finance entities in Africa to be wholly dedicated to Nigeria’s infrastructure development. The entity, he further stressed, had been developed

with concept from the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). According to him, the initial seed capital for the entity will come from the CBN, the

Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, and the Africa Finance Corporation. Akande stated: "The board of Infra-Co will be chaired by Continued on page 5

UK S’Court Okays Suit against Shell over Oil Spills in Rivers… Page 6 Saturday 13 February, 2021 Vol 25. No 9442

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Tension as Organisers Insist on Today’s Protest at Lekki Tollgate Police in show of force, tighten security around Lekki Festus Akanbi and Segun James There are anxieties over today’s planned protest by

youths under the aegis of the EndSARS movement at the Lekki-Ajah Tollgate in Lagos, the epicentre of last October #EndSARS protests, following

the federal government's threat to crush any protest and the insistence of the organisers to go ahead with their action. Still using the social

media, promoters of #occupyLekkitollgate movement, in a defiant move, spent most of yesterday mobilising youths for the

protest to express their displeasure over approval for the reopening of the toll plaza. In response to the call for

protest, a counter-protest group tagged #DefendLagos was also active on social Continued on page 5

Prepare to Receive Herders who May Be Forced Home, NEF Tells Northern Govs Says Fulani who have broken no laws must be protected Ortom to Bauchi Gov: No law permits herders to carry AK-47

John Shiklam in Kaduna, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, George Okoh in Makurdi The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) yesterday urged governors of the Northern states to start preparing to receive law-abiding Fulani herders who may be compelled to relocate from their present abodes in different parts of Nigeria, following conflict with various host communities. On the same day, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State faulted the statement made by his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, supporting the free movement of herders with AK-47 rifles. The NEF made the appeal in a statement signed by its spokesman, Dr. Hakeem

Baba-Ahmed, where it alleged that some groups are fuelling tension in the country in order to achieve their selfish aims. A number of communities across the country have issued herders quit notices following bloody fracas over grazing lands. Baba-Ahmed told THISDAY last night that the northern governors should start working on land and infrastructure to accommodate the herders, their families and cattle. He also talked about planning ahead for the health and security needs of the herders, to ensure hitch free resettlement. The group likewise urged Northerners to assure people Continued on page 5

Crude Oil Trades at $62, Highest in 13 months... Page 8

GOODNIGHT LATEEF JAKANDE... L-R: Mrs. Abisola Olusi (daughter); Dr. Lanre Adeboye (daughter); Alhaja Abimbola Jakande (widow) and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during the Fidau at the burial of the ﬁrst civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande at his Ilupeju, Lagos, residence…yesterday sunday adigun

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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Ganduje: 2023 Presidency Must Be Zoned to the South

Bennett Oghifo

The Presidency in 2023 must be zoned to the South, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has said. The governor, who stated this yesterday during an interview on television, said

he was not unmindful of the fact that the Nigerian constitution does not have provision for zoning, but that it was important to adopt it since it was strategic in winning elections. Presidency must go to “the Southern part of the

country but there should be a consensus of the members. “Zoning system, even though it is not in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is a strategy for winning elections.” On his party’s fortunes

in the elections, he said, “I think in 2023, APC will win the election because more people are coming into the party. Though we lost some governors because of intraparty problems, at the same time some are coming into the party.

“Also, there is a very strong movement now to reconcile the major actors and I think that is also making the party stronger." He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership improved on Nigeria’s security situation,

as well as fixing the nation’s economy. Ganduje also expressed confidence in the ruling party winning the 2023 general election and maintaining its winning streak by holding to power at the federal level.

Bridge, the Abuja-KadunaZaria-Kano Expressway, and other projects. "There is also the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme which is being

used for the funding of the Bodo-Bonny Bridges and Road (with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG), and the ApapaOshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway (with Dangote Group), among others.

"Infra-Co will finance public asset development, rehabilitation and reconstruction, as well as invest in cutting edge infrastructure projects for roads, rail, power and other key sectors."

FG FLOATS N1TRN FIRM TO TACKLE INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT the Central Bank Governor and include the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, President of the Africa Finance Corporation, as well as representatives of the Nigerian Governors

Forum, and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. The Board will also have three independent directors from the private sector. "To address Nigeria's infrastructure deficit, the

Buhari administration continues to explore innovative options, including through financing initiatives such as the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), designed to cater for the second Niger

PREPARE TO RECEIVE HERDERS WHO MAY BE FORCED HOME, NEF TELLS NORTHERN GOVS from other parts of the country of their safety Baba-Ahmed said NEF “is planning to meet with governors in the North and South” to improve on collaboration and synergy. The statement further condemned attacks on Fulani communities, declaring: “Fulani who have broken no laws must be protected from abuse wherever they are. “We ask all governments to identify criminals among the Fulani and subject them to the laws of the land. “Similarly, we demand the cessation of threats and attacks by local ethnic defenders on Fulani communities. “People who have broken the law by attacking and harassing Fulani for just being Fulani must be brought to book.” The forum called on “all law-abiding herders to stay put and seek protection, and if they cannot be protected, to relocate to safer areas in the country.” Baba-Ahmed said the country “is under imminent threats” by those bent on pushing the country to disaster for their nefarious goals.

He said the forum was constrained to draw the attention of Nigerians to sustained attempts by some people to create tension and fear in the country to achieve their objectives. “Northern Elders Forum is constrained to invite the nation’s attention to the dangers of sustained attempts to raise tensions and create fears among Nigerians until, presumably, they lead to major crisis involving groups and regions in the country. “In the last few weeks, the Forum has led many responsible groups and individuals to appeal for restraint and respect for the law in the way we engineer developments that cause tensions, or react to them. “Now, the nation is facing imminent threats from persons who are bent on pushing all of us nearer to disaster, to help them achieve their nefarious goals,” the statement said. Baba-Ahmed adds: “Continuing narratives and threats, including comments from seemingly responsible Nigerians and even elected officials who swore to protect the rights of all citizens and the survival

of the country, are raising fears and passions that could make it easy to break more laws of the land and pitch citizens against each other. “There are efforts to create multiple sources of falsehood in videos and other inflammatory materials in the media clearly targeted at inciting people to act violently against each other. “Allegations of planned or actual genocide are being made with reckless abandon, and even the international community is being lobbied in futile efforts to sell the fiction that some groups are intent on mass extermination of other groups. “The latest communication by the Yoruba Council of Elders to the United Nations is an example of lamentable desperation of some groups to erode our security and integrity as a country, and it is more regrettable that it is the handiwork of so-called elders who should forfeit all rights to that honour.” The statement said that NEF would continue to work to retrieve the country from the dangerous cliff where it has been placed by irresponsible people,

many of them in positions of responsibility. “We urge all northerners to assure Nigerians from other parts of the country that they are safe and welcome to continue to stay in the north. “The forum repeats: it is not a crime to be member of any ethnic group, and no one has the right to attempt to expel any Nigerian from places where they live lawfully. “The Forum advises President Muhammadu Buhari and Governors to consult and explore measures that will lower tensions and assure all Nigerians that we live in a country where laws have meanings, and all citizens have equal rights to live under secure environments. “The fight against armed criminals must be pursued on all fronts and with a lot more seriousness. “The criminal must not reap from the suspicions and fears which his activities also generate,” the forum said.

Ortom Tackles Bauchi Gov on Herders’ Right to AK-47

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State yesterday faulted the statement made by his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, which supports the free movement of herders with AK-47 rifles. Mohammed said the herders use the weapons to protect themselves from the dangers in the forest and also from cattle rustlers. Faulting the Governor’s declaration, Ortom, in a statement through his spokesman, Terver Akase, wondered which law Mohammed cited to support his stance. The statement reads: “Governor Ortom wonders which section of the law the Bauchi State Governor cited to support herdsmen’s free movement around the country with sophisticated weapons. “He recalls that it was the same Governor Mohammed who once said on national television that a Fulani man is a global citizen and, therefore, does not need a visa to come to Nigeria and that the forests belong to herdsmen. “Governor Ortom wonders if his friend and colleague in

Bauchi State knows a thing or two about the horrendous activities of herders in parts of the country to warrant the emotional defence and justification that he has repeatedly put forward in their favour. “The Governor finds it unfortunate that those who are trusted with the people’s mandate, and should ordinarily uphold truth and justice have chosen to mislead the country. He stresses the need for leaders to be cautious and retrace their steps which are capable of leading the country to anarchy.” In reference to Governor Mohammed’s comment that there are Benue people freely doing business in Bauchi and elsewhere, governor Ortom states that Benue indigenes in Bauchi have been law-abiding and do not carry arms to attack their hosts, noting that Fulani, as well as many other Nigerians residing in Benue who respect laws of the land also live peacefully with their hosts. Ortom said his administration had not driven away any law abiding Nigerian in Benue State.

an aftermath of the October 20, 2020 incident. “Last weekend’s decision by the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry to return the Tollgate to the LCC had generated strong reactions from youth movements with a group threatening to occupy it and another pledging to defend it. “We are distressed by the reactions the decision of the Panel has elicited from some members of the public and their resolve to again forcefully take over the already destroyed Plaza on Saturday 13, January 2021. “It was in a bid to halt further losses, especially given our subsisting financial commitments to local and foreign lenders, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), that we approached the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry for permission to repossess our facilities,” Omomuwasan said. He added that the company approached the Lagos Judicial Panel of

Inquiry to return the Tollgate to it in good faith and stem its losses. Omomuwasa said the company refrained from making comments since the Lekki shooting incident of October 20, 2020, because of the heightened temper. The director, who referred to the shooting incident as an “unfortunate event,” said the LCC was “also a victim of the unfortunate circumstance.” The Lekki Tollgate not has been operational since the night of October 20, 2020, following the shooting of unarmed protesters by officers of the Nigerian Army. The Judicial Panel of Inquiry, last Saturday returned the control of the toll plaza to the LCC. The ruling to reopen the Lekki toll plaza, which was dissented to by some members of the panel, has generated controversies among Nigerian youth, resulting in the protest and counter-protest slated for today.

TENSION AS ORGANISERS INSIST ON TODAY’S PROTEST AT LEKKI TOLLGATE media, countering the EndSARS protesters amidst heavy presence of security forces at the Lekki Tollgate. The police last night dispatched teams of operatives along the Lekki corridor and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command confirmed the deployment. “CSP Yinka Egbeyemi is presently leading a team of police officers on a show of force to Lekki Tollgate(Admiralty Plaza) Obalende, Ikoyi, Jakande Roundabout, and other areas in Eti Osa,” RRS tweeted last night. As at the time of going to press, mobilisation for the protest had reached a fever pitch on the social media, especially Twitter, with the organisers calling the bluff of the police to dislodge and arrest any protester at the venue. However, not taking any chances, a crack team of uniformed policemen had taken positions in strategic locations at the venue of the planned protest since

yesterday morning with a police source disclosing that the efforts of the uniformed men were being complemented by the presence of some plain clothes policemen and men of the Department of State Security. Some members of the public who had passed through the Admiralty way, Lekki venue of the planned protest had taken to Twitter to warn potential protesters to avoid the Lekki Tollgate because of the heavy presence of security forces in the area as early as yesterday morning. A resident of Lekki area of Lagos, who identified herself as Morris Monye in her tweet said she saw about three trucks of heavily armed security forces at the tollgate yesterday morning: “Near the Lekki Tollgate observing three trucks of heavily armed security forces at the venue. Let’s all apply common sense,” she tweeted. Her story was corroborated by another resident,

Christine. She tweeted: “Just passed by the Lekki Tollgate and all I can say is please stay at home tomorrow. There are already at least three trucks parked there with uniformed officers. God help us” Nengi Adoki, another Twitter user reported, “Passed by the Lekki Tollgate just now and there’s armed military trucks. See how you people are giving these people extra work. No peace for the wicked. Them go be there for the rest of their lives. Murderers” On his part, Kelvin Odanz (Or Odense), warned the protesters to stay away from Lekki Tollgate given the heavy presence of the police. He tweeted: “If you know what is good for you, stay away from Lekki Tollgate and its environs tomorrow. There will be a rematch with the powers that be one day. But tomorrow is not that day. He that has ears, let him hear.” Joining the league of corporate organisations kicking against the protest

is the management of the company in charge of the Lekki Toll Plaza, Lekki Concession Company (LCC). The company appealed to Nigerian youth to refrain from the planned #occupyLekkitollgate protest and the #DefendLagos counter-protest slated to hold at the tollgate this morning. In a statement released by the company yesterday, the managing director of LCC Yomi Omomuwasan, urged “leaders of movements planning a protest at its destroyed Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza to give peace a chance.” He added that if LCC did not return to full operations within the shortest possible time, it would result in loss of jobs for LCC’s over 500 direct staff and thousands of others across its business value chain. Speaking on the planned protests, Omomuwasan said LCC was distressed by the reactions as there is need to halt further losses being incurred by the company as

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NBA Sues Buhari over IGP’s Tenure Elongation Bennett Oghifo

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has sued President Muhammadu Buhari for extending by three months, the tenure of the Inspector General of Police who was expected to retire this month, having served the mandatory 35 years in public service. In a suit filed Thursday at a Federal High Court in Lagos, NBA’s Public Interest Litigation Committee is seeking an order for Adamu to be replaced, as stipulated by the provisions of Section 215(1)(a) of the Nigerian constitution. The NBA sought an order “setting aside the purported elongation of the tenure” of the IGP. “An order directing the 3rd

Defendant to vacate forthwith, the office of the Inspector General of Police and refund all salaries, allowances and benefits received from February 1, 2021, (when he retired from the Police Force) to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria. “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant either by himself and/or acting through any of his Ministers, officers, servants and/or under any guise further breach the provision of Section 215(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended by extending the tenure of the occupant of the office of the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.” The suit was instituted to

promote the rule of law in the country, according to the President of the NBA, “The NBA’s decision to take this extraordinary line of action is underpinned by an urgent

need, and a sacred duty, to reassert the supremacy of the rule of law in the face of growing impunity and the seeming reluctance of law officers in government

to give proper counsel. “The NBA’s position in the suit is that Mr. Adamu ceased to be a member of the Nigeria Police Force when he attained the milestone of

thirty-five years of service. Therefore, the President’s extension of Mr. Adamu’s tenure by three months, in the NBA’s respectful view, is unconstitutional.”

Three Feared Killed in Ibadan Yoruba, Hausa Clash Kemi Olaitan ÓØ ÌËÎËØ

Three persons were feared dead at Shasa Market and environs in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State as violent clash ensued between Yoruba and some Hausa traders in the early hours of yesterday. THISDAY learnt that the Yoruba were said to have reacted to the death of a cobbler who was reported to have been attacked with dangerous weapon by an Hausa trader in the market on Thursday. It was gathered that the cobbler (name not known) was said to have attempted to mediate during a disagreement between a pregnant woman and an Hausa man in the market but the enraged Hausa man stabbed the cobbler who tried to curtail him from getting violent with the pregnant woman. However, a fight broke out yesterday when information filtered in that the injured cobbler had died while receiving treatment at the hospital as a result of the complications that arose from the injury that he sustained on Thursday. It was gathered that no fewer than two people have been killed in the reprisal attack. Some of the wares (mainly tomatoes, onions and pepper) that were displayed by traders in the market were reportedly destroyed by opposing groups. The fear-stricken traders in the market were said to have scampered for safety as the two aggrieved groups engaged each other in a fight. The tension made majority of the traders to desert their shops at the Shasa Market for fear of being attacked in the clash

while some of the residents of the area have also deserted their houses for fear of being attacked as no fewer than 12 houses have been razed. A source in the market, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said “The trouble took its roots from a fight that broke out yesterday when an Hausa trader who was pulling a wheel barrow engaged in heated argument with a pregnant woman. “Both the Hausa man and the aggrieved woman had disagreed on the amount which she should pay for wheeling her wares from the market to the roadside for her. But for the prompt intervention of security operatives, the matter would have degenerated in the market on Thursday as the cobbler collapsed after being hit by the Hausa man. However, some people took to the street when the news of the cobbler’s death was broken.” The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Olugbenga Fadeyi, while confirming the incident, said it was a clash between two social miscreants in which one of the miscreant, Adeola Sakirundeen ‘m’ was hit by the other and died later while receiving treatment in a hospital. He disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko and Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, and other Police Tactical teams, had visited the scene for on the spot assessment. According to him, “Massive Police deployment and that of the sister security agencies were made to douse tension. Critical stakeholders have also been consulted to appeal to the people. Normalcy is gradually returning to the area.”

COVID-19: 1005 New Cases Recorded

Nigeria recorded 1005 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, taking the number of confirmed cases to 144,521 with 118,866 discharged and 1734 deaths.

NEW PARTNERSHIP… L-R; Executive Vice-Chairman, Onward Paper Mill, Mr Oluwaseyi Obagun; Managing Director, Tetra Pak West Africa, Mr. Aruna Oshiokamele; Chairman, Onward Paper Mill, Mr. Kunle Obagun; and Non-Executive Director Onward Paper Mill, Mr. David Harper at the signing ceremony of the recycling agreement between Tetra Pak West Africa and Onward Paper Mill, in Lagos … recently

UK S’Court Okays Suit against Shell over Oil Spills Festus Akanbi

The ruling of the United Kingdom Supreme Court yesterday paved the way for a group of 42,500 Nigerian farmers and fishermen to sue Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) in English courts after years of oil spills in the Niger Delta contaminated land and groundwater. In a major decision that is bound to have far reaching implications for multinationals operations in their host countries, Senior judges said UK-domiciled Shell, one of the world’s biggest energy companies, did have a common law duty of care, in the latest case to test whether multinationals can be held to account for the acts of overseas subsidiaries. The ruling comes almost two years after a seminal ruling by the Supreme Court in a case involving mining company, Vedanta. The judgment allowed nearly 2,000 Zambian villagers to sue Vedanta in England for alleged pollution in Africa.

That move was seen as a victory for rural communities seeking to hold parent companies accountable for environmental disasters. Vedanta ultimately settled out of court in January. Nigeria’s Ogale and Bille communities of Rivers State allege their lives and health had suffered because repeated oil spills had contaminated the land, swamps, groundwater and waterways and that there had been no adequate cleaning or remediation. Represented by law firm Leigh Day, they argued that Shell owed them a duty of care because it either had significant control of, and was responsible for, its subsidiary SPDC. Shell countered that the court had no jurisdiction to try the claims. “(The ruling) also represents a watershed moment in the accountability of multinational companies. Increasingly impoverished communities are seeking to hold powerful corporate actors to account and

this judgment will significantly increase their ability to do so,” Daniel Leader, partner at Leigh Day, said. SPDC is the operator of oil pipelines in a joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation which holds a 55 per cent stake, Shell which holds 30 per cent, France’s Total with 10 per cent, Italy’s Eni with 5 per cent. A Shell spokesman said the decision was disappointing. “Regardless of the cause of a spill, SPDC cleans up and remediates. It also works hard to prevent these sabotage spills, by using technology, increasing surveillance and by promoting alternative livelihoods for those who might damage pipes and equipment,” Shell said. Shell has blamed sabotage for oil spills. It said in its annual report published last March that SPDC, which produces around 1 million barrels of oil per day, saw crude oil spills caused by theft or pipeline sabotage

surge by 41 per cent in 2019. Shell CEO Ben van Beurden said last week that the firm would take “another hard look at its onshore oil operations” in the West African country. The ruling is the second judgement against Shell this year regarding claims against its Nigerian operations. In a landmark Dutch ruling two weeks ago, an appeals court held Shell responsible for multiple oil pipeline leaks in the Niger Delta and ordered it to pay unspecified damages to farmers, in a victory for environmentalists. Leigh Day said that the amount of compensation sought would be quantified as the case enters the trial stage. In 2015, Shell agreed to pay out 55 million pounds ($83.4 million) to the Bodo community in Nigeria in compensation for two oil spills, which was the largest ever out-of-court settlement relating to Nigerian oil spills.

NUC Approves 7 New Courses for Ajayi Crowther University Kemi Olaitan iØ ÌËÎËØ

The visitation panel of the National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved no fewer than seven courses at the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. The visitation panel gave approval to the university to offer six new undergraduate programmes and one postgraduate programme through a letter from NUC and signed by the Director of Academic Planning of the Commision, Dr. N.B. Saliu. According to the NUC, the university was given approval to

offer Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Medical Laboratory Science, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Radiography and Radiation and Surveying and Geo-informatics at the undergraduate level. The university also got approval to offer LLM degree in Law. The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, in his reaction, said the approval was sequel to resource verification visits from various teams from the commission. Adebayo in a statement said the approval was given after the

visitation panels came to verify the university’s readiness to mount the programmes, expressing delight with the approval as the university now has more options on offer for prospective students. According to him, “By the approval, the university now has about 41 undergraduate programmes and about 14 Postgraduate Programmes. The approval of Medical Laboratory Science for the University is a prelude to the

University’s intention to mount a programme in Medicine. “The approval states that fresh students for the 2020/2021 academic year can be admitted to study the approved programmes in effect, students with JAMB results who want to take advantage of the new and undergraduate programmes in Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Surveying and Geo-informatics, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, can now apply to the university in the on-going admission exercise.”

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

NEWS Cryptocurrency: How 270 Addresses Got $1.3bn Illicit Payments Festus Akanbi

ANSAR-UD-DEEN AT 60… L-R: Vice-President, The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Alhaji Nurudeen Okuleye; The President of the society, Alhaji AbdulRafiu Saani; National President, Ansar-Ud-Deen High School Old Students’ Association, Mr. Rafiu Williams and Chairman, Organising Committee, 60th Anniversary Celebration, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, at the 60th thanksgiving of the association held at Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Central Mosque, Surulere, Lagos ...yesterday.

Suspected Herdsmen Kill 2, Torch Amotekun Vehicle, Motorcycles James Sowole ÓØ ÕßÜÏ

As the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun Corps, intensified operations to flush out herdsmen from the state forests, the herdsmen, too have launched attacks on some villages in the state. No fewer than two persons reportedly lost their lives when some suspected herdsmen attacked the Sanusi Village in Owo Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday, when a farmer and a member of a vigilante group whose identities

were yet unknown as of the time of filing this report, were killed. The operational motorcycles and vehicle of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, were also reportedly set ablaze by the bandits. It was learnt that the attack occurred when the Amotekun men and other security agents were carrying out the order of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to flush out the herdsmen who are illegally occupying the forest reserves in the state. The Public Relations Officer of the Amotekun Corps, Mr.

Adebayo Ayeni, confirmed the incident in a statement. Ayeni said, “Men of Ondo State Security Network Agency, has again made another major breakthrough in their strive to get rid of criminal elements in Ondo State. “This cartel were piling up arms and ammunition to invade the entire state, while masquerading as herders and using the forest as kidnappers den for negotiation and ransom, illegal mining activities and cultivation of Indian hemps. “The security outfits in conjunction with the police,

the army and other security agencies in the state however smoked them out of the forest, after it was discovered that the bandits had killed a farmer and a member of the vigilante group in the area.” It was gathered that while the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies were pursuing the bandits sequel to a distress call, the suspected herdsmen, took another route and came back to the village where the operational motorcycles and vehicle of the corps were set ablaze.

Bandits Kill One, Abduct Bank Staff, Others in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Shagari Quarters in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State and killed the leader of a vigilante group in the area, Ali Bahago after a gun duel. The hoodlums also kidnapped one Mr. Alex a staff of First Bank and two other daughters of one Hassan Fari, a resident of the quarters who slumped and died

during the invasion. A resident of the quarters who survived the attack, Sagir Mohammed, told THISDAY yesterday that the suspected bandits stormed the quarters at about 11:15p.m. on Thursday and operated for over 30 minutes, leaving many occupants of the quarters with varying degree of injuries. He said: “Bandits attacked Shagari Quarters yesterday (Thursday) and killed Alhaji

United Nigeria Begins Operation with Lagos-Enugu Flight Chinedu Eze

New domestic carrier, United Nigeria Airlines yesterday kicked off its operations with LagosEnugu inaugural flight. The airline which commenced operations with four aircraft said it would service Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Asaba, Owerri and Port Harcourt destinations with plans to expand to other domestic and West Coast routes in the next three months. Speaking during the ceremony to mark the inaugural flight in Enugu, Chairman of United Nigeria, Obiora Okonkwo, said he observed a gap in the industry, so established the airline to fill that gap and make more aircraft available to boost capacity in the aviation sector, adding that the airline’s strategy made it decide to make Enugu

its operational hub. Okonkwo said Enugu State Government would give the airline the encouragement adding that the airline was driven by the desire to provide service in the industry and service to mankind. He said his short term and long term plans were to consolidate and establish all its routes, hinting that the airline hopes to expand beyond Nigeria, starting from the West Coast. Speaking on how prepared he is for competition, he said, “Well, we are in. I guess those who are in the business should be competing with us first. We should be the people they should be worried about because we are new. We think that within the next three months we shall be able to expand our routes.”

Ali Bahago who is the leader of vigilante groups. He came to rescue us from the bandits but he was killed during gun battle with them. “They also attacked Hassan Fari apartment and tried to kidnap him but he slumped and died instantly upon seeing them. When they discovered that he died, they kidnapped two of his daughters and Mr. Alex a staff of First Bank PLC in Funtua.” Consequently, he called for

the speedy completion of the ongoing construction of police station located opposite Fire Service station in the area to stem the upsurge of security challenges. He said: “If the police station is completed and begins operations, communities of Low-cost, Yanwanki, GRA, KTARDA Project Quarters, ABU/SBRS Quarters, Shagari Quarters and Zamfarawa Quarters will have rest of mind on the nagging issue of security disturbing the areas.”

Abia Journalists Warn against Police Harassment of Traditional Rulers Abia Media Forum, a body of media men from Abia State have condemned as double standard, the penchant of the State Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede who it accused of demeaning traditional institutions in the state and humiliating traditional rulers that she invites to state headquarter at will. In the instant case that prompted the journalists to ask that Agbede be called to order or be redeployed, she was alleged to have invited some royal fathers in whose communities herdsmen allegedly led their herds of cattle to destroy their farms. According to a statement from the Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Ben Okezie, the communities had reported the herders grazing on and destroying their farms but rather than desist, the farm destruction was repeated and when the farmers confronted

the herders, they allegedly pulled out AK47 rifles and threatened to shoot them. In the ensuing clash, some cows were allegedly killed by the community, prompting Agbede to invite the royal fathers to Police headquarters in Umuahia. “Our platform, the Abia Media Forum, takes exception to the Police’s treatment of the people and a First-Class traditional ruler, Eze John Akaniro, the traditional ruler of Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem, despite latter-day denials by the Police and the citizen involved. The people of Ozuitem first reported to the Nigerian Police Force the destruction of crops in their farmlands at Ogboko community by herders and their cows. When confronted, the herders pointed their AK 47 at the farmers..

Amidst the furore generated by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s crackdown on the activities of cryptocurrency traders, research has revealed that criminals are using a small group of crypto brokers to launder hundreds of millions of dollars around the world. For instance, the report by Reuter showed that in 2020 alone, some 270 cryptocurrency addresses received $1.3 billion illicit payments. According to the report, the 270 cryptocurrency addresses, many connected to over-the-counter brokers, received $1.3 billion in illicit digital coins last year. 55 per cent of the criminal crypto flows were identified by United States blockchain researcher, Chainlysis. A cryptocurrency address is a set of random letters and numbers that represents a location on a virtual network. Bitcoin, for instance, can be sent from a particular address to others on its network. The Chainlysis study only covered crime that originates on the blockchain ledger that underpins most cryptocurrencies, including scams, cyberheists, ransomware and darknet marketplaces used to buy contraband. Also linked to the digital addresses wereservicesconnectedtocryptocurrency exchanges. Some may have received illicit funds inadvertently due to lax compliance checks, the study said. The true scale of money laundering and other crime using cryptocurrencies - for example, where criminals use bitcoin to launder traditional cash - is not known.

The US, Russia and China received the highest volume of digital currency from illicit addresses, reflecting their high shares of crypto trading volumes, Chainlysis said. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday suspended its previously announced plans to regulate cryptocurrencies, until those dealing in them are able to open bank accounts. Finance industry watchers said the capital market regulatory agency decided to backtrack on its initial plan to give cryptocurrencies dealers coverage as a result of last week’s instruction to banks to close accounts of cryptocurrency traders. In what analysts described as a direct fall out of last week’s crackdown on cryptocurrencies accounts and their owners in banks and other finance institutions, SEC said in a statement that its planned assessment of persons and products affected by CBN’s directive is suspended. “For the purpose of admittance into the SEC regulatory incubation framework, the assessment of all persons and products affected by the CBN circular of Feb. 5, 2021 is hereby put on hold until such persons are able to operate bank accounts within the Nigerian banking system,” SEC said in an emailed statement. The agency said last September it viewed cryptocurrencies as exchangeable securities and would regulate them to provide protection for investors and to ensure the transactions are transparent.

Crude Oil Trades at $62, Highest in 13 months Oil prices jumped again by 2.49 per cent yesterday, hitting a fresh 13-month peak, and surpassing the $60 high set earlier this week. Brent Crude, the international oil benchmark, traded above $62.6, while he West Texas Intermediate (WTI) hit $59.74 a barrel on Friday, its highest level since January 2020. Oil prices have been on a tear since late last year as coronavirus vaccines and supply curbs from OPEC, and its allies spur hopes that global stockpiles will continue to slide. The United States stockpiles declined to their lowest level in 11 months last week.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, had at a meeting last month agreed to cut oil production for the months of February and March by an extra voluntary amount of one million barrels per day. This means that the kingdom’s production for the two months after both its targeted and voluntary production cuts will be 8.119 million per day. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stated its commitment to abide by the output cut agreement of the OPEC and its allies called OPEC+, to stabilise the global oil market.

Ugwuanyi Swears in Two ENSIEC Members Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, yesterday, swore in Barr. Anthony Ugochukwu Ugwunnadi and Barr. George Obiora Ani as members of Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) Swearing in the new members of ENSIEC, Ugwuanyi, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, disclosed that they were appointed to fill the vacuum created as a result of expiration of the tenure of two former members of the Commission. The governor expressed confidence that the state will benefit from the wealth of experience of

the new members to further take ENSIEC to enviable heights in conducting credible, peaceful and transparent Local Government elections. He applauded members of ENSIEC for upholding the mandate given to them over the years. Responding on behalf of his newly sworn in colleague, . Ani thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for appointing them into the state’s electoral body and promised that they will discharge their responsibilities diligently towards conduct of credible and transparent LG elections in the state.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

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Fulani Militia: The Infamy of Our President

n the last few days, Fulani militias dominant in the North openly confirmed that they are the much-talked about bandits ravaging the entire country. They are truly Fulani militias as I have persistently identified them in my write ups. The expeditions of cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi to the strongholds of the militias in the North-west further brought this to the fore. Now, I guess nobody is in doubt about who the bandits are. They are the militias that brutally intervene on behalf of Fulani herders when chased out by farmers. They also kill, maim and kidnap for ransom to sustain their gory operations. This has been on for almost six years of the Buhari government. The headquarters of the Fulani militias in Zamfara State is in the forests of Tubali and Makkai in Shinkafi Local Government Area. From here, they wreak havoc across the state, giving support to other wings in virtually all the local governments in Zamfara. When Sheikh Gumi visited Tubali and Makkai last week, the quantity of arms and ammunitions displayed by the outlaws was frightening. Close to 750 militias were seen with AK47 assault rifles and RPG in the two camps. They were also fully dressed in military camouflage. Yes, military camouflage. They mount roads blocks and carry out operations with military camouflage. How did the Fulani militias acquire military camouflage? How did they acquire the quantity of arms and ammunitions displayed? The forests of Tubali and Makkai are about 3,000 hectares all under absolute control of these Fulani militias. How come they are running the show in this vast empire unhindered? Nigeria is in a big mess. This insurgence is happening in a country with a legitimate government. So, why can’t this government assert itself? Very simple. It has a soft spot for the lawless Fulani militias. What are the complaints of the Fulani militias? Why are they shedding blood of innocent Nigerians? Why are they abducting for ransom. They told Sheikh Gumi largely lies, damn lies; that Hausa farmers have been killing Fulani herders with their militias called Yan Sakai; that the Nigerian state has been unfair to them. They also talked about frequent killings of their loved ones by security agents, cattle rustling that have denied most of them and their parents their legitimate means of

Buhari

livelihood and failed promises of governments to support them after losing cattle to rustlers. Criminals are complaining about being killed by security agents. So, security agents should not go after killers? Are security agents supposed to pamper lawless people? This is preposterous and obviously not a legitimate complaint. Militias that have killed hundreds across the country are complaining about being killed by security agents and someone says it’s a legitimate grievance. It can only happen in Nigeria. Yes, it is very painful that governments, over the years, have failed to deal with cattle rustling; it is also depressing that government has failed to fully support victims of cattle rustling. However, responding to this by taking up arms and killing thousands of innocent Nigerians is not justifiable. So, the Fulani militias are unable to stop cattle rustling with all their AK47? These arms and

ammunitions are evidently not exclusively for stopping cattle rustling. The Fulani militias are simply criminals that must be dealt with, using the full force of the law. Yan Sakai is a response to the murderous activities of the Fulani militias who have been going about killing and appropriating lands of farmers in a desperate search for more grazing land for herders. They became emboldened under the Buhari government. If justice had been served to the killers in the first place, there would probably be no Yan Sakai. The story is the same from Katsina, to Zamfara, to Niger, to Kaduna, to Sokoto and further across the country i.e. Fulani militias fight for herders that want unfettered access to farm lands. Herders often call them when they suffer in the hands of farmers. Frustrated Hausa farmers had to set up their militias called Yan Sakai. Now, Yan Sakai retaliates for Hausa farmers when their farm lands are destroyed and farmers killed. Fulani militias sustain their bloody operations with ransom from abductions. This is the tragedy of the country called Nigeria with a legitimate government. Sheikh Gumi went in search of peace. He met with the Fulani militias and appealed to them to embrace peace. Gumi spent time preaching the words of Allah to them, speaking about the sanctity of preserving human life, how Islam forbids any act of revenge, adultery, fornication and kidnappings. He encouraged them to always seek knowledge of their religion, how to worship Allah and to avoid taking laws into their own hands. Gumi also pleaded for their understanding and urged them to cease all hostilities and allow him to reach out to the President to see how their legitimate grievances will be addressed immediately. Unfortunately, Gumi has simply been wasting his time. Unfettered access to farm lands for herders remains the major agenda of Fulani militias. They persistently kill to actualise this agenda. These militias are also making huge money from kidnappings. Recently, they made a big kill from abducting the Kankara boys. These guys can’t stop tasting blood. So, no one can preach to them to put their guns down and accept peace. For me, Fulani militias have persisted

The Guzamala Debacle Guzamala Local Government Area in Borno State remains one of the strongholds of Boko Haram in Nigeria. As I pen this piece, the terrorists roam freely in this LG, while virtually all the natives have deserted the place. The locals are mainly refugees in other parts of the state. In Guzamala today, Boko Haram runs a “government” of terrorists. Instead of facing this fact and mapping out strategies to end the dominance of Boko Haram in this LG, those who should do the needful go about telling lies that no Nigerian territory is under the control of Boko Haram. It was so disgraceful that the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, was few days back, parroting this false claim at the pulling out parade of retired service chiefs. A few influential people in Borno State have chosen to speak out and punch holes in the lies of Olonisakin. The Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkareem Lawan, is one of them. Lawan made my day last week when he provided facts and figures to show that Guzamala remains under the firm control of Boko Haram. This man, as the Speaker, has been unable to step into Guzamala in the last three years because it is fully occupied by the terrorists. If Lawan dares it, he won’t come out alive.

Lawal

The Borno Speaker states that there is no single civilian living in the entire territory that defines his local government area called Guzamala and that it was unfair to the displaced people of Borno State to keep hearing lies that no territory is under the control of the terrorists. Lawan said: “In all the 10 local government areas that form the North-

ern Borno senatorial district, none is completely free of Boko Haram. My local government is completely under the control of Boko Haram for the past three years. Sadly, there is also no single military presence or soldier in my local government. “This worries me because I know there are 774 local government areas in Nigeria and my local government Guzamala is one of them. I don’t know if the federal government has reduced the number of local government areas in Nigeria to 773, by saying that no single LGA is under the control of Boko Haram. “What about my local government, Guzamala, which is a no-go-area for both military and civilians? Are we not part of the Nigerian state? Have we been cut off from the Nigerian geographical space? If that is the case, we need the federal government to tell us in clear terms. “The Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has been visiting all the local government areas and making efforts to return IDPs to their liberated local government headquarters. But Guzamala was never visited because it is a no-go-area.” I sincerely hope that the new service chiefs will end the lies about territories not controlled by Boko Haram and face the realities in the North-east.

with their murderous activities because the Buhari government has failed to perform its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property. The only way to end the madness of these militias is by force. The Nigerian state must take them out. The Buhari government can end Fulani militia’s killings within a month, if it so desires. Let our President give honest/ clear instructions with deadlines and see if the military will not destroy the militias in a matter of days. What is lacking is the political will on the part of the President to take out Fulani militias. This is the truth. Our security agents know the locations of the Fulani militias across the country. As was seen from the visit of Gumi to Zamfara, there are military outposts bordering Tubali and Makkai forests. Even the Divisional Police Officer of Shinkafi, Abdullahi Ahmad, accompanied Gumi to the forests. In Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto and Niger states, security agents know the precise locations of these Fulani militias. In Kaduna State, it is an open secret that they reside in Birnin Gwari forest. So, what are we talking about? Buhari evidently lacks the political will to order the military to take out these blood-thirsty militias. For how long will the state allow these militias to continue killing innocent Nigerians? These bad guys spent the last few days killing and maiming in five local governments in Kaduna State - Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Igabi and Kauru. In just 10 days, 55 people were slaughtered in Kaduna State. In Katsina State, local government areas like Jibia, Safana, Tsafe, Batsari, Dutsinma, Faskari, and Dandume have been turned to killing fields. The Fulani militias have cells all over Katsina State. Many will never forget how scores of people were killed in Tsauwa and Dankar villages (Batsari Local Government) last year. Back in February 2020, 21 persons were killed in Gurbi, in Kankara Local Government Area. Gumi thinks Fulani militias can be encouraged to drop their guns by providing them with means of livelihood, including jobs, working capital, entrepreneurship training, clinics and schools. He must be joking. Is this cleric not aware of how much the governors of Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna have spent on these Fulani militias without result? The solution is beyond providing money and jobs. They have been exposed to the kind of money that would not encourage them to leave the business. Of course, their other motive of securing more grazing lands for their kinsmen is also there. Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, and his Niger State counterpart, Sanni Bello, were apt when they said the efforts of Gumi to woo the militias to lay down arms and embrace peace was an exercise in futility. El-Rufai noted: “My administration is at war with the bandits and so we cannot negotiate. Eliminating them is the only solution to banditry. I never believed that a Fulani herdsman who ventured into banditry and is collecting millions of naira as ransom will repent. I spoke to Dr. Gumi, who is my friend. I explained that majority of these bandits don’t believe in the religion. That is why they kill mercilessly. Anybody who thinks a Fulani herdsman that was used to only getting N100,000 in a year after selling a cow, but now is getting millions through kidnapping for ransom will stop, is only wasting his time.” The Kaduna State Governor adds that it would be difficult to succeed in the fight against banditry if states in the region don’t come together to ask the federal government to provide them with soldiers and police to enter the bush and kill all the bandits. I agree with El-rufai. Let the governors compel Buhari to act like the President of the whole country. I am also challenging our president to do the needful and end the killings by Fulani militias. Buhari can do this in a matter of days if he truly wants to do it. The herders looking for unfettered access to farm lands must also be firmly told that this is intolerable. As for the governors in the North, they should provide technical and financial support to the herders, so that they can settle in ranches. This is the only way forward for Nigeria.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ FEBRUARY 13, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY

BAP’s Good to Go with ‘Palava’ Famed theatre p practitioner, Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) is set for her second project p j as a movie director. An excited BAP announced that the ﬂick had been titled ‘Palava’. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

olanle Austen-Peters’ feature film titled ‘Palava’ is ready. The flick is based on the menace of police brutality and the tragic EndSARS protest of October 2020. Sharing bits of the movie project via her Instagram, which coincided with her 52nd birthday, the stage and film director wrote: “Palava is a thought provoking drama addressing topical issues such as family conflict, corrupt agents and love.” Palava adds to Austen-Peters’ list of movies handled either as director or producer. The others are ‘93 Days’ produced in 2016, and ‘The Bling Lagosians’ produced in 2019. At the instance of her 52nd birthday, this movie producer, simply called BAP by some fans, recalls being a lawyer with the United Nations and living the glam lifestyle to discovering her soul in Terra Kulture (a theatre hub she founded) and meeting the soul of Nigerians, teaching her “to love”. BAP revealed that “Palava”, written and co-produced by James Amuta, who produced 2017’s ‘Nightfall in Lagos’, will feature amazing stars and performances from Bimbo Manuel, Chioma Akpotha, Daniel Etim Effi f ong, Kalu Ikeagwu, Kenneth Okolie, Kelechi Udegbe; Zainab Balogun, Bamike ‘Bambam’ OlawunmiAdenibuyan and Vanessa Vandora. She shared the post with a video from a photo shoot last year which she captioned: “52 today! Thankful and grateful to all the people who have been a part of my imperfect journey. From lawyer with the United Nations @ the Palais des Nation in Geneva living the glam lifestyle; to UNHCR in Addis Ababa, working with the displaced/refugees giving me grounding and teaching me compassion; to Namibia working on development programmes and alleviating poverty; to Law firms teaching me to defend the defenseless and finally to Terra kulture discovering my soul and meeting the soul of Nigerians and teaching me ‘to love’. “My Terrakulture team. You are the best and all those who passed through us and are passing through us and will pass through us, thank you for teaching me to identify and respect talent. I cherish every memory. As I continue this path with the release of another movie ‘Palava’, I am thankful for the gift of creativity bestowed upon me by God Almighty.” BAP, the founder of Terra Kulture: a Nigerian Arts and Culture Centre, and Bolanle Austen-Peters the CEO of BAP Productions- a Theatre and Movie Production Company, located in Lagos, has (BAP). The company entered the Nigerian theatre made a reputation for herself by making art of out of industry with its first production, SARO the Musisocial issues and modern-day epochs. cal. The production attracted critical reviews and Terra Kulture, which is the first privately-owned accolades from the BBC and Sky News. In December multipurpose theatre in Nigeria, has hosted some of 2014 and April 2015, BAP Productions performed the best theatre shows in Nigeria since its inception. It SARO the Musical at the renowned Muson Centre. also boasts of a Nigerian restaurant and a bookstore. The Musical became the first Nigerian musical to be Terra Kulture has organized art exhibitions, plays, performed at London’s West End and Shaw Theatre. movie screenings, and high-profile meetings. It was In December 2015, BAP Productions performed its the venue for the anniversary of Nigeria’s foremost second production, Wakaa the Musical. The show Television series: The Village Headmaster. It also hosted toured Lagos and was performed in London’s West the screening of Nigeria’s representation at the 93rd End from 21 to 25 July 2016. In December 2017, Academy Awards: The Milkmaid, written and produced Bolanle Austen-Peters brought to life and directed the by Desmond Obviagele. legendary Fela and The Kalakuta Queens musical. It is believed that BAP takes no prisoners in her This globally acclaimed musical has gone on to productions. Movie lovers would be excited to see become the biggest out of West Africa having had another story to enjoy with “Palava”. BAP is behind over 120,000 people watch it being shown in Lagos, historical productions like Saro the Musical, Wakaa The Cairo and in Pretoria between 2017 and 2020. Musical, Fela and The Kalakuta Queens, Olurombi The The musical is based on the real-life story of the Musical, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, Moremi legendary Nigerian music icon and activist, Fela Kuti the Musical, about the 12th century Yoruba queen. and the women who stood by him. Austen-Peters In 2013, Austen-Peters established her own producalso directed in 2018, Moremi the Musical which tells tion company called Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions the story of the 12th century Yoruba legend Queen

who liberated the people of Ife from the grasp of their enemies. Her direction of Moremi the Musical received critical reviews and accolades from Professor Wole Soyinka describing it as; “a theatrical Landmark in Nigeria’s theatre history”. From her 2015 feature film, “93 Days,” about the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria and her directorial debut, “The Bling Lagosian”, a Nigerian drama which mirrors a Lagos high society family life, BAP has etched her name documenting stories and making them timeless using theatre and film. 93 Days received the highest nominations in the 2017 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards – AMVCAs, a total of thirteen nominations, receiving an award for best lighting designer. 93 Days was also nominated in seven categories for the 2017 Africa Movie Academy Awards – AMAA, which was the highest nominated film in that year’s awards. Part of the successes she ascribes to the abundance of talents in the country. From the records, it is almost impossible to talk about Nigeria’s vibrant art and entertainment scene today without mentioning Bolanle Austen-Peters.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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

COMMENTARY

THE BEAUTY OF A GOOD NAME Tayo Ogunbiyi pays tribute to Lateef Jakande, former governor of Lagos State

eath, which legendary playwright, Williams Shakespeare describes as a necessary evil, finally caught up with the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) on Thursday, February 11, 2021. His death has been described as a great loss to Lagos State and indeed the country as a whole. It is, however, gladdening that the pace-setting former governor passed on at the ripe age of 91, having selflessly served God and humanity in various capacities and fields. A consummate journalist, publisher, politician and public administrator, Alhaji Jakande touched and transformed many lives, especially in Lagos State, through his visionary leadership, selfless outlook to life and spartan lifestyle. An associate of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Jakande epitomised honesty, fairness and justice. A fearless journalist, he was the first President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and a former Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper. One of the golden eras in the socio-political evolution of Lagos State was, without a doubt, between October 1, 1979 and December 31, 1983 when Jakande held sway as governor. From the outset, he had clearly promised to give Lagos a purposeful leadership. Upon inauguration, LKJ pledged to model his government after that of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria, from 1952 to 1959, headed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He said: “That Government was the most efficient, the most dynamic, and the most responsive of all the governments of the federation. That government was the country’s pacesetter- the first to do all good things that others later copied. There has never been a government like it in Africa before or since.” True to his words, LKJ assiduously went to work to realize his vision. There is hardly any sector that the magical hands of this visionary leader did not transform. LKJ simply took governance to an un-imaginable height in Lagos State. Till date, many of his populist policies and programmes, especially in the housing, public transportation and education sectors, still endear him to all and sundry. His passion for the development of Lagos State knew no bounds. The ambitious Lagos metro line project, which, if it had seen the light of the day, would have revolutionized public transportation in the state, was conceived by his administration. Till date, some of the housing estates he established across various locations such as Iba, Isolo, Iponri, Ejigbo, Amuwo-Odofin, etc., are still serving the housing needs of Lagosians. It was under his administration that movement into the State’s current Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja, began. LKJ reportedly attached so much urgency to the construction of the present government secretariat that he was bent on the relocation plan that he virtually caught everyone unawares when it finally happened. According to him, if it was not done when it took place, there would be no appropriate time to do so. So, the state holds the present secretariat’s vision to him. Being a consummate journalist, and following the trend

of his political mentor, Chief Awolowo, who established the first television station in Africa, the defunct Western Nigeria Television Station (now Nigeria Television Authority), LKJ also established Lagos Television, (LTV), which happens to be the first state-owned television in the country. Aside this, he also established the Lagos State University in 1983 for the advancement of learning and establishment of academic excellence in Lagos State. His administration also constructed water works at Shasha, Agege, Somolu, Apapa, Badagry, Aguda, etc., to improve water supply and avoid outbreak of water-borne epidemics. A workaholic, LKJ worked round the clock in his bid to fast track the development of Lagos State. Reports had it that on December 31st, 1983, when the Shehu Shagari civilian administration was toppled, in a military coup d’état, soldiers who came to arrest LKJ met him at his office working deep in the night, on a New Year eve. Such was his legendary dedication to duty and passion for hard work! It is, therefore, not surprising that LKJ became a star among the 19 governors of the Second Republic (1st October 1979- 31st December, 1983). He soon became popular and given several appellations in the media such as ‘Baba Kekere’ (junior Awolowo), ‘Friend of the Masses’, ‘Action Governor,’ etc. Out of the lot, the one that really became most prominent is ‘Action Governor’. Sure, during the Second Republic, LKJ was an ‘Action Governor’, the kind that we refer to in local parlance as ‘talk and do’. It was LKJ that begun the transformation of the state’s transport sector. On November 29, 1979, 59 new buses belonging to the Lagos State Transport Corporation were inaugurated with a view to enhancing public transportation in the state. On January 28, 1980, the parking meters began to function in some busy streets in central Lagos. It was the first of such to be introduced in Nigeria. In the area of opening up public education to accommodate more pupils and students, the Jakande administration did a whole lot. After only one year in office, additional schools were constructed by the administration. For instance, the number of public primary schools in Ikeja Local Government alone increased from 54 to 86. The number of public secondary schools in the area also increased from 13 to 42. All within just a year! Throughout his public service career, LKJ was on the side of justice and fair play. As a governor, he lived in his private house (where he lived till his death) and drove in his personal car, a ‘Toyota Crown’. In a society where leaders go to unbelievable length to acquire ill-gotten wealth, LKJ opted to be different. It is hoped that leaders across all sectors would take a cue from the life and time of this visionary patriot and learn selfless leader. They also need to pay heed to the words of Ron Kaufman that “Selfless acts are a source of profound meaning for yourself and your life”.

LKJ WAS AN ‘ACTION GOVERNOR’, THE KIND THAT WE REFER TO IN LOCAL PARLANCE AS ‘TALK AND DO’

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HINTS OF A NEW CHAPTER

The ancient town of Badagry is getting some deserved attention, writes Adekunle Ogundele

ith a rich heritage behind it, Badagry holds a special place in the history of Lagos and Nigeria. Sited on the border of Benin Republic, the influx of foreigners and commerce makes it a bustle of activities. The town also hosts the first storey building in Nigeria where Bishop Ajayi Crowther translated the bible from English to Yoruba. And there are museums housing historical materials, particularly of the slave trade era in southwestern Nigeria. and also the ‘Point of No Return’ where slaves were shipped out to foreign lands. Like many towns in the country, Badagry also has its challenges. For one, the road that links it to the centre of Lagos is still horrible, courtesy of a federal government that seems to have abdicated its responsibility. That alone makes many people shy away from visiting. But the Lagos State government has not left the town, which used to be one of its five divisions, to its sad fate. On Saturday, January 23, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, headed to Badagry. There, he commissioned three projects and flagged-off a fourth. The event kicked off the state’s projects’ commissioning for the year. From early in the morning, the residents had assembled in the various places, waiting. And the arrival of Sanwo-Olu in company with his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde and other members of the State Executive Council signalled the end of the wait. Though dressed in a blue suit, white T-shirt and a white branded Lagos face-cap, Sanwo-Olu cut the picture of a man ready for serious business. The projects slated for commissioning included a 110-bed Maternal and Childcare Centre (MCC) and School of Anaesthesiology in Badagry General Hospital and 252 units of two-bedroom housing project in Idale. In addition to that, the state rehabilitated the

5.5km Hospital Road for better access to the Badagry General Hospital and the housing estate. Witnessing the occasion were thousands of residents that poured into the streets to welcome the governor and his entourage. Also present were traditional rulers led by the Akran of Badagry, Oba De Aholu Menu-Toyi 1 and other dignitaries. While the governor strolled around the town, different cultural troupes sang and danced, beating their drums in welcome and praise. And the crowd rented the air with shouts of ‘Sanwo-Olu’ as the governor moved about the town. His first port of call was the 252 unit Lagos State Eco-Friendly Affordable Public Housing Scheme in Idale. The project which is in joint venture agreement between Lagos State government and Echostone Development has 252 units of two-bedroom bungalows and is sited on 12.7 hectares. Constructed under the supervision of the Lagos Ministry of Housing, the housing project was designed with eco-technology and EDGE Advanced protocol, which is a green building certification that makes buildings to be more resource-efficient. As it stands, each home has two trees and a garden. It also has a water treatment plant, central sewage plant, and power generating plant, good drainages and interlocking road network. It is good the houses were designed to be pocket-friendly to low and middle-income families. “The 252 units of two-bedroom terrace bungalows being commissioned have incontrovertibly proved our sincerity about closing the housing deficit and delivering our housing promises through relationship we have cultivated with the private sector for housing development,” Sanwo-Olu said during the commission. “This Idale-Whedako Scheme is indeed a direct result of our faith in the capacity of the private sector to play a supportive role in

housing development. This housing scheme has come with the lowest of prices, which makes it affordable to the targeted population. The payment plan will be spread over a longer period of time.” The governor also said the state would employ the same technology to build the proposed Workers’ Village which would provide 600 housing units in Ipaja later in the year. Also, the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said the housing project was uniquely designed and came with the convenience of low cost maintenance in terms of water usage and energy efficiency. “No doubt, the housing scheme has added great environmental and economic value to Badagry community,” Akinderu-Fatai said. The import of these projects is not only to give the ancient town a facelift but also to attract more people to live and enjoy Badagry. I can imagine how living in the town would be when the light rails is finished. With that, there would be easy access to and from Lagos Mainland. It would provide serenity for those who would live there. And with this current development, more economic activities would surely spring up. Also, knowing roads is a critical infrastructure for growth and development, the Sanwo-Olu adminstration also flagged-off the rehabilitation of the 5.5km Hospital Road. Hospital Road is an arterial road which links five communities - Idale, Akarakunmoh, Pivota, Topo and Ajido - to Lagos-Badagry Expressway via Joseph Dosu Road. But to reach the flagging-off point, Sanwo-Olu walked a distance of 1.2km with residents of the town. And along the way, residents had the ears of Sanwo-Olu as they plied him with personal and communal needs. However, Sanwo-Olu said that Hospital Road would be expanded to double carriageway and will be done in two phases, with the

first phase spanning 3.2-kilometres and the second phase, 2.3 kilometres. “This road construction flag-off is a demonstration of our readiness to serve our citizens on this part and it doesn’t matter how long it takes,” Sanwo-Olu said. “It doesn’t matter how far Badagry is from the state capital; we will never neglect this city in our development drive. We will continue to justify the confidence you reposed in us when you voted us in. “The reconstruction of Hospital Road is just one of many more good things to come, here in Badagry, which is critically significant to our administration’s tourism agenda, with assets like the Agiya Tree Monument, the First Storey Building in Nigeria, the Heritage Museum, the Eko Theatre, and long stretches of pristine beach.” After the flag-off of the road rehabilitation, Sanwo-Olu commissioned a 110-bed Maternal and Childcare Centre (MCC) as well as the rehabilitated School of Anaesthesiology. These projects are part of what would bring quality healthcare closer to the people. “Today’s commissioning activities are in fulfillment of part of the promises we gave our citizens in Badagry and I am delighted to be inaugurating three key projects that will enhance standards of living and boost development of human capital, particularly the 110-bed MCC we have completed in this part of Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu said. “This is just a testimony to our assurance to the people and our commitment to deliver quality projects that will turn around the lives of our citizens. Not only are we handing over the MCC for public use today as an emergency service, it also caters for obstetrics and gynaecology. There are also laboratory, radiology, paediatrics and immunisation departments.” r0HVOEFMF XSPUF GSPN #BEBHSZ

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INSIGHT

No to protest…

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The North is Always Ahead

f you want to be a good politician, be a student of Northern Nigeria politics. They know the best time to push, the best time to strike, the best time to align and the best time to withdraw. Two to three years back, the whole of Northern Nigeria was against Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State. The reason was that Governor Ortom had accepted to sign into law a bill presented to the Benue State House of Assembly by a group known as Movement Against Fulani Occupation (MAFO). This group was the architect of Pastor Edward Dooga, Solomon Mfa , Inalegwu Sam Abah , Mallam Gambo, among several other non- partisan progressive Benue people. Governor Ortom was not initially in support of this bill, he had earlier sent an executive bill to the State House of Assembly to facilitate the allocation of land and other resources to Fulani herdsmen in Benue. During a public hearing in Gboko, youths became angry and disrupted the public hearing calling such bill, a Meyitti Allah bill in Benue. Two weeks later, Rt. Hon. Terkimbir Kyange, then Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly had gone to Lessel to inform some “stakeholders” about his interest to go to the National Assembly by 2019. A young man threw a comment from the side - “If as Speaker of BSHA, Kyange will collect bribe to enact a Meyitti Allah bill in Benue, if elected into the National Assembly, won’t he sign that the whole of Tiv land should be given to Fulani?” This question became a disruptor. Kyange left the venue with a high burden. To save his political career, Kyange had to resurrect the anti-open grazing and ranches establishment bill and ensured its passage. Upon the passage of the bill, he had now washed his hands off the matter and handed the buck to the governor. As a smart politician, the governor went with the people and became The Defender of the Benue Valley. The signing of the anti-open grazing and ranches establishment bill into law in Benue was opposed by every known power in the North. Even governors of the so-called North Central where the Fulani herdsmen were having a field day in killing and destruction of property, were against Ortom. The Governor of Plateau State could even come on national television to condemn Benue position on open grazing. Even politicians in Benue especially those that

wanted to be in the good books of the North, were against Ortom. There was only one Prof Alkali from Kano who stood in support of the anti-open grazing law. President Muhammadu Buhari, the security agencies and all those aligned to him openly supported the blood-letting in Benue which the Meyitti Allah cattle breeders association promised to bring to Benue as a result of that bill. The Northern Governors Forum could not even come to sympathize with Benue. At a point, the Tiv people who are kinsmen to Governor Ortom were attacked in Nasarawa and Taraba States by Fulani herdsmen because of the bill even though these states didn’t have such bill. No northern Politician said anything. Even the police could only call Ortom a drowning man. Today in 2021, as 2023 draws near, the Northern power brokers have started singing a different song. The Northern Governors’ Forum has suddenly woken up to realize that open grazing is out dated. Interestingly, the Arewa Consultative Forum has backed the NGF. Wow! Good news. These were the people supporting all sorts of plans by the federal government such as grazing reserves bill, RUGA settlement, waterways bill and all that. The music has changed today. Glory to God in the highest. Could it be that the people who were being used by the north to administratively push these things are no longer in their offices? The former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh was one such voice. Could it be the change in the service chiefs? Could it be because as 2023 smells the emergence of a southerner taking over as president, the north needs to put their house in shape? Could it be a bargain to calm the nerves of those using the Fulani herdsmen terrorist attacks to agitate for restructuring? Could the rise of Sunday Igboho given a signal that the ever-compromising South West may sing a different song? The fear of Sunday Igboho seems to be more than the fear of Ghana. Because the support Sunday Igboho has gotten was never given to any Ghana or Senegal. The Fulani from Mali, Chad and Niger always get all the support.

Agege Bridge: Matters Arising

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R

he Agege Bridge is nearing completion and is intended to bring relief to road users within that vicinity. But permit me to differ on the grounds that the road that links Iju Water Works Road to Old Abeokuta Expressway was blocked when the construction of Agege Bridge commenced and there does not seem to be any plan to reconstruct it. The section of the Agege Bridge that connects Ogba axis to Abattoir will have vehicles descending an intersection as the descent portends danger, meaning the road which presently serves as link to Iju Water Works risks being closed and so is access to Iju Water Works Road. The implication is that vehicles coming from Ikeja en route Iju Water Works, from all indications, will not have access to Iju Water Works Road if they miss Guinness, Ashade access until they get to Oja-Oba, New Oko-Oba area. Also, road-users from Iju area who intend to link Old Abeokuta Expressway will only have to do so through Oja-Oba or Guinness, Ashade. r0EVTPMB 5FNJUPQF UPQFTPMB !HNBJMM DPN

r$PNSBEF .BSUJO *PSTBNCFS -BàZB /BTBSBXB 4UBUF

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

Pipeline Explosions in Lagos

he continuous occurrence of pipeline explosions in Lagos State is becoming worrisome and requires a full-fledged plan from the Lagos State government and other stakeholders to curb this danger that has continued to put many lives at risk. Over time, we’ve witnessed series of pipeline explosions that have caused the loss of lives, properties, businesses, and a host of other valuables. These occurrences leave one to wonder if those at the helm place value on humanity. Statistics have it that at least 60 fire outbreaks were recorded in Nigeria between January and December last year. Lagos State is said to have recorded the majority of these fire outbreaks, which is estimated to be around 54% of the total incident in Nigeria. Similarly, it will be noticed that these explosions are common to the Lagos mainland as it has become a major problem to the inhabitants of the area who continue to battle incessant fire outbreaks. Last year, major areas on the mainland like Ifako-Ijaye, Egbe-Idimu, Magboro, FESTAC, Ipaja, Abule-Ado, and Abule-Egba were all affected by pipeline explosions. One of the most tragic incidents is the explosion at a gas processing plant in Abule Ado area of Lagos State in March 2020, which claimed the lives of over 20 persons, and leaving several individuals with fire burns. At least 50 buildings were wrecked as a result of the fire as well as a girls’ boarding school known as Bethlehem Girl’s College. In the same way, Abule-Egba was hit by a similar outbreak that left over 150 residents displaced, which also led to the death of five persons, and the burning of 71 shops, 30 houses, a church auditorium, and 39 vehicles. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) while reacting to the incident claimed the fire outbreak was caused by a truck that collided with some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant near the corporation’s pipeline. The Lagos State government in response to the incident set up a N2 billion relief fund to support the survivors. This was a good gesture by the state government, but how long will they continue to set up funds to cater for victims when the real problem is still unsolved? Not long after the Abule-Egba and Abule-Ado incidents, more pipeline explosions occurred in Lagos State and these had continued to put the lives of people on the mainland at risk. It is high time all hands are on deck to proffer long-lasting solutions to avoid any occurrence of these pipeline explosions. Rarely is there any case of pipeline fire outbreak on the island. r4FHVO .JDIBFM "EFZFNJ TBHVOBEFZFNJ!HNBJM DPN

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ,ͺ͸ͺ͹

NEWS ‘Probe Senate Public Hearing on Medical Council Bill’

SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS… L-R: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ndatsu Aliyu Mohammed and the State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Edeh, during the inauguration of the Special Constables (Community Policing Officers), at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday

Imo Govt Recovers Eastern Palm University from Okorocha Amby Uneze in Owerri Imo State Government said it had recovered the state-owned second university known as Eastern Palm University, Ogboko in Ideato South area of the state, warning any intruder to stay away from the facility or be prepared to face the full weight of the law. The state also reminded that it had empowered relevant security agents to deal with anyone or group of persons trying to test the will of government over ownership of the university Decision to implement the details of the findings by a

penal set up by government of which the Whitepaper had been approved by the Executive Council. Government said it took the decision at its weekly Exco meeting presided over by the Governor Hope Uzodimma. The Council while accepting the Whitepaper Report on Land Use and Related Matters which recognised that the Eastern Palm University was owned by the state, therefore resolved that all necessary steps must be taken to recover the university from fraudulent claimants. Addressing newsmen at the Government House Owerri,

the Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said that the Eastern Palm University was accredited by Nigerian University Commission (NUC) as the second Imo Stateowed university. The Whitepaper, according to the commissioner, recommended that the university should be recovered and appropriately designated as a state university in accordance with the laid down guidelines of NUC. “Consequently, Council has directed the relevant ministries to take immediate steps to implement the decisions of the

Executive Council as they concern the Whitepaper Report,” he said. Buttressing the Whitepaper report, the Executive Council stressed that Eastern Palm University was not only registered with NUC as second Imo State university, but was built and funded with Imo State tax payers money, hence government would not waste time to implement the recommendations of the Whitepaper. Emelumba said that in the nearest future government would decide on what to do with the university and that the people of Imo State would be informed appropriately.

Fayemi Appoints Olanipekun as Yerima, Complainant Agree Chancellor of New Ekiti Varsity to Settle Dispute Amicably Victor Ogunje ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has approved the appointment of members of the Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti. This was contained in a statement by Fayemi’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, on Friday. The Governing Council Members are: Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN)- Chancellor, Chief Afolabi Ojuawo- Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof Kola Oladunjoye - Member. Others include: Mr. S. I. Folorunso- Member, Otunba Kunle Ajayi- Member, Mrs. Jumoke Adamolekun- Member , Mrs. Moni Afuye- Member, Dr. Segun Aina- Member and Dr Adelana Adeleye – Olusae - Member. The appointments , according

to Fayemi take immediate effect. The College of Education, Ikere Ekiti was last year upgraded to a university status due to the agitations of the people of the town. Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is an indigene of Ikere Ekiti. The Lawyer has been in the legal profession for over four decades. Meanwhile, the legal luminary , Chief Olanipekun(SAN), has promised to live up to the expectation of the people in his new appointment as the pioneer Chancellor of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti. The Legal Luminary , said he perceived the new appointment as an opportunity for him to contribute to the development of the state, particularly to Human capital development , the most flourishing industry in Ekiti .

Tobi Soniyi A former Zamfara State governor, Senator Ahmad Yerima and a businessman, Alhaji Musa Wapa have agreed to settle their dispute outside the purview of the independent Investigative Panel set up to investigate alleged human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigeria Police Force. Yerima summoned by the panel sitting in Abuja for allegedly threatening the life of Wapa a Katsina State born business man, who accused Yerima of using police men to illegally detain and torture him over N23million debt At the hearing of the matter, Mr. Garba Tetengi SAN, who stood in for the Chairman of the panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima, inquired if the parties (Wapa and

Yerima) were ready to settle the case amicably and report the terms of settlement to the panel. In their response, the two parties agreed to resolve the issue amicably. The panel further directed that counsel to the panel should monitor the settlement as amicus curiae. The matter was adjourned to 5th of March, 2021 for a report of settlement to be submitted before the panel. The panel had in December 2020 ordered that Yerima be joined as a party because his name was mentioned severally in Wapa’s complaint. The complainant had earlier testified how Yerima used the IGP- Intelligence Response Team to deny him the payment of N25 million for three trailers of corn he supplied to his farm, (Rufai Poultry Nigeria Ltd).

Bolanle Austen-Peters is Guest on African Voices Popular “Queen of Nigerian Theatre”, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder and Managing Director of Terra Kulture, is guest this week on African Voices ChangeMakers, Cable News Network (CNN) magazine programme sponsored by telecommunications service provider, Globacom. The 52-year-old lawyer, awardwinning Àlm and theatre director runs the Nigerian arts and culture centre located in Lagos, Nigeria,

as well as a Àlm company, BAP Productions, which has produced various musicals, including ‘Saro The Musical’, ‘Wakaa The Musical’, ‘Moremi The Musical’, ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’ and ‘Fela’s Republic and The Kalakuta Queens’. A statement by Globacom said, “The mother of two who is the daughter of Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has also produced

several Àlms, including ‘ 3 Days’ and ‘Bling Lagosians’. She is currently nursing a new project, an online academy which has the prospect of expanding the Nigerian theatre. “She is a graduate of the University of Lagos and a Master’s degree holder in International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She worked with the United Nations High Commission for

Human Rights in Switzerland before joining the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the United Nations Development Program.” African Voices ChangeMakers will be on the DSTV Channel 401 on Sunday at 12.30 a.m. The programme will be repeated the same day at 4.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., with further repeats on Monday at 3.00 a.m. and 5.30 a.m

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), the umbrella body of health workers in the country, has demanded that Senate probe the recent public hearing of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Bill as it accused Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, of disenfranchising its members. JOHESU Chairman, Comrade Joy Bio Josiah Áayed what he called “vindictive and discriminatory” attitude of Dr. Oloriegbe against other medical professional bodies as he gave his constituency, MDC and NMA more time to canvass their views on the contentious bill. “We challenge Oloriegbe and the NMA to produce video and audio evidence contrary to this. The point here is Oloriegbe does not understand the philosophy and basics of running Public Hearings because he pointedly dominates discussions and debates while outrightly disenfranchising the stakeholders. “We must make the point that a third hearing (Public Hearing) at the National Assembly (NASS) even recognised personal contributions and not only group

representation. Attempts to draw Oloriegbe’s attention to these facts were always met with threats of eviction by the Sergeant-at-Arms. “JOHESU therefore insists that the Senate must probe the February 1, 2021 Hearing and reorganise the Senate Committee on Health to prevent vindictiveness associated with the tendencies of the NMA hierarchy is epitomized by Dr. Oloriegbe.” Continuing he said: “Dr. Oloriegbe stretched his misnomer at the Public Hearings he has presided, vis the NHIS Amendment Bill and the February 1, 2021 Hearing by recognising his Medical Constituents above and over other stakeholders “ Oloriegbe gave MDCN, NMA and a representative of Pathologists the Áoor three times spanning over 15 minutes while professions like Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Radiography and JOHESU representative got two minutes each to canvass their positions. “For the record, we assert boldly and responsibly that Dr. Oloriegbe, has been more tyrannical than any other Medical Doctor Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

PGF DG: How We Stood against FaniKayode’s Purported Defection to APC Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The imminent defection of the former Minister of Aviation and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, may have hit the rocks following the decision of party members not to accept him into the party. The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Director General, Dr. Salihu Lukman, in a statement issued yesterday said party members have engaged the leaders of the party and insisted that the former minister is not welcome in the ruling party. He said the fact that APC was being successful was what was attracting almost everyone desirous of accessing political opportunities to join the party. The Director General noted that for APC as a party to be debating the issue of who should join the party or not represented the qualitative diͿerence between the APC and PDP. He stressed that if it were PDP,

once the National Chairman of the party acts on a matter and backed by a serving governor, members could only grumble. Lukman stated: “I am proud to have my voice guaranteed and a΀rmed by my leaders in APC. As an employee of Governors, it has been a privileged opportunity to speak out openly on matters within the purview of leadership initiative. “Rather than my leaders, including our Governors, relating to me as a subordinate who should only take instructions, they recognise and respect my views as a loyal member of the party. Part of the responsibility that imposes is that we should be able to speak out to protect and defend our leaders and our party. “There will be many instances of possibility that our leaders and our party may make wrong decisions. Our capacity to correct those wrong decisions is what our politics require and not some fantasies.

WISCAR Celebrates 13 Years of Impact, Announces Board Appointment As part of activities to mark its 13th anniversary, WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers) has announced the appointment of Fabia Ogunmekan as Executive Director. A statement by WISCAR said Ogunmekan was appointed as WISCAR’s pioneer Executive Secretary in March 2018 and has since then led the executive management team contributing significantly to the organisation’s growth. The statement also explained that as the new executive director, she would continue to work strategically with the advisory board towards delivering on WISCAR’s strategic vision. According to the statement: “The vision includes strengthening

governance, managing talent and succession, scaling WISCAR’s structured mentoring methodology and gender advocacy efforts for a more inclusive, and gender equal world.” In her remarks, WISCAR’s Founder and Chairperson, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, said: “Ogunmekan joined WISCAR almost 3 years ago on WISCAR’s 10th anniversary. In that time, she has served the organisation diligently contributing signiÀcantly to the organisation’s growth. In her role as Executive Director, she will continue to lead the executive management team in addition to collaborating with the WISCAR Advisory Board and partners to ensure WISCAR’s sustainability.”

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͱ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

NEWS

Jakande Buried… Jakande Buried… Jakande Buried… Jakande Buried… Jakande Buried...

First Lagos Civilian Governor, Jakande Buried Amid Encomiums Segun James Amid wailing, celebration and cheers, the remains of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande was buried at the Vault and Gardens cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday. His body arrived at the cemetery at exactly 5:11p.m. His body was accompanied to the cemetery with the staff of office of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu. Jakande who died on Thursday at the age of 91 was the last of the five Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) progressive governors of the Second Republic from 1979 to 1983. Ahead of the arrival of the former Lagos governor for burial, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat and Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola were at the cemetery waiting. His body was lowered to the grave after the Muslim prayer by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Abou-Nolla. As his body was being lowered to the grave, there were tears from family members. His son, Deji Jakande was seen weeping at the grave side. At a special Fidaus in his honour at his Ilupeju home, Lagos, the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat described the late Jakande as an embodiment of all the positives. Hazmat stated that Jakande was a great man who cared and served his people meritoriously when he had the opportunity to serve them. He said, “Baba Jakande was just an example of what all of us should aspire to be. A great man, humble, selfless, loyal, and dedicated. So, he is an embodiment of all the positives. A great man that served his people when he had the opportunity to serve. A man that cared for the people and a fantastic journalist.” Recalling his personal encounter with Jakande, Hamzat said, he showed up at his graduation at the University of Ibadan in 1986. Present at the special Fidau were children of the deceased, former governor of Ogun State, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Olufunsho and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, among others.

Emulate Him, PDP Urges Leaders Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday charged leaders at all levels across the country to emulate the humility, patriotism, selflessness and life of service exhibited by first civilian governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. The party said it was saddened by the death of Alhaji Jakande, whom it described as a quintessential statesman; very prudent administrator and exceptionally self-sacrificing leader, whose life remained a true stencil and source of inspiration for younger generation of leaders. PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said that Alhaji Jakande’s leadership footprints remained indelible in his unprecedented development of Lagos State, including urban development, transportation, railways, road infrastructure, mass education, healthcare, economic empowerment as well as investment in mass housing infrastructure across Lagos state. According to the PDP, “Indeed, Alhaji Jakande’s exceptional patriotism is demonstrated in his manifest spurn for materialism

IPI Mourns The International Press Institute (IPI) has expressed sadness over the death of Alhaji Lateef Jakande. He was 91.Jakande, a former journalist and governor of the Lagos state, was a member of IPI Executive Board between

1961 and 1968, Vice chair of the Board from 1968 to 1972 and then the chair from 1972 to 1974. He was the first African to lead the IPI Board.“Lateef Kayode Jakande was a great asset to journalism and journalists’ rights in Nigeria. He set up institutions that have contributed to strengthening journalism and training younger generations to become professional journalists”, IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said. “I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Jakande in person and discuss his vision for journalism in Nigeria. His contribution to IPI in different roles on the Executive Board during the early years of the network will always be valued by the membership.”Born in 1929, Jakande jumped into the field of journalism in 1943 when he began editing The Quarterly Mirror while he was still studying.

CHANGE OF NAME

and sacrificing of his comfort for the benefit of the society. His reputation of using his personal vehicle and house, while serving as a state governor, demonstrates his persuasion that leadership is about serving the people and not for personal aggrandisements. “Our party also recalls Alhaji Jakande’s patriotic role in the development of the Nigerian media industry especially in instilling professionalism as well as stabilising the industry with the establishment of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN).” The PDP described Alhaji Jakande’s death as the exit of the last of first generation progressives, and said that it was more saddening that he left at a time the nation needed his wealth of experience and wise counsel the most. The PDP commiserated with the Jakande family, the government and people of Lagos state and prayed God to grant the nation the fortitude to bear the loss of one of her brightest patriots. Clark Mourns, Says He Was A Political Titan Deji Elumoye in Abuja Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has described the late Second Republic governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, as a political titan. In a tribute yesterday entitled “Fare Thee Well, LKJ”, the former Federal Commissioner for Information stated that Jakande succeeded in carving a pristine niche for himself, on the Nigerian social and political landscapes. He described Jakande as a notable journalist, who rose to the Position of Editor of the Tribune Group of Newspapers, in its glorious days. According to him, “in politics, he held the Lagos Constituency for his Leader and Party, in a vice-like grip, before emerging as the First Civilian, and only Second Republic Governor of Lagos State, in 1979, re-elected in 1983. “He had a great romance with the media and public, because of his populist Projects, like the massive expansion of primary and secondary classrooms, and residential facilities, generally referred to as “Jakande Schools”, and “Jakande Estates”, respectively, though derisively by political rivals. That the Schools and Estates have, with inevitable modifications, survived for more than four decades, speaks volumes for his foresight in those areas of human development indices. I was not in his political camp, but respected his calm and brave reactions to criticisms”. Pa Clark reminisced that the last time he met Jakande face-to-face about 40 years ago during the Second Republic “when my Apapa GRA, Lagos, neighbour, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, invited me over, to his residence, to ask me to join their party, UPN. Marwa Mourns Former Military Administrator of Lagos State and Chairman/ Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) has commiserated with the family of a one-time governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande who died Thursday at the age of 91. While describing his death as a big loss not only to Lagos State but the entire country, Marwa recounted how Jakande who was the state’s first civilian governor supported him when he was the Military Administrator of the state. “He was always at our events and ever willing to give advice and support at all times,” he said in a statement by his office yesterday. He said decades after Jakande served as governor, his achievements and legacies in the areas of affordable mass housing , free education, quality healthcare and infrastructure development were still visible in the state’s landscape till date. He described his selfless service to humanity as worth emulating just as he called on the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and comfort his family. He extended his condolences to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his government and the people of the state. Ike Nwachukwu: He lived a Good Life Retired General Ike Nwachukwu wrote; “To God be the glory for a life well lived. He was an icon . He showed the way for a lot of us to follow. I met him when late Alhaji Alade Odunewu (Allah De) recruited me on to the staff of The Daily Service which later became The Daily Express newspapers. Odunewu was the Editor and Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ), the Editor-in-Chief . “He was unassuming and accommodating. When he found time to stroll into the Newsroom, he sat by me, as he did others, to chat about our work and how to build on the reputation of the newspaper. He cared for us all. He singled me out and invited me on occasions to find out how I was doing. Our newspapers published by the Amalgated Press Limited was supportive of the Action Group - the official opposition at the time. He taught us how to be professional in the face of competing interests and philosophies. He was a good leader. “As Governor of Lagos State he anchored his administration on providing education for all. He also embarked on building other infrastructures and interests necessary for a big State like Lagos. As Minister of Works under General Sani Abacha he again proved himself. He remained principled , frugal and selfless.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13,2021

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Glo Lavishes Data on Subscribers to mark Valentine Telecommunication Àrm, Globacom, has concluded arrangements to support subscribers with free data bundle this period, as part of its valentine freebies. According to the telco Àrm, up to 36GB of data would be given to customers who buy two smartphones from its sales outlets across Nigeria. The Àrm disclosed further that the models of handheld devices available for purchase included: iPhones, Samsung, Tecno, Vivo, InÀnix, Nokia, Imose and Itel. It also assured customers of the genuineness of the phones, adding that the devices come with warranties and after-sales support from the manufacturers. It informed also that the prices oͿered for the devices at Gloworld outlets were the most competitive in the market. Globacom, in a statement, added that the data slabs on oͿer range from 3G to 36G, spread over six months depending on the choice of smartphone devices picked by customers. According to the company, the oͿer is its way of adding Áavour to customers’ Valentine season ecstasy. “We expect that our customers will be engaged in a lot of online activities on February 14 and the days after, so we decided to make it easier for them to buy devices at aͿordable prices for themselves and their loved ones. “They will also use the free data bundles accruing from the promo to access their loved ones to express their feelings of love and commitment.” L-R: Marketing Manager, Humphrey Odie; Head of Admin, Amaka Ofortube; Brand Ambassador, Charles Okocha; Pastor Olayinka Akingbade; MD/ CEO Esso Properties Limited, Smith Sosochukwuma Ezenagu; Head of Corporate Communications, Blessing Ugbem; and Head of Finance, Ifeoma Ofortube, at the inauguration of Sunray Estate by Esso Properties in Amansea, Awka, Anambra State… yesterday

Five Cowries Unveils Initiative to Promote E-Learning Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative has stepped-up its education intervention programme with the launch of E- learning platform to sync with present day reality. In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, the social enterprise came up with “My Story of Water” worksheets as an alternative learning material for Nigerian students. According to the organisation, the newly launched e-learning platform, ‘Five Cowries online’ would supplement the printed worksheets that were released in 2020. Fivecowries.online is a digital platform that allows users, both young children and teachers, to access learning materials online, including the digital versions of worksheets that were released last year. The organisation noted further that the initiative was designed for students of all ages to log on and get immersed in learning activities that

catered to their needs. It added, “The activities on the platform are keeping with Five Cowries general goal, which is to enhance the quality of Nigeria’s education through the arts. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) champions creativity as a core skill for children and has maintained that creativity in learning encourages self-efficacy and solutions-oriented approaches in children. “The initiative thus partnered with UNICEF in rolling out this innovative platform through which the key projects- “My Story of Water”, “My Story of Food”, “My Story of Energy’’ and “My Story of Balance”– all of which aligned with Sustainable Development Goals, aim to reach wider audiences and, birth creativity in both students and teachers.” The platform was built with funding from the International Relief Fund of the German Federal Foreign Office and the Goethe Institut,

as well as in conjunction with Alliance Francaise Nigeria and UNICEF. For a wider effect, the organisation said that it partnered with Alliance Francaise to translate its activities from English into several languages. Explaining further, Director of Alliance Française in Lagos, Charles Courdent, said, “The Five Cowries Project has been the right response to the very strange times we are living because of the pandemic. “As the first cultural network in the world, we are very proud to partner with that enthusiastic adventure: not only by translating the contents into French, which is a broadly spoken language throughout the continent, but also to promote national languages such as Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa that Alliance Française de Lagos is happy to teach. “This project will be shared through the French network with many other countries, including Africa and beyond.”

Sunray Estate Debuts in Anambra, Promises Aﬀordable Homes David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Esso Properties, an estate management Àrm yesterday launched Sunray Estate in Amansea, Anambra State, with a promise to ensure aͿordable accommodation for citizens of the state. The marketing manager of Sunray Estate, Mr Humphrey Odie who addressed journalists during the unveiling of the estate said the company was attracted to Anambra State because of its potentials in development. Odie said, “Anambra is a very attractive state in the South East. We are actually launching two estates in the state, Sunray Estate in Amansea, Awka North LGA and Berry Prime Estate in Agulu, Anaocha LGA. “Sunray Estate is a premium estate sitting on 300 plots of land, which also parades various facilities like tight security, shopping mall, good drainages and various kinds of prototype buildings for all level of individuals. “Our coming to Anambra is because of its potentials, Anambra is a state you can not ignore in terms of investment. We are in Anambra to give the people aͿordable accommodation, and that is what we are here to do.”

Microsoft Launches Viva to TaiwoTaiwo Presents Autobiography, Help People Thrive at Work My Mother’s Daughter, Marks 70th Nigeria will join other African countries and the rest of the world to enjoy a new platform, Viva, introduced by Microsoft Corp. to help people thrive at work. Microsoft Viva, the Àrst employee experience platform brings tools for employee engagement, learning, wellbeing and knowledge discovery, directly into the Áow of people’s work. Viva is designed to help employees learn, grow and thrive, with new experiences that integrate with the productivity and collaboration capabilities in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams. “We have participated in the largest at-scale remote work experiment the world has seen, and it has had a dramatic impact on the employee experience,” said Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. “Every organization will require a uniÀed employee experience from onboarding and collaboration to continuous learning and growth. Viva

brings together everything an employee needs to be successful, from day one, in a single, integrated experience directly in Teams.” The announcement of the new platform comes as economic and social trends are driving durable changes in workforce engagement. Amid the shift to an increasingly distributed and digital work environment, demand has grown for solutions that support corporate culture, knowledge discovery, on-thejob learning and employee wellbeing. Analysts size the nascent Employee Experience Platforms (EXP) category at $300 billion in annual spend. It spans what is today a fragmented market of services, infrastructure and hundreds of tools, many that go undiscovered and underutilized by employees at the companies that have invested in them. “As the world of work changes, the next horizon of innovation will come from a focus on creativity, engagement

and wellbeing so organizations can build cultures of resilience and ingenuity,” said Jared Spataro, corporate vice president, Microsoft 365. “Our vision is to deliver a platform for the employee experience that helps organizations create a thriving culture with engaged employees and inspiring leaders.” Microsoft Viva builds on the power of Teams and Microsoft 365 to unify the employee experience across four key areas — Engagement, Wellbeing, Learning and Knowledge — in an integrated experience that empowers people to be their best. Today, Microsoft is announcing an initial set of modules in Viva that will provide built-in capabilities, integrations from a strong and growing ecosystem of Viva partners, and platform extensibility that will enable customers to integrate their existing employee experience systems and tools with Viva to make them more accessible and discoverable to employees:

A new book, titled My Mother’s Daughter, which is an autobiography of Chief Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman, Lexham Investments (Owners of Shonny Investment & Properties) Trustee, Founding and Immediate past Chairman of Atlantic Hall, Chairman Aart of Life foundation would be unveiled to the public on 16th February, 2021. The Public presentation, which is scheduled to take place online, will also be a special event where the author would celebrate with friends, family, business associates and members of her numerous mentorship groups as she clocks 70 years. The programme will be streamed live via Zoom and other platforms to an anticipated global audience made up of people who have been inspired and touched in one way or the other by Chief Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo. According to the author, the book will offer valuable insights in the areas of InterGenerational Female Entrepreneurship and Mentorship, and the importance

of mentorship for young entrepreneurs. As a young lady who was thrown into the family business in her early 20s after finishing school in England, her many years of experience in entrepreneurship, as well as her roles as a vibrant activist in society building ventures like Atlantic Hall Secondary School, Aart of Life Foundation etc would be very valuable to young girls and middle age women of the present generation. She is also using the platform her book offers to pay tribute to her mother, Mrs. Alice Olaperi Shonibare who was quite instrumental to the heights Chief Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo has reached today. Chief Mrs. Taiwo was born into a family of eight children with a father who was of an innovative businessman of his age. The author’s father died at 44 and the mother had the duty to bring up the eight children and grow the business the father started. Her nifty balancing powers that motivated the daughter, Chief Mrs. Taiwo are shared in detail in the new book.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13,2021

PEOPLE

Helen Prest Ajayi and the Power of Love Azuka Ogujiuba

e never really knowthe strength that lies inside us, until such time as we are challenged, pushed,cornered and or tested. When everything we own and hold dear is threatened.When everything we stand for and or believe in, is oͿended by those who forwhatever reason, choose to take us for granted or choose to underestimate the enormity of that strength that lies within us. That strength becomes a rage and an anger so visceral that we can almost taste it and yet which, the ill-informed, the arrogant and those who seek to undermine us, can never everunderstand. While hell may have no fury as a woman scorned, love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination. On April 26th, 2020,Dr. Joseph Ademola Olutosin Ajayi (Doc) passed away. It is not for any of us to say any death is untimely but after twenty-Àve years of a marriage built on love, friendship, wisdom and mornings, days and nights of often raucouslaughter, Doc’s passing away left an unÀllable hole. The family home would never be the same and that seat at the head of the table will remain forever vacant. It will serve as salient reminder, that yes...the man really has gone. With him till the literal end was Helen, his dutiful wife, partner, friend, conÀdante, and the X to his Y. Theirs, remains a remarkable yet very private story, the strength of which, outsiders will only now begin to see and understand, is forever fueled by the power that is love. A wife loses her husband after 25 years of marriage. A wife loses both her husband and father of her children. Ordinarily,we the civil and respectful, would give her space to mourn. Give her space and solace to gather herself. Give her space to articulate her story to her children. Give her space to somehow ease herself through that pain of loss. Give her space to grieve and cry. Give her the space that all of us will one day, also need. Yet, the blow that would kill a civilized man or woman seems to heal the naked wounds, energize,and serve as delight to the savage. So it was, rather than let her mourn,others thought it best to try to attack and pillory Helen Ajayi, in the naïve belief that they would somehow muzzle, subdue and or suppress her. They would somehow airbrush 25 years of marriage and attempt to replace that bright narrative with a tired and dated story peddled through the delusions of a woman dumped a quarter of a century ago by her then husband and who today has a face etched with bitterness, jealousy and sadness. Yet Dr. Ajayi deservedso much more. Deserved, so much better and so, enter the power of love. Enter a woman doing what she has to do. Enter a woman doing everything, the depth of her family history has taught her to do. Enter a woman doing everything her husband of 25 years would expect her to do. Enter a woman doing everything her children would expect of her. Enter a woman whose courage and determination were not forged yesterday. Enter the power of love. Enter, Mrs HelenAjayi. Yet should anyone be surprised. Those who chose to doubt Helen’s resolve should simply have taken a step back. If they had, they would have saved themselves a lot of the

Helen with late Dr. Ajayi

moneythey were forced to borrow to Àght her. They would have saved themselves from the near universal humiliation they have now received; saved themselves from the opprobrium now so easily and readily dumped on their heads. You see, this Helen, is Helen Prest. In 1950, her grandfather and Anthony Enahoro founded the Mid-West Party. The Mid-West Party became part of the Action Group in 1951. As deputy leader to Obafemi Awolowo, fearless Prest, Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Anthony Enahoro and others fought for Nigeria’s independence. Helen is the same person, who became our most remembered Miss Nigeria and still found the time to qualify as a Barrister and then secure her Masters in Law at Kings College London. Helen’s late Father, was one of the closest inÁuences to Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari GCFR, Nigeria’s Àrst democratically elected, after the transfer of power by military head of state,General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979. More recently, after a Àve-year herculean battle, it required the full might of 12 Supreme Court Justices of the UnitedKingdom to hold their noses and cause an uncomfortable systemic review of an 1896 Company Law principle, simply to thwart her younger brother’s attempts to seek justice. The simple point is, Helen does not look for anybody’s trouble but challenge, push, corner and or try to test her and her rich family history should tell you that she will Àghtback. That family history taught her that whilst you may not always win, people will

remember that you fought and you fought with dignity because you knew it was the good Áight to Àght. Dr. Tosin Ajayi had deliberately shielded Helenfrom the ugliness that is often a part of each of our lives. He’d showered her with love. He hadn’t suppressed or subdued her. She knew the nature of that (private) ugliness and the source of much of his anguish and so she focused in twenty-Àve years of marriage, on giving him the space to press the re-set button. Time moves on, people move on, people grow. Our lives are textures of rich chapters each having their own time and place. Dr. Ajayi had moved on. Everything about him said so. After the torture of a solitary life living alone at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos from 1986 -1996, it was in March 1996 that he phoned Helen whilst he was on a business trip in London. Her then secretary, Lola bears witness to this. This Dr. Ajayi had called from London and had conÀdently declared that they were to be soul mates. He was going to marry her. He did and together, they one beautiful daughter. They remained entwined in each other’s lives until his time came on April 26th, 2020 at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos You don’t make up this type of story. You don’t rob a man of that part of his life. You don’t rob a wife of that. You don’t rob a child of that. That wonderful, beautiful story that begun with love and to this day, is powered by that same love. Who are you to take your pernicious hand and try to destroy that? Helen didn’t know you and now, may choose not to know you.

It might have been so diͿerent if you had joined her to mourn and joined her to celebrate a great Man. Celebrate a man too generous to a fault. Helen had waited to greet you; she had waited to join hands with you to give her beloved husband the right and beÀtting last outingand the one we all know he deserves. Yet you did not do that. Instead, consumed by jealousy, you removed your mask and revealed the real you and unleashed what you thought would be the calumny brewed in the dark corridors of those with greedy minds. You tried to unhinge something that you did not create. Something you never created. You deeply scorned another woman,who, as God would have it, created happiness for her husband. Why? Ask yourself why? Why would you choose the savage path when the alternative and digniÀed path was yours, so easily to take? Dr. Tosin Ajayi has been buried just as Helen had wanted and fought so hard for. He was buried with the minister presiding over the aͿairs just as he had wanted. His daughter spoke of her father with her head held high and whilst her voice may seem choked and teary, her tears of joy, tears full of pictures of smiling happy faces, tears full of whispers of her father’s advice, tears full of dreams and ambitions spoken fondly about when her father was with us. Tears that tell the real story of how her mother fought and battled so that this day, February 11th, 2020 will be her day and will always be her father’s greatest outing. Never underestimatethe power of love.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13,2021

PEOPLE Chuks Collins

I Grew Up in the Village, Did Farming, Traded in the Market Fashion entrepreneur, Chuks Collins is based in New York running a self-titled clothing line, Chuks Collins. His is an international brand that exhibits exceptional quality and modern styling through personalised service. His designs have appeared on the runways of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Atlanta International Fashion week and Nigeria Fashion Week. Talking to Tosin Clegg, he shares his journey into fashion, earlier challenges, moving to Newyork and his new project

Growing up was such an interesting time grew up partly in England and also in Nigeria, I always saw the world as a place that’s full of diͿerent opportunities and we all have a painting brush and the world is our canvas to paint on. I deÀnitely wasn’t born with a silver spoon, I grew up in the village, did farming, went to the market to sell things but I am grateful for all the experiences and that moulded me to the man I am today. As a child I wanted to be a pilot so badly, maybe because the Àrst remarkable birthday gift I got was a toy airplane from my mom of blessed memory. I studied in Nigeria and partly abroad, actually went ahead and got myself a PPL license to enable me Áy, though didn’t put that much into use as I needed more certiÀcations and CPL to be able to Áy commercially, but there was no funds to continue on that. Looking back, I don’t regret any of those actions but I will tell my younger self to trust himself and his guts. Life is a beautiful gift that should be lived intentionally and consciously. Treat and respect others how you would like to be treated, it makes the world a better place.

a story about them through their work in one way or the other. I believe that part of being authentic is creating for the demographic and audience that appreciate my authenticity as an artist. And Amplifying their life experiences and Journey through my designs, and that’s what makes my brand exceptional.

My Journey to Fashion started from a very young age Art was a form of escape and expression for me, so I would always sketch and draw stuͿ that I hid from everyone as I didn’t want my mom or my grandmother to see it. This went on until about 15/16years when I o΀cially left home and went to college. Then I had control of a lot of things, started saying no and rebelling. While in universities, in OAU Àrst - was when I actually started showing peeps my sketches in cartons and the girls loved it as I would design clothes on the characters and that gave me some morals with the girls then fast forward to when I moved to Lagos to pursue acting and modelling lol. I had to start drawing portraits of people on campus to get extra cash to help myself out. Then I met a girl from my church then RCCG in Ojo as I was going to LASU, she had a wedding and needed to make an asoebi, and did not like the designs in the magazine. I think it was City People or something I can’t recall, I oͿered to design something for her and she was so happy and impressed then showed all her friends, but the tailor who made it for her didn’t get the design. I was even more upset about what the tailor made than her, a part of me had always seen people on the street and wanted to redress or rearrange what they have on to help accentuate the body type.

My core mission My new initiative is for humanity and the Planet we live in but I love women and part of my core mission has always been women empowerment. Watching my Mom go through lots of domestic abuse from the man she called husband broke my heart constantly and may her soul keep resting in the bosom of the almighty. The brand and new initiate is the Athletic Side of Us (TASOU), a sustainable lifestyle brand that closes the gap between street wear and athletic wear, with the liberty of reconciling our Art self and Act Self while creating a Áuid avenue to life. TASOU reconciles fashion with the dynamic Áuidity of life, and with the evolving, athletic nature of human beings and their ever-changing humanity. The Collection was inspired by the ancient Benin Kingdom and the streets of New York, featuring real people with real stories in diversity and Inclusivity. Above all, our mission is to empower humanity through our designs and also the planet we live in. Fashion contributes to the landÀlls that hurt our place of inhabitation; hence our pieces are sustainably sourced and mostly made from recycled materials and plastic bottles.

&ORWKLQJ LV D PHDQV RI LGHQWLÀFDWLRQ I always knew clothing is a means of identiÀcation and armour of shield which tells somewhat a lot about a person. You know in the African Culture they don’t really believe fashion designing should be a male discipline, so I had doubts even while doing it partly as it was paying the bill. During my NYSC year, I got an apartment on Ogunlana Drive where I lived and opened my Àrst studio.

My US journey was all a miracle I had a visa to come for NYFW and got sick way earlier before the show, and had to come for a Kidney Transplant and then lots and lots of complications that made me stay back for better care. I am really really grateful to God and for People like Aunt Joan Okorododu, Linda Ikeji, Eno Essien, Juliet Morgan, Dominion city church, Sister Happiness, Pastor Olumide, and a lot of people whom I can’t recall and those I don’t even know who came to my aid. Without their good hearts, there probably won’t be me anymore. But the journey hasn’t been smooth and there are still a lot of challenges but staying true to the art and being hopeful is key for me. I approach everyday as another opportunity to try again and show up for myself, for the people who believe in me and for the things I believe in.

Chuks Collins

Seeing the joy and happiness in people’s faces when they put on a garment I designed gave me so much joy and I felt empowered while empowering them to own all aspects of themselves and live their true lives. You feel really empowered and conÀdent when you have the right looks on and it’s also a feel good thing for you, when you feel good you do good. Challenges as a fashion designer First part was self-doubt and was so much worried about what people will think, especially my supposed family. As I felt I was a disappointment to them for not being the Pilot or Dr. they wanted. The secondly challenge was depending solely on tailors to interpret my designs and that caused a lot of tasks, but within the Àrst year of starting, I pushed myself to start sewing more, as I actually learnt how to sew from my grandmother. I also did a lot of self-training classes and then went to Ghana to get more training within the Àrst year. So, knowing the in and out of a craft is always helpful. Finance was also a challenge as that always plays a role especially for start-ups. But what I can say is always start from somewhere and gradually grow. But honestly I am grateful for all the experiences

and challenges as I call it the “process” and without the process there’s no me! Growing my brand I was Àrst “Kholyns Couture”. I choose that as I was looking for a fun way to write my name, Collins. Then I changed to my real full name “Chuks Collins”as the brand name which is what it should have been from the onset, but that also has its own legal business implications. but living here going to school and having worked with some big brands like Ralph Lauren and a host of others has given me more exposure and wealth of experiences that you don’t really get in schools but in the Àeld of work and streets. The world is evolving constantly and change is inevitable, hence old paradigms are shifting and the new world is here. In everything we do, we should learn to evolve for the best, amplify with the times but don’t lose sight of self and who you are. Oh and before I forget, I have another brand which was birthed during the pandemic launched on February 1st, “The Athletic Side of Us”, through the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). As an artist and entrepreneur, being authentic with my story and experience is very important to me, and every artist is telling you

Helping people to live their dreams I want to inspire and empower more people to be their authentic self and live their dreams, share my light and love to the world through everything I create and make human living experience better in any way I can. Well, being authentic to yourself and staying true to your Art, get the knowledge you need to help you excel in your art. So, school is great if you can aͿord it, if not there’s a lot of materials online and internships are great as you learn a lot from serving, be humble but know your worth. Lastly, I will say ‘create a brand that people can relate to’ since your target are real people.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13, 2021

PEOPLE

No One Sets Out to be Single Parent But… Ms Chinwe Anwunobi is a public relations specialist. The delectable mother of two is a single mum who uses her experience to champion the cause of single mothers in Nigeria, having suﬀered stigmatisation from ignorant members of public who acted as if a woman who lost two men to the cold hands of death in her love life should be condemned. She speaks on single parenthood and the life of a single working mum in this encounter with Festus Akanbi

Society’s views on single parents ociety’s views (especially our society) of single parents depends on the ‘single parent’ in question. Single dads gets oͿ easily than single mums, to be honest. They are usually more supportive and full of praise for the men. It’s mostly ‘Oh he’s a very hands on Dad, doing all this alone without help from the mother of the child’’, ‘’Oh he needs to get married. It’s all too much for him.’ If he ever sends Ànancial support to the mother of his child, then she should be thankful because not many fathers would do this’. A single mum? If you became a single mum through divorce, then you are strong-headed and couldn’t bend under the authority of a man. I am a single mum with two sons, aged 16 and Àve. Both dads are dead. I raise eyebrows whenever I say this. I’ve had friends accuse me of always putting the cart before the horse and I’ve actually had someone call me a ‘black widow spider’ with a warning to keep my distance. At that point, I decided I’d focus on building my life, raising my children and trying to block out as much noise and negativity as I can. There’s always a back story that society never bothers to Ànd out. As long as you had the child without a ring on your Ànger, a promise of marriage or you moved them out of your marital home (doesn’t matter if it was an abusive one) then you pretty much useless as they come. Sometimes, life doesn’t go as planned As a people, we are yet to understand that life happens and things don’t always go in that perfectly planned order. No one sets out to become a single parent but, when life throws you curved balls, you either learn to swerve them or hit back hard, like your life depends on it. I also think women are fast realising that they don’t have to put up with toxic behaviours and spaces just so that society can be happy with them. If you’re pregnant for a man and six months down the line, you realise you can’t live with a certain behaviour or toxicity for a lifetime, then wouldn’t it be best to just stay on your own and raise that child in a healthy space? While a lot of women became single parents under diͿerent circumstances, quite a few are choosing to become single mums by choice and if they have what it takes to bring up a child with the proper values, then why not? It doesn’t make them irresponsible. There are married women who are solely responsible for raising children, catering for the home Ànancially. They are in the same situation as the single mums. The only diͿerence is, they’re tied down with a man who is nothing but a colossal liability. So this unfair judgement of single parents, particularly single mums, needs to stop already. Single parenthood not a joke Being solely responsible for a child or children is no mean feat. It’s a huge responsibility balancing a job, a business, paying bills regularly, doing chores, with taking care of the children and keeping up with all their school related activities, at the same time. For women who don’t have a steady job or steady Ànances, it can be extremely overwhelming. And when they start running around asking for help, that’s where the judgement starts. I think single mums face the same problems like their married counterparts, but the

if I’m invited by a close friend or client. I prefer hanging out in quiet locations with a friend or two, with the perfect music, easy drinks and small chops. Record keeping I love to keep a record of all my accomplishments for the day and my thought processes. Whenever I’m battling with diͿerent thoughts or have a light bulb moment, I go to my journal. As a matter of fact, I just got rid of three completely Àlled up journals from last year and I’m already half way through my Àrst for this year. When I don’t feel like writing, I turn to music. I’ve got Beyonce Knowles, Demi Lovato, Michael Jackson, Ed Sheeran, Simi, Burna Boy, Kelly Clarkson, Savage Garden and Katy Perry on my playlist. I recently added Kelly Rowlands ‘CoͿee’ and ‘Hitman’, which is an absolute favourite because it paid tribute to the Afrobeat King, Fela. On days when I do both, I always make sure there’s a bottle of Coca-Cola right next to me! Growing up Growing up was pretty memorable. My siblings - I have Àve of them - and I grew up on an estate where all the kids would come out every evening at 5pm, ride bikes, race each other round the estate until we got bored and then we’d start deÁating our parents’ car tyres. I know, it’s terrible isn’t it? We didn’t realise we were deÁating the tyres. All we knew was that we enjoyed the hissing sound the tyres made when we pushed down on the valve stem.

Chinwe Anwunobi

pressure to succeed is much greater because the burden of planning and decision making rests squarely on their shoulders. When you’re not dealing with people and their judgements, you’re worrying about raising your children right and providing adequately for them. Did I also mention that dating as a single mum is hard?! It’s like a recruitment process because you’re careful about not bringing any insanity into your children’s space. Life of female entrepreneurs Life as a female entrepreneur has been one long road of mistakes, challenges, skill perfection and Ànding the perfect work-life balance. I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have great mentors, who have kept me focused and grounded over the years. I don’t think gender has anything to do with doors of opportunity opening for me. I move in the right circles because I’m aware that who I hang out with or spend time talking to, greatly determines what I dream about and what I collide with (Thank you, Seth Godin!). I’m also a curious person who’s always asking questions and always willing to take up challenges whenever I get the chance. I think my willingness to learn, grow and harness my skills, plus surrounding myself with the right mentors, have been responsible for the doors of opportunity that have opened. When a child washes his hands clean, he eats with the elders. I think this Igbo proverb sums it up best. Sexual harassments On two occasions, yes. I was working with a media consultant, the Àrst time it happened.

The second experience was while working in hospitality. I think that, as a young woman trying to make her way in the world, people assume you’ll do anything, accept any untoward behaviour in your quest for success or fulÀlment. I wasn’t having it but, I also knew that if I brought the matter up, no one would believe me because of the people involved. So I simply removed myself from both environments. Support circle for single mums I’ve got a strong support system that’s made up of family members and friends. Having them around me just enforces the fact that it takes a whole village to raise a child, which is why I believe single parents in Nigeria should have their own support circle. Not matter how much of a supermom you think you are, you need to know it’s okay to get tired, it’s okay to be overwhelmed, it’s okay to be exhausted, it’s okay to not always have it all Àgured and it’s okay to reach out to friends and family if you need to take a break and want them to watch your children for a few hours. Social life On a scale of one to ten, I think I’m a six when it comes to being sociable. To be honest, I’m usually reserved and only come alive when I’m with people who set my soul on Àre or when it’s work related. Once I connect with a person, it feels like I’ve known them my entire life. If there’s no connection, I’ll clam up like an oyster and no amount of prodding will make me open up! I’m not a club or party person but will show up

I have pretty remarkable memories of my school days. I attended Nigerian Navy Secondary School and went from the timid class captain to become the President of the Press Club and Editor-in-Chief of ‘The Marine Waves’, which was the school’s magazine, at the time. I was always arts inclined but didn’t realise this until after my Ànal year in senior secondary school. My dad wanted me to study medicine which didn’t quite work out but, after acing all my arts related subjects, I went for English Language at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. I chose Awka because I’d spent all my primary and secondary school years in Lagos and wanted a diͿerent environment. I’m a sassy introvert, quiet extrovert, Coca-Cola loving, single mum of two boys and a PR specialist. I’m a graduate of English Language and a qualiÀed public relations practitioner, with 10 years experience spanning media, hospitality, FMCG and events management. I am also the founder of Peach’s Public Relations, a boutique agency focused on the promotion and advancement of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria, especially the ‘nano businesses’ that don’t fall under the MSME category. I help level up their business status, transform their identity and presence, while communicating the value of their products and services to potential customers. I recently created Peach’s Publics, a laid back blog that discusses issues that aͿects my publics from ‘mompreneurs’, single mum entrepreneurs and MSME enterprise owners while also letting my audience into my private thoughts. I’d actually started the blog last year until phishing attacks forced me to shut it down but I’m so excited to be starting over, this time, on my new website.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13,2021

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Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Ex-BBN House Mate, Lilo Aderogba, Opens Cafe 23

ast weekend, Lilo Aderogba opened the doors of her new spot in Lagos, Cafe 23, to the public having in attendance family, ex house mates, celebrities and a lot more. Coincidentally, the day of the opening was also her birthday. So, it was a double celebration for her. According to Lilo, one of her objectives in life is to see that people become the best version of themselves and Café 23 serves that purpose as it serves primarily healthy foods. Speaking about the new business, she said: “I’m a dietitian and it has always been my dream to own a place where people eat healthy stuff. Having the platform as well, and I thought this is the time

to do this so I made the move. Also as a dietitian, I can also let you know the calories you are consuming. So it’s not just that you are eating and you won’t know what the content it is about.” The outbreak of the C o v i d - 1 9 p a n d e m i c b ro u g h t a l o t o f changes to life, especially in the aspect of fitness. A s c o ro n a v i ru s t a k e s i t s toll on the human immune system, Lilo plans to use her n e w v e n t u re a s a g u i d e o n a fitness journey and for the s t re n g t h e n i n g o f t h e i m m u n e s y s t e m a g a i n s t t h e s c o u rg e o f t h e c o ro n a v i ru s . “I have got loads of plans but I’m actually someone that doesn’t like to tell people so I just go boom in your face. But y o u s h o u l d e x p e c t a l o t f ro m me in 2021,” she said.

Lilo Aderogba and Laycon

StarBoy Terri to Drop New Single Calypso Releases New StarBoy artiste, Terri, has risen to be one of the biggest young artistes in the industry today. Growing from humble ground and setting into signing a life time dream with Wizkid’s record label who has been his Music Idol right from secondary school, his meeting with Wizkid got locked online when he did a cover to one of his songs. That’s how his StarBoy journey kicked off. Talking about starting music, he said: “I started by miming to a lot of songs and it wasn’t conscious but it just happened and a lot of people could feel the vibe and it happened all organically in school. And that’s how it started till I won a particular award and it gave room to a lot of exposure for me.” Terri’s new single, “Come Around” is a set for the Valentine season to lift the energy of lovers up and also sync with his growing fans in an atmosphere well celebrated and looked forward to. As regards 2021, he said: “I’m

Single, Plans Debut EP

StarBoy Terri

going to be releasing a lot of songs before the project I would be dropping later in the year. All the songs that would be released would not be on the project as it would be completely different new songs.”

Ogbogu Chijioke Babiton better known as “Calypso’ is a singer and song writer, signed to 60Music NG, a record label he owns. The label dishes out his first ever single as a professional musician titled ‘Do U Somtin’. Shortly after releasing his debut single, he dropped another impressive single dubbed “Haters” featuring Eedris Abdulkareem and MI Abaga. Calypso has shown to be a promising artiste in ways that can’t be expressed in words. This time, Calypso teams up with the talented Sean Tizzle on his new song “Favour”, produced by Izzy Blaq, mixed and mastered by STG. His kind of music is centered on Afro pop with a vibe that’s exceptional in his own defined way which sets him apart from others. Calypso drives to make everyone happy with his music. Speaking on his plans for 2021, he said: “I am currently working on my

Calypso

EP and I think I’ll try everything possible for the world to hear and see what I have got.”

Fexsy to Release Vacation Remix, Features Peruzzi Musician Emokhare Felix, popularly known as Fexsy will this month release a remix of his single, “Vacation.” The original track was released in November, 2020 and has enjoyed a good performance on major music distribution platforms. The talented singer featured Davido Music Worldwide’s (DMW) star, Peruzzi in the remix of his 2020 wavy single . The 26-year-old Edo State born rapper and singer said both the audio and video of the remixed track had been shot and currently being perfected in the post-production processes. Fexsy, who launched himself into the industry in 2018, featured the “Wetin We Gain” star, Victor AD on a hit single and video titled “Loving You”, refused to slow down on proving his talent as he later released tracks like “Mac and Ghen Ghen” in 2019. He further dropped an EP titled “Teleport” with four tracks in 2020. He closed the year 2020

with the release of his wavy single titled Vacation. Like a determined sprinter who hits the ground running, the Civil Engineer turned musician started year 2021 collaborating with Peruzzi on the remix of his 2020 track “Vacation”. He also stated that he would drop an album later this year. On what to expect from the album, Felix expressed his readiness to feature both Nigerian and foreign based artistes and also explore diͿerent genres of music on the forthcoming project. Speaking on the challenges facing his musical career, Fexsy said Ànance was the greatest of them all, because he needs money to produce quality sound, shootcleanvideosandpromotehisworks.Hefurther stated that promoting music in Nigeria is very difÀcult as it is very expensive to get on distribution platforms. He, however, noted that the quality of your music can make your promotion eͿort easier

and yield better result in a shorter period of time. Explaining how Ànance has hindered his speed in the Nigerian music industry, the rapper said he has recorded several tracks with some B list artiste, but cannot release them because he does not have the Ànance to shoot the necessary videos and give adequate promotion to such works. On how he copes with Ànancing his music, he appreciated his friends and acquaintances for always providing him with what he described as “Undercover Support”. Expressing his conÀdence to succeed in the music industry, the singer said he draws his inspiration from the success story of super stars like Wizkid, Davido and other big stars, whose Àrst single and early tracks were not so great, but, worked hard to get better and earned themselves a place amongst the Nigerian music superstars of today.

Fexsy

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13, 2021

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In New Day, BrettinaTouches Her Prize, Accolade Vanessa Obioha writes that ‘New Day,’ the impending EP from Bahamas-born, melodious songbird, Brettina, exhibits her creative genius and holds a lot of promise to establish her as the New Face of Jazz

he could have capitalized on her natural physical attributes, which assured her a place as a beauty queen. Perhaps, she did. After all, winning the Miss Bahamas Talented Teen opened the door for a scholarship to study at the University of Washington in Seattle, United States of America. With her family in tow, Brettina Robinson relocated from her original home, Bahamas. Now, she simply wishes to be known as Brettina. Along with her preferred nomenclature is another desire to be identiÀed as the latest supremo in Jazz music! The melodious songbird had exhibited her creative genius as early as Àve years, when it became evident she was ready to exploit the rich Áair that life had to oͿer within her folks. She is not one to throw up her hands in defeat and be known only by that limiting description- a pretty face! With a mother, Leona Coakley Springs, who sings gospel and her uncles-Theo and Kirk Coakley of T-Connection, the famous funk/soul group of the 1970s, she was not a stranger to stage sets. Still sounding inviting after a period of 10 years from when she released her Àrst single, ‘Bahamian Girl’ and the self-titled neophyte full body of works, ‘Brettina’, her latest singles, ‘Bop Baiye’ and ‘Simple Pleasures’ are the type of music that her patient, albeit expectant admirers have been waiting for. Amazingly smooth and relaxing, both songs have been released as singles on all streaming platforms since last year, 2020. A lyric video was released for ‘Simple Pleasures’. There is no video yet for ‘Bop Baiye’. The story behind the long break reveals her Àghting spirit and a strong personality who has her eyes on the ball and never loses focus, no matter the distraction. She narrated to The Nassau Guardian that she was caught in a web of obligations imposed by law which demanded a change of her personality (and type of music). The option was to wait patiently and quietly for the right moment to be free from that commitment. Looking at the bigger picture, she decided to endure the wait, drawing from an inner strength and depending on Providence. She concludes that it was worth it to kill time. “I learned so much more about the music business and I was able to weed out the people who did not have my best interest at hand. It also allowed me to really woodshed and hone my craft. I honestly believe that it wasn’t until I removed my hands from the steering wheel…I realized that God was steering the entire time. I just needed to

trust his process which has led me to an amazing Grammy Awardnominated and multi-platinum producer G’harah Degeddingseze and co-writer/vocal producer Tricia Battani.” It takes a lot of conÀdence and courage to be a jazz vocalist and singer in an age that brazenly promotes Áeeting banalities. The same can be said of her transparent thoughts that challenge our humanity. The choice to stand strong until the commanding presence of her melodious songs catapults her to where she wants to be demands a lot of tact and hard work. She feels that she is closer to her destination now more than ever before. And with the new EP due for release in 2021, she can almost touch her prize and her accolade as ‘The New Face of Jazz.’ Born in the Bahamas, in the capital city of Nassau, the sultry songstress Brettina writes music fusing traditional jazz and island tones. Like waves washing over the listener, Brettina’s sound is refreshing – her originality appealing to both jazz purists and younger audiences drawn to more contemporary mainstream music. Brettina’s long awaited sophomore project, ventures in classic jazz, world music and island rhythms. ‘New Day’, the single and title of her impending EP is already out for privileged listening. The EP has been a long time coming, by any standard. The expectation is high. The combined eͿort of Brettina, Degeddingseze and Battani promises a very enriching and rewarding musical creation that displays Brettina’s diverse vocal prowess in the most excellent ways. Although, the instrumentalists are compelling and distinct in showcasing their craft which recommends the overall beauty of the tunes, the discernible purpose of this ingenious and imaginative interaction between the vocalist, producer and instrumentalists on this EP is to give expression to the amazing wonders that Brettina is able to achieve with her voice, weaving it in and out; low, mid and high tempo through the perfect blend of instrumentation. It’s there in ‘Simple Pleasures’, as you snap your Àngers keeping time to the music. It’s there in ‘Bop Baiye’, which moves your head in a familiarity that completely takes you over. In many ways, ‘New Day’ oͿers Brettina a huge opportunity on the starting block again. How she proceeds with the rest of the race is a function of how much she has learnt during her hiatus. But she sounds conÀdent to give a good chase with ‘Bop Baiye’ almost becoming a way of expressing a hearty cheer.

Brettina

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 13, 2021

JAKANDE GOES HOME.... JAKANDE GOES HOME....

L-R: Son of the deceased, Hon. Deji Jakande; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; son of the deceased, Hon. Seyi Jakande; and Imam Ahli Sunnah Mosque, Ijoko, Ogun State, Imam Mujahid Oloyede leading the Muslim prayer and others, during the Muslim Special Prayer (Fidau) for Late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, ﬁrst civilian governor of Lagos State, held in Ilupeju, Lagos... yesterday PHOTOS: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and wife, Olufunsho, signing a condolence register

Imam Ismail Balogun, Imam Ilupeju, leading the Musiim prayer, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Hon. Seyi Jakande and others

L-R: Daughter in-law, Mrs. Oyindamola Jakande; Daughter, Mrs. Abisola Olusi; Daughter, Dr. Lanre Adeboye; Widow, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat

L-R: Son of the deceased, Hon. Deji Jakande; daughter, Dr. Lanre Abisoye; and son, Hon. Seyi Jakande

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, signing a condolence register

L-R: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and son of the deceased, Hon. Seyi Jakande

L-R: Widow of deceased, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

13.02.2021

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RELIVING OLD RIVALRY PAGE. 29

Ahmed Musa

Premier League Return Dream in Ruins

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

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Ahmed Musa tries to waltz through West Brom defenders in one of the few games he played for the Foxes during his short spell at Leicester City

Ahmed Musa Premier League Return Dream in Ruins After leaving Saudi Arabian club- Al Nassr on mutual agreement, several European clubs have shown interest in signing Ahmed Musa but a return to Premier League football was non-negotiable as far as the Super Eagles captain was concerned. Indeed, everything was pointing to the direction of West Bromwich Albion as he even had medicals and trained with them but for a last minute U-turn by the club which has shattered the dream of the former Leicester City forward to return to the Premier League

estBromwichAlbionhave decided not to offer a contract to Ahmed Musa despite the Nigerian international spending time with the club on

trial. The 28-year-old began training with the Baggies last week with the hope of proving his fitness and earning a deal until the end of the campaign. The striker has trained with West Brom and was said to have impressed manager Sam Allardyce. The Nigerian international forward is understood to have impressed Allardyce and his coaching staff, who were hoping he would sign a contract until the end of the season and bolster their attacking options. A winger who is also able to play up front, Musa is currently a free agent meaning he is able to join a club outside the transfer window. The Baggies are however running low on

funds after a busy January transfer window. Meanwhile, Musa still has a slim chance making his dream return to the Premier League come to fruition, with Burnley, Southampton and Brighton ready to swoop for the forward. Back in 2016 the forward became Leicester’s record signing when the Foxes paid £16.6 million to sign him from CSKA Moscow. But he struggled to make an impact in England and was loaned back to CSKA before going on to join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in a permanent deal. Musa has been a free agent since leaving Pro League side in October and according to reports, is eager to prove himself in the Premier League. Speaking earlier this week, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, said he was hopeful his captain would complete a move to The Hawthorns. However, Albion have decided against offering Musa a deal with the club feeling they already had stronger players in his preferred position out wide.

The first Chinese owners may have stretched their budget to the limit in the January window and are now struggling to release more funds to sign Musa. Albion brought in Ainsley MaitlandNiles from Arsenal, Okay Yukuslu from Celta Vigo, Mbaye Diagne from Galatasaray plus Robert Snodgrass and Andy Lonergan last month. One possible lifeline could come if West Brom winger Kamil Grosicki completes a move back to Poland with Legia Warsaw. Reports have suggested Legia Warsaw, who have until the end of this month to sign players are interested in taking the winger back to Poland. Speaking last month, Allardyce confirmed he was willing to listen to offers for Grosicki as Albion look to lower their wage bill. Nottingham Forest, who came close to signing Grosicki in the summer, renewed their interest last month but the Poland international wasn’t keen on a move to the City Ground.

It is believed Grosicki is hoping to secure a move to a European side this month in a bid to get more playing time ahead of the European Championships. It would be recalled that the Nigerian captain had earlier been linked with a move to Championship club Sheffield Wednesday, which Musa played down, insisting he wants a return to top-flight football instead. “I don’t know where the story of a potential move to Sheffield is coming from because I don’t pay attention to rumours and gossip,” Musa told BBC Sport Africa. “With due respect to the club, I left Saudi Arabia to continue my career at the top level in Europe and that’s the ambition.” Musa scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in 57 matches, helping Al Nassr, whom he joined from Leicester City in summer 2018, to the Saudi Pro League and Super Cup titles. He achieved success in Russia with CSKA Moscow where he won three league titles and added three domestic cup titles, before switching to Leicester City for a club-record fee in July 2016. The pacey forward failed to establish himself with the Foxes scoring five goals in 33 matches, with the highlight coming on loan at CSKA where he scored six times in 10 appearances at the Russian club - three times more than he managed in his 21 Premier League appearances, before his move to Asia. “For some reasons things didn’t actually work at Leicester, but you can’t focus too much on the past,” he said. “I’d rather try to write a better story if another opportunity to play in the Premier League presents itself.” The 28-year-old last played for Nigeria in November, captaining them in qualification games for the African Cup of Nations against Sierra Leone twice. In this calendar season, Musa hasn’t exactly caught the eye – only scoring twice in his 825 minutes of action for club and country. He helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and played for them in the past two World Cups Musa scored twice for Nigeria at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup tournaments to become the country’s top World Cup goalscorer.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

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Man City Battle Spurs, Hope to Intensify Grip on Premier League’s Top After a comprehensive victory over Liverpool last weekend, Manchester City extended their lead on the Premier League table to five points and will be hoping to intensify their grip at the top as the Citizens welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Emirate Stadium today. While Pep Guardiola’s will be bouyed by a FA Cup quarter final berth on Wednesday, Jose Mourinho would require extra effort to motivate his side who were dumped out of the same competition midweek. The fierce rivalry between the two coaches will add an extra spice to the encounter as Mourinho’s top-four finish ambition will be put to test

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

22 23 23 23 23 23 21 22 21 22 23 22 23 23 23 23 22 22 23 23

29 19 14 15 14 6 6 14 12 0 4 -8 -12 -8 -5 -13 -15 -14 -36 -22

50 45 43 40 39 39 37 36 35 32 31 29 29 27 25 25 23 15 12 11

Head to Head 20/08/11 Man City 4 - 0 Liverpool 20/02/11 Tottenham 2 - 0 Man City 20/02/02 Tottenham 2 - 0 Man City 19/17/08 Man City 2 - 2 Tottenham 19/20/04 Man City 1 - 0 Tottenham 18/29/10 Tottenham 0 - 1 Man City 18/14/04 Tottenham 1 - 3 Man City 17/16/12 Man City 4 - 1 Tottenham 17/21/01 Man City 2 - 2 Tottenham 16/02/10 Tottenham 2 - 0 Man City 16/14/02 Man City 1 - 2 Tottenham 15/26/09 Tottenham 4 - 1 Man City 15/03/05 Tottenham 0 - 1 Man City 14/18/10 Man City 4 - 1 Tottenham 14/29/01 Tottenham 1 - 5 Man City 13/24/11 Man City 6 - 0 Tottenham 13/21/04 Tottenham 3 - 1 Man City 12/11/11 Man City 2 - 1 Tottenham r 12/22/01 Man City 3 - 2 Tottenham 11/28/09 Tottenham 1 - 5 Man City 11.10/05 Man City 1 - 0 Tottenham r 10/14/08 Tottenham 0 - 0 Man City 10/05/05 Man City 0 - 1 Tottenham PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld denied Man City duo of Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus of a goal scoring opportunity when both sides met at the Etihad last season

anchester City host Tottenham today, with Pep Guardiola’s men having a chance to go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while Tottenham need a victory in order to keep in touch with the top four. Guardiola’s side have been in unbelievable form, having won their last 15 games across all competitions. The Citizens have conceded only eight goals in their last 20 matches and look to be well on their way to silverware this season. Jose Mourinho’s side have been in a rut of late. Tottenham have lost four of their last five games in all competitions and look completely off the pace. Mourinho will need his side to pull off a huge performance against City today if they

are to come away with anything from the Etihad. Today’s clash is sure to be a fiery one, as it pits two legendary rivals against each other in Guardiola and Mourinho. The Premier League head-to-head record between the two sides is split evenly down the middle, with both sides getting two wins over the other in their last five meetings. Tottenham, however, can boast a UEFA Champions League quarter-final triumph over Manchester City in the 2018-19 edition of the competition. Guardiola will be sweating on the fitness of star defender Ruben Dias, who missed Manchester City’s FA Cup clash against Swansea with a stomach bug. Spanish midfielder Rodri is also a doubt for the game, having picked up a knock during the FA Cup tie. Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake are out

MATCH FACTS r Manchester City have won seven of the past 10 league meetings at the Etihad Stadium, only losing on 14 February 2016. r However, Spurs have won both league encounters - at home - with Jose Mourinho as their manager. r City are on a 15-match winning run in all competitions, a record for an English top-flight side, and are unbeaten in 22 since their 2-0 defeat by Tottenham in November. r They have only conceded three goals in their past 14 league games. r Manchester City can equal the club record of seven successive home clean sheets in all competit ions, set from December 1946 to March 1947. r Pep Guardiola could lose three consecutive top-flight fixtures against the same team for the first time as a manager. r He and Jose Mourinho have faced each other in 24 games, with Guardiola leading by 10 wins to seven. r Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is the Premier League’s leading scorer in 2021 with seven goals in eight appearances. His previous seven league goals came over a period of 62 games. r Spurs have won just one of their past six top-flight away fixtures (D3, L2). They could lose consecutive away league games for the first time since October 2019. r Tottenham are winless in 24 away fixtures against the team starting the day top of the table since beating Blackburn in November 1992 (D3, L21). r They are vying to beat both Manchester clubs away in the same top-flight season for the first time since 1959-60. The last side to do so was Liverpool in 2008-09.

of the clash with injury while Sergio Aguero is not yet match fit. Despite the absentees, City have demonstrated already during their ongoing winning streak that they can hope with absent star men, even if they are of the calibre of De Bruye and Aguero. With the likes of Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez likely to be let loose on this Spurs defence, Mourinho’s side could be in for another crushing defeat. Mourinho on his part could be without both his starting full-backs. Sergio Reguilon picked up a muscle injury last month, while Serge Aurier injured his foot earlier this week. Giovani Lo Celso is also out, as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury that occurred in December last year. Form is thrown out the window for matches like this. Both Guardiola and Mourinho will know what to expect when their sides come up against each other. That being said, one side is clearly better than the other at the moment. However, after their poor showing against Everton, Spurs will be desperate for any reasons for optimism ahead of their meeting with the league leaders. Since Mourinho took over, they have at least won both of their fixtures against City, although sceptics may point out that both fixtures were in London, rather than at Eastlands. In fact, City have a strong recent home record against Spurs, having won seven of their last 10 matches at home against the capital club—while losing only one! Worryingly for the Lilywhites, they’ve won just one of their last six Prem away games, while you have to go way back to 1992 to find an away win for Spurs against a team leading the table at the time. In the intervening years, Tottenham have lost 21 and drawn three against the league leaders.

Leicester v Liverpool Crystal Palace v Burnley Man City v Tottenham Brighton v Aston Villa

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

SUNDAY

Southampton v Wolves West Brom v Man Utd Arsenal v Leeds Utd Everton v Fulham

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

MONDAY

West Ham v Sheffield Utd Chelsea v Newcastle

18:00 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Granada Sevilla Eibar Barcelona

v v v v

Atlético Huesca Valladolid Alavés

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

v v v v

Sociedad Valencia Osasuna Betis

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

SUNDAY

Getafe Madrid Levante Villarreal MONDAY

Cádiz v Bilbao 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Mohamed Salah Bruno Fernandes Dominic Calvert-Lewin Harry Kane Son Heung-min Patrick Bamford Jamie Vardy Callum Wilson Ollie Watkins Wilfried Zaha Ilkay Gundogan Raheem Sterling Alexandre Lacazette Marcus Rashford

CLUB

GOALS

Liverpool 16 Man Utd 13 Everton 13 Tottenham 13 Tottenham 13 Leeds United 12 Leicester 11 Newcastle 10 Aston Villa 10 Crystal Palace 9 Manchester City 9 Manchester City 8 Arsenal 8 Man Utd 8

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

L-R: Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr and Chairman, Lagos State Commission, Sola Aiyepeku during the German’s inspection of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, in preparation for the Nigeria-Lesotho AFCON qualiﬁer

Super Falcons led by Assisat Osholoa during one of their training sessions

Lagos to Host Super Eagles, Lesotho AFCON Qualiﬁer NFF, Rohr hail Teslim Balogun Stadium facilities Kunle Adewale Ten years after last hosting an international match, the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos will again come alive as the edifice is set to host another international encounter. The Teslim Balogun Stadium will be hosting the Super Eagles versus the Crocodiles of Lesotho in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier billed for March 30. To ensure that the facilities are in order, Nigeria senior football team manager, Gernot Rohr yesterday came on an inspection of the facilities and was satisfied with what he saw. The Franco-German hailedthe state of the dressing rooms inspite of the fact that one or two things still needed to be in place, but berated the fact that there would be no crowd to watch the encounter due to the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world. Though the former Bayern Munich player complained about the grass

which he said was overgrown but was quickly reminded that the match was about seven weeks away and that the grass would be trimmed as the game draws nearer. “The match is about seven weeks away and the grass would be ready within the next three weeks. What you are seeing in place is about 15 weeks work. We tried about five types of grasses before we arrived at this, which is one of the best in the world,” Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku explained. “By bringing the Super Eagles back to Lagos, we will also be boosting the economy of the state, especially the communities closer to the stadium, Aiyepeku said. The Lagos State Sports Commission Chairman indeed expressed thanks to the state governor, Babajide SanwoOlu for his unflinching support for sports development in the state. For the first vice president, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Seyi Akinwunmi, there is no negotiation on wheretheSuperEaglesLesothomatch would be played.

“We’ve been working on the Teslim Balogun Stadium’s facilities long before now. NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and I have inspected the facilities before now and we’re satisfied with what his on ground,” Akinwunmi said. Reacting to Rohr’s complaint about the grass,Akinwunmi said not matter what you put in place the coach would react like that as a way of challenging you to do better. “He reacted the same way about Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin. That seems to be his style, the first Vice President of NFF noted. With the hosting of the Super Eagles-Lesotho match, Lagos is hoping to show the hospitality of the state. The Super Eagles will host Lesotho on March 30, an a victory will ensure that Nigeria book a place to the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon with a game to spare.

Ex-captain Oparanozie still Part of Falcons Plan, Says NFF Despite being omitted from a 23-player squad for the Turkish Women’s Cup, former captain Desire Oparanozie is still part of the Super Falcons plans, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The France-based striker, 27, had been overlooked by the African Champions’ following a sit-in protest over unpaid bonuses and allowances at the 2019 World Cup in France. Oparanozie said she was not surprised by her omission from new coach Randy Waldrum’s maiden squad hinting that it was because

of the protest. But the NFF’s director of communications Ademola Olajire has quickly played down talk of a rift between the Dijon striker and the football authority. “Oparanozie is still part of the team’s plans and her non-inclusion hasnothingto do with that protest in France because she was not the only one involved,” Olajire told BBC Sport Africa. “Selectionofplayersispredominantlytheprerogativeof the coaches and not the NFF. “Sheremainsanimportant member of the women’s national side. I think she will

just have to keep working on her game and, if she gets the opportunity, then push for a consistent selection.” Oparanozie had publicly defendedherstanceinFrance that the NFF should include players left out of the World Cuppartyastheylooktopay players money owed from previousinternational fixtures over several years. “I did what I felt was right. Even if that’s the only thing I did, I’m very happy.” she said in July. Meanwhile, the squad announced by the NFF includes reigning African footballer of the year Asisat

Oshoala, veteran defender Onome Ebi, former USA youth international Toni Payne and US-born Patricia George. The continent’s most successful national side with nine African titles will depart Nigeria on 15 February for the fifth edition of the Turkish Cup tournament. Nigeria will face Uzbekistan in their opening game before facing fellow Africans Equatorial Guinea at the tournament, they had also been due to take on Zambia, who have now withdrawn from the event.

Ahly could’ve Won Club World Cup with Mane, Salah, Says Coach Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane is proud of his side’s third place at the Club World Cup and that with a player like Sadio Mane and Mo Salah the Egyptians could have doneevenbetter. The nine-time African champions equalled their best showing at the tournament by beating Brazil’s Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras on penalties in Qatar on Thursday after a goalless draw. AlAhly began their campaignwitha 1-0 win over local championsAl Duhail andthenlost2-0toGermany’sEuropean champions Bayern Munich, who went on to win the title by beating Mexico’s UANL Tigres.

“It’s a World Cup, so if you come third so I think Africa should not be disgraced about us becoming third. At least we got a medal.” Mosimane said after the win. We defeated the Conmebol (South American) champions also it’s a milestone and we won two out of three games and the game we didn’t win, I mean, very difficult to win that match. “That one we lost. But we are proud of the team. We are proud of the boys.” Mosimane insisted that he arrived at the tournament determined to win the title. “We believe we could have won the World Cup, but let’s talk about the reality. In reality it is very difficult to win

the World Cup. “You know, we played a team that’s very strong Bayern (Munich)... Maybe if I had Sadio Mane the Senegalese and MohamedSalahfromEgypt,maybewe could have talked a different talk when we played Bayern (Munich). “So let’s be honest and accept what we are and where we are and a little bit of humility and respect for football. “We got the right results. We got the bronze medal.Yes, who remembers the bronzemedal?Nobody. But at this point in time where we amongst the other teams, I’m happy to get the bronze because I had Bayern (Munich) in the semi-finals.”

Lagos Suspends Closed Camping Activities, as NSF Suffer another Postponement

he intensive and highly structured Closed Camping activities put in place by the Lagos State Sports Commission for Team LagosAthletes in readiness for the just postponed 20th National Sports Festival tagged “EDO 2020” has been put to an end. It would be recalled that the Lagos State Sports Commission Management commenced closed camping activities for Team Lagos Athletes to represent the Centre of Excellence at the Anglican House Bariga, one of the best hostels in Lagos, on February 6 to 10. However, due to the announcement of the postponement of the National Sports Festival by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development till April 8 - 22, the Lagos State Sports Commission closed the activities at the Closed Camp after training rigorously in the camp for five days. While in camp, Team Lagos Athletes and coaches disclosed that they were in high spirits in preparation for the National Sports Festival in Edo State and were always very proud to represent Lagos State. Lagos Handball male player, Yayah Owolabi stated that he was very happy to represent Lagos State, adding that, as a professional sportsman, someone must be ready to take up the task anytime being called upon. “My main target at the National Sports Festival is definitely, nothing but Gold medals.” The Head Coach, Badminton, Maria Omoneyin, stated that Training had always been the priority of the coaching crew and the players despite the postponements of the Sports Festival. Speaking during visitation to the camp, the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, expressed optimism that Team Lagos would win 100 gold medals at the Games. “We know some of our advantages and we have enough athletes full of experience to take up the task,” said Aiyepeku Also speaking, the Senior SpecialAssistant to Governor on Sports,Anthony Adeboye, disclosed that Lagos is always prepared anytime and the athletes are responding excellently well. He added that Lagos State parades seasoned sports administrators at the helm of affairs who engage young talented athletes and believe in the young generation.

Wolves vs Southampton, Madrid vs Valencia, Napoli vs Juventus, Live on GOtv Max

uperSport continues to provide quality football content from the 2020/21 football season for all GOtv Max customers, with live action from the La Liga, Serie A and FA Cup and Premier League matches scheduled for 12 to 15 February, 2021. The pick of matches from this weekend’s Premier League action sees clash between Everton and Fulham on the evening of Sunday at 8:05pm 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 Madrid welcome Valencia to Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Sunday at 4pm on SS La Liga (channel 32). Also, on Sunday, the clash between Villarreal and Real Betis will air at 9pm live on SS La Liga (channel 32). Elsewhere in Spain this weekend, Barcelona will look to claim a home win over Deportivo Alaves today at 9pm, showing live on SS La Liga (channel 32). Atletico Madrid face a tricky trip to Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes to face a Granada side with European ambitions, while Sevilla will back themselves to overcome Huesca in a home clash as they continue to push for a return to the UEFA Champions League next season. These matches will air live at 2pm and 4pm respectively on SS La Liga (channel 32). La Liga matches for this weekend ends with Cadiz vs Athletic Bilbao on Monday at 9pm, live on SS La Liga (channel 32). The headline fixture from Serie A this weekend sees Napoli welcome Juventus to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona today at 6pm, showing live on SS Select 1 (channel 33). Also, today, Spezia’s fight with Milan will air at 8:45pm live on SS Select 1 (channel 33). The weekend features another major clash when Internazionale host Lazio at the San Siro on Sunday evening at 8:45pm live on SS Select 1 (channel 33). The Nerazzurri are right in the hunt for the title and cannot afford to drop points against Le Aquile – as was the case when the teams met back in October and played out a 1-1 draw in Rome.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Marvin Akinlabi

Marvin Akinbiyi

Dream Comes True

When Wales star Gareth Bale exited the Santiago Benerbau in the summer, Spanish-born Nigerian winger, Marvin Akinlabi felt he could fill in the gap left by Welsh man, and true to type, he was drafted to Real Madrid’s first team. Since then he has been struggling to convince Zinadine Zidane for a first-team shirt. Indeed the Nigerian wing-back’s dream came true when he made his full debut for the Los Blancos against Getafe midweek

Castilla as from the 2019-2020 season, which was a step up in the career of the attacking midfielder as he was a player of Real Madrid’s U-19 team penultimate season. The 20-year-old was an influential member of Real Madrid Juvenil A squad in the 2018-2019 campaign, starring as club in 2016. they won all their group matches in the His two previous appearances prior to UEFA Youth League and helped the team Tuesday’s fixture came against Real Socie- finish second in Group V of the Division dad and SD Huesca, logging 32 minutes de Honor and reach the semifinal of the in total in the two La Liga matches. Copa del Rey. He has been on the fringes of the first Zidane has been known to monitor team after impressing in a pre-season the outstanding players at Real Madrid friendly against Getafe back in SeptemCastilla and Akinlabi had always hoped ber. to catch his eye. Akinlabi, who is predominantly a right The likes of Mutiu Adepoju, Christowinger, was deployed as a right wingpher Ohenhen and Derik Osede repreback and he caught the eye before he was sented Real Madrid Castilla in the past replaced by Sergio Arribas in the 55th but departed the club without making minute after suffering an injury. their first team debuts. Zidane explained in his post-match The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), press conference that his first change was First Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, supposed to be Vinícius for Arribas but he had before now said Akinlabi would changed his plan after Akinlabi’s injury. soon get to play for the Super Eagles “Yes, we planned to take Vinícius off. despite interest in the Los Blancos youth But then Marvin Park hurt himself and team kid from South Korea and Spain. we changed our plans,” Zidane told Akinwunmi revealed: “Akinlabi is in reporters. our plans. We are monitoring every single Last year, Los Blancos informed via Nigerian kid out there, the ones that are their official website that Akinlabi will good enough and who are willing to play represent their reserve team, Real Madrid for Nigeria. We are speaking with everyeal Madrid manager Zinédine Zidane named Spanish-born Nigerian youngster Marvin Akinlabi in his starting lineup on Tuesday in his full debut for the first team since joining the

body, but it is not everybody that wants to play for Nigeria. It is not everybody that their parents want them to play for Nigeria; (but) we are speaking to all of them, even those who are not willing.” Born in Palma de Mallorca to a Nigerian father and South Korean mother 18 years ago, Akinlabi is spoilt for choice as he is eligible to represent Nigeria and South Korea based on the grandfather rule, and can also turn out for his country of birth, Spain. In the Spanish naming customs, footballers have two surnames, the paternal goes first and then the maternal one, so he has to be referred to as Akinlabi, not as Park, but he is called Marvin by the football community in Spain. Akinlabi has been described by the official website of Real Madrid as a two-footed pacy and physical attackingminded midfielder who is a danger when he joins the the attack, and his ability in one-on-one situations also makes him a threat. He had stops at Sporting Ciudad de Palma, Tranmere Rovers, La Salle and Es Jonquet Penya Arrabal prior to joining the European champions in July 2016. Should he pledge his international future to Nigeria, he would follow in the footsteps of Madrid-born Real Madrid product Derik Osede, who switched

allegiance to the Super Eagles in 2015. A statement on the Real Madrid website, last year confirmed his inclusion in the Real Madrid youth set up. It reads, “An attacking-minded midfielder who is a danger when he joins the attack, his ability in one-on-one situations also makes him a threat. He took his first steps in the game in his native Balearic Islands and possesses a very direct style, which fully exploits his pace and power. He also has fine ability with both feet.” Before he moved to the famed Real Madrid Castilla in 2016, Akinlabi had his development at various clubs sides such as Sporting Ciudad de Palma, Tranmere Rovers, Sporting Ciudad de Palma, La Salle, and Es Jonquet Penya Arrabal. Based on the potential of Marvin, the undefined will aim to integrate him to the national team as they have done for youngsters born abroad. However, they should expect to face stiff competition from the Royal Spanish Football Federation and Korea Football Association who will want a talent such as Akinlabi in their ranks. Akinlabi helped Real Madrid win last season’s UEFA Youth League and his strike against Inter Milan was awarded the best goal of the competition.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR

THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13,2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK How to Reduce Fuel Consumption There are many different ways to reduce fuel consumption. Some are small changes in driving habits, others involve simple maintenance tips. With the seemingly ever rising prices of diesel and gasoline, engine fuel consumption is a concern for most drivers on the road these days. Because the price at the pump is affecting more people every day, many are looking for ways to cut consumption and costs. This article will discuss tips to minimize fuel consumption.

Hyundai Kona electric car

Original Land Rover Defender Ready for Exclusive Competition

and Rover Classic is continuing the formidable expedition legacy of the original Defender with a limited production run of adventure-ready Defender Works V8 Trophy vehicles for an exclusive competition at Eastnor Castle in 2021. Based on the re-engineered 2012-2016 Defender Works V8 specification developed by Land Rover Classic, including 298kW/515Nm 5.0-litre V8 petrol powertrain, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and comprehensive uprated suspension, steering and braking packages, the Trophy vehicles feature a wide range of additional upgrades specifically tailored for off-road use, according to a statement by the automaker. Twenty-five examples of the Defender Works V8 Trophy, in a mixture of 90 and 110 Station Wagon body designs, will be exclusively finished in a unique Eastnor Yellow paint colour with matching 16-inch steel wheels. Contrasting Narvik Black paintwork features on the wheel arches, bonnet and rear door.

The purpose-built vehicles also receive LED headlamps, a Heritage front grille, unique Land Rover Trophy badging and event participation graphics personalised to each customer. The Defender Works V8 Trophy is designed to tackle the most demanding endurance challenges. Additional all-terrain kit includes a front winch, multi-point expedition cage, roof rack, underbody protection, A-bar, raised air intake, LED spotlights and mud-terrain tyres. Inside, the instantly recognisable 4x4 benefits from full black Windsor leather upholstery with Recaro sports seats, contrast yellow stitching and a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown. Land Rover Classic’s own Classic Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity is also fitted. Later this year*, Defender Works V8 Trophy customers will be invited to compete in an exclusive three-day adventure at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire – the spiritual home of Land Rover all-terrain training,

testing and development. This will be the first time customers drive their car. Dan Pink, Director, Land Rover Classic, said: “The Land Rover Defender has always been more than just a vehicle, its engineering capability and suitability for overland expedition and all-terrain competition means it’s renowned with getting away from it all. The new Land Rover Trophy will bring this to life for a new generation of adventurers. “Experiences are a key part of Land Rover Classic’s DNA and this whole concept comes directly from feedback we’ve received. Our customers want to create their own stories, battle scars and patina with their Works V8 Trophy vehicles from day one, fuelling campfire chats with like-minded enthusiasts. “We’re looking forward to an exciting and memorable event, full of camaraderie, and continuing the Land Rover Trophy legend for years to come. Seeing the silhouette of these vehicles which you’ll instantly know as a Land Rover, traversing the hills at Eastnor, will be a defining moment of the adventure.”

Cars45, Asharami Synergy Collaborate on Transparency in Auto Industry

ars45, Nigeria’s leading techenabled automotive trading platform and Asharami Synergy, a Sahara Group Downstream Company have announced a partnership to deepen transparency and increase consumer satisfaction in Nigeria’s automotive industry. According to a statement by Cars45, the partnership leverages Asharami’s gold standard in safety, reliability and top-quality products superior monograde and multi-grade lubricants and Cars45’s best-in-class services across the automotive value chain (buy, sell, swap, repairs, franchise dealership and Ànancing) to deliver value to individuals and corporate clients. Speaking on the nature of the partnership, Beatrice Teluwo, Lubricant Sales and Marketing, Asharami Synergy noted that “in a market contending with quackery, we launched the Asha Lube series to safeguard and optimize the performance of engines. It is heartwarming to note that all classes of lube consumers are embracing the top performance and peace of mind our Asha lubricants give with respect to all manner of engines in generators, light and heavy-duty machines, cars, trucks, motorcycles. We are conÀdent that our alliance with Cars45 would provide the necessary Àllip to enhance service experience for consumers and the public at large.” Femi Folarin, Head, Franchise Dealership and Network Development said, “at Cars45, we are very passionate about building relationships and synergies that will grow and develop the auto industry and beneÀt the consumer as well. This partnership is testament to this commitment and also reinforces the premium we

Staﬀ of Cars45 and Asharami Synergy at the partnership signing ceremony… recently place on delivering value across the automotive ecosystem. Considering our market maker position, we will continue to drive the delivery of solutions that address the most common challenges in the market.” “Consumers are seeking pocket-friendly, safe, durable, aͿordable and high performing lubricants that provide a huge dose of “peace of mind”. We are empowering vehicle owners achieve more with our lubricants because we uphold the philosophy of getting value for money. We are also leveraging our pedigree to reposition the automotive space for a greater level of transparency, corporate citizenship and

competitiveness,” said Oluwaseun Yussuf, Head Sales and Marketing Lubricants, Asharami Synergy. Furthermore, Pankaj Bohra, Head, Retail and Technical Operations, Cars45 expressed delight that the relationship has begun to yield very positive dividends. “We have begun to receive great feedback from our retail and technical operations teams. As such we are excited about this relationship between Asharami Synergy and Cars45. Both our organisations share the values of aͿordability, transparency, quality, and safety. “Therefore, we believe strongly that consumers will get the very best under this partnership.”

13 Tips to Reduce Fuel Consumption Here are 13 tips concerning how you drive, what you have in your car, and maintenance issues that let you get as much bang for every buck you spend on fuel. Drive only when needed. The best way to reduce the fuel consumption is to simply drive your car less. Drive your car only when you really need to. If you only need to travel a few blocks, consider walking or even riding a bicycle. Not only will you save money at the pump, the exercise will certainly do you some good Make sure the gas cap is on tight. One reason you may not be getting the mileage you expect is because there isn’t as much gas in your tank as you think. 147 million gallons of gas were lost last year due to evaporation. Why did it evaporate? The gas cap was not on tight. So just make sure it is tight, and it will enable you to keep all the gas you pay for Avoid idling. When you do need to drive your car, make sure you avoid idling whenever possible. When your car is running, but not moving, your gas mileage is absolute zero. So if your car will remain stationary for more than a minute or so, switch the engine off. However, only do this when it is safe to do so Accelerate and break steadily. While driving, always apply steady and consistent pressure to your car’s accelerator pedal. A heavy foot will always result in reduced gas mileage and poor fuel consumption Drive the speed limit. Always try to drive at or near the speed limit. The optimal traveling speed for every make and model vehicle is different. However, the faster you drive, the worse your gas mileage and fuel consumption will be. Drive as fast as you need to in order to maintain a safe driving speed. But, save highway driving speeds for the highway and not around town Coast when possible. Constantly accelerating and braking only wastes fuel and reduces your car’s fuel consumption. So, whenever possible, coast and avoid burning excess fuel. This takes a little practice, but can be a great way to increase the fuel economy of your vehicle Use cruise control on the highways. Cruise control means that your car will be going at a constant velocity, which means there is no acceleration. No acceleration reduces the amount of work your engine does, and therefore it uses less gas. You should set your cruise control at the speed limit, because 55 miles per hour is the perfect speed for maximum fuel efficiency Make your car more aerodynamic. You can do so by removing the roof racks on top of the car, and also by decreasing the weight of the car by taking out unneeded items Keep the windows closed. The more aerodynamic your vehicle remains, the better your car’s fuel efficiency. Keeping your windows down while driving creates more drag and wind resistance for your automobile. If you are driving at speeds of less than 35 mph, it is usually okay to keep the windows down. However, at higher speeds, you should keep the windows up order to reduce drag and improve fuel consumption Minimize air conditioning. There will be times, of course, when summer heat will cause you to use the air conditioning system. However, use the AC in moderation. If you need to choose between keeping your windows rolled down or using the AC at high speeds, use the air conditioning on a low setting Replace dirty air filters. Dirty air filters cause your car’s engine to work much harder than it has to and always results in poor fuel economy. So, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for periodically changing out the air filter. A clean air filter allows your engine to perform more efficiently and also helps you save money at the pump Maintain proper tire inflation. Check your car owner’s manual and always ensure your tires are inflated to the proper air pressure level. Improperly inflated tires can reduce your car’s fuel economy by up to five percent in some cases. This is quite simply a complete waste of fuel and money Reduce weight in the vehicle. Get rid of any unnecessary items in your car’s trunk or other areas of the vehicle. For every 100 pounds of weight in the vehicle, your car’s fuel economy decreases by about one or two percent. By making sure your vehicle remains as light as possible, you can improve the fuel consumption of your vehicle and save money on your fuel bill. (Source: CarsDirect)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 13,2021

AUTO WORLD

Mercedes-Benz Compact Electric Car, EQA now Available

ll systems go for the compact electric car from Mercedes-EQ: The EQA is now available for order. EQA is the name of the entry-level model from the allelectric world of Mercedes-EQ. Mercedes-Benz and the German federal government support the shift to electric mobility: based on the net list price of under 40,000 euros for the EQA 250, an innovation premium of 9000 euros (government share: 6000 euros, Mercedes-Benz share: 3000 euros) is possible1. With this, the EQA costs 37,970.50 euros in Germany, including VAT. If the EQA is used as a company car, only a quarter of the gross list price is subject to taxation for private use. The Mercedes-Benz Bank oͿers attractive Ànancing and leasing terms for both private and business customers. The EQA 250 with Business Package is available on a leasing basis for business customers from 399 euros[iii] a month. The comprehensive standard speciÀcation of the EQA includes such features as LED High Performance headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, the EASY-PACK tailgate with electrically operated opening and closing, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, ambient lighting with 64 colours, a double cup holder, luxury seats with four-way adjustable lumbar support, a reversing camera for added convenience and a better overview when manoeuvring, and a multifunction sports steering wheel in leather. Also included as standard are the intuitively operated infotainment system MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) and the Navigation with Electric Intelligence system. With ‘green charging’, Mercedes me Charge

footprint. The EQA comes with one year of Mercedes me Charge included. For Mercedes me Charge customers in Europe, this includes ‘green charging’ during this period at no extra cost. Various available packages also allow Mercedes-EQ customers to charge at the IONITY fast charging stations at a discounted price of € 0.29/kWh. These include, for example, the Business Package EQ (1172.15 euros). Along with “Remote and Charging Services Premium”, this comprises the Connectivity Package Navigation (a combination of Mercedes me connect services and hard-disc navigation), Tra΀c Sign Assist, heated seats for the driver and front passenger, Smartphone Integration and pre-installation for the digital key handover.

Mercedes-Benz EQA, compact electric car supplies detailed guarantees of origin proving that the charging energy used with Mercedes me Charge is being fed into the grid from renewable

sources. This means that EQA drivers can be ‘green’ when they charge at any of the 175,000 charging points across Europe, and further reduce the carbon

Colour coding: Electric Art and Edition 1 with GHWDLOV VSHFLÀF WR 0HUFHGHV (4 The EQA is available as an option in the Electric Art variant (940.10 euros) speciÀc to Mercedes-EQ. Highlights of colour in sophisticated rosé gold are used in the upholstery and on the air vents, while the trim element is back-lit. The equipment line also includes special 18-inch light-alloy wheels. For a limited period only after the market launch, an Edition 1 model will be available (8520.40 euros extra). The exterior of this limited-edition special model combines elements of the Night Package with AMG bodystyling. The sporty look is rounded oͿ by 20-inch wheels. In the interior, the back-lit trim panel, along with blue decorative topstitching in the seats and doors, provide additional highlights. A complex pattern of perforations in the leather seats allows glimpses of a fabric in the hallmark Mercedes-EQ colour Pure Blue.

Toyota Aims at Early 2020s for Autonomous EV Mobility Services Toyota has outlined plans for its innovative e-Palette autonomous electric vehicles to provide practical on-demand transport services for customers in different markets and regions in the early 2020s. Working with a range of partners, the autonomous vehicles will be deployed at Toyota’s Woven City, a fully connected prototype city of tomorrow being built in the foothills of Mount Fuji in Japan, the automaker said in a statement. This real-world testing will pave the way for commercial operation in the next few years with automated e-Palette vehicles delivering goods, services and mobility to people when and where they are needed (Autono-MaaS1). Toyota’s e-Palette symbolises the global company’s transition from carmaker to mobility provider, going beyond the scope of conventional cars to offer new services and value. Development of the e-Palette also recognises that COVID-19 has changed the way people lead their lives, creating more diverse mobility needs. These include physical distancing between passengers and greater demand for goods and services to be brought to people, rather than people travelling to receive them. An ageing society will generate further mobility

issues and increase demand for new services that the e-Palette and other Autono-MaaS options can help address. To meet these types of demands, Toyota has developed an advanced e-Palette operations management system that is designed to reduce customer waiting times, ensure safety and alleviate congestion. It has applied the renowned “just-in-time” principle that is central to Toyota’s vehicle manufacturing processes, enablinge-Palette vehicles to “go where they are needed, when needed and on time” delivering goods and providing services. An Autonomous Mobility Management System (AMMS) dispatches vehicles when and where they are needed while a Task Assignment Platform provides a visual computer interface that enables easy monitoring of vehicles by workers at a control centre. Schedules can be changed as necessary, with vehicles dispatched and returned automatically based on real-time mobility needs. When extra vehicles are required, operating intervals can be adjusted to ensure even spacing of services. Any vehicle problems are automatically detected; the affected vehicle is returned to the depot and a replacement is dispatched immediately to maintain smooth service.

Toyota’s concept car for autonomous EV mobility

Road Accidents Immune Delusion Syndrome

oday, I wish to draw the curtains on my focus on RAIDS, an acronym for ROAD ACCIDENT IMMUNE DELUSION SYNDROME. I do not know if you read the first part published last week. If you did, I do not know if you were touched by the circumstances of Lamide’s death. If you were, then I believe you will equally be worried by the circumstances of the other cases that will be cited in the concluding part I am sure you still remember the lone fatal crash which occurred on 8th December, 2020 at the Rigachikun bridge along Zaria – Kaduna road. It involved a Toyota commercial bus which left seventeen passengers dead as a result of speed violation and tyre burst. There was also the headon collision involving a white Sienna Bus and a Sharon Bus which resulted to an inferno that burnt seventeen passengers beyond recognition along the Akwanga –Keffi road on 9th January, 2021. Last year, there were worst scenarios involving articulated and heavy duty vehicles operators who convey livestock and perishable goods across the country. It is common practice for drivers of these vehicles to overload their trucks with goods while passengers “perch” on the trucks for long distant trips of more than 800km, thus exposing the passengers to obvious traffic hazards. I hope to focus on this category of irresponsible driving and the havoc they create as well as current government effort

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

to redress this next week. For today, please allow me to re-paint with the same brush two other tragedies .The first one involved 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. This incident, according to my friend, involved a commuter bus and a trailer. There was yet another tragedy: the death of a retired officer. I never met Lamide, neither did I know Cynthia. However, I met the officer just once in the course of my career which has taken me across some parts of our beautiful country. I would prefer to refer to him as Emeka. Those who knew him testified that he was a dedicated officer .Our meeting was incidental. I had just been posted to the Federal Capital Territory some years back as Sector Commander from Imo State where I was Sector Commander for barely

eight months. Shortly, on assumption, I proceeded on courtesy visits to various offices. After the visit, I stopped over to see Emeka whose flowery praise of the Corps made me taller than I am. That brief meeting left me with great admiration for Emeka. We never met again at close range until recently when the news of his death hit me. According to a report, Emeka was involved in a crash shortly after leaving the construction site where he had gone to inspect the construction of his personal property where he hoped to retire. The report quoted a source who said that ‘’He was driving home after checking some a structure being erected when a motorist veered off its track and headed straight for him”. In an effort to avert a head-on collision, Emeka veered off the road and hit a pole. During his funeral, accolades were poured on the tough but amiable and soft spoken officer. Some described him as hardworking and passionate .For others, he was a model of an officer. Same accolades must have been poured on Lamide and Cynthia. Same for those not lucky to survive crashes caused by one irresponsible driver. As I write, I am not aware of the fate of the driver responsible for Emeka’s crash and ultimate death. May be he died also or he sustained injuries but survived the crash. Whatever his plight, Emeka is no more. His family has been left behind to mourn his loss and to suffer the trauma of losing a loved one; one who served his country and was neither felled by the enemy’s bullet nor of terrorists. He did

not die travelling on a long distance journey or on a night trip. He died through a crash caused by a reckless and irresponsible driver. An x-ray of these crashes will reveal one prevailing factor which is RAIDS. RAIDS is therefore an attitudinal challenge among road users that often leads to avoidable crashes. Although these crashes could also be attributed to mechanical and environmental factors, majority of them are linked to human factor (attitude): brake failure, loss of control, speed violation, fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance culture, drunk driving, distracted driving and other related factors These attitudes form what we describe as delusion among a handful of drivers which has been my focus since last week. The crashes and deaths cited occurred because of what we call immunity delusion-“delusion is an idiosyncratic belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder”. RAIDS therefore, refer to a delusional situation under which motorists operate as if immuned from road traffic crashes. This has remained a recurring trend over the years and no doubt, pose a major threat to the Federal Road Safety Corps renewed drive to change the narrative on road traffic crashes in Nigeria. What this means is that the typical road user is unfazed by the numerous arguments put together by the Federal Road Safety Corps to tilt irresponsible driving. There are those who brag about their faith in God Almighty. This category will be quick to reject death through road traffic crash yet they will indulge in night travel despite the inherent risk involved.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 13, 2021

POLITY

Smuggling, a Booming Business in Katsina State Francis Sardauna

he continued closure of Nigeria-Niger border at Jibia town, Katsina State by the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive for its reopening is not yielding any positive results as smuggling of contrabands into Nigeria remained a daily occurrence at the border town. On December 31, 2020, Buhari approved the immediate reopening of all land borders in Nigeria following the earlier reopening of Seme, Illela, Maigatare and Mfum after 15 months of outright closure that stoked stern criticism across Africa. While the President directed immediate reopening of the land borders, he did not approve the importation of rice, vegetable oil, second-hand clothes and other contrabands, but the items are discreetly smuggled into the country via illegal routes at the border towns in Katsina under the cover of darkness. Buhari’s directive was conveyed in a three-paragraph circular issued by the Comptroller General of Immigration Service (CGI), Mr. Muhammed Babandede and addressed to all comptrollers of Immigration in all border states of the federation, including Katsina. The circular christened, “Presidential Directive on Reopening of all Land Borders and Submission of Status reports on its Implementation”, was received by the Katsina State Comptroller of Immigration, Abdulrazak Mu’azu on January 13, 2021. It reads: “I am directed to convey the approval of His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the reopening of all land borders with effect from 31st December, 2020 following the earlier reopening of the four land borders (Seme, Illela, Maigatare and Mfum). “Consequently, all comptrollers of Immigration Service in all border states as well as Officers in Charge of all border control posts (Mega, medium and mini) are hereby directed to work in close synergy with other relevant agencies towards the successful implementation of the President’s directive. You are further required to forward a report of immediate compliance with this directive”. Consequently, there was ceremonial reopening of the Nigeria-Niger border on January 14, 2021 which was well-attended by traders within and outside the country, including the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration in charge of the border, DCI H. Ibrahim, customs officers and police at the frontier of the border in Jibia town. However, investigation by THISDAY revealed that officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service stationed at the frontier of the border have flouted the presidential directive by closing the border few hours after it was reopened by the Immigration boss. The flouting of Buhari’s directive also affected three other recognised border posts with Niger Republic—Kongolom in Mai’Adua, Babban Mutum in Baure and Dankama in Kaita Local Government Areas of the state, while smuggling of counterfeits still persists in the areas. THISDAY uncovered the contravention of the directive during a

visit to Jibia border post in Jibia Local Government Area of the state, with residents alleging that the customs officers closed the border to continue their illegal activities in the area. During the visit to the border town, THISDAY also observed that the officials of the Customs service restricted human and vehicular movement across the border post while its main entrance was under lock despite the directive of the president. Investigation further revealed that the operatives of the Service denied traders and travellers entry and exit at the border town, including selling of fuel in communities close to the border post. There was restriction of movement as checking of goods and vehicles remained in place at the more than 30 checkpoints mounted by armed customs and police officers along Katsina-Jibia highway. The customs service, however, justified its action on the ground that it had not received a formal directive from its supervising ministry to reopen the border. An official of the customs service, who spoke privately with THISDAY, said security agencies at the border post were still expecting official directives to reopen the border. Concerned about the conflicting directives, some traders in separate interviews in Jibia lamented endless extortions by Customs officers, insisting that the officers closed the border to continue with their illegalities in the area. They claimed that smugglers were being aided by security personnel, including policemen, Customs and Immigration officials, who allegedly collected money from the smugglers to allow a free passage at checkpoints between Jibia and Katsina metropolis. One of the traders, Tijjani Kabiru lamented that the border closure had contributed negatively to the socio-economic imbalance of the state and the country in general, calling for its reopening for business to thrive. He said residents and traders of the border town, who were rejoicing when the border reopened, were disappointed at the action of the Customs Service. He said: “Immigration officers came to Jibia Thursday morning; that was on January 14, 2021 where they announced the official reopening of the Nigeria-Niger border and directed us to commence commercial activities with our brothers in Niger. Unfortunately, around 2pm that same day, some heavily armed customs officers came and locked the gate of the border. As I speak to you, the frontier of the border is under lock and key. The officers are even threatening to kill us if we go there”. Another trader, Jamailu Muhammad, alleged that the prevailing extortion by customs officers and other security personnel was detrimental to trade facilitation and ease of doing business and also crippled the economy and impacted negatively on residents of the state. He said: “There are more than 30 checkpoints between Jibia to Katsina being manned by officers of the NCS, the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps. But they are doing nothing but extortion that is why they don’t want to reopen the border”. However, despite the closure of the border by the Customs officers, smuggling still remains a booming business in the state as smugglers have resorted to the use of illegal routes to ferry in bags of foreign rice,

One of the smugglers conveying smuggled bags of rice from Jibia to Katsina. bales of second-hand clothing and other contrabands. Findings by THISDAY revealed that while strict compliance appears to reign at the main border post between the two countries, illegal businesses still thrived at some bush paths and sundry illegal entry points where “unscrupulous” security operatives, work hand-in-glove with smugglers to smuggle contraband goods into the country. Some of the illegal routes the smugglers used to ferry in the contrabands from Niger Republic to Jibia Local Government Area includes Bayan Bariki, Government Day Secondary School, Magama, Dan Arau, Rainin Wayo, Alele , Korama, Gadirge, Sabon Garin Magama, Makada and Mai Dabarau. These illegal routes also served as bypass for Nigeriens coming into Nigeria. The smugglers go through the laborious route of offloading the contrabands from trailers few meters away from the official border security post and use J-5 buses, Gulf 4 and 5 vehicles and motorcycles to ferry the items from their hideouts into Jibia for onward transportation to their warehouses in Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Jigawa States and some other parts of the country.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

North-east Federal Lawmakers Assure NDLEA of Support Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

embers of the House of Representatives from the North East zone have assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, of their support in its efforts to rid the nation of illicit drugs. They gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the new Chairman/ Chief Executive of the Agency, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), in Abuja. Honourable Zakaria Dauda Nyampa, House Member representing Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency of Adamawa State who led the delegation of members from Gombe, Taraba, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno State stated that “the work of NDLEA requires continuous review of antidrug legislations and that the House members from the Zone will rally support for expeditious legislative action whenever the need arises”. Nyampa who is from the same constituency as Gen. Marwa said the group was on the visit to congratulate Marwa and assure him of their support for the Agency. According to Nyampa, Marwa’s appointment was well deserved adding that Nigerians convinced that Marwa would deliver on the mandate of the Agency. “We have followed your career footsteps as a State Governor, soldier and diplomat. You brought your experience to bear on all these positions and you excelled. NDLEA is not going to be an exception and we are beginning to see your efforts in the

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa(Rtd), welcoming Hon. Zakaria Dauda Nyampa, House of Reps member for Michika/Madagali Federal Constituency, of Adamawa State when the latter led federal lawmakers from the North East on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Thursday

last three weeks. We are confident that you will not disappoint. Just know that your people are solidly behind you”, Nyampa noted. Gen. Marwa thanked the lawmakers for the show of solidarity and promised that the unacceptable drug

use trend in the country would be reversed speedily. “The task ahead of us is daunting. But we need to tackle it aggressively. We need to rescue our younger ones including women and children who are most vulnerable”, Marwa said while urging the North

East to brace up to the challenge. “According to the statistics at our disposal, the North East is not any less affected by the drug menace. In fact, the Zone is the 4th worst affected zone in the country. We all need to work together to change the narrative”, he said.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ EBRUARY 13, 2021

POLITY

Re:Ganduje’sDangerousProposition,aRecipeforDisintegration Salihu Tanko Yakasai

n Thursday 4th February, 2021, a national newspaper carried an opinion with the above headline, which to all intents and purposes, was directed at the personal integrity of the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, following his proposal for the enactment of a relevant legal instrument aimed at nipping bud in the mud the ubiquitous problem of farmers-herders clashes all over the country thereby posing a serious threat to our peace and security as a nation. In fact, the said article was solely aimed at scoring cheap popularity by casting aspersions at the governor at the expense of finding a lasting solution to the serious security challenge now bedeviling the country. At the onset, let me categorically state that the proposal for the enactment of a law to ban open grazing or pastoralism especially by the Fulani herdsmen anywhere in the country was not made out of mischief but due to the sincere concern of Ganduje, for peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the diverse peoples of the country as a former herdsman himself who has had the bitter memories and experiences of driving his family’s herd of cattle from his rustic village of Ganduje to many parts of Kano State and beyond. Secondly, Ganduje is a bridge-builder in both words and actions having given his daughter in marriage to somebody from across the Niger and the proposition of a legislation that will threaten the corporate existence of this country will be the last thing in his mind. Thirdly, Ganduje is security-conscious and his administration has been making every effort possible to ensure the security of lives and property of the people not only of his state but the country as a whole and this is one of the main reasons why Kano State is one of, if not, the most peaceful states in the country in spite of its cosmopolitan nature and large population. Another reason why the proposition is relevant and timely is that pastoralism is outdated and uneconomical which has outlived its usefulness in an ever-changing digital world that we are living in now just like the almajiri system has become. Nowhere in the advanced world is pastoralism practiced as commercial agriculture in the form of integrated farming is now the norm. Why should Nigeria be different and continue to cling to pastoralism despite its threats to the health, lives and well-being of the herders, farmers and even the animals? Clearly, there should be a clear rethink on this issue if we are really committed to finding

Ganduje lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges facing this promising country and arm-chair criticisms will only add to our woes. As a seasoned technocrat, administrator and statesman, Ganduje is in a better position to see what other by-standers cannot foresee. Pastoralism has continued to be one of the cogs in the wheel of progress and development of this country by denying the children of herders the opportunity to acquire both Islamic and western education despite the introduction of nomadic education some decades ago. One of the lame arguments advanced by the author, despite his legal background, is that the proposition is unconstitutional. But as he is well aware, any section of a constitution is subject to different interpretations by legal luminaries and if any constitution is not in tune with the current realities on ground, it can be amended. The proposition has to go to the national assembly where it will be subjected to public hearings for inputs by critical stakeholders before passage into law. Instead of finding fault with those who have declared the Fulani herdsmen persona non grata despite settling in their states for centuries, the author has just chosen to launch an attack at his usual punching bag out of malice and mischief. What is more

flagrantly unconstitutional between those who have flouted the constitution by expelling their fellow country from their midst and the person that has proposed a law for the banning of open grazing or pastoralism for peace and tranquility to reign supreme in the country? This is mind-boggling to say the least! Like I have said, Ganduje always matches his words with actions. For example, long before the recent crisis in the southwestern parts of the country between Fulanis and their host communities, he has advocated for the resettlement of the pastoralists in Kano State especially at the expansive Falgore and Dansoshiya Forests where many amenities and infrastructures were provided such as watering points for animals, roads, clinics, housing units, etc for the benefit of Fulanis that have elected to renounce open grazing/pastoralism for a more peaceful and economically rewarding sedentary life there. What is more, pastoralism is a serious security threat to the country as it will be very difficult for crimes to be promptly detected and prevented. But if the Fulani herdsmen are settled in one area, for example, the detection and prevention of crimes will become much easier and criminals can easily be apprehended unlike in a situation where they roam about in the open. There is no doubt that whenever the country is experimenting with democratic rule, insecurity is always pervasive. During the First Republic, political crises especially in the south-west and other parts of the country led to the first bloody coup which in turn led to the devastating civil war. Likewise, during the Second Republic, political crises again brought back the military and the country was worse for it. It seems some politicians and their henchmen have not learnt from our past political debacles in their actions and utterances and whenever concrete propositions are advanced to overcome our challenges, they are dismissed with a wave of the hand by the holier-than-thou arm-chair critics. Ganduje has succeeded in transforming the landscape of the most populous state and making it the most peaceful since assuming the mantle of leadership in May 2015 leading to his re-election in May 2019. Recently, Igbo traders, who were part of a delegation on courtesy call to Ganduje by the elders and leaders of Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi Market Traders Association, Sabon Gari, presented an award to him in recognition of his magnanimity to them in particular and by taking concrete measures to boost commercial activities in general throughout the state. What is a better bridge-building across the Niger than this? Indeed, arm-chair rhetoric is the bane of this country. ––Yakasai is the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Kano State.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his security aide, Mr.Tunde Alabi of the Nigeria Police and Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Mobayo Babatunde; during Alabi’s decoration with his new rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Ado-Ekiti...recently

L-R: Chief Operating Oﬃcer, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, Ekeno Eyo; Deputy Director, Business, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, Olajumoke Akinyele; Managing Director/Chief Creative Oﬃcer, Noah’s Ark Communications Limited, Lanre Adisa; and Managing Director, Integrated Indigo Limited, Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, during the 13th anniversary celebration of Noah’s Ark Communications Limited in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chief of Staff to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ahmad Ado Bayero; Managing Director of Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Mr. Matthieu Seguin; and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, during a courtesy visit by officials of the company to the Emir in Kano...recently

R-L: Secretary, Board of Trustees, New Estate Baptist Church, NEBC, Layi Babatunde (SAN), Chairman, Board of Trustees, Deacon Oji Alala; Pastor in charge, Rev. Amos Achi Kunat; Chairman, NEBC @60 Anniversary Committee, Deacon Bola Balogun and Professor (Deaconess), Grace Otinwa during the press conference announcing the 60th anniversary of New Estate Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos…yesterday

˜ ˾ FEBRUARY 13, 2021

JOE/FAJ

THEFRONTLINES

Gumi, What Manner of Amnesty for Criminals?

JOSEPH USHIGIALE

n recentt ti times, Sh Sheikh ikhAb Abubakar b k Mahmoud Mh d Gumi G ih has been cross crossing from one camp harboring criminal elements terrorising Zamfara and Kaduna States to another in search of peace according to him. His latest peace shuttles according to media accounts saw him seeking these criminals deep into their hideouts in the forest in Zamfara state to dialogue with them. This is not the first time such a dialogue is taking place. Earlier, the governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari hugged the headlines when he posed alongside a military commander and a fully armed bandit on the front page of a national daily. Masari, despite the criticisms that trailed his intentions, he forged ahead and was the first governor to sign an agreement with bandits. Yet, the peace agreement was shortlived as the bandits reneged on it. According to Masari, “We chose to sign a peace agreement with the bandits to avoid loss of lives and property, but it didn’t yield a positive result. This time around, we will hand it over to security personnel. “In our efforts to honour the agreement between us, we cancelled all vigilantes and volunteer groups and we allowed them (bandits) to continue with their normal activities in the state,” he said. Justifying why he chose the path of negotiating peace with the Fulani bandits, Gumi stated that the ultimate desire is “Let there be peace; you all have a legitimate concern and grievances and I believe that since the Niger Delta armed militants were integrated by the Federal Government and are even in the business of pipelines protection, the Federal Government should immediately look into how something like that will be done to the Fulani to provide them with reasonable means of livelihood including jobs, working capitals, entrepreneurship training, building clinic and schooling,” Sheikh Gumi had told the bandits during the visits. Gumi’s position has been corroborated by the governor of Zamfara state, Bello Matawalle who insists that the best option to douse tension and bring an end to banditry in Zamfara and beyond is to subscribe to dialogue. According to him, “I have always been saying, the best solution and option to tackle banditry is to seek for dialogue with the bandits. If really we want to end this banditry activity, we have to sit on a round table and negotiate. “Because through dialogue and reconciliation we are able to secure the release of many people who were under the captivity of kidnappers. So, the best way out for my colleagues,

governors, is for them to subscribe for dialogue,” Matawalle said. Kaduna state governor, Nasiru El Rufai disagrees with this approach arguing that some of the governors see dialogue with the bandits as a solution while others didn’t. “We lack unity among ourselves (governors) in this region to work together to eliminate these bandits. We in Kaduna and Niger state are still communicating on how to end this problem. The Niger governor use to call me and we discuss. He is also of the opinion that Fulani bandits can never be weaned off the lucrative criminal activities like armed robbery, kidnapping and cattle rustling from which they rake in millions as compared to the miserly hundreds they receive as sales from their cows. “Anybody that thinks a Fulani man that ventured into kidnapping for ransom and he is earning millions of naira would go back to his former life of getting N100,000 after selling a cow in a year must be deceiving himself,” El Rufai stated. Querying why such an initiative should even be contemm plated, the Kaduna state governor said there was no justification with such appeasement after engaging in killing and looting of people’s property. “Why should they be compensated after killing people, destroyed their houses. Who offended them?” He asked? “I told him (Gumi) that the majority of these Fulani bandits don’t believe in religion. Therefore, I don’t believe in what he (Gumi)is doing that they should be forgiven and compensated” he, said. Since the end of the Nigeria civil war, there has never been a time such as now that the country has degenerated and tensions have risen to a feverish pitch putting the entire nation on the edge of an imminent war. It seems the sole intention of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is to suprintend over the eventual break up of the country. No thanks to his divisive and nepotistic style of mismanaging the diversity that hallmarks Nigeria. According to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, these manifestations are the products of recent mismanagement of diversity and socio-economic development of our country. “Old fault lines that were disappearing have opened up in greater fissures and with drums of hatred, disintegration and separation and accompanying choruses being heard loud and clear almost everywhere. “It would appear that anybody not dancing to the drum beat nor joining in chorus singing would be earmarked as ethnically unpatriotic or enemy of its tribe or geographical area. In short,

Where Is Nigeria Really Going?

ike numberless people out there, I am worried. Sometimes, I am frightened by the frequency and fervency of news reports flooding from across Nigeria. One is acutely unaware how political operators and stakeholders sleep at night, go out on these harassed streets...and when they meet to chat, what informs their agenda...what inspires their arguments...in what state of mind do they exit those

meetings? While one is enamoured by the capacity of politicians to explain even the most thoughtless and irreversibly unbalanced policy, project or programme as God-sent gift for the benefit of the hapless popuu lace, it is imperative that we, the troubled citizens, do not get tired of shouting from the rooftops, and on any platform of whatever stature, to the hearing and consideration of our political elite. We must not, for fear that we may be ignored or abused, surrender to the obvious escapism that attracts “disgruntled elements’, and the stain of unjustifiable mudslinging designed to muzzle dissent and so-called ‘enemies of progress’. In case you have not noticed, this country is drifting perilously to the crevices of the classic failed state... the neighbouring route to anarchy and internecine warfare. The signs are clear and present, yet our politicians run after medical aid for ringworm and it’s skin rashes, completely ignoring the more deadly leprosy. Some of our state governors hold banquets for bandits, flaunting the overarching security imperative of the devil you know is better than the angels you don’t know. Such is the hollowness of state craft that acting morose, remorseful and reformed has allegedly fetched many smart conductors of banditry huge bags of money, vehicles and other largesse. Only for the well decorated mud to hit the governors in their faces when these same largesse were found to have been used in more violent and sporadic attacks against the same poor citizens. We cannot by our perfunctory swing of statehouse cocktails and cuisines, change the meaning and intentions of banditry. Most dictionaries are fairly unanimous in their definitions of a bandit: “a robber or outlaw belonging to a gang and typically operating in an isolated or lawless area.” Invariably, with the mann ner, ease, regularity, viciousness and organisation the bandits operate in several states across the country, how else do we describe such states other than as ‘lawless’. Some of the states in the North (West, East and Central) are either on the brink of capitulating to relentless insurgency of Boko Haram, ISWAP, etc... despite the heroic efforts of the Nigerian military, though hampered by many dispiriting factors. Other states are virtually under the mercy of forest-based bandits swaggering brazenly across several local governments, reportedly

unchecked and invincible. Yet, the north of Nigeria is not the only restless topography kicked to and fro by remarkably weaponised and organised lawless elements. In the south, across the three geopolitical zones, armed robbery has virtually been rubbished and surpassed by the sophistication and vileness of latter day kidnappers and other elements. They vanish into the inner recesses of eastern and western forests, reserved or free-for-all; and sporadically and violently waylay commuters on busy highways and desolate inter city routes - shooting indiscriminately, apparently in complete disregard of casualties or fatalities. They ‘arrest’ bus-load of Nigerians, occupants of targeted vehicles irrespective of age, gender, faith, tribe or disability. They have no interest in lives that cannot be swapped for ransom. They kill ‘unprofitable’ captives, rape wives in the morbid presence of their husbands; they rape and molest children in front of their helpless parents. They torment and torture their captives, and subject them to dehumanising and degrading indignities, depriving them of care, food or sanitary condition. Many who survive must have been scarred for a lifetime, making their living outside of captivity a harrowing daily hell and nightly horror. Yet, in all these mayhem, to some of our governors and federal operatives it is the obsession with retrogressive paternalism that inspires their actions and anger. The classic idiomatic chase after superficial ringworm in apparent apathy towards the corrosive leprosy. The body language of the powers that be is that some lives matter than others. Though some will not stop reminding us that some of these nomadic usurpers are foreigners, on the. other hand, some entitled closet bigots who masquerade as ethnic champions rub it on the pain-filled faces of the majority that their kin were entitled to the fruits of the land, which by the way was not brought from heaven by anyone, and therefore their brothers and sisters, divinely designated by the tribal pedigree, should be accorded the same rights and privileges accruable to every Nigerian. Conveniently ignoring the fact of the criminality, atrocities and countless violent acts perpetuated by these same folks on innocent and weapon-less Nigerians. The other day, a state governor in the south gave a seven-day ultimatum to criminal elements who had turned the reserved forests of the state into a forest of indescribable carnage...and the palace of power erupted in misguided celebration of paternalistic fervour, declaring the fundamental human rights of certain Nigerians who should not be forced out of the state! Hello... didn’t you get the memo? Two gaffes were evident in that drama: order was to get out of the reserved forests, not the state, unless you have a legal

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

the country is fast moving to the precipice,” he warned. Since assuming office in 2015, Buhari, who’s inaugural speech was hall marked by his now famous phrase that ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody’ has not hidden his contempt for other sections of the country and opting to doggedly pursue an agenda of patronizing his ethnic Fulani and Nigeriens in every policy he enunciates. The President is giving the impression that the Fulanis are marginalised in Nigeria and therefore, under his regime, they have to play catch up. But are they? On the contrary, the Fulani represent the most entitled ethnic group in Nigeria to the point that they believe the own Nigeria. Few years back, the federal government came up with a plan to compensate Fulani criminal elements with N100b through Miyetti Allah to stop kidnapping and banditry. When the story went public, the presidency debunked it as a lie. Yet, there were ample evidence that the federal government set up a committee including former minister for interior, Dambazau. It was gathered that the offer of N100b by the federal government was rejected and a counter demand of N160b was made. The Fulani are also at the Centre of the controversial RUGA and national livestock transformation policy all to resettle them. Permit me to ask what is the business of government in a private business? Castle rearing is a personal effort just like rice, cassava and yam cultivation so what is so special about Fulani and their cattles? They are complaining of neglect, but who neglected them apart from themselves? The Fulanis chose to live a nomadic life which is their culture. So why would government now begin to spend tax payers’ money to change the culture of a nomadic people? Just when the dust raised by that was yet to settle, the federal government again announced its plans to establish a radio station solely for the Fulani ethnic group to broadcast in fulfulde only. There are a multiplicity of ethnic groups in Nigeria includd ing Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, the Fulani ethnic group is a minuscule part of this amalgam. Yet, no one has established a station for these larger ethics but why the preference for Fulani? Until Buhari came to power, the pan Fulani umbrella group was never heard from and went about its lawful business without raising dust. However, since 2015, it literally became the mouth pice of the Fulani and in some instances directs Buhari on what to do. The group has become so vocal, uncontrollable and almost like a parallel government over heating the polity. Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDEE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

permit to be there; then stop the pervasive criminal activities in an area of Nigeria hundreds of kilometres from your gilt-edged desk in Abuja; and don’t deodorise mindless criminals as innocent settlers or traders. Remove the wool, and smell the coffee! And then this: Today, we hope the two fronts of youthful expressions of rights to associate, congregate and verbalise comm plaints would not dissipate into another bloodshed, months after the actions and activities of 2020 in the same Lekki Toll Gate. We continue to plead that reason and genuine commitment to progress sive nation building will influence both the #Endsars revivalists, and the Lagos protectionists, from adding more sauce to our floundering house of commotion bulging with constipated trouble makers, and their satanic promoters. Obviously, we could have piloted this country better, more confidently, competently and proactively. Not just like a father preening over exuberant kids lured into dubious activities by neighbours who happen to be sworn enemies. This country needs a leader who can revive the spirit of oneness, of mutual trust and inclusiveness in widespread meaningful governance...not just by what he says and signs... But by his examples in the use of power, and the power and character of conduct and prompt interventions. We want a leader who will not be afraid of talking too much to his own people, who will not hide the nature and seriousness of his ill-health which may or may not impact his capacity to perform his sworn duties; and therefore frustrate the enveloping hawks and vultures around him from seizing aspect of his powers without his consent, in the illegitimate attempt at keeping the kingdom on a keel...while, in truth, they simply want to play God, and perpetuate their own agendas and some potentially perfidious policies. Let us wake up from our slumber, and face the hash facts of our glaring failures; then sit across a table of keen minds and unsullied visions...to reverse the terrible consequences of our current disabilii ties. Don’t let us fool ourselves that all is well...that it’s just a matter of time...and all that cock-and-bull stories. We are in a bad place... not just in social insecurity and creeping food scarcity... the moment is ripe for the attainment of the good, if not properly handled. Otherwise, we may have to pray that we can live long enough to regret our actions or inaction.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹ͻ , 2021

SPORTS XTRA

Nigerian Champion Usman Conﬁdent of Beating Burns at UFC 258 Ahead of today’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight title billed for Las Vegas, defending champions, Kamaru ‘The Nigerian Night-

mare’ Usman says he will beat Brazil’s Gilbert Burns to retain his title. The pair were due to meet in Abu Dhabi last July but

after Burns tested positive for Covid-19, the bout was rescheduled for December only for Usman to request a delay due to an unspecified injury.

Usman, 31, has held the title since March 2019 and this will be his third defence of the belt as he aims to improve his UFC record to 18 wins with just the

one loss. “I dictate what happens in a fight,” Usman told BBC Sport Africa. “Based on how prepared my opponents are, that dictates how the fight goes but rest assured that one thing is for sure - at the end of the fight, my hand will be raised.” The Nigerian mixed martial artist knows his opponent well, the pair having been teammates training at the same gym in Florida before Usman decided to move to Colorado. “I will always be victorious because I am just that much better than all these guys,” said Usman. “Based on how well they did their homework, the fight could go in one of two ways - they could have a fighting chance or I can just dominate like I do most fights.” Usman says that when they were team-mates, he helped the 34-year-oldBurns,whohaswon 19 of his 22 fights, but this will be

the latter’s first UFC title fight. “We spent a lot of time training together,” said Usman. “I helped him out a lot. I have even flown halfway around the world to work in his corner with him, to help him be successful, so I know him very, very well. “But over the last couple of years, we’ve kind of grown apart because I wanted something a little different. I wanted more of that specialised attention which is why I’m here in Colorado. “He’s grown up but so have I and now he gets to test all that growth that he’s had in the last two years - and test it against the best in the division.” Burns won his sixth fight in a row last May as he beat the American Tyron Woodley, who Usman beat in 2019 to win the title. Born inAuchi, Nigeria, before moving to the United States with his parents aged eight.

Salah Beats Eze to Premier League Goal of the Month Kamaru Usman

Maja Conﬁdent of Getting Past Iwobi as Fulham Visit Everton Josh Maja believes he can get the better of compatriots,Alex Iwobi, saying Fulham have a key advantage over Everton ahead of their Premier League clash at Goodison Park tomorrow. The Super Eagles striker has pointed out that the potentially tired Toffees players have less time to recover following their pulsating 5-4 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Emirates FA Cup on Wednesday night. On the other hand, Fulham have not been in action since they faced West Ham United on February 6. Although manager Scott Parker’s side have played fantastic football this season and are hard to beat, Maja has returned to

the Cottagers a slightly funny time as they are battling to beat relegation. The Bordeaux loanee is feeling positive ahead of the trip to Merseyside and confident Fulham can get a result against Everton. “I am feeling positive. Obviously a good side, got a win yesterday, they played extra-time so hopefully theycan feel a bit of fatigue from that and we can go into it feeling confident, feeling energetic, feeling positive and hopefully we can come away with three points,” Maja said. Maja has come back to Fulham after previously spending three years at the academy and the Nigeria international

admitted that he’s delighted to be part of the first team. “It was quite strange coming back, I was part of the academy so I was there for three years and it was very good years and I enjoyed developing, enjoying the coaching and growing up with friends, so it was very enjoyable time and it’s obviously special to be in the first team now because at the time I wanted to make it happen and it’s obviously happened, so I’m excited to see where it leads.” Maja played the last 11 minutes on his Premier League debut as Fulham were held to a goalless draw by West Ham United.

Jushua on the Verge of Finalising Fury’s Deal Anthony Joshua held a meeting with promoter Eddie Hearn to finalise the Tyson Fury fight, with only ‘minor details’ to resolve for the undisputed world title clash. The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion visited the Matchroom Boxing boss on Wednesday to discuss the remaining terms for his blockbuster battle against WBC title holder Fury this year. Hearn continues to exchange paperwork with Bob Arum, Fury’s US

promoter, and remains confident he can confirm the fight within the next few weeks. “Contracts have been backwards and forwards,” Hearn told Sky Sports. “Only minor details to be resolved on both ends. We’re in a good place. “AJ was in the office yesterday with us. We had a good meeting to finalise our side of stuff.” A venue for the Joshua vs Fury is yet to be decided, with a number of countries being considered as a location, including

Saudi Arabia, America, Qatar, Dubai, Singapore and China. “I hate saying two weeks, but two weeks (until an announcement),” said Hearn. “We’re on the verge now of getting this fight done. We want to make sure the ink is dry, and then we’ll go out and finalise the site details. “I’m going to keep quiet for now, which probably won’t last for too long, but in the meantime working hard to finalise what is the absolute biggest fight in boxing.”

Solskjaer Backs Shoretire for Man United’s First Team England youth international of Nigerian descent Shola Shoretire, who has been compared to former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, is likely to stay with Manchester United’s first team for the next few months, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær confirmed yesterday. Fresh from signing his first professional contract with the Red Devils, the versatile winger has been invited to train with the first team along with new signing Amad Diallo and Hannibal Mejbri. United are competing for honours in three competitions - Premier League,

FA Cup and Europa League - and the Norwegian football tactician wants a larger group of players to choose from. When asked if Shoretire, Amad and Hannibal would be staying with the first team for the remainder of the season, Solskjær answered: “The young kids? Yeah, we’ve moved Shola up with us, Hannibal will probably join us, and we’ll keep them with us for a while. “Of course, it’s a decision we have to make – are they going to train with us and travel by themselves and not be a part of the Under-23s group?” He continued: “We felt, with Shola, it was time for him to train with us.

In the Reserves games, he’s just got to travel by himself; he can’t be in the dressing room, but we felt it was the right thing to do for him. “I think it’s the next step in their development and we’ve just got to take the hit on them when they play in the Reserves – that they’ve got to travel by themselves, because they’re in our first-team bubble.” The 17-year-old Shoretire, who joined Manchester United at the age of nine, has netted five goals in 13 appearances for the U23s in the Premier League 2 this season.

Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah has won the Premier League Goal of the Month for January 2021, informs the Premier League on their official website. The Egypt international’s sensational counter-attacking goal against West Ham was voted the best in the division. England U21 international of Nigerian descent Eberechi Eze was nominated for the accolade along with strikes from Marcos Alonso (Chelsea), Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka (both Arsenal), Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (both Tottenham) and Patrick Bamford (Leeds), but they all missed out on the award. Eze’ sensational goal against Sheffield United made the shortlist, he breezed past a number of Blades players from the half-way line before nonchalantly rolling the ball into the far corner. This is the second time this season that the former Queens Park Rangers star has missed out on the Goal of the Month prize. Eze was was previously nominated for the award in November, after his eye-catching free-kick against Leeds United.

Australian Open

Novak Djokovic Battles through but Unsure of Next Game Defending champion Novak Djokovic is unsure if he will be able to play in the fourth round of the Australian Open after he survived an injury scare to battle past American Taylor Fritz. World number one Djokovic was hampered by a side injury that restricted his movement, although he still recorded a 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2 victory. Djokovic is set to meet 14th seed Milos Raonic in the next round, but said: “I know it’s a tear and I don’t know if I will recover from that in two days. I don’t know if I will step on court.” The Serb added: “This is one of the most special wins in my life. “It doesn’t matter who I was up against or at what round, to pull this through is something I will remember for ever. “In the third and fourth set I just served and couldn’t do much with the returns. I was just putting in two first serves. “I just tried to stay in there. I was hoping that whatever was happening was going to feel better and towards the end of the fourth it started to feel better.”

Tokyo Olympics President Resigns after Sexist Remarks The president of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organising committee Yoshiro Mori has resigned after making sexist remarks about women. The news was confirmed ahead of a Tokyo 2020 executive board meeting yesterday. The 83-year-old said women talk too much and are driven by a “strong sense of rivalry” during an online meeting of the committee’s board of trustees earlier this month. “If we increase the number of female board members, we have to make sure their speaking time is restricted somewhat, they have difficulty finishing, which is annoying,” Mori was quoted as saying by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. The former Japanese prime minister refused to resign at the time, but his comments had drawn sharp criticism in parliament, where some opposition politicians demanded he quit.

Saturday, February 13, 2021

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SOKAPU to El-Rufai “109 or more communities of Southern Kaduna have been chased out and are under the control of armed Fulani militias, who the press is window dressing as bandits” – Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) criticicing Governor Nasir El-Rufai for discrediting Sheikh Gumi’s eﬀorts to get Fulani militias to lay down their arms.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Inside Dangote’s Wonderland in Lekki Free Zone

ellow Nigerians, let me confess and reiterate that I have always known Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON) as an audacious businessman. I have followed his foray into the world of high stakes commodities, manufacturing and industrialization with keen interests and I had long concluded that he must possess the heart of a lion. To describe him as a serial and daredevil investor is an understatement. I will explain this fact in a jiffy. This preamble is very necessary in order to navigate you through what may be classified as Dangote’s journey through the forests of a thousand daemons (to borrow Wole Soyinka’s translation of D. O Fagunwa’s Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole). Dangote is that fearless hunter who dares to tread the road less travelled. I have had the privilege of knowing him and studying his steady rise to success, fame and wealth, since those good old days when the music sensation, Sir Shina Peters used to sing himself hoarse while chanting the praise of Lanre Tejuoso, Segun Awolowo, Femi Otedola, Kweku Tandoh, Ayo Subair, Toyin Pinheiro, Kola Abiola, Ladi Williams (RIP) Aliko Dangote, Mohammed Gobi and other yuppies of the late 1980s and early 1990s. A few journalists such as Mayor Akinpelu, Kunle Bakare, Femi Akintunde-Johnson, Gboyega Okegbenro, Kayode Ajala and yours truly managed to squeeze ourselves into the class of those members of the privilegentsia and silver spoon kids, by the power and influence of being celebrity reporters, even if we were poorer than church rats. The only journalist who was confidently and comfortably rolling with them was Nduka Obaigbena, who was already living the life of the rich and famous on McEwen Road, Ikoyi. Somehow, the name Aliko Dangote had stood out ramrod, just as he sparkled like a million diamonds. Like the rising stars of his generation, including Deji Adeleke, Sam Iwuajoku, Olu Fagbemi, and other ambitious and upwardly mobile entrepreneurs, Dangote had started his business expedition in commodities, but later dominating the business of textiles, sugar, rice, cement, flour, Salt, steel, packaging and so on. By the early 1990s, Dangote had not only become a household name, he was already on his way to being stupendously wealthy. At that stage, he was a major shareholder and Director of a bank to boot, when banking was still in vogue. The Dangote Group has since grown into a massive conglomerate, the reason he has been on the Forbes list consistently as Africa’s richest man. Of all his ventures, his cement business has been the octopus with fingers stretching to many African countries, including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Congo, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and still expanding. If you think Nigeria’s cement plants in Obajana, Ibese, Gboko are humongous, then you should see the wonders he has performed across the continent of Africa. My first encounter with the Dangote magic was the invitation extended to me and the Ovation Media team in May 2015 during the launch of his cement plant in Ethiopia. Dangote had positioned his private jets and other aircrafts to convey us in turns to Addis Ababa and back to Lagos. We then drove on luxurious buses to the site which was about 90 kilometers away. The Chinese-built technological wonder was described as stretching the limits of science and was situated in the Oromia National Regional Government, West Sheba Zone, Ada Berga District, Mugher Town. The

L-R: Femi Otedola, Aliko and Dele Momodu

site had a robust limestone reserves of about 223 million tones and the Dangote plant is the biggest in Ethiopia. We all marveled at his capacity for doing extraordinary work and the ability to see it through, no matter how daunting the task. In the past, Ethiopia would have had to look outside and beyond Africa for an investor for such a gargantuan project but Dangote was available, willing and ready to fund the remarkable project that gulped about $650 million. It is a miracle how Dangote was able to build the cement plants simultaneously across Africa, and in quick successions. After our trip to Ethiopia, I soon received a mail inviting me to the launch of the 1.5mta plant in Ndola, Zambia, in the second quarter of 2015. The plant was built to supply markets in the mining regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. This plant has an amazing reserve of 240 million tonnes of limestones. Again, I was invited to the commissioning of the Dangote Cement Plant in Mtwara District, about 400 kilometers from Dar es Salaam. That turned out to be some journey. We had to pass the night and then travelled to Mtwara the following morning. The massive plant bore the special Dangote signature and we were all proud that a Nigerian was able to show the world the stuff we are made of, as opposed the negative tales some love to spread about us. We could all imagine the incredible challenges he would have had to tackle with his team. For Dangote, it was not always about doing business and making profit. It was about developing Africa and providing limitless opportunities for the people. For example, Dangote planned to build a 50MV Captive Power Plant at Mtwara District, Tanzania. The government and people of Tanzania were full of praises and appreciation for the monumental work of this great African Ambassador Plenipotentiary in their country. Having travelled to these places, I was sure I had seen it all and there was nothing more to deliver by Alhaji Aliko Dangote but the grandmother of all projects was still on the way. And when it came, it landed spectacularly in the most unexpected of places, the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos State, Nigeria. Nothing I had read on the Dangote Refinery and it’s associated urea fertilizer factory adequately prepared me for the pleasant shock I experienced, and openly expressed, last Sunday during a visit to what

had been aptly dubbed “The DANGOTE WONDERLAND.” Our trip had been facilitated by Dangote’s bosom friend and protege, Mr Femi Otedola, a very successful African businessman with fingers in many pies, who had taken it upon himself to invite a few friends to what is believed to be the largest industrial site in Africa. Femi had called me days earlier for our periodic chats and one thing led to another and our discussions dovetailed to Dangote. “Dele, have you seen the amazing work Aliko is doing in this country at Lekki Free Zone?” Femi asked innocently. “No,” I also responded, humbly. “Dele, Haaa, Aliko is a wizard, you need to see that refinery. It is going to change the Lagos landscape and improve our economy drastically... Dele, there is hope for this country... Aliko’s investments in Nigeria is an indication that he has faith in this country and we must all draw our strength and inspiration from such serious Nigerians...” I could feel the excitement and a deep sense of admiration for Dangote in Femi’s voice. “Dele, will you like to visit the project?” That sounded like a rhetorical

question to me. Who wouldn’t want to be a witness to history, I soliloquized, before responding. I told him, I would love to and he said I should join him somewhere on Lekki Road on Sunday. Unknown to him my brains were already doing some supersonic calculations. I can’t go to Dangote’s Refinery without traveling with our crew from the Ovation Media Group, but I didn’t let out that secret. I will never miss such an opportunity to report a story of this magnitude. Femi reconfirmed our trip last Saturday, that all was set for Sunday. A few friends joined us including Lanre Alfred, journalist and author and Tokunbo Amosun, a businessman. What we saw on ground was beyond my wildest imagination. After the long drive to the place, what I didn’t prepare for, nor envisage, was another two hours of driving round the super structures! What Dangote has erected in that place is totally out of this world. The Dangote refinery is designed as a 650,000 barrels per day project and it is expected to be the biggest oil refinery in Africa and the world’s biggest single-train facility. Work has reached advanced stage, about 70 percent minimum, as I write this. A report I had read in the New York Times sometime ago was reverberating on my mind: “It is here in this vibrant metropolis of 21 million people that Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, is undertaking his most audacious gamble yet. Mr. Dangote is building a $12 billion oil refinery on 6,180 acres of swampland that, if successful, - could transform Nigeria’s corrupt and underperforming petroleum industry... Planned as the world’s largest refinery, Mr. Dangote’s project is set in a free-trade zone between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lekki Lagoon, an hour outside the city center.” Beyond being a refinery, the facility will produce three million tons of fertilizer annually on full completion and operation. Let me say with all emphasis at my disposal that this is a world-class and well thought out project. It comes with it’s own ultramodern seaport. My special thanks and gratitude to Mr Femi Otedola for making the trip a worthwhile one. And a standing ovation to Alhaji Aliko Dangote...

President Buhari, The War is Brewing For weeks, I had written passionately and copiously about an impending war in Nigeria, which many people in the corridors of power standoffishly dismissed as impossible and alarmist. Once again, President Muhammadu Buhari should be told unequivocally that Nigeria is about to collapse if urgent steps are not taken to arrest this perfidious drift towards perdition. The fire has already been ignited in Yorubaland and will definitely spread to other parts of the country at the speed of light which may be too late to quench. While I do not expect this government to feel any sense of remorse for the way it has allowed this situation to degenerate, I shall continue to place my own voice on record because I’m certain, when tomorrow comes, we shall remind them that we told them but they chose to ignore our patriotic admonition. The obstinacy of this government in refusing to take decisive actions against the recklessly irresponsible herdsmen may ultimately and eventually signal the terminal end of a great country once known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This will be a big blow to all those

who misplaced their faith in this government in 2015 and 2019. What is so difficult in doing what is right by flushing out the notoriously evil bandits from every part of the country? How can a government look on indifferently while some local and foreign rogues invade people’s lives and properties while government fails to perform its statutory duties of protecting lives and properties? But wait a minute. What shall it profit a government and a leader who God has given another chance to redeem his lost glory, some 30 years after, but stubbornly decides to repeat the same mistakes that cost him and his country so dearly! If the videos circulating from Oyo and Ondo States are confirmed to be true, about the ongoing bloody skirmishes, then Nigeria is doomed and finished and these present crop of leaders will go down in history as totally irresponsible people who watched on hopelessly as the once beautiful country was being set ablaze by some myopic, unreasonable, tribal warlords and religious terrorists. Shame!

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