SATURDAY 17TH MAY 2021 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

CBN Restricts Sugar Importation to Dangote, BUA, FMN Says the three firms have made reasonable progress in backward integration Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday stated that sugar importation in the country can only be done

by Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Golden Sugar Company, owned by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and BUA Sugar Refinery Limited. The central bank disclosed

this in a circular dated July 16, titled: “Sugar Importation in Nigeria,” signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, CBN, Dr. Ozoemena Nnaji, a copy of

which was posted on the regulator’s website yesterday. The CBN hinged its reason for selecting the aforementioned sugar manufacturers on the fact

that the three companies had made reasonable progress in achieving backward integration in the sector. It explained: “The Federal Government of Nigeria

under the National Sugar Development Council established the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan to encourage and Continued on page 5

Court Discharges, Acquits Ex-NBA President, Usoro of N1.4bn Fraud… Page 6 Saturday 17 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9595

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Anambra Election: INEC Excludes Soludo, Ozigbo, APGA Kicks Soludo: I'll still contest and win overwhelmingly Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Citing obedience to court rulings, the Independent National Electoral

Commission, (INEC), yesterday dropped Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) from the unveiled list of candidates for the November 6 Governorship Election in Anambra State. Meanwhile, APGA, in a swift reaction, protested

the INEC decision, alleging that the commission was substituting its duly elected governorship candidate with that of an “impostor, who is desperate to embarrass

the party”, even as Soludo boasted that despite not being listed by INEC, he was sure of taking part in the governorship contest in the state, and that he stands

to win overwhelmingly. A Court in Abuja yesterday had issued an order mandating INEC not Continued on page 5

House Adopts E-Transmission of Results ‘Where Practicable’, Opposition Walks Out Elumelu: Process, a sham, House leadership prevented INEC from addressing lawmakers NCC: Nigeria lacks adequate network coverage for seamless electronic transmission of results Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, amid a walkout staged by opposition members, with the controversial Clause 52(2) intact, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “may transmit results of the election through electronic means where and when practicable”. The Senate passed same bill on Thursday but added that the “Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) must certify that national coverage is adequate and secure, while the national assembly must approve,” before INEC can adopt E-transmission of results. Yesterday, when the clauseby-clause consideration of the bill was being done, the Continued on page 5

GOODNIGHT EMILY AIG-IMOUKHUEDE... L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Son of departed and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; his wife Mrs. Ofovwe AigImoukhuede; and daughter of departed, Dr. Mrs. Erekpitan Ola-Adisa, at the funeral service in honour of Pastor (Mrs.) Emily Okhenren Aig-Imoukhuede held at Our Saviour’s Church in Lagos... yesterday mubo peters

SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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Tears, As General Ahmed Killed Along Lokoja-Abuja Road is Buried Lucky Irabor, Farouk Yahaya grieve, say Nigeria lost a gallant officer Kingsley Nwezeh ÓØ ÌßÔË The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor and other service chiefs, senior military officers, and family members attended the burial ceremony of Major General Husseini Ahmed, who was killed by gunmen along Lokoja-Abuja Road on his way to Abuja. The burial was conducted in a solemn atmosphere at Lungi Barracks Cemetery in Abuja, amid tears by family members, colleagues, and others, who thronged the cemetery. Speaking at the burial, Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Faruk Yahaya lamented and described as very sad, the death of General Ahmed, who

was a former Army Provost Marshal and Director, Veteran Affairs of the army. "It's indeed a very sad incident given the circumstances of its occurrence but we cannot question God. "It is God that calls us when He wants. We will all go there only Him that knows when. Ahmed is gone, we will all go there," the Army Chief said. He recalled that the late Ahmed was a team player. "He is our colleague and we have been together for a long time," he said, and condoled with the Nigerian Army and the family of the departed general. The Army Chief directed the administration directorate of the army to facilitate the

payment of his entitlements. "The army will do the needful and do what is in our provisions. Chief of Administration, look into it and do the needful. "Under my command, we will improve on entitlements for those who paid the supreme price," he said. The army chief called for prayers and urged family members to pray for the repose of the soul of the departed. "I urge people and family members to pray for him. It is now time to settle all the quarrels. "Continue to pray for him and us in the army," he said, while pledging to ensure the payment of his entitlements and support his family.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the armed forces and thanked the service chiefs and the police chief for attending the burial. The traditional 21-gun salute was rendered while the flag and other insignia of military service were handed over to the wife, who was stricken with grief. Meanwhile, in his reaction to the death of the army general, former Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, BrigadierGeneral S.K. Usman (rtd), said the military would apprehend the killers of the late senior officer. “It is not just the Nigerian Army, this is somebody that was a Major General in the

Nigerian Army, a serving one. “So, it is not just about the Nigerian Army or the Armed Forces, but it is about the nation and I can tell you, no stone will be left unturned in finding those who had a hand in his murder. The killers would be tracked, arrested, and be brought to justice," he said. General Ahmed was shot dead on Thursday evening by gunmen, who opened fire on his vehicle killing him instantly. A source said the general was on his way to Abuja from Okene when he ran into the gunmen. “They opened fire on his vehicle, he died. The driver pretended to be dead from the wound he sustained,” an informant said.

A statement issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said a delegation from the Army Headquarters, led by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) Maj. Gen. Anthony Omozoje had visited the widow and other members of the bereaved family. It said members of the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association (NAOWA), led by the Deputy National President, Mrs. Stella Omozoje, also visited the family to condole with them. The late Ahmed was, in a recent shake-up in the army, appointed a Director, Veteran Affairs at the army headquarters.

HOUSE ADOPTS E-TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS ‘WHERE PRACTICABLE’, OPPOSITION WALKS OUT deputy speaker, Idris Wase, who presided over the sitting, skipped clause 52, and said it would be revisited after all other clauses had been considered. After the clauses of the bill were considered, Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader of the house, raised a point of order that clause 52 of the bill which stipulates the method of transmission of result be considered. But Wase, said the clause could only be reconsidered,

if a motion of rescission on it was moved. Elumelu argued that there was no need for rescission, since the clause had not been ruled on. However, Wase said the decision on clause 52 had already been taken. At this point, the minority caucus protested and walked out of the chamber. The bill should have been passed on Thursday but for the rowdy session which later led to some lawmakers

engaging in physical combat.

Elumelu: Process, a Sham Addressing journalists, alongside other opposition lawmakers after staging a walkout, Elumelu stated categorically that the man that spoke on behalf of the NCC told lies. He stated: "I am happy that you are asking this question and that informs why I stood up to ask him

whether this is his usual person because, in our opinion, he was telling lies. And because he was telling lies, I brought up an Act that gives room for funds to be made available for places not served by the USPF. And he agreed 100 per cent that I was correct. Adding his voice, Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechuckwu said statistically, according to NCC reports, NCC had coverage for 109,000 polling units out of 119,000

polling units in 2018. He said that means NCC did not have coverage for only 8,000 polling units. He added, "That for me presupposes over 90 per cent coverage. Two, the reference that he made about 2G and 3G, each of these frequencies can transfer data. It is very clear. So what we are doing essentially is the rule of men and not the rule of our rules." Elumelu pointed out that the walkout staged by

the opposition lawmakers showed that they were disappointed in the action of Wase. He further clarified that the issue of electronic transmission of results has nothing to do with opposition lawmakers because Hon. James Faleke of the APC also brought an amendment in agreement that results should be manually and electronically transmitted.

of judicial orders to impose themselves on the people as their rulers, not leaders.”

to INEC on July 2, and was duly acknowledged. He expressed dismay that INEC “is giving credence to some persons, alien to APGA, who had gone to procure a judgement from a Jigawa court to drop our Governorship candidate.” Oye said that “there is subsisting order of the Federal High Court in Awka directing INEC to maintain the status quo and receive the particulars of Prof. Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim submitted by his leadership and publish the same.”

Continued on page 14

ANAMBRA ELECTION: INEC EXCLUDES SOLUDO, OZIGBO, APGA KICKS to publish the name of anyone as the candidate of PDP for November 6 Anambra State governorship election. This order came as a shock to Ozigbo’s camp, after it was reported the previous day that the restraining order from the state high court Awka, which had earlier stopped the publication of Ozigbo’s name as the candidate of PDP was not renewed by Justice Obiorah Nwabunike after it elapsed. Sources hinted that Ozigbo’s camp is tensed, given the fact that he was the one who went to court seeking an order to compel INEC not to tamper with his name which was already submitted to INEC on June 2, by the PDP. Ozigbo also asked the court to grant an order that INEC should publish his name and not that of any other candidate. And that PDP should not tamper with his name which was submitted to INEC on June 2. But the court turned against him and rather refused to grant his main reliefs and went ahead to block INEC from publishing the name of any candidate of the PDP, pending the hearing and determination of the motion. Soludo’s travails may not be unconnected with the controversy trailing his nomination as the flag bearer of APGA, which resulted into a lawsuit filed before the Abuja division of the Federal High Court. In the originating summons, a chieftain of the party, Okoye Nwabuogo, is seeking an order of court setting aside the election and nomination of Soludo as the party’s candidate for the

November election. The suit dated July 6, 2021, and filed the same day by counsel to the plaintiff, Okoro Nkemakolam, is further seeking an order restraining Soludo from parading himself as the validly or duly elected candidate of the party for the said election. Listed as defendants in the pre-election suit, are APGA, Prof Charles Soludo and INEC. While urging the court to invalidate and set aside the entire primary election of the party held on June 23, the plaintiff is equally seeking an order of injunction restraining INEC, listed as 3rd defendant, from accepting the name of or recognising Prof Soludo (the 2nd Defendant), as the candidate of APGA (the 1st defendant), for the Anambra State gubernatorial election scheduled to hold on November 6, 2021.

Soludo: I Will Win

Overwhelmingly In a press statement made available to THISDAY in Awka by Soludo Campaign Organisation and signed by Soludo's media aide, Joe Anatune, he urges his supporters not to despair over the exclusion of his name on the INEC list, urging them to have faith. Part of the statement read: "Our millions of supporters in Anambra State and elsewhere in the world are advised not to be dispirited by the publication. Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo will participate in the governorship election as the APGA candidate. "His nomination was strictly in line with the Electoral Law and INEC guidelines. INEC observed the APGA Congress on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, where he was nominated after winning 93.4 per cent of the valid votes cast in a free, fair and transparent manner which

was broadcast live on national television networks as part of deepening the democratic process in Nigeria. "Our team of dedicated and competent legal experts has studied the judgment and confident of overturning it effortlessly. The party is at liberty to nominate the rightful candidate so long as due process is followed. Soludo’s nomination followed due process religiously." Soludo said, "Millions of Ndi Anambra are understandably shocked that there are still desperate politicians in the state who want to reenact the years, which the locusts consumed. They are determined to go to any and every length to acquire power for its own sake. "We thought that the state had passed the stage where some of its politicians were moving from one end of the country to the other in the dead of the night in search

APGA Kicks Addressing a press conference at the party's national headquarters in Abuja yesterday, APGA’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Oye said that some impostors have conspired to cause confusion in APGA and embarass its leadership using INEC. He said: "There are feelers from INEC that one Jude Okeke and his co-travellers want to infiltrate INEC to publish an aspirant's name that did not make it through to the primary of APGA and to announce him as the governorship candidate of APGA.” Oye said that after its primary election was concluded, the party submitted the particulars of the governorship candidate

CBN RESTRICTS SUGAR IMPORTATION TO DANGOTE, BUA, FMN incentivise sugar refining companies in their Backward Integration Programme (BIP) for local sugar production. “Accordingly, the underlisted three companies, who have made reasonable progress in achieving backward integration in the sector, shall only be allowed to import sugar into the country.” In view of the foregoing, the central bank stressed that authorised dealers “shall not open Form ‘M’ or, access foreign exchange in the Nigerian foreign exchange market for any company,

including the three listed above for the importation of sugar,” without its prior or express approval. It reiterated that it is charged with the mandate of monitoring the implementation of the backward integration programmes of all the companies in the sector. Nigeria's National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) was designed to attract over $1 billion annually in local and foreign direct investments and create an estimated 107,000 jobs over the first ten years. Its aim is to raise local

production of sugar, to enable the country attain self-sufficiency; stem the tide of unbridled importation; create huge number of job opportunities and contribute to the production of ethanol and generation of electricity. Additionally, the plan estimates that demand for sugar would have reached the 1.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) mark by 2020. Therefore, in order to achieve this, the NSMP estimates that the country would need to establish some 28 sugar factories of varying capacities and

bring about 250,000 hectares of land into sugarcane cultivation, over the next 10 years. The bulk of this investment is expected to come from private investors. The justification for the sugar sector road map, among other factors, stemmed from the huge amount the country was spending annually on sugar importation; that significant investments had been made in developing sugar refineries, all of which were then relying on imported raw sugar; and poor complementary investments in sugarcane plantations.

The list of candidates cleared for the Anambra Governorship poll consists of those for Accord’s Ekene Nwankwo, Action Alliance’s Doreen Ifeoma Maduka Arisa, African Action Congress’Obi Sylvester Chukwudozie, African Democratic Congress’ Akachukwu Sullivan Mwakpo, Action Democratic Party’s Prince Ume-Ezeoke Afam Luke Douglas and All Peoples Congress’ Emmanuel Andy Uba. The list also includes those of the All Progressive Grand Alliance’s Chukwuma Michael Umeoji, Allied People’s Movement’s Eze Robinson Chukwuka, Action Peoples Party’s Azubuike Philip Echetebu, Boot Party’s Chika Jerry Okeke, Labour Party’s Agbasimalo Obiora Emmanuel and New Nigeria Peoples Party’s Ohajimkpo Leonard Emeka. Also on the list are National Rescue Movement’s Adaobi Uchenna Okpeke, Peoples Democratic Party was nil, Peoples Redemption Party has Nnamdi Nwawuo, Social Democratic Party-Ekelem Edward Arinze, Young Progressive Party, Ifeanyi Ubah and Zenith Labour Party has Ugwoji Martin Uchenna.

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

NEWS

News Editor Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (sms only) Email ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

Court Discharges, Acquits Ex-NBA President, Usoro of N1.4bn Fraud Davidson Iriekpen

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday discharged and acquitted the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, of the N1.4billion fraud charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Delivering ruling on Usoro’s no-case submission, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, held that the counts against him were defective as they did not disclose offences known to both Lagos and Akwa Ibom State. Justice Aikawa held that the anti-graft agency failed to establish any prima facie case against Usoro that would warrant him to enter a defence. He noted that the penal code, under which the NBA chieftain was charged, was not applicable to Southern states, for example Lagos and Akwa-Ibom, which were said to be the locations of the alleged offences. “On the whole, I hold that the prosecution has failed to establish any prima facie case. “Accordingly, the defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted,” Justice Aikawa held. The defendant had on February 25, 2021 filed no-case submission where his counsel, Effiong O. Effiong (SAN), submitted that the EFCC called only

two witnesses and closed its case because, according to him, it knew it didn’t have any case against the defendants. He prayed the court to allow the no-case submission. But the prosecution opposed his prayer and prayed the court to dismiss the no-case submission, citing the “overwhelming evidence” it said it had adduced and exhibits admitted in evidence. It also asked the court to order the defendant to enter his defence. The agency had arraigned Usoro on December 18, 2018 before Justice Muslim Hassan on a 10-count charge. He pleaded not guilty to all the counts. The case was later transferred, and the lawyer was subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Aikawa on a charge marked FHC/418c/18, which alleged that he committed the offence on May 14, 2016. Also mentioned in the charge, was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, who was described as being “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution”. Others are Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mfon Udomah; the Akwa Ibom Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe. The aforementioned names

were described in the charge as being at large. But on July 17, 2020 the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos struck out four of the 10-count N1.4 billion money laundering charge which particularly alluded to the governor’s involvement in

It’s a nullity, says caucus Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja

Members of the House of Representatives from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday in the absence of their opposition counterparts, passed the controversial three per cent equity shares for the oil producing communities in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Recall that lawmakers from the Niger Delta region protested the percentage, insisting on five per cent for host communities, which led to its postponement on Thursday. At the yesterday special session, the APC lawmakers suddenly moved the motion after the opposition lawmakers staged a walkout to brief the press on their disagreement with the non-inclusion of the electronic transmission of election results in the electoral amendment bill. Speaking on the issue before the report was laid by the Committee Chairman, the Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who explained that the House had suspended the laying of the report; so that the chairman of the PIB ad-hoc committee could go back and meet the Senate committee and let them review the position on the three per cent equity, regrets that by the time they got to the Senate, the committee had already made a decision and nothing else could

have been done. The Speaker while saying that the PIB would not suffer the same fate it had been suffering for the past 20 years assured that if there was any need in future, they could amend whatever there was to amend. Gbajabiamila said, “Before he lays, I will like to lay the background for this laying of the PIB so that we will all be on the same page and understand what has happened; so that this House would not be accused of doing anything outside our rules. Thursday, there was an issue on PIB and in the wisdom of the leadership, suspended the laying of the report; asked the chairman to go back and meet the Senate committee and let them go and review the position. Unfortunately, by the time they got to the Senate committee, the Senate had already made a decision; they had already laid the report and adopted it. “There is nothing else we could have done. Our House Rule now says that is what we have to look at. When they have agreed, which they have and there is nobody to talk to anymore, we have to come back and lay our own report, and the House will determine whether we are adopting or agreeing to that report. Otherwise, PIB will be handing inordinately.”

sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity. In his testimony before the court, an EFCC investigating officer Abdulrahman Arabo said that Udom hired Usoro who, in turn, invited other SANs to

join him at the Election Tribunal where his victory was being challenged in 2015. The EFCC witness also testified the sum of N1.4 billion legal fee paid to the SANs was drawn from the treasury of the Akwa Ibom State’s account.

DEEPENING DEMOCRACY. . . L-R: President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Dr. Ahmed Al-Jawaran; Nigeria’s representative at the Int’l Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, IPTP, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; President of the National Parliament of Montenegro, Aleksa Becic; and Speaker of IPTP/Columbia’s representative, Margarita Restrepo, during the consummation of an MoU between the Nigerian National Assembly and the IPTP in Podgorica, Montenegro...yesterday

Cosgrove, Benue Govt Set to Construct 1.29-Hectare Abuja Estate Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

PIB: APC Reps Okay 3% Equity Fund for Host Communities in Absence of Minority Members

the alleged crime. Thus, Udom was excluded from the proceedings. In what was left of the charge, Usoro was alleged to have conspired to convert the sum of N1.4 billion, property of Akwa Ibom State Government, which

Cosgrove, a real estate company in collaboration with the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), owned by the state government, has conducted the official ground-breaking ceremony of the 1.29-hectare smart estate in Mabushi, Abuja. Speaking at the event, Governor of Benue state, Dr. Samuel Ortom, lauded the professionalism and creativity of Cosgrove, noting that the state would have probably sold the empty land without the input of the company. Ortom, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Benson Abonu, explained that the process started a few years ago when a presentation was made to the executive council, where it was suggested that the property should be sold off. However, he stressed that

with the emergence of Cosgrove, which he described as a reliable investor, the state decided to partner to build an estate in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), noting that with project, the reliability of the company has been fully established. The governor noted that having looked at the design , it was obvious that the rush to buy off the structures would begin soon, stressing that he had been assured that construction work would start immediately. “The execution of the project will be actualised within schedule and I would like to express the gratitude of the Benue state government to Cosgrove investment and to say that as a government, we are going to do everything possible to support the company to bring this project to realisation,” he said. In his remarks, Chairman of Cosgrove, Umar Abdullahi, who

was represented by the Chief Technical Officer of the company, Engineer Baba Kalli, pointed out that the real estate development and general construction company, has always focused on pioneering the integration of technology and automation in real estate development in Nigeria. He emphasised that the partnership is the first that truly captures the Benue state government’s goal through the BIPC to boost economic development in the state by promoting, managing and investing in projects which maximise stakeholders value. He underscored the need to incorporate innovation in modern buildings, stressing that Cosgrove remains one of the few companies integrating vast technology and automation in construction which enhances user experience in the built-up space and creates high yield

assets. “This sprawling estate will sit on a 1.29 hectare land here in Mabushi district of the FCT and will be home to about 36 state-of-the-art smart homes. “Every real estate investor knows that the key to the value of any asset is that axiom , location, location and location. Which is why we have the space and its proximity to strategic locations within and around the FCT, close to the airport, close to many shopping malls, recreational centres, just to name a few. “Now, some of the features that home owners will enjoy in this estate which form part of our offerings, include the fibre-to-home , supported by full fibre optic cabling, automatic number plate recognition at the gate and Cosgrove is the first company to offer this technology in Nigeria,” he stated.

PDP Accuses APC of Murdering Democracy,Threatens Legal Action Urges Buhari not to assent the electoral bill Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of murdering democracy and democratic processes in the country. He said that his party would take legal action to address the passage of the electoral bill that it described as a scam. Addressing a press conference yesterday, Secondus also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to save democracy in Nigeria by not signing the bill into law.

Reacting to what happened in the National Assembly yesterday and Thursday over the partial passage of the electronic transfer of election results. The national chairman of PDP asked,“How a representative of the people enjoying their mandate blatantly turned their back on them and toed the line of a political party interest that is clearly against the people.” Secondus said that “By the choice of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to put party interest before National interest, they have vividly murdered democracy by the actions of their members in the two chambers of

the National Assembly yesterday and today. For us in PDP, today is a Black Friday for democracy. “It’s an established fact in all democracies world-wide that a free, fair and credible election is the tripod of any democracy. The action of APC in swaying their members against electronic transmission of election results clearly undermines and shows in unmistaken terms that APC is not ready to face the Nigerian electorates,” the national chairman of PDP stated. According to Secondus, “It also shows that the dillydallying of APC all the while

in amending the Electoral Act is deliberate as they never wanted from inception to do anything that will deepen democracy in our country.” He explained further, “This is notwithstanding that the party is a huge beneficiary of Electoral Reform carried out by the PDP administration. “We therefore unequivocally condemn and reject the amendment of Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly and urge President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfil his anti-corruption crusade and see this as corruption and the big scam.”

SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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

NEWS Decision on Electronic Transmission of Results Unconstitutional, Says Former INEC Director Festus Akanbi

GOODNIGHT GENERAL AHMED… L-R: Chief of Defence Staﬀ, Gen. Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staﬀ, Gen. Farouk Yahaya and the Chief of Army Policy and Plans, Major General Anthony Omozoje; during the burial of Major General Husseini Ahmed, at Lungi Barracks Cemetery, Abuja…yesterday.

FCT Conﬁrms 54 Cholera Deaths, Flags off Community Sensitisation Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has confirmed that 54 deaths out of 604 suspected cases of cholera have been recorded in the six FCT Area Councils. FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, confirmed the figures when she flagged off community sensitisation on cholera and other severe acute diarrhea diseases outbreaks in the nation’s capital. The minister expressed concerns over the increasing number of suspected cases during the flag off ceremony held at the palace of Agora of Zuba. She said that since May 2021, the FCT had recorded a total of 604 suspected cases of cholera in the six area councils with 54 deaths recorded and nine cases

positive for cholera on rapid diagnostic test. She revealed that the outbreak had affected over 120 communities across the six area councils. The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has the highest cases followed by Gwagalada and Bwari area councils respectively. The minister listed some of the affected communities to include Gwagwalada, Zuba, Shenagu, Katse 1 and 2, Tunga Gaya, Chitumu, Yimi, Ikwa, TungaMaje, Anagada, among others. She, however, advocated for good personal hygiene as well as proper disposal of sewage and refuse, good hand washing practices and consumption of safe water as means of curbing further spread of the disease in the territory. “In addition, community engagements for positive be-

havioural changes and improved sanitation and quick access to treatment are essential. Protect your water source from contamination, boil your water before drinking with a clean cup, cooperate with health officials who will come to teach you home treatment of water for domestic use and drinking,” she said. She revealed that the FCT Administration had taken several measures to stop further spread of the disease as well as provide adequate care to those affected. The measures according to her, include formation of Cholera Emergency Operation Centre, appointment of Incidence Manager and other relevant medical personnel along with stakeholders from the FCT Water Board and RUWASA, prepositioning of drugs and consumables for the free treatment of all identified

cases in both secondary and primary healthcare facilities of the FCT amongst others. In his remarks, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, who was represented by the Acting Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Mohamed Kawu, said the Secretariat was working with development partners and in collaboration with the six area councils to curb the spread. He, however, commended the FCT Minister of State for her leadership role and how to move board room resolutions to the field, stressing that her roles in successful community sensitisation and mobilisation in maternal, newborn and child health care, Universal Health Coverage activities, wild polio virus eradication and the ongoing COVID-19 preparedness and response in the FCT were appreciated by residents.

Ikpeazu: I’ll Remain, Build My Cathedral in PDP Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in ×ßËÒÓË

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has finally foreclosed his defection, assuring that he would remain with his people and “build my cathedral in the PDP”. He made the declaration in the presence of thousands of his kinsmen and the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) members led by the chairman, Senator Wali

Jubril, during the inauguration of phase one of Umuobiakwa - Owo-Ahiafor ring road in Obingwa local government. Speculations have been rife that Ikpeazu was among the governors bidding their time to cross over to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) following the gale of high profile defections that has hit PDP. But the Abia governor, who acknowledged the speculations that had been swirling around

his continued membership of PDP, stated that it was “the last word” from him about his speculated defection plan. He gave two reasons why he would not dump PDP, saying, “my people are in PDP” and “there is nothing I want in another party that is not in PDP”. He said that abandoning the former ruling party in Nigeria on which platform he became

governor of Abia would make him become a bishop without a cathedral because majority of his people are in PDP and he must stay with them. “How can I be in another party while my people are in another party. I will remain and build my cathedral where my people are,” he said, adding that he would not allow his personal interest to becloud the collective interest of his people.

Former Director of Voter Education of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, yesterday described the decision of the Senate to deny the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to transmit results of elections electronically as unconstitutional. Speaking on an Arise TV programme, Uzzi described the lawmakers’ action as sinister, and unconstitutional, saying the position of the Senate on the issue of transmission of results was capable of whittling down the power of INEC. “INEC is a constitutional body established by Section 153 of the constitution. The NationalAssembly is equally established by the same constitution. It’s the same instrument that establishes the National Assembly that establishes INEC. The constitution that gave power to the National Assembly is the

Don’t Return Looted Artefacts to Oba, Say Descendants of Bini Bronze Casters Bennett Oghifo

The descendants of Bini bronze casters have appealed to the federal government not to release the looted artefacts from Germany to the Oba of Benin, claiming that thousands of Bronzes and Ivories were looted from their ancestral shrines in their quarters at Igun, Igbesamwan and Owina, just outside the ancient palace. Their appeal is contained in a letter to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, signed by Erahuyi Isokponwu, President – Europe; and Adolor Oviasu-Oreoghene, President – America on the platform of Igun-IgbesamwanOwina Descendants Cultural Movement of Europe and America. They claimed that ever before the Portuguese explorers and Christian missionaries sojourned to Benin Kingdom, the Bronze Smiths of Igun, Igbesamwan and

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Nigerian Air Force said yesterday that 60 personnel including pilots, engineers and technicians were trained on the use of the A29 Super Tucano fighter jets which departed United States for Nigeria on Wednesday. This comes as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, yesterday winged another set of six helicopter pilots, who recently completed their basic flying training at Draken Helicopter Academy in the United Kingdom. It said the personnel comprising pilots, engineers, technicians and other specialists had completed training on the use of the aircraft in United States. “On the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, the CAS stated that

The federal government has approved N6.25 billion to kick start cattle ranching in the country with Katsina State serving as the pilot scheme. Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a release yesterday, stated that already, N5 billion had been released to Katsina State government for the take-off of the project. Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State was quoted to have made this disclosure in Dustin-ma, Katsina State yesterday said the state would lead the way in setting up ranches in Nigeria. Speaking at the inaugu-

frogged through five countries including Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Algeria before arriving their final destination in Nigeria towards the end of July 2021”, it said. He also explained that on the return path, the aircraft are expected to refuel and wait for a clement weather as they pass through those countries. Speaking during the winging ceremony of the new set of pilots, in Abuja, Air Marshal Amao reiterated the importance of the human factor as the most critical airpower component that must be enhanced and sustained for effective and efficient performance. This, he said, gave reason for the increase in manpower development witnessed in the

NAF in recent times. He said the efforts made so far were expected to place the service in a dominant position to deliver on its constitutional role more effectively, especially in the light of NAF’s involvement in several internal security operations across the country. “While encouraging the newly winged pilots, the CAS urged them not to rest on their oars as the feat they have achieved also comes with a burden of responsibility as so much is expected of them. He also advised them to continue to give their best to the service and the nation especially in the light of NAF’s involvement in several internal security operations across the country.

Owina, who “were the ancestral producers of all Benin Bronzes were our fathers and owners of over 75 per cent of the looted Benin artefacts. “During the infamous British expedition of 1897, Benin treasures that were soft targets for looting of artefacts were Igun, Igbesamwan and Owina quarters, because, these were the production or factory bases of the artefacts. “Our forebears traded on them as their core means of livelihood from generations to generations. It is absolute falsehood to continually reel out contrived rhetoric to deny the ancestral makers of the artefacts, and we appeal to the Honourable Minister, that this injustice must stop forthwith.” They stated that all the artefacts looted from the palace under the reign of Oba Ovoranmwen were gifted to preceding Obas of Benin before Oba Ovoramwen.

FG Approves N6.25bn to Start Cattle Ranching in Katsina

Air Force Trains 60 Pilots, Engineers, Others to Handle Super Tucano Fighter Jets about 60 NAF personnel, comprising pilots, engineers, technicians, and other specialists, have completed their training on the aircraft in the USA”, a NAF statement said. The air force had said Thursday that the long awaited first batch of six A29 Super Tucano aircraft were on their way to Nigeria. The fighter jets, it said, were expected to fly through five countries, notably, Canada, Spain, Greenland, Iceland and Algeria before arriving Nigeria. Spokesman of the Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, told THISDAY that jet fighters would not fly through the Atlantic Ocean route meant for bigger aircraft. “The six aircraft will be leap-

same that gave power to INEC. You do not take yours and trying to take the power given to INEC. “The power to superintend and conduct and supervise elections rests with INEC on Section 78 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and it is very clear on that point, and you are subjecting this power to the power not known to the constitution, a statutory body; in that sense, an inferior body. In the hierarchy, of course, the constitution is superior, and to amend the power of INEC, you will have to go back to conduct amendment of the constitution,” he said. Saying there was more to the Senate decision to give NIigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Assembly the power to determine the use of electronic transmission of election results, Uzzi said, “They want to tamper with the power donated to INEC by the constitution.

ration of Zobe Regional Water scheme, which was completed after 29 years of commencement in 1992, the Governor appreciated President Muhamadu Buhari for consistently driving people oriented development projects, with the release of N5 billion to the state to start the ranches. His words: “Mr. President has graciously approved the sum of N6.25 billion for ranch development purposes in Katsina State. Part out of this amount, N5 billion is already in the account of the state government and within few weeks you will see advertisement calling for interested companies and consultants that will participate in construction.”

SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 17,2021

NEWS Anti-media Bills Seek to Whittle Down Free Speech, Say Igbo Journalists AhamefulaOgbu

CHANGE OF BATON … L-R: Representative of Chairman of the occasion,Dr. Fred Odutola; wife of the new CIPM president, Mrs. Omolara Mojeed; President,CIPM,Mr. Olusegun Mojeed; past president,CIPM,Mr. Victor Eburajolo; and another past president,CIPM,Dr. Oladimeji Alo, during the investiture of 20th president of CIPM held in Lagos... recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

Heavy Rain Wreaks Havoc in Lagos Bennett Oghifo

Heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong wind yesterday caused a building under construction in Lagos Island to collapse and capsized a boat travelling from Falomo to Badagry in the afternoon. The storm water also caused flooding of most parts of Lagos, particularly areas like Banana Island and Park View Estate, and environs in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah, as well as Apapa, Ikeja and other areas, fueling rumours of possible casualty among school children returning from school on foot in the prolonged rain. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed this development about flooding in Lagos Mainland and Island, saying, Akin Adesola inwards

Law School was on standstill due to the flash floods. Slow movement at Ozumba Mbadiwe (Law School Area) as a result of the downpour. The authority said, “Movement linking Oluwaga is slow opposite PHCN installation inwards Church Roundabout as a result of flash flood. Oju-Odo is almost overflowing the bridge. Ekoro is very heavy due to flash floods and the return journey coming from Abule-Egba. “Due to flooding and construction at Alapere inwards Ogudu Car Wash, (there is) traffic backwards to Toll-gate, Emergency and beyond. Also movement from Olopomeji and Gbagada Bridge inwards Car Wash, Ifako, Ogudu, Alapere, Apostolic Church, Ojota Bridge, Motorway-7up to Toll Gate is very busy.” Most homes in these areas were

flooded and vehicles and othe possessions outside were either half or completely submerged, causing untold anguish among those affected. The flood also worsened the city’s usual bad traffic. However, the Director General of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Obafemi Oke-Osanyintolu told THISDAY last night there were no cases of school children being washed into drains or canals or the Lagoon by storm water. According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “There was nothing like that, though there was a lot of flood which was not really flood per se, just flash flood. Looking at the metropolitan and cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, you’ll agree with me that Lagos only has flash floods.” He said the government under

the leadership of the governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu prepared for the weather event, saying “we’ve done clearing the drainage and reconstructed some of the drainages that were broken and we put a lot of things in place to ensure proper chanelisation of water flow and with that in place, 90 per cent of Lagos experience what we call flash flood and I’m sure by tomorrow when the sun comes up everywhere will be dry.” He said apart from the flood issue, two other events occurred as a result of the heavy rain and strong wind. “A boat capsized; a boat that was moving from Falomo to Badagry capsized around 2:46 PM. “LASEMA, in collaboration with LAGFERRY and Marine Police, was able to rescue all of them. There was no mortality and no casualties.

Industrial Court Stops El-Rufai’s Food, Commodity Prices Moderation Investigation of Kaduna NLC Strike SloZs InÁation to 1

Bennett Oghifo

The National Industrial Court in Abuja, under trial judge, Honourable Justice Osatohanmwen Ayodele Obaseki-Osaghae yesterday restrained a Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State from investigating the Àve-day warning strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and its a΀liate unions in Kaduna State to protest the disengagement of civil servants by the state government. The strike, which crippled activities in the state, was eventually suspended at the instance of the federal government that oͿered to mediate, according to the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, “to honour the invitation of the federal government

to mediate in the dispute between labour and the Kaduna State Government.” Obviously dissatisÀed, Governor el-Rufai soon went ahead to institute the seven-member Judicial Commission, headed by Justice Ishaq Bello with 14 terms of reference, which among others is to “determine the legality of the strike and any breach of the relevant laws on trade disputes and essential services.” Regardless, Honourable Justice Obaseki-Osaghae yesterday stopped the commission of inquiry “from enquiring into, deliberating upon, investigating, procuring evidence, whether by compelling the attendance before it (by issuance of witness summon (es) or warrant (s) of arrest or howsoever members of the 1st claimant.”

James Emejo in Abuja The Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures inflation - the rate of change in the increase in prices - dropped to 17.75 per cent (year-on-year) in June compared to17.93 per cent in the preceding month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated yesterday. The NBS pointed out that the 0.18 per cent difference indicated that prices continued to rise in June but at a slightly slower increase than it did in May. It is however, the third consecutive months of decline in the headline index. The NBS stated that the moderation in prices were recorded in all the parameters that determine the headline index. According to the CPI report for June which was released by the statistical agency, food inflation slowed to 21.83 per cent in June

compared to 22.28 per cent in May, implying that food prices continued to rise in the review period but at a slightly slower speed compared to the previous month. It pointed out that the rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, milk, cheese and eggs, fish, soft drinks, vegetables, oils and fats and meat. Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce also slowed to 13.09 per cent in June, down by 0.06 per cent compared with 13.15 per cent in May. The core index recorded the highest increases of garments, passenger travel by air and by road, motor cars and vehicle spare parts, shoes and other footwear, pharmaceutical products, medical services, hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments .

A group of veteran journalists of Igbo extraction under the auspices of Onu Igbo have expressed concern with the bills sponsored by Olusegun Olubunmi, a member representing Ogo Oluwa/Surulere federal constituency of Oyo State seeking to whittle down the power of free expression as constitutionally guaranteed. A statement by the group regretted that the national Broadcasting Commission Amendment Bill and the Press Council Bill though stepped down sought to control broadcast, online and hard copy publications in the country which would serve to bridge free speech. “Our attention has been drawn to the obnoxious bills before the House of Representatives which seek to amend the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Acts. The Bills, sponsored by Honourable Olusegun Odebunmi, member representing Ogo Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency of Oyo State, understandably raised eyebrows within media circles and among persons of goodwill across Nigeria and beyond. The bills were subsequently reportedly stepped down to allow for further engagements

NBC Bars TV, Radio Stations from Naming Victims of Terrorist Attacks Festus Akanbi The National Broadcasting Commission has barred television and radio stations in Nigeria from divulging “details” of the activities of bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers in their reports. NBC, in a statement specifically directed radio and television stations not to “glamourise the nefarious activities of insurgents” during their daily newspaper reviews. Many of the broadcast stations in the country make newspaper headlines review parts of their daily programmes. However, according to a letter dated July 7, 2021, issued to television and radio stations, the regulator called for “caution” by broadcasters while reporting security challenges in the country. The letter titled, ‘Newspaper

The new President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung has restated his commitment to raise the stake in the tourism industry in the country, saying that

part of the new era was to move domestic tourism to a new level. FTAN, which is the umbrella association of the organised private sector tourism i.e. association for hotels, tour operators, boat operators, travel agents and other tourism businesses, held its elections during

2021 FTAN AGM in Abuja last week. Onung, who is Chairman, Remlords Tours and Car Hire Services, had a landslide victory with 71 votes over his challenger, Otunba Ayodele Olumoko, who got 22 votes, at the elections held

at Rockview Hotel (Royale) Abuja. Onung, who will be at the helm of affairs of FTAN in the next two years, had unveiled a 7-point growth agenda for the private sector tourism. He was the acting president of FTAN before the election, having

Reviews and Current Affairs Programmes: A Need For Caution’, was signed by the Director, Broadcast Monitoring, Francisca Aiyetan, on behalf of the new Director-General of the Commission, Balarabe Ilelah. The letter reads, “Headlines of most Newspapers daily are replete with security topics. While bringing information on security to the doorsteps of Nigerians is a necessity, there is a need for caution as too many details may have an adverse implication on the efforts of our security officials who are duty-bound to deal with the insurgency. “The Commission, therefore, enjoins broadcasters to collaborate with the government in dealing with the security challenges by; “Not glamourising the nefarious activities of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, etc.

House Concurs with Senate, Okays FG’s bn, Е 0m E[ternal Borrowing Plan Udora Orizu in Abuja

The House of Representatives yesterday, approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for ongoing external loans to the tune of $8,325,526,537 (USD) and €490,000,000 (Euros) under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan. The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the interim report on the 20182020 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan by the Committee on Aids,

Onung Emerges New FTAN President, Takes Charge JustinaUzo

with stake holders. “The NBC (Amendment) Bill intends to add “all online media” to the list currently under the control of the subsisting Act. In other words, the government, through the NBC, wants to censor online media contents the same way it currently censors radio and TV stations across the country. Given the way the NBC has recently exercised its powers arbitrarily against stations which broadcast contents that are construed to embarrass the government, this is clearly an attempt to make Aso Rock the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of all online content creators in Nigeria. “The NPC (Amendment) Bill is even much more invasive. Taken together, the proposals seek among others, to: (A). Put all board memberships and operational control mechanisms at the NPC firmly under the control of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Minister of Information. (B). Give the Council power to license and revoke licenses for media practice in Nigeria with the approval of the Minister of Information. (C). Transfer some of the collective powers of the Board to the portfolio of the Executive Secretary of NPC who will be appointed by government. (D).

taken over the mantle of leadership after the sudden death of FTAN President, Alhaji Rabo Saleh earlier this year. He is coming with a wealth of experience as he is the former president of Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and a member of its Board of Trustees.

Loans and Debt Management. Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Ahmed Dayyabu Safana explained that the terms and conditions of the loan from the funding agencies would be forwarded to the National Assembly prior to the execution of same for concurrence and proper documentation. According to the lawmaker, the funding agencies are: World Bank – $796,000,000; China Exim Bank – $2,901,026,509; Industrial Commercial Bank of China – $2,484,555,304; African Development Bank – $104,200,000; Africa Growing Together Fund – $20,000,000; French Development Agency – €240,000,000; European Investment Bank – €250,000,000; European ECA/KfW/IPEX/AFC – $1,959,744,724; and International Fund For Agricultural Development (IFAD) – $60,000,000.

SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

DILIP KUMAR: THE INDIAN LEGEND

Rajendra Aneja pays tribute to Dilip Kumar, a self-taught artist who moved generations with his silence or a simple gaze

evika Rani, the leading movie star of India in the 1940s, was impressed with the young, reticent seller in a fruit shop. His deep penetrating eyes, his ability to deliver lines extolling the virtue of his fruits and the sincerity in his voice, were intoxicating. She invited him to visit her Bombay Talkies studio. The studio gave the fruit seller a hero’s role in a ﬁlm in 1944. Though the ﬁlm “Jwar Bhata” did not do well, Dilip Kumar gradually became the most respected and loved actors in the subcontinent. Even when Dilip Kumar became a star and was adulated, he continued to refine his acting skills. When actors become stars, many of them stop acting. They rely on style, clichés and mannerisms. Dilip Kumar was a self-taught method actor. He studied human beings around him and incorporated their nuances in his acting. He is perhaps the only actor in India or even in the world, who taught method acting to himself. Dilip Kumar did not attend the acting academy of Lee Strasberg to polish his method acting skills. He simply delved deep into his personal experiences and nuanced them on the screen. None of the actors or stars in India from 1950 onwards till now, could parallel his mastery of the art. Dilip Kumar could use sheer silence, to act or convey a point. For instance, in an acting class at Whistling Woods, Mumbai, I learnt how Dilip Kumar emoted scenes with silence. In the scene, Dilip Kumar is sitting smoking and a person comes and tells him that his mother has passed away. Dilip Kumar sat motionless. He was absolutely still. The cigarette in his fingers, continued to burn. Only when the cigarette was almost finished and it burnt his finger, did he return to reality and utter the word, “Ma” (mother). Through this silent shot, without uttering a word, he emoted how the horrendous news of the death of a mother, can just freeze a person. Dilip Kumar polished his histrionic skills to a level that he could play tragic, comedy and romantic roles. He was unparalleled in his portrayals. No other actor could replace or imitate him. He could play the role of an impoverished illiterate villager. He could also get into the skin of a mill or factory worker. He could also excel as a swashbuckling, urbane gentleman. In his acting career of 50 years, Dilip Kumar performed in 65 movies like “Mela’, “Andaz”, “Devdas”, “Naya Daur”, “Mughal-E-Azam”, “Ram aur Shyam”, “Shakti”, etc. He was always scintillating. His movies, are an academy of acting lessons. Through many of his films, Dilip Kumar embodied the idea of a free, modern and secular India. During the years 1947 to 1964, when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister of India, the country was earnestly trying to tread a balanced route between capitalism and socialism, heavy industry and small-scale units. India also aimed to empower the villagers and workers. These goals were the themes of many of the movies of that era, starring Dilip Kumar and his two colleagues Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. The three of them ruled hearts for many decades in the country. They influenced fashion, apparel designs, hairstyles and even how

EVEN WHEN DILIP KUMAR BECAME A STAR AND WAS ADULATED, HE CONTINUED TO REFINE HIS ACTING SKILLS. WHEN ACTORS BECOME STARS, MANY OF THEM STOP ACTING. THEY RELY ON STYLE, CLICHÉS AND MANNERISMS. DILIP KUMAR WAS A SELF-TAUGHT METHOD ACTOR. HE STUDIED HUMAN BEINGS AROUND HIM AND INCORPORATED THEIR NUANCES IN HIS ACTING

young boys wooed girls. Dilip Kumar was honoured well. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest film award from the Government of India. He also received the Padma Vibhushan, a prestigious civilian award from the Indian Government. The Pakistan Government awarded him the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, their highest civilian award. Moreover, he received eight prestigious Filmfare Awards as the Best Actor in various films. He was honoured with CNN-IBN’s Lifetime Achievement Award and also appointed the Sheriff of Bombay city. When British India was partitioned, Dilip Kumar (earlier named Mohammad Yusuf Khan) chose to stay on in India. His films however, were admired in the entire region. Raj Kapoor was Dilip Kumar’s childhood friend and lived in the same neighbourhood, in Peshawar, Pakistan. Their childhood homes are being renovated and converted to museums by the Government of Pakistan. Fantastic gesture. Perhaps, art and music will bring India and Pakistan together and the prickly border problems can be resolved amicably. In early 2003, I made a list of people who had impacted me through my childhood and whom I should try to meet. Dilip Kumar was on my list, since his films had moved me massively, in my youth. However, the people I had approached for assistance to meet him, told me that the actor was unwell. So, my wish remained unfulfilled. Dilip Kumar continued to be dignified, perpetually polite and involved with social work, even at the peak of his fame. In 1995, when he was the Chairman of the National Association of the Blind, he attended a meeting in the home of one of the members. He enjoyed the “batata-wadas” (Indian snack). When he learnt that the young daughter of the hostess had made them, he complimented her, “My doctors do not permit me to have this snack. However, you have made it so well, I have had four pieces.” The daughter Meera, did not know who Dilip Kumar was. When she went down to see him off to his car, she was stunned to see the watchmen and by-standers staring or smiling at him. Much later, she realised who Dilip Kumar was. Now, 26 years later, she yet cherishes Dilip Kumar’s compliment. Though Dilip Kumar had stopped acting in the last many years due to ill health, he continued to be loved and admired in India, Pakistan and many other countries. He passed away on 7 July 2021 at the age of 99, as a colossus legend. He was cared for very deeply, by his wife Mrs. Saira Banu. Her loss is mountainous. India joins her in mourning the passing away of a self-taught artist, who could move generations to tears or laughter, with the twitch of an eyelid, his silent acting or a simple gaze. He will always be an inspiration. Aneja was the Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania. He has studied acting at Kemsley’s “Desert Monologues, Dubai”, Kher’s academy “Action Prepares” and Ghai’s “Whistling Woods International”. He has also performed at the Dubai International Fine Arts Festival.

COVID-19 AND MISPLACED AGGRESSION ON STUDENTS The closure of University of Lagos is regrettable, writes Victor C. Ariole

niversity of Lagos, a great brand, no doubt the nation’s pride, just ended its 51st convocation which was earlier postponed due to some internal imbroglio. That 2019 convocation that took place July 5 - 8, 2021 saw the university graduating no fewer than 15,000 students with 148 Ph.Ds. A great feat, indeed. It also attracted rich and royal Nigerians who donated generously to the cause of making Unilag greater. And as the University Vice Chancellor put it, the convocation was captioned, “A Breath of Fresh Air”. However, no sooner it ended than the toll of “delta variant” Covid-19 aggression visited the school, warranting sending home the students and closing the university that had already suffered over 20 months retardation like an incarcerated adult imprisoned for the misdemeanor of an unknown offender. Breathing a fresh air had turned soar to Unilag students including the lecturers who are in majority suffering, currently, from salary amputation as they await fair hearing from the Accountant General of the Federation. Hence a great brand, Unilag, making both the students and lecturers cry for all their efforts in sustaining the brand. In Nigeria as observed for a long time, the first lesson a Vice Chancellor learns is never to allow the federal government to be the one closing the university he/she is either managing or administering. The emphasis on “managing” or “administering” is not vague. Being a Chartered Administrator as per Nigerian Institute of Administration’s award and a Chartered Manager

as per Nigerian Institution of Management’s award, one had come to understand the intricacies of being a mere administrator and being a thorough manager. The former could be assumed a reactive leader while the latter could be assumed a proactive leader with great respect for making profit and being cost effective. Even when the federal government had transited from centralized operation of the universities by making university councils responsible, it had failed to understand the inherent value of that transition which is more, essentially, management intended than mere administration intended. In deed two vice chancellors come to mind in exemplifying that – Obe and Omotola. In effect closing a university for the fear of federal government intervening to do that smacks of panic management as against cost effective management; just as the federal government had refused to close its airports or even monitor effectively those who come into Nigeria, as most of them are said to be untraceable after leaving the airport. And contact tracing is one of the great research inventions created by Covid-19. Most of the people who came for the Unilag convocation are respected people and could be said to be abroad minded or great travellers as well as quite royal in their regalia and bestowment, including the graduating students themselves, that the euphoria of grandeur, pervading the whole atmosphere, made many unmindful of Covid-19 dangers. The enjoyment was exhilarating; and as it could

be seen, no sooner it was over than Covid-19 came exerting its own aggression on the students. The expectation would have been a great construction of isolation center befitting of grand brand. And isolation center is also part of Engineering, Biomedical and Construction Science practicals occasioned by Covid-19. One really feels for the students and lecturers who had to breach, again, the process of “knowledge manufacturing and processing”, leaving the “machines” to go dormant or stale. Unilag is a great machine/mould/engine for producing quality human beings, of course. Again, like one wrote on Oran-Algeria and the management of Pest/Epidemic, from Albert Camus’ perspective, a great citadel of learning like Unilag could have isolated itself from the rest of Lagos for a great study on the third wave of the pandemic. In deed it would have engendered a great profit for Unilag as other universities in Nigeria could have benefited from such experience to learn further about the Covid-19 pandemic. After all, a university is a place where research activities are carried out in knowing how new phenomena or expected abnormal occurrences could favour or create problems for humanity and how they could be handled. Unilag prides itself of attracting great research grants and it is not doubted at all. It could have added to its greatness, and more grants could have flowed. Yes! isolating Unilag for the accidental wave of the “delta variant” of Covid-19 could have

launched Unilag to a greater world acclaim. Again, the fear of federal government intervening to close the school could have been the fear of the University Management for closing it. Nigerian has over 150 universities and they are all running physically as it is known that weak infrastructure like electricity supply and internet access make on-line teaching and learning less cost effective than physical presence. No matter how much money is made available like the announcement of N200 million by the Honourary Doctor of Causa award laureate – Kessington Adebutu, alias Baba Ijebu – for the provision of internet facility, electricity could be a great hindrance and it is not Unilag alone suffering it, the whole Nigeria is suffering it. Physical presence still remains cost effective, and Covid-19 aggression ought to have gone with the presence of the great people who graced the 2019 convocation ceremony of Unilag instead of misdirecting its effects on the poor students and their lecturers. Like the Igbo adage goes – dog eat shit and goat bears the pain with decayed dentition. We pray for palliatives from government or from among the great donors who graced the convocation ceremony, to alleviate the pains of these students who are almost turned, now, to unsettled refugees; especially those residing outside Lagos; and, for no fewer than 40,000 students, N50,000 palliative to each of them could be greatly appreciated. Ariole is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Do we laugh or cry?

The Insecurity and Crisis that 2023 Elections Provoke

to have it. Insecurity is a good campaign material for those who seek political nsecurity and political crisis have beneﬁciaries and sponsors. For the political points from tragedies. We cannot palliate the fact that the APC used the class, it is fair game to exploit and deploy every instrument in the combat security crisis under President Jonathan against him in 2015. That is Nigeria’s repository for provincial ends. The enormity of insecurity and crisis in Nigeria ‘’dog-eat-dog’’ brand of politics – of blood and bones. does not happen without some partisan instigators. Our ruinous politics is at In April, the federal government announced that it arrested 400 businessthe heart of many of our problems. The insecurity we are experiencing now is exploitable ammunition for the men financing insurgents and bandits in an operation coordinated by the 2023 political contests. So, why will those stoking the fire stop? The pattern Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), of banditry in the north-west and the attacks in the lower Niger area lately the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Central Bank of shows a ‘’mighty hand’’ working the marionettes. Nigeria (CBN). Nineteen bureaux de change used to finance and launder Although these security threats have been immanent, the dimension they money for brigands were reportedly uncovered. assumed after 2019 suggests the extraordinary. But we cannot also explain Lai Mohammed, minister of Information, said in a press conference weeks away the inability of the leadership to take on these menaces head-on in the ago, that the government has identified highly-placed persons sponsoring early days. Thank goodness it is rising to the occasion now. secessionists in the country. Taking the word of the government for what it Bandits initially went for pupils from ‘’noiseless’’ schools as items for is, where there is smoke, there is fire. It is left for the government to bring to ransom. But they soon abandoned that taste for pupils in Christian schools – reckoning the ‘’big masquerades’’ behind Nigeria’s many security troubles. where their agency can be well noised. On July 5, they attacked Living Faith Those amassing armadas -- on both sides of the political divide – to wage School owned by Bishop David Oyedepo in Kaduna – but were unsuccessful. an Armageddon over the 2023 elections should think Nigeria first. The blood The same day, they blitzed Bethel Baptist School, Kaduna, kidnapping 121 of any Nigerian is too precious to be spilled on the slab of political ambition. pupils. And the assault on citizens in the north is not letting up. Whatever mutilation that is inflicted on the polity will take many years to Word has not been heard of the Islamiyya pupils kidnapped from their heal. The next president may spend his entire term addressing that problem madras at Tegina in Niger state since May. No alarm. No concern. No just as President Buhari has been bogged down by the security challenges outrage, perhaps because of their social footing? Some other pupils from carried over from the Jonathan administration. ‘’unsexy’’ schools have been kidnapped in the north but without alarm owing The agitations here and there all have a common denominator in Buhari. to the lack of sentimental value to the abduction, I suppose. The president appears to be the quarry in all of these. By the time he leaves There was effusive public indignation against the string of abductions office in 2023, these perturbations will likely self-extinguish. involving the Kankara schoolboys, Kagara boys and Janegbe girls. But it apBut what happens after 2023? Whatever seed we sow now, we shall reap; long after this administration. We should not cut off the nose to spite our face. pears society moved on and became accustomed to the customary nobbling. Now, bandits have changed strategy going for the ‘’great prize’’. Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com I believe they know the sentimental value of their new preference. They know abducting pupils from Christian schools will provoke reactions and deepen the religious tension and recriminations in the country. The sheer industry deployed for this T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R purpose by the freebooters validates this view. The political EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE bent in this is obvious. DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI I read Bishop Matthew Kukah’s monologue at MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO the United States Congress Commission and I was DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI uncomfortable. How did the venerable Bishop go from EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN ‘’peace campaigner’’ to doomster? The danger of a solitary MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE narrative hedged around conspiracy theories is that it creates disaffection and suspicion among citizens. And you need citizens’ support to effectively tackle bandits and insurgents. T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D When respected Nigerians reinforce conspiracy theories, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA though unintended, it unsettles an already inflamed GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, system. The solitary narrative of Christians being perseISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI cuted in Nigeria does not tell the complete story. Muslims, DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE Christians, the young and the old have all been victims of DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI insurgents and bandits. These outlaws are at war with all SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI Nigerians except themselves. CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI It is obvious the Bishop is distressed by Nigeria’s DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO security challenges – and rightly so. He is concerned like HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA the rest of us. Kukah unarguably has inexhaustible passion TO SEND EMAIL: ﬁrst name.surname@thisdaylive.com for Nigeria. Really, those who want power in 2023 will do anything

The National Assembly: A Mockery of Democracy?

gain, the National Assembly has demonstrated that it is not learning from the past. Being the pillar of democracy, it seems not to know its strengths. It is unfortunate that the members of these hallowed chambers continue to toy with our nascent democracy. The leadership of the National Assembly since the Fourth Assembly, particularly this Ninth Assembly, has failed the country. They have helped the executive to go away with maladministration. The root of our snail’s pace of growth as a country can be largely linked to the ineffectiveness of the National Assembly. This Ninth Assembly is sliding into the trench its predecessors fell into. The two major bills that would have revolutionised the political and economic fortunes of our country are yet again being rolled in the muddy water of politics and selfishness. Personal and political party interests have beclouded the understanding of those that should put the country on the pedestal of development. The Electoral Act and the Petroleum Industry Bill are two key legislations which if meritoriously passed will put the country in her rightful place. First, the Electoral Act, if electronic transmission of results is legalized, it will raise the bar of fairness and credibility of our elections. Thus, the people will consolidate their place as the giver and taker of political power. Only those with the prerequisite qualities and the people’s choice will hold public offices. For the Petroleum Industry Bill, our oil wealth, which for decades, has been mismanaged, if appropriately passed, will spread the wealth of these resources and fast-track national development. A situation where an oil producing country cannot boast of refined products and other bye products will be greatly checked. In situations like these, one would agree with those who seek the deletion of the Senate from the National Assembly. The constitutionality and maturity with which the House of Representatives leadership is employing in handling these critical national issues are commendable. Either the Senate or the House of Representatives, your membership of the ninth National Assembly will be written in gold if electronic transmission of results is emphatically stated in the reviewed Electoral Act. And if the states/regions that produce this crude oil are duly compensated for the environmental degradation this oil wealth brings to them.

Adewale Qudus Lawal, Lagos

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 17,2021

NEWS

FG, States , LGs Share N733.095bn June Allocation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday shared N733.095 billion as revenue for June to the federal, states and local governments councils. This is N127.137 billion more than the N605.958 billion shared in the preceding month of May, 2021. The three tiers of government shared a total of N640.3 billion for the month of January, N640 billion for February and N681.330 billion in March, 2021. A communique released last night after a virtual FAAC’s meeting for July 2021 showed a N733.095 billion total distribut-

able revenue. This comprised distributable statutory revenue of N585.752 billion; distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N143.652 billion and Exchange Gain of N3.691 billion. In June 2021, the sum of N87.469 billion was the total deductions for cost of collection, statutory transfers and refunds. The balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $60.853 million. The communiqup conÀrmed that from the total distributable revenue of N733.095 billion, the federal government received N304.952 billion; states received N215.572 billion while local government councils got

N161.100 billion. The sum of N51.470 billion was shared to the relevant states as 13 per cent derivation revenue. The distributable statutory revenue of N585.752 billion was available for the month. From this, the federal government received N281.624 billion, states received N142.843 billion and the local government councils received N110.126 billion. The sum of N51.159 billion was given to the relevant states as 13 per cent derivation revenue. In the month of June 2021, the gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N154.465 billion.

This was lower than the N181.078 billion available in the month of May by N26.613 billion. The sum of N4.634 billion allocation to the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and N6.179 billion cost of revenue collection was deducted from the gross Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 154.465 billion, resulting in the distributable VAT revenue of N143.652 billion. From the N143.652 billion, the federal government received N21.548 billion, the state governments received N71.826 billion and the local government councils got N50. 278 billion.

Buba Marwa Appoints Sarat Braimah, NIWA Lagos Boss, as NDLEA Charles Ajunwa

Sarat Lara Braimah, Lagos Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been appointed as Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse, by the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General, Buba Marwa (Rtd). At the o΀cial letter of appointment presentation held at NIWA Lagos o΀ce at CMS, Marina, the NDLEA boss stated that Braimah was so appointed in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural address, commemorating the 2O21 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Tra΀cking, a war which

must be fought by well-meaning citizens. According to General Marwa, Braimah was expected to synergise and collaborate with NDLEA in propagating the war against drug abuse and illicit tra΀cking through her o΀cial and private engagement as responsible and top notch o΀cer of government. Presenting the o΀cial letter of appointment and decorative pin to Ambassador Braimah, the Assistant Director, Seaport Operations, Mr. Ekundayo Williams, said that NIWA Area Manager has shown noticeable commitment in assisting NDLEA in the discharge of its duties in Lagos, hence her nomination and appointment by Gen. Buba Marwa.

Runsewe Commends Gov Oyetola for Approving Adire Osun Day Charles Ajunwa

TALKING LAW … L-R: Founding partner, Banwo and Ighodalo, Asue Ighodalo; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Ayuli Jemide; Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata; and founding partner/of counsel, Aluko and Oyebode, Gbenga Oyebode, at the 15th NBA-SBL annual business law conference in Lagos… yesterday

Former Delta Acting Governor Buried Amid Eulogies Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The remains of the former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and ex-acting governor of the state, Hon. Sam Obi, were yesterday committed to mother earth at Ute-Okpu, his hometown in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the funeral for the late Sam Obi, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed sadness at the death of the politician and founder of Oracle of God Christian ministry, describing former Delta House speaker as a focused and courageous man who contributed immensely to development of the state.

The governor, however, said that it was a thing of joy that the deceased had laudable records of achievement in addition to being a Christian minister. The governor condoled with the wife, children and family members on the demise of the former Acting Governor of the state, and advised them to put

their trust in God and avoid anything capable of causing division. He recalled his long relationship with Sam Obi, dating back to his time as councilor and council chairman in Ika North-East Local Government, saying that their relationship did not wane until his demise.

The Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has commended Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, for the reawakening of cultural fashion in the state, saying he deserves national accolades. Governor Oyetola has made it compulsory for all public and civil servants to wear the Osun State variant of local Adire fabric known as “Adire Eleko” to work on August 27, as a way of reviving the dying cultural fashion of the people noted for their artistic and cultural tourism endowments. Otunba Runsewe who is also the President, Africa region of the World Craft Council (WCC), stated that the declaration of August 27 as Adire Osun Day by Governor Oyetola, resonates with the vision and aspirations of the federal government to grow and focus on indigenous cultural tourism engagements, adding that time has come for Nigerians to embrace our indigenous and traditional “wear, eat and speak” ways of life.

House Adopts E-Transmission of Results ‘Where Practicable’, Opposition Walks Out He said, “The Nigerian people voted us to represent their interest. And in this electoral Act, we started very well, when it got to clause 52 (2), which talks about the electronic transmission of results, we could not agree as to the mode of accepting, whether to go for electronic transmission or not. In that process, the Deputy Minority Leader moved for an amendment. In his amendment, he posited that amendment should read that the next election should be by electronic transmission of results and eventually the chairman sitting (Deputy Speaker Wase) refused to listen to the amendment. “The Speaker tried to intervene and when we could not reach an agreement we had to adjourn and a decision was reached by the House that we should invite the INEC and NCC to talk about their ability to ensure that our results are transmitted electronically all over the country. “But to our greatest surprise, upon resumption this morning we found out that INEC was asked to stay back. We tried to inquire why, and they told us that it’s because they do not want INEC

to be seen to be biased and that was why they deprived INEC of coming. In the NCC itself also, they asked the Executive Vice Chairman not to show up and thereby he resulted in asking somebody in the capacity of a director to show up. Even the Director himself couldn’t even substantiate issues.” Elumelu said it was because Wase refused to allow them to move for recission on Clause 52(2) that forced them to walkout. “We have no other choice than to say that we cannot be part of that fake process where they’re depriving Nigerians of their right for their results to be counted accurately. Because e-transmission will guard against rigging and votes can count. But what they’ve done is to discountenance our agitations that let there be transparency in the next conduct of our elections,” he said. Elumeku said whatever they did was a nullity, while insisting that they would continue their agitation when they resume from their annual recess. Also, the Chairman of the House Committee on INEC,

Hon. Aisha Dukku, while brieÀng journalists said the House in its wisdom accepted the recommendation of the committee without alteration. She stated: “What happened yesterday led to the adjournment of the House to today and by the ruling of yesterday. NCC was invited because they have the technical knowledge to inform us so that we make decisions with an informed mind. The experts came and enlightened us. What NCC conÀrmed is that we have 50 per cent coverage and we have 2G/3G and that’s not enough to transmit results. This is from NCC. We cannot aͿord to disenfranchise an eligible voter because each vote must count.” On his part, Hon. Mark Gbillah said that, as an expert in the industry, transmission of results does not have to be by broadband. He stated: “Let me, Àrst of all, clarify that point further as a professional in the industry. First and foremost, when you talk about 3G and 2G and LTE, which he failed to mention, these are technologies that have to do with transmission by the Internet

or broadband. Now transmission of results does not have to be by broadband. I am surprised that somebody who is supposed to be a professional in the NCC does not know that diͿerence. “This USSD function just uses the GSM network. That is all that we need. Like text messages that is all that is required to transmit results. We do not need internet service and we have more than 90 per cent coverage of that. “And what the leader was saying about the USPF is something that this House has to investigate. In 2006, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USFP) started to collect 2.5 per cent of the proÀt after tax of the telecoms operators to date. And their function is to be able to provide coverage in underserved and unserved areas of this country. “Nigerians need to know what has the USPF been doing? If in 2018, only 8,000 per cent units were not covered, by now obviously the telecoms operators on their own have covered it and if they say the operators have not covered it, USPF has enough funds. Six months is all it takes

Cont’d from Pg 5

to cover 8,000 polling units. So there is no excuse for them to say that we cannot deploy or transmit results electronically. And I challenge the EVC of NCC to a public debate. I will personally be there to provide technical explanation and proof of what I am saying.” NCC: 3G Network, a Necessity for E-transmission of Results Available in Only 50% of Polling Units At the resumed sitting yesterday, the NCC honoured the summons of the House to explain the practicability of electronic transmission of results. Speaking on behalf of the NCC team, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska said Nigeria does not have an adequate network covering the 119,000 polling units across the country to enable the seamless electronic transmission of election results. He added that in all the polling units studied in 2018, only about 50% had 2G and 3G networks, stressing that the 4G network only exists where there is the 3G network, therefore making the coverage inadequate.

“The cultural Adire fabric revolution started with Ogun State, and Osun State governor has taken it further to a refreshing dimension, factoring international leverage and making it a citizens project which is commendable, deserving our support and encouragement,” he further explained, calling on other state governors in the country to pay more attention to the cultural tourism and indigenous economy in order to create jobs for young persons, particularly women in the rural areas. Osun State noted for its iconic cultural festival, Osun Oshogbo, is home to Adire variant, “Adire Eleko” endemic to the state, also noted culturally as “Ilu Aro” (Home of Dye). Governor Oyetola who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Wole Oyebamiji at the Osun Fashion Week held in Oshogbo, the state capital, restated the commitment of the government to diversify and prioritise the culture tourism endowments to gain the youths through job openings.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021

08054699539

Nigeria’s Untenable Rising Debt Profile

or most of this week, I spent quality time scrutinising the statistics of the Debt Management Office (DMO) on Nigeria’s liability portfolio in the last six years. I wanted a clear picture of how the accumulation progressed dangerously. According to the DMO, Nigeria’s total debt as of June 30, 2015 stood at N12.12 trillion. So, when Muhammadu Buhari took over as President, this country’s debt portfolio was N12.12 trillion. By December 31, 2020, the country’s debt portfolio had risen to N32.92 trillion. The most recent statistics from the DMO, covering the first quarter of 2021, showed that the debt portfolio had increased to N33.10 trillion. The depressing fact is that most of this country’s debts were incurred by the federal government within the last six years. When Nigeria’s debt portfolio was N32.92 trillion in December, 2020, federal government’s share was a total of N26.91 trillion, leaving a balance of N6.01 trillion to sub-national governments - mainly, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory. The implication of this is that 83.78 per cent of the nation’s debt stock, as at December, 2020, belongs to the federal government, with the sub-national governments accounting for 16.22 per cent. This comes with huge repayment commitments for the federal government and our sub-national governments. What the Buhari government has been doing in the last six years, with its incompetent economists, is reckless borrowing, and has evidently borrowed beyond its repayment convenience. This is why the federal government is in a mess with debt servicing. It recently admitted this much, saying it spent N1.8 trillion on debt servicing from its N1.84 trillion revenues in the first five months of 2021 – January to May. This puts the federal government’s debt-to-revenue ratio, a key measure of debt sustainability, at 97.8 per cent for this reviewed period. Is this not scandalous? In 2016, the federal government’s debt service to revenue was only 44.6 per cent. But by 2020, debt service to revenue had grown to around 84.8 per cent. This is why 33 per cent of this current budget 2021 is set aside for debt servicing. As more debts mature for payments, the pressure on revenue rises. In the 2019 budget, over N2.1 trillion was set aside for debt servicing. In the 2020 budget, N2.45 trillion was set aside for debt servicing. That was almost 25 per cent of the budget size. No country can attain development with this kind of humongous debt settlements. Talking further in practical terms, the federal government expended N3.10 trillion on debt servicing within 11 months (January-November) 2020, out of its N3.48 trillion retained revenue

What the Buhari government has been doing in the last six years, with its incompetent economists, is reckless borrowing, and has evidently borrowed beyond its repayment convenience. This is why the federal government is in a mess with debt servicing. It recently admitted this much, saying it spent N1.8 trillion on debt servicing from its N1.84 trillion revenues in the ﬁrst ﬁve months of 2021 – January to May. This puts the federal government’s debt-to-revenue ratio, a key measure of debt sustainability, at 97.8 per cent for this reviewed period. Is this not scandalous? for the same period. Meaning that for every N100 generated, N89 was expended on debt servicing. This puts Nigeria’s debt-to-revenue ratio, at 89 per cent for those 11 months; a far cry from the World Bank’s suggested 22.5 per cent for low-income countries like Nigeria. The huge amount expended on debt servicing, leaves the Buhari government with a little amount to spend on infrastructure. Besides, it has to take more loans and print money to fund personnel cost, pensions and capital expenditure. Printed money is also part of any government’s debt component. The manner the Central Bank of Nigeria has been printing money in the last six years and giving it to the federal government is dizzying. It has risen intensely from N2.2 trillion printed in 2016, to an estimated N10 trillion at the end of 2020. The Buhari government persistently justifies its binge-borrowing, saying it is aimed at addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit. Unfortunately, this federal government has under-performed in the area of infrastructure, considering the huge loans obtained. I can safely say that the so-called investment in infrastructure by the Buhari government in the last six years have failed to impact on the economy of this country. The so-called investment in infrastructure has failed to yield economic growth. It has failed to yield jobs for our growing army of unemployed youths. This is why Nigeria’s unemployment rate is now 33.1 per cent and that was why this country’s economy fell into recession twice. Of course, most of the lawmakers approving the loans won’t ask critical questions before doing so. They are largely rubber stamp legislators. The few lawmakers challenging Buhari’s binge-borrowing lack the numbers to stop the garbage. For me, there is no sense borrowing to fund

infrastructure like railway and airports. I don’t know of any sane society where government still puts money into things like railway and airports. Investments in areas like this should be private-sector-driven. Government’s role should be to create an enabling environment for the private sector to go in. Rational governments work to free resources for health, education and other welfare sectors. But in Nigeria, we are busy diverting our limited resources and loans to areas better handled by the private sector. That was why the then Chairman, Senate Committee on Debts, Shehu Sani, remarked that if Nigeria must borrow, it must borrow responsibly. He added: “If we must bequeath to the future generation a pile of debt, it must be justified with commensurate infrastructural proof of the value of the debt. The payment plan of this debt will undoubtedly last the length of our lifetime and possibly beyond. We must leave behind a legacy that will appease and answer the questions the next generation of Nigerians will ask.” Many will agree that the projects this government and previous Nigerian governments have been funding with loans should be private-sectordriven. The list include several railway projects, one of them going 40 kilometres into Niger Republic; ICT Infrastructure Backbone Project; Airport Terminal Expansion Project (Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt); Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project; 40 Parboiled Rice Processing Plants; Mambilla Power project; and NTA’s modernisation project. A modern government should be seen promoting Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) models for projects, using local and international companies. The Chinese government should have been approached for a BOT agreement for the railway, power and airport projects they

APC’s N37bn Campaign Fund for States One of the positives from the squabbles in the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the exposé on the huge amount the party sent to state chapters to finance the 2019 general election. N1billion. Yes, that’s how much each state got from the party’s headquarters in Abuja. This translates into N37 billion for the 36 states and Abuja. The figures of money spent directly by the party’s headquarters for the election is still not available. It will be earth-shaking when exposed. The former Vice Chairman (North Central) of the party, Suleiman Wambai, recently confirmed the amount sent to the states for the 2019 elections and gave an insight into how Kwara’s N1 billion was disbursed. Wambai spoke following allegations by the factional Kwara State’s APC Chairman, Bashir Bolarinwa, that the N1 billion was given to the Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, for his campaign. Wambai said: “That particular money (N1 billion) came with a specific template of distribution and various stakeholders, including national officers, were involved in its disbursement. The candidate, (Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq) like his colleagues

Buni

in other states, took delivery of the said funds but that was all. Its disbursement followed a template that the party had earlier approved. The money we sent was to cover logistics for elections and as I said, the template for its disbursement

came directly from the headquarters of the party and that was what everyone followed.” How did the APC, a party that persistently talks about change, raise the N37 billion sent to the state chapters for the 2019 election? Clearly, not from its members. Some federal government departments and agencies are culpable. They pumped money into the party’s campaign. The APC visibly dipped its hands into public treasury to fund elections in 2019. This was the same crime the APC accused the PDP of perpetrating in 2015 when the party disbursed N450 million to each state. When the APC took over power at the centre, it hounded the PDP leaders that took delivery of the N450 million. The EFCC still has many of the PDP guys in court for the money described as public fund. Now, under an APC government, the disbursement to each state for the 2019 election jumped to N1 billion. We are indeed in an era of change. One thing is certain: The APC will not remain in government at the centre for ever. The party will also, one day, account for this huge campaign fund.

gave Nigeria loans for. If they truly love Nigeria as they claim, they will cuddle it. What should be done now, at least to reduce this loan repayment mess? For me, all forms of foreign loans should be prohibited. We should all mount pressure on the National Assembly to henceforth, reject any loan request from the federal and state government. So, how will the Buhari government cover budget deficits and fund projects if foreign loans are stopped? It’s very simple. This government can increase its revenue by genuinely tackling diversions of revenues and corruption in revenue-generating agencies. This is the way forward. Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government steal trillions of Naira yearly. These agencies can safely fund federal budgets if they meticulously remit this money. The situation at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), as reflected in its recent presentation to the Senate’s Joint Committee on Finance and Planning, represents the corruption, mismanagement and ineptitude in virtually all federal revenue-generating agencies. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is another culprit when it comes to diversion and stealing of revenues due to the federal government. The NCS has the capacity to contribute N5 trillion annually to the federation account. This can be achieved if collection of Customs duties is privatised. Clearly, this country has no business taking loans to fund its budget if the revenuegenerating MDAs are well managed. With a good government, the corruption, mismanagement and ineptitude will be tamed, and these agencies will provide enough funds for government. The other day, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila vowed that the House of Representatives would stop MDAs from diverting revenues they are supposed to remit to the Federation Account. Gbajabiamila also agreed that the failings of the revenue-generating agencies pushed the federal government into seeking loans to finance infrastructural development. Nothing happened thereafter. Gbajabiamila and his cohorts were just showboating. No doubt, accumulated debt is hindering Nigeria’s development, especially when most of the revenue generated is used to service debt. That was why Obasanjo did everything humanly possible for Nigeria to exit all its debts. And Nigeria did. The most depressing aspect of binge-borrowing by the Buhari government is that the President is unperturbed about Nigeria’s unsustainable debt profile. Buhari is unperturbed that he has mortgaged the future of this country with debts. If we are not careful, as more debts mature, Nigeria may be plunged into insolvency by the huge repayment obligations. Is this the change Nigerians voted for? I don’t think so

545 Killed in 6 Months in Kaduna by Bandits 545 people were killed by bandits in Kaduna State in the first six months of this year. 323 people were killed in the first quarter while 222 people were killed in the second quarter of 2021. I am talking about human beings here, not animals. This is the level Nigeria has degenerated in the last six years. Kaduna State is indeed a killing field. In this same Kaduna State, 1723 people were abducted within the first six months of this year and ransom running into billions of Naira paid. Yet, we say we have a government in this country. Where is the government in the real sense of it? What we have in Nigeria today is a federal government that can’t protect its citizens. This is the tragedy of the Nigerian nation. The state governors have also failed woefully to protect citizens. Governor Nasir El-rufai is a big disaster in this direction. This governor has never been there for anybody in this state. He enjoys showboating and persistently spins rubbish, without offering relief to victims of unending killings and kidnappings in his state.

SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

Nike Davies-Okundaye I Never Knew I Would Get to 70 Years… My Mother Died Before Clocking 30 Years

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021

PLUS I Never Knew I Would Get to 70 Years… My Mother Died Before Clocking 30 Years Nike Davies-Okudaye is an indigene of Ogidi, Kogi State, who spent her early years in Oshogbo, Osun State. She is internationally known for her arts, love for Batik, and Adire-making. DaviesOkudaye is an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, who also empowers women by teaching them how to make Adire fabrics. Mama Nike is the Managing Director/CEO of the Nike Centre for Art and Culture, Oshogbo where training is offered free of charge to all Nigerians. She is also the CEO of Nike Art Gallery Lekki, Lagos. Mama Nike speaks with Azuka Ogujiuba about turning 70, the women exhibition that took place at her gallery on international women’s day, and her relationship with the Oba of Elegushi Kingdom where her gallery is located talks, which can be used to communicate with people in those days. I love Adire because it is the heritage pattern, cultural textile and also it is something from our youth that everybody has.

We know you had a special exhibition for young women artists this year in your gallery to celebrate Women’s international day, tell us about it? Well, I want to tell you this year is Choose to Challenge ... I was so happy about the title of the IWD programme here. When you look at the challenge people have, I was happy to see the younger people who are going through the same thing our mothers have passed through because young women are now raising their babies. They don’t think because they raise babies, they will sit back and be a housewife. They are working, painting and doing all sorts of work. And an artist also comes to show their voice “My work is my voice.” That is why they had the exhibition this year. Who hosted the Exhibition? Female Artist Association of Nigeria (FEAN). They have 3000-4000 members. Their president is Chinze and the South-west region is headed by Chinyere. What advice do you have for a woman who is being maltreated by her husband because of her rising proﬁle? I’ll say such a woman should have patience and focus on what makes her happy. Once you have patience, there is nothing you can’t overcome. Most of all, education has helped many of our women. Some of them have doctorate degrees, while their husbands have bachelor’s degrees and they still give the respect they deserve but won’t give up on their careers. You should have patience and focus on what makes you happy. If you are a lawyer and art is your line, do the lawyer for the money and art for the passion. And in the case of domestic violence, the woman has a voice, her work is her voice. You can afford to put something on the table, leave! We don’t want to see them die ... they are our daughters. Recently the president ofTanzania died and the vice was a woman, do you see that happening in Nigeria soon? Well, soon. Soon, it is going to happen. When you talk about 54 countries, Nigeria is the giant ... So why not us?

Davies-Okundaye

How do you feel turning 70 years?

feel very excited because I never knew I would get to70, my mother died before she was 30. For me reaching 70 is a great achievement in my life. I thank all the organisers who make it possible for me to celebrate my birthday, I am so happy to reach 70 years.

Is there something you wish you had done before now? Yes. Looking back, what I think I should have done that I haven’t done is to build a school. I have a centre but I have to build it like a school where people will be getting certificates. It will be like academia, which I don’t have, that is what I am still looking to do. Do you have any regret in life so far?

So far, I thank God, I don’t have any regret but I only think when I see people speaking good English, I always wish I had that education, which I don’t have but I will make sure my children have good education.

Why do you love Adire fabrics so much? It is because it is the original textile from our country and also it is the only textile that

Let us go back to art which we know you for. For so many years, this has been your life. If you didn’t have this opportunity, what else would you have done? Maybe I could have been a Nun. Because of my life before art, I am a fifth-generation artist. I started when I was six years old with my great-grandmother. If I were not an artist, I would have become a Nun. If I got a good education, I would have been a Rev. Sister because I always like to teach or maybe a teacher. The first choice after art is a Nun because I like to work with the community and give a part of my talent. This gallery has been on for how many years? I moved to this gallery in 2008 and I got my first gallery in 1967, in Osogbo ... My bedroom used to be my first gallery where I displayed my artwork... Life is art.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021

PLUS When I See People Speaking Good English, I Always Wish I Had Education

Nike, standing with the statue of Wole Soyinka

Growing up as a young lady, which artist inspired you? The artist that inspired me in Osogbo was Susan Wenger. She was a white woman who came to our country to learn Adire... She was a painter fromAustralia and she came to Nigeria to learn Adire in Ede. She was here before I was born. She was here in 1950 and I was born in 1951. My aunt brought me to Osogbo, I was an apprentice to her. Like in those days when knowledge was passed from one generation unto the other. So I was taken to Mama Susan and I could barely speak English but she told me to speak Yoruba because she understood Yoruba. She spoke to me and encouraged me to learn. She put me through and I also learned the art by myself. How does it feel knowing Nike Art Gallery is the centre of attraction when it comes to art in Nigeria? It is a lot of hard work. When I leave here, I’ll have my three hours at night to work on my bead-works and during the day , I work two hours on my water colour ... It is a lot of hard work and I still have to make sure there is food for my husband. What makes Nike Art Gallery popular is that we share with the younger generation. The younger generation has the voice and what I’m doing doesn’t carry only older artists. I carry younger and older artists along. I want them to feel that they have a place ... When I went to the US in 1964, 10 of us were selected in Africa and I was the only female. We were told to bring back something to benefit our people. They

took us to galleries, universitiesr, Art and Craft centres and I chose the gallery, because I called my bedroom the Africa Art Shop No 1. I taught the other wives of my husband Art and once we’re done, we hang it up in my room. Art shouldn’t be sold on the floor, it should be displayed on the wall. The day I opened this gallery was my happiest day. That way many voices would be heard. Their work is their voice ...

The FEAN; I’ll like to know more about the exhibition The FEAN is basically to support women ... Men are not supposed to exhibit but they do come to support female artists... I am the Godmother of all the female artists exhibiting. I’m giving an avenue to promote female artists and showcase their talents.

the way forward? The way forward is for our government to help us to build National Gallery for contemporary artists so that artists will have a place of their own. Our government has to support the artists in a big way by creating museums. We don’t even have enough room to put the Art and artists are creating something new everyday. They should give us a place to showcase our works. In South Africa, there is a gallery association sponsored by the government. Every year, they give grant to support the upcoming artists by paying for all their artworks. I will like the Nigerian government to give us this type of opportunity of building more galleries and buying the art to put in museum and in government offices.

How do you feel seeing these young ladies following their passion? First, I want to thank their parents for supporting them because many parents do not want to hear anything short of the white collar job we are all familiar with. They think art is something that doesn’t bring money on time. Art is not just a subject or profession, it is the way of life and it exists literally everywhere. It is the bedrock of every profession and creativity is in everybody.

When you’re not busy, what is your vacation lifestyle like? You know what Yoruba say “Ojo iku, lojo isimi”. The day you die is the day you rest. My past one month in Houston has been dedicated to work. I created a new design made with “Gold Leaf” and it is going to be in my next exhibition. So, it is hard to stay somewhere and say I want to chill out. You know artists die with brush in their hands. I love what I’m doing and that’s my vacation lifestyle. This is what relaxes me, especially at night.

The art industry in Nigeria is commendable, what do you think is lacking in the industry right now and what should be

How did your background shape your life ? ‘Na suffer head.’ I know with hard work,

everything can change for you. The second day after I had my baby, I had to go for a labourer’s job to feed my baby but now art is sustaining me.

Since I’ve known you all my life, I’ve not seen you wear something different from Adire, can you be caught wearing something that is not Adire? Maybe when going out with the Kabiyesi or Oba Elegushi. I always find it difficult because there is no white Adire. So, whenever I travel with the Ooni, I’m the only one wearing Adire. So to avoid that, most times I wear my white and throw my indigo on my shoulder. I think it is my way of life. The Adire is a color of love, love for husband, for your country. I just enjoy wearing wearable art. It is something you made; you will enjoy looking at it. What is your view about Oba Elegushi and his wife towards the artistic world? They are the only ones that gave us the art market; Elegushi Art market. He is an art lover and he even gave me a Chieftaincy title: Yeye Honor of Ikate land. He also gave his children the opportunity to learn Adire. He is one of our biggest supporters. What is your greatest fear is life? To be afraid? I don’t know. I am not afraid of death because I know something must kill a man. What I tell people to overcome fear is to plant a seed, water it and you’ll reap it. What you plant, you will reap. I fear only God.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY17, 2021

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Sound Sultan Goes Down Fighting

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

“O

ne of my earliest memories of seeing artiste Sound Sultan perform was sometime in 2003/2004 when I actually ended up missing a test in school because I wanted to watch him perform at the French Cultural Center. Then his smash hit Mathematics was ruling the airwaves. We ended up becoming very good friends, neighbours to an extent here in Lagos, attended you know family events with each other, worked out at the same gym for about 2/3 years. So he is a very dear friend of mine. And it’s very, very disheartening to hear what has happened to him. “It’s pretty heartbreaking and once again our condolences to his family, his friends, (and) his loved ones who are definitely going through a hard time at this moment. I dare you to go anywhere and find out anything negative about Sound Sultan. You know we always say nice things when people pass away. But this time everything being said about him is beyond the truth. An absolutely amazing human being, nice guy, warm soul, and we just wish his soul continue to rest in peace.” This is just one of the many heartfelt tributes to Nigerian music legend, ̸linrewij~ Fjsist, popularly known as Sound Sultan who gave up the ghost in the US last Sunday after a hard fight with cancer. As noted by the bearer, Ebuka ObiUchendu, who also happens to be in the entertainment industry, Sound Sultan was a great guy just as corroborated by many of his colleagues and friends. Fans from different spheres of life also took to various social media platform to pay their final respect. From high places including Nigeria’s presidency and the US consulate, extolled his exemplary life and virtues, describing the late singer as a good ambassador to youths. As a celebrated rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, he lived an exemplary life, achieved several milestones in his career, and contributed greatly to the development of the Nigerian music and entertainment industry through his artistic genius, creativity, and talent, which has inspired many young Nigerians in the industry. The late Sound Sultan was reputed for using his music to speak against poverty, corruption, bad governance and societal ills in Nigeria. At 44, the age he passed on, not a few of Nigeria’s political class can be said to have impacted lives as Sound Sultan. He was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern music in Nigeria. A 1999 graduate of Lagos State University where he obtained a degree in geography and regional planning, his showbiz career kicked off in the early ’90s when he hosted shows to raise money for studio sessions. By 1999, he had won multiple talent shows. In 2000, he released his breakthrough hit ‘Mathematics’ — a song on which he used BODMAS to advocate a new approach to governance in Africa. After independently releasing other singles, the musician joined Kennis

Sound Sultan

Music. Under Kennis Music, Sound Sultan made four studio albums. When his contract with the label expired in 2007, he partnered Dare ‘Baba Dee’ Fasasi, his elder brother, to start Naija Ninjas, which served as the parent company to a record label, production outfit, and clothing line. A family man to the core, Sound Sultan in 2009 married Chichi Morah who later converted to Islam and changed her name to Farida Fasasi. They had three children together. Five years after their marriage, Sound Sultan shut down speculation that he compelled his wife to convert to Islam. He said she converted on her own accord because she was in love with the religion. “No one forces anyone to do a religion. It just happened that she married me and she really…really was in love with the religion herself,” he said. The music legend worked in different music genres; from R&B to afrobeats, soul, and fuji music. Under Naija Ninjas, he released several albums and signed artistes like Karma Da Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn, and Blacka. In 2012, Sound Sultan was made a UN ambassador for peace on account of his exemplary lifestyle. In total, eight studio albums were credited to him, including Kpseeeeew (2001), Textbook (2004), Naija 007 (2007), Back to The Future (2010), Me, My Mouth, and Eye

(2012), Out of The Box (2016), and 8th Wondah (2020). Sound Sultan starred in films like ‘The Washerman’ (2018), Head Gone (2014), ‘Campus Queen’ (2004) and a web series by comedian Basketmouth titled ‘Papa Benji’ (2020). In a February 2021 interview, he spoke of some of his projects in the works including music compilations and sitcoms. An ardent fan of basketball even before he became a music star contributed to the development of the sport in Nigeria. It is not surprising Nigeria’s male basketball team, D’Tigers before their game against Australia last Wednesday, while going into the Arena, the players wore their customised shirts with print of Sound Sultan face to pay tribute. The teams also observed a moment of silent before their game to honour the music legend and lover of Basketball. No post other than Adekunle Binuyo’s comes handy: “However much we desire it, nature doesn’t always grant us that which we mortals regard to be longevity. But the legacies we create will always count for something and more. Your life was a beautiful one as it was a remarkable one, too. You made your mark, you influenced and impacted many more; thankfully, all your deeds were done genuinely and for positive effect. No one ever spoke ill of you, even

though you likely had your own shortcomings as a human being. I know of none, still. You lived simply and respectably as an ideal man should. “And even in the face of death, you carried yourself with dignity and with grace. I first met you on TV in my early teens, back when you began your career with comedy skits. You blossomed into a household name in the music industry and created memorable songs with messages that reminded us all of our need to build a better Nigeria. Just as you were a good ambassador for Nigeria, you also carried the same zeal to basketball, a sport you were so passionate about, ultimately bringing us to meet during our time at the Lagos Islanders and the Lagos City Stars organizations. “You lived some of your dreams and I believe they were to your heart’s fulfillment. You built a good family and I have no doubt your seeds will carry on with the good name you left behind. Rest in eternal peace, ̤‫ ظ‬g b̹‫ ع‬n ̸linrewij~ Fjsist. Hopefully, we’ll meet again someday if there’s life after death. May God give your wife, your children, and the rest of your extended family the strength to bear your departure from this beautiful world. May Almighty God bless your beautiful soul. Good night, The Sound Sultan. Ó dì.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY17, 2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Theresa Edem Isemin

My Career Has Been a Long Journey, Filled with Ups and Downs Award winning actress Theresa Edem Isemin has always treasured acting from time being part of her childhood and had wanted to be in the entertainment, specifically, the movie industry. Greater success beckoned on her career after appearing on Tinsel, an Africa Magic original show, and has since gone on to star in several films and TV series, including My Village People which is her most recent. Reserved and very passionate about acting, Theresa literally lives and breathes acting. The mother and movie star shares more about her profession and persona in this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu

rom being a member of the drama club in primary school to being a member of the drama department in church and Ànally ending up on the big screen, how would you describe this journey? It’s been a long journey, Àlled with ups and downs, wins and losses, but I thank God for where I am today.

movies, songs, books... I think life as a whole inspires me because there’s so much to learn from everything around me.

What has the experience been like since venturing into acting and to what extent has it a;ected your lifestyle? The experience has been good so far, and I’m still learning and growing. God and my family keep me grounded, for that I’m thankful. In what ways do you think budding actors can leverage on available opportunities to them on social media and other avenues? Social media is a great tool and I think every actor, budding or veteran, should take advantage of it.

Aside acting are there other careers/interests you would have loved to explore? And if you weren’t an actress, speciÀcally what would you have become? Apart from acting, I’m exploring other aspects of the arts such as edutainment, Àlm production, etc. When I was much younger, I wanted to be a pilot, but art is my Àrst love so I’m happy this won out.

In general, what do you think is lacking in Nollywood and how would you love to see it addressed? I’d like to see more big and corporate investors come into Nollywood to help the industry grow.

Can you tell us a about your background, growing up as a child and a fond memory you hold? I grew up in a loving and fun family. My parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams and work hard to achieve them. My fondest childhood memory is putting on a cultural dance show for my family during Christmas. You have featured in quite a good number of movies since you emerged in Nollywood, which one of these movies readily comes to your mind and why? ‘My Village People,’ because it’s my most recent Àlm and I feel that my craft has been more reÀned over time. So, this is like, Theresa Edem-Isemin 3.0… You once spoke of taking up some roles in the past that you wish you hadn’t. Could it be as a result of the character or the lines, which is more challenging for you between getting into character and getting your lines? Hahahaha. Well, yes, there are some roles I wish I hadn’t taken and it deÀnitely had nothing to do with getting my lines. I’m still grateful for every experience because it’s all part of my

There’s this notion that showbiz is no place for decent women who want to build a home and family. In your assessment, what do you think as a married woman? That’s a myopic, archaic, misogynistic, patriarchal, and sexist, not to mention utterly ridiculous notion. Theresa Edem Isemin

journey.

Would you consider going behind the scenes sometime in the future, say directing? Yes, deÀnitely, in the not so far future. You are your own biggest critic. Is there anything about your creative process that often challenges you at the moment and you wish it is better than it is? I am my own biggest critic, true, that’s why I constantly work on improving my craft. I pray I never get to the point where I feel I’ve

learnt everything there is to know about this art because the day I stop learning is the day I stop growing.

What are the things that you treasure most in life? God, family, true friendship, loyalty, integrity... Need I go on? What excites you most as an artiste and what inspires you? Making great art excites me. Many things inspire me: God is my number one, observing human behaviours and interactions, great

Has your status as a wife and mother impacted on the roles you take up and in what ways? I take up characters that speak to me and challenge me as an actor. Who is Theresa Edem? Tell us your likes and dislikes your hobbies turn on, turn o;s phobia, your favourite food, favourite colour, and things like that... I’m me. I love love and hate hate. My hobbies are whatever I’m doing when I’m bored. My favourite food is whatever I’m eating at the moment. My favourite colour is whatever inspires me at the moment. I don’t really have any favourites, weird right? My phobia is feeling trapped.

Agbani Horsfall’s ‘Holy Spirit’ is Ready Abuja-based gospel artiste, Agbani Horsfall, is set to virtually launch her new song, Holy Spirit, on Sunday, July 25. The multi-talented artiste disclosed that the virtual launch is an opportunity for her fans to ‘Meet and Greet’ with her. According to her, “The way I feel every time I want to release a new song is by spending more time in my prayer room, seeking God to move mightily as the world hears this song and allowing His presence be felt. Let lives be changed and Let God alone take the glory.” She recalls that last year, she released her virtual debut album, ‘Spirit of The Living God’ with tracks like King of Kings, Belongs to You, Kiniyanabo, Love of My Life, Belema (Love), Same God, and Celebrate with various genres of music. Horsfall, who hails from Buguma in

Rivers State, disclosed that she hopes to release more singles and next year, she will launch her second album. Talking about one of her songs, Ahurum-gi-nanya, she says it is about the Holy Spirit, her love for God and the way He loves and has blessed her. And thanks to her friend based in United Kingdom, Ezzine, who helped translate the song for her. She adds that she doesn’t copy other people’s songs because she won’t encourage plagiarism. All her songs have always been her work, her thought and creativity and mostly inspired by the Holy Spirit. She thanks God for that because it is neither by my power nor by might alone. Speaking further she believes the role of a gospel artiste is to provide a way for people to maintain balance in their lives

through their songs. She also noted that it gives people to uphold a balance between their career, faith, family and daily lives as the role of gospel artistes is to uplift and encourage believers to preach the gospel of Christ through the instrumentality of music. Agbani further stated that the messages in her songs had always been about salvation and Love. “Most importantly love is the bedrock of living. My music exhibits the deep love and aͿection I have for God who remains steadfast to us. “I always express it in my music and also be a medium through which God speaks to people. There’s too much noise in the world about vulgar things, all mostly expressed in music and dance. If the things of God should be heard, music ministers need to do more.”

Agbani

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021

MILESTONE

Peter Obi at 60: A Retrospect Valentine Obienyem

e can hardly forget those that play critical roles in our lives.As a young Seminarian in 1988, Rev. Fr. Dr. Collins Okeke as ourAuxiliary (then a Seminarian), came bubbling with philosophy, being a fresh graduate of philosophy at the time. He is intelligent and everybody knows that. He has a peculiar predilection to imparting knowledge on people. As one desirous of acquiring knowledge, I carried a note pad and biro always to catch ideas that are in constant Áight. My old, secondary school notes are full of what I then considered words of wisdom from the likes of Msgr Sylvester Mgbemful, Fr. Collins OKeke, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye, Fr. Ekwenibe, among others. I even jotted some of their English expressions that caught my fancy. They also contain Áashes from renowned philosophers and authors. I can still recall by heart some of the expressions I garnered from Fr. Collins. Shall we sample him? Speaking on man, Collins would always say that “Man is both a dynamic and historical being, he retrospects into the past, projects into the future so as to make a better present”. From him we also heard that “Man is a being of unÀnished and unreÀned nature, whose most excruciating problem is himself. He spends his time in the world trying to reconcile the irreconcilable, striving to make a nature which has been mercilessly immersed in disequilibrium to be at equipoise”. He also told us that “Man is a spatio-temporal being and a constant slave to imperfection”. Collins would deÀne freedom contrary to how we then understood it as “what deÀnes man’s place in the hierarchy of material being”. It is also “the ability to control the soul from the pangs of irrational desires”. But what is the connection of Mr. Peter Obi to the young Collins of the 1980s who was, among others, displaying his philosophical erudition? Is this piece on Obi or “Romanticisation On Collins Okeke?” Looking at the wise and philosophical expressions from the cornucopia of Collin’s mind, one would see that he was perhaps representing the very life of the Àrst two-term Governor ofAnambra State and the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the PDP in the 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi who turned 60 years today. Those of us who have followed his life closely for some two decades now understand that the man is one in a million. Whenever the occasion calls, we look back at the lives of such men because understanding their lives would help us model ours as people conscious of the present. Peter Obi is a man who has demonstrated freedom from various chains that hinder the growth and development of man: wealth, “pangs of irrational desires,” immorality, spiritual lethargy, corruption, pride, among others. How do we deÀne this man fully? Though he remains a slave, like all of us, to imperfections, a look at his life will reveal a lot of lessons that if imbibed, will contribute its quota in guiding the world immersed in “disequilibrium to be at equipoise”. How best do we do this? As an experiment in perspective, let us see him through all the phases of his development, noting his likes and dislikes and even odd quirks. Peter Obi, the Titan, was born placid on the 19th of July, 1961 at the Holy Rosary Hospital & Maternity, Waterside-Onitsha. Besides their eldest brother that was born in Lagos and the youngest, a peripatetic son born in Obe Maternity, Agulu during the civil war when Onitsha was under siege, all other sibling of his were born in the same hospital. At the time of his birth, his father was already a rich man - owner of Ideal Soul Super-Market, the biggest in the then Eastern Nigeria; while his mother - a matron of feminine tenderness - was already running what was called “Domestic Centre”, where would-be-married men send their would-be wives for training in acts of domestic economy and matrimonial peace that at that time usually guaranteed happy marriage and fulÀlled homes. While undergoing pupilage, they learnt diverse arts: weaving, clothe-making and baking. It was an attractive alternative to the formal education of girls at that time. Part of the major curriculum was ways of ensuring peace in the home and the Matron’s favourite admonition to young ladies was that God gave us two ears to hear more and speak less - a veiled lesson for those who, by reckless exercise of the franchise of the tongue, always got themselves into trouble. One of the acts Áowing from Peter Obi’s retrospect into his life is the construction of the ultra-modern maternity building at the hospital of his birth. That singular act has deep signiÀcance that transcends the mere erection of a building. Mr. Peter Obi in his usually-measured speech and placid wisdom once conÀded in me that the act was a way of showing appreciation to one of the institutions that played a critical role in his life, by ensuring his safe ingress into the world. This informs his championing of adoption of schools, rendering help to schools that trained us as part of giving back to the society. He has vastly expanded this very advice through his school apostolate. Growing up, Obi had the temperament of young ones the world over. Like others, he engaged in child-hood pranks, made friends, attended and danced at parties and also discovered the charms of women. Did he go further than this? What do you want to read from me? All I can inform you now is that he also experienced the sexual and psychological transformation biology calls puberty in his growth process, a time most youngsters have few moral restraints upon desire. But his friends still testify that he gives to friendship the tenderness and solicitude that most men give to love. During holidays and intervals in his studies he did not spend in play or idleness, as other children do. Even when he attended parties he did not lose himself in such epicurean indulgence for he took time to experiment with one trade or the other. For reigning fashions, he got the local artists to replicate them for sale and

Obi

making money. In primary school, he sold kerosene. In secondary school, he sold eggs and had commercial taxis plying for him. As an undergraduate, he was already engaged in international business, travelling to London every two weeks and buying brand new vehicles for personal use. All in all, he lived the life that at each level of his development transcended all expectations. He did not remain becalmed in any stage of life. Sometimes we enquire into the workings of people’s minds not by the battles they fought and lions they killed, but through acts that sometimes appear insigniÀcant as will be told about Obi. Once upon a time, his cousin was wedding and had to borrow the three exclusive vehicles he used from Obi, including the one used by the newly-wedded. As they were going to the Hall for reception, some of his friends passing by saw him Áagging down a taxi that would take him to the venue and decided to pick him, but he declined because there was no room left in their car and he would rather continue with his taxi business than inconvenient them. When they could not persuade him to manage with them, one of the girls in the car advised they should ignore him as one ready to remain Àxed in his poverty. When they left, the other boys explained to her that the three vehicles used for the wedding were his. The young girl, unknown to others, smoked out his hotel room, visited him incognito and became his friend. The rest, as is said, is history. His academic life was intricately woven around his business activities such that after graduation and national youth service, it was a seamless transition into a fully-Áedged business life. While others were learning the wisdom of pleasure, he was engrossed in the pleasure of wisdom, which he employed successfully in all that he did. Thus, one of his colleagues, Chief Okey Ezibe described him with awe: “In my business life I am yet to see a businessman like Mr. Peter Obi. One can entrust his entire fortune into his hands and go home and sleep soundly”. When I asked Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo about Obi’s character, he laughed loudly and burst with compliments: “Val, I give you any amount of credit you need in business simply because Obi requested that. If those of us that know him can trust the person he recommended, that shows you that he is Trust himself”. What are the secrets of building the type of trust Obi has built over the years? I once referred to him in terms quite Confucian; “the Higher Man”. Recall that when Tsze-Loo asked Confucius, “what constitutes the Higher man?”, he replied, “the cultivation of himself with reverential care”. Obi has cultivated himself along the lines of virtues that describing him is sometimes annoying because of few allowances for the frailty of man. His mother shall partly be blamed for this inclination to sanctity. To the question of transparency in dealing with people, he would always recall the Àve words to him by his mother when he was leaving Onitsha to Lagos. Let his mother speak directly: ‘My son, when you get to Lagos, I want you to abide by Àve canons, namely: do not steal, do not envy anybody of his success, if somebody gives you something to keep return it intact upon request, let prayer be your watchword and keep the 10 commandments as if your life depended on them. Like life itself, business has not been all rosy. He has lost billions of Naira as when his almost 200 containers were seized by NAFDAC. By the time they were released, the goods were already expired. He invested billions of Naira in Mobitel and the empire came crumbling. When his successes are placed side by side with his failures, we can say that he is a predominantly a successful businessman. Emphasising the loss recorded is a way of telling those in business that whatever man does has its ugly sides. It is defeatist to think of suicide whenever we are buͿeted by the challenges of life. Bias, considered as one of the wise men of Greece tells us that “the most unfortunate of men is he who has not learned how to bear misfortune”. As a businessman, Peter Obi was happy with himself and never thought about joining politics. However, when he came into politics

he was fully prepared, understanding what his mission is. Because of the unusual zeal with which he faced politics, pundits have often asked why he went into it. He has answered this question severally by recalling his encounter at Kellog Business School. That day, the lecture was on the World Economy and the lecturer ended up not mentioning Africa but rather insisted there is nothing like African Economy. Obi, moved by the zeal of an African patriot whose identity was under attack, wanted to know why Africa was not mentioned. The lecturer after a debate with Obi on the subject - having observed his perceptive, penetrating, retentive, and logical mind not common among African businessman - advised him to return to Africa and contribute in creating public wealth and the emancipation of Africans. Returning and confronted by the degeneration in the society as amply demonstrated by the menace of criminals and the use of Bakassi boys to kill with the clear conscience of nature, he resolved to help in the ennobling of the society. Thus, he entered politics and through it has been pushing for the enthronement of the good with adamantine consistency. What is he in politics? I think he has remained a contradiction mirroring the controversy in the society or what, in Marxian lexicon we can refer to as contradiction inherent in the society. While the elite see him as a stumbling block, the masses see him as one of their last hope in Nigeria. Various estimates of him are directly proportional to what he did as the Governor of Anambra State at a relatively young age. Added to his natural intelligence and wisdom, the o΀ce, guided by executive responsibility and experience moulded him into deeper maturity and judgement. He respected the elite but skilfully blocked revenue leakages that often found their way into their pockets. He thus had money to turn the State around and left over 75 billion Naira in the coͿers when his tenure ended. He did this after clearing all the debt owed contractors, pensioners, compensation for land acquired by the State, etc. He did this because of his quiet, staid character, his modest simplicity that eliminated waste and his tested honesty that won him the sobriquet of “the just’ among his EXCO members. The irony of today is the debate on how much the incumbent Governor, Willie Obiano will leave. This argument is valid among those who believe the impossibility of mindless squander of such amountofmoneyinlessthaneightyearswithoutanycorresponding development to show for it. These people may not be aware that the same man they are waiting to tell us about his own savings has been owing gratuities to pensioners since 2017, is indebted to contractors to the tune of more than 100 billion Naira and, to add salt to injury, has plunged the State into over 200 billion Naira debt. Is he not deterred by the condemnation that awaits people like him at the tribunal of posterity? It was the same squalid elite that ignited the Àre that led to the protest against Peter Obi’s nomination as the running mate to Alhaji Abubakar Atiku in the 2019 Presidential election. To show you how deeply he is loved, the people ignored the elite and voted for him en masse. Because of his factor, Anambra State gave the PDP the highest number of votes in that election. As a politician Obi has done very well. He has shown that one can be in politics without doing grievous damage to himself. As the Governor of Anambra State he was in charge in every sense. He knew the balances of the State by heart at all times. He was orderly: the unity and hierarchy of his desires for the State imposed a clarifying and direct order upon his ideas, actions, policies and government. He required the truth about the health of the State, went the extra mile to discover those truths himself and insisted on being guided by them. Obi admiringly refused to sell his conscience by doing what most other politicians do. During his contrived impeachment in 2006, many suggestions came from anonymous groups that wanted to be empowered to bring down the State House of Assembly building while the members were sitting, to smite their families as a prelude to them of what would happen to them, but Obi, like President Jonathan would not stand the sight of a soul being lost because of politics, did not play ball. He was at last impeached! One of the unsympathetic politicians described his impeachment as borne out of the “foolishness of acting like a governor in Plato’s Republic instead of our own corrupt society”. But out of the ashes of that impeachment and other indignities he suͿered stem his memorable accomplishments as the Àrst Nigerian - besides coming into o΀ce through the courts - to return from impeachment and cause the change of the electoral time-table in Nigeria. Indeed, while most men see politics as a trade few like Obi see it as a noble profession. As summed up by John Buchman, “public life is regarded as the crown of a career, and to young men it is the worthiest ambition. Politics is still the greatest and the most honourable adventure”. HowdoweassessMr.PeterObiasaphilosopher?Hasphilosophy, the course he graduated with second classhonours in the university, helped him in his successes in life? A true philosopher is one, academic or not, who has so trained himself to reÁective thinking, and who is so emancipated inwardly from external inÁuences, and who can stand up free -- to doubt, to question, to inquire, to think, to gather knowledge and spread it. You could see while the course was attractive to him. His project was entitled Steve Biko’s Concept of Freedom in South-Africa. In the fore-front of the Black Consciousness Movement that fought against Apartheid, Biko advocated the concept of changing the black man’s existential situation by Àrst of all changing his mind to think positively at all times. Such a thought process caught Obi’s fancy such that when he became the Governor of Anambra State, one of his cardinal strategies of changing the State was by changing the psyche of the people, and it worked.

Obienyem, Media Aide to Peter Obi, wrote from Awka.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021

MILESTONE

The Amazon from Ikorodu @ 70 Festus Akanbi writes on the milestones of Nigeria’s billionaire industrialist and former world’s richest black woman, Chief (Mrs) Folorunsho Alakija, who clocked 70 years last Thursday

n a society accustomed to male dominance of power and political leadership, it has been argued that the prevailing system in the country appeared to be wired to whittle down the chance of Nigerian women to easily clinch top political positions and corporate leadership. For instance, while there is no clear-cut rule that forbids women from aspiring into any position in Nigeria, there seems to be a conspiracy to conÀne female politicians to certain electoral o΀ces. However, what looks like a jinx in the political arena has on many occasions been broken in the corporate world, where some women rose from dints of hard work to reach the commanding heights of their careers. Some of them did not miss the opportunity presented to them by government policies to launch themselves into global acclaim. It is in this category that the 70- year-old Vice Chairperson of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian oil exploration company with a stake in Agbami OilÀeld, Chief Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija belongs. Famously remembered as the richest black woman, according to the ranking by Forbes in 2020, Mrs. Alakija has continued to shine brilliantly in the male-dominated oil industry. This businesswoman and philanthropist is involved in the fashion, oil, real estate, and printing industries. She is the group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group, which consists of The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions Limited and Digital Reality Prints Limited. However, just like a popular Yoruba proverb, “Owo Eko ni won nwo, won o wo iya Eko” (people are easily attracted by the a΁uence of Lagosians without taking note of suͿerings in Lagos), Alakija born to the family of Chief L. A. Ogbara of Ikorodu, Lagos State indeed made serious sacriÀces to earn the enviable position she currently occupies.

increased to 50 percent, thus setting the stage for an epic legal battle that spanned 12 years. She kept Àghting till she won. In her word, “We felt like it was unfair. We had taken the sole risk and invested everything we had in the business. It had become a family business. We spent six years as a family to ensure this worked out and now that it was bearing fruit. They just stepped in and took away everything we had struggled and worked extremely hard for. I said to myself, ‘Folorunsho Alakija does not give up, my husband does not give up and my children do not give up.” At the end of the day, the Alakijas prevailed. Folorunsho Alakija, who became the Chancellor of Osun State University on March 9, 2016, is a devout Christian with an evangelical calling. Since giving her life to Christ in 1991, she preaches the gospel ceaselessly to anyone that cares to listen even in the marketplace. Also, she and her husband started a house fellowship which is now a ministry; Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International. She also has a majority stake in DaySpring Property Development Company.

Childhood As the eighth child of her father and her mother’s second child, Folorunsho was raised in a Muslim polygamous home and she was surrounded by 52 siblings and seven stepmothers. Back in the days, late Chief Ogbara and his wives were involved in the textile industry. Folorunsho was said to have cut her teeth as a fashion promoter, working in her mother’s fashion shop. This was where and when her love for fashion took oͿ. At a young age, she could combine colours excellently and creatively design fabrics of any type. Growing up in an entrepreneurial home informed Folorunsho Alakija’s character. Learning from her parents, she grew up to manage a business and make it successful through great work ethics. Folorunsho and her siblings were taught to open up the shops early, handle customers properly, and also manage the business’ Ànances. One interesting piece of information about Folorunsho Alakija’s march to the billionaire club was her dream of becoming a lawyer, which was truncated by her father’s reluctance to fund such an academic programme because it was not the trend to commit resources to female’s university education at that time. Born on July 15, 1951, she attended her nursery education at Our Ladies of Apostles, Lagos from 1955 to 1958. At the age of seven, Folorunsho Alakija travelled to the United Kingdom to continue her primary education at Dinorben School for Girls in Hafodunos Hall in Llangernyw, Wales between 1959 and 1963. On the completion of her primary education, Folorunsho attended “Muslim High School” in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. She then returned to England for her secretarial studies at Pitman’s Central College, London.

Honours Folorunsho Alakija holds six honorary degrees and a fellowship at Yaba College of Technology. She became the Àrst female Chancellor at Osun State University and Nigeria’s Àrst female chancellor on March 9, 2016. She is one of the Lagos Business School alumni and a member of the Commonwealth and Investment Council Advisory Board. She is on the Advisory board of the Center for African Studies, Harvard. In 2014 and 2015, she was on Forbes’ list of Most Powerful Women in the World. In the July 2013 inauguration of the National Heritage Council and Endowment for the Arts, Folorunsho Alakija was appointed vice-chairman of the committee. She was appointed as the Vice-Chairman of Heritage Council and Endowment for the Arts inaugurated on July 1, 2013. Also, she serves as matron to Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs. Recognised as one of the champions of African Entrepreneurship, she was named Chief Matron of Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) NGO. She is an acclaimed public speaker, a writer, and has also authored several inspirational books. Some of the books she authored include, “Alone with God” -a free daily devotional guide published annually to help the spiritual growth of believers daily; “University of Marriage” – Your Textbook for a successful Marriage, written to help married couples bring back spark to their marriages and “Growing with the Hand that Gives the Rose”, the autobiography of Folorunsho Alakija. The book captured how she was able to succeed notwithstanding her large family background, among others. Folorunsho married Modupe Alakija, a lawyer in November 1976 and they are blessed with four sons and grandchildren.

Giving Back to Society Folorunsho Alakija gives back to society through her foundation, the Rose of Sharon Foundation. The foundation empowers widows and orphans through scholarships and business grants. She is the primary sponsor of the Agbami Medical and Engineering Scholarship Scheme which records over 1000 beneÀciaries annually. In 2014, she donated a huge amount of money towards the completion of a 350seat lecture theatre building in Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State. And, the building was named after her in appreciation of her philanthropic gesture. She also donated a skills acquisition center to Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), a higher educational institution located in Lagos.

Folorunsho Alakija

From Banking to Fashion Her career started in 1974, when she worked as an executive secretary at Sijuade Enterprises, Lagos, Nigeria shortly after completing a Secretarial Course at Pitman’s Central College London. She moved to the former First National Bank of Chicago, which later became FinBank now acquired by FCMB (First City Monument Bank) as the Executive Secretary to the Managing Director. She became the new Head of the Corporate AͿairs Department of the International Merchant Bank of Nigeria (formerly First National Bank of Chicago) and later on became the O΀ce Assistant to the Treasury Department. Shortly after her career in the banking world, which lasted for 12 years, Folorunsho Alakija took up a new challenge to study fashion design at The American College in London and the Central School of Fashion. After her return to Nigeria, she started her Àrst fashion label known as Supreme Stitches, which was later renamed The Rose of Sharon House of Fashion in 1996. That enterprise was unlike any other tailoring business. It was the start of a mega fashion brand that ladies in Nigeria and across Africa would strive to wear. She recognised the need for a fashionable, yet, wholly Nigerian/African look and took full advantage of the opportunity. Just as the business started, Folorunsho

Alakija joined a fashion design competition. Her designs were so unique and creative that she won the contest and instantly became a sensation. Folorunsho Alakija built a fortune from designing and making high-end clothes for wealthy and successful women in society. One of her clients was the former Àrst lady, Maryam Babangida. She later became the national president and lifelong trustee of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN). Making Gold out of Oil Block It could be said that her breakthrough, however, came in May 1993, when she applied for an oil prospecting license (OPL). Eventually a license to explore for oil on a 617,000-acre block—now referred to as OPL 216—was granted to Alakija’s company, Famfa Limited. The block is approximately 350 kilometres (220 miles) southeast of Lagos and 110 kilometres (70 miles) oͿshore of Nigeria in the Agbami Field of the central Niger Delta. In September 1996, Folorunsho Alakija entered into a joint venture agreement with Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Texaco) and appointed the company as a technical adviser for the exploration of the licence, transferring 40 per cent of her 100 percent stake to Star Deep. In the ensuing struggle for the control of the oil block, the Nigerian government snatched a 40% stake, which was later

˜ ˾ JULY 17, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

You Had Better…Not ‘You Better’

ROM JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, comes this introduction: “Individual institutions can decide on who to admit or not based on age, (needless comma) or any other criteria (criterion).”Singular: criterion; plural: criteria. “Why did 4 (four, professionally and methodically) women (a comma) dressed in white (another comma) walked (walk) around where T.B. Joshua is (was) laid…?” “Assailant, vigilante member die in gun duel” Get it right: vigilance member. Alternatively: Assailant, vigilante die in gun duel. “Woman arrested with AK-47, 148 live ammunitions”The last word in the extract is uncountable. The Old English (Anglo-Saxon) period is gone! “This will remove the possibility of passing the bulk (buck)” No pedestrian English. “The organized private sector took the bull by the horn recently….” For a better society: take the bull by the horns. “Britain handed over the reigns of power to the politicians.” Modern English: reins of government. “One even wonders why government did not adopt that method from the onset (outset).” “This is true given the restricted and guarded comments from those who have been priviledged to view the clips.” Spellings count: privileged. “Government needs to put (get) its acts together and prosecute the kidnappers.” My own comment: get its act (not acts) together. “Vigilante group accused of murder“…Get it right: vigilance group. “Apart from all these, the debt recovery (a hyphen confirms class) level of the banks have not been any issue of interest to NDIC.” Question CBN has to answer, debt recovery has (not have). “It is believed in some quarters that the Nigerian Police has….”THE NATION: the Nigerian Police have. “And the leaders, being new on the saddle of political leadership (another comma) were.…”The challenges of good grammar: in the saddle. “Efforts by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his group to remove Akintola from office was (were)

fiercely resisted.”Why the discord? “As a new democracy, there was (were) bound to be problems.” “In the course of the crisis, Awo and some of his lieutenants were arrested and charged for (with)….” “The ethnic colouration of the coup led to a counter coup (a hyphen) in July 1966.” Spell-check: coloration. “Have the previous exercises impacted meaningfully on the lives (life) of the average Nigerian?” “This could not have been possible if they had been outrightly liquidated.”‘Outrightly’ is a Nigerian creation! The right word ‘outright’ functions as an adverb and an adjective. Therefore, it does not require any inflexion. In other words: This could not have been possible if they had been liquidated outright. Even at that, ‘liquidation’ does not need any qualification because of its causative finality. So, if they had been liquidated. ‘Reopening’ abhors hyphenation. It is not automatic that any word with a prefix must go with a hyphen, except where there is a vowel replication. For instance: re-entry, but readmit, readjust, etcetera. “Legislators, oil chiefs parley on industry enhancing issues” Imagine the classical excellence a hyphen between ‘industry’ and ‘enhancing’ would have conferred on the headline. “I said these are (were) beggars and I told my wife I better (I had better) get money ready for them.” “…the grassroots population of our people will remain the lifewire of the UBE scheme.” Adult literacy: livewire. “The remains of the Ovie, sources in the town revealed, was (were) later tied….” “And just last Friday, it was reported that the police has (had) arrested the APC governorship candidate….” “The meetings were about some developments alright....”‘Alright’ (non-standard) is unacceptable for ‘all right’ in formal settings. “My suggestion, therefore, is that our National Assembly members should tow (toe) the line of reason.” ”…especially those public officers who remain suspect with regards (regard) to their qualifications and credibility to hold public offices” Alternatively, as

regards their qualifications…. “The nation has (had) in the past pardoned and forgiven it’s (sic) past leaders and citizens who committed one offence or the other (or another).” “Such citizens had since been integrated back (reintegrated) into the system.” “A recent summit in Kaduna on education in the northern states provided the appropriate forum to revisit, once again….” ‘Revisit’ cannot co-function with ‘again’. “Gone are the days when government can (could) go it alone.” “Infact (In fact) every loving parents....” Parentage: either every loving parent or all loving parents “In the agricultural sector, the two countries can learn a lot from one another (each other).” “Soldiers take over troubled spots” Let peace reign: trouble spots. “Post election violence spreads”Towards a better life for the people: Post-election violence…. “…lost his life in a ghastly auto crash in Greece.” It was a fatal (not ghastly) accident. “President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed sadness over the sporadic violent protest (protests)….” “Police arrest four over Maiduguri explosion” Do we arrest the entire editorial team for (not over) lexical recklessness? “Bribery enthrones mediocrity and crucify merit.”The Tabernacle of bribery crucifies merit. “Gang up against Buhari will fail” Phrasal verb: gang up; noun: gang-up (which applies here). “We were treated to another similar incidence.…” All newspapers should know the difference between ‘incidence’ and ‘incident’ (which applies here). “Although the governor’s last minute romance with the main opposition party is held against him.…” Saturday People: last-minute (take note of the hyphen) romance “Thus, a core investor…with regards to optimal use of the machinery.…” Either: as regards or with regard to…. “In the heydays of the goggled General when fuel was often unavailable…” Stranglehold of oil workers: heyday (uncountable). “Last year, many houses of the Igbo in Ajegunle, a

Weaponising Banditry: Of Irresponsibility and Insensitivity (3)

ast week’s edition of this column provoked some interest, presumably because of the gravity of the situation, and the seeming confusion of our security managers on the best methods in dealing with acts of banditry. In a media advocacy group, a senior colleague advised a younger associate who believed, on reading a mediaspecific extract from the piece, that the government should be blamed for most of the malfeasance. The ‘senior man’admonished him to read the full article, and see that ‘blames’went round different areas of our national lives. I chuckled in silence as I would rather those pointers were seen as‘candid observations’, especially after we had laid the foundation in an earlier article (‘How We Weaponise Banditry’). In this third part, we hope to close this ‘observatory tower’ with few pointers that show actions and practices that invariably add to the emulsifying agents producing and promoting banditry and other criminal activities in Nigeria. Then, in the next and final part, set forth a slew of suggestions - as if the appropriate authorities do not know the proper things to do - that may galvanise our redemption, and possibly save the beleaguered citizens of this country from needless terror amidst the deadly antics of coronavirus, the natural painful consequences of a primitive political culture, and dire economic conditions. One of the chief contributors to insecurity is our ongoing dance with madness of tribal politics. In situations where criminality and illegality have been identified, our security forces are stymied by the obnoxious need to check up the chain of command if they should do the rightful thing: collate information, prevent perpetration, investigate allegations, arrest perpetrators, persecute according to available facts and confessions. But we play politics with disaster, and later wring our fingers wondering why God has been very indifferent to our plight. Political leaders with one eye on block voting and future campaigns, subvert the course of justice, and permit chronic sociopaths to walk into the forests, swaggering with bloodied pride at their invincibility, ostensibly because they are from one tribe or the other. And you wonder why criminals are so brazen, daring, and are multiplying faster than cockroaches in an abandoned whorehouse. We are a large country with borders with a handful of other countries roundabout. But there are many countries larger than us, more populous than us, and even with more fractious cleavages and turbulent histories...yet, they identify the sanctity of their sovereignty, and keep a very keen eye on their borders. Let’s put it in context: China is bordered by 14 countries of diverse sizes, cultures and political persuasions, including: Afghanistan, India, North Korea,

Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam. The huge Asian country also shares maritime borders with Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, among others. As for us, you will not be surprised to hear that our borders are some of the most porous in the world. Pastoralists, nomadic robbers, pirates, smugglers, and all sorts of vermin crawl across our borders without requisite documentation; complete their sundry businesses, and disappear into thin air. And we continue to gnash our teeth; and you wonder why banditry continues to loom and doom. For every confiscation of a truck laden with innocent looking goods, but in fact concealing dangerous weapons, or some other evil contrabands, you have to live with the urgent fear that a dozen other trucks have escaped the attention of our security forces. Then, you wonder why light weapons and other instruments of destruction find easy access into our urban centres, and hinterlands. We have been told, and it is easy to accept, that much of the banditry, cattle rustling, and forest based kidnappings ravaging us are perpetrated by foreigners. The level of bestiality and savagery lends itself to the belief that these accursed individuals harbour some sort of virulent disdain, searing hatred and unimaginable cold-bloodedness towards their Nigerian victims. Yet, time and time again, the vermin get away with their villainy... because the signals from above betray a level of docility and puerile hand-wringing that tells the criminals “it’s time to parry”! But the body language of powers-that-be reads both ways, with different interpretations. To the citizens who have been touched by the devil’s fork wielded by these violent gangs, the government can never be a dependable partner in keeping them safe, protected, and well. One of the reasons people like Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu found resonance with a large number of their peoples: especially the young, the violated and the incensed. However, to the criminals born or bred in a favoured section of the country, negotiations and recriminations are sufficient, and officially recommended. Amnesty and psychological intimidation are proven counter-measures to posturings of headstrong political leaders. Did you watch a viral video where a notorious Zamfara bandit was boasting how he killed some Nigerian and Nigerien soldiers, and his audience were laughing at his bombast - including a police officer?! (See online Punch newspaper of June 27, 2021 - it ran shamelessly for almost five minutes). Does any factor weaponise the bandits more pungently and ingloriously than such official irresponsibility, insensitivity, and plain cowardice? All The Noise About ‘Yoruba Nation’ Weeks ago, I suggested to some friends that if the ‘Yoruba Nation’

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

suburb of Lagos, were razed down.…” No word abuse: simply razed (not razed down). Discard the contrary views by some registers! Yet another headline gaffe: “Restrictions on inter-bank foreign exchange trading is (are) killing the market.” “Armed robbers now have good company–street thugs and unofficial vigilante groups.” Democracy as a disincentive: vigilance group. “PDP points accusing fingers at INEC….” People in the news: Buhari points the finger. No obtuse addition. “Nigeria is at a crossroad” Fixed expression: at a/the crossroads. “Stationeries badly needed by.…”‘Stationery’ is non-count. “But what appears criminal is the desire of these offsprings of.…”‘Offspring’ does not take any inflection. ”…the process of economic integration from which will emerge an economic block (bloc).…” “There is a tussle going on between these two (would it have been three?) arms of government.” “Nigerian leaders and politicians have continued to adopt and acquiesce to (in).…” “Globacom sets (set) to rule domestic market” “I have been briefed that the wrangling among the leaders of PDP are (is) over.” “Now that the Police has (have) taken over the supervision of the….” “…and ensure it does not reoccur again.”‘Reoccur again’? Run for cover, my dear reader! Just recur. Recur, recurrence, recurrent. Occur, occurred, occurrence. “Lack of incentives anger (angers) local manufacturers”“They provide temporary relief.”‘Temporary relief’? I strongly object to that clumsy expression because there is no permanence in ‘relief’. “The patients pay for each act of ‘healing’ through their noses.” Get it right: they pay through the nose. “At the launching programme (launch) in Abuja.…” “A cursory look at the figures show (shows) that.…” “The end point is that people wait for between three to five hours to pay in their drafts.” English without tears: between three and five.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

fails to materialise, it’s not because the vision is wrong or woolyheaded, but some of the strategies and posturings of the main campaigners were destined to detract and stigmatise the vision! My open-letter counsel: Sit down with other kinsmen and women, of differing political and religious persuasions, who are not less ethnic than you; spread a well articulated message and agenda, and let your goals and vision be crystal clear; develop incremental approaches and multi-level interfaces with other significant nationalities and political institutions; mobilise across political party lines, and sub-ethnic divisions; avoid indiscriminate abuses and curses on perceived opposers and those you consider are lukewarm to your cause; stop yelling your disaffection with monarchs and vested interests, and quit threatening mayhem against your unsupportive kins, and others who do not speak your language nor have sympathies for your dream nation, in public arenas. Stop anything suggestive of grandstanding, and bereft of rigorous thinking and planning. The injustices and brutalities in this vast country are there for all to see and feel; they are alarmingly recurring and are quite troubling to any sane minds; the seeming complicity, obvious insensitivity and perceived rigidity of current power-wielders are daily becoming evident and unambiguous. Yes, all that may be true, and even more so, we must nonetheless seek to reduce the tension (allow those gifted in diplomacy and peacekeeping to lead that aspect); we must protect our people (you know how to disarm and dismiss irritants and criminals without using arms - ask the people of Oke-Owa, in Ondo State); develop a thick skin to doubters and mockers (somewhere ahead you may need even today’s enemies to join forces with you against clay-footed Goliaths); develop multi-level blocs of engagements with different layers of constitutional institutions (no country exists or restructures without some form of institutional framework and support). Let your people dredge more surefooted strategies and approaches - and let the ‘warriors’ calm down, and receive wise counsels: if a struggle is for a righteous cause, the destination is a fait accompli. Don’t destroy the China shop in the hope of building a new shop somewhere else later... only God knows tomorrow, and the baggage therein. As your people would say: many ways lead to a market. So re-strategize, dialogue, and mobilise. Change is inevitable.

SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

OLYMPICS OF UNCERTAINTY

17.07.2021

PAGE. 29

Kelechi Nwakali Premier League Dream Ruined

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021

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Kelechi Nwakali tries to get the better of an opponent

Kelechi Nwakali

Premier League Dream Ruined When Leeds United showed interest in bringing Kelechi Nwakali to Elland Road ahead of the coming season, he felt his dream of playing in the Premier League had come to fruition at last after his move to Arsenal did not bring about the desired result. However, Sociedad Deportiva Huesca has declared that the Nigerian youngster is not for sale and told him to return to the club for pre-season camping

elechi Nwakali’s dream of playing in the Premier League will have to cool off this summer as Spanish side, Sociedad Deportiva Huesca decides to hold on to their rough diamond for a while longer. The Spanish side have decided that the young Nigerian youngster is not for sale and are looking to make the Nigerian midfielder a core part of their first-team squad this season. Nwakali has not had the best of times since leaving Arsenal. He did not play a single match for the first team for Huesca in 2019. The former Golden Eaglets hero only featured sparingly for the Oscenses in the first half of last season as the side struggled for survival in the Spanish La Liga. But a switch to lower league side Alcorcon changed the fortunes for the dynamic midfielder as he showed glimpses of the quality that made Arsenal sign him straight after the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Nwakali’s excellent performances indeed attracted Premier League side, Leeds United and Championship club Bournemouth with the two teams keen on

adding the Nigerian youth international to their squad. But Huesca, with a desire to return to La Liga straight after suffering relegation last term, have no intention of allowing Nwakali to depart anytime soon. The Aragon-based side indeed insists that they have not received any formal bid for the 23-year-old and are reportedly not willing to negotiate even if any club is ready to pay the player’s €15 million release clause. Nwakali returned to Huesca’s preseason camp on Monday and he is expected to join team training should his Coronavirus tests come out negative. He could become a pivotal part of Ignacio Ambríz’s first-team squad this season as they seek a return to La Liga. The midfielder burst into the limelight in the 2015 U-17 World Cup where helped Nigeria win the title, scooping the Golden Ball Award of the tournament in the process. Besides representing Nigeria at the U-17 level, he has also played for the U-20 side and currently has one cap for the Super Eagles. The one-capped Nigerian international never played a senior game for the Gunners, but had some first-team action during loan spells away from

the club. In his short career, Nwakali spent time with MVV Maastricht (twice), VVV Venlo and FC Porto B. He has racked up a total of 80 career appearances so far. But his future at Arsenal looks bleak. Born on June 5, 1998, Nwakali started his career at the Diamond Football Academy and after his performances at 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, in which he won the Golden Ball Award. Nwakali would jump at another chance to return to England and impress after failing to make his mark at Arsenal during a three-year stay. Nwakali moved to Huesca but failed to secure a regular first-team spot before he went on loan to Alcorcon, where he showed his quality once again. His performances in the Segunda Division have reportedly caught the attention of Leeds, who are badly in need of another central midfielder this summer. SD Huesca were delighted with the progress made by the Nigerian youngster during his loan spell at Alcorcón and have attempted to fend off interest shown in the versatile midfielder by offering him a new contract. Nwakali would not have wasted time to

sign on the dotted line if The Azulgranas were not demoted to the second-tier at the end of last season. The 23-year-old has ambitions to represent the Super Eagles at next year’s World Cup and is aware that he must be playing for a top-flight European club to be considered for selection by manager Gernot Rohr. Nwakali departed Arsenal in the summer of 2019 without playing a single game for the first team because he couldn’t sort out his papers. Nwakali has just one year left on his contract at the Spanish second division side. Allwell, the elder brother of Nigerian attacking midfielder once claimed that other nations had approached the player over a possible switch of international allegiance. Nwakali famously led Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, to their agegroup World Cup title in 2015 and won the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player. Despite his success at the junior levels, the 22-year-old has played only once for the senior national team, scoring in a ‘B Team’ friendly against Atletico Madrid in Uyo in 2018. Allwell explained that his brother has Nigeria in his heart, but will consider all offers put to him by other nations. Kelechi however released a statement denying plans to switch international allegiances away from Nigeria. “It is always an honour to wear the green of Nigeria and it is my dream to continue to do so. I categorically deny these reports and will continue to work hard until I am called upon. “I am hugely proud to have represented Nigeria at various levels and am grateful to have had these opportunities in my career thus far. “I have never considered playing for another nation and continuing to play for Nigeria at international level remains my priority and my dream.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS . . . TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS . . . TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS . . .

Tokyo 2020: An Olympics of Uncertainty With less than a week to the Tokyo Olympics, uncertainties rent the air as Covid-19 raises its ugly head

Some Japanese campaigning for the cancelation of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.jpg

A Nigerian delegate to the Olympics became the first visitor to the Tokyo Games to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19, broadcaster TV Asahi said yesterday, as Japan battles to stem rising local infections a week before the event. The individual, a non-athlete in his 60s, tested positive on Thursday evening at the airport with mild symptoms but was hospitalised because of age and preexisting conditions, the broadcaster said, without giving details. On Friday, the Australian Olympic Committee said that tennis player Alex de Minaur, ranked 15th in the world, had tested positive prior to his departure for the Games, becoming the latest athlete to have the virus shatter his Olympics dream. “We’re very disappointed for Alex,” Australia’s chef de mission, Ian Chesterman, told reporters. “He said that he’s shattered, not being able to come … but he has sent his very best wishes for the rest of the team.” De Minaur returned two positive tests in Spain before he was due to fly to Japan, David Hughes, the AOC’s chief medical officer, told a news conference. Another Olympic dream crushed was that of U.S. basketball star Bradley Beal, after USA Basketball said on Thursday the Washington Wizards star would miss the Games after entering coronavirus protocols at a training camp in Las Vegas. The coronavirus has infected several athletes and others involved with the Games, which start on July 23, even as infections spread in Tokyo and experts warn worse may lie ahead. Yesterday, top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato, told a news conference that a Ugandan athlete had gone missing, with police and the team’s host city, Izumisano in western Japan, mounting a search. Izumisano city authorities identified the missing athlete as Julius Ssekitoleko, 20, and public broadcaster NHK said he was a

weightlifter. Reuters was not immediately able to reach the Ugandan delegation for comment. Although a state of emergency has been clamped on Tokyo for the pandemic, most measures to limit its spread are voluntary and many say they have grown weary of them. Organisers have promised that the Games, postponed from last year because of the pandemic, will be “safe and secure.” They have imposed strict testing and limits on delegates’ activities to try to soothe the concern of the Japanese public, many of whom wanted the Games canceled or postponed again. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said on Thursday there was “zero” risk of Games participants infecting Japanese with COVID-19, as infections hit a six-month high in the host city. However, Japanese Olympic gold medalist turned chief of the Japan Sports Agency, Koji Murofushi, told Reuters yesterday that organisers needed flexibility and swift decision-making in reacting to the spread. “It’s possible that even after the Olympics start, there will be situations where we’ll need to add measures to prevent the spread of infections – and if that’s the case, we have to be flexible enough to act swiftly,” said Murofushi, 46, a gold and bronze medalist in the hammer throw. Most venues are to have no spectators, with officials urging the public to stay home and watch on television, depriving Japan of its hopes of pomp and spectacle at the Games. Bach had suggested to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga that if the virus situation improved spectators could be let into stadiums, media said. Asked about the report, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters that while many hoped children at least could see the

Olympics President Thomas Bach insists the game would go on as scheduled

Games in person, it would depend on the trend in infections. Japan’s top medical adviser, Shigeru Omi, told reporters that it was unlikely that the number of daily coronavirus infection cases would fall in a short span of time to levels that justify holding the Games with spectators. Yesterday, Bach visited Hiroshima, the first city to suffer an atomic bombing, to deliver what organisers have called a message of peace on the first day of an “Olympic Truce,” an ancient tradition to cease hostilities during the Games. Bach laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park cenotaph and called the Games a “beacon of hope” for a peaceful future. But the visit has proved controversial, with some critics charging the IOC with using it as a publicity stunt and others

worried about contagion. Although Japan has escaped the explosive outbreaks of other nations, it has more than 820,000 cases and about 15,000 deaths. Host city Tokyo had 1,308 new cases on Thursday and another 1,271 on yesterday. The city’s monitoring committee has warned that if the pace of contagion picked up as people move around and new infectious variants spread, the seven-day moving average could nearly double to 2,406 in four weeks. That would approach the highest level yet seen in the pandemic. Japan’s fitful vaccination campaign has also sparked frustration among the local authorities handling most of it. Momentum gained after a slow start was soon blunted by supply shortages and just 31 per cent of people have had at least one dose.

rize ot he of je ynior, je he

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Wilder and Fury

Participants poses at the closure of Oyeghe’s Lady Captain’s Day Golf Tourney

Anyanacho Calls for Focused Taekwondo Board Oyeghe’s Lady Captain’s Day Golf Femi Solaja

With less than three months to the elective congress of all sports federations as stipulated by the Sports Ministry, one of Nigeria’s medal hope at this month Olympic Games, Elizabeth Anyanacho, hoped for a game changer for the next board of the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria. Ahead of the election, some notable stakeholders have thrown their hat into the ring and willing to lead the next board. But for Anyanacho who is aiming to repeat Chika Chukwumerije’s medal winning feat 13 years ago at the Olympics, is leading other young Taekwondoists to set the tone over the fortune in the country. However, this long hiatus for Nigeria in the sport has set tongues wagging over the fortunes of the sport in the country. While some taekwondists are of the view that the out-going Margaret Binga-led board of NigeriaTaekwondoFederation has performed well in office, others argue to the contrary. The 2019 African Games gold medalist, Chinazum Nwosu believes that under

the Binga-led board, the sport has witnessed several successes especially in terms of athletes ranking, grading, and organisation of tournaments. “I want to tell you that so much has changed under the Binga-led board especially when it comes to the ranking system, selection of athletes for major competitions as well as Kukkiwon Grading system. Prior to the outgoing board, we had no ranking as athletes are selected randomly to represent the country. But now every athlete knows his or her rating and this is the basis of athletes’ selection for major tournaments. The Kukkiwon grading system has really improved unlike in the past where things were not done properly,” Nwosu said. She added: “The coaching system has also improved as more coaches are well updated on the latest rules in the sport. I must also commend the efforts of the Technical Director, Chika Chukwumerije, who has been working hard to make certain changes in the interest of the athletes.” But unlike Nwosu, 2019 African Games bronze medalist, Uzuamaka Otunadinma believes nothing seems to have

changed in the sport. In fact, she blames the Binga-led board for her inability to compete at the Olympic qualifiers. Her words: “I cannot imagine myself not going to the qualifiers and finally miss out on the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It is just frustrating that a lot of athletes have been discouraged with the way things are being run in the federation. For me, the last four years have not been good and it is painful that I cannot compete at the Olympic Games,” a visibly frustrated Otunadinma said. However, Vivian Ndu, three-time national champion, believes that the Binga-led board has handled the sport with transparency and accountability which was lacking before the board came on board. “Now athletes know that if you work hard you can make the national team. I like their transparency when it comes to athletes’ selection to major tournaments. Things have really changed for the better as some of us outside Lagos andAbuja now have the chance to make the national team because everything is now based on merit,” Ndu said.

Babyface Blows Hot Ahead of WBO Title Fight Nigeria’s Rilwan ‘Babyface’ Babatunde, the current WBF Intercontinental Welterweight champion, is all tuned up for his fight against Dymtro Mytrofanov of Ukraine. Babyface is challenging the Ukrainian champion for the WBO Oriental Middleweight title. Speaking at the weigh-in ceremony at the Klitschko Expo

centre in Kiev yesterday ahead of the bout which holds today, Babyface was optimistic that the fight will be a walk-over for him. ‘I am happy for this great opportunity to come all the way to Ukraine to ply my trade. As for my opponent, I am not afraid of him. I know he is good but I will show him what Boxing is all about. ‘Nigerians should expect the

best from me and I hope to take the belt home after the fight on Saturday. ‘I also want to thank my management team Flykite Productions for the support and encouragement. I promise not to let them down’ he concluded. The Nigerian champion weighed 69.1kg while his opponent clocked in at 69.5kg at the ceremony.

Wilder’s Camp Backs American to Regain Title from Fury Deontay Wilder’s team ‘definitely believe’ he will regain the WBC heavyweight title with a crushing knockout of Tyson Fury in their rescheduled trilogy fight. Wilder vs Fury 3 has received a new date of October 9 in Las Vegas after a Covid-19 outbreak in the British star’s training camp caused the postponement of this month’s fight. The American was stopped by Fury in the seventh round of their WBC title fight in February 2020, but co-manager Shelly Finkel expects Wilder to avenge this loss with an emphatic victory.

“I definitely believe that Deontay is going to win his title back by knocking out Tyson Fury,” Finkel told Sky Sports. Wilder has revamped his training team with the addition of Malik Scott, who has taken a lead role in overseeing tactics, and recently told Sky Sports how he identified vulnerabilities in Fury. “They both have the power to hurt each other,” said Scott. “The difference is that Deontay has the power to knock you out. “Fury is undefeated but is vulnerable. That won’t make sense to most humans. “He is an unbeaten fighter but is very beatable. He gives

you an opportunity to hit him. “It is our job to take advantage of those opportunities. I believe Deontay will, and I believe he will knock Fury out in the trilogy.” Anthony Joshua wants to face the winner of Fury vs Wilder 3, if he retains his WBA, WBO and IBF titles in a fight against Oleksandr Usyk, which is expected to be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25. Joshua has told Sky Sports: “I will fight them all. Wilder is just another one in the pecking order, no problem.” Wilder’s team remain open to discussing an undisputed world title fight against Joshua.

Tournament Ends with Flourish

The one-day Oyeghe’s Lady Captain’s Day Golf Tournament ended in style as the duo of Emmanuel Usoh and Mrs. Suwadeetu Mahmud emerged champions. The golf tournament hosted by Princess Oyèghè Oyarekhua, the immediate past Lady Captain of Benin Club Golf Section at the golf course, Benin City, Edo State attracted top golfers across the country. Even in the rainy month of July, the heavens favoured the tournament with a lovely weather. Some of the golfers that participated at the event included the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu and his wife, Maryann, Secretary to Edo State Government Osarodion Ogie, past captains among others. At the end of the event Usoh (hcp.28) played a net score of 71 to emerge winner in the men’s category, while John Omonofe (hcp.14) was first runner-up with 72 net just as Victor Oriasotie (hcp.8) recorded 73 net to place second runner-up after beating General Oscar Iyare on count back. In the same vein, top rated Osazee Iyare (hcp.3) won the best gross trophy having played the lowest gross of 75 thus settled for 72 net at the end of the event. Similarly, Mahmud (hcp.19), former Lady Captain and gold medalist at the 20th National Sports Festival held in Benin City last April continued her form finishing with 72 net. About 130 golfers teed-off at the one day golf tournament that indicated the closing of Oyarekhua captainship in the ladies division BCGS. In her speech, Oyarekhua SAId: “There is time for everything, and that this is the ideal time to host my sports loving golfing friends and family to another historic Lady Captain’s Day in the club. And she says “This is the Day the Lord has made. We rejoice and we are glad in it”!

Paxful Donates to Nigerian Basketball in Olympic Push Paxful announced that it would be donating to the Friends of Nigerian Basketball Foundation (FONB), a non-profit corporation with a mission to amplify and support the global sport of basketball at all levels of engagement and competition. Additionally, Paxful’s Co-Founders Ray Youssef and Artur Schaback will give a personal donation to the FONB. The donation will directly support the D’Tigers, the Nigeria men’s national basketball team during their Olympic run in Tokyo, Japan later this month. Paxful will be donating on behalf of the Built With Bitcoin Foundation, a humanitarian

organisation devoted to creating equitable opportunity by providing clean water, access to quality education, sustainable farming, and humanitarian support—all powered by cryptocurrencies. The Nigeria men’s national basketball team is led by Head Coach Mike Brown, associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors. The D’Tigers are currently ranked 1st in Africa and 22nd in the world by the FIBA World Ranking and they are showing great promise during the Las Vegas, Nevada exhibition games this week--beating both the men’s national teams for the United States and Argentina.

Chinese Community’s Wushu Kungfu Competition Open in Lagos The first edition of Nigeria Chinese Wushu Stage Performance Championship, the Kung-fu event, will begin with open registration on Monday July 19,2021, on its website: http:// ncwspc-ng.com/ The event which is organised by the Wushu Development Association of Nigeria and Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria, is supported by Nigerian Wushu Kung Fu Federation and Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos. The competition is open in senior and junior categories, both male and female, ranging from ages seven and above. Known practitioners in the Wushu

Federation from both China and Nigeria will be the competition judges. The winner of the competition will take home N1 million while first runner up will take home N700 ,000 and N500,000 will be for the second runner up. The prizes are same for senior and junior categories. Participants according to the chairman Huaxing Arts Troupe, Dr Eric Ni, is open to all eligible age . “To take part in the competition which is free, all you need to do is to visit the website and download the free form, thereafter, do a two minutes video of your Wushu Kungfu performance and summit to mail address provided on the website and you good to go,” he stated.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021

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Ahmed Musa and his second wife Juliet Ejue

Ahmed Musa with his third wife Mariam

Ahmed Musa with Jamila when the going was good

Ahmed Musa Scores Goal No 3 He may have failed in his quest at securing a club in mainstream Europe since leaving Saudi Arabia club-Al Nassr, marrying a third wife however was something that was easily achieved by Super Eagles’captain, Ahmed Musa

n the last nine years, Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa has played for six different club and in the same number of years he had been able to tie the nuptial vow with three different women. Though securing a move to Europe has not been easy for the Kano-born player, getting a third wife however comes handy, ascribing to speculation in some quarters that the former VVV Venlo attacker prioritise a third marriage to moving to Europe. Musa took a second wife during a private ceremony recently, making it his third marriage in nine years having ended his relationship with his first wife, Jamila in 2017 to marry Juliet Ejue the same year. The 28-yearold has always maintained that he does not regret his first marriage as he stated that the second one would be happier and longlasting. The Kano Pillars star, who welcomed a baby boy named Ahmed Musa Jr. in 2020 with Juliet, took to his Instagram to celebrate their wedding anniversary last month. Musa wrote: “Days have turned to months, and months into years, and if I had to choose again, it would be you. On this special day, our anniversary, I want to thank you for choosing to be on this journey with me.” In 2017, Musa divorced his wife Jamila, after he was ar-

rested for allegedly beating his wife in their home in England while he was still with Premier League side, Leicester City. Family sources revealed then that the former CSKA Moscow forward and his estranged wife, Jamila, mutually parted ways following irreconcilable differences. The source said the decision was reached by the two parties after efforts to reconcile them failed. The source added that the player’s decision to marry a second wife was permitted by Islam but was vehemently rejected by Jamila. “Ahmed loves his wife and would have loved to keep the union especially for the sake of their two children. “He did everything to make Jamila see reason with him but the woman rejected all overtures. “Several family members mediated in the crisis but the two parties were not ready to shift positions. “They constantly had altercations and it was affecting them. “A lot of things have been said about Ahmed on this matter which is not correct, he is a gentleman and this issue is constantly affecting him even his career. “The wife insisted she could not cope with another woman but Musa was adamant about going ahead with it.

“He is a devout Muslim and a responsible husband and instead of keeping mistresses he chose to legally marry a new wife as permitted by his religion. “His own family members and even his mother endorsed his plans and there is no going back. “Ahmed’s mother was in the UK a couple of times to speak with Jamila to accept his son’s decision but she declined.” Regarding his arrest by the UK police, the source confirmed that Musa had altercations with his wife but never beat her. The source said the last heated argument was after Jamila queried Musa for posting the picture of the new lady on his Instagram page and called her ‘my queen’. Musa then went on to marry Juliet Ejue, who allegedly brought to end his first marriage in wedding ceremony in Abuja as his divorced wife, Jamila was since back in Kano, with their two children. The Super Eagles captain joined Nigeria Professional Football League side, Kano Pillars after his anticipated move to last season’s relegated Premier League side-West Brom failed during the winter transfer. Hours before the close of the Premier League January transfer window, West Brom have confirmed that the club does not know the whereabouts of Ahmed Musa, placing a significant doubt on the Nigerian

forward’s chances of joining the relegation-threatened Baggies. Musa had been without a club since he left Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in October, but he is keen on a return to England. West Brom, aiming to avoid relegation just 12 months after sealing promotion, were looking at the Nigerian to help sharpen a blunt attack that has been struggling to make much of an impact in the top-flight. It appeared a match made in heaven. But the former Leicester City attacker had delays in receiving his UK visa, which was requested by West Brom. And there appears to be no improvement in the situation as Musa did not arrive at the Hawthorns, where he was expected to have his medicals and put pen to a six-month contract. West Brom manager, Sam Allardyce, had revealed that Musa and his representatives had failed to show up to the Baggies’ Walsall training ground since the initial contact and offer was made. “He hasn’t arrived yet. We are still waiting so I don’t know what the situation is,” Sam Allardyce had confirmed at his press conference. “We have been waiting for two weeks now. “I’m not totally up to speed with the situation because it’s not been my main focus.”

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 ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021

SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY17, 2021

IMAGES

It was a moment of joy for the families of Mr. Tunde Mac-Alabi and Chief Ede Osayande when Mr. Kolawole Mac-Alalbi took former Miss Ekinadese Osayande to the altar at the Church of the Assumption Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos with reception at The Coliseum, lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Here are some of the personalities that attended the occasion. Photographs: Abayomi Akinyele

Groom, Kolawole Mac-Alabi and his wife, Ekinadese

L-R: Wife of the Nigerian Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo Osibajo, groom’s parents, Mrs. Olubukola Mac-Alabi and her husband, Tunde

Bride’s father, Chief Ede Osayande (left) and Mrs Precious Osayande

L-R Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila_ his wife, Salamatu_ and Director General, Federal Budget Oﬃce, Mr. Ben Nwabueze

Professor Adekukoyi, his wife, Fola and Dr. Wale Babalakin

AVM Ladi Smith and wife, Funke

Mrs Foluke Alakija (l) and Mobola Durosinmi-Etti

Dr Toyin and Dr Layi Fatona

Mr Taiwo Griselda and wife, Abu

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021

POLITY

Obinna Uzoh

I Have Been Vindicated in Ifeanyi Ubah’s Case against Me On January 2020, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, nullified the election of Ifeanyi Ubah as the senator representing Anambra South and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Dr. Obinna Uzoh, the candidate of the PDP that came second in the election. The court ruled that having established that there were discrepancies in the certificate presented by Ubah and the fact that he did not emerge the candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) from a primary election, his victory was null and void. The court then ordered that Uzoh, a legal practitioner, politician, and philanthropist, who had got an earlier court judgment pronouncing him as the authentic candidate of the PDP, should be sworn in as senator representing Anambra South. Ubah had appealed the case and the Court of Appeal gave him victory, ruling that the High Court did not have jurisdiction to have entertained the case. The Supreme Court also affirmed the judgment based on not having jurisdiction to entertain the case. However, there was a twist in the case thereafter, as Uzoh was accused of falsifying court documents in his suit against Ubah. He was detained and put to trial before Justice Okon Abang. The case was later reassigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja, who last Tuesday discharged and acquitted Uzoh of the forgery allegation. In this interview with select journalists including Olaoluwakitan Babatunde, Uzoh spoke, for the first time, on the matter and his ordeal Last Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja discharged the case of forgery instituted against you as fallout of your suit against Ifeanyi Ubah. What is the genesis of the case? hat court case came as a result of our allegation of forgery against Ubah for which we got a judgement at the FCT High Court, Abuja. We believed we were right to have started the case in Abuja relying on Zayyad Ibrahim v APC and 2 others (unreported) SC/420/2019 and a plethora of other authorities because all the certified documents we got were obtained from INEC’s headquarters in Abuja. INEC office in Awka, Anambra State said that the documents were domiciled in Abuja. Also, the YPP headquarters is in Abuja, and PDP headquarters is also in Abuja. Nothing was connecting Anambra in the matter. However, the Supreme Court panel, said no, that the matter should have originated in Anambra. Well, we congratulated Ubah because the Supreme Court had ruled. However, the only court that treated the substance of the case, which was a forgery of a certificate, was the FCT High Court and it acknowledged that the documents presented by Ubah were forged because there were different fonts, logo, serial numbers. Accusing me of forging documents to obtain my judgment was an after-thought. They were looking for something to dent my image instead of addressing the certificate case against him. Well, I have been vindicated. The court discharged and acquitted me. No doubt realising that he had no strong case against me, Ubah, the nominal complainant, through his counsel came back to say he was withdrawing the matter relying on Section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). The judge, relying on Section 355 of the ACJA, discharged and acquitted me.

I set out to create. Before this case, a lot of those who like to play the role of godfathers in Anambra State and some others parading fake certificates were getting ready to vie for the office of governor. They could have emerged as candidates for the November 6 governorship election. But with this awareness, they saw that they couldn’t make progress and therefore withdrew and decided to back some other qualified people.

From what you said, it means the Appeal Court and Supreme Court ruled only on jurisdiction and not on the substance of the case of certiﬁcate forgery against Senator Ubah. Why would they do that? You cannot question my noble lords of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. In law, if you don’t have jurisdiction they will not look at the substance of the case, but we felt that we had jurisdiction because all our documents came from the INEC headquarters in Abuja. There was a plethora of Supreme Court judgements which my counsel quoted to show that we had jurisdiction, but the judges of the Supreme Court disagreed, and in law, if you don’t have jurisdiction, my noble lords will not entertain the substance of the case. The judgement of the FCT High Court Sen Ubah’s documents were forged has not been upturned, in the true sense of it; but what we were looking at then was a pre-election matter. What were your travails during the period the case against you lasted? We understand that your son, who is a lawyer, was whisked away from the court over it? If you are a good man like me and get into politics, you will be ready for any challenge. Challenge is one of the elements of growth and success. The police invited my son and he went there. A lot of propaganda and falsehood were going around but I refused to say anything. My son did not say anything too. We are lawyers and when a matter is in court, you cannot say anything on it as this will be sub judice.

Has Ubah made effort to apologise to you for what is looking like defamation? I am yet to get a call or an apology from him. I am not expecting anything from him. That’s what you get in politics. Some people have asked me whether I will file for a defamation suit with huge damages and perhaps have him punished. Some people have also said that vengeance is of the Lord’s. These are all the things I will reflect on before I decide the way forward. For now, I’m contented with the liberation I’m bringing to my people.

Uzoh My son, who was one of those who represented me in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, was in court and some people with policemen waylaid him, saying they were looking for Dr. Obinna Uzoh and insisted that he went with them to the police headquarters. He agreed. His driver drove him to the police headquarters. He was not whisked away. He got there and told them that he is a lawyer and that he was sure they were looking for me, his father. He told them that if they wanted to serve him, they should do so in his office and if they wanted to serve me, his father, they should do so in my office. In the end, their boss told them to let my son go. There were also reports that some judicial officers were sacked for compiling a fraudulent case file. This is untrue. No judicial officer has been sacked on account of this case. A lot of unprintable things were said about me, my son, my lawyers, etc that were targeted at smearing my image. But people refused to believe these things because they know my pedigree and standing in society. There was no need to join issues with them, being disciplined lawyers. For me, when I got into politics, I was ready for anything. People warned me to be careful, that my political opponents could frame me for a crime. Well, that is not why we should run away from politics. We should get in and do our best. All good men and women cannot run away from politics. Back to the question; I waited for them to serve me or invite me to the police station, but they didn’t. I went to the office of the Inspector General of Police. They came and said they had declared me wanted. These are people who never invited me by whatever means. They detained me and later took me to court. What would you say you have gained from all the trouble? I have gained resilience and great experience. However, society has gained more. Now, it will be difficult for people with questionable certificates to go for elective offices at whatever level. I am happy that I achieved the awareness

As it is today, the political parties have all held their primaries to elect candidates for the November 6 governorship election. This means you are completely out of the process. What will be your next line of action? I am a firm believer in God. I’m not a quitter. Perhaps, they thought they can keep me out of it, but if it is God’s will, it will still come to fruition. It is not yet over. Politics is like a game of football; until you hear the final whistle, the game is not yet over. We are studying the developments to see how we can get involved. Perhaps, before the end of this July, we will come out with a position on whether I will contest for the governorship of Anambra State or support somebody. The parties have had their primaries; we are studying the outcome; some of the parties are already in court, so we are studying the process, to see how we will get involved. The church seems to play a big role in Anambra State politics. We have seen many candidates emerge using the sentiment of the church. What are your expectations in this particular election, where many of the candidates are of the Catholic faith? The Church has always played a role in Anambra politics, but as time goes on, we will see how it goes. By the time the list of final candidates is presented to the Anambra people, they will make their choice. A lot of things will come into play, including background and antecedents. Religion could be a major factor. It is a known fact that we have a huge percentage of people of the Catholic faith in Anambra State; we will see how it goes. For me, my philanthropy cuts across boundaries. What is your advice to the people of Anambra in exercising their franchise? Our people must take a look at what is happening in politics. Politics determines a lot of things - how business is done, education, and many more. The people must take advantage of the ongoing continuous voter registration by INEC to get their voters cards. By the time the final names of candidates are released it will behove them to decide who to vote for. They should look at the antecedents. They should ask these questions: What has that candidate been doing? What has he done with the little he has to help the people? You have to trust somebody with a bigger office if you see what he has done with the little office. We should, as one of our surviving nationalists, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, said, look at the antecedents of the candidates rather than leaning towards political parties.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021

POLITY

Ethnic Character of Nigerian Insecurity Sola Ebiseni

igerians are so divided under the Buhari administration that several strange things are happening. Significantly, it has succeeded in shattering and scattering the myth of one north which Sir Ahmadu Bello and the founding members of his school of thought, both in politics and the academia, have managed with such dexterity that the average southerner would pass off all northerners with a generic name of Hausa. The pandering to Fulani supremacy by the Buhari Government have lifted the veil from the artificial tribe called Hausa/Fulani created to give the Hausa elite a false equal sense of belonging only in the governance of Nigeria In an article titled “The Truth about Katsina, Zamfara Killings published in This Day of 22nd February 2020, the author Yemi Adebowale did an in depth analysis of the ethnic character of the insecurity in northern Nigeria, which provides well informed insights into the situation which has engulfed the whole country today. According to the author, “the unending killings in Katsina and Zamfara states by so-called bandits will persist for a very long time if political leaders and security agents continue to act in support of the warring factions. This is the crux of the matter.” He went on: “What is happening in Katsina, Zamfara and to some extent, Sokoto, (now engulfing Kaduna, Kebbi, Niger states) is war between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers, over grazing land. The bandits are Fulani militias. They fight for the herders that want unfettered access to farm lands. Herders often call the militias when they suffer casualties. The Hausa farmers also have their militias called Yan Sakai. They retaliate for Hausa farmers when their farm lands are destroyed and farmers killed. It is one big mess compounded by politicians and security agents that have refused to act dispassionately. This is why hundreds of lives have been consumed by this disaster in these states, in the last five years or thereabout.” Shedding more lights on what now is responsible for the escalation of the crisis, the writer said. “The states mentioned hitherto experienced very tiny crisis between the herders and farmers, prior to Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as President. But immediately he became President, the Fulani herders were emboldened, because ‘our brother is now in charge,’ and the drive for unencumbered access to farm lands assumed a frightening dimension. Of course, security agents also became lackadaisical when called upon to respond to attacks by Fulani militias” The writer cited several instances where the powers that be have justified massacres by the Fulani militias on the

grounds of retaliation or reprisals by farmers who reacted to the destruction of their farms by the herders. The farmers made up of several ethnic groups are advised by the federal government to accept the reality by seeking peace with the attacking and untouchable herders and make their lands available in ransom for their lives. For instance, Nassir El-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and now Governor of Kaduna State is so Fulacentric that, in an unsolicited tweet in 2012, he warned that “anyone, soldier or not, that kills the Fulani, takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes”. This notion that a Fulani is untouchable, even by a soldier, was given official imprimatur when, barely a year of his becoming Governor of Kaduna State. Nasir shocked the nation when he disclosed barefacedly, in a press Conference, widely reported on December 3rd, 2016, that he paid Fulani herdsmen, who came from several countries, to stop them from such permissive vengeful killings of people of southern Kaduna. El-Rufai claimed: “So many of these people were killed, cattle lost and they organised themselves and came back to revenge. We took certain steps. We got a group of people that were going round trying to trace some of these people in Cameroon, Niger republic and so on to tell them that there is a new governor who is Fulani like them and has no problem paying compensations for lives lost and he is begging them to stop killing. In most of the communities, once that appeal was made to them, they said they have forgiven. There is one or two that asked for monetary compensation. They said they have forgiven the death of human beings, but want compensation for cattle. We said no problem, and we paid some. As recently as two weeks ago, the team went to Niger republic to attend one Fulani gathering that they hold every year with a message from me.” However, rather than being placated, the militiamen were emboldened by such assured official ethnic protection unleashing terror not only on the people of Kaduna but now rendered the whole of the North West in particular and Nigeria ungovernable. The Federal Government, in words and body language, have not helped matters in the impression that the Fulani enjoys a soft spot in the heart of government no matter the severity of his conduct while members of other ethnic nationalities are made to face the horrors of arrest, being declared terrorist, or killed by agents of the federal government for the slightest conceivable misdemeanour. Commending the DSS for the unwarranted attacks and killings at the residence of Sunday Igboho, Garba Shehu, the unrepentant champion of Fulani ethnic interest and spokesperson for President Buhari, said Igboho was “ a militant ethnic secessionist, who has also been conducting acts of

terror and disturbing the peace under the guise of protecting fellow kinsmen” and whose seditious utterances and antics, which he is known to have publicly expressed, have overtime morphed into very hateful and vile laden speeches”. It is thus clear that Igboho was targeted to be eliminated and now declared wanted for not making himself available to be killed on account of his speeches in support of his kinsmen which speeches are only declared by Garba as seditious and hateful for being against the heinous crimes of Shehu’s cousins - local and foreign - who, for all intents and purposes, are the only persons permitted by the federal government, to carry sophisticated weapons, and kill without questioning. To protect the sacred cows, they must have statutory right of occupancy of land larger than owned by the ancestral inhabitants and fully developed with schools, water supply, health centres, housing estates and such infrastructural facilities to the envy of the less privileged indigenes. Nigerians are blackmailed to stop mentioning the ethnic identity of the killer herdsmen. In the remotest crannies of the country, the farmers, kidnapped travellers, abducted students and their parents mince no words about the ethnic identities of the armed criminal gangs. The negotiator and cleric do not hide the tribe of the boys on behalf of whom he negotiates for ransom and for whom he cajoles government for rehabilitation. The scores of defenceless peasant farmers massacred in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara last Thursday in reprisal for the alleged killing of two members of a bandit group are not of the same tribe with their assailants. In all cases of massacres by the armed herdsmen and their military wing, Nigerian security forces have been helpless, not because the bandits are invincible but they are deterred by official complicity or body language. The way forward The first step forward is for Nigeria to accept the fact that animal husbandry and nomadism are only occupational matters and not a culture peculiar to any tribe. It has been there before Abraham, the progenitor of shepherds and our two dominant Christian and Islamic religions. Most of those tribes have jettisoned the primitive and ultra-hazardous mode of breeding animals. It is cruel for the federal government and of states of origin of those herders to consign those citizens to such horrendous state of living on the excuse of cultural preference.

t 4PMB &CJTFOJ JT 4FDSFUBSZ (FOFSBM "GFOJGFSF Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Making Ogun Haven for Lives, Property Femi Ezekiel

o society thrives without security. Statutorily, the first responsibility of any government is to secure lives and property of its citizens. No wonder, the idea of the government as a protector, requires taxes to fund, train, and equip its security agencies.

Globally, the concept of funding to provide for adequate security, be it in the advanced or the developing world, has varied over time. The sophistry in various forms of crime requires the deployment of modern fighting equipment. Unlike in the recent past when the government alone bore the burdens of fighting crimes, the upsurge resulting from the deployment of high-tech machines by criminals has called for collective efforts from both individuals and corporate organisations to join forces. This development brings us back to the concept of community policing, whereby individuals, corporate organisations, and governments, be it at the federal or state level, come together to fight the monster headlong. However, boiling down the scenario, Ogun State is not an exception in the task of funding the security agencies, in response to fighting violent crimes. Ogun State has proximity to Lagos, the fifth largest economy in entire Africa, and this gives it a comparative advantage over others, to exploit the ample opportunities (push and pull factors) provided to its greatest benefits. The facts and statistical data about Ogun State are quite compelling. As an acknowledged hub of investment destination in the country, it is a quintessential melting pot, sought after by potential investors who are willing to open shops and visit the state, virtually daily. And this development makes it easily a thriving ground for all shades of crimes. In response to the expected threats to the security of lives and property, one is compelled to reflect on the bold initiatives Governor Abiodun took, shortly after he assumed the mantle of leadership in the state on May 29, 2019. The speedy passage of a bill into law by the State

House of Assembly for the re-establishment of a renewed and vibrant Ogun State Security Trust Fund (OGSTF); subsequent launch of the first leg of the launch which raked in well over N1 billion; the initial procurement of 200 patrol vehicles, 250 powered-bikes, safety-crash helmets, bullet-proof vests; and other kits, within a jiffy, speak volume of the premium the administration has placed in the protection of lives and property in the state. Corporate organisations like Dangote and others that have seen the good spirit behind the laudable initiative have keyed into the lofty projects with donations of additional patrol vehicles. Similarly, the recent outbreak of clashes between herders and farmers in the Yewa axis (Ogun West district), which was swiftly brought under control, demonstrated the government’s commitment to investing in the security of its citizens. Through the Joint Security Intervention Squad (JSIS), which comprises the personnel of the army, police, and local vigilante, that were deployed to some parts of the Yewa axis in response to spontaneous attacks from the criminal herders on the inhabitants, the government was able to procure additional patrol vehicles to its fleet in tackling headlong the security challenges at the time, to the barest minimum. Also, shortly after the inauguration of the Southwest security outfit, code-named “Amotekun”, the state government bought additional patrol vehicles, numbering well over 50, to complement the duties of the police in some remotest parts of the state. Not left out, the prompt payment of monthly allowances and floating of a life insurance policy for the personnel are other motivating factors. The government is fortifying the State Police Command and other sister agencies in the fight against violent crimes. As if undone with the rare gesture on June 11, 2021, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, ably assisted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Usman Alkali Baba, officially handed over additional 55 patrol vehicles, 200 bullet-proof vests, crash helmets, communication gadgets, and other kits to the personnel of the

Ogun State Police Command, at a brief ceremony, for effective policing of the state. It is significant to state that these vehicles and fighting equipment will enable the Command to effectively cover every nook and cranny of the state and also respond to distress calls faster. By introduction, the OGSTF is designed principally to provide a clear vehicle needed for the realisation of an enduring private-public approach to the resource problems of security in Ogun State. In short, the law provides for the structure, funding, decision-making, and accountability mechanisms of the Fund. The monies and assets of the Fund comprise voluntary donations by the state government, the Organised Private Sector (OPS), the informal business sector, and private citizens. With a safer Ogun, the state would continue to attract bigger commerce and more local and foreign investment. This would create more job opportunities for the people and generate more taxes for the government to improve the infrastructure in various sectors. The Ogun State Police Command has been a major beneficiary of donations of this security equipment by the OGSTF and the state government. With this commitment to rid the state of the unwholesome activities of the criminal elements, it is sure that the administration is on its way to creating a 24-7 economy that is in the best interest of all and sundry. Given the encouraging partnership and support of well-meaning citizens and corporate organisations, it is evident that the administration is on course to making the state a haven only for law-abiding citizens. Security is everybody’s business. Effective security thrives in collaboration between the public and the security agencies. To whom much is given, much is expected. Law enforcement officers are never ‘off duty. They are dedicated public servants who have sworn to protect the public at any time and place. r Ezekiel wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021

POLITY Aliyu Muktar Betara

Touching the Lives of His People Ibrahim Ahmad

onsidering the level of devastation insurgency has brought to the North East, especially Borno State, there is no doubt that it would take decades of rehabilitation for the region to return to its former self. The war, over the years, has brought untold pain, anguish and starvation to families in the region. But there are many people in leadership positions working to reduce poverty in Borno State. One of them is Honourable Aliyu Muktar Betara, the Biu-born lawmaker, who currently represents Biu, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, Shani Federal Constituency of the state. Though he is hardly in the news as a member of the National Assembly, yet his contributions are the most impactful on the people in the state. He does not and has never craved publicity like an average politician in Nigeria. Betara wants to go unnoticed, doing his work and affecting lives. He has been representing his constituency for the past 14 years and still counting. Despite his popularity in his constituency, the state, and among his colleagues at the NationalAssembly, Betara isn’t on the pages of Nigerian newspapers or his face shown on the screens of television programmes and shows. Interestingly, Betara, at the outset, was never interested in politics but for the insistence and push from beneficiaries of his benevolence. They believed that given his philanthropic activities as a private citizen, if given the support, he would represent them well at the centre. That was how Betara became a politician and ended up at the National Assembly. Since then, the people of Biu, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, Shani have never regretted having him as their representative. Recently, a stranger approached Betara in one of his numerous visits to his constituency, who made case for a friend, whose wife had a kidney-related disease and who desperately needed a transplant. The transplant was to be carried out in India. Betara asked for the particulars of the said lady.Amonth later, the lady, Hajia Fatima, and her husband travelled to India for treatment, all expense paid by Betara. There are numerous such medical interventions, both within the country and outside our shores, which Betara has had to undertake regularly. There was also a case of MallamAlkaliAbubakar, a peasant farmer in Biu with five children. His daughter, Sadaatu, 19, wanted to study medicine.Abubakar, unfortunately, could not afford the expenses

Betara

required of the course. He sought the assistance of the state scholarship board, which unfortunately had exhausted the entries for that session. Betara got wind of it, calledAbubakar and took over the payment of fees. She is presently studying medicine atAhmadu Bello University, at the expense of Betara. Another beneficiary of his kindness wasAli Bukar, 36, who presently works with one of the banks in Maiduguri. He graduated in 2013. He met Betara by happenstance. He explained his joblessness even after graduating. He sent his particulars to him as requested. Two and half months later, he was employed as a cashier. Over 8,000 grinding machines and more than 15,000 sewing machines have been distributed to empower his constituent. More than 10 fully equipped ambulances have been donated to the three local government areas that make up his constituency and the state government. He built and donated more than 20 well-equipped health care centres. He donated more than 600 solar-powered street lights to

the three local government areas. He facilitated the construction of major roads network in Biu and another three linking villages within the constituency. He built a mini stadium in Shani District. He upgraded Biu Emirate to a modern palace, built Islamic schools, and renovated mosques in Biu. He has so far provided scholarship for over 3,000 students, within and outside the country. Betara built skill acquisition centres in each of the three local government areas. The centres have since graduated over 500 apprentices who have also become employers of labour, thereby generating wealth and adding value to the society. At a point, he was donating a trailer load of motorcycles to his constituency every quarter. He stopped when it was banned as a means of transportation because of the insurgency. He promptly replaced it with tricycles, and would distribute more than 500 units soon. Through him, over 3,000 job opportunities have been given, not only within his constituency, but also to people of Borno State extraction. Given all the aforementioned, you would think his name and picture should be everywhere in the media, but Betara would rather remain in the shadow, doing what he knows best- solving problems, including helping the needy. Born on November 22nd, 1966, Betara is an indigene of Wuyo in Biu Township. He attended Biu Central Primary School, Borno State, obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He then proceeded to Biu Central Junior Day Secondary School, Biu, and Government Technical Secondary School. Before he rounded off his secondary education, Betara knew what he wanted. He wanted to go into business. He wanted to be a successful businessman. It is no surprise that he read Business Administration, both for his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND), all from Ramat Polytechnic, Borno State. Indeed, he became what he dreamt about a successful businessman. Success, they say, comes with its responsibilities. Betara’s kind-heartedness would not allow him to see people in need and look the other way.

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PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Group Head, Media and Technical, Trinity House, Mr. Robert Omole; Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Olajide Ighodalo; and Head, Welcome and Hospitality, Trinity House, Grace Ikani, at the church 11th year anniversary press conference, held at the Church Auditorium in Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: CEO, Eﬀyzzie Music Ltd, Mr. Taiye Aliyu; Lush Hair Brand Ambassador/Musical Artiste, Yemi Alade; Head of Partnership/Event, Lush Hair, Folasade Oluwafemi; and Digital Marketing Manager, Lush Hair, Omoruyi Bello-Osagie, during the signing of Yemi Alade as Lush Hair brand Ambassador in Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Director, Lagos State Library Board, Mr. Amao Oyadipe; representative of the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs. Tinuola Idowu; Special Adviser Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adeniram Kasali; Senior Special Assistant on Tertiary Institutions and Students Relations, Mr. Sanya Olu Omotayo; and Director, Agency for Mass Education, Mrs. Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, at the 3-day CaL-R: The Paramount Ruler of Epe Division; Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun; Executive Direc- pacity Building Retreat organised by the oﬃce of the Special Adviser on Education in Epe, Lagos tor of BOSKOH, Mrs. Nike Osa; Olisa of Epe Land; Chief Waheed Korede Alaolu; and Dental Super- ...recently ETOP UKUTT

visor BOSKOH, Dr. Ademola Gureje, at the BOSKOH medical outreach in Epe ...recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021

POLITY A.A. RANO, ‘Petrol Kings’ and Unsubstantiated Reportage Chidiebere Nwobodo

s a media enthusiast, I read newspapers religiously daily, from online to hardcopy to keep myself updated on the latest developments across board. On 5th of July, 2021, during my routine media review, I stumbled on a lead story published in one of the newspapers with the title: “Market glut as EFCC goes after petrol kings”. My curiosity was aroused and I began reading the “exclusive story”. The publication dwelled on how market glut had emerged in the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as a result of EFCC’s onslaught against smugglers under “Operation White”. Knowing the negative impact of petrol smuggling across Nigerian borders by suspected unscrupulous dealers and how it has raised the nation’s daily consumption of petrol to a staggering 103 million liters, in the month of May, according to NNPC report, with its attendant hike on subsidy, to N210 billion monthly, my interest in the newspaper story became keen. The story stated explicitly that EFCC had already “quizzed” some of the suspected smugglers, and the fear of the anti-corruption agency had sent jitters down the spine of these alleged smugglers, of which made the rate of smuggling of petrol across the borders to nosedive and

subsequently created a glut in the market. While in the middle of the story, I was starting to feel a sense of relief with the development. At least, the monstrous menace of petrol smuggling would soon become history. In the foregoing context, I was already commending the reporter of such an “investigative” story and his corresponding courage, until putrid of innuendoes, prejudices and biases of which instigated the story in the first place, began to ooze out of the malicious publication as I read further. In one of the paragraphs, the story stated: “For instance, in the month of May, A.A RANO Nigeria Limited with less than 100 filling stations lifted Nigeria’s highest petrol of 169.7 million litres, while Total Nigeria Plc, the only international oil in Nigeria’s downstream sector with an extensive distribution network of over 570 service stations nationwide, lifted 17.2 million litres of petrol.” By making this unprofessional cum unsubstantiated comparison between A.A RANO Nigeria Limited and Total Nigeria Plc, especially as related to the quantity of petrol lifted from the depot within the period under review vis-a-vis numbers of filling stations run by these companies, the report inadvertently insinuated that A.A RANO Nigeria Limited might be lifting quantity of petrol its filling stations would not accommodate, thereby surreptitiously roping in A.A RANO Nigeria

Limited as a potential suspect in the cross-border petrol smuggling. This is very unfortunate and disgustingly misleading. Come to think of it. A.A RANO Nigeria Limited does not have “less than 100 filling stations” as the vile propaganda inferred. The petrol retailing Company has over 120 active filling stations across the country. This is not even the catch. Capacity of a company in this type of business is not measured only by the number of filling stations across the country, but, also the number of pumps per filling station juxtaposed with the capacity of its tank farm, haulage strength and network of distribution. Any discerning Nigeria will agree with my line of thought. Some marketers have four-to-six pumps per filling station, while some like A.A RANO Nigeria Limited, have more than twentyfive to thirty pumps per filling station. If you put these facts into proper perceptive, it is like having five-in-one filling stations; multiply by over 120 filling stations. So, you can see how flawed and illogical it is to draw hasty conclusion on the comparison made between A.A RANO Nigeria Limited and Total Nigeria Plc. It is like comparing apples with oranges. Newspapers are free to do their investigative reports and run their exclusive stories without being biased, malicious, inciting and

Honour for Jasper F. Jumbo

Sam Ekpe

e that humbles himself shall be exalted and whoever exalts himself shall be abased - Holy Bible: Matthew 23 vs 12. This assertion of our lord Jesus Christ has been made manifest in many instances and circumstances all over the world. In the gospel of St. Luke 10 vs 7 we are also advised that the labourer is worthy of his hire. These attestations confirm the fact that at a stage in one’s life, one’s sacrifice for his people or nation should be recognized and appreciated, hence the unique refrain that the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain in our national anthem. As the nation discusses the full import of the Petroleum Industry Bill now due for passage at the National Assembly, we should not do so without placing on record the contributions of Nigerian heroes who contributed their intellect, time and personal resources, and endured sleepless nights to ensure the formation of the various development agencies in the Niger-Delta region, for without their effort, the present stage of development of the region, unsatisfactory as it is, has been a great leap forward from the sorry state of affairs in the area in the past. One such patriot, with nationalistic fervor who devoted much of his over 70 years of life to ensure that the people of the Niger-Delta enjoy the benefits of their Godgiven natural resources is Chief Jasper F. Jumbo. Chief Jasper Jumbo is one of the great heroes of the struggle for Niger-Delta development whom it has pleased the Almighty God to keep alive today. Many of his

compatriots in the struggle have since passed to the great beyond. When one hears or reads about the mind boggling figures alleged to have been looted in the NDDC by public officers, instead of being used for the public good, one wonders if the spirit of the deceased founding fathers of the NDDC will not recoil in their graves. Apart from the tokenism of naming the rented Headquarters Building of the NDDC on the Governor Peter Odili, after the demise of late sage Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, no other form of National recognition has being accorded these Founding Fathers of the two Development Agencies of the Niger Delta Region – OMPADEC and the NDDC. This writer feels deeply concerned about the unfortunate developments in the NDDC as the development agency has been bitten by the bug of corruption, cronyism, financial scandals, abandoned projects and all other negative tales. Having personally observed with keen interest and admiration, from close quarters at the early stages of the struggle, the intrigues the activities and the eventual success that gave birth to the predecessor organizations of the NDDC and the eventual establishment of the body in 1999 I feel very sad that this worthwhile dream of great patriots has been allowed to degenerate into disrepute many keen observers feel that it is still not late to turn the tide of the organization into hope and prosperity. The struggle for the emancipation of the grossly marginalized and under developed Riverine communities of Nigeria was initiated by the late Chief Harold Dappa Biriye who made a case for a better deal for the area at the Lancaster Conference in 1957.

Following deliberations at the Conference, the Willins Commission was set up in 1958 to address the case of the Niger Delta minorities of Nigeria. This gave rise to the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) soon after, which though underfunded, coordinated economic activities in the Niger-Delta Area until the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967. I was a witness to the historic role Jasper F Jumbo played in the Niger Delta struggle while serving as the Public Relations Officer to the late Dr. K.O Mbadiwe, then Special Adviser to President Shehu Shagari on National Assembly Matters in the 1980s. Jasper Jumbo is patriotism and compilations endeared him to Dr. Mbadiwe. He worked with us in our office in State House Marina, Lagos and on many occasions sought support for his well researched solution to the Niger-Delta problem from various political heavy weights of the period. Dr. Mbadiwe gave Jasper F. Jumbo a letter of introduction to the late Dr. Pius Okigbo, the then Chairman of the Federal Committee for the Review of Revenue Allocation Dr. Okigbo’s appreciation of Jasper Jumbo’s confidential submission and positive response was the main reason behind the allocation of 1.5 % of Nigeria’s Federal Revenue to her Mineral Producing Areas During the Military Regime, Chief Dappa Biriye floated the AMPARS: Association of Mineral Producing Areas of Rivers State and wanted the Mineral Producing Areas Fund used for a Mineral Areas Bank for Niger-Delta and commie Tax for Niger-Delta Monarchs. However, Jasper Jumbo disagreed with him on principle and after his written validation by the Presi-

injurious to the image of corporate organizations. Such prejudiced stories as this, can be seen as a premeditated attempt by a media platform to gaslight a Company for onward persecution and public opprobrium, especially in a nation where fake news travel faster than the speed of light. My consolation is that lifespan of a propaganda is shorter than falsehood. I am still flabbergasted that a newspaper could extrapolate and insinuate that A.A RANO Nigeria Limited could engage in crossborder smuggling just because it “lifted Nigeria’s highest petrol of 169.7 million litres” in the month of May, 2021. It is on record that this Company is one of the petrol major marketers that sell cheapest in the country. I remember when price of petrol was first increased to N162 per liter, A.A RANO Nigeria Limited was selling at N160 per liter even when some marketers were exploiting the masses by selling as high as N180 per liter. Occasionally, A.A RANO Nigeria Limited still opens its filling stations to give out free petrol to motorists and some of its committed customers. A Company that is this patriotic and philanthropic, what then will be the motivation to engage in smuggling? this is the milliondollar question. t $IJEJFCFSF /XPCPEP XSPUF JO GSPN "CVKB WJB DIJEJFCFSFOXPCPEP!ZBIPP DPN

dential Adversory Committee in Dodan Barracks over Chief Biriye and his team, Jasper Jumbo formed the National Association for Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (NAMPAD), and for over seven years (7) carried the Niger Delta struggle on his head. As National Co-ordinator and later National Chairman of NAMPAD, Jasper Jumbo in 1986 led a few Niger Delta personalities to formally negotiate with the Federal Government to establish another Commission for the Development of the Niger Delta as well as the Ecological Fund Commission, since the NDDB had become moribund. This led to the establishment of OMPADEC in 1992 by the President Ibrahim Babangida Administration after the Armed Forces Ruling Council cleared his confidential blueprint and later NDDC by President Obasanjo in 1999. One sees no reason why such icons of the Niger-Delta struggle like Prof. Jasper Jumbo and his other colleagues who saw it all from inception till date should not be involved in nurturing the baby they gave birth to and see it grow to maturity. At this period, our dear President Buhari is searching for most effective and efficient strategy to develop the goose that lays the Golden eggs, without our endless tales of corruption and scandals, shouldn’t Prof Jasper Jumbo, a tried and tested administrator and the visioner of the Commission be invited to clear the Augean stable and give the Development Agency an entirely new lease of life I so summit. t &LQF JT BO "CVKB CBTFE .FEJB 13 $POTVMUBOU BOE $PNNFOUBUPS PO 1VCMJD "GGBJST

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Wike to Secondus “If he (Secondus) had shown leadership in Cross River, our party would not have had the problem we have today” – Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State chastising the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, over the defection of Governor Ben Ayade to the APC and the crisis in the Cross River State PDP.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

UT H

& R E A SO

26 years

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Time to Encourage Southern Governors

ellow Nigerians, let me make a quick confession. If you had asked me some ten years ago about the issue of zoning in Nigerian politics, I would have told you pronto that it is not necessary. The reason was simple and straightforward. I didn’t care where the Presidents and others came from as long as they are visionary, competent, fair to all, and so on. Sadly, even at that, Nigerians don’t really expect too much from their leaders. They just want most Nigerians to be provided with the basic necessities of life at a cost affordable to even the poorest people. They want good medical facilities, basic education, stable and constant electricity, potable water and good roads. That is not too much to ask any government or leader in this 21st century. Notwithstanding this short and eminently achievable bucket list, our leaders have woefully failed to meet these lowliest of aspirations of their people. It was mainly for this reason that I felt merit was to be preferred to sectional, tribal or ethnic sentiments in the choice of a veritable, reliable and dutiful, fair-minded leader for our great country. Ethnicity was not a big issue in 2015 when many voters in Southwest supported Major General Muhammadu Buhari against a Southern President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, a minority in Nigerian parlance. Many people felt that they were tired of the reckless profligacy and incredible corruption that pervaded the land under the Jonathan administration, and it seemed nobody could be worse. We just wanted to try someone else, who incidentally had been packaged in a grandiloquent manner by many frustrated people, including myself. If you had asked me before 2015 if I would ever think of tolerating those who are now campaigning or agitating for Biafra or Yoruba Nation, my answer would also have been a resounding No. Anyone who knows me well would readily attest to the fact that I’m completely detribalised. I do not care where you come from, your religion or political affiliation. Does this mean I have suddenly changed and now love my country less? The answer again is No. I love my country dearly. Otherwise, I will not be working so hard to raise money and end up distributing it to the needy from all States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. It means I still have my love for humanity intact. However, I can no longer, in good conscience, disparage those who have lost faith in the entity called Nigeria. I believe that they now have good reason to be greatly disillusioned about the continued unity and affiliation for this commonwealth of nationalities called Nigeria Our dear beloved country has changed so drastically in the last six years. Even if we’ve always had our ethnic and religious tension in Nigeria, President Buhari’s government has raised it to intolerable levels, even for unionists like me. The truth is that it has never been so bad in terms of ethnic discontent, even fury in the country. This has been buoyed by the unending spate of insecurity in the country which has become hostage to terrorists and bandits. The lines between insecurity and sectional and tribal interests and conflicts have become so blurred that they have practically fused and morphed into one. The sole reason for this is the manner in which the President has been handling the crisis, both of confidence in his administration and of fairness in the distribution of the nation’s resources across all regions and sections. And every effort on the parts of like-minded nationalists, including myself, to appeal to Buhari to calm down, reassess and revaluate his strategy and change our speed towards perdition has failed so far.

Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu

If the President did not believe our warnings and admonition before now, I hope he would seriously consider the recent stance of the Southern governors, most recently articulated in their latest meeting in Ikeja, Lagos State, and turn back from this disastrous and perilous journey. If it was a journey which he was undertaking with a few cronies and lackeys, we would not be bothered or concerned at all. That would be their folly. However, we will not allow him to blindly lead us to doomsday and doom for our country because that is where we are inexorably headed. The Southern Governors have seen the handwriting on the wall. They have risen in unison to demand that the brakes be applied, if they have not totally failed, as now seems to be the case. Some of these Governors, mercifully, are members of the ruling party, APC defectors and all. A good number of them support President Buhari fanatically and unrepentantly. That is their choice. Have they had enough? Must they be pushed to this wall and indeed, into this inelastic wall? If they can append their signatures to the communique issued at the end of their Lagos meeting, the President should no longer be under any illusion that things are all right as they stand now. The President must take heed. Things are dire, and especially so, if his acolytes are willing to break ranks in order to let him know that the end is nigh, and they do not want to be partakers of the evil that will overcome the land if action is not taken soon. The communique is worth reproducing here. Southern Governors’ Communiqué The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the meeting held on Monday, 5th July, 2021 reviewed the situation in the Country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following: 1. Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress, and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people. 2. The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the Presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region. 3. Security: a) The Forum reviewed the security situation in

the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty; b) Re-emphasised the need for State Police; c) Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed; d) The forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights; e) Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and f) Resolved that Funds deducted from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the States and Federal Government to combat security challenges. 4. Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law: a) The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB; b) The Forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives; c) The forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins; d) However, the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). The Forum disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle. 5. In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court. 6. The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the State. It is the President who has made it practically necessary for the Southern Governors to insist on Zoning and Rotation for the Presidency. This was a tacit understanding by all concerned. That it has become something to be openly stated and established in a Communique such as this tells us that nothing is well with the present state of the Union. I am beginning to tilt heavily towards such zoning if only because I believe it is a probable panacea to dousing the tremendous tensions and fear which now pervades the country. I am inclined to believe, as some do, that this is the only way to restore parity and fairness in the polity between the North and South, even if it is only in the short term. As our youths develop and progress, I have no doubt that they will extricate themselves from the pitfalls and morass of depression and disaster that we their parents and grandfathers have led them into and jeopardised their future with. To be very honest, the President has not been very fair to his cult of supporters in the South. He has seriously turned them into an endangered species. The Vice President, Professor

Yemi Osinbajo, for example, has virtually become a punchbag of some youths on social media because of his unswerving loyalty to the President, even in the face of daunting challenges. I personally see nothing wrong in this approach. He is part of a Team and as a man of integrity he cannot openly disavow the team leader even if privately he voices his concerns and shares his dissatisfaction and disaffection with the direction of the team. Those who know the Vice President well appreciate that he is a loyal and faithful person. He is however not a stupid or witless person either. He has a strong will and presence of character. Similarly, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is being savagely attacked for bringing Buhari back to power. He had his reasons then, and they seemed sound at the time. If Buhari has been transformed into some sort of monster today, it is certainly not Tinubu’s doing. Members of the National Assembly and even Ministers have not been spared at all. Royal fathers are also under attack. How can the President be seen to be marginalizing the South while over pampering members of his own tribe is the question on every tongue? The situation of Governors who are supporting Buhari in the South is much worse. They have become the butts of jokes amongst their people who see them as being too squeamishly docile to protect their people. It is for this reason that the Southern Governors appear to have decided to take a stand and demonstrate that insisting on fairness and justice does not equate to perfidy or treachery. I know of so many people who were vehemently opposed to the agitation of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Chief Sunday Igboho Adeyemo but who have suddenly become their fans. Some are saying Kanu would not have jumped bail if his life was not threatened by the overzealous military that unlawfully invaded his homestead and wasted many lives in cold blood. The jury is still out about the legality or otherwise of his forced return to Nigeria, but what is clear is that his cult and legendary status has increased stratospherically! Had the government followed the normal process of rule of Law, the matter would have been sorted and settled. Same goes for Sunday Igboho who has never been seen with firearms and who is doing no more than seeking protection for his people. But for God, he may have died two weeks ago during the dastardly, illegal attack on his home by those who used the guise of being law enforcement agents to carry out their cowardly, nefarious activities. Why is the Federal Government going all out to annihilate these two men without going after the bandits and terrorists assaulting and attacking the length and breadth of our country with the same velocity and ferocity? I believe the inherent injustice of the treatment meted to these two freedom fighters compared to the marauders from the North is what has now emboldened the Governors to react like freeborn men. No one likes to be called or treated as a slave. The meeting of the Southern Governors, and the fighting words and belligerent tone of their communique, is a serious warning to an overbearing presidency, and a usually condescending North that the much-touted restructuring has come on its own and has come with full force. If the North reacts with the usual braggadocio, it may lose many key allies and thus shoot itself in the foot. NOTE: This piece continues in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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