SATURDAY 15TH JANUARY 2022

Boko Haram Attacks Mobile Police Training School in Borno ISWAP releases video of its men ransacking army institute, Chibok also invaded Charles Ajunwa in Lagos and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Boko Haram fighters late on Thursday attacked the

Mobile Police Training School in limankara, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, but the police authorities denied reports that 13 trainers were abducted by the terrorists

during the attack.

In a related development, another terror group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) yesterday released a video of its fighters

attacking Tukur Yusufu Buratai Institute for War and Peace (TBI), a research Institute of the Nigerian Army University, located in Buratai Village, Biu Local Government Area of

Borno State last Monday.

Sources said Boko Haram attacked the Gwoza Mobile Police Training School with gun trucks and shot sporadically into the air before allegedly

kidnapping the instructors.

“The terrorists overpowered the policemen guarding the school with ease, some Continued on page 5

Buhari Hosts Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement… Page 5 Saturday 15 January, 2022 Vol 26. No 9776

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Irabor: Military Remains Loyal to Democratic Rule Declares army now well-focused on performing its constitutional roles Our Correspondents The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor,

yesterday pledged the loyalty of the military leadership to democratic rule in the country.

Irabor, who was speaking

on a television programme, ahead of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, also stated that the military was now

well-focused on performing its constitutional roles.

He declared: “Today, I believe that Nigerians are no longer in

doubt as to the subordination of the military to civil rule; I believe that no one is in doubt that democracy has come to

stay.

“I believe that no one is Continued on page 5

South, Middle Belt Leaders Urge Parties to Zone Presidency to South ‘The basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power…Therefore, unequivocally, and in full resolve, call on all political parties in the country to zone their presidential tickets to the South’

Sa

Deji Elumoye Chuks Okocha and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has met in Abuja and once again demanded the return of power to the South in 2023, while also reaffirming its stance on restructuring.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, which ended late on Thursday, and attended by former governors, ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, the Forum also called on all political parties to zone their presidential tickets to the South.

It warned that any political party that fails to heed its demand should not expect support from the four regions in the 2023 general election i.e. South-west, South-east, Continued on page 5

FAREWELL MAMA MORENIKEJI KOMOLAFE… L-R: The Ombudsman, THISDAY Newspapers, Kayode Komolafe; his son and wife, Kayode Junior and Funmilayo; the CEO, Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe; his wife, Pat; and Barrister Temitope Komolafe, during the Christian Wake/Service of Songs for their matriarch, Chief Mrs. Morenikeji Victoria Komolafe at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Igbara-Oke, Ondo State…yesterday ABIODUN AJALA

Group Faults Gov Yahaya's Silence on Killings in Southern Gombe... Page 6

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 , 2022

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Buhari Hosts Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement Begs God to help Nigeria surmount insecurity Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday hosted the Grand Khalifa (overall head) of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement World-Wide, Tidjani Ali Bin Arabi, at the State House, Abuja, and expressed happiness that Arabi and his delegation agreed to come and pray for Nigeria in order to surmount its security crisis.

Buhari expressed optimism that the nation would overcome the security challenges, while also praying to God to hear Nigeria's prayer for an end to the crisis.

The President expressed his readiness to take on the terrorists by pursuing policies to eliminate the security issues facing the nation.

Buhari said his administration “is conscious of its responsibility” with regards to security and would continue to do its best.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to be fair to his government in

assessing the security issues in the country by reflecting on what obtained at the time he took over in 2015, and the successes, as well as the performance that marked a decisive break from the past, particularly in the North-east and the South-south, adding that the North-west, which had given the nation some “headache”, would soon experience a turnaround for the better.

President Buhari also advised Nigerians to take responsibility and show interest in their own security and complement what the government was doing.

He added: “We have done our best and we will continue to do more by pursuing coherent and consistent policies to deal with terrorism. I hope God will listen to our prayers.”

The President appreciated the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who brought the Grand Khalifa to Nigeria, saying: “We thank you for inviting them to come to pray for peace and stability in our country. We

are grateful that they agreed to come.”

He joined them in praying that God gives guidance and strength to leaders to be accountable and do right in all the things that they do.

Earlier in his speech, Ganduje, while introducing the Khalifa and his delegation, which included the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, the leader of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement in Nigeria, said the government of Kano State invited the Tijjaniyya World Leader to the country to lead the faithful in prayer, considering the complexities around security in particular.

According to him, the visit of the Grand Khalifa had also rekindled the old ties between the Tijjaniya and the many cultural and educational institutions in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Tijjaniyya leader in the country, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and the Grand Khalifa, Tidjani Ali Bin Arabi

BOKO HARAM ATTACKS MOBILE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN BORNO instructors were abducted,” said the source.

The Borno State Commissioner of Police, Abdul Umar, yesterday confirmed the attack at the training school, but said nobody was abducted by the terrorists.

The Borno police chief said the insurgents were successfully repelled by policemen.

Umar, while addressing a press conference in Maiduguri, said: “The attention of the Borno State Police Command has been drawn to news making the rounds on social media, alleging that an undisclosed number of PMF personnel were abducted at the Police Mobile Training College, Gwoza.

“The Command wishes to categorically debunk the news, consider it as fake news, and also to inform the general public that the insurgents, who attacked the PMF training college on the 13th January, 2022 at about 2022hrs were successfully repelled by our gallant officers and men. The police did not record a single casualty or loss of firearms.

“On this note, I am using this medium to call the attention of the general public to disregard any misleading information that may likely cause panic and disturb the peace of innocent citizens who are roaming endlessly in search of greener pasture,

and to assure them of our commitment, focus and determination towards bringing an end to the insurgency and other crimes and criminality in Borno State.”

The training school is located 25 kilometres from Gwoza town. It is a border town between Borno and Madagali LGA of Adamawa State.

ISWAP Releases Video of its Men Ransacking Army Institute Meanwhile, ISWAP yesterday released a video of its fighters attacking Tukur Yusufu Buratai Institute for War and Peace (TBI), in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The army institute is located in the hometown of the immediate past Chief of Army Staff and current Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Tukur Buratai.

In the video, the insurgents were seen firing in different directions, with no resistance from troops. They pulled down flags on the campus and torched some military vehicles.

A security source said: “Most residents have fled to Moringa, another town in Biu. The ISWAP came in large numbers shooting RPGs and anti-aircraft guns."

Reacting to the attack, the management of Army University in Biu confirmed

that two civilians lost their lives but that normalcy had since returned.

The statement read: “The terrorists who came in their numbers were met by superior firepower forcing them to retreat in disarray.

Unfortunately, two civilian staff of the Institute paid the supreme price.

“Management wishes to commend troops for their gallantry during the attack and to commiserate with families of the fallen staff.

Continued on page 38

extolled the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Algeria and prayed for guidance and blessings for the country and its leaders.

Why Kano State Invited Arabi Commenting on the reason the Kano State Government invited the Grand Khalifa, Ganduje said it was aimed at developing a good relationship between Algeria and the city of Kano.

He said: "It is a kind of rekindling of the relationship because Kano is an old civilization, with so many Ulama (Ismamic scholars) from Algeria hundreds of years ago, who came to Kano to assist the development of Sharia leadership in Kano State.

"So, the invitation to the world leader of Tijanniyya Islamic Movement is a welcome development for the people of Kano State and for the people of Nigeria. We invited him and his team to pray for Nigeria for peace, stability and prosperity, and also to pray for peace and stability of Kano State and the whole of Nigeria.

"We are all aware of the security challenges we're having at the federal government and state governments levels; we are all doing our best. But praise to Allah subhana wa taala. He will also assist because Allah requested us to request from him, and he can grant us our request.

So, as you can see, he was in Kano for four days. We were together until Friday prayers.

In the Emir's Palace, he offered prayers and we had a grand occasion at Sani Abacha Stadium attended by many Ulama from

all over Africa, from Nigeria, and from 44 local governments.

"Lectures were delivered for peace and stability of this country and also, prayers were offered. Also, we decided to use the Tijanniyya Islamic Movement as a tool for building relationships. We organised a lecture with Bayero University, where we examined the history, the origin and the spread of the movement in Africa.

"Also in Kano State, we constituted a committee with his team in order to look into issues of education, commerce, and agriculture. So, we have developed a very wellcoordinated synergy in order to improve the quality of life of the people of Kano State.

And by extension, we offered national prayers for peace and stability of this country.

"To round it off, we decided to have a courtesy call with Mr. President, where they prayed for him, where they indicated the importance of the relationship between Algeria and Nigeria, and where they indicated their continued cooperation in prayers for peace and stability of Nigeria.

That is what brought us to the villa."

Ganduje: Kano Has the Highest Number of Almajiri Ganduje also stated yesterday that his state has the highest number of Almajiri children among the Northern states in the country.

He, however, stressed that most of the Almajiri, who are in millions, were not citizens of Kano State but from other states and neighbouring countries like

Niger and Mali.

The governor, who spoke with newsmen at the State House, Abuja after meeting with President Buhari, said necessary steps were being taken by the state’s government to resolve the Almajiri issue.

According to him, the measures include introduction of compulsory free education up to secondary level, reformation of the Almajiri system of education in the state and repatriation of some Almajiris to neighbouring Cameroun and Niger Republic.

Ganduje said: "But as you will know, unless there's a universal legislation, preventing the movement of school-aged children from one state to another, it is a problem that will continue to be here for a long time because Kano is a commercial nerve centre of the Northern part of this country and also a commercial nerve centre of some West African countries.

"So, you can imagine people coming to earn their livelihood.

They usually come with children, but we have enacted a law, any parent that does not put his child into school will be prosecuted. So, now, we have established a whole agency that is now evacuating the Almajiri to their respective states. And those who are in Kano enjoy the free education facilities.

"That is the effort we are making. But as I told you, unless there is universal synergy, especially among the Northern states’ governors, where there is legislation preventing the movement of Almajiri from one state to another, Kano will continue to bear this problem."

IRABOR: MILITARY REMAINS LOYAL TO DEMOCRATIC RULE in doubt any longer that the current military leadership, and of course, since the democratisation in 1999, that the military is well-focused on performing its constitutional roles.”

The CDS admitted that some Nigerians might still be struggling with the experience of military involvement in politics in the past.

Irabor’s declaration is coming amid recent military coups in West African countries such as Mali and Guinea; as well as North-Eastern African country of Sudan.

Speaking on the significance of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Irabor stressed the need to educate the coming generation about

the nation’s history.

“Going forward, I believe that some of these misperceptions that some Nigerians have had with respect to military engagement will begin to change.

“I am sure you also know that issues that have to do with civic responsibilities still require a little push; I am sure you know that literacy level in the nation still requires a little push; and so when you bring these factors among several other things, you know that quite a lot of work needs to be done,” he said.

Speaking on the crackdown on the use of military gear by civilians, the CDS stated that the present security situation “does not allow

the use of military gear by people who are not personnel of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).”

He said: “The criminals among us have had to take advantage of the military, police, and other security agencies’ gear to perpetrate crime.

“We live in a peculiar society.

I do not need to restate what the make-up of our society is, what the level of discipline is generally.

“And when you compare it (Nigerian structure) to some places where a few individuals believe that whatever practice goes on in those societies should be replicated here, the other elements of social life in those societies; they do not

bring that to bear right here.”

He also assured Nigerians that the DHQ would continue to take appropriate actions to ensure that they don't see the military in a bad light when they wear its gear.

“Ordinarily, we will be glad to see that our symbol (gears) is being used for good causes.

“A good number of those who use them have used them for ignoble causes and so, that brings us to a state where you begin to make certain assumptions.

“So, it is better for you to be safe first, then by virtue of your investigations, you can exonerate those who are using them for good causes.

This is where we are.”

Also in attendance at the meeting were delegations from the four regional socio-cultural organisations - Afenifere for the South-west; Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South-east; Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-south; and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.

The delegations were led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere; Professor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF. The meeting was also attended by former governors, ministers, federal and state

legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Alaowei Broderick Bozimo; Senator Femi Okurounmu; Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu; Simon N. Okeke; Chief Supo Shonibare; Akin Fapohunda; Amb. Okey Emuchay; Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw; Prof. G. G. Darah; Solomon Asemota; Dr. Alex Ogbonna; Mr. Mac Emakpore; Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba; Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana; Prof. Mrs. Chinwe Obaji; Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd); Engr. Ben Akaakar; Dr. Ebun Sonaiya; Comrade Jare Ajayi and Ken Robinson, among others.

SOUTH, MIDDLE BELT LEADERS URGE PARTIES TO ZONE PRESIDENCY TO SOUTH South-south and North-central.

SMBLF also maintained that the extant Constitution and Structure of Nigeria “are grossly flawed and lopsided” and restated its demand for a fundamental restructuring of the country “by enacting a new Constitution that would enthrone equity, fairness and justice.”

The Forum agreed on the country’s indissolubility.

The communiqué, jointly signed by the leaders of the Forum, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, Ayo Adebanjo, George Obiozor and Dr. Pogu Bitrus, reads: "The meeting extensively discussed various issues on the state of affairs in the country, particularly, the security situation, restructuring,

preparations for the 2023 general elections and zoning.

"Arising therefrom, the meeting resolved as follows: That the extant Constitution and Structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided.

Accordingly, Forum restates its demand for the fundamental restructuring of the country by enacting a new Constitution that would enthrone equity, fairness and justice. It must be One Nation, One System.

"Cites that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the office of the presidency of the country for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, hence, the presidency should rotate to the South.

"That any political party that

does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.

“Therefore, unequivocally, and in full resolve, call on all political parties in the country to zone their presidential tickets to the South.

“Notes that the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power.”

The Forum also condemned “the senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North-west zone” and called on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property

of Nigerians.

SMBLF cautioned the National Assembly to only give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion, “instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crises in the country.”

It urged governors and members of the National Assembly from the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of restructuring and reaffirmed its commitment to the unity of Nigeria, “situated on the tenets of equity, fairness, justice, and the principle of federalism."

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of its leader and elder statesman, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 15, 2022

NEWS

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

Group Faults Gov Yahaya’s Silence on Killings in Southern Gombe Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA) has condemned the killing of 13 people in some communities in Tal, Banganje and Kalmai Districts in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State by suspected herdsmen.

The group in a statement issued yesterday by its Spokesman, Rwang Pam, berated the state Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, saying his silence was a sign of nonchalance and disdain towards the loss of innocent lives of those he swore to protect.

According to the group, the failure of security agencies to arrest the perpetrators of these

killings is a clear sign of the governor’s nonchalance.

SaMBA therefore appealed to the conscience of members of the security agencies to fish out these killer-herdsmen in Southern Gombe.

The statement read in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the killings in Southern Gombe by suspected Fulani herdsmen these past three weeks and the deafening silence from the Executive Governor of the state, Inuwa Yahaya. As the governor is aware, these attacks occurred just one week after an Intelligence Report by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence (NSDC) was leaked to the public, that Fulani herdsmen had a secret meeting within

Yamaltu terrain in Yamaltu -Deba Local Area and shared kola nut among themselves in preparation for the attack on the aforementioned locations in Billiri Local Government Area. Following this leak, Samuel Wabulari, the Gombe State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, quickly denied the viral memo which suggested that Fulani herders had prepared to launch an attack on Billiri Local Government Area.

“It is of grave concern that few days after that memo was leaked to the public, attacks were carried out in Tal, Banganje and Kalmai

Districts, Billiri LGA, Southern Gombe State by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Based on reports received so far, the names of the 13 people killed in Billiri communities are Paul Ambore, Titus Marwa (Kolokkwannin Village); Nitte Kada, Zayo (Ayaba Village); Ibrahim Alhamis, Nitte Buba (Poshulte Village); Silas Shirwa (Pokuli Village); Nadab Na’aman (Prison Service officer on Christmas break, Popandi village); Biryam Jeji, Buba Akadaya, Jacob Piyau Kwakbente, RSM Jonathan Dale (rtd) (Kalmai District) and Samaila Daulu Banganje District. Those injured

were Salom Gideon, Samkong Samuel Bataliya, Julius Samuel, Paris Bitrus, Baba Lamido Kwarau, and Richard Iliya.

“Against this backdrop SaMBA is gravely concerned regarding the silence, the inaction and nonchalance of the Executive Governor of Gombe State to the killings going on in Billiri Local Government Area. The governor should be called to order; his attitude is not in sync with conduct expected of anyone occupying the highest office of Gombe State. There is no doubt that the governor has failed in his

constitutional duties to protect innocent lives and properties of the Gombe people. He is making the situation worse by failing to condole with the family of the victims and people of Gombe State, the least expected of the occupier of the highest office in the State. The governor’s omission is an act of negligence and dereliction of duty. The Inuwa Yahaya-led government must perform its primary duty of protecting the lives and properties of the people of Gombe. He must also provide immediate relief to the affected communities.”

Obi Cubana Has Case to Answer, Says NDLEA Source Michael Olugbode in Abuja Popular socialite, Obi Iyiegbu, a.k.a Obi Cubana is in trouble as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced investigation into his links with drug money.

Though the NDLEA has refused to officially comment on the case against Iyiegbu who has Cubana club in five locations Imo, Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and Abuja, it was gathered from a source from the anti-narcotics agency that the socialite has a case to answer and is still not yet off the hook.

The source who preferred anonymity, said: “Definitely we have a case against Obi Cubana but we are still laying the background for the case to know what next step to adopt.”

He added that: “The initial invitation was a step towards especially the case against him.

We are hoping to invite him again and his release should be soon as no proof that he may be left off the hook.”

Iyiegbu, who is the Chairman, Cubana group of companies, was initially invited to the headquarters of NDLEA in Abuja for questioning on Thursday and after spending about five hours during which he was interrogated he was allowed to leave without any charges levelled.

It was learnt that the case against Iyiegbu was over some suspicious payments allegedly made into Cubana’s account by three convicted drug dealers from Malaysia, Nigeria and India.

The investigation against Iyiegbu may not be by the NDLEA alone but made in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as it has to do with “illicit” financial transactions, according to the source.

Terrorists Demand N57m Ransom for Niger LGA Chairman’s Family Members, Others Laleye Dipo in Minna Terrorists who kidnapped 13 family members of the Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state, Alhaji Sulaiman Chikuba, have demanded for N57m ransom in addition to two motorcycles before the abductees will be released.

The chairman’s relations including his elder brother were kidnapped along with 37 others at Chibani Village in Shiroro local government on the 27th of November last year.

Chukuba, who confirmed the latest development to journalists in Minna, the state capital, yesterday, said the terrorists called on phone and asked him to take the ransom to a particular spot in Gwagwada town of Kaduna State.

The council chairman said he has become more apprehensive about the safety of the victims because of the recent activities of the gunmen which has led to scores of people being massacred.

“I am really worried about their safety because they (gunmen) are already accusing me of sending local vigilantes to kill them. They

insisted that I must pay N57 million and two motorcycles before they will release my people.

“I spoke to them on Thursday and they told me that I should bring the money to them in the next one week. They even told me to bring the money and the two motorcycles to them at Gwagwada in Chukun Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” he added.

He pointed out that raising the money to secure the release of the people is a serious concern to him, adding that: “Where will I get the money from, I am really confused, I don’t know what to do, the unfortunate thing is that the gunmen are not ready to listen to anybody.”

Shiroro local government has become the epicenter of terrorists attacks the most recent being the massacre of scores of people in Nakurna and Wurukuhi villages.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello in a statement condemned the latest onslaught on communities in the local government area and called for total war to be mounted against the gunmen “now that they have been termed terrorists.”

DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT …

President Muhammadu Buhari (r) receives the out-going Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Nigeria, H.E Mr. Piabie Firmin Gregoire N’DO, during a farewell audience at the State House Abuja...yesterday

Don Advocates Review of Entrepreneurship Teaching in Schools James Sowole in Abeokuta To achieve the desired objectives, a Professor of Sociology of Education at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Taiwo Edun, has advocated review of teaching of entrepreneurship at all levels of education in the country.

The review, according to the don, should be done to focus more on self-discovery by the students to enable their talents match opportunities they will catch on in the environment.

Edun made the call while delivering the 101 Inaugural Lecture of the institution entitled ‘Rethinking Education for Gainful Employment in Nigeria: A Sociological Imagination’.

The don said the current

approach to teaching of entrepreneurship emphasises the cognitive domain to the detriment of the affective psychomotor domains.

He noted that the current approach entails that students are introduced to the concepts and principles and are only expected to regurgitate them in the examination.

According to him, most of the teachers, who take these students, too, have never been entrepreneurs themselves.

He lamented that the current situation promotes teaching of entrepreneurship as a separate subject to the extent that students don’t see a link between their academic specialisation and entrepreneurship.

He said,” In order to close the gap between the labour

market and tertiary institutions, I advocated the team-teaching approach in the handling of entrepreneurship such that practicing entrepreneurs will be invited to handle the practical aspects and serve as role models to the students.

“A form of internship should also be incorporated into the entrepreneurship curriculum so that the students can be immersed into the process within business firms.

“There should also be two legs to the teaching of entrepreneurship. The first leg should be the general introduction to the concepts, principles and skills while the second leg should be specific to the disciplines of the individual students.

“Employability should be

conceptualised and promoted in its sense as transversing the employees, self-employer and employee continuum and should be given pride of place in the new curriculum.”

The don said the government should endeavour to make available the critical infrastructure, rejig fiscal and monetary policies and steadily improve the ease of doing business to enable entrepreneurship to thrive.

He added that the social investment schemes of the government should be expanded and graduated through proper funding and transparent management to guarantee livelihood for the majority of unemployed youths until such a time that the economy will open up enough to provide them with gainful employment.

Nigeria Baptist Convention: N250m Paid to Secure Release of Abducted Bethel School Students Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC) has disclosed that it spent N250 million to secure the release of its students kidnapped from the Bethel Baptist College, Kaduna last year.

The disclosure was made by the President of Nigeria Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji while speaking exclusively to select journalists in Gombe yesterday during the 2022 International General Workers Conference for the North-east

held at the First Baptist Church, Gombe.

The Convention President also scored the fight against insecurity by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration as below par considering the number of innocent lives of Nigerians that have been lost through various acts of banditry and insurgency.

According to him, “Initially we didn’t want to spend money, we didn’t believe in spending any money, that was how we began. I even said this openly that

we will not spend money but I am also saying it openly now that we have had to spend money, we were forced to spend money.”

Akanji added that, “when our children spent one month and did not come and these bandits were telling us that they will start killing our children one by one, then we had to weigh between our money being in our pockets and our children dying or our children being released to us and we losing our money so, preferred to lose the money since the government will not help

us we had to resort to self-help, that was what happened and we had to spend so much money.”

While speaking on the issue of insecurity in Nigeria, the Convention President said that, “there is no doubt in our minds, there is no one that can convince many of us that this administration has done enough on security. We are not saying that they have not done nothing, they have been saying that they are doing their best but we are saying that their best is below the belt, far below our expectations.”

SATURDAY JANUARY 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 15, 2022

NEWS

Be Wary of Your Movements, UNIJOS Warns Students Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Following the murder of Jennifer Anthony, a 300 level student of University of Jos by suspected ritual killer, the authorities of the university have issued a stern warning to students to always be wary of their movements and conscious of their whereabouts as they resume for the 2020/2021 academic session.

The university has also commended the Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police Force for collaborating with their counterparts in Benue Sate to apprehend the main suspect reported to be the mastermind behind the murder of Jennifer.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Mr. Abdullahi Abdullahi, the Management of the university urged the police to do everything in their power to unravel the exact circumstances that led to

the demise of the student, assuring that it will cooperate with the police towards providing any information that may be useful in prosecuting the perpetrator of the act.

The statement added that the Management of the university had earlier expressed deep shock over the gruesome murder of the student, who until her demise hailed from Kafanchan in Kaduna State, and was a 300 level student of the Visual Handicaps Section of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Education of the university.

“Following news of the gruesome incidence being widely reported on the social media, the university Management had immediately directed the Dean of Students Affairs, Dean of the Faculty of Education, the Head of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences and

the Chief Security Officer to confirm the deceased’s status as a student of the university given that students of the university had been on their sessional holidays since November 2021.

“On confirming her status as a bona fide student of the university with Matriculation Number UJ/2018/ED/2248, the

university Management made efforts to reach out to her family to commiserate with them over the unfortunate incidence.”

The university delegation was led by the Dean, Student Affairs represented by the Deputy Dean, Dr Augustine Sambo Azi and Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Godfrey Chembap (Rtd), and

Course Coordinator of the Visual Handicaps Section, Mrs. Doris Gomos who represented the Head of Department, Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences.

“They conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya and the entire university community

to the father of the deceased, Mr. Anthony Ruga. While praying for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased, they told the family that the university community is grieving with them and assured of the university Management’s readiness to provide them the necessary support wherever possible,” the statement added.

FG Has No Right to Regulate Freedom of Opinion, Says House Minority Caucus Udora Orizu in Abuja The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has described the declaration by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government of having lifted its unconstitutional ban on use of Twitter in Nigeria as further demonstration of its appetite to suppress constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens.

The caucus in a statement by its Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, said that freedom of speech and opinion by Nigerians, including expressing such through social media tools like Twitter, are clearly guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and cannot be subjected to partisan approval or regulation under a democratic rule.

The lawmakers said the APC government should rather be apologising to Nigerians for infringing on their rights as well as for the huge economic losses recorded as a result of the ban.

The Caucus insists that instead of seeking to suppress free speech, the APC government should be open to the views of Nigerians and make adjustments for the good of the nation.

The caucus said, “That is why at the wake of the ban on the use of Twitter in Nigeria in June 2021, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives forcefully condemned the decision as provocative, obnoxious and unjustifiable clampdown on the rights of Nigerians which also showed the APC government’s intolerance and aversion to the views, opinions and aspirations of Nigerian citizens, especially the youths, on matters of state.

“It was also in the light of that that the Minority Caucus in the National Assembly stood by the law and charged Nigerians to continue using Twitter irrespective of the unconstitutional ban, since they would not be contravening any known law in Nigeria or any international statutes.”

Katsina to Fund Security Committees to Tackle Terrorism Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State government has said it has concluded plans to fund the newly established three-tier security committees to efficiently and effectively tackle activities of terrorists in the state.

The state deputy governor, Mannir Yakubu, who disclosed this at a one-day security seminar held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, said funding the security committees would avert the security challenges.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari had inaugurated the three-tier security structures across the 34 local government areas of the state in accordance with the provision of the State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2020 and reviewed in 2021.

The seminar was organised by the office of the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Bello Masari on Security Matters, Ibrahim Katsina, with the theme: ‘Strategic Engagement with Relevant Stakeholders Towards Enhancing Campus Safety and Security in Katsina’.

Yakubu said: “The state local government law has been amended to provide the three-tier security committees and we are going to ensure that we fund these security committees this year to effectively do their work and reduce crimes.”

He, however, identified drug abuse as the bane of insecurity afflicting the state and the country in general, saying the root cause of most crimes in the country originated from the menace.

According to him, “The root of most of these crimes is the issue of drug abuse. So, we must revolve ways of dealing with drug abuse not only on our campuses but in the larger society.”

He reiterated that the seminar was an opportunity to engage critical stakeholders, students, academic and non-academic staff of tertiary institutions on how to develop and resolve strategies to ensure security within the state institutions.

Katsina said security personnel in the state were inadequate to properly checkmate security challenges.

ECONOMY ON THEIR MINDS . . .

L-R: President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, when the latter led Sokoto State delegation on a visit to the Bank to discuss partnership issues on economic transformation of Sokoto State in AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire …yesterday

Bayelsa Most Affected By Climate Change Due to Environmental Degradation, Says Diri Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the state was one of the most affected by climate change in Nigeria due to the high degree of carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

Governor Diri stated this in his office in Government House, Yenagoa, when a consultancy firm, Ecologistics Integrated Services, presented a report on the state’s participation at the 26th session of the Conference of Parties (COP26) at Glasgow, Scotland.

He said the world was transiting from oil to cleaner energy, and that all concerned should be part

of the process so that the state would not be left behind.

The governor also called on environmental activists to partner with government to attract the needed resources for development of the state.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, the governor explained that Bayelsa participated at COP26 as one of the most affected states by climate change and the conference provided an opportunity to take its challenges to the global platform.

The governor noted that the state was blessed with abundant resources that needed to be

harnessed through partnership and collaborations.

He thanked the consultants for making a comprehensive report on the state’s participation at the conference, adding that the government would work with them to explore other areas to improve its economy.

He said: “Bayelsa State is one of the most affected by climate change in Nigeria. Bayelsa is at the epicenter in terms of climate change. Our people and environment have been affected.

“Recently, we had one of the worst oil spills in the world in Nembe community.

That explains what people are

suffering in the state. For us, that was an opportunity to take our issues to the world.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on our environmental activists to be part of this process and ensure that we are not left out in this transition we are about to experience. Particularly those of us from this state, oil is about to finish and we are transiting to cleaner energy.

“Join hands with the state government and see what Bayelsa will make out of this transition in terms of partnership, technical know-how and attracting the finances out there for our state.”

Bagudu: Buhari Warned APC Govs Not to Take Peoples’ Confidence for Granted Ismail Adebayo in Birnin kebbi Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, yesterday revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari warned elected governors under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to take the confidence reposed in them by the electorate in their respective states for granted.

The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, who disclosed this while speaking at a programme

organised by youth and women wing of the APC North-west zone to celebrate youth and women inclusion in governance in Kebbi State, said the President told the governors to prove and ensure that the confidence of people in them are not in vain in their states.

“For this, our administration has decided to support the youth and women by giving hopes and opportunities to them,” Bagudu said.

The governor said the President has demonstrated through

those he has appointed that “we should not only bring the young people into power but show them how they can bring the needed desire change to the states and country as a whole.”

He added that based on the President’s warning and advice his administration has brought in courageous, ambitious and talented women and youth in kebbi into politics and power.

The governor cited the likes of Abubakar Malami the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and

Bawa, the EFCC chairman as instance of youth brought to power to take the rightful place in the transformation and development of Nigeria and that of Kebbi State.

He said that “There are consequences in making bad appointments. Therefore, we made sure the right people are in governance in Kebbi State.”

Bagudu explained that when the right young people are invested in more entrepreneurs who will create money and wealth more than government will be created.

Ondo Records 32 Cases of Lassa Fever, 2 Deaths Fidelis David in Akure Ondo State Government has said over 32 cases of Lassa Fever and two deaths have been recorded in the state within the

last one week.

The Special Adviser to the state governor on Health, Prof. Francis Faduyile, who disclosed this in Akure said, on the new wave of COVID-19

infection in the state, there has been increasing cases of the deadly virus with 343 active cases, but with low fatality.

While noting that one death has been recorded in

Okitipupa, Faduyile said government has embarked on contacts tracing even as it is doing everything possible to contain the spread of the virus in the state.

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JANUARY 15, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

CARING FOR THE UNWANTED

Rajendra Aneja writes about the compassionate work of Mother Teresa’s missionaries of charity

I

n the midst of lush green and exotic gardens of Chandigarh, India, there is a brick coloured, single-storey Home.

Enter the premises. Meet Smitha five months old, wrapped in beautiful lemon-yellow shawl. Her eyes gaze at you with wonder. Someday, Smitha will grow up, go to school. If she is bright, she may also go to college. If she is lucky, she could get married. Otherwise, she will stay in this Home, to help another Rita or Sunita grow up. But, Smitha will never know who her parents are. They abandoned her at the doors of this Home on a dark, cold winter morning.

Now, Smitha has a life to live.

In another room meet Roshan, a mentally retarded and physically handicapped boy. Though four-years-old, he cannot perform any normal human function. He remains in his bed all day. He has to be bathed, fed, his clothes have to be changed and his toilet has to be administered. Other inmates help him in these basic tasks. Roshan will grow older, but he will always be in bed. He too, does not know who his parents are. They abandoned him at the door-steps of this house when he was just eight months old.

Meet Chanderpal. He is 58 and is suffering from Tuberculosis. He was an earning member of his family. When Tuberculosis took hold of him and he could earn no more, his wife and children disowned him. Chanderpal occupies a bed in this house. A doctor comes to treat him. He lies in his bed in a room. Chanderpal is waiting for his death. He is grateful that he can receive it with dignity when it comes.

Smitha, Roshan and Chanderpal are among the 150 persons, who lived in this Home in 1986, when I visited it a few times. This Home that provides shelter, has an unassuming board, which reads “Shanti Dan” Missionaries of Charity. Home for Sick and Dying Destitute, Crippled Abandoned Children.” The Mission was founded by Mother Teresa, honored as a Saint and a Noble prize winner. It is at this Home, that I met Mother Teresa in 1986.

The Sisters of the Mission, administer to the needs of the 150 inmates. There are many pretty babies below the age of 12 months. They lie in neat white cradles, covered by spotlessly clean woolen shawls, their heads resting on soft pillows. They hold out their tiny hands for affection. These babies were all abandoned at the door-steps of this house.

Some were sent by hospitals, when their mothers did not want to take them home.

There are also about 100 mentally retarded and handicapped children between the ages two to 15. Some of them cannot even move a limb. When you enter their room, they struggle to raise their thin, bony arms in greeting. Some of them stutter and cannot even utter a word. Many older people come to the house on their own to die quietly and with dignity.

The Indian Government had withdrawn the permission, for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, to receive donations from abroad from 25 December 2021. Fortunately, the permission was re-granted again on 8 January 2022. I

FOR THE SISTERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES TO THE CAUSE OF THE REJECTED AND THE DESTITUTE, WORKING IN THE HOME IS A SAGA OF SACRIFICE AND LOVE. THEIR ONLY REWARD IS A SMILE ON THE FACE OF A BABY OR A SIGN OF LIFE IN THE NUMB LIMB OF A HANDICAPPED CHILD OR AN ARTICULATE WORD FROM THE MOUTH OF A STAMMERING CHILD

have had the opportunities to see the humanitarian work of this organisation in some far-flung countries.

In Sao Paulo, (Brazil), Mother’s Home was located in a large slum, managed by 10 Sisters, mainly from Europe, when I visited it in 1997. The Sisters cared for 600-700 unwanted babies, deformed children and sick, terminally old men, women. Though some of the rich people of Sao Paulo offered to help to relocate the Home to more elegant surroundings, the Sisters opted to stay put in the slum, because they asserted, that is where their work was.

Even in affluent Sao Paulo, Mother’s Home was protecting and caring for the unwanted, particularly the old and sick parents. When Mother Theresa passed away in 1997, all the inmates gathered to offer prayers for her, which I attended.

In Dar es Salaam, (Tanzania), the Sisters had cared for unwanted babies for decades when I paid some visits there, between 1999 and 2002. Many of the orphans were teenagers and helping the Sisters to manage the Home. There was a clinically clean room, with pretty cradles for abandoned babies. There were clean beds and playgrounds for about 100 orphans, aged between three and seven years. They would all break into a joyful dance at the commencement of African folk music.

There was heartening support for the Mission from all communities. A company took its staff and their families on Sundays, to spend it with the children and the sick. Another business installed an air-conditioner in the room, in which new-born babies were kept, since the temperatures soared during the summers. Another company installed a music system, so that children could dance. There was a tiny, simple chapel, where the troubled could seek solace.

In Abidjan, (Cote D’Ivoire), the Home was an oasis of peace, in a country rent asunder with a civil war, when I was based there in 2003. Despite the protracted curfews, the Sisters of Charity served the sick, elderly and orphans relentlessly.

All these Homes, amongst the 760 in 139 countries, were managed by dedicated Sisters, from across the world, who receive no salary. They manage with just two to three (sarees) dresses per year and eat a simple meal with the inmates. The astonishing commitment of Mother Teresa and her Sisters, is an inspiration.

For the Sisters who have given their lives to the cause of the rejected and the destitute, working in the Home is a saga of sacrifice and love. Their only reward is a smile on the face of a baby or a sign of life in the numb limb of a handicapped child or an articulate word from the mouth of a stammering child. They serve the needy, irrespective of religion or nationality. Mother Teresa and her Missionaries have transformed a desert of pain, into a garden of love.

Aneja was Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and the author of books entitled, “Rural Marketing across Countries and “Business Express”. He is a Management Consultant

A FRENZY ABOUT EDUCATION Gov Inuwa Yahaya has done remarkably well in education, writes Yakubu Bayambe

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hroughout human history, the concept of development - whether social, economic or infrastructural - has been a subject of intense debate and interest, especially in our clime. Since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999, the country has witnessed several attempts by successive administrations aimed at short, medium and long term social, economic and infrastructural development. But whether these efforts towards repositioning the country for optimal performance, and more importantly to the benefit of Nigerians is anything to write home is entirely a topic for another day. However the overwhelming election of Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State in 2019 leaves no one in doubt of his capacity to immediately but effectively turn around the fortunes of the State for the overall good of all, moreso that his incredible performance as the Commissioner of Finance and Economic Development during the then administration of Danjuma Goje further gives credence to his administrative acumen and leadership sagacity.

At the onset of his administration, the policy concepts and direction of Governor Yahaya were clear, realistic and multi-disciplinary; given the wide range of consultations through committees made up of seasoned technocrats to discern on what must constitute the immediate and long term developmental needs of the people.

To begin with, the Governor, through the submissions made by the various committees set up by him declared a state of emergency on the ailing education sector considered to be the life wire of any meaningful human progress. Irked by the sorry state of the sector on assumption of

office, Governor Yahaya had while addressing an enlarged stakeholders meeting to articulate his sweeping reforms on education made the following remarks: “When we came into office on May 29, 2019, I made it categorically clear that the present state of the Education sector in Gombe State was totally unacceptable. We met an Education system that was ravaged by inadequate and decayed infrastructure, large number of out of school children, absence of instructional materials and basic facilities as well as a teaching workforce that was poorly trained and ill- motivated. For years Gombe State continued to sit at the bottom of the National Education, ranking like the National Common Entrance Examination, the WAEC or NECO. Through concerted effort we declared a State of Emergency in the education sector and deployed a multi-disciplinary approach to deal with our educational challenges. On one hand we rolled out the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) project in order to mop up out of school children and increase basic literacy and numeracy on the other hand; we ramped up investment in school infrastructure by renovating over 400 schools through the effort of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in conjunction with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Our administration understands that there will be no improvement in education outcome without commensurate improvement in the quality and capacity of our teaching staff. It is in this regard that we set up the Teachers Resource Centre at Kwami which is the first of its kind in the North East sub-region.

The Centre will help in training, retraining and

upgrading the capacity of our Teachers for effective learning and better service delivery”. The above remarks by Governor Yahaya summed up and further reinforced his nine-point campaign promises for the Education sector which are as follows: Increase budgetary allocation to the sector to enhance learning outcome; vigorously implement the policy of free and compulsory Universal Basic Education; Pursue a comprehensive teacher training and retraining programme for effective service delivery and enhance the welfare of teachers through prompt payment of salaries and improve allowances. Others are providing critical learning facilities and equipment in all Primary and Secondary schools in the State; strengthening guidance, counselling and mentoring units in schools; Improve and ensure regular payment of students bursary allowances to indigenous students of tertiary institutions; Significantly increase funding to the two State Universities and other State owned tertiary institutions and increase access and judicious utilisation of educational funding from federal agencies, international donors and NGOs. The mid- term score card of Governor Inuwa Yahaya reveals that on education his administration was able to deliver five of his campaign promises while the remaining four are ongoing, with appreciable progress. For instance, on teachers training which is sine qua non to effective teaching and learning, the administration has established a state-of-the- art Teacher Resource Centre in Kwami which is currently providing regular comprehensive training of teachers across the State. On free and compulsory education,

the Gombe State Government through BESDA has since mopped up over 300000 out of school children and established 676 non-formal girl-child and Almajiri learning centres. Furthermore, the government under the leadership of Yahaya constructed/renovated and fully equipped 584 classrooms in 156 schools across the State. It equally provided over 30, 000 students with furniture in various schools and informal learning centres. The government also drilled boreholes and built VIP toilets in selected schools across the 11 Local Government Areas of the State; this is in addition to the systematic renovation and upgrade of five legacy schools to special schools. Similarly, in the last few years of the administration of Governor Yahaya, the Education sector has seen an increase in budgetary allocation by more than 50%. This has led to an improved learning outcome as evidenced in the rapid improvement in students’ performance especially in the 2020 and 2021 National Examinations. The payment of bursary to students of Gombe State origin was another area the Gombe State government has been given adequate attention. To this day, the administration of Governor Yahaya has paid over N119 million in students bursary, and still counting.

Today the education sector in Gombe State has substantially been revamped as indicators now show a considerable increase in school enrollment, literacy, numeracy and positive learning outcomes.

For the administration of Governor Yahaya, the mid-term score card is good; the governor has been able to work the talk.

Bayambe wrote from Gombe

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JANUARY 15, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

More grease...

DeepFakes Will Dominate 2023 Elections

Shonekan and a Country in Search of Sages

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ince independence in 1960, many problems have rocked Nigeria to its foundations ruining the promise of a country which was once held the priceless promise of becoming Africa`s first world superpower. From the first military coup in 1966 which precipitated a calamitous and precipitous Civil War in 1967 to subsequent military coups, military regimes of dubious legacies and Nigeria`s struggle to enshrine an accountable democracy since 1999, the Giant of Africa has known rabid and rapid depredations at the hands of those who would fetter a giant.

If Nigeria`s ship has stuttered in the stormy waters of local and international affairs, it is because many times it has been famished for competent sailors and sages in spite of the mushrooming elder statesmen many of whom have become comical fixtures in the Nigerian theatre of the absurd for the frequency of their unguarded statements.

After 85 years during which fate briefly but forcefully fixed him in the eye the Nigerian storm, Mr. Ernest Shonekan, former head of the Interim National Government, died in Lagos on the morning of 11 January 2021.

A man of surging dignity and searing intellect, he it was who was chosen to steady the ship of the country after the terror- and-graftridden government of Mr. Ibrahim Babangida.

His precarious position was only a few months old when Mr. Sani Abacha burgled his way into government via a military coup before proceeding to bundle billions of Nigeria`s money into the Swiss banking system while dipping his iron fist in the blood of his opponents.

With the pages of Nigerian history rapidly turning on those days when the Giant of Africa was forced to cower at the feet of military men whose plunder of the public purse knew no parameters, Mr. Ernest Shonekan`s place is fastened to these pages by the proud pegs of prudence.

Despite being booted out of office and brushed aside in brusque manner, Mr. Shonekan did not take the backstage of Nigeria`s national affairs with the kind of vindictive and vituperative bitterness that marks the vile venue of vultures many former Nigerian leaders enlist in once they leave office. Instead, with the defiant dignity of a man who had danced vigorously when the flutes of history beckoned and the serenity of a conscience that had done nothing unconscionable, Mr. Shonekan was content to weigh in with his wise counsel and wish the

country well whenever he had the opportunity to. In this regard, the Nigerian lawyer and the Agbese of Egbaland was invaluable. His exit at a time when Nigeria stands in critical need of leadership is a lamentable loss which already reverberates across the length and breadth of the country. He will be sorely missed.

A country in dire need of good leaders will forlornly look at the vacuum created by Mr. Shonekan`s exit and find and feel only nostalgia especially as it appears Nigeria`s leadership crisis is worsening by the day. The Giant of Africa is being led by the nose by gnats and goblins who only want to reap from where they did not sow. Thus, where there should be granite decisiveness, there is dereliction. Where there should be rectitude, the stench of rot raps the air.

With the country retreating everyday into the teeth of terror and the 2023 elections drawing ever closer, Nigeria needs men like Mr. Shonekan who always had the presence of mind to see the trees for the wood.

He will be dearly missed. Decidedly, the shoes he has left behind already terrify the many charlatans who occupy Nigeria`s halls of power.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

I

have to state categorically that many methods will be used to lie and deceive people in 2023 general elections. Among these methods used will be the power of computation that deepfakes afford anyone with the skill and design prowess.

Deepfakes are the most prominent form of what’s being called “synthetic media”: images, sound and video that appear to have been created through traditional means but that have, in fact, been constructed by complex software. Deepfakes have been around for years and, even though their most common use to date has been transplanting the heads of celebrities onto the bodies of actors in pornographic videos, they have the potential to create convincing footage of any person doing anything, anywhere. What this means is that I can create a video of you telling a lie and put your face on it and share it on social media.

This is a disastrous thing, as it would accelerate falsehoods in the political space. I must confess all parties will use methods like this to spread division.

How to spot a deepfake. It has to be said that there is no hard and fast rule to spot a deep fake, and that is why you should rely more on traditional news sources for your news and also compare them across media before you make up your decision.

There are some ways like: pay attention to the face. High-end Deepfake manipulations are almost always facial transformations.

Pay attention to the cheeks and forehead. Does

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the skin appear too smooth or too wrinkly? Is the agedness of the skin similar to the agedness of the hair and eyes? Deepfakes are often incongruent on some dimensions.

Pay attention to the eyes and eyebrows. Do shadows appear in places that you would expect?

Deepfakes often fail to fully represent the natural physics of a scene.

Pay attention to the glasses. Is there any glare?

Is there too much glare? Does the angle of the glare change when the person moves? Once again, Deepfakes often fail to fully represent the natural physics of lighting.

Pay attention to the facial hair or lack thereof.

Does this facial hair look real? Deepfakes might add or remove a mustache, sideburns, or beard. But, Deepfakes often fail to make facial hair transformations fully natural.

Pay attention to facial moles. Does the mole look real?

Pay attention to blinking. Does the person blink enough or too much?

Pay attention to the size and color of the lips. Does the size and color match the rest of the person’s face? Despite all of this, I must confirm that people will still fall for deep fakes, but most importantly we must be careful and support healthy conversations.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

No Bias in My Biases

I

have just found out about a new feature in Microsoft Word, although only in some versions, the “Inclusiveness” checker which looks for bias in relation to age, culture, gender and race, etc. I agree that they should all be excluded but it seems over the top. I checked the latest Community Gardens newsletter that I edit and there were 12 suggestions, some degendering comments about some members but it also said that “Pot” is profane in some cases. Our use of Pot is only in reference to vegetables and our rules actually exclude growing pot. I thought we were just a group of mostly retired gardeners but suddenly we are much more interesting.

Maybe it’s time for us to take personal responsibility for what we write and say rather than passing it over to computers to check. I didn’t expect the uprising of the robots and computers to involve Grammar checking although maybe it might make Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator easier to understand.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

NEWS IG Decorates Newly Promoted Guy Ikokwu, Second Republic Dies at 85 DIGs, AIGs, CPs with New Ranks Politician, Olusegun Samuel inYenagoa behalf of Chief Ugonna Ogonna Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, yesterday decorated 25 newly promoted senior police o΀cers with their new ranks in Abuja.

The IG also decorated a couple, Mr. Kehinde Longe and his wife, Yetunde Longe, with the rank of Commissioner of Police.

The couple were among those promoted by the Police Service Commission recently along with 15 other commissioners of police.

Reading their citations,

the Force Public Relations 2΀cer, Mr. Frank Mba, said the husband and wife were course mates and joined the Nigeria Police the same day.

The o΀cers were decorated with their new ranks amidst cheers from their spouses, loved ones and well-wishers.

The senior o΀cers included Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Mr. Zaki Ahmed and the DIG in charge of Research and Planning at the Force Headquarters, Mr. Johnson Babatunde Kokumo.

Also decorated were six Assistant Inspectors-General

of Police (AIGs) who were elevated from their previous rank of Commissioner of Police.

They include AIG Buba Sanusi (former CP Katsina), AIG Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu (former CP Anti-Fraud, FCID), AIG Bello Sani Dalijan (former CP INEC), AIG Yahaya Sahabo Abubakar (former CP Yobe), AIG Akingbola Olatunji, (former CP Benue), and AIG Hakeem Odumosu, (former CP Lagos).

The 17 commissioners of police who were elevated from their previous rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police include

CP Josephine Nneka Anyasinti, CP Haruna Gabriel Garba, CP Tajudeen Akinwale Abass and the couple, CP Patrick Kehinde Longe and CP Yetunde Longe.

The highlight of the brief ceremony was the presentation of an award to AIG Hakeem Odumosu as the best Commissioner of Police for the year 2021 by the President, Police O΀cers· :ives Association (PO:A), Hajiya Hajjara Usman Alkali Baba for his commitment towards women empowerment, social development, eͿective crime Àghting and quality service delivery.

Chief Guy Ikokwu, a Second Republic politician, has died at the age of 85.

The late Ikokwu was Chairman of the Nigerian Peoples Party, (NPP) in the Second Republic in old Anambra State, and was the pioneer chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

His demise was announced yesterday in a statement issued by the head of the Ikokwu family, Chief Ugonna Ikokwu.

The statement said, “On

Ikokwu, head of Ikokwu Family of Oba, I announce the transition to glory of Chief Omenife Guy Ike Ikokwu former President of Otu Oka-Iwu, on :ednesday 12th of January 2022. He was 85 years old.

“He is survived by four children and grandchildren, seven siblings and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

“Further announcements will be made by the family. Meanwhile we ask for your continued prayers for the repose of the soul of Omenife in paradise.”

Obi Condoles with Makinde over Akala’s Death The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed his sympathies to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and to the people of Oyo State, over the death of former governor Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala.

Obi encouraged Makinde, the good people of Oyo and the entire Alao-Akala family to accept his death as the will of the Almighty.

He prayed to God to grant eternal rest to the deceased.

“On behalf of my family, I commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde, the good people of Oyo State and the entire AlaoAkala family, over the death of Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala.

May God who called him home grant him eternal rest and give all who mourn him, the fortitude to bear the loss,” Obi said.

PDP Sets Up Ward Congress Committee for Ekiti Governorship Election Chuks Okocha in Abuja

RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE… British gospel artiste of Nigerian descent, Muyiwa Olarewaju (r) being decorated by The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award in the UK….Wednesday

FCT Police Command Arrests Suspected Robbery Kingpin over Alleged Rape Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command yesterday arrested a suspected robbery kingpin, Patrick Odey, over the alleged raping of a 21-year-old salesgirl.

The victim, an employee of a relaxation spot. She was said to have started work at a garden in Orozo in the Angwansarki area

of Abuja where she also lives in one of the apartments.

The suspect, Odey, was said to have forcefully entered the victim·s apartment and raped her at gunpoint from 1a.m. to 4a.m., and later took her to his house where he continued.

A resident, who gave his name as Obare, said the suspect was arrested and a pistol found in one of his cooking pots when

the police searched the house.

He said Odey was the leader of a cult, which had terrorised the community in the last three years.

“The suspect has been arrested.

He was sleeping when the police came this morning. :hen his house was searched, the police saw a pistol with live ammunition inside one of his cooking pots.

“He is one of the people that

usually terrorise the community.

He is the leader of a cult in the area called the Hardcore,” he said.

He said the suspect lived close to the bar she recently joined as a salesgirl.

The victim told the police that the suspect came to her apartment around 1a.m. He forcefully opened the door of her room, pointed a gun at her and asked her to cooperate.

FG Inaugurates ICT Centre in Ilesa, Kwara Gov Swears-in Announces N100m Technology Fund New Cabinet Members Michael Olugbode in Abuja The federal government yesterday said it would continue to equip students and citizens with Information Communications Technology (ICT) skills such as machine learning and artificial intelligence and facilitate ICT adoption in teaching and learning in order to prepare them for the future that will be strictly driven by technology.

The pledge was made at the inauguration of the Digital Nigeria Centre (DNC) by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Ilesa, Osun State.

The minister also announced the establishment of President Muhammadu Buhari N100 million Technology Fund for Empowerment to create world

class technology experts, targeting 2,000 youths in the next two years in Ijesaland who will be provided with devices for training in different areas such as software development and design, amongst others.

The minister, who represented President Buhari at the event which held at Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Ilesa, said: “I am aware that the programme was conceptualised to promote the availability and utilisation of ICT and resources of the Internet in teaching and learning in public schools in underserved, unserved and rural areas. In other words, this Digital Nigeria Centre has been designed to promote the connection of public secondary schools to broadband internet in Ilesa community, and the goal is to equip beneficiaries with 21st Century skills.”

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has inaugurated Àve new cabinet members, charging them to key into the rebuilding eͿorts of the administration.

The new cabinet members inaugurated yesterday are: Abdulmaliq Bashir Mopelola Risikatullah (:omen AͿairs) George Olabode Towoju (Communications) Ibrahim Akaje (Housing) and Adamu Jamila Bake (Youth).

Barrister Sambo Murtala, recently announced the Special Adviser on Legal Matters, was also sworn-in.

In a statement issued in Ilorin signed by the governor·s Chief Press Secretary, Mr.

RaÀu Ajakaye stated that the governor also moved three existing cabinet members to other ministries - a step he said was meant to improve service delivery to the people of the state.

He said “the rejig saw Olaitan Abosede Buraimoh moving from Communications to Environment, while Remilekun Banigbe now heads the newly created Budget and Planning.

“Formerly of Youth Development, Adenike Harriet Oshatimehin goes to the newly created Solid Minerals which evolved from the defunct bulky Ministry of Enterprise.

Deborah Aremu stays in the now standalone Ministry of Social Development.

The National :orking Committee (N:C) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the nomination of the following party members to serve on the :ard Congresses Electoral Committee for the Ekiti State governorship election.

The committee is mandated to conduct party Congresses in the state for the purpose of electing three Ad-hoc :ard Delegates.

According to a statement

by the National Organising Secretary, Bature Umaru, the composition of the committee has the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Udom Emmanuel, who will serve as chairman.

Other members of the committee are Hon. Michael Mku, Mrs. Modinat Abosede Adedibu, Zanna G. Mustapha, while Kola Ologbondiyan, will serve as member and secretary.

The party said that the exercise is scheduled for Saturday, January 15, 2022 in all the 177 :ards of the state.

Wike Demands Redeployment of DPO, NSCDC Officer Fingered in Illegal Refinery Activities Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom :ike, has urged the State Police Commissioner, Eboka Friday, to redeploy out of the state a particular Divisional Police O΀cer (DPO) in Emohua Local Government Area of the state who he alleged operates an illegal reÀnery in the area.

This is as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Dumnamene Dekor, has commended Governor :ike for his proactive measures in tackling the activities of illegal reÀning of crude oil products popularly called ¶Kpo-Àre· in the state.

Governor :ike made the demand yesterday, at a meeting with the local government council chairmen and heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor frowned at security agencies for the role

some of their personnel have played in aiding and providing cover to the operators of the illegal reÀneries in the state.

He said: “It·s unfortunate for this country how security people will be involved in illegal bunkering. I can·t believe it. Mr. CP, I thank you for transferring the DPO in Rumuji, who owns a reÀnery. But the man must leave here, not transferred. He must leave this state. I can·t be governor here and security man owns an illegal reÀnery. No, it is not possible…the man has to go. Take him to wherever they allow bunkering.”

He directed the CP to immediately arrest Chief :. J. :ocha, Fubara Ohaka, and Chief Promise Ezekwe, who have been Àngered for operating illegal reÀneries deep inside the forest of Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area.

The governor further urged the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State command, to immediately transfer its personnel in charge of vandalism of pipelines in the state.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 15, 2022

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Barefaced Zulum Does Not Love Borno People

T

he biggest drawback to the war against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other terrorists has been the unending lies by politicians and military commanders. That has always been my position. Endless killings by the terrorists in the last seven years have proved me right. The politicians and the military tell lies about virtually everything in this war – military’s capacity, number of terrorists killed, areas controlled by the terrorists and the rest. This is why Borno and other troubled states remain prostrate. The languid governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum is in the forefront of this deceit. He does it with so much impunity. Zulum’s latest ruse is that “there is reasonable peace” in Borno State and that the IDPs should return home. What nonsense!

But early this week, the Borno State Governor slipped and his brain experienced a bit of rearrangement. He suddenly realised that Boko Haram is in control of Abadam and Guzamala local government areas of the state. Zulum consciously stated this open secret when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume led other senators and military officers from the army headquarters to his office in Maiduguri.

Zulum declared: “Presently, Guzamala and Abadam local government areas are still under the control of Boko Haram…Government and people of Borno State, especially those from southern and northern parts of the state, are worried over the increasing number of ISWAP groups who have been terrorising their communities.

“Just a few days ago, I received a security report that in some communities in Mandaragirau axis, in Biu LGA, that over 500 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters were converging with over 300 motorcycles and even celebrating parties, marriages without confrontation. ISWAP is more equipped, sophisticated, intelligent and dangerous as they grow from strength to strength. ISWAP is collecting taxes along major roads in Damboa and other axes in southern Borno. It is very unfortunate.”

The lethargic Zulum has just realised that Boko Haram and ISWAP control territories and collect taxes in many communities in Borno State. He has just realised that ISWAP is more equipped, sophisticated, intelligent and dangerous. These unending deceits by politicians and the leadership of the military have been sustaining terrorism. Zulum’s brain is indeed experiencing some resetting and it is good news for the traumatised people of Borno State.

By now, Zulum’s pay masters in Abuja must be jeering him for saying less than 10 per cent of the visible truth. The truth that must be told is that about half of Borno State is a no go area. The terrorists are roaming unchecked and control these areas. Let’s hope this brain righting will encourage Zulum to face President Muhammadu Buhari and

Zulum

tell him to his face that Boko Haram and ISWAP control Nigerian territories in Borno State and collect taxes in many communities in the state.

Zulum enjoys grandstanding and cares less about his devastated people. This is why he has been forcing IDPs out of their encampments in Maiduguri. He wants them returned home and into the claws of Boko Haram. Zulum had dubiously claimed that reasonable peace had returned to all parts of Borno State. This is terrible. Most of those he paid meagre resettlement allowances and pushed out of some IDP camps are still very much in Maiduguri town. They have nowhere to go. It was obviously a premature move. Most of the towns and villages outside Maiduguri are still not safe as confirmed by Zulum himself this week.

ISWAP Fighters have repeatedly attacked Malam Fatori, the headquarters of Abadam LG, killing many. This is the same Malam Fatori that Zulum is planning to return 50,000 households who fled from Abadam and took refuge in Bosso, Niger Republic. The story of peace here is subterfuge. Zulum should allow the return to Mallam Fatori happen naturally. The people would know when their communities are safe.

Most of the terror attacks in Borno are under-reported. This is why Zulum goes about talking bosh. A good example is the attack last Monday at Tukur Yusufu Buratai Institute for War and Peace (TBI), a research Institute of the Nigerian Army University, located in Buratai Village, Biu LG. The terrorists came in loads with RPGs and anti-aircraft guns. Buratai residents were forced to flee to Moringa, another town in Biu. The military claimed two civilians were

killed during the attack. This is not looking like the true story.

Just last Thursday, Boko Haram confidently attacked the Police Mobile Training School in limankara, Gwoza LG. We were told they were repelled. None of the attackers was apprehended.

Yet, Zulum is continuing with his murderous operation “evict all IDPs from Maiduguri.”

Amnesty International is opposed to plans to close these camps, saying it would expose thousands of households to danger, but this governor has refused to budge.

Based on 38 interviews with former IDP returnees and individuals currently living in camps within Maiduguri, Amnesty said the survivors expressed fear for their lives “as they are being forced to leave the camps at short notice and many are coerced to remain in resettled areas despite escalating attacks.”

Even the pathetic story of Yagana Yerima, a 30-year old mother at Teachers Village IDP camp, did not touch Zulum’s heart before the camp was forcefully dismantled.

Yerima said she did not have anywhere to go even if given the N50,000 resettlement aid, as her village is yet to be rebuilt and her husband is still nowhere to be found seven years after he was arrested and detained by the military in connection with Boko Haram.

She adds on December 17 last year: “I was arrested along with my husband by the military and taken to Giwa barracks from Pulka in Gwoza LGA some seven years ago. When I was released, I didn’t have anywhere to go. As a result, I went to the IDP camp. I have been living in the camp without any means of livelihood or source of income. I survive by the handouts given by humanitarian agencies.

Now the Government is saying we should leave the camp to our villages but our house has not been rebuilt and there is no security in our village.”

It should also be noted that before Zulum became governor, in a number of communities in Borno State where IDPs were earlier resettled, they had to scamper to Maiduguri when they came under Boko Haram’s attacks. Schools, homes and clinics built for them were destroyed by the terrorists. The story the government told them then was that the communities were now safe. It turned out to be a scam.

Besides the issue of security, the homes and businesses of IDPs have been destroyed by the terrorists and they will require basic infrastructure if they are to be returned home today. Things are evidently not in place for these people to restart their lives.

The miserable money being paid to them won’t get them anywhere.

The IDPs will naturally leave Maiduguri and return to their homes if genuine peace returns to the troubled communities. Even a

Umahi Terrorising Opponents with Ebubeagu One opposition voice you can’t miss in Ebonyi State is that of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Publicity Secretary, Chika Nwoba. He takes on and punches holes in the rambling administration of Governor Dave Umahi, with facts and figures. The badly shaken Umahi decided to send Ebubeagu, his security outfit, after Nwoba. He was arrested on the Abakaliki-Enugu highway last week, thoroughly beaten and handed over to the police “for circulating fake news in the social media.” When did it become the job of Ebubeagu to arrest people “circulating fake news?” What a country!

The Ebonyi State Police Command is also cooperating with Umahi on the persecution of Nwoba. This innocent man, who has been in police detention since last Sunday, was taken to a Magistrate Court, Abakaliki by the police last Wednesday to face charges of “circulating fake news in the social media.” The hapless PDP spokesman

slumped while entering the courtroom, forcing the police to rush him to hospital. He was returned to the court a few hours after. But the Magistrate refused to hear the matter, and instead ordered Nwoba be taken to the police clinic in Abakaliki for proper treatment.

This is Umahi pummeling citizen Nwoba for being critical of his government. The Nigerian human rights community must rise in defence of Nwoba. Enough of this oppression by Umahi.

It is this same tyrannical Umahi that wants to be the President of Nigeria. What will happen if he gets federal power? Your guess is as good as mine. The good news is that incompetent Umahi does not stand the slightest chance of becoming Nigeria’s President. He is just one of the jesters in the race. That was why he said he was not in contest with anybody but himself for the Presidency.

Umahi

blind man would know when Boko Haram and ISWAP are genuinely eliminated. This is the task that must be done; not forcing IDPs out of Maiduguri into the claws of terrorists. Zulum must be stopped from continuing with his hazardous action.

For me, Zulum has always been a muddled governor and I have no apologies for this. I remember one television interview with him in July last year, during which he also refused to be truthful about the plight of his people. Zulum was economical with the truth throughout the interview.

On the one hand, he admitted that a large number of his people could not go to their farms because of raging insecurity, stating: “The Nigerian military should create the enabling environment for farmers to go to their farmlands so that they can cultivate their lands. It is no longer sustainable for our internally displaced persons living in IDP camps and host communities to receive food and non-food items from donor partners.

People must earn their livelihood if we want this insurgency to come to an end.”

On the other hand, during the interview, Zulum said peace was gradually returning to the North-East after over 11 years of Boko Haram. Which peace is this governor talking about? If peace is gradually returning, close to a million people will still not be living in IDP camps in the state.

During the same interview, Zulum lamented: “The Nigerian Army does not have the lethal weapons, fighter helicopter and numerical strength to fight aggressors.

The Nigerian Army of the last 30 years or of the last 40 years is better than the Nigerian Army of today. It is sad, it is very sad. We are supposed to have gone far in terms of development but if you look at it, the equipment we have in the last 40 years are still in existence.”

So, how did this poorly-equipped Army dismantle Boko Haram as earlier claimed by Zulum? That this governor is muddled is no longer in doubt. He is clearly not in love with his people.

The people of Borno State are in a “one chance” bus.

Killings in Shiroro Shiroro Local Government Area is one of the strongholds of terrorists in Niger State. Here, daily, they kill and injure scores of hapless Nigerians, unhindered. This has been the situation in the last two years.

As usual, the terrorist struck in Nakundna and Wurukuchi communities in Shiroro LGA last Monday, killing many farmers.

They were harvesting crops when the murderers struck.

Instead of going after the killers, the Niger State Police Command was busy analysing the number of people killed and trying to bring down the figures. “Only 13 people were killed by the terrorists and not 37,” Niger State’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, told a puzzled country, as if he was talking about lives of animals. This is the extent security in Nigeria has degenerated in the last seven years of the Buhari government.

The Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, has been a big disappointment in securing Niger State. This governor saying “the desperate terrorists that carried out the Shiroro attacks will be fished out” is annoying. How many of such terrorists has he apprehended in all his years as the state’s Chief Security Officer?

The governor added, “desperation has been noticed amongst the terrorists as a result of the onslaught by security agents which has made them to target unsuspecting rural inhabitants.” Haba governor Sani Bello! Which onslaught are you talking about? Enough of your lies.

Terrorists are roaming unimpeded in at least eight local governments in Niger State.

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SATURDAY JANUARY 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

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Reliving Burna Boy’s Live Experience Concert Burna Boy

Video of ‘Ballon D’Or’ out Ferdinand Ekechukwu

I

t was an epic experience for Lagosians at “Burna Boy: The Live Experience Concert” held in Lagos, December 27 last year, as the ‘Ye’ crooner showed up in grand style for his fans. After performing on several stages across the world including selling out the famous O2 Arena, the ‘Odogwu’ came to Lagos to give his fans a well-deserved treat a couple of days back.

He took to the stage to perform some of his major hits back to back as well as his muchloved tracks from his popular Twice as Tall album . Opening his show, Burna Boy hit it off with his ‘Wetin dey Sup’ single which had fans screaming the lyrics in excitement.

Next was the beloved ‘Location’ by Dave

featuring Burna, then ‘Deja Vu’, as well as the hit single, Ja ara’ e. Riling up the energy in the building, Burna Boy dropped songs from his African Giant Album including Anybody, Another story, Wonderful, Dangote, Secret featuring Serani and Jeremiah, Gbona and Spiritual.

A few exciting surprises showed up on stage to perform with the Grammy-winning superstar, one of which was Mozambique’s Yaba Buluku boys. This trio raised the roof, complementing Burna’s energy while performing their very own Yaba Buluku Remix.

Another exciting surprise performance with Burna was BlackSherif performing the Second Sermon Remix.

Throwing it way back to the golden oldies, the crowd went wild when Burna Boy performed Like to Party and Soke. Other

singles thrown into the mix include; Way Too Big, Jerusalema, Onyeka baby, Question, 23, Ballon D’or, Kilometre, Odogwu and On the Low. The show ended with the number one track from the 2018 Outside Album, Ye, which peaked at number 26 and 31 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts, respectively.

Describing himself as “the lighter way dey outside” , Burna Boy said that he was just getting used to fans mobbing him in response to their admiration of him. He however humbly urged his fans not to jump on stage during the show as this may startle him.

Respectfully honoring his request, the show was a smooth ride with Burna’s performance perfectly encapsulated in the words E file fun Burna’, and fans taking to social media to express their excitement during and after

the concert. The Live Experience concert is part of the lineup of Stacked December concerts which took place across Lagos in December.

Meanwhile, Burna Boy has released the video for his ‘Ballon D’Or’ single. During one of their performances at the 02 Arena London, in November last year, he had announced, and on the spot, dropped this new single, featuring Wizkid. This banging track is inspired by one of the most prestigious trophies given to professional soccer players - Ballon D’Or whose recipient is regarded as the best male football player in the world.

The masterpiece single is produced by Nigerian British producer P2j. The music video, shot in Lagos, shows the chemistry and fluidity between these two most successful African artistes, and Grammy award winners.

The video is a beauty to behold. Just in time for the holidays, this upbeat, feel-good sound arrives after the Afrofusion musician announced his history-making debut appearance at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2022.

That makes him the first Nigerian artiste to headline a concert at the iconic venue for his show: ‘One Night In Space’, which follows Burna Boy’s sold out debut at LA’s ‘The Hollywood Bowl’, electrifying performances at 2021 Global Citizen Festival and The Governor’s Ball, as well as sold out international shows at London’s O2 Arena, Paris’ Accor Arena, Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome and more venues around the globe, as part of his 2021 Space Drift tour.

The video opens with on a boat cruise, savouring the serenity of the cool atmosphere at a beach in the company of several ladies.

The visuals for ‘Ballon D’Or’ are phenomenal yet playful as Burna Boy and Wizkid depict their dreams in real time, matching a blockbuster sense of confidence and attendant energy.

Revealing legendary welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman who makes a cameo in the video, ‘Ballon D’Or’ brims with memorable melodies and beats and Burna Boy’s impressive technique and delivery as both singers croon about their heroics in the music industry. Last year saw Burna Boy soar like an eagle with diverse collaborations such as “I Feel It (ft. Burna Boy)” with Jon Bellion; and “Want It All” featuring Polo G. He also had “Question” ft Don Jazzy, and Becky G x Burna Boy’s “Rotate,” featured in Pepsi’s global football campaign “Music Keeps Us Fizzing.” The African Giant also allied with Justin Bieber on the 8x Grammy nominated album ‘Justice’ and with 9x Grammy Award-nominee Sia for “Hey Boy”.

How Kaffy Walked out of Marriage Ferdinand Ekechukwu

D

ateline: June 2, 2012 at 10am.

Venue: Ikoyi Registry, Lagos.

Couple: Kafayat Shafau (Kaffy) and Joseph Ameh. Solemn Declaration: For better for worse till death do us part.

And so the union was formally instituted in the presence of family members, friends and industry colleagues. 8-9 years down the line, all doesn’t seem as it was. No more feelings.

Their aspiration wasn’t their expectation, or rather, their expectation wasn’t their aspiration.

The option left is to manage but for how long? It’s not just working and may not work anymore, Kaffy concludes. She says it was chemistry but not all chemistry is meant for registry. She then likened the institution of marriage to bagging a Ph.D, noting that it required hard work (By the way, she got an honorary doctorate degree). The popular dance instructor and fitness coach would then state that marriage “is not the way many people view it”…

She avowed that the wrong perception of people about marriage can be fixed if people can change their mindset. At this point she got Nigerians, especially her fans and followers thinking and talking on social media.

What’s happening they asked? When did she turn therapist? She had earlier in a post she made within a month interval about marriage and what people expect from it advised men and women to wisely chose who to love and submit to.

She then concludes that women have been conditioned to live a life that needs a man to validate their existence, stating that it’s contrary to their purpose. The mother of two had also stated that men are busy searching for what is not right in the lives of the women they meet. In all of her talk about marriage within that period six months back, the award-winning dancer wasn’t ready to disclose that she and her partner has estranged. She was still musing.

There has been speculation that the lovebirds have been separated since 2020. But the fear of the pandemic was more favoured than the fallout of their union. Ameh, the music director and former drummer for Nigerian duo P-Square isn’t the loquacious type and doesn’t appear so. Kaffy is the one that is often seen and heard. She also dances for Psquare from way back. In fact, at the Psquare ‘Reactivated’ concert in December, Kaffy was on fire!

That ‘touching body thing’ in their dance moves may have long discomforted Ameh.

Who knows but he doesn’t talk… Kaffy was thrust into the limelight in 2006 when she led her dance group to break the Guinness Book of Record for “Longest Dance Party” after they danced for 55 hours and 40 minutes. Six years after, she got married to Ameh.

Although the couple is successful in their own right, Kaffy, had during her Special Recognition Award at the Headies2018 got emotional in her acceptance speech that she called Ameh on stage while dedicating the award to him that her success has been possible by the support given to her by her hubby and family.

Until her revelation this week of their marital issue during one of the episodes of her podcast, JustKaffy, on Monday night, Kaffy never realized their destinies weren’t at par, as she claimed. According to her, marriage was supposed to be an alignment of destinies but that was not the case in her union. Giving snippets of her marital misfortune, Kaffy explained: “Taking the chance to break off our marriage was also to see that we both grow to become what we are supposed to be.

“Marriage is supposed to be an alignment of destiny, that’s, for couples to drive to a place God wants for them.

And mine didn’t work out that way. And rather than looking at someone as the problem, sometimes, you could be the problem of that person. So, you know, being an enabler of someone not being able to do what they’re supposed to do can also be that you’re not supposed to be in that space.”

As if to justify her reason, Kaffy posted thus on her Instagram page: “Separation isn’t the end of life for both parties involved. In fact if you both are honest about why you have to go apart, you will reallize how much better life can be. Some people le make it back, some don’t. What is ultimate is the outcome borne out of love! We live in a world that has created a cage even as we were born.

“We only know what we are allowed to know. It’s fine to know for who you can be, our ur creator is limitless and so are we. Discover you and let that attract who should be in your space.”

Kaffy K ff and d JJoaseph h

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

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Globacom’s Giant Strides in Entertainment Industry Chidiebere Nwobodo

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n 2003 when Globacom Limited—the first indigenous mobile telecom company debuted in Nigeria, many optimists and ICT enthusiasts saw the birth of a promising mobile operator, that would create competition in the telecom sector and give more Nigerians much-needed opportunity to own mobile lines. Except the pathfinder himself—Mike Adenuga, Jr., no one else envisioned unparalleled positive impact then nascent telecom operator would have on the nation’s entertainment industry.

Almost two decades later, Nigeria’s telecom and entertainment industries have felt way better as a result of sterling achievements of Glo in these two strategic sectors of the economy. At its inception, when the service provider firstly announced its mission statement: “To be the largest, most successful entertainment, information and telecommunications solutions provider, in Nigeria and Africa”, some cynics viewed it as one of the highfalutin propaganda of corporate organizations.

But after eighteen years of sweeping voyage nicknamed GSM revolution; having Glo as the main catalyst and its ripple effects on the entertainment industry, the grains of optimism had been conspicuously differentiated from chaffs of pessimism.The vision of quintessential entrepreneur—Mike Adenuga, Jr., has not only demystified ownership of mobile lines but brought life to the entertainment industry. It has been a glorious sojourn that has unearthed avalanche of opportunities in telecommunications and entertainment sectors, respectively, for Nigeria and her neighbors.

With Glo in the ring of competition and its aggressive market strategies, the nation’s subscribe base skyrocketed from a paltry number of 400,000 active lines in 2002 to humongous 180 million, as at September, 2021. Out of this number, Glo has over 50 million subscribers—and still growing rapidly. Beyond crashing price of SIM card from N30,000 to N200, Glo’s pioneered Per Second Billing System(PBS), altered the entire industry and made subscribers to “Glo with Pride” with cheaper lines, call and data rates. It is on record that Glo’s promos are topnotch, customeroriented and rewarding.

When Chief Mike Adenuga, Jr., conceived the idea of giving Nigerians—Africans in general, cheaper access to mobile telecom services using Globacom as the vehicle, in his mind; he imagined more than a mobile telephony entity.The consummate investor saw a telecom company that would serve as a catalyst to propel massive growth in the country cum regional entertainment industry. His ultimate goal was to make Nigeria melting pot of entertainment in Africa.

He has passionately and assiduously worked towards actualizing this vision in the last 18 years of Glo’s operations. No company in the nation’s private sector—in the last two decades, has consistently invested largely in Nigeria’s entertainment industry like Globacom Limited.

Adenuga’s vision is reflected in Glo’s youthdriven ecosystem.There is no strata of Nigeria’s entertainment industry that you will not find the

Adenuga

signature of Glo on it: from music to acting to comedy to sports, etcetera, the list is long.

Glo has come to be regarded as a network of stars. No corporate organization has had the kind of constellation of entertainment heavyweights as it brand ambassadors as Globacom. All through the years, the cream of the country’s musicians, footballers, literary icons, actors, actresses and comedians have either be signed on as brand ambassadors or featured in the company’s commercials.

Some celebrities who have graced Glo’s hall of fame include: King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Osita Osadebe, Oliver d’ Coque, Prof Wale Soyinka, Yusuf Maitama Sule, Nelly Uchendu, Onyeka Onwenu, D’Banj, MI Abaga, PSquare.

Others are Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, Juliet Ibrahim, Matter Ankomah, Davido, Wizkid, Flavour, Gordons, Basketmouth, I go Dye,Teniola, Brother Shaggi, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Osaze Odemwingie, Joselyn Dumas, Michael Essien, Anthony Joshua, etcetera.

While the commercials that featured these stars helped to market Glo brand and make it a household name, the partnership benefited these celebrities very well as it served as strategic public relations for their individual brands and its attendant financial gains. So far, no corporate organization has touched the lives of these celebrities like Glo.The advent of Glo has really been a blessing to celebrities in the industry and beyond.The most interesting factor is that Glo is still in the business of investing in the industry despite excruciating economic realities in the

country.

One area Glo has done impressively well is in its sponsorship of talent hunt shows. Nigeria is a reservoir of talents when it comes to entertainment.

Having talent potentials and harnessing them are totally two different things. Like treasures buried in the ground, it takes resources and skills to mine and refine talents. Chief Mike Adenuga, having successfully excelled in the world of crude oil explorations via ConOil Producing Limited, understands nitty-gritty of talents discovery and spotting hidden treasures, especially as it effects our youths.

This explains Glo’s humongous investments in talent hunt shows in the last eighteen years.

Examples: Rock ‘n’ Rule, GloNaiga Sings, Laffta Fest, and the world number one music singing talent realityTVshow, X Factor, which birthed in Africa for the first time in 2013. Others are Slide and Bounce concert, an entertainment tour which went round all the geopolitical zones of the country as well as Glo Mega Music Show; another platform through which Globacom develops the music industry and entertains Nigerians.

Youth unemployment is one of the social malease bedeviling the country. Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth. There is this school of thought that blacks are naturally endowed when it comes to entertainment, but because of years of alarming low investment in this area, talents of our youths are deteriorating with its corresponding unemployment, poverty and general despondency in the land.

Nigeria’s unemployment rate is disturbingly

Jim Iyke Unveils New Book Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

ce Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke has joined the league of authors months after his blockbuster movie, Bad Comments’. His authorial debut is titled Walking Through Walls. The book is the first volume in his new book series, “The Gift in the Odds”. Jim shared the exciting news with his followers recently on his Instagram page.

In the post on his page, the ‘One Dollar’ star wrote: “And unto serious matters, The Gift In The Odds, my authorial debut launches February 1st, 20222. Pre order on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books and Kobo. This book will change your life.”

The Gift in the Odds comes days after he revealed that the viral video of him beating his colleague Uche Maduagwu was staged. Bad Comments’ ranks among the highest-grossing Nollywood movies of all time

Recall that Jim Iyke had said that not conducting himself well in the past, earned him bad reputation. “One cannot make a difference in anything in life if one is not open to criticism. At first, don’t forget we were not schooled about what to expect as regards being famous and handling fame. We did not understand what it meant. We did a little bit too much that earned us bad reputation. I could not conduct myself with the best decorum in those days.

“As one gets older, one understands oneself, one’s pattern, the people around one and the responsibility that has been entrusted unto one. It is no small gift to influence people. One owes the world a certain responsibility whether one likes it or not. We refused our responsibility along the way but once one embraces it, things would become easy. That is what I do these days. It is about my businesses, family and mental health.”

Jim Iyke

put at 33.3 per cent. Amongst these unemployed statistics are youth whose talents are made to lie fallow by non-availability of opportunities. Africa has not really taken investment in music vis-a-vis entertainment industry seriously. American economy gains an average of $19billion annually from revenues generated via its music industry alone. Its film industry—Hollywood, is estimated to worth close to $150 billion dollars. The market size, measured by the revenue, of the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation industry of the U.S. is $275 billion in 2021.

How do we expect to solve challenges of insecurity and limited economic opportunities when many of youth are still wallowing in the wilderness of cluelessness and lack of talent developmental opportunities. Globacom is redefining standard and restoring hope to the forgotten youthful demography. The mobile number operator recently opened floodgates of opportunities for the youth in the music industry, especially those with dancing ability.

Globacom through its sponsorship of the world’s biggest dance reality TV show, “Battle of the Year” being hosted in Nigeria, like a skilled explorer, is set to discover great talents again, by giving the youth opportunity to showcase their dancing dexterity to the world. According to Globacom’s Communications Director, Andre Beyers who spoke recently at the unveiling ceremony was quoted as saying: “In line with our commitment to promoting the Nigerian entertainment industry and youth talent development across the country, we are excited to unleash the unlimited potentials of Nigerian dancers and provide the platform for them to show their abilities on the world stage”. He added that N84 million prize money await the winners of Glo Battle of the Year and an opportunity for the winners to represent Nigeria and display their talents at the global dance competition.

The Battle of the Year competition began in Hannover, Germany, 20 years ago. It is an annual international competition widely regarded as the “World Cup of Breakdancing”. Glo has shown keen interest in the growth of the nation’s entertainment industry. As part of activities that marked its 18th Anniversary, it launched a new online streaming app called GloTV. It is an innovative TV streaming service on Android, IOS apps and web for watching live linear TV, video on Demand and Catch-up with premium content.

Despite its massive investment in the entertainment industry, Globacom’s eagle-eyed vision of “Building Africa’s biggest and best telecommunications network” is still on full course. In other to keep giving its subscribers value for their money via improved Quality of Service (QoS) and to reach Nigerians in far-flung corners of the country, Glo recently entered into a strategic partnership with Eutelsat Communications.

This partnership is aimed to deliver high-speed broadband cum voice services via satellite to businesses and communities in unconnected and undeserved areas of the country. In summary, Globacom is not only building the biggest telecom company in the continent but energizing the rapid growth of the nation’s entertainment industry.

I urge other corporate entities to emulate this paradigm.

Chidiebere Nwobodo writes from Abuja via chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR Iseoluwa Abidemi

I Miss My Annual Concert, I Miss African Food Teen gospel artiste, Iseoluwa Abidemi catapulted herself into limelight following the release of her self-titled single album, Iseoluwa and her maiden live music concert at 13 in 2017. She is an inspiration to many out there. Iseoluwa, who recently relocated abroad with her parents and siblings, tells Ferdinand Ekechukwu about her new environment, study, her dream and her music career

W

hat’s been happening to your music?

Well music was pending because I just relocated to the UK and am settling into school, this is a new environment. But I have been very active on social media.

How are you settling in, adapting to your new environment?

I’m settling in fine, with new things to get adapted to. Like the weather, food, the people but so far, God has been faithful.

Pretty active on social media you recently celebrated reaching 300K followers on Instagram. How do you balance academic and music with your social media engagements? Doesn’t it affect your study?

Oh yes on that, I woke up one morning asking my mum what will I do to keep my Instagram busy, she told me go to God for direction and when you ask Him he will give you directions. So I started a Bible Study every Sunday that helped my page.

I’m honestly very grateful for having fans that will support me and for my social media growing all the way to 300,000 followers. As for it affecting my study, the answer is no. Because I’m in college now I don’t have classes everyday so I use my free days most times to attend to my social media, then my mum checks what I post. She also gave rules and regulations about my social media, which I try not to break any.That way I’m keeping things separated.

You turned seventeen a couple of weeks ago, how do you feel about your new age?

Yes I turned 17 last year December 18th, it feels good, knowing am growing, with so much responsibility and as the first child, a lot I’d expected of me.

Am grateful to God… Are any of your siblings into music or doing stuff related to music as well?

Well everyone has one passion or the other, my brother is into sport, my other sister seems to be showing serious interest in fashion and for baby of the house, her height gave her easy breakthrough into kids modeling.That is that about my siblings for now.

Okay let’s talk about your school and study?

School is fine. All I do is study and study.That is all about school. I recently graduated from High School and I’m now in college. I’m going to spend two years in college before I move straight to University.

Is your dream to study Law still in place?

Oh yes by God’s grace, through Christ who strengthens me. My dream to study Law and become a Lawyer is still intact and it will always be.

What do you miss about Nigeria?

I miss my annual concert (Iseoluwa Live in Concert), I miss some artistes that I am very close to, I miss African food, yes I eat them here but it is not like the real deal. I miss my home church. No place like home. I think the one thing I missed the most is my grandma’s cooking. . .

Iseoluwa

Is that all you missed?

And maybe a few friends here and there, but I guess we all grow out of that.

Does it mean your mum’s cooking over there doesn’t match your grandma’s own?

It does! It does, but you can’t really find the ingredients that you will find easily in Nigeria. It definitely does, my mum is the best cook in the world.

What’s on Iseoluwa’s top list at the moment?

On the list for Iseoluwa is school. Am planning to hit the studio soon. I just launched an online jewelry store, called MOONGEM, All jewelry single handed made by me from top to finish you can find on my other Instagram page @moongemjewelry. My jewelries consists all sorts of jewelries to match people’s original style. Not just something that you are forced to buy to match what you picked out.

Your style, something you can wear every day; it consists of colours, consists of gem, consists of beads, different sorts of jewelries. I also plan to finish studying the whole Bible this year, by God’s

Grace.

When in Nigeria you probably would have loved some artiste which you had wished to meet.Which of them are you looking forward to meeting soon over there?

I am looking forward to meetingTravis Greene. I have always been looking forward to meeting him.

Any good artiste not just gospel artiste, it could be inspirational artiste.They all hit me in different ways, I mean their songs.

Any words for your fans/followers…

Well it’s your girl Iseoluwa, thank you for believing in me, despite not been around, I still feel the love. God bless you all; keep you all in good health.

And yes believe in your dreams, that dreams that seems impossible, and I pray God will help you in Jesus name. I want to add that as much as the Coronavirus is a disadvantage rather than looking at it from the bad side, you should always look at it as an opportunity to stay safe, and to move forward and explore your talent, your potential, search, find yourself, see what you are capable of.

Femi Adebayo Becomes StarTimes’ Brand Ambassador

N

ollywood actor, Femi Adebayo has been appointed as a brand ambassador by digital-TV platform, StarTimes.

The filmmaker was unveiled by StarTimes last

Monday.

The endorsement deal reinforces StarTimes commitment to broader investment in local content.

Femi Adebayo, who enjoys cult followership in the movie industry, will be instrumental in strengthening the bond between the brand and its customers.

StarTimes opted to identify with the actor because of his strong connection with entertainment lovers. StarTimes recently made a broader commitment to Nollywood with the production of two-hit series, Ile-Alayo, and Okirika. Both series gained massive viewership on StarTimes when they were released in December. Ile-Alayo was produced by Femi Adebayo.

Chief Executive Officer, StarTimes, Alex

Jian said Femi Adebayo is an actor who exhibits all that StarTimes, an affordable digital-TV platform, stands for.

“StarTimes made digital-TV entertainment available to all homes and has continued to offer unmatched service delivery to every household, irrespective of income level.

“Adebayo is greatly loved by Nollywood fans. We are delighted to have Femi Adebayo as our brand ambassador. Over the years, Femi has continued to add value to our TV screens. We are delighted with this partnership. We have decided to work with the veteran actor who also shares our core values in terms of dedication, service, and quality entertainment.”

On his part, Femi Adebayo said, “StarTimes offers something tasty. It resonates with the kind of entertainment that Femi Adebayo always doles out. I am happy to represent the StarTimes brand.”

L-R: Alex Jian with Femi Adebayo

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SATURDAY JANUARY 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY JANUARY 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

PERSPECTIVE

Access Bank Vs Late Sunny Odogwu: Moving against Recalcitrant Debtors

MD, Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe

Oluchi Chibuzor

T

he recalcitrant attitude of debtors who take depositors funds by way of loan facilities with no intention to repay has once again come into public focus with the recent dispute between the Estate of the late Chief Sunny Odogwu, and his related companies.

While it is not in dispute that a facility was taken from the bank to finance a hotel project at 31-35, Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos, the said facility is yet to be repaid.

The impression being created by the Estate of the late Chief Odogwu and his related companies that they can take depositors funds to finance projects and rather than repay such funds, they would make false claims to the ownership of the assets of the debtors as inheritance to be shared is a vivid reminder of the era of failed banks in the country.

The dubious attempts by the Estate of the late Sunny Odogwu to rewrite the terms of the facilities is not only a show of shame but a clever attempt by the family to inherit dubious assets gotten from depositors’ funds which does not form part of the estate and as such should not be allowed.

It would be recalled that the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, an iconic bank comparable to Eastern Nigeria’s African Continental Bank (ACB) almost went under due to recalcitrant borrowers and the bank was rescued by Access Bank Plc. Unfortunately for the Estate of the late Sunny Odogwu and his related companies, the facts of the matter, terms of the loans and the dispute has been litigated and pronounced upon by the Federal High Court and the Odogwu Family had the opportunity to present their own side of the story which they did before Hon. Justice Saliu Saidu of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court in suit number: FHC/L/CS/1633/14, in November 3, 2015.

Delivering judgment in the suit, Hon. Justice Saidu held that the first to third defendants were in fundamental breach of the contract for the financing of the construction of the Luxury Collection Hotels and Apartments, having admitted, “Indebtedness to the plaintiff in the sum of N10, 252,315,567.28 on the project finance

Late Sunny Odogwu

facility as at December 20, 2011.”

Additionally, the learned trial judge held that the first to third defendants have not produced before the court any evidence that any of the conditions for the grant of the facility was waived or demonstrated to the court how they liquidated their indebtedness.

His words: “With all the facts before me, I am satisfied that the first to third defendants who have admitted indebtedness has not shown how the indebtedness was liquidated.

Flowing from these grounds, Justice Saidu made the following consequential order: “Judgment is entered in the sum of N26, 229,943,035.22 jointly and severally against the 1st to 3rd defendants being the outstanding sum as at September 30, 2014 advanced by the plaintiff for the 1st to 3rd defendants’ project which sum has remained unpaid despite several demands.

“That leave is granted to the plaintiff to foreclose and sell the said property situated at 31-35 Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos and to deposit the proceed of the sales into the 1st defendant’s account kept with the plaintiff towards the partial satisfaction of the judgment sum against the 1st to 3rd defendants.

The idea or impression that the beneficiaries of the estate of the late Sonny Odogwu can lay any claim of ownership to an asset acquired from depositor’s funds of a financial institution as forming part of the estate when they are aware that the underling facility has not been repaid is not only sad but actionable

“That leave is granted the plaintiff with the supervision of the Court’s Registrar to sell property situated at No 31-35 Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos being the security for the sum of N26, 229,943,035.22 advanced by the plaintiff to the 1st to 3rd defendants for the development of the project called Luxury Collections Hotels and Apartments, the repayment of which facility, the 1st to 3rd defendants have failed, refuse otherwise neglected to make despite several demands.”

It was against this background that the Estate of the Late Odogwu entered into a settlement agreement in May 2019 on the matter.

The key parts of the settlement include the following: “The defendants (the Estate of the late Sunny Odogwu and his related companies) agreed to sell a property described therein as the (Berendo Property”) in Los Angeles and to pay the sum of $11,111,111.11 within (60) days from the date of the settlement agreement to the Bank, failing which, the ownership of the Berendo property was to be assigned to the Bank, and the defendants also agreed with the bank in satisfaction of the outstanding settlement amount after receipt of the net proceeds of the sale from the Berendo property to assign such additional properties directly to the bank by way of an agreed asset swap arrangement subject to the terms of this settlement agreement.

Also, the defendants agreed to provide the bank with all the original documents pertaining to certain properties after the execution of the settlement agreement and undertook to execute and provide all documents required to perfect the legal interest of the Bank in such properties and also perfect the asset swap for the purpose of liquidating the outstanding settlement amount with the bank and shall provide such warranties and representations including without limitation, clean, undisputable and unencumbered title with quiet and peaceful possession. All these shall be achieved within seven days from the date on the settlement agreement.

Furthermore, the defendants failed to facilitate/conclude the sale of

the Berendo property, hence the sum of $11,111,111.11 has not been received by the bank in line with the settlement agreement.

Consequently, the defendants have failed and refused to assign the Berendo property in Los Angeles to the Bank. Rather, the defendants compromised the property at Los Angeles without paying the agreed sum to the bank.

Furthermore, the defendants refused to hand over the Dubai property to the bank in line with the settlement agreement. The defendants have refused to grant vacant possession to the properties at Kirikiri as well as the Dubai property till date in line with the settlement agreement.

Recalcitrant debtors negatively impact the critical banking sector and defeat the essence of granting such facilities to aid business growth.

Regrettably, the Estate of the late Sunny Odogwu instead of repaying the facility in line with the terms of the settlement have apparently opted for assets stripping and have failed to comply with the settlement agreement.

The idea or impression that the beneficiaries of the estate of the late Sonny Odogwu can lay any claim of ownership to an asset acquired from depositor’s funds of a financial institution as forming part of the estate when they are aware that the underling facility has not been repaid is not only sad but actionable. And this is exactly what the Failed Bank Act seeks to prevent.

At the end of the day, depositor’s funds are savings by hard working Nigerians who believe in the financial system.

Banks are merely custodian of this funds and as custodians, when banks grant credit facilities to customers to finance and fund assets and projects, such assets do not form part of the estate of the customers for the beneficiaries to share and leave luxurious lifestyles at the expense of the depositors, until such facilities are fully repaid.

Access Bank Plc has remained resolute in its determination and in its typical manner of dealing with chronic and recalcitrant debtors, has indicated that it will continue to deploy every legal available resource to ensure that this debt is fully recovered.

This is why dodgy and chronic debtors must steer clear of accessing facilities from Access Bank Plc.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

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INTERVIEW My Reappointment, a Challenge to Fulfill Yearnings of Niger Delta In this interview with THISDAY, The Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) speaks on a number of issues including his plans to sustain the peace in the Niger Delta

H

ow did you receive your reappointment from the Presidency?

I want to thank God, that Mr. President found me worthy to be reappointed but most importantly, I want to acknowledge destiny helpers, who worked behind the scene. I would not forget to thank the ex-agitators’ community that felt very strongly about my being reappointed. The fact that they expressed their concerns through the media instead of the street protests that used to be the tool of choice in the immediate past was heartwarming. The reappointment, to me is a kind of challenge to fulfill the yearnings and expectations of primarily, the ex-agitators’ community and the larger Niger Delta region.

that they have a part to play. This is a collective responsibility because the image of PAP is not the image of Dikio, but that of everybody associated with the Programme and peace in the Niger Delta region.

What has been your experience in the last one year of touring the Niger Delta?

One of the things that was widely expressed by delegates and other critical stakeholders, was that, they had never seen someone in my position in the Amnesty Office come that close to the people in the region, and I believe that is why I have the kind of support I enjoy. People are hungry to meet with decision makers to express their views. For example, when we went to Uyo, many of our delegates came out of curiosity to find out if I was really on ground.

When they saw me, they said they had a lot of complaints to make, but because I was there physically, they would not express those concerns anymore. Their leader asked if I could go to Oron to see his jetty and I agreed. On getting to Oron, even the paramount ruler came out to greet us.

These are the kind of interactions that have created the connection they had craved for so long. It’s really the ‘hearts and minds’ approach that connects us to the stakeholders.

The Presidency’s statement concerning your reappointment reads: “you command a lot of respect among stakeholders in the Niger Delta”. How do you want to sustain that?

I have worked and still work very closely with many key stakeholders in the region. Some have been working very quietly behind the scene to advance our vision for the Niger Delta, so that it could be the safest and the best place to live and do business in Nigeria. Seeing this number of people who believe in the paradigm shift motivates me every day. It is an endless motivation to do better every day.

What are your plans for ex-agitators in the New Year?

Principally, we want them to be trained, employed and mentored but this will start with about 8,000 delegates who have never been trained at all. The second group of people will be those who have been trained but not empowered.

To aid that process, some of the contracts that were awarded are being reviewed, especially the ones that have not been executed up to 50%.

We are working with the vendors to ensure that they adjust their contracts to reflect our current vision to train, employ and mentor our delegates. We are ready to partner with anyone who is ready to align with our vision especially if they meet our viability criteria.

Ultimately, what we want to achieve is that these ex-agitators are given the training they need to either become entrepreneurs or acquire the qualification they need to compete in the job market successfully. For the economy at large, we want to encourage them to think about shared prosperity. Where there is prosperity or what is called human security, the urge for violent agitations will be reduced to the minimum because their sources of livelihood are protected. That’s the whole idea.

What were your findings when you first assumed office?

If I had not been a soldier who had faced tough challenges in the past, I probably would have chickened out, because to say the least, the place was very dysfunctional. I inherited a debt of N71.4bn and a fractured logistics process that was evident everywhere; there were goods lying around in the rain because they were procured without due needs analysis.

It was very disheartening.

To compound it all, there was dichotomy between the Reintegration consultants who are principally the main drivers of the Programme and the civil servants who are supposed to support them. This lack of staff harmony is still evident though to a less degree now. We are addressing this through a complete top to bottom reorganization.

There was trust deficit from the ex-agitator community and the students; often times they had to block roads for their stipends or In-training

Dikio

If I had not been a soldier who had faced tough challenges in the past, I probably would have chickened out, because to say the least, the place was very dysfunctional. I inherited a debt of N71.4bn and a fractured logistics process that was evident everywhere; there were goods lying around in the rain because they were procured without due needs analysis. It was very disheartening allowances to be paid. So, one of the first things I did was to say: “Hey, this thing is not rocket science, you know you must pay people every month, let’s challenge ourselves to a date.” Many people thought that I was walking on thin ice and said that payment on the 25th of every month was not possible. However, by the grace of God we have been able to do that. Most times, these payments are made before the 25th of the month.

The Minister of Finance and the Accountant-

General of the Federation have been very supportive in processing our finances and in ensuring that there are no bottlenecks concerning our releases. My immediate superior, the National Security Adviser has gone above and beyond the call of duty, to enable us to overcome the challenges I mentioned earlier.

We are also mindful not to bend the structure so hard so we don’t break it in the course of trying to fix it. I insist on all concerned to understand

Why is the Amnesty office verifying exagitators?

The question of who is in and who is out is a moving target. This is because some of these problems were based on decisions that were pragmatic at the time of disarmament but have become problematic over time. After the disarmament in Phase 1, there were some agitations to increase the pool of people that needed to be included in the Programme. Incidentally, the diligence that went into Phase 1 appeared not to have been carried over into Phases 2 and 3.

Hence, you have a situation where slots were allocated to the Phases 2 and 3 leaders, whereas in Phase 1, the ex-agitators were identified as individuals under various leadership camps. The problem is therefore identifying the bonafide individuals or identity of those in these slots.

Over the years, there has been acrimony about people that were included or those removed. Our task now is to dialogue with the key players so we can sort it out amicably and reduce everybody to an individual instead of groups.

What exactly are you doing differently that changed the horrible reputation of PAP you inherited?

We have different motivations in life. I come from a background where failure is not an option, so I don’t make excuses. People just want you to level with them and the few occasions when, for instance, we were not able to pay as promised on the 25th, we proactively let the ex-agitators know ahead of time that the stipends won’t come as expected, but it will come not long after the expected date. So, these are the kind of things that have built the kind of confidence that we have enjoyed so far. I was trained as an officer to face challenges with the clear objective to win; I keep that in focus all the time.

What legacy do you intend to leave behind?

I don’t claim to have a magic wand but I believe strongly that my appointment was divine and all along I have had destiny helpers assisting me.

With the support of people of the region, we will be able to make a mark that cannot be erased.

I am in that stage of life where I intend to leave a legacy of righting some of the administrative wrongs in this special agency created to address some of the challenges in the Niger Delta region.

Ultimately, I want to contribute to making the Niger Delta the best place to live and do business in Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 15, 2022

POLITY

Gbenga Awoyale

PDP Can’t Return in Kwara After 16 Years of Misrule A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State and President General, Orisun Igbomina in Kwara South Senatorial District, Chief Gbenga Awoyale talks to select journalists in Ilorin about the crisis rocking Kwara APC, among other issues. Hammed Shittu was there What is your assessment of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in almost three years?

G

overnor AbdulRazaq has set developmental milestones since he assumed office on May 29th, 2019. He has touched the nooks and crannies of the state with different masses-oriented initiatives. He has completely deviated from the ills and sharp practices that characterised the past administrations in the state. It’s in this same Kwara State we had people helping themselves and their cronies to public funds, at the detriment of building infrastructure and delivering good governance to the good people of Kwara State.

Very recently, discovery of billions of Naira linked to yet to be identified persons and a suspicious address speaks volumes of where Kwara was coming from. Till date, no one knew who domiciled the huge amount of slush funds in the bank account discovered by the anti-graft agency. Kwara has never experienced this spate of development and growth before now and it is not centered just in the state capital but spread across the various communities of the state. Even those who have lost hope in government have now found it under AbdulRazaq. Do we talk about the impactful Kwara Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) that has helped raise and sustain lots of vulnerable Kwarans, fixing of major waterworks like that of Oyun, Igbaja, Lafiagi, among several others or expunging the state from the black list of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which manifested in fixing of hundreds of classrooms across basic schools in the state. It has actually been so far, so good for Governor AbdulRazaq. When he took the mantle of leadership, he earnestly disbursed payment to complete the state secretariat which the former administration abandoned. These are what Kwarans have been yearning for. He also completed some of Governor Lawal’s water and infrastructural projects abandoned in the state. So, it appeared comical to me when I heard the Kwara PDP zoned governorship ticket to the same Kwara North they neglected for decades and where AbdulRazaq had concentrated developmental projects to ensure the narratives of their marginalisation is a past tale. I imagined the basis that the opposition, PDP and its leaders will go back to campaign for them.

How would you rate the performance of the State House of Assembly?

The set of lawmakers we have in our state House of As-

sembly as presently constituted are resourceful and conscious of their legislative responsibilities. These are people, working relentlessly with the governor as partners to ensure physical and human capital development. The thorough scrutinisation of annual state budgets has paved ways for administrative creativity and GIGO that used to be operational in the past.

They have also passed several bills with significant impact on social security like KWASSIP, they also have to their credit the Kwara State Sports Commission bill which has changed the structure and tune of sports development in the state and some others like the amendment of public procurement law and enactment of public audit bill to strengthen public institutional transparency and accountability. Notwithstanding their excellent delivery in their primary functions, we have seen numbers of them who organised empowerment programmes for their constituents and also floated youths and students support programmes. Look at the lawmaker representing Share/ Oke-ode state constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Razaq Owolabi, he has done no fewer than three rounds of massive empowerment programmes for youth, women and aged. The federal lawmakers are also making giant strides.

Look at what Senator Lola Ashiru is doing in Kwara South.

Sen. Ashiru has facilitated infrastructural development to each of the seven local governments in Kwara South despite the fact that Ashiru is not a principal officer of the Senate. Kwara North and Central Senators are not also doing badly. They have actually upped legislative business in Kwara.

With the crisis rocking leading APC in Kwara State and Nigeria at large, do you think the party can attain victory in 2023?

Let me use Kwara State as an example. Those who are at the helms of affairs in APC are experienced and people with integrity. I can assure you they will mend fences and we will come out stronger. PDP that created Nigeria and Kwara’s socioeconomic and political problems can’t feign sainthood or being solution-driven now. Meanwhile, there’s a crisis in PDP, what makes APC crisis more popular is not far-fetched, it’s because the party is in power. The opposition will want to ensure they do everything possible to remove them from power. In the case of Kwara State, different stakeholders within the party had

Gbenga Awoyale

been consulted by leaders of the party, among them is Prof.

Oba Abdulraheem and they’ve made us to realise that PDP is not for them. Majority of the warring members are ready for reconciliation. PDP, led by Senator Bukola Saraki cannot win election in the state but merely wants to leverage on the internal cracks within the APC and we are getting that settled. Let me quickly remind you that, if we are not settling the internal crisis, Gbemisola Saraki will not be among APC National Convention committee. So, all those gimmicks by PDP of coming to Kwara to gather support would not work again. Kwarans know what they want and can’t be cajoled again in the next elections.

What is your take on moves by the Kwara PDP to take over the state in 2023?

Let me tell you this, PDP agitation is just a mere wishful thinking. It can never work out well after their 16 years of misrule in Kwara. What has been their achievement when they were in power? This is a very essential question we should ask Bukola Saraki. What Kwara North want and desire is development and equal opportunities and, without sounding immodest, no State government has prioritised development and governance inclusion of Kwara North like this present administration since the creation of the state.

Celebrating Icha-Ituma, a Dynamic Leader at 47 Maxim Uzoatu and Collins Azu

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rofessor Afam Icha-Ituma, Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University, Enugu, Nigeria, turned 47 years on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. He is the second Vice-Chancellor of one of the fastest-rising and globally-focused universities in the country.

Professor Afam Icha-Ituma ranks amongst the youngest Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria.

He was born into the noble family of His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel and Lady Theresa Icha Ituma of Ohaukwu Local Government of Ebonyi State. His father was a rare gem and a former Nigerian Ambassador to Australia with concurrent accreditation to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji Island; first Deputy Governor of old Enugu State, Secretary to the Government of (old Anambra State, old Enugu State and Ebonyi States respectively), among other top government positions. Professor Afam Icha-Ituma, however, decided early in life not to bask in the glory and accomplishments of his father of blessed memory but to carve his name and path through hard work, honesty, courage and humility.

Of course the apple does not fall far from the tree. The young Afam could not avoid the values and virtues of his father in service for the public good with a high level of proven integrity and distinction. As the first son, the personable Afam decided to contribute his quota to nation-building and honour his father through his work to humanity. He earned his B.Sc in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Nigeria), MBA from University of Leicester (UK), PhD in Human Resource Management from Brunel University (UK) and Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning from Brunel University.

Professor Afam Icha-Ituma has a rich background in academic research, university management and strategic policy advice for governments and national agencies. He is a Visiting Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Lincoln (UK). He has served as a Visiting Research Fellow at Kingston Business School (UK), and University of Leiden (Netherlands). He has also been a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellow at the University of London (UK) and at the University of Lisbon (Portugal), Erasmus+ Visiting Profes-

Icha-Ituma

sor at the University of Kent (UK), and Linnaeus-Palme Academic Visitor at the University of Gavle (Sweden). He has served as External Examiner at the University of Manchester, University of Northumbria, University of Wales, and PanAtlantic University.

He spent many years overseas occupying senior level positions at top British institutions and collaborated with world class scholars in over 30 institutions around the globe.

His desire to make a significant difference in his homeland led him to voluntarily resign his position at Bournemouth University and forego for good those lucrative positions and the established life in the United Kingdom to return to Nigeria with his family in 2012. This remarkable decision to voluntarily return to Nigeria contrasts with that of many Nigerian scholars who are leaving the country in droves in search of a better life abroad instead of generating innovative solutions to address the numerous challenges facing the Nigerian university system and to bring it to beneficial functionality, national relevance and global competitiveness.

In 2020, Prof Afam Icha-Ituma was selected after a carefully

designed process as the second Vice-Chancellor of Coal City University (CCU) to champion the vision of making CCU a world-class University with Sir Chinedu Ani as Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Nebo as Pro-Chancellor, and Professor Chidiebere Onyia as Chair Strategic Advisory Board. Since his assumption of office as the Vice-Chancellor, he has been creating a community-friendly campus that places students first and foremost in its priorities. The intellectual life of the University has become increasingly vibrant with many academic activities and high quality teaching from wellqualified scholars recruited from top universities both home and abroad. He is leveraging on his extensive international experience and global network to build strategic partnerships with institutions internationally to make Coal City University an internationally competitive institution in Nigeria.

As a quintessential institutional builder and dynamic leader, he has brought in eminent world-class scholars to the campus to nurture the mind and soul of this fast rising university in Africa. He continues to demonstrate that leading from the well of intellectual generosity, kindness and respect can be successful in the Nigerian university system.

His leadership style amply proves that great leaders demonstrate achievements, humility, continuous learning, and wise counsel. His strength of character, work ethics, firm roots in industry, transparency, and selfless service to humanity are the kinds of qualities and values that are desperately needed in Nigeria and around the world. He has earned a reputation as a rigorous but fair leader who does not play favourites.

He steadfastly welcomes fresh ideas, and appreciates and acknowledges the work of others. His cheerful, friendly, supportive, and approachable demeanour sets him apart from many top chief executive officers.

Professor Afam Icha-Ituma’s credentials prior to becoming Vice-Chancellor includes being Professor of Human Resource Management and Dean of Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Nigeria. His career at AE-FUNAI was characterized by many firsts.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 15, 2022

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POLITY

Winning War against Smuggling in Katsina The Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service is taking proactive measures in tackling smuggling in the state, writes Francis Sardauna

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s Nigeria battles with security issues on many fronts, one cankerworm which has proved to be a major drain on the economy is smuggling. It is a national problem and those who engage in it are considered economic saboteurs by many pundits in the country. According to reports, the country loses trillions of naira yearly in revenue to smuggling of prohibited goods such as cars, poultry products, textiles, rice, amongst others. This age-long problem paralyses the nation’s local industries and it is a drain on the foreign earnings of the country.

This underscores why the Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified war against smuggling to protect local industries, create employment and prevent the use of the nation’s markets as dumping ground for fake, substandard and unwholesome prohibited items. A rare combination of intelligence and swift enforcement by officers and men of the command led by DC Dalha Wada Chedi, is yielding results as heavy blows are dealt on the unrepentant smugglers with massive seizures and arrests of suspects in connection with the seized contraband.

Chedi, who took over the mantle of leadership of the command on 23rd March, 2021, has made the Area Command to be known for not only seizing smuggled contraband or products, but also nabbing the ‘men behind the mask’. This knack of exposing those behind the smuggling and ensuring their prosecution as well as pressing for their conviction at the courts obviously become an imperilment to the economic saboteurs.

The anti-smuggling combatant’s resolving strategies and transparency in curbing smuggling and other activities of the criminals in the state has led to the blockage of the four recognised border posts with the Niger Republic —Magama in Jibia, Kongolom in Mai’Adua, Babban-Mutum in Baure and Dankama in Kaita Local Government Area of the state.

For instance, illegal routes in Sabon-Garin, Mai-Dabarau, Gadirge, Korama, Alele, Bayan Bariki, Raini and Wayo communities in Jibia local government which were hitherto used by smugglers to ferry in contraband into Katsina, the state capital, have been blocked due to the relentless effort of DC Dalha Wada Chedi.

In Kongolom, Mai’Adua Local Government Area, investigation revealed that most smugglers of rice were using unapproved routes from Maimaje, Botsotsuwa, Tsatsumburum and Yekuwa communities from Niger Republic to ferry in

Bags of foreign rice and vegetable oil recently seized by the command.

their smuggled commodities into the country, but the illegal routes have been shut down by the anti-smuggling crusader.

This noble gesture of stemming smuggling is also applicable in communities and villages across Babban-Mutum and Dankama.

The anti-smuggling move of the deputy comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service in the state has yielded tremendous success as seizures of contraband are being recorded on daily basis while the smugglers and other economic saboteurs crippling the federal and state governments’ quest for a viable and sustainable economy development are now on the run in the state.

Thus, the number of seizures recorded under the leadership of DC Chedi has been unprecedented in the last 10 months and this is due to the proactive measures undertaken by the acting comptroller that has zero tolerance for smuggling activities being orchestrated by the marauding smugglers.

In April 9 and May 4, 2021, the Katsina Area Command of the NCS, seized 486 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 304 cartons of spaghetti, 197 Jerry cans of 25 litres of vegetable oil, 98 bags of foreign sugar, 12 cartons of macaroni, and 21 cartons of foreign couscous. Others were nine vehicles, six cartons of tomato paste, 30 cartons of foreign milky creamer and 32 Jerry cans of PMS. The duty paid value of all of them was N50,378,800.00.

Between August 1 to September 6, 2021, the command seized smuggled vehicles, foreign rice and other items worth more than N65 million. The contraband includes; a Mercedes Benz C180 worth N1.89 million, two Peugeot 504 worth

N135,000 each, Kia Sorento of N2.7 million and a Volkswagen Golf III worth N675,000.

Within the period under review, the command also seized two MAN Diesel trucks valued at N8.1 million each and another Volkswagen Golf III worth N877,500. Also, a Fiat J5 bus valued at N1.6 million, a Peugeot 307 worth N1.485 million, Toyota Hilux jeep worth N29.7 million and Nissan Patrol worth N405,000. In all, the total value of the 12 seized vehicles was N55,822,500.

Also, the command seized 202 motorcycles from suspected bandits and their collaborators in the state. The motorcycles, mostly Boxers and Jencheng models, were seized around forests close to border areas between August and September, 2021 as part of ongoing efforts to ensure that no contraband or illegal item is brought into the country through any of the borders in the state.

The command, in November, 2021, intercepted N71,350 million cash concealed in ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags at the Jibia border in a Toyota vehicle driven by three persons. The three suspects were arrested and the money deposited at the Katsina branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Other items seized included 186 pieces of jerk knives worth N542,900, eight vehicles of different models, 281 bags of foreign rice, 498 cartons of foreign spaghetti and seven bags of foreign macaroni.

Also, within the period under review, the command intercepted 22 jerricans of foreign vegetable oil, 10 cartons of medicament diclofenac, three bags of potash, 35 cartons of foreign milky creamer, 81 kegs of petroleum products, 75 sacks of petroleum products and 37 wraps of second hand clothing, among others worth N105,103,830.00.

Similarly, on November 4, 2021, the command nabbed one Saifullahi Lawal with 230 bags of Indian hemp in Shargalle community along the Daura-Katsina expressway in Mashi Local Government Area of the state.

Shedding more light on the seizures made within the months in question, the acting Customs Area Comptroller who expressed concern that smugglers were bringing in contrabands and giving them spurious labels to beat security agents at the land borders in the state, however, said the command was winning war against smuggling in the state.

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Celebrating Media Veteran Okumide Lawal at 70 Tunde Akanni

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etween Alhaji Abdul Lateef Olumide Lawal and the late first executive governor of Osun State who later became a two-time senator, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, exists a most mysterious but pleasant tie. Adeleke died in 2017 but no year has passed without Lawal dispensing tributes with fresher angle each year. Countless fellow compatriots from Ede, appreciate Haji Lawal’s faithfulness to friendship. Alhaji Lawal’s undying commitment to the bond is probably the least the community would jointly volunteer on account of the rescuer intervention that Adeleke’s emergence as governor symbolised. His disposition to Adeleke only typifies his most outstanding quality-being appreciative of kind gestures no matter how insignificant.

From Uncle Olumide to children, nephews, nieces and his treasured younger colleagues, every encounter is routinely laden with prayers and inimitable words of inspiration and encouragement. Not one that surrenders to fate where action is indispensable, he relentlessly scouts for opportunities for folks as if he is the potential beneficiary even as he is the last person describable as an opportunist. Who can believe that Haji Olumide doesn’t feel tempted to plunge into compromise to seek favours from Davido, the renowned musician publicly acknowledged as an indomitable spender, in spite of all he has done for Davido’s uncles Isiaka, Ademola and Adeeyo? Uncle Olumide would not deride anyone either for not patronising him. Quite clearly his is a life dedicated to gratitude, by faith and personal conviction, I would argue.

Uncle Olumide today savours the quietude of his country home in Ede as a journalist supposedly retired but he still beams with vigour. He had relocated to Ede before the former late Senator Adetunji Adeleke died in 2017 and so was the commanding officer of the Serubawon political campaigns which yielded victory even as he had to compete with digital natives on the side of the opponents. Serubawon’s death hardly impacted on anyone as much as Uncle Olumide, extremely depressed. But that didn’t deter him from being protective of Serubawon’s interest even after his demise. Promptly, he rose to rouse the campaign facilities for Ademola,Serubawon’s brother who offered to complete Serubawon’s term in the senate. This he did so much to the extent that he became the trans-generational bridge for

Olumide Lawal the success of Ademola beckoning the young and the old for Ademola’s support. Although this writer, for instance, was Ademola’s classmate, it was at the instance of Uncle Olumide that Ademola earned one’s support.

Uncle’s philosophy consistently manifests continuity of good legacy. A descendant of the great Lawal Family of Ailaka Compound Ede, Uncle happened to be one of the leading science students in his class at the Seventh Day Adventist Grammar School Ede, clearly the most expensive in the entire Osun Division of that era. But one of the teachers had managed to introduce political education of Marxian leaning to the smart ones among the students who would want to do their best to realize a better Nigeria.

One of the world leaders showcased as excelling with the ideology to the young Olumide was Fidel Castro. On account of the young man’s obvious outspokenness, he earned the label Fidel Castro. The young Olumide was also outstandingly ever neat , thus had the Fidel replaced with Finni (short form of Ajisefinni, meaning one whose most constant priority is neatness. Ajisefinni was the sobriquet for Ede’s arguably most renowned barber in the 70s and 80s). Consequently, the young Olumide had his nickname properly indegenised to Finni Castro and the name has stuck through ages. He is hailed Castro till date by his contemporaries.

Beyond ‘flying’ out of the school with the Castro label, he has had his mind moulded. Rather than purse a science inclined career, he chose journalism, the path of his uncle, Late Chief Sola Lawal, a pioneer journalist of the Tribune

newspapers, Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper. “Having been politically cultivated at Seventh Day Adventist, there was no stopping the fire in me. I saw a convincing model in Uncle Sola Lawal. My uncle was a highly principled professional, yet was socially and economically successful in the superlative rating. Thus began my career in broadcast journalism, specifically radio.”

He continued in a recent conversation with this writer: “I love writing frequently, another strong practice cultivated at Seventh Day Adventist. So, for me, advancing the cause I believe in has to be done through all possible windows. But that’s why I defied all odds and threatening risks to stand

by Senator Ademola Adeleke when he needed to speak out through the media during his travails. I got all reputable media invited to Ede to come hear his side of the raging story. Fierce looking security operatives had flooded the entire state just to ensure Ademola didn’t have access to the world through the media. But what quality would a journalist appropriate to himself if not tenancity? I had to change venue some three times and finally I got Senator Ademola’s friends mobilised to speak for him and today the rest history to the glory of God. Beyond the Adelekes, Uncle Olumide has equally remained steadfast with Sir Eyo as he fondly referred to late Dr. Wale Adeeyo, publisher of the defunct Anchor newspapers. Is it not surprising that somebody who, beyond being grounded man of letters, was a publisher of a national newspaper, didn’t attract published tributes worth citing from at least a few of his former employees? Beloved Castro is the last man standing!

All the good gestures from Haji olumide were merely expressions of aniyan to daa ( or good wishes) rather than for pecuniary gains as this new septuagenarian is reasonably endowed materially and visibly radiates contentment as much as discernible. Some five years ago, the wedding ceremony of one of the children which he personally bankrolled held at an “all amenities completed hotel” (to echo Fuji founder, Ayinde Barrister) in the heart of Lagos. In addition to the monarch from Ede, Kabiyesi Muniru Adesola, Laminisa 1, the Timi of Ede, the guests’ list was a spectacle of who’s who from around Nigeria, even as the lowly were duly catered for in line with the spirit of Finni Castro.

– Akanni, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Journalism at the Lagos State University, Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 15, 2022

POLITY

How Not to Cast the First Stone in Ogun State Tajudeen Adekoya

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he Senator Adamu Abdullahi-led Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), set up by the Mai Buni National Caretaker Committee, was on a one-day trouble- shooting mission to Ogun State recently. Essentially, the Committee was tasked to mediate in the crisis rocking the party in the state and to see the best way to pilot reconciliation efforts, preparatory to the 2023 general elections.

The major thrust of the Committee’s business was to broker a peace deal and mend fences between the faction of the Governor Dapo Abiodun, and that of his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who is currently representing Ogun Central in the National Assembly. It shouldn’t be surprising that the crisis is far from over. The Committee which was saddled with the responsibility did all it could to thaw the frosty relationship between the two factions, and at the end of its mission recognised the Dapo Abiodun-led faction as the authentic leadership of the state’s executive.

“In unity lies strength, I wish the winning side will be magnanimous in victory and the other side accepts the reality.

Everyone has his own time,” Abdullahi said.

It should be noted Amosun ought to realise that he is no longer the governor, but his ambivalence and maverick stance towards the current administration in the state is an aberration and an act of insubordination to the constituted authority which he once sat upon. As Emperor, throughout his eight-year (two terms) in office, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (his predecessor), who was already declared, “persona non-grata”, dared not walk freely in the streets of Abeokuta (the state capital), let alone raise unnecessary dust against the sitting Governor.

But the reverse is the case with Amosun in his acrimonious rivalry with his successor in office, Abiodun. The current governor (Abiodun) and his predecessor, Amosun, were very good friends, but the mere indication of the latter for the number one job of the state in mid-2018 pitched him against the former. The Ogun Central Senator threw caution to the wind and resorted to all forms of shenanigans and other dirty tricks in a bid to scuttle the governorship ambition of his estranged friend. The current travails the immediate past governor is facing in the political calculus of the leadership structure of the APC are the attendant repercussions of his bargains, and this explains why it is not desirable to cast the first stone at your benefactor who subsequently became his foe.

“Never play with the feelings of others, because you may win the game, but the risk is that you will surely lose the person for a lifetime,” said Williams Shakespeare.

Government is all about continuum. Reminiscent of the 2019 governorship election in Ogun State, the attendant camaraderie or dirty tricks employed by political gladiators, who were then calling shots at the centre with plots to foist their own anointed son, Adekunle Akinlade, as successor and frustrate Abiodun from winning presented a comic relief of sort that had made the principal actors look like a ribaldry butt of jokes before the people of the state and beyond.

Events preceding the electoral victory of Prince Abiodun as Ogun State Governor in the May 9, 2019 were such that they were riddled with the sphinx of evil machinations and intrigues in a deft bid to outdo him.

However, despite overtures by critical stakeholders within the party, well-meaning Nigerians, spiritual leaders and respected traditional rulers to persuade Amosun to accept the candidature of Abiodun and work collectively for the victory of the APC at the governorship poll, he was adamant and uncompromising to ‘let go’ the emergence of his bosom friend, now estranged. In not less than 28 trips, Amosun shuttled to Aso Rock (Abuja) to get the attention of PMB to rescind and upturn the decision of the national leadership of the party in a bid to give the Ogun APC governorship ticket to Akinlade, but it ended in a stalemate.

Fresh, but still memorable was the attack on President Muhammad Buhari at the presentation of the party’s flag to the Ogun State governorship candidate of the APC held at Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Monday, February 11, 2019. At the rally, the then sitting governor had a raw deal and rebuffed every entreaty to allow security agents detailed from Abuja to take charge and frisk every member and supporter entering the stadium. He had allegedly ordered the gate to be thrown open to allow hired street urchins gain entry under the guise of paving way for all the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) members to attend the ceremony when it was evidently suspected there was likely to be a breakdown of law and order while the 35,000 capacity facility was filled to the brim.

The street urchins threw objects at the President and leaders of the party who were in attendance during the rally, including stones and sachet water. While PMB was raising Abiodun’s hand, the crowd jeered, “No, No” and hurled objects at the President and Abiodun, who is now the governor.

The fracas which began like a mild drama subsequently degenerated, shortly after Amosun handed over the microphone to the then, National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,

to address the crowd.

Amosun had said: “Come Saturday, let us go out and vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and on March 2, let us look elsewhere. I hope you understand me and get my message.

And let it be known to you all, after the March 2 poll, we shall all become APC again.”

Also, erstwhile Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (now, Minister for Interior Affairs) had cautioned those he labelled as “hypocrites” against “staying indoor and fighting the home outside.” The Ogun Central Senator is leading a rebellion in the state against the leadership of the APC over the rejection of his political godson, Akinlade, as the APC governorship candidate. Akinlade had moved over to pick the flag of the APM on Saturday, March 9, 2019, which he lost to Abiodun, the APC candidate.

However, as if that wasn’t enough, one began to wonder whether government is actually a continuum or not. Few days from his exiting office, Amosun was busy heaping sand at every available space where his successor, Abiodun, was expected to hold his inauguration activities.

Forget that Amosun had promised to ensure that his successor got a hitch-free inauguration, pointers to the fact that the predecessor was still nursing the ill-feeling that his surrogate did not emerge his successor was obvious. The foyer to the inauguration venue, June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, was blocked with heaps of sand and a grader under the pretence of the ongoing construction of the Kuto flyover and also, the reconstruction of a roundabout.

And the feeling you get was that the governor was not interested in what happens to his state after leaving office, just because his choice of successor was not heeded.

Like a joke taken too far, Abiodun inherited a near empty treasury from his predecessor, who hurriedly elevated a dozen directors in the civil service to Permanent Secretary (PS) status and also employed hundreds of fresh graduates into the service, without due process in the twilight of his exit from office on May 29, 2019, all in a bid to make the state ungovernable for his successor.

Meanwhile, with these anti-party activities, the party’s hierarchy wielded the big stick and sanctioned him with suspension from the APC, but the punishment was subsequently lifted owing to his strong and close personal relationship with PMB. – Adekoya wrote from Ijebu-Igbo, in Ijebu North LGA of Ogun State Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

PHOTO NEWS

Publisher, City People Media Group, Dr. Seye Kehinde; Chairman, Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria, Abiodun Ajala; Group Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi; and Managing Director, Marketing Edge, John Ajayi, during the investiture of Ogunbiyi as grand patron of Guild of L-R: Category and Brand Manager for PZ Wilmar Ltd, Oluwatoyin Popoola-Dania; King’s Dorm Photojournalists Nigeria (GPN) at Mutual Benefit Assurance office, Lagos... recently Season 2 Winners, Odinaka Moemeka; and Elizabeth Moemeka of the Moemeka Family; and Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar Ltd, Chioma Mbanugo, at the grand finale of Devon King’s Dorm Season 2, held in Lagos, yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R; Managing Director, Black and Precious Communications, Mr. Chris Moweta; Foton Country Manager, Mr. Johnson Zhang; Special Guest, Victory Wilson; Managing Director, Auto and Transport, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr. Anil Sahgal; Head Automobiles, Mr. Sudeep Mittal; Foton PV Manager, Mr. Jack Zhou; and Foton Parts Manager, Mr. Zhou Guangshun, during the launch of Foton View C2 Minibus and Van by Kewalram Chanrai Group in Lagos… recently

L–R: Sports Correspondent, Solid100.9FM, Jane Nwaeze; RichBlitz Sports, Justina Aniefiok; Sportsdayonline. com, Bibian Onwugbolu; and NaijafootballPlus.com, Faith Meremegbinam, on arrival in Yaoundé, Cameroun to cover all Super Eagles matches at the 2021 African Cup of Nations. The quartet of female sports correspondents are being sponsored by Stanbic IBTC as part of its plan to provide gender sensitivity support for female sports correspondents in Nigeria

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

15.1.2022

NEWS

TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH PAGE. 29

Super Eagles Seek Early 2nd Round Against Sudan

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 15, 2022

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Super Eagles Seek Early 2nd Round Against Sudan

Super Eagles players celebrating Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal against Egypt at AFCON 2021 in Cameroon

Fresh from an impressive 1-0 win against seven-time champions- Egypt in their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles of Nigeria would be hoping to book their place in the second round of the competition as they confront the Falcons of Jediane today at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua, writes Kunle Adewale

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hen erstwhile national team manager, Gernot Rohr was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), it was welcomed by many football loving Nigerians but there was a question mark on the timing of his sack- with just about six weeks to the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

But with the tactical play the Super Eagles put up in their opening game against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday, interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen gave very little away that he just had few days of training with the team with manner he set up against the seven-time African champions.

On paper, the game against the Pharaohs was supposed to be the most challenging tie in the group, but the Super Eagles made light of it after their dominant display.

Super Eagles star performer on the evening, Moses Simon indeed showered praises on Eguavoen for his fine display against Egypt.

Simon credited the team’s coaching staff led by Eguavoen for his brilliant display during the team’s 1-0 win over Egypt in their Africa Cup of Nations opener on Tuesday evening.

“I’d say all thanks to the technical staff, the coach for giving the team the confidence to play,” Simon said at the end of training on Wednesday.

“Of course, it’s all about the team spirit so it’s not an individual process.”

Simon remained modest when asked for his thoughts on the Super Eagles sealing qualification to the last 16 with a game to spare if they defeat Sudan today.

“The game against Sudan is something we need to be careful with because now in Africa there is no small team so we need to face them the way we played against Egypt.

“We just need to go all in all. The way we took the game against Egypt is likewise the same thing that we are going to do against Sudan. We have to do our best and give 100 per cent to have three points.”

“We have to do our best and give one hundred per cent to have the three points,” he concluded.

Super Eagles safe hands Maduka Okoye indeed says the team is totally focused for the clash against Sudan.

“It’s good to start the competition with a win. It’s always good when you come to a big tournament like this and start on a positive, “Okoye said after the team’s training session on Wednesday.

“What is important now is for us to approach the game like we did against Egypt. We must remain humble and not take them for granted.

“Our focus is now on Saturday’s (today’s) game. The game against Egypt is behind us now and we want three points in this one.”

Okoye predicted a physical battle when the Super Eagles face off with the Falcons of Sudan in their second group game at

the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria at the end of training on Wednesday, Okoye said : “I think it’s going to be more of a physical game but we have enough quality so I’m sure we will get the job done.”

Leganes defender Kenneth Omeruo says he expects a tough encounter against the Sudanese and is urging his teammates not to lose focus as they target a spot in the round of 16 with a game to spare.

“We will take the match serious, it is a good start for us but we shouldn’t lose focus to think the next game will be easy, we have to win the next game so we can be sure of the next round,” Omeruo stressed.

“I am happy with our output against Egypt and especially the way the boys set up and approached the game the way we agreed was best. Everything worked. But we have shifted our focus completely to the next match and it is another day and another team and a different approach. I am happy with the playing personnel that we have got and the way they are ready to give their all,” Coach Eguavoen told thenffnews on Thursday morning.

Eguavoen has waved aside the record of his being the only Nigerian coach to have led the Super Eagles to win all three group phase matches at the AFCON, when his wards steamrolled Ghana, Zimbabwe and Senegal in Egypt 16 years ago.

“I am focused on winning against Sudan for now; I don’t want to think about any

record or how we go about our third match.

Sudan is in focus now and we have to deal with that squarely.”

Three points on Saturday (today) will guarantee group leaders Nigeria a place in the Round of 16 of the 33rd AFCON, meaning a more relaxed approach to their final group phase clash with debutants Guinea Bissau also in Garoua on Wednesday next week. If they finish top of Group D, the three-time champions will remain in Garoua for their Round of 16 task.

“I am happy with our output against Egypt and especially the way the boys set up and approached the game the way we agreed was best. Everything worked. But we have shifted our focus completely to the next match and it is another day and another team and a different approach. I am happy with the playing personnel that we have got and the way they are ready to give their all,” Coach Eguavoen told thenffnews on Thursday morning.

Eguavoen has waved aside the record of his being the only Nigeria coach to have led the Super Eagles to win all three group phase matches at the AFCON, when his wards steamrolled Ghana, Zimbabwe and Senegal in Egypt 16 years ago.

“I am focused on winning against Sudan for now; I don’t want to think about any record or how we go about our third match.

Sudan is in focus now and we have to deal with that, squarely.”

Three points today will guarantee group leaders Nigeria a place in the Round of 16 of the 33rd AFCON, meaning a more relaxed approach to their final group phase clash with debutants Guinea Bissau also in Garoua on Wednesday next week. If they finish top of Group D, the three-time champions will remain in Garoua for their Round of 16 task.

The Super Eagles will advance to the last 16 with a game to spare if they defeat Sudan today.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Premiership Table Man City Chelsea Liverpool Arsenal West Ham Tottenham Man Utd Wolves Brighton Leicester Crystal Palace Brentford Aston Villa Southampton Everton Leeds Watford Burnley Newcastle Norwich

21 21 20 20 20 18 19 19 19 18 20 19 19 19 18 19 18 17 19 19

40 29 34 8 10 3 3 0 0 -2 -1 -3 -5 -9 -9 -16 -14 -11 -23 -34

53 43 42 35 34 33 31 28 27 25 23 23 22 21 19 19 13 11 11 10

Premier League TODAY

Man City Burnley Newcastle Norwich Wolves Aston Villa

v v v v v v

Chelsea 12:30 Leicester 15:00 Watford 15:00 Everton 15:00 Southampton 15:00 Man Utd 17:30

v v v

Brentford Leeds Utd Arsenal

SUNDAY

Liverpool West Ham Tottenham

14:00 14:00 16:30

Manchester City forward, Raheem Sterling battles for possession with Chelsea Cesar Azpilicueta when both side met at Stamford Bridge

Man City Seek to Consolidate Top Spot with Chelsea Visit Premier League leaders-Manchester United would be seeking to consolidate their position on the table as Pep Guardiola’s men welcome second placed Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium.The Citizens have been in devastating form, winning 11 straight league matches. But considering that it was City that inflicted the Blues their first defeat of season at Stamford Bridge,Thomas Tuchel would want to avoid another defeat today

A

highly-anticipated top-ofthe-table clash kicks off the Premier League action on Saturday, as Manchester City welcome closest challengers Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium for a lunchtime battle.

Pep Guardiola’s men currently sit 10 points clear of their upcoming opponents in the standings, with another defeat for the Blues seemingly rendering their title charge impossible.

When even Pep Guardiola admits that his side probably should have come up second best on the day, Man City were certainly counting their lucky stars against Arsenal, who ultimately suffered a 2-1 defeat in a controversy-filled encounter on New Year’s Day. Riyad Mahrez and Rodri’s efforts cancelled out a first-half opener from Bukayo Saka as Mikel Arteta once again fell to his former master, and while the champions surprised some by putting out an incredibly strong team for the FA Cup amid a COVID-19 cluster, it ensured City’s progress with a 4-1 success over Swindon Town last Friday.

The victory over Ben Garner’s outfit was Man City’s seventh in a row across all competitions as the Premier League table-toppers seek to extend their lead at the summit, and the returning Etihad faithful ought to be treated to quite the spectacle for their first home game of 2022.

Guardiola’s relentless crop have come up trumps in each of their last seven games at home across all tournaments - including each of their last five in the Premier League - and even without a recognised striker for much of the campaign, City have still averaged at least three goals per Premier League game at the Etihad.

In total, the reigning champions have strung together an 11-game winning streak in the Premier League, although they can take nothing for granted against title-challenging opponents buoyed by reaching a mid-season cup final.

There was not a shred of sentimentality towards Antonio Conte as the Tottenham Hotspur boss reunited with former club Chelsea for the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday, as the Blues got the job done in North London to advance to the final.

The decision to drop Hugo Lloris in favour of Pierluigi Gollini did not go down too well with the Spurs fanbase, and it was a call that ultimately did not pay dividends, as the Italian failed to meet Mason Mount’s corner and Antonio Rudiger headed home to ensure a 3-0 aggregate success.

A shot at glory against either Liverpool or Arsenal awaits the Blues next month, but keeping their fleeting title hopes alive is currently the main aim for Thomas Tuchel’s side, who are at risk of falling 13 points behind City with defeat at the Etihad.

The Blues could also finish the weekend in third should Liverpool get the better of Brentford a day later, but they have excelled away from home amid a batch of Stamford Bridge stalemates winning six of their last eight top-flight games on rival turf and conceding a league-low six goals in such games.

Gabriel Jesus was Man City’s saviour in a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, but not since the 2017-18 campaign have the champions done the double over Chelsea, who marched to a 2-1 success at the Etihad last term.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to Villa

Park to take on Aston Villa this evening.

The Red Devils recorded a 1-0 victory over Villa when the two teams met in the FA Cup on Monday, with Scott McTominay scoring the only goal of the third-round contest at Old Trafford.

Villa have shown their intent by bringing Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Dinge to the club during the January window, and there is no question that Gerrard will be targeting a top-half finish, despite the fact that the team actually sit a disappointing 14th in the table after 19 matches of the 2021-22 campaign.

The hosts have won seven, drawn one and lost 11 of their 19 league games this term to collect 22 points, but they are only three points behind 10thplaced Leicester City, and it is difficult to look too closely at the table at the moment, as a number of teams have matches to catch up on after COVID-19 issues.

Villa have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions, including three of their last four in the league against Liverpool, Chelsea and Brentford, which has seen them slide down the table.

The Lions beat Man United 1-0 in the reverse match at Old Trafford back in September, but they have not overcome the Red Devils at Villa Park in the league since August 1995.

The visitors might have beaten Villa in the FA Cup on Monday, but they lost their last league game at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 3, which put a dent in their top-four aspirations.

Ralf Rangnick’s side are currently seventh in the table, six points behind fourth-placed West Ham United with two games in hand on the Hammers, so they are still very much in the argu-

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Mo Salah Diogo Jota Jamie Vardy Emmanuel Dennis Michail Antonio Cristiano Ronaldo Heung Son Emile Smith Rowe Raphinha Sadio Mané Mason Mount Raheem Sterling Neal Maupay Bernardo Silva Riyad Mahrez Bukayo Saka Conor Gallagher Luiz Jorginho Maxwel Cornet Callum Wilson

CLUB

Liverpool Liverpool Leicester Watford West Ham Man Utd Tottenham Arsenal Leeds Liverpool Chelsea Man City Brighton Man City Man City Arsenal Palace Chelsea Burnley Newcastle

GOALS

16 10 9 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6

Head to Head 21-09-25 Chelsea 0-1 Man City 21-05-08 Man City 1-2 Chelsea 21-01-03 Chelsea 1-3 Man City 20-06-25 Chelsea 2-1 Man City 19-11-23 Man City 2-1 Chelsea 19-02-10 Man City 6-0 Chelsea 18-12-08 Chelsea 2-0 Man City 18-03-04 Man City 1-0 Chelsea 17-09-30 Chelsea 0-1 Man City 17-04-05 Chelsea 2-1 Man City 16-12-03 Man City 1-3 Chelsea 16-04-16 Chelsea 0-3 Man City 15-08-16 Man City 3-0 Chelsea 15-01-31 Chelsea 1-1 Man City 14-09-21 Man City 1-1 Chelsea 14-02-03 Man City 0-1 Chelsea

ment for a Champions League spot.

Cristiano Ronaldo has said that only a top-three spot will be good enough for the club, but they are 11 points off third-placed Liverpool and will find it difficult to finish any higher than fourth this term.

The 20-time English champions have three huge Premier League matches against Villa, Brentford and West Ham to finish the month of January before taking on Middlesbrough in the FA Cup at the start of February.

The Champions League also resumes next month, with the Red Devils facing Atletico Madrid in the round of 16, and the 2021-22 campaign could yet to be a success for Man United despite their issues thus far.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 15, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon was a thorn in the flesh of the Egyptian defence

AFCON 2021

Eguavoen Rules Out Awaziem against Sudan

Super Eagles interim boss Augustine Eguavoen has revealed that defender Chidozie Awaziem will not be part of the Super Eagles game against Sudan today because of an ankle injury.

Awaziem was not part of the squad that prosecuted the game against Egypt, which raised eyebrows, considering that he is currently one of the best defenders in the team.

Awaziem was believed to have suffered a knock and was also under the weather.

It was hoped Awaziem would recover in time for the game against Sudan, but speaking ahead of the game, Eguavoen revealed Awaziem would not feature, but he is expected to return soon.

“That’s beyond me and only the medics can answer that,” Eguavoen said at the pre-match press conference

as per Victor Modo.

“I know he has an ankle injury and will be back very soon.”

The team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, has however denounced claims in some quarters that Awaziem has contracted the COVID-19 virus.

Speaking on the medical condition of the player, Raji rebuffed claims that the player had either contracted the virus or suffered a knock as speculated.

“Awaziem is a bit under the weather, nothing really serious but just a little illness otherwise he would have been here (in training). It is also nothing pertaining to the knock he had or people said he had. He is good to go.”

However, even with the absence of Awaziem, the team still boast of adequate

cover in central defence.

The partnership of William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo was fantastic in the game against the Pharaohs.

Although Omeruo picked up an injury in the game against Egypt, he returned to training on Thursday. The Super Eagles can also count on the likes of Semi Ajayi and Olisa Ndah.

Meanwhile, Eguavoen is keeping his cards close to his chest with regards to his starting lineup for the clash against Sudan.

When asked if he was going to make changes to the starting lineup, Eguavoen said at the pre-match press conference: “That’s a little bit hard to say, we still have 24 hours. We hope that everybody stays healthy and fit and then tomorrow we will see the lineup.”

Moses Gives Reason for Performance against Egypt Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has said that he gave a superb performance against Egypt because he was able to express himself under interim boss Augustine Eguavoen unlike when he played under coach Gernot Rohr.

Moses had one of his best games in the green and white jersey as Nigeria secured a comfortable 1-0 victory over the Pharaohs.

He had a hand in the only goal of the game

after his cross, which was intercepted, bounced towards Kelechi Iheanacho’s path.

Egypt fullback Mohamed Abdelmonem injured himself while marking the 26-year-old, and his replacement Akram Tawfik had a tough time defending against the Super Eagles star.

Ahead of the game against Sudan, the Jos-born forward explained the reason for his fine form whilst aiming a slight dig at former Nigeria

coach Gernot Rohr.

“The game against Egypt is one of my best in two years,” Moses said at the pre-match conference for the game against Sudan.

“Every coach have their mentality and impact. The previous coach, I play to his instructions. With the new coach, he gave us freedom and allowed us to bring our style of play at club side.”

The Super Eagles star will hope to continue in the same vein when Nigeria face the Falcons of Sudan.

DStv, GOtv to Beam Live WWE Raw, Smackdown Thrillers Fans of the WWE can brace for another thrilling week of action on SuperSport, with live airings of the NXT, SmackDown and Raw shows running from Wednesday 12 to Tuesday 18 January 2022.

The action begins on the morning of Wednesday 12 January with WWE NXT Episode 651. LA Knight has promised to put Grayson Waller in his place on the developmental brand after their recent comings together.

“Talk about the guy who did one halfway cool move at War Games, with help, and all of a sudden he thinks he’s special,” said Knight.

“Somebody go find

Grayson Waller, tell him I’m here or tell him to come and find me if I don’t find his a** first!”

Saturday 15 January brings Episode 1169 of WWE SmackDown. The Viking Raiders have been on a run of form lately and will be chomping at the bit to get a shot at the Tag Team titles on the blue brand.

“There is no person, there is no team safe in the entire land of SmackDown, because the Viking Raiders are here,” said Ivar.

Tuesday 18 January will feature Episode 1495 of WWE Raw. Bianca Belair believes she has closed the book on her rivalry with Doudrop and is now

turning her attention to claiming some gold.

Belair said, “Doudrop has been focusing more on my career than hers,” said the ‘EST of WWE. “I’m not in her way, she’s in her own way. Now I’m gonna move on to new things... she told me to get to the back of the line, to earn my way back to the top and I’ve proved that. Now I’m coming for the Raw Women’s Championship.

I’m a keep doing what I do!”

Meanwhile, GOtv viewers can also enjoy some world-class WWE action every Wednesday evening on SuperSport GOtv Select3, with a past Pay-Per-View (17:00), WWE 205 (21:00) and a documentary (21:30).

Novak Djojovic is the defending champion of the Australian Open

Le Roy Gives Reason for Low Scoring at AFCON 2021 Experienced former football manager Claude Le Roy has adduced disrupted preparations as reason for the low-scoring start to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Hosts Cameroon are the sole side to have scored two or more goals in a game, while 10 of the first 14 matches have ended 1-0 - with two 0-0 draws.

“Fifa allowed the clubs to let players arrive at the last minute and that means the first games are like preparation or training matches,” Frenchman Le Roy, who led Cameroon to Nations Cup glory in 1988, told the BBC’s

World Football podcast.

World Football - Africa Cup of Nations: Under way in Cameroon - BBC Sounds The former Uganda and Sierra Leone coach Johnny McKinstry on the Africa Cup of Nations.

“It is very, very difficult for the coaches and the teams to present a collective way of playing because there were so few training sessions together.

“Normally for an Afcon you have training for two or three weeks before the competition, like for a European Championship.

“It (the quality of football)

will definitely improve a lot after one or two weeks. It will be so, so different.”

Le Roy, who has managed at nine Nations Cups believes the competition does not get the respect it deserves in Europe.

“The clubs in Europe think it is a very good thing to find players in Africa and take the best of Africa, but they don’t realise that maybe sometimes they have to help a little bit,” Le Roy, 73, added.

“They don’t realise how important Afcon is for African people - it is more important than the World Cup, and they have to realise that.”

Djokovic Faces Deportation after Australian Revoke His Visa World Number 1 Novak Djokovic faces deportation after the Australian government revoked his visa for a second time, three days away from the start of the 2022 Australian Open.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke released a statement explaining that his decision to cancel the men’s world number one’s visa was made “in the public interest”.

Djokovic, who has won the Melbourne Grand Slam three years running and nine times in his career, can appeal the decision in Federal Circuit and Family

Court.

The 34-year-old was included in Thursday’s first-round draw amid the wait for a decision over whether he could remain in the country, and had been due to begin his pursuit of a 21st Grand Slam title against unseeded Serb Miomir Kecmanovic.

Hawke said: “Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so.

“The decision followed orders by the Federal Circuit and Family Court on 10 January 2022, quashing a prior cancellation decision on procedural fairness grounds.

“In making this decision, I carefully considered information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr Djokovic “The Morrison Government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Curtain Closes on Oba of Benin Golf Tourney Today The 8th Oba of Benin Golf Tournament which teed off on Wednesday will come to a close today at Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS), Edo State.

The Oba Cup tournament is one of the biggest golf event in the South-South and it featured over 200 amateur and professional golfers from various clubs in the country.

Captain of the Benin Club Golf Section, Mr. Mayer Ologbosere revealed during media briefing on Wednesday

stated that yesterday featured handicaps 0-28 men, and 0-36 ladies as well as all veterans and super veterans, while the cocktail party was slated for 6pm same day.

He added that hcp 0-18 men as well as hcp 0-28 ladies and all guests will exercise their skills at the event today, while the dinner and presentation of trophies and prizes will be held at 6pm same day.

Similarly, Chairman of

the Tournament Organising Committee, Peace Anunah confirmed that His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom will perform the ceremonial tee-off today at 9am.

“Winners in each category will take home trophies and other prizes, while individual performances such as longest drive, and nearest the pin will be rewarded,” Anunah concluded.

Nigeria vs Sudan Live on StarTimes as Nigerians Confident of Eagles Victory After an impressive performance against the Pharaohs of Egypt at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Nigerians now have high hopes in the Super Eagles and can’t wait to watch the next matches showing live and in HD on StarTimes.

The meeting between Nigeria and Sudan is scheduled for 5pm kick-off today at the Stade Omnisport Roumde Adjia in Yaounde. Viewers at home can watch live on

the StarTimes World Football channel in high definition picture quality. Football fans can pay-per-day to enjoy the thrills at N200 for classic bouquet (antenna users) and N400 for super bouquet (dish users). Fans can also watch online via the StarTimes-ON mobile app which costs just N400 weekly for sport VIP subscription.

A win against Sudan today would qualify Nigeria into the knockout stage, with a

game to spare.

Sudan, meanwhile, were lucky against Guinea Bissau in their opening game after their opponent missed a penalty.

Both countries have met 14 times, with Nigeria winning eight times, while Sudan won twice wins and four ended in draws.

Following their dominance in the victory over Egypt, the Super Eagles are now favourite to lift the Afcon title in Cameroon.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 15, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Paul Mukairu, Now A Red After several reports dating back to close to two years Nottingham Forest have confirmed Nigeria’s Paul Mukairu has finally joined the Reds from Antalyaspor

Paul Mukairu

N

ottingham Forest were initially considering a bid for 21-year-old Nigerian forward, Paul Mukairu in the summer of the 2022 but the Reds have now made a move for the youngster in the ongoing January transfer window, as they aim to finish in the Championship top six this season for a chance to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest agreed on a deal in principle with the winger, after the Nigerian was linked with a move to the City Ground back in the summer, with Dane Murphy thought to be a huge fan.

The 21-year-old who signed for Antalyaspor in 2021 made 19 appearances during 2021/22, scoring four goals for the Turkish top-flight outfit.

He returned from a loan spell with Anderlecht during the summer but for whatever reason, hasn’t quite settled. Now, it seems as though Forest will steal in and land the player.

The report claims that Forest will part with £1.8 million for the player. There will also be a clause included that sees Antalyaspor claim 20 per cent of any future sale.

Mukairu can play on either flank. He has also showcased his ability to operate through the middle as a centre forward this season.

Three of his goals have come from playing upfront. That level of versatility will suit the criteria for what Steve Cooper likes in his players.

Antalyaspor would welcome the funds to bolster their own squad. Now, it remains to be seen whether Forest will do a deal before the January transfer window closes.

Mukairu has been linked with Forest seemingly non-stop since the summer. The fact he’s started 14 times this season and become integral makes the current link somewhat strange.

Turkish reports aren’t typically the most reliable. This time, there is actually a Turkish team involved so at least this will spark interest among supporters.

If Forest can get Mukairu over the line, it could prove an exciting addition. At 21, he has bags of potential and his versatility would make him a useful addition.

Supporters will probably temper optimism right now. Until one of the top domestic journalists tweets something out, this could be more idle gossip from the continent.

Forest are ninth in the Championship table.

Ajansspor had earlier reported that Forest wanted to sign Mukairu from Antalyaspor in the summer of 2021 and made an offer £2 million for the Nigerian forward, but Turkish club Antalyaspor turned it down.

The Reds were trying to add forwards to their squad, as they aimed for better fortunes in front of goal.

Forest scored the third-lowest number of goals in the entire EFL last season and naturally, that saw the club target attack-

ers.

Mukairu has previously been linked with Tottenham. Clearly, he has talent and it’s perhaps no surprise that Antalyaspor wanted to take a closer look at him.

The youngster does fit the profile of a Murphy signing down to the ground. He is young, has considerable resale value and wouldn’t cost the earth.

The tricky part of any deal could be that he’s currently featuring regularly in the Antalyaspor team and that muddies the water somewhat.

Mukairu can play in a number of positions and that does make him an attractive proposition. Having players that can adapt is a big aspect of Forest’s squad and the Nigerian fits that bill.

The youngster has a contract until 2024 in Turkey and it remains to be seen whether Forest will move in January.

Manchester City hero, Vincent Kompany is of the opinion that Mukairu could become an absolute star, possessing all the necessary attributes to become ‘special’.

“Paul has everything to become a special player,” said Kompany.

“I saw a player with 200 per cent enthusiasm for training. As if he had come to Anderlecht to let his family survive,” Kompany had said.

“Someone who works hard like him, who is so eager to help the team, must be rewarded. His goal is his reward.”

He plays with the name ‘Paul’ on the back of his shirt and with the number 12 on the upper back. The latter is a tribute to Thierry Henry, the great idol of Mukairu.

It is therefore no coincidence that the Nigerian on the football field sometimes reminds us of Henry, not through the same dose of quality, of course, but through a similar style.

Because Mukairu has a natural flair, a certain feast for the eyes that not all footballers have, just as Henry did in his days.

Furthermore, Mukairu proved to possess all the core qualities originally attributed to him. He is enthusiastic, goal-oriented, explosive and knows how to handle the ball.

Moreover, Mukairu is not afraid to do his defensive work in an energetic style.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMIFULA OGBU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 15, 2022

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Top Tips to Reduce Car Noises All cars make all sorts of noises, but not all those noises mean the same. While some noises indicate a problem, most of them are just a part of the car’s regular operation.

I am guessing here, but I think that most drivers would love to reduce those noises to enjoy a quieter and more peaceful drive.

The normal noises in your car can sometimes be annoying. Yes, even those that you know are part of its everyday use, such as the noise from the road, the air passing the car, and the hum from the engine bay.

All these noises are transmitted through vibrations, and that’s actually the key to reducing noise – reduce the vibrations, and you cut down the noise.

You can do that with insulation, soundprooÀng, and other methods, but let’s Àrst look at the good and bad noises that your car makes. After that, we’ll check out 10 ways you can do to for a quieter drive.

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost

Rolls-Royce: 2021 Sales Highest in 117-year History

R

olls-Royce Motor Cars has reported record 2021 sales, up 49% on the same period in 2020, which is the highest sales in the marque’s 117-year history.

According to the automaker, all-time records were set in most sales regions, “including Greater China, the Americas and Asia-PaciÀc, and in multiple countries across the world” with “high demand for all models, particularly Ghost and Cullinan.

“Rolls-Royce is the undisputed leader in the +€250k segment. Orders extend into the third quarter of 2022; Bespoke commissions also at record levels. Record intake for Apprenticeship Programme: 37 apprentices join in September 2022.”

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive OfÀcer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “2021 was a phenomenal year for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

We delivered more cars than at any time in the marque’s 117-year history with unprecedented demand for all products in every global market.

Our extremely strong product portfolio, an exceptional Bespoke oͿering, together with the Àrst full year of availability of Ghost, the launch of Black Badge Ghost in October and the continuing record demand for Bespoke

personalisation, has contributed meaningfully to our extremely strong performance.

This is hugely encouraging as we prepare for the historic launch of Spectre, our Àrst all-electric car. Building on this year’s success, we will continue to evolve as a true luxury brand, beyond the realms of automotive manufacturing.”

In 2021, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars delivered the highest-ever annual sales results in the marque’s 117-year history.

The company delivered 5,586 motor cars to clients around the world, up 49% on the same period in 2020. This overall Àgure includes all-time record sales in most regions, including Greater China, the Americas and Asia-PaciÀc, and in multiple countries across the globe.

All Rolls-Royce models performed extremely strongly. Growth has been driven principally

by Ghost, with demand surging further, following the launch of Black Badge Ghost in October 2021. This, together with the continuing pre-eminence of Cullinan and the marque’s pinnacle product, Phantom, has ensured order books are full well into the third quarter of 2022. The company’s Provenance (pre-owned) programme also enjoyed exceptional sales results in 2021, achieving an all-time record.

Bespoke commissions remain at record levels, with magniÀcent individual examples including

the spectacular Phantom Oribe co-created with Hermès, alongside the Phantom Tempus, and Black Badge Wraith and Black Badge Dawn Landspeed Collection cars. The company signalled its commitment to leading a new contemporary coachbuilding movement with RollsRoyce Coachbuild becoming a permanent Àxture in its future portfolio, and with it the unveiling of its latest coachbuilt masterpiece, Boat Tail.

Rolls-Royce also announced its Àrst all-electric car, Spectre, during 2021. The extraordinary undertaking of bringing Spectre to market by the fourth quarter of 2023 has now begun, and the most punishing testing protocol ever conceived for a RollsRoyce is underway. This 2.5million-kilometre journey, which extends to all four corners of the world, will simulate more than 400 years of use for a RollsRoyce.

While preparations are made for the marque’s all-electric future, Rolls-Royce continues to meet the surge in demand for its current portfolio through a Áexible manufacturing process and the dedication of the over 2,000 people who work at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex and around the world. The Rolls-Royce factory at Goodwood is currently running at near-maximum capacity, on a two-shift pattern to fulÀl orders from clients around the world.

New Mercedes-AMG SL is Short Version Luxurious Roadster

T

he new Mercedes-AMG SL, the new edition of an icon, returns to its roots with a classic soft top and sporty character, according to the automaker.

At the same time, the luxurious roadster as a 2+2 seater is particularly suitable for everyday use and puts its power down on the road with all-wheel drive for the first time.

High-tech components such as AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with active anti-roll stabilization, rear-axle steering, and optionally available AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system are available. In combination with the Handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, this results in a driving experience of the highest order. As a consistent Performance Luxury model, Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach has developed the SL completely independently. Two models with AMG V8 engines will kick off the market launch.

Almost 70 years ago, a sports car launched in Stuttgart immediately became a legend. The vision

of expanding the potential of the Mercedes-Benz brand through motor racing successes produced the first SL as a result - a road-going racing sports car. Shortly after its debut in 1952, the 300 SL (internal designation W 194) reaped success after success on the race tracks of the world.

In its first year, it achieved, among other things, a spectacular one-two victory in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans and even took the first four places in the Nürburgring Grand Jubilee Prize for sports cars. Its successes quickly make the SL a legend.

The successful racing car was followed in 1954 by the 300 SL production sports car (W 198), which is called the “Gullwing” because of its unusual doors. In 1999, a jury of motoring journalists voted it the “Sports Car of the Century.”

Other highlights of the model history include the “Pagoda” (W 113, 1963-1971), the evergreen R 107 (1971-1989), which was built for 18 years, and its successor, the R 129, which is considered an automotive sculpture because of its striking wedge shape.

The new Mercedes-AMG SL

What Car Noises Are Bad? Firstly, we must all remember that a car making noise when driving isn’t necessarily a good thing, so don’t ignore it by playing music louder. On the Áip side, it’s not necessarily a bad thing either, so don’t be too quick to panic.

That’s why drivers should know how to separate the good from the bad. Unfortunately, they didn’t teach us any of this back in driving school.

When you can tell the good from the bad just by listening to your car, you’ll be able to nip small issues in the bud and avoid costly problems later. You can check out our previous article to learn about eight car noises that should warn you of a real problem.

In this guide, we’re going to focus on sounds you don’t need to worry about and what you can do to reduce them.

What to Do If Your Car Starts Making Strange Noises Car noises are not things that you should take lightly. So, what do you do if your vehicle starts making noises that you know aren’t good signs?

1. Try your best to identify the sound. That will make everything so much easier when you try to describe the issue to your mechanic.

It might seem ridiculous at Àrst to mimic the noises you hear and tell your mechanic you heard a “ping-ping-ping” or a “tut-tut-tut” sound, but that’s how it is.

Just do your best version of the sound because your mechanic has been in the business for quite some time and will likely recognise the car noise you’re trying to replicate.

More important than that, observe two other things about the noise and impart this info to the mechanic.

2. Take note when the noises happen. For example, do you hear the car noises when accelerating only, pressing the brakes, or both?.

(Source: Carpart)

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Suzuki Dedicates Strongest Comeback Award in Nigeria to Loyal Customers

O

wners of Suzuki cars in Nigeria will soon have the opportunity to join the Suzuki by CFAO owners club and earn rewards for their loyalty.

Aissatou Diouf, General Manager, Suzuki by CFAO, disclosed this while reacting to the award received as the ‘Strongest Comeback Car Brand Of The Year’ given to the Japanese automobile franchisee at the last Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) awards night held at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Fielding questions from motoring journalists on how she felt about Suzuki being voted as the strongest comeback brand of the year, Aissatou Diouf, one of the very few female strong players in the country’s automotive industry said, “ It is a great honor for the Suzuki team to have been awarded. We are happy Nigerians have warmed up to our brand and it gladdens our hearts to see Suzuki cars on the road across the country.

The general nanager expressed appreciation to customers for trusting in the company and promised that her team will continue seeking ways to enhance their driving experience.

Reacting to those marketing strategies adopted that shaped and increased public awareness of the brand within a very short period of her assumption of office, Aissatou Diouf said that the team actively listened to Suzuki customers in order to better understand

Suzuki Baleno their expectations and create offers to suit their needs.

“We understand that our customers are our greatest assets and for us to be successful we have to give them the best value for their money. We

introduced the SMART Link Display innovation to some models, expanded our aftersales network, and also engaged more with our customers through our various lifestyle events”.

On where CFAO Motors is taking the Suzuki brand to in a few years, she expressed optimism in the fact that they will continue to provide efficient mobility solutions.

Toyota Develops All-new 2022 Corolla Cross As the newest versatile family member in the Corolla family, the first-ever 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross kicks off the new year with the “Just Right” campaign, which highlights the compact SUV’s capabilities and features that are sure to accommodate life’s adventures.

“We’re excited to launch the first-ever Corolla Cross here in the U.S. with the ‘Just Right’ campaign, which encourages guests to cherish life’s perfect wins, big or small,” said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. “Corolla Cross has everything our drivers want – an elevated and upgraded compact SUV, designed for every lifestyle.”

The fully integrated Corolla Cross campaign was developed using Toyota’s long-standing Total Toyota (T2) marketing model, fully considering the transcultural mainstream audiences across America. Toyota campaigns are integrated through one strategic brief, creative idea and media plan – and create a cohesive marketing approach inclusive of multicultural marketing and the total market model. The T2 agency team includes Saatchi & Saatchi, Burrell Communications, Conill Advertising and Intertrend, with ZenithMedia placing TV and outdoor media buys.

The campaign showcases a unified style across all creative throughout the T2 agency broadcast spots, which are highlighted below:

In the spot created by Saatchi & Saatchi and directed

by Max Malkin, “Perfect Getaway” features a group of friends heading out for a weekend escape. They’re in awe as the rain suddenly clears so they’re able to pack up their Corolla Cross. As they’re leaving town, all the traffic lights turn green, and the day suddenly falls into place for their road trip.

In “Find Your Groove,” created by Burrell Communications and directed by Daniel Azancot, internet dance phenomenon Aubrey Fisher and his friends pack up for a road trip, utilizing the Corolla Cross to help them find their groove to begin their trip – from an automatic liftgate and spacious cargo area to fivepassenger seating.

Intertrend developed two spots, “Showtime” and “Picture Perfect,” that highlight the all-new Corolla Cross’ available AWD capabilities and seamless style. In “Showtime,” a man picks up his cousin from the airport, who’s come to America for the first time. Looking to impress him, he takes him to a one-of-a-kind view of the Northern Lights, equally as unique as the Corolla Cross. In “Picture Perfect,” a content creator couple looks to amaze their followers with the help of the Corolla Cross. Through every turn of their drive, the couple, their dogs and the Corolla Cross are in perfect sync to the beat of the music.

The All-New 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

Guarding Against Excessive Speed in 2022 I wish I was a Prophet. I also wish that God called me to be His Minister with a thriving Church in any part of the country but I am grateful that I have my market place which is saving precious lives on the road. However, I sometimes operate prophetically in my marketplace like I have done in previous years, when in December I raised alarm on certain behavioral tendencies responsible for avoidable road traffic crashes such as excessive speeding.

But before I continue, I must start this piece by first expressing my profound gratitude to the Almighty God for his mercies that kept us all through 2021.

The year 2021 was loaded with challenges but in all of these challenges, we are still standing strong and thankful for the gift of life. I must thank God also, for my readers and my editors as well as my critics who spare me the blade whenever they attempt to hit me below the belt for not meeting up to their expectations.

I must also express gratitude to God for those who ignored the wise counsel against travelling during 2021 yuletide because of the inherent risks in the face of the current global pandemic and its variants. These counsels and warnings came from various quarters such as the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as world leaders. The World Health Organization was the first to warn countries not to underestimate Omicron. The WHO observed that over 77 countries had reported while noting that it is in most countries even if not reported. The Organization warned that Omicron is spreading at a rate not seen with any previous variant, warning countries and individuals

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. not to dismiss Omicron as mild, saying that whoever does so is at his peril noting that the sheer number of cases could overwhelm health systems. The WHO therefore appealed for sustained vaccination as well as compliance to other protocols. Even the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson and other world leaders reechoed similar warnings, pleading for restrictions on travels during the yuletide which in our clime fell on deaf ears as most people including my dear pals dared Omicron and travelled without compliance with the protocols.

Now that we have crossed over to 2022, the year that holds greater promises from above, it is time to pause and attempt a postmortem on how we fared in 2021. I am sure you heard the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps when he lamented on the spate of road crashes especially the ill-fated fatal crash that occurred during the yuletide around Baguada Law School, on Kano-Zaria expressway caused majorly by excessive speed and loss of control. The statement conveyed directives to intensify enforcement of the

installation of speed limiting devices by commercial vehicles operators nationwide. The statement further noted that the unfortunate crash occurred as a result of speed limit violation involving two Toyota buses which conveyed a total of 45 passengers out of which 26 were injured while 19 comprising 15 male adults and five female adults were killed.

During our media chat as stated earlier, we identified speed violation, dangerous driving, route violation as major causative factors within the Federal Capital Territory. I was therefore not surprised when some observers within the FCT submitted that crashes in the Abuja roads are birthed from over speeding and driving under the influence such as the one which occurred along the Kubwa express and claimed some lives. Another concurred but added poor driving skills.

There were several others who shared the same with a handful submitting that no regards for other road users as well as basic driving etiquette were also responsible.

The development has prompted our renewed enforcement on speed limiting devices in 2022 which is compulsory for commercial vehicles. Although I intend to focus on speed limiting devices next week, permit me to inform you that in 2021, a total of 5006 arrests were effected within Zone 7 comprising the FCT and Niger State. However, the sampled views make it imperative for the FRSC to also focus on private car owners who also constitute a cross section of bad and irresponsible drivers in Abuja and other parts of the country. That is why I am prompted today to publish this piece which I hope would deter speed freaks from committing driving hara-kiri. I do hope

you know what happens when you fail to drive by the approved speed limit as contained in our traffic laws. Statistics available to the Federal Road Safety Corps indicates that excessive speed ranks as the highest causative factor, accounting for about 725 cases in the FCT in 2021. Dangerous driving is the second highest as it accounted for 109 cases. This is despite the provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations which spells out the speed limits for various categories of vehicles on our roads. While the law speciÀes 100km h for private cars for private cars on the expressway, the same law speciÀes a speed limit of 90km h for taxis and buses. Trailers and Tankers have a maximum speed of 60km h and 45km h for towing vehicles while in a build-up area, the speed limit could be between 20-30km h to 50km h.

Despite this prohibition on speed, excessive speeding remains on the increase even though research Àndings indicate that at a speed of a 1000km h, your vehicle does 28 metres per hour.

This development prompted the Corps to midwife the installation of speed limiters in vehicles. It held nationwide stakeholders’ fora on speed limiting devices and called on relevant stakeholders such as the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) on the need for speed calming devices to be installed along strategic corridors. Across the country, various stakeholders threw their weight behind the new initiatives, stressing the significance of speed limiters in the campaign to check excessive speeding in the country.

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Gossip’: Mostly Uncountable

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OU are welcome to this edition with this horrendous howler “…who was arraigned on a 34-count charge bothering (bordering) on the diversion of….”

From DAILY INDEPENDENT of January 7 come the next two errors: “We assure Your Excellency that this confidence reposed on (in) our former Senate Leader is well placed and will manifest without probation.”

“CSR: NLNG invests N200m on (in) 10 Nigerian postgraduate scholars” Source: as above) For the first time since 2013 when this column birthed, we continue this edition with an advertisement: “Salt Spring Resort has been redefined and renovated to provide excellent service.” A refreshing experience of paradise; provide an excellent service or provide excellent services Still on the above source: “We are poise (poised) to deliver uncompromise (uncompromised) quality product that will ultimately satisfied (satisfy) our esteemed customers. Come lets (let’s) give you….” (Full-page advertisement by Nanet Hotels Limited) What do we do with the sub-literacy of advertisement copies?

“Anger, protests, as deceased’s friends point fingers at lawmaker” Get it right: point the finger at lawmaker THE NATION ON SUNDAY of January 9 endangered the English language on two occasions: “In most cases, the necessary environment does not exist for meaningful importation (impartation) of knowledge.”

“Matters are not helped by students who are now distracted by things that have no bearing to (on) their studies.”

“Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, appears set to

take the bull by the horn (horns) by declaring his interest in the 2023 presidency….”

“Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, are to cough-out (no hyphen) a total of N5 million for repairs of damages (damage) they perpetrated during a demonstration in July last year.”

‘Damage’ admits an inflection only in reparative matters.

“Now, It in the race for the coveted seat of vice-chancellorship, and boy, are the learned dons falling over themselves (one another) to out do (one word) each other (one another)?” When two fellows are concerned, we use ‘each other,’ but if it is more than two, it becomes ‘one another’, “Secret cult in the campuses” Always on campuses “Kano Pillars in trouble…yet to sign-on players” ‘Sign on’, a phrasal verb, does not require hyphenation.

“Thus, cargo that have been certified okay here….” I certify that ‘cargo’ is singular.

“Inconsistent government policies is globally disturbing….” Concord is one of the simplest things in grammar. Anybody who lacks this rudimentary knowledge has no business contributing to the most authoritative newspaper (name withheld!) in Nigeria. You must develop your communicative skills first.

“Banks impose a lot difficult conditions on exporters and even charged (sic) some ‘hidden’ fees before the disbursement of these loans are (is) done…

“CPC to clampdown on illegal microfinance banks” Phrasal verb: clamp down (two words).

“An acknowledged scholar, a distinguished statesman and a team leader per excellence” Get it right: leader par excellence.

“New trends in electioneering cam-

paigns” Politics Today: just electioneering or political campaigns. ‘Electioneering campaign’ is sheer verbiage! ‘Electioneering’ encompasses campaign and other related electoral issues.

“Some countries have taken tobacco manufacturers to court for the damages their products cause.” The will to die: damage is uncountable, except in reparative applications for indemnity. “…what happened was that somebody filed a writ of summon.” This way (singular): a writ of summons; plural: summonses.

“It is the Federal Board that is always guilty of that, because it is them who take riff-raffs as welfare officers.” ‘Riff-raff’, just like ‘stuff’, is uncountable.

“Modern technology has reduced the world into (to) a hamlet where the inhabitants are their brothers’ keepers.”

This way: brother’s keeper (fixed idiom), irrespective of the number of people involved.

“The coincidence in the timing of all those sleazy gossips in soft-sell magazines and the beginning of his fashion parade….” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable.

“More overaged players for youth soccer” Get it right: overage players.

“Residents of some of the troubled spots in Libya in disarray” Witness to lexical mayhem: trouble spots. “…rummaging all the bags and ransacking every nook and corner.” Stock expression: nook and cranny.

“The police requires (require) a redeemer who can uplift the Force from the battering it (they) suffered during the long years of militarization.”

“I inquired from those that appear to know and they said that the president is (was) roaming the country in the name of

2023 Gladiators: My Perceptions

T

he closest theory to our frame of thought, and upon which our subsequent arguments and information is based, is the constructivist theory of perception by a British pioneer of cognitive psychology, and professor of Neuropsychology at the University of Bristol, England, Richard Langton Gregory, CBE (1923 - 2010). A paraphrase of an aspect of his 1970 theory relevant to us today argues “that past knowledge and experience is the most important factor when making sense of the world around us. Gregory proposed that perception worked by making reasonable guesses about what we are seeing based on what it is most likely to be.”

So, let us use that as a keyholder in understanding the subtleties driving our perceptions of the folks jostling to rule Nigeria in 2023. (Surely, you are not one of those who characterise the mindsets of most Nigerian political leaders as some sort of craving to ‘lead’?)

We have a heavy cast of contenders, pretenders and comedians - at the last count, more than 20 people. Some of those with long-standing ambitions of nurturing presidential hope include: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former governors of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha; Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu; Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, and Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.

Recently, we have witnessed stirrings, kite-flying, and muted flare campaigns by amorphous groups intimating us of some newcomers to the presidential groovy train... Names have been dropped, such as: Governors David Umahi (Ebonyi), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers); as well as Messrs Chris Baywood-Ibe, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi; Senators Danjuma Goje, Anyim Pius Anyim, Ali Modu Sheriff, and the current senate president, Ahmad Lawan. Of course, the list is by no means exhaustive, as names are popping up every other day.

My self-imposed assignment is not to analyse

their credentials to contest for the biggest office in the land; not even their competencies, and suitability - not their electability nor their capacity to exhume a war-chest brimming with billions of naira and other foreign currencies, which would be sorely needed to put up a serious-minded and significant campaign… that and more would be critical towards claiming the right to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

My perceptions are simply self-designed criteria to which we intend to sieve the aspirants through, and which we strongly suspect may be similar to that of the majority of ‘non-aligned’, non-partycard-carrying members of the Nigerian society.

You must have noticed that we avoided using the phrase ‘non-partisan’ in our description above - such Nigerians are in a worryingly minute minority - to the point of being near untraceable.

We will hover across the names of random aspirants in no particular order, and make our perceptions known without fear or favour. We will also appreciate your feedback afterwards, with equal openness and fairness.

Of course, we anticipate that these perceptual interventions may not sit well with some supporters of this or that aspirant, and would hasten to dismiss our perceptions in the usual Nigerian “aggression” and “resilience”. It won’t matter if millions of other Nigerians ‘perceive’ your candidates as such, and you refuse to do the needful - meaning that you should stay away from compounding our problems or prepare for a tortuous ride to nowhere. Let us move...

Rochas Okorocha, 59: The former Imo State governor has been struggling to be a president long before he became the governor of Imo State in 2011. He is currently the senator representing Imo West senatorial district - a position he stepped into after leaving the Owerri governor’s lodge as a twotermer. He switched positions with the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodinma who was his predecessor in the Nigerian Senate - after a dramatic judicial masterstroke.

Okorocha is a flamboyant politician with a fairly extensive entrepreneurial outlay even before he joined mainstream politics.

He is perceived to be unserious, largely showboating for political overdraft, and blessed

with an outsized ego driven by pretensions of intellection.

In 1999 when this fourth republic emerged, he contested the gubernatorial primaries on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP to be Imo State’s chief executive. He lost to Achike Udenwa. In 2003, he contested the presidential primaries of the All Nigerian People’s Party, ANPP. He lost.

He returned to the PDP and became a Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo after the 2003 elections. His portfolio? Inter-Party Affairs (read between the lines).

For the 2007 elections, Okorocha needed to own a political party so as to sufficiently accommodate his presidential ambition - pronto, Action Alliance (AA) was formed in 2005. When that vehicle collapsed alongside his ambition in 2007, he returned to PDP, whereupon he revved up his tireless machinery for the next campaign: to be the national chairman of PDP! Well, same story...

For the 2011 gubernatorial elections, the Okorocha caravan moved once more - to another party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for his second attempt at the cherished Imo governor’s seat. Despite concerted efforts to push him out of APGA in 2010, Okorocha battled against all odds, and succeeded as APGA’s candidate at the April 11, 2011 polls. He beat his former party co-combatant, and incumbent governor, Ikedi Ohakim (PDP). The election umpire, INEC, declared the election inconclusive as thousands of votes were cancelled in more than 250 polling units, in 23 out of 27 local government areas. Collations were allegedly marred by irregularities, and some places abandoned voting due to security threats.

Nonetheless, Okorocha won the re-run election.

He also added “iberiberism” to our political lexicon - a word crafted from Igbo language to explain some acts of foolishness...somewhat apt when juxtaposed with his soapbox antics and exhibitionism. You may also not be too far off the mark if you characterise him as an energetic mobilizer who confuses braggadocio for charisma, and vitriol for erudition.

Two years into his tenure as Imo governor, he moved to the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC. In deference to his knack for

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

campaigns.”

“There is (are) no electricity, no security, no water, no roads, no health facilities in Nigeria.”

“Foreign companies will be falling over themselves (one another) to come and invest here if we get the 2023 elections right.” “...given the lame-duck posture of the opposition parties, the PDP simply held sway from the onset (outset).”

“Reactions on (to) the Pope’s visit, however successful, were mixed in Egypt, a country inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population.”

“Prior to the Pope’s visit, Egyptian Catholics have (had) opted out of the….”

“The first part was published last week Friday.” Monday politics: either last Friday or Friday, last week.

“Vigilante (Vigilance) groups, committed to….”

FEEDBACK MY brother Ebere, “celebrator” or “celebrant”, like “enquiry” or “inquiry”, is becoming similar in United States and United Kingdom. In the future, the word “celebrator” might be outdated because it also refers to a special beer, dopplebuck beer, and with apology, a satisfied “sex life” using a Clito-vibrator! Latest research

by Jose Carillo, February 2013 citing authorities in lexicography/American Heritage DIC (AHD), has overtaken Merriam Webster/Oxford online definitions of “celebrator”. However, current Oxford dictionary also defines “celebrant” (American English) as someone celebrating something e.g. a party. “Celebrator” is omitted. But will it be old-fashioned? Time will tell. Cheers! (Contributed by Sunny Agbontaen, Benin City, 08055162531)

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

brouhaha and compulsive animated bravura, he was elected by his opposition governor-mates as the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

His tenure in Imo State is still being painted in many uncharitable colours, making canvas of his first public service a knowingly exhausted kaleidoscope of exaggerated populism, outlandish infrastructures, misplaced do-goodism, and such cranks notorious with individuals under the influence of hubric delusion and self-importance.

Still thirsty for presidential cocktails, Nigerians were not surprised when Okorocha tried his luck against Buhari in the 2015 presidential primaries - even as a sitting governor, eyeing a second term!

He lost once again, but was returned to the Owerri stool of power.

In furtherance of his peculiar self-conceit, he handpicked his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu (insidiously appointed earlier as his chief of staff) to run as the candidate of APC in the 2019 elections, so as to succeed him! Well, the gods must have had enough of Okorocha’s rigmarole.

Nwosu lost the ticket to Hope Uzodinma, then a senator; and defected to his father-in-law’s re-exhumed party, Action Alliance, where the ticket was undisputed. But, the chief puppeteer of the charade, Okorocha, was promptly suspended from APC for the usual practice - anti-party activities.

As it is common in the chicanery called Nigerian politics, Okorocha rallied his machinery, and won the senatorial seat in the Imo West/Orlu district - under the usual chaotic Nigerian political clouds and smokes.

Today, Senator Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha wants to aim, once again, for the only exalted office that has failed him many times - the president of Nigeria - in 2023. The signs are clear that he may have a loooong wait, where the only solid peg to hang on while biding his time, and nursing his war-chest, and Providence - is another on the run at the Senate seat, again and again.

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

FEATURES How Toby Okechukwu Uses Education to Fight Poverty Olaoluwakitan Babatunde, who was at the recent education grant-giving event by theToby Okechukwu Foundation, x-rays how Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives, uses educational empowerment to wage war against poverty

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all it love for education. Call it war against poverty. You will still be right, for just like the late nationalist and former President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, and his wife, Mrs. Lillian Uche Okechukwu, strongly believe that education is not just a way to escape poverty, but also a way of fighting it. And they are not alone.

According to the Global Partnership for Education, ensuring quality education for all is not only central to the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), but in particular the goal to end extreme poverty.

Likewise, a UNESCO Global Monitoring/Education Commission Generation Report provides empirical evidence on the impact of education on individual’s earnings and economic growth.

According to the report, 171 million people could be lifted out of extreme poverty if all children left school with basic reading skills. That will be 12 per cent drop in the world total. Also, the absolute poverty could be reduced by 30 per cent from learning improvements outlined by the Education Commission.

Going further, the report shows that education reduces economic inequalities. It shows that if workers from poor and rich backgrounds received the same education, disparity between the two could decrease by 39 per cent.

In “Milestones in Educational Empowerment”, a compendium of the strides of The Toby Okechukwu Foundation in education across Aninri/ Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Okechukwu recalls how Singapore moved from a small, poor, tropical island with mostly uneducated and unskilled tiny and thinly populated Third World nation that she was at independence in 1965, to a First World nation courtesy of education and the visionary leadership of Lee Kwan Yew. “No nation makes progress beyond the quality of its educational system. More so in the competitive world of knowledge-driven economies where the successes of the leading economies – U.S.A, China, Japan, Germany, India, U.K, France, Italy, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, among others - are underlined by heavy investments in education and Research and Development (R&D).

“The story of South Korea, which broke into the club of trillion dollar economies in 2004 is particularly interesting, as it achieved in just a few decades what took many developed nations of today centuries to achieve. Also, India, which could only muster a measly $189.439 billion GDP in 1980, rose from an agrarian economy to a knowledge economy. India hit a $2.94 trillion GDP to overtake U.K and France and become the fifth-largest economy in 2019.

“Human progress can only come through the mastery of every operating environment; and I am supremely confident that education provides the right of way to that path.

“My wife and I believe that a journey of a thousand miles starts with just a step. We also appreciate the fact the market will remain empty all should everyone wait in the comfort of his or her home for others to fill the market before venturing out. Therefore, we decided to invest in the education of our people as the greatest and most basic empowerment there is and as our modest contributions towards changing the dwindling fortunes of education in Nigeria, and by extension the nation’s woeful economic and development narratives.

“It is a path we have chosen and hope to walk till the end of time, God’s grace”, Okechukwu writes.

Some of the students that benefited from the foundation

Making a difference Since its establishment in 2012, the Toby Okechukwu Foundation has continued to make a difference by giving back to the society in the areas of education, healthcare, and vocational training, and poverty alleviation. It has devoted ample resources to capacity building of teachers, infrastructural interventions, provision of instructional materials, and ensuring that most indigent children obtain at least a Senior Secondary School Certificate.

Before 2021, about 3,000 students have benefited from the Foundation’s education grants, which enabled them to register for the West African School Certificate Examination, WASCE. The Foundation has also donated instructional materials to public schools in Greater Awgu in addition to sponsoring the training of Science teachers in the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), Akwuke, Enugu.

Through the interventions of the Chairman of the Foundation, a number of schools have been renovated and new blocks of classroom erected.

He has also assisted with school furniture.

Furthermore, Mobile Science Kits for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology have been provided for all the public in secondary schools in Greater Awgu, in addition to other instructional materials.

2021: Back on a familiar track Continuing in the established traditions, it was therefore fanfare and rekindling of hope, as the Foundation doled out educational grants to 600 beneficiaries drawn from 60 public post-primary schools in Greater Awgu to help them pay for their West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) fees on the fringes of the yuletide. Students, teachers, teachers, community leaders, and stakeholders were particularly ecstatic since the outbreak of Covid19 pandemic prevented them from gathering in like manner in 2020.

Meanwhile, the education grant has helped many students in Greater Awgu to sit for WAEC free of charge, thus lifting the burden of some parents, especially those who could not afford the fees.

Speaking for the Foundation, Dr. Godwin Udeughele, described the selection process was impeccable.

“This selection process for the beneficiaries is one of the best processes we’ve had since the inception of this program. There was no petition

Okechukwu

or complaint as it is very transparent.

“Toby was supposed to pay for everybody, but because resources are scarce, he said he could only pay for 600 students from his constituency. What we did is that in every school we get to, we do simple random sampling by having a piece of paper wrap that will tally with the number of the entire students. In all the 60 secondary schools, we randomly selected 10 students. That was how we got the 600 beneficiary students gathered here today”.

Handing out the cheques, exercise books, and instructional materials, Hon. Okechukwu, on his part, said he was only trying to compliment the efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to lift education in the Enugu State.

Thanking former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ekweremadu, for setting the pace for him and other lawmakers in the state, he said, “I must let you know that the intervention we do in education was set forth by Ikeoha Ndigbo. We have had testimonies of people who were able to go to school just because of his Foundation”.

He further emphasised that Nigeria’s future depended on the ability to educate the citizens.

“The difference between someone who is roaming about in the village and the person who has gone to school is education. Sometimes, people think that the best way to overcome

poverty is to have education. It is not only the best way to overcome it, but it is the best way to fight it. So, you must always take education very seriously”.

Ekweremadu, in his remarks, commended Okechukwu and his wife, Lillian, for their humaneness, and urged the beneficiaries to put the opportunity to the best use.

“I believe our children will appreciate this gesture by being good citizens, reading and passing their examinations so that as they advance they will remember this day. Then when they grow up and have the opportunity, they can also extend this kind of gesture to others.

“I advice you to shun hard drugs and on no account should you join cult groups. People, who made it in life, did not do so through drugs and cultism. If we had indulged in drugs and cultism, some of us would not have reached where we have reached today. I implore you to concentrate in your academics and avoid antisocial vices”, he stated.

Member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Amadi, commended Toby Okechukwu for bringing in a new style that gives competitiveness in the educational sector.

Speaking the minds of parents and other stakeholders, the Commissioner for Education, Enugu State, Prof. Uche Eze, who was represented, commended the Foundation for “taking heavy burdens off the shoulders of parents”.

The principal of Rosary High School Awgu, the host school, Rev. Sister Aniekwe, recalled: “The day I was told that I would host this year’s educational empowerment programme, I was so happy and excited because it is the bridge to the future of so many students. So, I thank God for today”.

On her part, the principal, Girls High School Ihe, Awgu LGA, Mrs. Felicia Onyeazo, described it as a miracle that despite the random selection process, the indigent students were usually the lucky beneficiaries.

“We usually hope on it as the last hope for students, who have no way of paying their fees.

And the surprising thing is that God helped those students who don’t have hope of paying their fees because most of them were the ones who picked the yes”, she narrated.

Therefore, a Chief Supervising Principal with the Enugu State Post-Primary School Management Board, Mazi Emeka Ikpenna, and the President General Obeagu Town Union, Awgu LGA, Comrade Anthony Abba the urged more people to emulate Okechukwu to expand the opportunities.

It was all smiles for the benefiting students and schools as they sang and danced, appreciating the Toby Okechukwu Foundation and pleading to justify the kind gestures extended to them by studying hard and being of good character.

Miss Chioma Ude, a student of Rosary High School Awgu, said: “I’m really excited and I pray that God will grant him his heart desires. I will try my best to pay him back by reading my books and passing all my exams”.

Although only 600 students benefited from the 2021 education grant, there was something for everyone and every school in Greater Awgu as the lawmaker, through the Foundation, handed out 24,000 exercise books to public schools in the federal constituency, with each getting 400 pieces in addition to magic boards and other instructional materials. Thus, the people of Greater Awgu are keenly looking forward to the next edition.

To many, therefore, these gestures by Okechukwus and his family is the typical case of lighting the candle rather than blaming the darkness.

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 15, 2022

NEWS Air Peace Honours Nigerian Military with Priority Boarding Chinedu Eze Major Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, has announced the introduction of a Priority Boarding Policy for Nigeria’s military personnel- both serving and retired- as a way of honouring them for the huge sacrifices they make for the nation.

Air Peace Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, who made the revelation in a press release issued on Thursday, January 13, 2022, stated that the airline holds in high regard the indispensable contributions of the military in securing Nigeria and defending its territory from external aggression.

Stressing that the uniformed

Borno Signs N11.5bn Contract for Construction of Roads in Maiduguri

NEW YEAR VISIT…

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

L-R: Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kalu Uche and Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, when the Prelate visited the Speaker at his residence in Umuahia…recently

Gbajabiamila to Deliver UNILAG’s Convocation Lecture as 238 Bag First Class Uchechukwu Nnaike The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, will deliver the convocation lecture for the 52nd convocation ceremonies of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The lecture titled ‘Building Back Better: Creating a New Framework for Tertiary Education in Nigeria in the

21st Century’ will hold on Monday, January 17, 2022 at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium by 12 noon.

Speaking during the 2019/2020 pre-convocation press conference, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the convocation lecture would be delivered under the chairmanship of Honourable Justice Amina Adamu Augie

of the Supreme Court.

He announced that a total of 12,217 graduating students will receive their degrees, diplomas and certiÀcates; out of which 7,799 will receive Àrst degrees or diplomas, while 4,418 will receive postgraduate degrees.

In the Àrst degree category, he said 238 obtained Àrst class honours, with the Faculty of Engineering leading with 63 Àrst class. From the Faculties

of Pharmacy, Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Sciences, 36 students graduated with Distinctions, 17 who are from the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Furthermore, he said 2,454 students graduated in the second class upper division, while 3,459 obtained second class lower division; 1,183 students graduated in the third class division; while 85 students made the pass degree.

NSCDC Treats 905 Civil Cases, Recovers N54.3m in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Katsina Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has treated 905 civil cases across the state and recovered N54.3 million and handed over to rightful owners in the state.

The civil cases, according

to the Command, range from indebtedness, misunderstanding, land-related farmers/herdsmen conflict, domestic disputes and tenancy disputes.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Muhammed Sanusi Bello, said out of a total of 1,161 cases handled in 2021, 256 criminal cases

Boko Haram Attacks Mobile Police Training School in Borno Cont’d from Pg. 5 “Finally, management wishes to assure the general public that the Institute remains 100% operational as security has been beefed up in the general area.”

Chibok LGA Attacked Four persons have been found dead, while a search for missing persons is ongoing, following an attack by ISWAP in Kautikari community, Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State yesterday.

According to residents, the insurgents invaded the area around 5pm with different of weapons and started shooting sporadically.

The terrorists thereafter set houses ablaze, and residents had to run to the bushes for safety.

“They first went to the market area as today is our market day, and they looted almost everything.

After that, they set the market on fire. And then they started burning the houses. They also burnt this big church in the village, one of the villagers said.”

Another source said when the insurgents arrived, the army’s 28 task force brigade headquarters was contacted but there was no

men and women put their lives on the line in the course of defending the state and its interests against external armed threats, Onyema added that the new policy of boarding military personnel first before other passengers commenced on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, and has become a permanent practice in all Air Peace stations.

“This Priority Boarding Policy we are introducing is our own way of appreciating and recognising the noble and patriotic efforts of the officers and men of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, for the risks they take and all the sacrifices they make in defending the territorial integrity of this country.

immediate response “and the attack lasted more than two hours”.

Although the village is about 17 kilometres away from the army brigade headquarters in Chibok, there is an army company under the 117 battalion stationed in Kwada, not too far from the scene of the attack.

A company is a military formation usually made up of at least 80 soldiers.

“We know it could take time for troops to mobilise from the brigade, but we were shocked that the company that was just one kilometre away didn’t move an inch to help,” the source said.

The villagers said they had also reached the air force, and a fighter jet came to the area after the insurgents had left.

Meanwhile, troops are on the ground conducting a search-andrescue operation.

“Four dead bodies have been found, and an unknown number of women and girls have been abducted. The insurgents also took a number of tricycles belonging to the villagers,” another resident added.

were handled between January to December.

He explained that the criminal cases were related to banditry, kidnapping, theft, drug trafficking, rape, vandalism, criminal trespassing, smuggling of petrol resources, assaults, fraud as well as impersonation and are ongoing prosecution at different courts in

the state.

He said: “From January to December, 2021, the Command had received and treated a total of 905 civil cases of different nature, ranging from indebtedness, misunderstanding, land related farmers/herdsmen conflict, domestic disputes, tenancy disputes and so on.

Borno State Government has signed a contract of about N11.5 billion with the Eighteenth Engineering Company (EEC) and Obtuse Tech Engineering Company Limited for the construction and dualisation of major roads within Maiduguri metropolis.

The road projects which are to be executed within the next 12 months will also have two bridges and drainage with specifications and guidelines approved in the contract signing.

Speaking during the contract signing ceremony in Maiduguri yesterday, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works, Engineer Ali Goni Lawan, said the construction

Nigerian Tech Entrepreneur Appointed to Lead UK-Africa Trade Ties Sunday Okobi A Nigerian tech entrepreneur, Joel Popoola, has been appointed to head the task force to improve trading ties between Africa and the United Kingdom.

Popoola, a digital democracy campaigner and the creator of the Rate Your Leader app, is to lead a Special Interest Group for Africa

Zetin’s Founder Sues Pa Akomolafe, Former Associate for Synergy among Nigerian Engineers of Awolowo Dies at 104 The Adepoju Akomolafe Dynasty of Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, with a heart of immense gratitude to God and in celebration of an impactful life of enduring legacies, has announced the triumphant transition to glory of its dearly and deeply beloved Patriarch, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Uncle and Cousin, Omooba (Dr.) Adepoju Akomolafe, JP on January 4th, 2022. He was 104 years. Akomolafe was a consummate teacher in Western Region of Nigeria for 25 years, teaching at various schools such as CMS School and Igbobi College, Lagos. He was the pioneer principal of Ekiti Parapo College, Ido-Ekiti for 15 years, from 1954 to 1968.

Akomolafe, a community man, served Ekiti in different capacities. In 1954, he was elected the first chairman of Ido/Osi Local Council. He was a founding member of the Action Group (under the leadership of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo) on whose platform he was elected a member of the Federal Parliament in 1959. He was a shadow Minister for the Federal Ministry of Establishment and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Parliament during the first republic.

Akomolafe, a devout Christian and a genuine lover of God, served in different positions in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). He, along with others, worked for the establishment of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti, serving as its first Registrar. He was Lay President of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for 15 years.

Late Akomolafe was either the chairman or a member of many government corporations and pararstatals chief amongst which was The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State where he was the Board Chairman.

His tenure witnessed several developmental projects, including the construction of a modern theater where the first open heart surgery in Late Pa Akomolafe Africa was performed.

would effectively be monitored and evaluated by relevant government officials without compromise.

Lawan, who now oversees the ministry following the redeployment of the former commissioner, Architect Yerima Saleh to Ministry of Environment, said the first slot of the road projects is the 5.3 kilometers combined dualisation with drainages and two bridges at Ahmadu Bello Way to link Bama Road, Shehu Sanda Kura Road at the Cemetery Junction linking the Elkanemi Roundabout through to Elkanemi Bridge, down to Lagos Junction, Bolori Roundabout to Mogoram Junction down to Lafiya Road and was awarded to EEC at the cost of N8.8 billion.

The founder of Zeetin Engineering Limited, Azibaola Robert, FNSE, has said that sincerely embracing and deploying science and technology by Nigerians, rather than pandering to any ethnic or tribal sentiments, would facilitate and deepen the economic and infrastructural development of Nigeria.

Robert stated this in his Abuja office, when he hosted a delegation of the national executive of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), led by its President, Engr. Dr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho.

“There are many things wrong with Nigeria’s technological advancement,” Robert said, adding “And until we sincerely embrace and deploy science and technology as the necessary tools to facilitate and deepen the economic and infrastructural development of Nigeria, rather than pandering to ethnic or tribal sentiments or considerations, we will not be able to develop and make progress as a country.”

established by the UK Institute of Directors (IoD)-one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious business leader groups.

SATURDAY JANUARY 15, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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Saturday, January 15, 2022

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MISSILE

Soyinka to Interlopers “Here we go again. The same boring illiterate public interlopers who lack the courage of their conviction and must steal the identities of their betters…The signature of this latest moron is familiar – he or she does not even know the difference between ‘Laureate and Laurel” –Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka denying throwing his weight behind Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition as claimed by an online post.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

My Visit to PDP Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu

F

ellow Nigerians, this has been an amazing week as I took the leap of faith and fate and finally announced my decision to contest the 2023 Presidential election on the platform of our great party, PDP. I have been trending ever since I presented my letter of intent to our National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. Here’s the magic letter: “The National Chairman, People’s Democratic Party DR. IYORCHIA AYU. PDP National Secretariat.

Abuja.

13th January, 2022 My Great Chairman,

RE: DELE MOMODU DECLARES FOR PRESIDENTIAL RACE Thanks for giving me the opportunity to present this epoch-making letter at very short notice. It is a palpable demonstration of your intellectual discipline, simplicity and cosmopolitan worldview, and our party is fortunate to have such a serious academic and patriot as our Chairman at this momentous period in the life of our troubled country. May God help you to lead us from glory to glory.

In the last few days, there have been widespread speculations about my Presidential bid for a second time. I have been greatly humbled by the excitement already generated which reminds me of how it was 29 years ago when your good friend and my own adopted father, Chief Moshood Abiola, threw his hat in the ring. It is very obvious that Nigerians are eager to restore that promise of hope and the accompanying peace and joy that we lost.

The time has come for full reconciliation and forgiveness and a closure of our ugly past. Nigeria urgently requires a reset and a total redirection.

With this letter, Sir, I wish to humbly put the speculations to rest by coming to you with every sense of purpose and responsibility.

After due consultations with my family, friends and some stakeholders, I have arrived at the decision to contest the 2023 Presidential election on the platform of our great party, PDP, if selected as the Party’s candidate. I hasten to add that this is my personal decision, although I have received advice, encouragement and support from diverse quarters since I started my consultations.

I therefore offer myself to the PDP as the best aspirant to turn the fortunes of our esteemed Party and our well-endowed country around. In this regard, and with a deep sense of humility and profound respect, I urge the Party not to consider picking its candidate based on the usual considerations which had spectacularly failed our country in the past. The mood of the teeming youths, and indeed every patriotic Nigerian, who we need to come out en masse to vote for our party, aligns with this view.

It is for this reason, that I invite our great party, PDP, to accept that it must search for a veritable flag bearer with the requisite leadership and visionary qualities that Nigerians now earnestly yearn for.

I’m convinced that the time has come to seriously challenge and dislodge those politicians who have held our country to ransom by kidnapping, hijacking and destroying the future of our younger generation and generations yet unborn. I’m better prepared now than at the time of my first foray into the fray in 2011, and I am fully ready and certainly capable for the onerous tasks and responsibilities ahead.

I wish to place on record my firm promise and commitment not to be harassed, bullied or intimidated by anyone who feels he or she can buy the whole of Nigeria with loads of cash

Momodu with Ayu fraudulently and illegally filched and taken from the Nigerian people.

I’m proud to follow in the best traditions of my heroic mentor, Chief Moshood Abiola, who had wanted to banish poverty in our land, but was disastrously disallowed from achieving this laudable objective. Nigeria has paid a heavy price and penalty in the last 29 years and suffered untold agony and indignity as a result of that tragic misadventure.

Nigeria deserves much better than where we are now, and my appeal to fellow Nigerians is that we should collectively rescue our dear country from the suffocating claws of slave masters, overlords and tyrants. I vociferously and vehemently reject any suggestion that Nigeria should continue to tread this dangerous path. The die is cast, and we must regain and take back our country! I fully and unequivocally commit and dedicate myself to this cause.

So help me God. Thank you Sir. DELE MOMODU” My decision was triggered by the unprecedented reaction to the interview I granted the Arise News Channel as I needed to seize the momentum…

Let me give some excerpts: “You see Reuben has virtually made a declaration on my behalf. Thank you. And since you want me to declare so I might as well declare right here. Let me say that I am very ready. I always tell people that it is impossible for you to be the president of a country as big, as diverse, as complex and complicated as Nigeria if you did not prepare for it. Most of the people we have as politicians never prepared for anything. All they prepare for is the next election; what are we going to do, how are we going to do it, how are we going to rig. But I can tell you that I have followed the template of my adopted father, Chief Moshood Abiola; I studied him as a book. I can do a Ph.D on it, and I can see that the reason we are in this mess is that you have leaders who are not accomplished. All over the world; it is not about your age; it is not about tribe or religion; it is about your personal accomplishment. And where you have leaders whose accomplishments you cannot understand; you cannot verify then you are going to have problems. So for me, I tired of just sitting down and lamenting which is what we know how best to do in Nigeria. Everybody laments. Everybody grumbles. Everybody groans.

Everybody mourns. But to do what is needful?

No. I can tell you that about 11 years ago, I

decided to contest on the platform of NCP, and the only lesson I learnt from there is that I was contesting a national election from a fringe local party which had no capacity to win the election.

I went back. The same thing happened to Chief Abiola in 1981 when NPN frustrated him out of their party. He wanted to be president; they saw it, and frustrated him out of the party. He left.

He came back 12 years later, better prepared. In 2023, it will be 12 years since my last attempt; I am better prepared and I am ready.

Chief Abiola was a newcomer in 1993. He joined the SDP two months to go. The chairman of the party, Babagana Kingibe was interested/contesting, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was contesting; 29 years ago, and Chief Abiola joined. The first thing you have to prove to the party is that you can win them the ticket. Any serious party that wants to win election will not just go and pick someone who does not have that global appeal. If you do that, you know that you have already lost that election. So today, I don’t need to do any other thing other than to be scientific. the world has moved on except our politicians. It is important for you to prove to your party your capacity, and that is the job. The main job between now and whenever the primary will take place is for you to show clearly your ability to win them the election.

And in my own case, I don’t have to travel far.

From my telephone, I can show my party my foot soldiers across Nigeria, It’s scientific. Every major township and village; there are people that we have empowered. Even the government of today; if they talk about empowerment; ask them to come and show who has benefitted; they can’t.

We have so much that we are doing, and it is not on television that we will reveal our strategy, but I can tell you that we are better prepared.

Fantastic! You just confirmed what Paulo Frere said about the oppressed. The best way to change the mindset of the oppressed is by bringing someone who is bold enough to challenge that status quo.

There is no where in the world where things don’t change if one man is ready to make the necessary sacrifices . Chief Abiola made that sacrifice. That is that. The biggest problem facing Nigeria today is lack of unity. I tell people today that anybody can build roads, but if you have a leader who does not have the mindset of uniting the country; that is why everybody keeps saying I’m Biafra, I’m Yoruba Nation and so on. This is because you have leaders who does not believe in one Nigeria.

I am a child of diversity; my father came from Edo State (south south), married my mother in Ile-Ife from Gbogan in Osun State (south west).

Today, I am one of the closest people you will

find in Igbo land. If you have been following me on social media, I am the only person ever mentioned by name by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu that this is a man who speaks the way a Nigerian should speak. That he says he would turn the south east into a technology hub, a Silicon Valley.

If this is how the other leaders were speaking, we would not be agitating the way we are. So, you just need someone who can turn the depression and frustrations around - bring joy back to Nigeria.

The country is a depressive mood. I have not seen any of the leaders you have mentioned who have that kind of diversity. My surname is Momodu.

My grandparents were Muslims and my parents were Christians. So, I understand the dynamics of those sentiments because in Nigeria, it is always ethnicity, religion and of course loads of cash. On all three accounts, I may not have my own personal cash, but I have worked most of my live with those who control the economy of Nigeria, and that is important. If you are not in business, you may not even know how to manage resource. A man who never managed one million, you now give him 10 trillion to manage; he is going to find it difficult. A man, who has no knowledge about how to turn one naira to 10 naira; it is going to be difficult to hand over a country to such a person.

When I saw that his case has become irredeemable; you don’t just give up on a leader, then I looked for the next alternative, and that was Atiku Abubakar presented to us by PDP. Again, I was not a member of PDP - that is how you know principled people. If there are two candidates, and you have seen the worst of one, what other options do you have? You go to the next one. I wasn’t a member of PDP. Today, I can see the excuse that they can use in 2023 - ‘you people didn’t offer yourselves, so we used those who were available’. I can tell you confidently that there is nobody currently in Nigerian politics today who can say he was ahead of me in politics. By 1983, I was private secretary to Chief Omoboriwo, the then Deputy Governor of Ondo State, and from that moment, my trajectory is uncommon, and I think it was orchestrated by God Himself because it is uncommon to find someone at 23 to work for the Deputy Governor of Ondo State when it was a combination of Ondo and Ekiti.

It is very easy. What did Chief Abiola do? He employed people from everywhere. At Concord, you will think you are in a mini Nigeria. It didn’t matter where you come from. That’s one. Two meritocracy - put merit above ethnic sentiment. If I want someone from Adamawa today, I’m sure I will find a qualified person from Adamawa. But most politicians don’t have the patience to search for competent people. That is the problem. The moment you are able to be fair to all - the moment you are able to have competent people, nobody will complain. Since I joined PDP, you don’t see all those people who use to shout Biafra, Biafra on my social media pages - now they are like maybe there is hope after all. Nigerians love Nigeria.

How you know it when they are playing football.

When Buhari came, people thought he was serious. Even my driver in London from Afghanistan told me ‘I hear you now have a good leader in Nigeria’. You see there is a way hope radiates across everywhere. When you give people hope, they are ready to make sacrifice, do what you want them to do, pay their taxes. The first thing is to get the right mood. The atmosphere in Nigeria now is so fouled up that nobody believes in Nigeria. The few people that have money would rather take it elsewhere to invest. For me, the first thing is to make sure that we have a star-studded cabinet of people of ideas.“ The popular slang now in vogue is the hashtag #delemomoduwemove

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