SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2022

WHO Names Nigeria among Six African Countries to Receive Technology for Production of COVID-19 Vaccine Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Ghebreyesus has named Nigeria and five other African countries - Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya and Tunisia - as the first in Africa that would receive

The Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom

the technology needed for the manufacturing of mRNA (Messenger Ribonuclieic Acid) used in producing COVID-19 vaccines.

Ghebreyesus who

announced this yesterday at the European Union - African Union summit in Brussels said the countries all applied and were selected as recipients.

The announcement was

made at a ceremony hosted by the European Council, France, South Africa and WHO in the presence of President Macron, President Ramaphosa, the President of the European

Council, Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Continued on page 5

Osinbajo: Alao-Akala Humane, Played Politics with Open Mind… Page 14 Saturday 19 February, 2022 Vol 27. No 9811

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APC Set to Postpone National Convention by Two Weeks Caretaker Committee to meet President for approval

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled for February

26 may not be held on that day after all.

THISDAY can authoritatively confirm that the convention will be

postponed by two weeks.

Efforts to speak to the Chairman, Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC)

of the party, who is also the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, on this latest development proved abortive.

Though there is no formal

announcement yet, a very reliable party source informed THISDAY last night that the (CECPC) and the APC governors would meet

President Muhammadu Buhari today to propose a new date, which is likely to Continued on page 5

War in Osun as Oyetola, Adeoti, Battle for APC’s Guber Ticket Today Governor AbdulRazaq heads 7-man election supervision team, says he’ll be fair to all

Bennett Oghifo in Lagos, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, who is Oyetola’s predecessor, will today go to war, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) holds direct primary elections across the 322 wards in the state to pick its candidate for the governorship election holding next July.

The Osun State Governor and Aregbesola have been at loggerheads for almost three years, over the control of the state and the party.

Oyetola is seeking the party’s ticket to run for a second term while Aregbesola and his political movement, The Osun Progressives (TOP) are backing erstwhile Secretary to the Osun State Government, Moshood Adeoti to unseat Oyetola.

Continued on page 5

BRAINSTORMING ON COVID-19 IN BRUSSELS...

L-R: Director General, World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus; President Muhammadu Buhari; the President of European Union Commission, Ms. Ursula Von Der Leyen; Egyptian President, Abdel Fatta Al-Sisi; President of the European Council, Charles Miche and the Chairperson of The Heads of State and Government of the African Union/President of Senegal, Macky Sall during the presentation on COVID-19 vaccine mRNA Hub, on the sidelines of the African Union-European Union Summit in Brussels, Belgium…yesterday

Doping: Blessing Okagbare Gets 10 years Ban … Page 30

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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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 ˾ ˜ ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ

PAGE FIVE WAR IN OSUN AS OYETOLA, ADEOTI, BATTLE FOR APC’S GUBER TICKET TODAY Many agree that Oyetola has performed creditably well since he assumed office despite the mountain of debt left behind

by Aregbesola.

Aside the power of incumbency, as well as his achievements in the past three and half years in office, Oyetola enjoys the support of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the national leadership of the party and the backing of the State Executive of the party, led by Adegboyega Famodun.

But Aregbesloa insists Oyetola must not get the party’s ticket to run for a second term because the governor has been disloyal to him and the party members in the state.

The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party has sent a seven-man team led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State to supervise today’s primary in the state.

Senator Julius Ucha is the Secretary of the committee.

Other members of the committee are Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, Hon. Abdulkarim Abdulraman, Hon. Wale Raji, Mrs. Yetunde Imolehin and Mr. Ofonmbuk Okon Bassey.

There were moves by some chieftains of the party to postpone the primary in order to address the rift between Oyetola and Aregbesola, but the national body resisted the moves.

Incidentally, AbdulRazaq has been engaged in a feud with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, just like the case between Oyetola and Aregbesola.

But AbdulRazaq promised all contestants that he would be fair to them in the conduct of the primary election.

He said he would act in strict compliance with APC’s Constitution in the conduct of the election.

The governor said he and other members of the panel on the Osun primary were looking forward to conducting a free and fair primary election in the state.

Oyetola has persistently resisted Aregbesola’s moves to operate as the Godfather of Osun State politics and dictate to him as the governor, on the day to day running of the state.

This has resulted in numerous violent clashes among supporters of the two camps.

The Special Adviser to Oyetola on Political Affairs, Sunday Akere, explains

further: “Oyetola did not fight Aregbesola. He (Aregbesola) declared that Oyetola’s tenure was his third term and he wanted to be in charge. He also promised those close to him that 80 per cent of them would return as cabinet members, which did not happen. The ex-governor thought the eightyear tenure was for eternity.

It has ended but he could not believe that reality. The root cause of the issue is what I just said.”

The Chairman, Elders’ Caucus of the Osun State APC, Sola Akinwumi described the “street shows” by Aregbesola as a display of thuggery and hooliganism.

Akinwumi adds: “As a matter of fact, the erstwhile governor belittles himself and I am very sure he didn’t know the implications of what he did.

He acted so low and naively as if he was the sitting governor.

“Was he telling us that there are two governors in the State?

Has he forgotten that he is no longer a Governor? We have known his intention and we leave everyone to his or her conscience.”

Meanwhile, members of the APC in Osun State have been urged to remain focused and resolute in their resolve to re-elect Oyetola at the party's primary election coming up today, as they have demonstrated during the strategic tour conducted round the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Oluwole Oyebamiji gave the charge in a press statement, describing the atmosphere of tension recently created in the State as a mere distraction.

The SSG affirmed in the statement that Osun “is the most peaceful state and will remain so during and after the primary election.”

He then urged every member of the public to embrace peace and go about their lawful duties without any fear.

The statement further revealed that the Oyetola administration had touched lives and impacted the society in an unprecedented way without relegating human capital development to the background.

Aregbesola: Oyetola Waging War against Me On the other hand, Aregbesola alleged that Oyetola had been waging a war against him since becoming the governor.

The Interior Minister

reiterated this in Ikire town last Thursday while addressing a rally held to garner support for Adeoti, his anointed candidate in today’s primaries.

Speaking in Yoruba, Aregbesola said he pleaded with Oyetola for about two years not to fight him, adding that his successor rejected his advice, which made him call his supporters to salvage the party.

He said, “I begged him (Oyetola) for two years; I told him that people must not mock us; I told him that he was heading for destruction. I served this state with the whole of my heart; I also positioned Oyetola so that he could succeed me in office.

“When we came to this town (Ikire) for his campaign, we were drenched in rain from the Akire’s palace to this place. He got to the office and claimed I am his enemy; those who contested against him during our party primary he pulled closer, while he is fighting me.

“Since Oyetola assumed office, he has waged a war against me as if I once harmed him. He claimed that I did not want him to emerge as the governor; I told him that I heard him and that now that he had been governor, what else did he want?

“I begged him for two years; I sent people to help me beg him and that he should not love me, but he must not fight me; even if he wanted to fight me, he should not abuse me and destroy my legacies.

“All that I warned him not to do was what he did. He opposed what I did; all the things I did together with him for eight years, he opposed and reversed them. He thought he could destroy me through my work; nobody was pushing him, he is pushing himself. He

deliberately towed that path.

He waged a war against me and refused to listen to my pleas until he got rid of me.”

Sack Aregbesola Now, Coalition Tells Buhari Meanwhile, a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Osun State has demanded the sack of Aregbesola for promoting civil unrest ahead of today's governorship primary election.

The Spokesperson of the Coalition, Mr. Wasiu Alli, while addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, said according to the 5th Schedule of the constitution, Aregbesola was expected to act only in ways that promote National Security and does not expose Nigerians anywhere to threats to their lives and property.

The Coalition added that where the contrary becomes the case, erring government officials must receive appropriate sanctions.

The coalition said Aregbesola in the past one week had engaged in a public show of rascality, encouragement of followers to behave in manners that undermine the superintendence of the present administration in the State, denigration of Elder Statesmen, among many others.

It noted that the recent utterances of Aregbesola were already heating the polity in the State to a point where residents now live in fear.

It stated: "While superintending over Security Agencies under the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has now turned security details attached to him by these Agencies (NSCDC and NPF) into tools of political warfare, clearly undermining the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining

security in Osun State.

"Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, despite being responsible for coordination of public security, is, by his actions, promoting disunity and insubordination between two key security agencies that should ordinarily be cooperating. This portends grave danger for the maintenance of peace and security within Osun State and indeed, Nigeria."

The coalition said if the federal government failed to call Aregbesola to order and charge him to focus on his official responsibilities instead of going about causing civil unrest, he would end up inflaming the otherwise peaceful Osun State.

It said, "Where he cannot be cautioned, we demand his outright sack or redeployment if he cannot act responsibly in line with the dictates of the office he presently holds.

A public officer must never be seen acting contrary to the spirit and provisions of the Nigerian Constitution."

Responding, Aregbesola said the Coalition was hurriedly put together and plotted by the leadership of the government in Osun State.

The minister, who responded in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, insisted that the state government in particular had mounted a campaign of calumny against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) because they were providing security for some citizens in Osun while they hold meetings and ward off attacks against them.

You Have Been Chosen to Rule Osun for Second Term, Ataoja, Olobu Tell Oyetola

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, yesterday reiterated their support for Governor Oyetola, saying they were resolute to work for his success in the forthcoming governorship election.

The monarchs showered encomiums and prayers on the governor for his modest achievements in the last three years, just as they assured him of their royal backing before, during and after the July 16 governorship election in the State.

This is even as Oyetola rounded off his strategic engagement tour across the nine Federal Constituencies of the State in Osogbo, the State capital, on Thursday night.

Oyetola had in the last three weeks embarked on a familiarisation visit to each of the 30 local government areas, including Ife-East Area Office, to identify and solidarise with the newly-elected executives of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State.

Receiving the Governor in his palace, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, threw his weight behind Governor Oyetola whom he described as a promise keeper.

In the same vein, Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, acknowledged the monumental achievements of the Administration of Governor Oyetola, which he described as unprecedented in the history of the State.

Oba Olaniyan, who implored the Governor to remain steadfast and not be distracted, said, "We are solidly behind you and we are ready to mobilise our subjects to re-elect you.”

APC SET TO POSTPONE NATIONAL CONVENTION BY TWO WEEKS be March 12.

The source who preferred anonymity said, "The convention has been postponed by two weeks but it is not official yet. The Caretaker Committee and the governors will meet with the President on Saturday (today) to propose the new date."

Also, a former member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, who pleaded for anonymity, said it was already clear that the convention would not hold, “because there are some things that needed to be done for the convention to hold as

scheduled on February 26 and most of them had not been done, with few days to February 26.”

The source stressed that, for instance, one of the things that ought to have been done was zoning of party offices.

He continued: “People have not bought forms and people cannot buy form if the zoning is not done; and forms cannot come out until the zoning is done. That is when aspirants will know what kind of forms they are buying. If you don't know the zoning, you can't buy a form.

“There are no committees; all the sub-committees have

not been set up as we speak.

I remember that at the last convention, there were over 20 committees beside the main convention committee."

Reacting to the purported plans by some governors and a principal officer in the Senate to foist Senator Abdulahi Adamu on the party, he said “while individuals or groups can have preference, President Muhammadu Buhari has the final say on who becomes the next Chairman of the party.

“Whatever you are hearing now are mere speculations because nobody can push anybody. All of them are

waiting for the president.

Everybody is waiting for the president and that is why until the president says this is the chairman before they can now zone other positions around where he comes from.

"So, they have to know whom; they have to know which zone he is from before they can now zone the remaining offices based on that. But that is not to say that individual governors or some group will not have their preferences. But those cannot mean anything, except such individuals or groups are able to convince the president to now adopt their own."

WHO NAMES NIGERIA AMONG SIX AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO RECEIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR PRODUCTION OF COVID-19 VACCINE The mRNA vaccines are different from most vaccines which contain a weakened or inactive piece of the target virus which triggers the production of antibodies.

Instead these game-changing type of vaccines use laboratory engineering mRNA that give cells instructions on how to create a protein that resembles a piece of a protein found in the virus of concern — COVID-19 in this case.

This triggers the body to create antibodies to deactivate the foreign protein. The antibodies then linger in the body to fight subsequent infection from COVID-19.

This technology is used in the production of Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines.

Ghebreyesus said the COVID-19 pandemic had shown that reliance on a few

companies to supply global public goods was limiting and dangerous.

With the addition of Nigeria to the four countries earlier approved for the vaccine production on the continent, efforts by the Buhari administration to change the selection that the country considered unrepresentative of the needs, capabilities and population distribution in Africa has thus yielded the desired result.

President Buhari has since welcomed the development.

In his contribution at the Roundtable on Health Systems and Vaccine Production at the ongoing 6th Europe-Africa Summit in Brussels, Belgium yesterday, Buhari called for a closer collaboration with the EU to tackle the effects of the pandemic on the African

continent.

He expressed delight at receiving the news of the selection of Nigeria among recipients of mRNA Vaccine technology transfer.

Buhari said: "We shall ensure the best use is made of the opportunity. Nigeria also offers to host the Bio-manufacturing Training hub proposed by World Health Organisation (WHO). We commit to providing support to make the hub functional in the shortest possible time."

While commending the efforts of the foreign partners in making the Covid-19 vaccine available, he urged them to do more as less than 10 per cent of the African population had gotten the jab, stressing that this situation could negatively affect Africa’s developmental projections.

“In the mid- to long-term, the best way to address health emergencies and reach universal health coverage is to significantly increase the capacity of all regions to manufacture the health products they need, with equitable access as their primary endpoint,” Buhari said.

Responding to the announcement, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa said: “This is an initiative that will allow us to make our own vaccines and that, to us, is very important. It means mutual respect, mutual recognition of what we can all bring to the party, investment in our economies, infrastructure investment and, in many ways, giving back to the continent.”

The global mRNA technology transfer hub was

established in 2021 to support manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries to produce their own vaccines, ensuring that they have all the necessary operating procedures and know-how to manufacture mRNA vaccines at scale and according to international standards.

Also French President, Emmanuel Macron said: “Improved public health benefits, supporting African health sovereignty and economic development are the principal goals of strengthening local production in Africa.

In an interconnected world, we need stronger and new partnerships between countries, development partners and other stakeholders to empower regions and countries to fend for themselves, during crises, and in peace time.”

On his part, President of the European Council, Charles Michel said the world needed to create an environment where every scientist, health worker, and government can band together for a common cause by working together "to build new solutions to protect what is most precious - our health and our lives." He said the initiative will ensure that all countries build the necessary capacity to produce their own vaccines and other health technologies.

The WHO mRNA technology transfer hub is part of a larger effort aimed at empowering low- and middle-income countries to produce their own vaccines, medicines and diagnostics to address health emergencies and reach universal health coverage.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

NEWS

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

17 Die as Tanker Explodes on Lagos -Ibadan Expressway James Sowole in Abeokuta

Seventeen persons were yesterday burnt to death near Ishara Bridge on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Sector Command, only three of the burnt persons, could be identified while 14 others were burnt beyond recognition.

The FRSC, Public Education

Officer, Florence Okpe, in a statement, said the fatal accident involved three vehicles, two buses and a fuel tanker.

Only one Mazda bus with ZT 728 KLD as its registration number was identified while other vehicles’ registration numbers could not be identified.

The vehicles were said to have had head-on collisions early in the morning due to reckless driving which in turn

triggered a fire explosion that engulfed people in the Mazda buses.

The FRSC Sector Commander for Ogun State, Umar Ahmed, blamed the accident on route violation and dangerous driving which resulted in headon collision and fire outbreak.

The FRSC said that the Isara Police Division and FOS morgue had been notified ahead of planned evacuation of the

dead.

“The total number of people involved is not ascertained but a total 17 bodies (killed) have been identified. One male, a female and a female child only have been identified while others were burnt beyond recognition and no injury sustained.

“A total of three vehicles were involved with registration numbers ZT728 KLD, a Mazda

bus and an unknown vehicle of unknown make (tanker).

“The suspected causes of the fatal crash were route violation and dangerous driving which resulted to head-on collision and fire outbreak “The vehicles are partially obstructing the service lane.

The Nigeria Police, Isara and the FOS Morgue by Isara have been informed. FRSC personnel from Ogere are on ground

managing the situation.

“The Sector Commander FRSC Ogun described the crash as an avoidable one if cautions were put in place and traffic rules and regulations were obeyed.

He commiserated with families of the crash victims and enjoined them to contact FRSC Ogere for more information about the crash,” she stated.

Surrender or Face Police Might, New Katsina CP Tells Terrorists Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The newly posted Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Idrisu Dauda Dabban, has urged terrorists in communities in the state to surrender their devilish acts or face the full wrath of the police.

He added that he would work assiduously with senior police officers and other security agencies in the state to ward off banditry and other criminal activities afflicting the state.

Dabban, who spoke during his maiden press conference at the command’s headquarters in Katsina yesterday, said with the cooperation of the citizenry, banditry would be brought to an end.

He said: “We are all

aware of the problem of this command which is mainly banditry. We will put our hands together and see how we will bring down the crime rate here, especially banditry which has become the order of the day in this state.”

While vowing to improve on the achievements recorded by his predecessor, Dabban said: “Anything that is criminal does not pay. No crime pays so the terrorists should abandon their devilish activities and surrender or we will get to them.”

Dabban, until his recent posting, was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Communications, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

T.Y. Danjuma Unveils Jukun Bible Institute Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

Former Defence Minister, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), has inaugurated the Jukun Bible Institute in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State to enhance and accelerate the translation of the Holy Bible into Jukun language.

Unveiling the Institute yesterday, Danjuma noted that the project would help to consolidate the spread of Christianity in the area and ensure that the Jukun language did not go into extinction.

Danjuma revealed that the idea of translating the Bible into Jukun language was conceived in 1956 by an American lady named Margrete Dykestra and was being assisted by a Nigerian named Mallam Jeol Omiri.

He further revealed that Dykestra had completed the translation of the entire New Testament before returning back to America which she handed over to him with a plea that he (Danjuma) should continue with the translation project.

He however enjoined the Jukuns and other Jukun speaking tribes to use the translated version of the Bible to spread the gospel of God so as to promote peace and unity in the land.

Urging the people to always endeavour to speak their native language particularly to their children to avoid it going into

extinction, Danjuma stressed that the translated Bible would go a long way in preserving the language.

According to him, “We cannot continue to teach our children foreign languages. I always found myself guilty of speaking English with my children. Let us imbibe the spirit of speaking our languages with the children, that is our identity.

“Translating the Bible in Jukun language does not mean we are in competition with any church, we are only consolidating the efforts of Christendom to spread the gospel of God in local languages.

“My advice is to you the Jukuns worldwide. Do not let the Jukun translated Bible to remain in the bookshelves. Get it and use it by teaching your children the gospel of God and the need to speak their native language,” he stated.

Speaking on the occasion, Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, commended Danjuma for his love and commitment to the development of the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Jellason, praised Danjuma for always bringing developmental projects to the state just as he prayed God to grant him long life in good health to continue his service to the state and humanity.

SUSTAINING LEGACIES… L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Summit Oil International Ltd, Mr. Tajudeen Jinadu; Executive Chairman, Summit Oil International Ltd, Mr. Kola Abiola; Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe; and Managing Director, Summit Oil International Ltd, Wura Abiola, during their visit to the NUPRC Headquarters in Abuja... recently

Hijab: AbdulRazaq Sets up Committee to Probe Ijagbo Violence Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Piqued by the violence at Oyun Baptist High School at Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State over the wearing of Hijab, the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has set up a seven-person committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.

The government asked the committee to establish the roles of every person involved and recommend to the state government what

steps to be taken to avoid a recurrence in the future A statement issued by governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, said that the chairman of the committee is the pioneer Provost of Kwara State College of Health Technology and currently a Director at the National Open University of Nigeria, Dr. Shehu Omoniyi.

The statement said that the co-chairman of the panel is the Secretary General of Ijagbo Descendants Progressive Union, Mr. Emmanuel Adebayo Fatola.

Other members are Pastor Modupe Oreyemi Agboola; Kwara State Chairperson of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. Dr. Saudat Baki; Special Assistant to the Governor on Religion (Islam), Alhaji Ibrahim Zubair Danmaigoro; a representative of the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Religion (Christianity); and a Director in the Ministry of Justice, Ishola Olofere (Secretary).

The statement added that “The panel will invite and listen to all the parties

(including leadership of the school), establish the truth of what happened and the roles of various persons involved, and make recommendations to the government on how to prevent such unfortunate situations in the future.”

The statement therefore said that the committee has three weeks starting from the first day of sitting to submit its report to the government.

It also urged the people of the community and every party involved to cooperate with the committee and give peace a chance.

Saraki Canvasses Release of Nwoba, Ebonyi PDP Spokesman Former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has urged the police in Ebonyi State to release Mr. Chika Nwoba, State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was arrested in January.

Saraki, in a statement released by his media office yesterday, expressed disappointment that a citizen was arrested on a flimsy excuse of ‘circulating false information’ and thereafter detained for more than a month without fair hearing.

While describing the arrest carried out by the state security group called Ebubeagwu before the intervention of the police as “an assault on the country’s

democracy”, the former Senate President stated that a situation where a citizen was suddenly seized and beaten to a stupor before being detained in the police station for several weeks does not speak well for the nation’s democracy.

“The remand in police cell of Mr. Nwoba, the PDP Publicity Secretary in Ebonyi State, is of great concern for me as a person who loves Nigeria and above all as someone who loves justice. It is really disappointing that injustice has transcended every facet of our country.

“The gentleman deserves the right to fair hearing under the law. He has been controversially remanded

for more than a month after being arrested under a situation which started like he was being kidnapped. Since then, he has been prevented from meeting any member of his family. Anyway, my sympathy goes out to his wife and kids who must be going through a tough time at the moment.

“Mr. Nwoba is a dutiful member of our great party, PDP, and he is paying the price of speaking truth to power. Without any doubt, this is another concerted effort to silence the opposition and undermine democracy.

“This act of injustice being promoted and foisted by those in power in Ebonyi State, is

nothing but an assault on our democracy and our collective freedom as citizens of this country because an injury to one is an injury to all. This is a time for every well-meaning Nigerian and most especially the leaders of our party, the PDP, to stand up and stand with one of our own.

“We all need to save our nation from the misfortune wreaked by injustice and miscarriage of Justice. It is important to note that the case is presently in a Magistrate Court and we sincerely hope justice will be dispensed promptly and without any delay,” Saraki stated.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

NEWS

President Buhari, Other G4 Leaders Strengthen Platform for Conflict Resolution in Africa Czech President invites Nigerian President to Prague Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari and his counterparts from Algeria, South Africa as well as the Prime Minister of Ethiopia under the auspices of the “G4” have resolved to strengthen the platform for the resolution of the various issues confronting the African continent.

At a meeting Thursday ahead of the 6th EU-AU Summit taking place in Brussels, Belgium, the four African leaders used the forum to discuss crisis areas on the continent with a view to coming up with practical and effective solutions.

According to a release issued yesterday by Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari and his colleagues stressed the need to reinvigorate the G4 within the African Union (AU) as a platform for bringing African countries closer, coordinating

actions and reactions for the whole continent in a more proactive manner and looking at how decisions in the AU could be better implemented.

They also agreed to convene a formal summit to chart a road map for Africa in the coming months.

The G4 Platform, an initiative of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, was set up towards discussing and proffering solutions as well as aggregating positions to ensure that the African Union carries its work forward successfully, efficiently and quickly too.

Also on Thursday, President Buhari held a bilateral meeting with the President of Czech Republic, Milos Zeman who renewed his country’s trust in the Nigerian leader and Nigeria as the most important country in ECOWAS as well as one of Africa’s greatest.

Zeman expressed the readiness of his country to revitalise

Why Canadian Consular Officers Deny Nigerians Studying Visa By IRCC Joseph Ushigiale Fresh facts have emerged detailing how Canadian Consular Officers in Nigeria particularly and Africa stereotype Nigerians by denying them studying visas based on biases and discrimination even though they are qualified. A report commissioned by the Department for Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed.

It also revealed that “the visa officers stereotype Nigerians as particularly corrupt and untrustworthy, and refer toAfrican countries as “the dirty 30”.”

In an emailed interview with ARISE NEWS Channel, an assistant professor of Artificial Intelligence and Law at the University of Calgary, Canada, Gideon Christian said “the Report specifically cited Nigeria as a country that was adversely impacted by racism in the processing of immigration applications by this government department.”

Chronicling the genesis of the report and his work, Christian explained that as “the President of African Scholars Initiative (ASICanada) – a registered Canadian charity that seeks to mentor bright future scholars of African descent who intend to pursue graduate

education in Canada. We basically seek to identify bright graduates from Africa and then assist them to come to Canada to pursue further education. We assist them through the admission process and the study visa process. We have had tremendous success in the admission processing stages.

“But it is sad then after successfully going through the admission process, most of these bright graduates cannot make it to Canada because of visa refusals at Canadian visa offices in Africa.

Since 2017, I have been tracking the Canadian study visa approval rate for applicants from Africa.

The rate has consistently been plunging. The situation became very alarming when I received the statistics for the Canada study visa approval rate for Nigeria which showed a dismal approval rate of 11.8 per cent,” he noted.

According to him, “Nigeria is among the top 10 source countries for Canadian study visas. At this point in time, other top 10 countries like Korea and Japan had 95 per cent and 97 per cent approval rates.

Shortly after I got hold of this data, a report that was commissioned by the Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (the Canadian government department responsible for immigration) was released.

Nigeria-Jamaica Joint Commission Holds in Abuja The fourth Nigeria-Jamaica Joint Commission is slated to hold between the 22nd-24th of February 2022.

The joint commission which governs the frame work for co-operation between two countries will be held in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honorable Kamina Johnson Smith, will be

leading the Jamaican delegation to the Joint Commission, the first ever visit of the Jamaican Government to Nigeria.

This meeting joint help to strengthen the historical and cultural linkages as well as solidify new partnerships, a significant step towards advancing several agreements in entertainment, air services, tourism etc, enhancing trade between the countries.

the Joint Commission mechanism between the two countries in order to enhance qualitative relationship, diplomatically and people to people.

The Czech leader specifically

expressed interest and desire for more robust collaboration and partnership in military cooperation and especially in equipment to assist Nigeria to enhance her security capabilities.

President Zeman, who informed that the Czech Republic would assume the Presidency of the European Union (EU) in July, expressed similar readiness to partner with Nigeria

in the fields of Agriculture and Health and has decided to convene a pre-assumption of EU Presidency consultative meeting, to help set early agenda for her Presidency.

WE FEEL YOUR PAIN. . .

L-R: Osi of Egbaland and representative of Alake of Egbaland, Chief Bode Mustapha and immediate past MD/CEO of LASAA, Mobolaji Sanusi, at Sanusi’s father’s 8th day firdaus prayer at Oba Adisa Odeleye Park in Totoro, Abeokuta. Ogun State recently.

Buhari Felicitates Oba Tejuoso At 84 Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Osile of Oke Ona, Egbaland, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, as he marks his 84th birthday today.

The President, in a release issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, joined family and friends to rejoice

with the traditional ruler, whose legacy of Biblical leadership and investments of love continue to resonate.

President Buhari hailed Oba Tejuoso for setting a standard in his domain on integrity and hard work, leading the path, as a medical doctor, that showcases the value of good education, neighbourliness

and dedication to community service.

He extolled the monarch’s commitment to living a life that constantly points to the fear of God, and urging many to walk the path of righteousness, especially in adhering to the rule of law, civic responsibilities and praying for leaders, at various levels.

The President affirmed that the entrepreneurial spirit from his family, with the birthing in the 70s and recent resuscitation of Teju Foams, continues to inspire and influence success stories, particularly among the youth.

He, therefore, prayed for the grace of good health and strength for Oba Tejuoso.

Report Under-aged, Illegal Miners to Security Agencies, Minister Charges Operators Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Worried by the rising spate of under-aged and illegal miners’ activities in the country, the Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, has charged operators to as a matter of priority, report the use of under-aged miners in the sector to security agencies.

Ogah, who condemned in very strong terms the activities of some operators, urged

stakeholders to henceforth report anyone found guilty to appropriate authorities.

The minister who was on a three-day working visit to Edo State, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Godwin Obaseki He stressed the government’s policy focus and enjoined the operators to make an honest declaration of their monthly mineral production and pay the correct amount of royalties due to the federal government.

The minister also encouraged operators to always keep close contact with the Federal Mines Officers in the state and seek clarification on any matter they were not clear about.

According to him, the enormous and abundant mineral resources spreadacrosseverypartofthecountry, especially in Edo State, has the potential to transform the nation’s economy, develop infrastructure and grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria.

While soliciting the support

and cooperation of the state government in accelerating the development of the huge commercial deposits of major minerals like Limestone, Talc, Dolomite, Gypsum, Feldspar, Quartz, Gold, Gemstones, Bentonite, Bitumen, Sharp Sand, Kaolin, Granite and other solid mineral resources in abundance in the state, the minister noted that the state could rank as number two mining state in the country if its minerals are properly harnessed.

2023: Nsukka Leaders Unite for Ugwuanyi The stakeholders of Enugu North Senatorial District have vowed to continue to stand solidly behind their illustrious son and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to ensure that he successfully completes his tenure in 2023 and hand over to his successor in line with the established tradition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The stakeholders who spoke yesterday during the PDP campaign rally in Nsukka Local Government Area, unequivocally pledged to stand

by Governor Ugwuanyi in his cherished efforts in entrenching

peace and good governance in the state, maintaining that they will always rally round the governor as their son and leader of the state.

They commended Ugwuanyi for his administration’s infrastructural transformation of the state especially in the rural areas, stressing that the University Town of Nsukka was one of the major beneficiaries of the governor’s rural development policy.

Speaking at a well attended rally ahead of the February 23, 2022 local government elections in Enugu State, the former State Chairman of the Party,

Mr. Vita Abba disclosed that Nsukka was united and would remain steadfast in protecting the interest of the governor as well as encourage him to deliver more democratic dividends to the people of Enugu State.

“Our son is the governor.

We value our brother. Nsukka means business. Nsukka is grateful to you and will continue to stand by you.”

Adding his voice, the member representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Pat Asadu pointed out, “Governor Ugwuanyi is our

leader; he has the people, he has Nsukka, he has Enugu East Senatorial District, he has Enugu West to fight for him.”

Corroborating, the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Senator Chukwuka Utazi reassured Ugwuanyi that the people of Nsukka were “solidly behind you”, stating that “Anybody thinking that Nsukka is not united is wasting his time.”

According to him, “Anybody fighting you will not succeed.

We will stand behind our own man. We will stand firmly and fight for you. Justice should be done to Nsukka people.”

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

NEWS

NULGE Alerts Soludo of Continuous Subletting of Anambra’s Revenue Windows to Politicians David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Less than one month to the end of Governor Willie Obiano’s administration in Anambra State, the leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) yesterday raised the alarm over the subletting of the state’s revenue windows to politicians.

Anambra State Governorelect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, had recently threatened to

revoke all revenue windows allocated to politicians through an executive order on the morning of his swearing-in.

NULGE said that it has information that as Governor Obiano administration winds down, the state revenue board is allocating revenue windows to their cronies, with the intention to hijack the state’s resources.

The group’s state president, Mr. Chikwelu Adigwe who briefed members at the state

secretariat of the union in Awka, said most of the revenue windows being sold out belong to the local government areas.

He also protested the hijacking of most revenues being collected by the local government councils, thereby rendering them useless.

“The condition of our service is no longer acceptable to us, so we want to make our voices heard.

“We are doing all we can during this transition period to

ensure that the right things are done. We have written to the transition committee, we have also written to the Assembly to complain about the continuous conÀrming of transition committee chairmen, instead of holding local government elections.

“Right now, we have it on good authority that the state revenue board is still allocating revenue windows to politicians, and we want to warn the governor-elect about this.

Episode 3 of Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria Airs this Weekend Episode 3 of Glo Battle of the Year Nigeria airs this weekend and viewers will be in for more drama as the regional BBoys and Lockers Ànals hold across the six cities of Kaduna, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Benin and Lagos.

To help with the proceedings more judges make an appearance in Episode 3 during which viewers will meet award-winning new judges Frank Okwara and Locking Si’on alongside favourites like Bboys JC Jedor, Big Flow, Gidnasty and Poxxy.

As we countdown to Episode 3, viewers will be looking forward to who emerges winners from the regions. Will BBoy OͿ

drop oͿ the radar or emerge winner in Abuja as he squares oͿ against BBoy 9ic" Will Mr. President BBoy Whirlz be unseated when he battles BBoy Jerry for the top prize in Benin" BBoy Trixx showed no mercy when he locked horns with and vanquished his younger brother in Episode 2 and in this episode viewers will Ànd out whether he has enough tricks in his bag to defeat BBoy Lim in the Kaduna Ànals Will the saying great things come in small packages hold true when Lil Monster takes on the gentle giant, Bboy Midnight in Port Harcourt,”the statement said.

Runsewe Lauds NDLEA’s Move to Institutionalise Drug Test in Universities

FITTING ROYALTY… L-R: Former governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed; former President of the Senate and Waziri of Ilorin, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje, at the turbaning of Baraje as the Tafida of Ilorin, at the Emir’s Palace, Ilorin…yesterday

The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has thrown his weight behind the Chairman and Chief Executive O΀cer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) on the idea to ensure all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to make Drug Integrity Test an institutional policy for both new and returning students as part of eͿorts to Àght the menace of drug abuse among the youths and students in tertiary institutions all over the country.

Gen. Marwa had during the launch of the Drug Free University Campaign in the University of Abuja

recently, appealed to university authorities all over the country to partner with the NDLEA to set up outposts to help further strengthen the agency in Àghting the scourge of drug abuse in higher institutions.

Runsewe urged parents whose children and wards are in all tertiary institutions “to support this clarion call by the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to be part of this measure to reduce drug use and drug abuse in our institutions of higher learning.”

The NCAC boss added that this measure if properly implemented will sanitise and make our institutions of higher learning conducive citadels of learning.

2023: PDP BoT Chairman Cautions Party’s Presidential Aspirants against Uncomplimentary Comments

Adeboye Donates Dialysis Centre to Mark 80th Birthday

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Mary Nnah

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, has cautioned all the presidential aspirants of the party against making uncomplimentary comments that could aͿect the electoral victory of the PDP in the next general elections.

He therefore urged them to continue to maintain decorum over their presidential aspirations.

Presidential aspirants in the party had engaged in a proxy

war recently over the issue.

The latest was the attack by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on the leader of the technical committee of Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign, Raymond Dokpesi calling him a mole working for APC. But, Senator Jibrin yesterday in Ilorin during the turbaning ceremony of former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Bareje as the TaÀda of Ilorin by the Emir, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, said the party would come out

with its position on the matter very soon.

He said, “I will urge all our presidential aspirants to be calm about the issue of their presidential aspirations.

“To us, the country comes Àrst and we will soon come out with our position on the presidential contest for all our aspirants, this is very important.

“And another important thing is that the party is yet to zone it to any party of the country.”

On the issue of the Electoral Act, the PDP BoT chairman said

“President Muhammadu Buhari should assent to it at the right time.”

Meanwhile, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has felicitated with Baraje on his turbaning as the TaÀda of Ilorin Emirate by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari.

In a statement by Saraki’s Press O΀cer on Local Matters, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, he lauded the highly respected monarch for identifying Baraje, as worthy of the position.

Ghana, Nigeria to Invest in Presidency Should Be Zoned to SouthNon-oil Sector, Says Envoy east for Equity, Says Ex-NERC Chairman Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Rashid Bawa on Thursday revealed plans by his country and Nigeria to partner in the area of non-oil sector.

The envoy stated this at the 2022 Ghana Nigeria Business Council CEO Forum in Abuja.

Bawa said the latest partnership between the two countries would extend to the agricultural sector such as cassava and ginger production.

He said “This is the Àrst Ghana Business Council meeting.

We are looking at various areas of cooperation. There have been

a series of meetings in the last few days. We are looking at the non-oil sector; in the area of cassava and ginger production.”

Bawa, while noting that the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana has been for ages, said: “It is di΀cult to put a Ànger on the number of Nigerians visiting Ghana for various reasons daily, and vice versa.”

He added that: “However, according to a report published by the US Department of Economic and Social Studies in 2019, there were more Ghanian residents in Nigeria than any other country in the world with 233,002 persons.

This was followed by Ghanians living in UK and the US.”

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, has said that for equity and justice, the major political parties should zone their presidency to the South-east.

Amadi, who is also the Director of Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, argued that the notion of zoning the presidency to the South was fraudulent and unacceptable, noting that the South had not been marginalised in the presidency as a region, he insisted that the South-east has been marginalised as a zone.

Dr. Amadi who disclosed this while interacting with journalists noted that just as political elites agreed in consensus to zone presidency to South-west in 1999 as a way to respond to the 1993 crisis, the elites should also agree to micro-zone to South-east in 2023 if they believe that there is a crisis in the region that needs to be addressed.

He, however, said that if the elites feel that there is no crisis to address in the South-east, hence the decision of zoning to the region was not needed, the 2023 presidential election should be thrown open for all qualiÀed Nigerians to participate.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, through the Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the church, His Love Foundation (HLF) on Thursday inaugurated The Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre at Wuse District Hospital, Abuja.

The centre was equipped with eight dialysis machines, one medical water reverse osmosis puriÀcation system and one 3 K9A generator.

A statement by HLF explained that the donation and dedications of The Enoch and

Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre at Wuse District Hospital, FCT, Abuja, was in commemoration of Pastor E. A. Adeboye 80th birthday celebration and will be the 20th in the series of specialised medical interventions - Intensive Care Units (ICU)/Dialysis Centres/Cancer Screening Centre / Primary Healthcare Centres - donated

by His Love Foundation across Nigeria.

Pastor Adeboye appreciated the Lord Almighty for granting him another opportunity to celebrate life and hoped that the donations will go a long way to help out people who would one day come back again and do more than he did.

United Nigeria Airlines CEO Commends Air Peace, Cautions against Undue Criticism Chinedu Eze The Chief Executive O΀cer of United Nigeria Airline, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, has commended Air Peace for the feat it has attained in eight years of operation to become one of the biggest airlines in Africa and warned against undue criticism of the airline, saying that the economy of Nigeria would suͿer if the airline goes under.

Dr. Okonkwo, who

made the statement in an interaction with journalists recently during the airline’s Àrst anniversary, pointed out the deliberate attack against Air Peace on social media in recent times and stated that Nigerians should be grateful to Air Peace for all that the airline has been doing in the country’s aviation sector. He said that Nigerians should not allow the negative posts of detractors to pull down the company.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

A’IBOM BANDWAGON OF ENDORSEMENTS Umo Eno is fit and proper to step into Udom Emmanuel’s shoes, writes Anietie Usen

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or nearly a year, Udom Emmanuel, the suave Governor of Akwa Ibom State, had been under pressure by Akwa Ibom people to indicate his would-be successor. Who among your friends hovering around you and angling to succeed you would you throw your weight behind? they asked in various ways and in multiple fora.

To be sure, the political weight of recent Akwa Ibom governors is a heavyweight, too heavy for any individual or group of individuals to successfully dent or crack down. In fact, the political weight of the governor of Akwa Ibom State is not called weight. In Uyo, the capital city, it is called ‘system’. And it is common to hear politicians say something like ‘you can’t fight the system’.

Because of the crucial need to get the ‘system’ behind them, the Hilltop Mansion, the official home of the Governor, became the metaphorical Mecca, as scores of PDP governorship aspirants took turns to perform their political pilgrimages to see, lobby and seek the endorsement of Governor Udom, sometimes in very unholy hours of the night.

While every aspirant claimed they were close friends of the governor and the very man the governor preferred as a successor; the governor ventured no inkling of his direction as the PDP family and other parties in the State waited with bated breath for ‘a direction’.

The poser, even in barber shops, numerous sit-outs and drinking parlours in Uyo was who will Governor Udom endorse. The governorship race in Akwa Ibom is fairly predictable because of the zoning method that allows each Senatorial district to take turn as governor in the Hilltop Mansion. This is the turn of Uyo senatorial district and all the PDP aspirants are strictly from that senatorial district.

From the National Assembly praying for Governor Udom’s support, were the gentleman Senator Effiong Bob, the robust Senator Bassey Albert Akpan and the vibrant Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke. From the oil industry were Udom Inoyo, the urbane former vice chairman of Exxon Mobil in Nigeria and Akan Udofia, the generous billionaire owner of Desicon Engineering. While in-house, from the cabinet of the Governor Udom were half a dozen or so aspirants, among them Pastor Umo Eno, a hardworking entrepreneur, successful businessman and brilliant pastor, who was brought into the cabinet barely a year ago as the commissioner for lands and water resources. A few were contenders for the throne, while many were pretenders to the throne.

Akwa Ibom people hailed them all and automatically addressed each one as ‘Your Excellency’. But Akwa Ibom people are usually wary about politicians they label as “foreigners” or with the ugly stigma of “bad boys”. Governors Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio and the incumbent himself were seen as ‘foreigners’, people who lived and worked outside Akwa Ibom before coming home to seize the reins of power. Will Governor Udom go for a fellow ‘foreigner’ or those rightly or wrongly labelled as bad boys?

A people best known for their clement and decent character, the sudden emergence of violent gangs in the State that permeated the social fabrics down to the primary schools, became a major concern to parents, churches and the traditional institutions. It was so bad that one professor in the University of Uyo described it as ‘a total negation and violation of our norms and values, a major threat for generations yet unborn”.

For the church belt of Nigeria, which Akwa Ibom is part of, many institutions in the State threatened by the menace of cult gangs, pronounced their existence as sacrilegious and abominable. They mounted pressure on the government to restore order and return normalcy to the State. One morning in March last year, Governor Udom showed

he is a decisive leader. He signed an executive order proscribing more than 60 cultists gangs along with cultism and other violent behaviour in the State. The State stood up as one man to commend him. Some organisations tried to politicise the issue. But the Governor proved a governor for all aspirants, often seen in the public in the company of each and every aspirant.

But on Sunday, a holy day, January 30, 2022, Governor Udom summoned a stakeholders meeting in the Hilltop Mansion at 4pm.

The notice of the meeting was unusually short. Politicians among the invitees were surprised to notice on arrival that the stakeholders in the meeting were cross-sectoral: church leaders from orthodox to Pentecostals led by the Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church, Dr. Sunday Mbang, paramount rulers from all ethnic groups and coloration led by the Oku Ibom Ibibio, and of course and more importantly top stakeholders of the political class led by Obong Victor Attah.

THE GOVERNOR NEITHER ENDORSED A ‘FOREIGNER’ NOR A ’BAD BOY’ BUT A ‘VILLAGE BOY’. IN ONE HOUR OR SO, THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING WAS OVER

Ironically, instead of one of the senior clergies being invited as usual to pray, Senator Bob, one of the governorship aspirants, was asked to say the opening prayer. The reason was soon to unveil. To the shock of stakeholders, the one-agenda meeting was about the endorsement of a governorship aspirant. Governor Udom took over the microphone and spoke briefly in parables, according to him, ‘like Jesus’, and handed over the microphone to former Governor Attah, who is highly respected and regarded as the political father of the State. It was Attah that spoke in plain language and interpreted what Governor Udom spoke in spiritual tongues, namely that after due considerations the incumbent governor has made up his mind and his mind is made up to endorse Pastor Umo Eno as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. Two more serious Christian prayers by Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, Dr. Mbang, as well as one solid traditional prayer by the chief priest of Ibom were showered on Pastor Eno. The chorus of AMEN was heard nearly across the land that night. The governor neither endorsed a ‘foreigner’ nor a ’bad boy’ but a ‘village boy’. In one hour or so, the stakeholders meeting was over.

But since then, the reverberations of endorsements have been nonstop. From the entire cabinet of Governor Udom to the State House of Assembly, the endorsement of Pastor Eno is unanimous. All the LGA Chapters of the PDP are taking turns daily to endorse the same aspirant, while the Association Of LGA chairmen (ALGON), a critical stakeholder has also unanimously vowed to vote for the same aspirant in the coming nominations battle. So are political leaders of all ethnic groups in the State. Akwa Ibom former senators including Senators Effiong Bob, Aloysious Etok and Emmanuel Ibok-Essien are spearheading the consultations for Pastor Eno in their various capacities as political leaders of their senatorial districts. Senator Bob, hitherto an aspirant, has announced the collapse of his political structure into Pastor Eno’s team.

The bandwagon effect is nearly unprecedented. Support groups led

by Friends Of Umo Eno League are sprouting like mushrooms every day. Student Associations are not left behind. They all say that Pastor Eno, the University of Uyo Masters degree holder in Political Science is a lover of youths, a man of peace, integrity and humility.

But one young aspirant, who is very popular with the youths, is still publicly unhappy with the endorsements. Rt. Hon. Luke says he respects Pastor Eno who hails also from his own Nsit Ubium LGA but he will not drop out of the race for now. Nobody expects mere endorsements, which is practised even in advanced democracies, to discontinue the ambition of other aspirants.

Mr. Usen is a journalist and political analyst

EDUCATIONAL FRAUD AND CHILDREN

Bidemi Nelson writes that swift and decisive steps should be taken to curb all forms of educational fraud

H

uman capital has always determined a nation’s resource deployment and its level of development. Need we say that the quality of human capital in any society is hugely dependent on the quality of education based therein. Education is a process of teaching, training and learning especially in schools or educational institutions to improve knowledge and develop skills, needed for work and life. That being said, illiteracy, innumeracy or the dearth of relevant skills in any society is probably an indicator of the absence of qualitative education or the preponderance of irrelevant education.

Like the popular saying of “garbage in, garbage out” stresses, whatever is invested in any system is the major determinant of what its result will be. Educationally, this is not any different as the global educational system has been plagued with several problems which have compromised the quality of its input and consequently, its output. For instance, before the pandemic, the global education system struggled with low and unequal learning opportunities due to inadequate learning infrastructure and the shortage of qualified teachers, just to name a few. Presently, education equity and quality remain challenged with negative outcomes persisting, seemingly unabated. However, in the midst of this conundrum lurks a silent contagion known as educational fraud which among other things, have further lowered and made unequal, learning opportunities, globally.

In simple terms, educational fraud is usually perceived and defined as a student-oriented action that violates any learning institutions’ standards. According to Juan Manuel Moreno’s article “something up the sleeve: fraud in education, or the learning of corruption” educational fraud is described as a combination of illegitimate practices in which students engage in

order to boost their records of academic performance.

However, these definitions seem not to suffice in the adequate description of educational fraud as illegitimate educational activities do not only emanate from students neither are these students their only beneficiaries.

Intriguingly, educational fraud centers on any educational activity rooted and shrouded in falsehood and driven by the intention for financial or other gains, irrespective of the perpetrator. This indicates that anyone in the educational system can be involved or otherwise, complicit in the execution of educational fraud. With the educational system being simultaneously influenced by the government, institutions of learning, parents and entrepreneurs, among others, educational fraud does not end with the perpetrator but insidiously becomes entrenched till it becomes deadly norm. Those who can benefit from educational fraud include parents and learners, targeting the ownership of embellished school reports and schools’ administrators targeting extra cash or high examination grades for their students (which can be strategic for any school’s marketing campaign).

While the dastardly effect of educational fraud is many times downplayed in the society, its impact on learners remains far-reaching. Children’s experience of education should be such that drive intrigue, exploration, discoveries, innovation and fun. Beyond that, education should be a proven way of getting children to spend their time productively while developing relevant skills needed to keep them from societal vices. Thomas Kreiger and Gavin McCormack’s “40 essential skills for every child” elucidate some of the skills that good educational systems should espouse.

However with educational fraud, children not only under-learn at school but become indoctrinated with anti-social behaviours and criminal skills such as

examination malpractice, identity theft, bribery and thuggery. Disturbingly, children with behaviours and skills as these, negatively influence other children and will increase the clandestine community of people who advocate for and fund educational fraud. Besides, children who are products of educational fraud, struggle with learning in advanced classes, may eventually drop out of school and may become vulnerable to more societal vices. Educational fraud also leaves learners battling with incongruent school results. The most unfortunate results of educational fraud are the high numbers of unqualified teachers/instructors within the school system, high levels of parental illiteracy and innumeracy (which have both contributed immensely to the learning challenges of school children) and lastly, the proliferation of quacks masquerading as professionals.

Educational fraud as previously stated is not necessarily about students being crafty in cutting corners to improve grades but a network of complicit individuals who deliberately and strategically create factors that enable falsehood within the educational system for joint or personal enrichment. The issue of complicity in the proliferation of education fraud albeit, remains controversial. For starters, it is argued that the morale to counter educational fraud will persistently dwindle due to the web of people with vested interest, that repeatedly and increasingly benefit from it. Second, it is contended that the amount of risk and cost of educational fraud, apportionable to learners will continually reduce as educational fraud gains more popularity, locally and globally. Third, it is equally argued that the roles and contributions of parents and school administrators particularly, to the perpetration and continuity of educational fraud will become increasingly high, with many of them targeting elementary levels of education.

For instance, some parents have been reported to connive with school administrators to get their children prematurely graduate from primary schools as early as the third grade (Primary 3) for admission into secondary schools. Some parents take it further by fraudulently altering their children’s data particularly their names and age, to make them eligible for Government Promotion Examinations into secondary schools (for instance, the Common Entrance Examinations). In other cases, parents have been reported to support the premature educational advancement of their children to the secondary schools and only have these children return in a few years, back to their primary schools (when they have attained the eligible age), to write the Government Promotion Examinations.

Beyond these, other forms of educational fraud include deliberate under-funding and under-supervision of the educational sector by the government; employing under-qualified teachers; lack of provision for the training, appraisal, support and motivation of teachers; giving government approval to schools who lack basic educational facilities such as libraries, play-grounds or computer facilities; turning a blind eye to clandestine examination centers (Miracle Centers) where examination malpractice is the norm; impersonation during examination; teachers or lecturers coaching learners on the “Areas of Concentration” for upcoming examinations; the culture of “Sex-for-Grades” in schools; the trading of upcoming examination questions; bribing of teachers or lecturers to excel in examinations and invigilators facilitating cheating due to bribes collected or other times, due to harassments or threats from miscreants, and so on.

Nelson wrote from Shield of Innocence Initiative, Ibadan, Oyo State

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FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Still waiting...

Nigeria and the N5000 Lifeline

F

ASUU: A Case of Double Standard

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he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rising from its emergency congress on 14th February 2022 at the University of Lagos, went ballistic against the promotion of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ali Isa Pantami as a Professor of Cybersecurity by the Management of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

The Punch Salvo’s graphics summarizes the body’s position with the following words: ‘You cannot be a Minister and a lecturer in a University. It is an encouragement of illegality. Pantami has to quit as a Minister and be tried for doing double jobs within the same federal system. He is not qualified.’

ASUU further instructs all members and branches of its union throughout the country not to recognize, dignify, or treat Dr Isa Pantami as a professor of Cybersecurity under any guise NEC. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

The body should work more on practicalizing what it preaches as many of its members are guilty of the pronouncement on Pantami which cannot be faulted as members of ASUU work in different educational institutions aside the jurisdiction of their permanent employment.

or refusing to part with N20, commuters and drivers have been known to have been shot dead on Nigerian roads by men of the Nigerian police. For N250, children and teenagers have been rented as protesters for which they ended up at the receiving end of police brutality.

For N500, street urchins were hired to disrupt protests as momentous as the EndSARS protests of 2020. For failing to come up with medical bills of less than N1000, parents have been known to lose children even as families have been known to lose their bread winners.

For less than N2000 in Nigeria, votes have been sold and bought and elections stolen. In 2018, the Brookings Institution, in a report branded Nigeria the poverty capital of the world, knocking India off its ignominious perch in the process. Even back then, extreme poverty was said to be growing by six people every minute in the country.

It was an alarmed Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESQ), that stated at the launching of the 2022 Macro-Economic Outlook of the group that as per the World Bank an additional one million people were pushed into poverty in Nigeria between June and November 2021, resulting in about eight million people being tipped into poverty in 2021, to bring up Nigeria`s poverty headcount to a staggering 91 million.

This grim figure means that out of an estimated population of 215,353,968 people, 91,000,000 live below the poverty threshold of 1.90$ per day. By any measure, this is shocking.

In 2015, Nigerians gave their mandate to Mr. Muhammadu Buhari to steer the country through extremely troubled waters. In spite of a somewhat disappointing performance, he was re-elected in 2019 and is now counting months to leave Aso Rock. His legacy as president of the country would seem a troubled one. With the benefit of hindsight, it may yet find some redemption in the eyes of Nigerians.

On August 21, 2019, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari created the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and appointed Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouq as pioneer minister.

The ministry was created to provide leadership and T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R coordinate all matters relating to humanitarian challenges, EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE disasters and social development in Nigeria.

DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU In spite of some notable achievements, the ministry MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU and the minister have often been a lightning rod for CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI controversy.

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN In 2017, more than one year after it came on board, MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI the administration of Mr. Buhari commenced payment of THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE N5,000 monthly stipends it promised poor Nigerians as part of the federal government`s cash transfer initiative which aims to lift 100 million poor Nigerians out of extreme poverty. The intervention has since continued T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D now coordinated by the Ministry of humanitarian affairs.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA The intervention recently came under fire from a cross GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI section of Nigerians who described the N5000 monthly DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE payment as insignificant given the crunch economic DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI conditions in the country.

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH In her response however, Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouk ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI dismissed the claims as unnecessarily elitist even as she CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI described how some recipients of the N5000 monthly DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO payment shed tears of joy because they simply had not TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com seen such an amount of money in their lives.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

The law is also clear on the issue of double jobs. Chapter 3, Code 030425 of the Federal Civil Service rule is expressly clear in the prohibition of private practice. It states: “In accordance with the provisions of Regulated and other Professionals Private Practice Prohibition Act (Cap 390) Part II, no officer shall engage in private practice.

However, exceptions shall be granted to medical professionals and Law lecturers in Universities.”

While this rule is clear, it is important to digress and state that this rule might not apply, for instance, to a lecturer working in a federal government controlled university who also lectures and earns on part time basis at a State government owned university. I hold the view that the state civil service rule will apply here as state universities are not an extension federal government institutions and cannot be governed by the federal civil service rules.

Moshood Olajide, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Osun - State

A Marching Song

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rotests have always been a part of our lives and a keystone of any democracy and so many social issues although of late they have been used by the anti-vaccination groups and a number of fringe groups to cause confusion and havoc. The authorities have often moved to disperse these protests although as Canada is finding it can be quite difficult to achieve. In Wellington, New Zealand, they have tried a completely new approach, using Barry Manilow songs instead of sending in a riot squad. The use of music in any conflict is normally to inspire the troops as with the bagpipes although they can scare as well. Rather than using the whole song catalogue perhaps there are a few specific tunes to consider.

“Who let the dogs out?” could be used as a warning for what is coming next or the finale of the “1918 overture” could be the prelude to the arrival of water cannons. A careless choice such as “Eye of the tiger” or “La Marseillaise” could however raise their spirits and cause more resistance. Perhaps soon the song will be “The sounds of Silence”.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

NEWS Court Sacks Anambra Monarch, Okonkwo as Igwe of Alor David-Chudy Eleke in Awka A High Court of Anambra State sitting at Ogidi has sacked Chinedu Okonkwo as the Igwe of Alor in Anambra State.

The court in a judgment held that the selection process and subsequent enthronement of Okonkwo as the Igwe of Alor by the defunct Caretaker Committee of Alor Peoples’ Convention (APC) was grossly violated and did not follow due process.

The court stated that Okonkwo was not qualiÀed ab initio to be enthroned as the Igwe of Alor because the Caretaker Committee through which he emerged as Igwe

RECOGNISED FOR HARD WORK… L-R: Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone, presenting an award of recognition in Leadership on Climate Change to Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, at the Centre for Climate, NAU, Awka

Osinbajo: Alao-Akala Humane, Played Politics with Open Mind Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday heaped praises on the late former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, describing him as a humane and simple man who played politics with open mind.

Osinbajo, who was speaking at the burial service of AlaoAkala held at the Beulah Baptist Conference Centre, Ogbomoso, said Alao-Akala “practically demonstrated what was possible when you have creativity and compassion.”

The Vice President continued: “Everywhere Alao-Akala went in his days as governor, you would hear the chant of ‘Oyato.’

Of course, he really did many things diͿerently in o΀ce. He signiÀcantly improved the IGR of the state from a paltry N300 million to N1 billion in eight months and put in place a

very good security architecture.

“Since his transition in January, I have read several glowing tributes to his memory and the common refrain running through all of those tributes has been the attestation to his uncommon generosity. Many testiÀed that his resources were available to all and his home was there for anyone to come for help.”

Governor Seyi Makinde hailed the late former governor as a great man, who recognised and lived his life in accordance with the Biblical teaching that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun, stating that the state government would immortalise him as a committee headed by his Chief of StaͿ, Segun Ogunwuyi, had been put in place to work on how best to honour him.

The governor, who called for suggestions from well-meaning

residents of the state on ways to immortalise him, praised the former governor for putting aside party diͿerences to work for the progress of the state when he (Makinde) informed him of the plan to Áag oͿ the Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin road.

Makinde said: “In Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, the Bible says ‘there is time for everything under the sun.’ In the last conversation I had with late Alao-Akala, I called to inform that I would like him to be the one to Áag oͿ the Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road project and he said to me, ‘Seyi, just call to give 8 hours’ notice and I would be there.’

“He knew there was a time to tear down and a time to rebuild together. The former governor recognised the fact that that particular time was not the time for us to project our political diͿerences but a

time to come together in the interest of Oyo State.”

The governor maintained that apart from supporting the family of the governor, he would also redeem whatever pledge Alao-Akala made to students of the Ogbomoso Baptist Conference College.

“As for the children who came with a request, I know how you feel and I will champion the cause to redeem whatever it is the late Governor Alao-Akala has promised them.

“Finally, I have been going around to determine how we can honour our great man from Oyo State. And we have set up a committee headed by the Chief of StaͿ. If you also have any advice in this regard, let us know and, within the shortest period of time, the government of Oyo State will ensure that he is adequately honoured.

Magodo Estate Crisis: Lagos State Returns to S’Court, Seeks Clarifications on Judgement Bennett Oghifo Lagos State Government has approached the Supreme Court to seek further directives and clarifications on how to implement the judgement it gave in respect of the dispute it has with the judgement creditors, known as the Shangisha Landlords Association.

The Association had gotten a judgement by the Supreme Court mandating the Lagos State Government to allocate 9 parcels of land to them, and on account of this, they asked the government

to issue the Association a global Certificate of Occupancy for all the 9 plots.

The government is contesting this and has notified the judgement creditors that each member would be issued a letter of assignment, stating that it was also concerned about the dispute within the Association on who should represent them.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, “Following the intervention of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officials of the state

government and representatives of the Shangisha Landlords Association (the judgment creditors) held a series of meetings at which both parties explored the possibility of complying with the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“At the said meetings two issues arose: There was a serious division among the judgment creditors as to who controlled or had the right to represent the Association; and the demand by the judgment creditors that a single global Certificate of Occupancy should be issued in the name of the Association

as opposed to the position of the State Government that each of the 9 members of the Association would be given allotment letters individually.

“Given the sharp divide between the two factions of the judgment creditors on who has authority to represent the Association and the disagreement regarding whom the Certificate of Occupancy should be issued (collectively or individually), the State Government has approached the Supreme Court to seek further directives and clarifications on both issues.

Ex-Abia PDP Chairman, Nwaka Wants to Succeed Ikpeazu in 2023 Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Former chairman of the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka, has become the Àrst aspirant on the platform of the ruling party to formally declare his interest to succeed Governor

Okezie Ikpeazu in 2023.

He made a request for the governorship ticket when he visited Abia PDP secretariat in Umuahia and told the members of the state executive committee that he was ready to take over and sustain the ruling party’s control of Abia at the end of Ikpeazu’s tenure next year.

Early this month the state chairman of the ruling PDP, Hon. Asiforo Okere had told journalists that the party was yet to have aspirants for the governorship and other elective positions as, according to him, those that reportedly expressed interest did so “at the community level”.

But Nwaka, who presided over the aͿairs of Abia PDP when the party recorded 100 per cent success in the governorship, state and National Assembly polls in 2011, said that he decided to vie for the governorship seat based on his personal conviction that he has the capacity to do the job eͿectively.

lacked the powers to dabble into or kick-start the process of Àlling the stool of the Igwe of Alor.

It subsequently voided and nulliÀed his enthronement as Igwe of Alor as well as nulliÀed the CertiÀcate of Recognition issued to him as Igwe by the Anambra State Government.

Justice Pete Obiorah, who delivered the judgment in a suit challenging the emergence of Okonkwo as Igwe further held that the Alor Constitution and the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Law provisions were Áagrantly violated, adding that gazetting ought to precede the recognition of a traditional ruler.

Alleged Scam: Court Remands Suspected Money Doubler in Prison Wale Igbintade A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded one Olalekan Mutholib accused of money-doubling scam through diabolical means by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the order following Mutholib’s “not guilty” plea to a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the charge marked FHC/L/23c/2022, the defendant and one Nurudeen

Gbolagade Rasheed (now at large), sometime in 2021 in Lagos, and with intent to defraud allegedly conspired with others at large, to obtain the sums of 0,000, 30,909.0 , 20,000 and N1,0 0,000. 0.

The agency claimed that the 0,000 was obtained from one Raji Babatunde.

The defendants were accused of falsely representing themselves “as possessing power or capable of doubling or otherwise increasing the said sum through the medium of invocation of juju or other an invisible entity.”

MWUN Threatens Industrial Action Against IOCs Ugo Aliogo Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike effective from March 1 over the International Oil Companies (IOCs) non-compliance with the Extant Stevedoring Regulations known as Government Marine Notice 10 of 201 .

The union reached the decision after a meeting of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Union held recently.

The union in a statement said the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, at a meeting held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, with the

Ebonyi Varsity Ignores ASUU Warning Strike Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) has said that it would not join the ongoing nationwide strike of the union.

The Union also directed that there should be full academic activities in the university as all measures have been put in place to ensure no breakdown of law and order.

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, Chairman, ASUUEBSU Caretaker Committee, Dr. Chinedu Nwambeke, noted that one of the reasons ASUU-EBSU will not join the industrial action is the because the national union was indifferent to the issues concerning ASUU-EBSU which ought to been resolved by the NEC.

International Oil Companies (IOCs), representatives of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Stevedoring Companies and other stakeholders directed that the IOCs should within seven days allow the Stevedoring Companies access to their platforms to commence operations, which by extension will enable the registered dockworkers along with the appointed and deployed stevedoring companies to operate in the IOCs platforms.

The statement also noted that it was inconceivable that up till now the IOCs had bluntly refused the appointed and deployed Stevedoring Companies to commence operations and has thus deprived their members (dockworkers) in the employ of the Stevedoring Companies to work and earn a living.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

08054699539

FG’s Reckless Debt Servicing Obligations

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ast year, the federal government spent 76 per cent of its revenue on debt servicing. This may jump to 92 per cent this year as predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Nigeria’s debt-servicing obligation in relation to its revenue is far above World Bank’s suggested 22.5 per cent for low-income countries like Nigeria.

The Buhari government has evidently been binge-borrowing. Last year, it took $6.18 billion external loan to finance the N5.6 trillion deficit in budget 2021.

Already, there is a provision for N6.258 trillion borrowing in the 2022 budget.

When Nigeria’s public debt portfolio was N32.92 trillion in December, 2020, federal government’s share was N26.91 trillion, leaving just a balance of N6.01 trillion to sub-national governments - mainly, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory. The implication of this is that 83.78 per cent of the nation’s debt stock, as at December, 2020, belongs to the federal government, with the sub-national governments accounting for 16.22 per cent.

This ugly trend has since continued.

Nigeria’s total external debt which stood at N12.706 trillion as at December 31, 2020, rose to N13.711 trillion by June 30, 2021. Of the N13.711 trillion external debt, the FG alone accounts for N11.828 trillion while the states and the FCT make up the balance of N1.883 trillion.

As more debts mature for payments, the pressure on FG’s revenue rises. Now that this government has decided to retain fuel subsidy with a larger cost that wasn’t captured in budget 2022, that would mean more borrowing with stretched fiscal deficit.

It means the FG has to take more loans and print money to fund personnel cost, pensions and capital expenditure. Printed money is also part of any government’s debt component. The manner the Central Bank of Nigeria has been printing money in the last six years and giving it to the federal government is dizzying. It has risen intensely from N2.2 trillion printed in 2016, to an estimated N10 trillion at the end of 2020.

What the Buhari government has been doing in almost seven years, with its inept economists, is reckless borrowing, and has evidently borrowed beyond its repayment convenience. This is why the government is

The DMO also talked about the improvements in Nigeria’s infrastructure with the reckless foreign loans secured by the FG. I can safely say that the so-called investments in infrastructure by the Buhari government in almost seven years have failed to significantly impact on the economy of this country.

They have also failed to yield economic growth and jobs for our growing army of unemployed youths in a mess with debt servicing. Sometime last year, it admitted this much, saying it spent N1.8 trillion on debt servicing from its N1.84 trillion revenues in the first five months of 2021 – January to May. This puts the federal government’s debt-servicing-to-revenue ratio, a key measure of debt sustainability, at 97.8 per cent for this reviewed period. Is this not scandalous?

No wonder the IMF said few days back that Nigeria’s debt sustainability is at risk, with a great deal of unease in the long-term, while reiterating the need for the Nigerian government to implement timely fiscal reforms. IMF’s Mission Chief for Nigeria, Ms. Jesmin Rahman, noted during a briefing on Nigeria’s 2021 Article IV Consultation Staff Report that the increase in Nigeria’s public debt had grown rapidly in 10 years and was approaching a time when the country would spend all its income on servicing debts.

Rahman added: “There are a couple of other points that we should remember…

Nigeria’s debt carrying capacity is very low.

For us, revenue levels are low compared to a typical emerging market country that spends less than 10 per cent of revenues on interest payments.”

Even Buhari’s Economic Adviser, Dr. Doyin Salami, agrees that the borrowings of this government is not sustainable.

Salami, in a presentation on “The State of the Economy,” last year, pointed out that the federal government’s expenditure had been on the increase, and at a faster pace than its revenue. He added that public debt had continued to expand on the back of growing fiscal deficit. His alarm came months before that of the IMF. Experts expect the federal government to offset the negative consequences associated with its rising debt profile by cutting unnecessary expenditure from its budget. But this government will not listen.

I don’t know of any sane society where government takes loans for things like railway and airports. Investments in areas like these should be private-sector-driven.

Government’s role should be to create an enabling environment for the private sector to go in. Rational governments work to free resources for health, education and other welfare sectors. But in Nigeria, we are busy diverting our limited resources and loans to areas better handled by the private sector.

Some of the projects the Buhari government is spending foreign loans on include several railway projects, one of them going 40 kilometres into Niger Republic; ICT Infrastructure Backbone Project; Airport Terminal Expansion Project (Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt); Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project; 40 Parboiled Rice Processing Plants; Mambilla Power project; NTA’s modernisation project and the rest.

Last Monday, The Debt Management Office (DMO) was defending FG’s binge borrowing, saying the IMF report did not acknowledge the improvements in infrastructure, “which have been achieved through borrowing, as well as, the strong measures by the government to grow revenues.” How can the DMO be talking about positive measures to grow revenue when Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government still steal trillions

Masari’s Hypocrisy in Katsina Killings

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errorists and Fulani militias have persisted in their nefarious activities against innocent people for too long in Katsina State. I sincerely hope Governor Aminu Masari is not giving tacit support to Fulani militias. His recent infamous decision banning the activities of YanSakai volunteers in the state left me in shock. Masari accused the vigilante group of extra-judicial killings and directed the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to enforce the dismantling of the group.

The killings in the North-west are partly a result of the fighting between Fulani militias and Hausa farmers over land. The herders want unfettered access to farm lands. The Hausa farmers resist using their own militias called Yan-Sakai.

Blood has been flowing on both sides in the last six years, in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

Unfortunately, governors of the affected states have been taking sides, thus prolonging the conflict. This is what Masari just did by banning Yan-Sakai while Fulani militias are still roaming freely.

Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina State, AbdulRahman Abdullahi was apt when he said the banning of Yan-Sakai

by Masari would aggravate killings and abductions of innocent citizens by terrorists in the state.

Abdullahi argues: “In the wake of the upsurge in insecurity in Katsina State, members of Yan-Sakai should be allowed to protect vulnerable communities. Government should devise means of integrating and coordinating their activities for effective and professional service delivery instead of dismantling it. Yan-Sakai has a vital role to play in enhancing the security of the state at this time of serious dearth of security personnel “Why is the government going back and forth on security issues? Why is this coming from the same government that called on the public to defend themselves? Has the government got enough security personnel to man the state?”

The North-west Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, also described Masari’s decision as ill-timed and ridiculous: “For a government that advocates for its citizens to purchase arms and defend themselves, it would be ridiculous for the same government to ban an organised security outfit. It’s unfortunate that this is coming at a time when there is resurgence of violent attacks across many of our villages in the state, elimination of our people, destruction of their livelihood, raping and exploitation of our women and extorting our poverty-stricken villages became the order of the day.”

The only way forward in Katsina State

of Naira yearly? These agencies can safely fund federal budgets if they meticulously remit this money. The massive corruption, mismanagement and ineptitude in virtually all federal revenue-generating agencies remain unabated under the Buhari government. The likes of Customs, NPA, NNPC, NIMASA, and the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are feeding fat on this country.

The DMO also talked about the improvements in Nigeria’s infrastructure with the reckless foreign loans secured by the FG. I can safely say that the so-called investments in infrastructure by the Buhari government in almost seven years have failed to significantly impact on the economy of this country. They have also failed to yield economic growth and jobs for our growing army of unemployed youths.

The projects funded with the foreign loans, spread across the six geo-political zones of the country, have not brought about poverty reduction, as well as protection of the most vulnerable and very poor segments of the Nigerian society, as claimed by the FG. We have to be honest with ourselves.

Maybe few new jobs here and there; but if we are talking about creating huge number of jobs for our youths with these loans, there is nothing like this. The facts and figures are there.

Let’s even use government statistics to analyse the job crisis issue. The last time the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), picked up courage to release figures on unemployment was Q4 of 2020 and it reported that Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose from 27.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 to 33.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, translating to 23.19 million unemployed people.

These NBS figures aside, in practical terms, let’s all look around us; in our homes and those of our neighbours. Of course, we will see an army of unemployed youths.

Things have deteriorated in almost seven years of the Buhari government, the huge foreign loans notwithstanding.

Despite the huge loans amassed, this country’s economy is still in shreds and continues to suffer, with no hope in sight.

The gloomy news is that under Buhari, and with all the foreign loans, Nigeria surpassed India as the country with the largest number of people living in life-threatening poverty in the world. This is an insignia of disgrace that should task Buhari. Regrettably, he is untroubled and still talking about “capturing” more foreign loans. This is absurd.

Sabon Birni under the Servitude of Terrorists

S Masari

is for governments at all levels to enforce the laws of our land. Those who kill must be apprehended and dealt with. Regrettably, this is not being done. Once justice is not served, then, the killings would continue. For me, Masari’s decision to ban Yan-Sakai shows partiality in the crisis in his state. His action will enhance the murderous activities of Fulani militias in Katsina State. This pronouncement must be reversed.

abon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State shares borders with two provinces in Niger Republic Maradi and Tawa. This has been a curse on this local government as terrorists stroll in and out, killing and maiming. Sabon Birni is home to scores of terror groups under different leaders. The notorious Bello Turji resides here. Other terror leaders here are Nagona, Jambo Baki, Useini Dankwano and Dan Bakkolo. Our security agents know this. These terror groups are holding Sabon Birni LG by the jugular and collecting levies. So, the persistent stories out of the LG are about killings. Unfortunately, our governments obstinately fail the people.

Just last Sunday, the terrorists were all over Dantassako, Nasarawa, Gidan Idi, Adamawa and Rambadawa villages in Sabon Birni, killing and raping. They always get away with their crimes. The former Chairman of Sabon Birni LG Area, Idris Gobir swears the attackers are all Fulani militias. There has been no concrete response to this claim by security agents. Who will save the devastated residents of this local government? This is the big question begging for answer.

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Countdown to Rema’s ‘Rave and Roses’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ensational singer and songwriter, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema is giving his numerous fans reasons to believe that the countdown to his ‘Rave and Roses’ debut album scheduled for March 25, 2022 has truly commenced. Highly anticipated by music lovers, the 15-track Long Play will feature American singer 6lack, British rapper AJ Tracey, and French singer Yseult.

With ‘Rave and Roses’, Rema continues his impressive career in the music landscape with strings of beautiful projects and collaborations with international artistes. The body of work contains songs such as Love, Addicted, Hold Me, Runaway, Dirty, Wine, Carry and Calm Down. Rema kicked into ‘Rave & Roses’ album mode with his first solo release of the year, ‘Calm Down’.

Produced by Andre Vibez and London, a quick tempo tune where he helplessly confessed romantic feelings and obsession with a certain love interest, the song is based on the thrill of finding love, the chase of a love interest, and addressing the flip side of unreciprocated feelings and disappointment at the beginning.

The Edo-born singer in the song recounts his encounter with a “fine girl” at a party and the frustration that ensued from the interference of her nosy friend as he tries to woo her.

The single carries the artwork of the album. The timing of the song could not be any more perfect. If there is any time to drop a promotional single, it is now, and if anything, it has to be a love song in time for the favored valentine season.

The infectious melody and combination of rhythms highlight Rema’s genre-mixed sound, which he’s now dubbed “Afrorave”. ‘Rave & Roses’ portray both sides of Rema’s personality, and he set the tone early on with his unforgettable singles “Bounce” and “Soundgasm,” both of which were released in 2021.

The 21 year old singer was born into a Christian family in Benin City, Edo State. He grew up singing and rapping while in secondary school. Rema released his eponymous debut EP ‘Rema’ in 2019 and it peaked at number 1 on Apple Music Nigeria. In February last year, the ‘Bounce’ crooner featured in the remix for ‘Can’t Let You Go’, a song by Stefflon Don. JAE5, the UK music producer, also enlisted his expertise for ‘Dimension’, his hit single, in March 2021. In 2019, Rema signed a record deal with Jonzing World, a subsidiary of Mavin Records. He rose to prominence with the release of the song “Iron Man”, which appeared on Barack Obama’s 2019 summer playlist.

Rema

Afrobeats Hall of Fame to Honour Stars Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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frobeats Hall of Fame (ABHF) Induction Ceremony — the first of its kind in Africa — created to pay homage and honour African achievements in music has been announced by organisers of the event. This epoch-making induction ceremony is set to honour the artistry and the contributions made by those who have played major roles in the dissemination and creation of the art of African music on February 26, 2022.

Taking place at The Amore Garden, off freedom way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, the groundbreaking event will showcase the African pride of the entertainment industry in celebration of the historic and cultural significance of African music.

Part of Afrobeats Hall of Fame’s objective is to include inspiring and engaging African people through the power of African music, building a serious level of credibility, and to celebrate the historic and cultural significance of African music.

With its induction ceremony bringing together key stakeholders in the music industry to create a never-before Hall of Fame Induction in Africa, the ceremony proper will include a string of hybrid events spanning from headline tribute live performances from A-list Nigerian superstar artistes to art exhibitions, creating an immersive

Kenny Ogungbe

and exotic experience designed to meet the entertainment cravings of Africans.

The 2021 class is divided into three categories for this award nomination: The first category is also known as The Early Influencers, including the likes of Tunde King,

Onitsha Native Orchestra, E.C Arinze, Victor Olaiya, Mamman Chata and Bobby Benson. The Mid-Influencer (the 60s - 70s) Category is next with music greats like Chief Osita Osadebe, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Rex Lawson, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, King Sunny Ade, Dan Maraya Jos, Peacock

Guitar Band International and Bala Miller.

The Non-Performing category will include Keke and D1, Olisa Adibu, Obi Asika, Sunday Are and Eddie Lawani.

The last category — (the 90s - 2000s) Modern Influencer, which includes the power to vote — has the likes of 2face Idibia, Onyeka Onwenu, Femi Kuti, Daddy Showkey and a host of others while Tony Odili, Jimmy Amu, King Sunny Ade, Rex Lawson, Onyeka Onwenu, Ebenezer Obey, Chief Osita Osadebe, Fela Anikulapo Kuti will be getting special recognition for “Lifetime Achievements” in the music industry.

The ABHF is created to pay homage and honour the African achievements and to showcase the African Pride in the entertainment industry. This exponential ceremony is to be marked annually to fully recognize and immerse our African legends and entertainment veterans who constantly raise the bar and have changed narratives in this industry with their achievements.

Devoted to putting African entertainment legends on a pedestal with the help of leading figures in the industry, Chairman of ABHF’s Blue Ribbon panel, Kenny Ogungbe, had during the Media Parley held in Lagos, discussed the mission and inspiration of the Afrobeats Hall of Fame, stating that the inductees were carefully selected to appreciate their contributions in the industry over the years.

“Having been in the music industry for over 3 decades, myself and the other Blue Ribbon Panel members, Obi Asika, DJ Jimmy Jatt and Bankuli realised that the only way to preserve our historic culture is to celebrate our legend hence the need to have a Hall of Fame”.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR BIMBO MANUEL

Many will Find Themselves in One or More of the Characters in ‘Philomena’ The all-star stage production, “Philomena” played in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for four days ending with a special Valentine edition on February 14. The play was written by Nollywood veteran Bimbo Manuel, who doubled as the director of the play. He tells Ferdinand Ekechukwu more about the production…

Y

ou are the writer, coexecutive producer and director. Tell us about this production, its title and possibly take us through the creative process behind Philomena It has been a bit of a process actually, starting from way back in 2018 when Monalisa and I decided to produce it after its First Reading at Freedom Park. For reasons neither Monalisa nor I could explain, it didn’t happen then and the play has since then gone into publication

by Quramo Publishers and is due for release any time now. The play will be released as ‘Philomena: Interview With A Prostitute’. About the middle of 2021, Monalisa called me out of the blues and said we need to go back to ‘Philomena’. She said she just had not been able to get it out of her mind.

From that point, everything just went into overdrive, calls, casting, logistics, rehearsals, raising funds, etc. January 15, 2022, we were all gathered in Abuja for the first part of rehearsals, Charles Inojie, Monalisa Chinda, Francis Duru, Ejike Asiegbu from Lagos and Tammy Abusi, Don Kester from Port Harcourt.

In casting, we wanted actors who fit the physical descriptions of the text, high creative sensitivity and good professional attitude.

They all fit.

How did the idea for the story/play come about? Is it an adaptation?

It is not an adaptation. The play itself feeds off an actual interview I had with a stripper in the course of playing in a film in Abuja. I found the stripper’s story so compelling I wanted to develop a television series around it but decided on a stage play. I think more than any other medium, the stage allows us to lock the issues down in immortality and makes it available to more intellectual conversation.

Why Philomena on stage instead of screen? Are there any backstory on the play being staged in Port Harcourt?

Like I said, presenting ‘Philomena’ using the stage medium lends it to more intellectual and solution-focused conversation because, experience has taught that the stage, when

are all like my children and I would ordinarily not prefer one to the other, I however find the catalyst, Wesley, a most fascinating individual in the multi-layering of his persona.

Is this a one of show?

Oh no. We hope to visit Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and other cities across the country because the core issues raised in the play are not selective of region, gender or social standing. They affect us all; the characters talk to us all.

extras that you would ordinarily find in such joints - prostitutes, drunks, etc. We have however maintained the psychological pressure of the space and each individual’s present situation, high energy movement, passionately rendered lines. We must maintain the pressure of time and space and the actors have entirely made the story their own. The audience and season have also been considered with a celebratory ambience outside and lively colors on stage.

It appears cinemas and tele-movies have taken over stage plays. What would you attribute as the cause?

I do not quite agree. The audience for stage tends to be different from those that have a definite preference for film and television.

There was a big slump in theater culture in the country but that narrative has since changed thanks to the likes of Bolanle Austen-Peters, Wole Oguntokun, Ifeoma Fafunwa, Lala Akindoju, Bikiya Graham-Douglas and very many others. They ensured that theater never really died in Nigeria and it was in fact rapidly regaining its popularity and brands becoming more interested and willing to support it before the Covid pandemic dictated that we avoid social gathering. Even in spite of that, I am aware that some have found an effective marriage between stage performances and online streaming that allows those who are unable to make it into the theater to enjoy those organic performances from the comfort of their homes and on any number of tech equipment. I foresee however, a time in the not distant future when theater will return bigger, better than before. Like film and television, theater is also growing its own army of competent creatives who are daring and willing to push the boundaries.

The play revolves around the lives of three characters. Which would you say was the most fascinating or complex of the three?

This is hard to say because each of the characters is as complex as they would have been in real life, each one having been developed after some real life people I know growing up on the Lagos Island. Though they

What inherent lessons do you want the audience to learn from this play?

I think many people will find themselves in one or more of the characters of the play. Many will find that they do not stand alone in their similar life situations. We also cannot continue to abdicate our responsibilities to self and expect that society and government will continue to pick up the slack.

Bimbo Manuel

you are able to bring them in, is one of those places where you can confront the rulers and decision-makers with the realities of society. We chose Port Harcourt for the World Premiere for a number of reasons. Like Monalisa, we attended school in Port Harcourt and I consider the city and Rivers State as home. Besides, Port Harcourt has always been one of the most art active cities in Nigeria.

That decision has been helped by the generous support we have received across the state and city. It was an easy decision for us.

What was your directorial vision for the play?

Though the play itself was written for just three characters stuck in the poor shack where Philomena sells beers and runs her prostitution on the side, we have considered the timing of the presentation of the play, Valentine’s Day, and enlarged it to include

Laolu Gbenjo to Promote African Culture at US Tour Tosin Clegg

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he electrifying performer, Laolu Gbenjo needs no introduction in the music circle, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora as his act speaks for itself. His performances are always seasoned with unique African style composed of highlife, contemporary highlife, juju and Alujo blended with energetic dancing style in unique costumes and appearances.

United States-based Sammek

Moments Arts and Cultural Entertainment has concluded plans to organise a tour of the United States for Gbenjo and his band, where they would be serenading guests with what they know how to do best in their deliciously-performed African tunes. The organisers also stressed the fact that they plan to promote and propagate the talents of Africa music through this tour across the United States.

Attesting to what to expect at his tour Gbenjo said:

“Attendees should expect an electrifying performances, seasoned with a lot of energy, dance and an atmosphere of happiness all round.”

Gbenjo began his career professionally in 2008 and has long gone ahead to impact thousands all over the world. With successful performances held across different states in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, UK and virtual shows across the globe, he is surely a force to be reckoned with.

Laolu Gbenjo

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

2Baba, Annie Idibia, Star in Netflix’s First African Reality Series Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ark your calendars and set those reminders for the 18th of March 2022 as Netflix will premiere its inaugural African reality show entitled ‘Young, Famous & African’.

Unscripted and unapologetically African, the series promises to bring to viewers top-tier, best-in-class variety entertainment through the lens of some of their favourite A-list personalities from all over the African continent.

This glitzy seven-episode reality series follows a group of young, affluent, and famous A-list African celebrities from South Africa, West Africa and East Africa, this aspirational who’s who of music, media, fashion and Insta stars come together in JoBurg. All friends and connected, they are on a quest to find love, rekindle old flames, reboot struggling relationships as they continue to shine bright.

From rivalries, new friendships and romantic connections forming, to stories that made the headlines and the delicious tea being spilled, Africa’s stars will give you an intimate

Cast of the ‘Young, Famous and African’ & Africa

insider look into their glamorous lives as they navigate the City of Gold, Johannesburg, South Africa. ‘Young, Famous and African’ will feature Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, and wife, Annie

Macaulay-Idibia (Nigeria), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Naked DJ (South Africa).

Others are Nadia Nakai (South Africa), Swanky Jerry (Nigeria),

Andile Ncube (Nigeria), and Kayleigh Schwark (South Africa). Recall that news confirming the show made headlines in 2021 with media personality Peace Hyde confirming that she will co-executive produce alongside Martin Asare Amankwa and Adelaide Joshua Hill.

Sharing her excitement about the reality show produced by Urban Brew Studios and co-creators and executive producers are Martin Asare Amankwa Hyde said: “This has been a labour of love that has finally become a reality. Growing up in the U.K. there were no glitzy and sexy images of Africa, all we saw were the stereotypical images that have been propelled in the media for years. ‘Young, Famous & African’ presents an Africa that is vibrant, beautiful, glossy and sexy to the world and we are super proud and excited for the world to see it.”

From the cast, Zari the Boss Lady (Uganda) said: “I’m so excited for people to see how much of ourselves we poured into this show, showcasing our true, authentic trials and tribulations. ‘Young, Famous & African’ will give our fans an insider look into our very entertaining, very busy lives”.

‘Young, Famous & African’ will be available globally at the same time to 214 million subscribers in over 190 countries on the 18th of March, 2022.

StarTimes, Actors Guild of Nigeria Collaborate on Content Production

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s part of StarTimes commitment to grow the local film industry, StarTimes is partnering with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) on content production, with a view to tapping into the vast deposit of original African stories yet untold.

Reaffirming StarTimes commitment to deeper investment in Nollywood, StarTimes CEO, Alex Jian, said the collaboration is very crucial with the growing demand for quality local content by Nollywood aficionados.

This was disclosed during a courtesy visit to StarTimes lastWednesday by the National President of AGN, Ejezie Emeka Rollas; Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, and veteran actor, Segun Arinze. Also in attendance were StarTimes CEO, Alex Jian; StarTimes Content Director,Viki Liu; Asst. Marketing Director, Bose Adewara and Channel Manager, Ali Auta, among others Jian said: “When StarTimes entered the market about twelve years, our mandate was to provide digital-TVto every home.

The reception was huge for us. However, at a time, we had more foreign content. Over the years, the standard of Nollywood has improved and so also, is the market.This brought about the need to satisfy this growing appetite for Nollywood.Thus, our new brand vision is to balance our content offering. We know AGN stands for the larger Nollywood market. StarTimes is glad to cooperate with you to bring significant impact to Nollywood as well as grow and ensure that filmmakers have value for their productions.”

Commending the management of StarTimes for its contributions to the broadcast industry, Rollas said the partnership will open a new window to a different form of entertainment that Nollywood Actors have been doing over the years.

“The partnership will effectively help us to further attract more viewers with our proposed entertainment content as we have full insights into the industry. Actors Guild of Nigeria is all about entertainment as members are major influencers with millions of fans and followers around the world. Our goal is to activate the potentials of entertainment as soft power strategy for paradigm change especially in Africa for positive attitudinal change,” Rollas said.

L-R: CEO of StarTimes Nigeria, Alex Jian; President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ejezie Emeka Rollas; Content Director, StarTimes, Viki Liu and Segun Arinze during the courtesy visit of AGN to StarTimes, Lagos…Wednesday.

Rudeboy Injured After Performance in Liberia Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ward-winning Artiste, Paul Okoye a.k.a Rudeboy of Psquare musical group sustained a leg injury after performing in Liberia recently. The twin brothers (Peter and Paul Okoye) who have been shutting down arenas with mind-blowing performances since they reconciled in November last year, took their energy to the West-African country where they thrilled the audience with a good show.

Unfortunately, Paul sustained an injury after the music spectacle. Rudeboy disclosed this on his Instagram story

yesterday, where he shared a video of himself being treated after the injury. He captioned the video, “Injury after performance”. In another video shared on his stories, the singer’s leg was being stitched.

This comes two days after the singer shared pictures of his return to Nigeria on his Instagram page. In the pictures, his leg was bandaged and fans took to the comments to ask him the reason for his bandaged leg. The singer also shared on his Instagram account a clip of their energetic performance in Liberia.

The pop music duo got their fans in Liberia over the moon during their

performance.

In another video posted on social media by Peter Okoye aka Mr P, the fans were seen cheering in their loud voices as the singers almost caused a stampede when they threw their shirts at the huge crowd. His Instagram post reads; “Like we never left!

Not just about the music! Forget! We are loved. Thank you beautiful people of Liberia.”

Rudeboy also shared a picture of himself and his twin brother, Peter (Mr. P), where they performed in Liberia and a picture they took with the Vice President of the country, Jewel Taylor. Their recent visit and

concert performance in Liberia comes a few weeks after the group hinted at a world tour. Fans who attended the show claim P-Square gave them an electrifying performance, making them happier that they are back together.

Rudeboy since his reconciliation with his twin brother, Peter, has been dishing out great performances for fans across the continent. The first performance of the singers was during their birthday celebration as they sang their hit songs to entertain their friends, family and other celebrities present. PSquare thereafter stormed Sierra Leone to entertain its fans.

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

POLITY Flag-Amachree: Poised to Change the Narratives in Rivers Politics Anderson Elekwachi

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s it is often said, in politics there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. For Honorable Ojukaye Flag-Amachree who has been studying with keen interest, the politics of his home state where one party has been holding forte since the current democratic dispensation, It was time for the ideal change, to rally people of like interest in the state and forge on to change the political narratives in the state.

Flag-Amachree is not a new name in Rivers politics; though a young man, the name Flag-Amachree has come to stay in Rivers State. A 6-footer in the mold of an American point guard in a famous basketball team, his tremendous frame alone is enough to instill fear in a potential foe. Much more, underneath that 6-pack frame is a heart larger than the intimidating height, devoted to one assignment; uplifting the standard of living of the people and sacking the current PDP government in Rivers State come 2023.

A man of many virtuous traits never seen on the landscape of Rivers politics, history has given us a rare opportunity to witness the strides of the new force in Rivers politics. Though naturally of a calm demeanor, His boldness and sagacious personality will leave you with no doubt as to whom he really is.

Youthful, stable, an extrovert and conscientious, Flag-Amachree is open and very honest in all his dealings. During the last election cycle, in 2019, we were told how after the cancellation of the presidential elections in Nigeria, he displayed an impeccable character by returning money to his leader after the elections eventually held. With such character, many Rivers people have seen Flag-Amachree to be a trustworthy companion who holds his integrity in high esteem.

According to him, it was not his money, but the party’s and must be returned to the leader of the party. Such is the level of Flag-Amachree’s honesty.

Yet again we were told how during the last Assembly re-run elections in Port Harcourt constituency 2, leaders of a political party took to heels on hearing that Flag-Amachree’s and his supporters were on their way to the polling unit. He has the capacity to challenge any politician in Rivers State. His loyalists and fans call him ‘OJ’, but his name is Ojukaye FlagAmachree, a blue-blood from the Amachree dynasty in the Ancient Kalabari kingdom of Rivers State.

A grassroots mobiliser and born leader, FlagAmachree’s has been described by many as the new face of Rivers politics and those who know him well know that he is the real deal in Rivers politics.

Flag-Amachree’s political journey is one inspiring story of doggedness, sincerity and resilience with achievements

Flag-Amachree never before recorded in the political history of Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

A one-time President of Buguma Youth Council (BYC), he contested election as chairman without a godfather or major sponsor, all he had was the support of the grassroots. He overwhelming won the election and proceeded to become a two-term elected Chairman of Asari-Toru LG and he is the only individual to have served as chairman of the Asari-Toru for two terms. He was also nominated Caretaker Committee Chairman for two consecutive terms due to his leadership style. He led a people-oriented leadership as Chairman of Asari Toru LGA, which was reflected in his achievements.

As chairman of Asari Toru LG, he regularly found time to sit out at the town square with different age groups and have discussions with them over a few bottles of water, soft drinks and some beer. He also had town hall meetings with various communities to hear their complaints,

pains and expectations. This enabled him to have a firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the people and gave the inspiration and direction to accomplish so much under his administration. The details of his achievements shall be discussed in a later publication.

The emergence of Flag-Amachree as chairman of APC in Rivers State on Monday, May 21, 2018 came with a lot of tales, intrigues and power-push by certain power brokers in the state. His inauguration in Abuja on Monday, June 4, 2018, did not come with less drama. Until the wee hours of the Congresses, the pendulum never swayed FlagAmachree’s side. No doubt, his emergence as Rivers State APC chairman ignited a fresh flame of hope in the party faithfuls, particularly within the youth cadre.

Flag-Amachree has suffered personal injustices for the good of the APC in Rivers State. For instance, after the 2015 general elections, like the biblical Joseph, he was wrongly prosecuted and persecuted on trump-up political charges. While in prison, he refused to sell his conscience and betray his boss, the party and followers. He stood his ground and chose to suffer for a crime he did not commit. He spent a period of eight months in incarceration awaiting trial for a case that ended up with a lack of any evidence. Such is the strength of Flag-Amachree’s character. Today, he is the man tasked with deposing the sitting PDP in Rivers State, a man said to be tactical, politically astute, and lacking the space to hold an adversary prisoner, as well as a vast war chest. 2023 general elections are just by the corner and very many known groups and associations, including the Clergy, women, non-indigene and youths based in River State, are already awash in the main stream news media, as well as the social media, calling on him to contest for the position of the Governor of Rivers State.

To this end, despite being out of government for a while, awards still pour in for a man that has achieved so much for his people and ready to do more. Flag-Amachree, in 2019 was awarded the ‘Rivers Man of the Year’ by the Garden City Advancement Award. The awardee said, “I have no doubt that this is a demonstration of Rivers people’s confidence in me. The greatest service on earth we owe ourselves, society and God is service to humanity.

This has always been my guiding principle.”

Dignitaries on the occasion, including the Rivers State House of Assembly member, Evans Bipi, lauded Flag-Amachree on the award, describing him as a “young leader who has walked his way into the hearts of many Rivers people by his leadership qualities.” Will Flag-Amachree answer the call to serve the people, this time as Governor? We shall see in the coming days. t &MFLXBDIJ B 1VCMJD "GGBJST "OBMZTU XSJUFT GSPN 1PSU )BSDPVSU

Oshodi Chieftaincy Controversy and the Moral Tale of Icarius and the Sun Mufu Tijani

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fter a chaotic period in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that preceded his emergence as the party’s Chairman Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has been able to restore order and sanity in the party since coming on board.

As a ruling party political party with responsible structures and built-in integrity to preserve the kernel of democratic institution, the Buni-led CECPC leadership on assumption of administration of the party recognised that it cannot entertain the flagrant display of impunity in the management of the party most especially as it regards the crucial processes that would lead the party into its National Convention.

These Mythology, folktales and even stories from religious books are full of warnings against excessive pride by individuals, groups or organisations. Also known as hubris, there are enough lessons to be learnt from literary figures such as Captain Ahab in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and Satan in John Milton’s Paradise Lost regarding the dark themes of vanity, ambition, power, insolence and disdain.

But perhaps the most known example of this is the Icarus syndrome, with its signature lack of humility. It has felled many leaders who planned grandly but failed miserably by overestimating their knowledge, foresight and ability.

The origin of this terminology is from Greek mythology. As the story goes, Icarus and his father, Daedalus, were imprisoned on an island by King Minos. To escape, Daedalus – a master craftsman – created two sets of wings made of wax and feathers. He warned his son not to fly too close to the sun, as the wax would melt. He also cautioned Icarus not to fly too low, as the feathers could get wet in the sea. His warnings, however, went unheeded. Icarus was so intoxicated by the experience of flight that he went higher and higher and he got too close to the Sun. As the wax in his wings melted, he tumbled into the sea and drowned.

The saying, “don’t fly too close to the sun” is a reference to Icarus’ recklessness and defiance of limitations.

Now, one might ask, what has a tragic Greek hero got to do with the rumblings over the vacant stool of the Bale of Oshodi in Lagos, Nigeria? It has plenty to do with it, as we have started seeing. Lagosians have been gripped by what amounts to an audacious assault on time-tested hereditary succession that has produced all the past Bales of Oshodi by latter day strongmen and their politician allies.

Despite warnings and public protestations by the Oshodi royal family, there are daily newspaper reports of efforts by some individuals that are not members of the family – but who appeared to have created their own alternative storyline – to grab the Oshodi stool for themselves. One such notable effort is being led by the Lagos State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, Alhaji (MC Oluomo), which – according to media reports – enjoys the support of the chairman of Oshodi LCDA, Kehinde Oloyede (Kendoo).

In fact, following widely publicized reports of Akinsanya’s endorsement for the position, the Regent of Oshodi kingdom, Alhaji Biliaminu Akinola took the media to distance himself from such.

“I have been receiving calls from far and near following a report on the social media platforms which claimed that I, the regent of Oshodi land and other ruling houses have agreed to install MC Oluomo as our Oba,” Akinola said.

“The report is nothing but false and misleading. It was invented to manipulate the entire process and misinform the general public.

This, as it happens, is also the publicly stated position of the Oshodi Tapa Fmily, the owners of Oshodiland.

At a recent press conference attended by leaders of the family, the Chairman of the Oshodi-Tapa family, Alhaji Maroof-deen Oshodi, who went down history lane to narrate how the family became owners of the land and how its ownership had been affirmed by multiple court judgements, said the one previous attempt by an outsider to ascend the throne was equally annulled by a court ruling.

“We are not unaware of several strange claims to the throne, including the gambit by Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya to

be installed as Oba of Oshodi. We want to publicly distance our family from this campaign,” he said.

Perhaps more strategically, he also sent a message to politicians who might be colluding with those he called ‘wannabe usurpers of the throne’ to desist from what could only turn out to be a fool’s errand.

Oshodi said: “We are confident that the authorities of the Lagos State government – or any subjudicial authority would not take any steps that would cause a breach of law and order in Oshodi and beyond and that would raise doubts about their oft-stated belief in the sanctity of the rule of law.

“We recall with great respect for the sanctity of history and justice that that the truth is eternally valid and defies repression no matter who may be involved. This has been amply exemplified by the recent Magodo saga. The moral of the Magodo situation is that the mills of justice, like that of the gods, might indeed grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”

Surely ambition is to be supported and even encouraged.

But such ambitious energy needs must be focused on legally acceptable projects. Icarus syndrome characterises leaders who initiate overly ambitious projects that come to naught, causing harm to themselves and others in the process. Often, these leaders have let adulation go to their heads (what the Yoruba call the ‘Maa jo lo, mo n wo eyin re’, syndrome.)

Fuelled by excitement, these leaders are unable to rein in their misguided enthusiasm before it is too late.

They display symptoms such as: Placing excessive confidence in their own judgment; harbouring feelings of omnipotence; becoming reckless and restless; displaying contempt for the advice and criticism of others; and ignoring the practicality, cost or damaging consequences of their various endeavours.

All these are on display in the current ploy to hijack the Oshodi royal stool from the rightful owners. One can only hope, therefore that saner heads would prevail and the temporal powers-that-be would support the established Bale of Oshodi succession plan and not do anything to distort or disrupt it. But it possible that they might not pay heed, until reality brutally smacks them in the face as it did Icarius in the Greek story.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

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POLITY

Ogun State Politics: Beyond the Imaginary Peter Salako

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nother season of politics is here again in Nigeria with all its excitement. As usual, gladiators of all hues are already up in arms, jostling for elective positions. In Ogun State, the public discourse is on the outcome of the trouble-shooting efforts of the All Progressives Congress’s National Reconciliation Committee, headed by a former governor of Nassarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu. For those who are still gloating over the prolonged crisis bedeviling the party in the state in the belief that it would stop Governor Dapo Abiodun from actualising his re-election for a second term, the time is now for them to bury the thought.

By now, they must realise that dissipating energies on such idle talk will do no good, because the schism orchestrated by those who wanted to be in control of the levers of power perpetually has finally run its complete circle. The inauguration of Yemi Sanusi as the Chairman of the APC in the state, as against Derin Adebiyi, who is a rival contender, has done the magic. Happily enough, the schism within the party is gradually fading out with a new sense of direction being provided by the authentic Exco in the state. Of course, there is no denying the fact that there had been arguments and disagreements over certain issues in the recent past.

That is part of the dynamics of politics, change, and continuity. It is a process of strengthening genuine democratic ethos. Indeed, to conceive a situation where there would be absolute peace and tranquility in a party as large as APC is like nursing a utopian dream. There would always be disagreement and agreement as a normal process of interaction between the thesis and antithesis leading to the ultimate result of synthesis. As the tempo of political activities increases, preparatory to the primaries of the various political parties, it is gratifying to note that a new dynamic process of leadership selection is already underway.

Thanks to the National Assembly for the insertion of a reformed consensus arrangement in the Electoral Amendment Bill which seeks to curtail the overbearing of godfathers and the impunity of candidates’ imposition which brought the state chapter of the ruling APC to where it is today. Though some cynics have suspected the lawmakers of ulterior motives for the inclusion of the clause in the amendment Bill, it will limit the frequency of undue frictions and ultimately create a new vista of opportunity for people to have a say in the choice of who governs them.

By so doing, it would forestall the kind of harrowing

Abiodun experience the APC had had to go through under the leadership of the immediate past administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun who literally brought down the roof because of people’s opposition to his preferred choice of successor. To be sure, no one has said that expression of preference for a particular aspirant in an electoral contest is a crime or abnormality. No one has said that grooming for succession is anti-democratic. Contrarily, it is a standard practice in all democracies for leaders to show interest in who takes over from them for the sake of continuity and unhindered progress. For instance, when the leadership of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom (UK) showed a preference for Tony Blair over Gordon Brown, they did so without threatening the overall cohesion and coherence of the party.

That was not the case in Ogun State in the run-up to the last governorship election when the former governor insisted on controlling the levers of power at all cost.

And he did so with such arrogance and impunity that he eventually plunged the party into a needless crisis. For the benefit of hindsight, Amosun had unilaterally propped up Abdulkabir Akinlade as his preferred candidate for the 2019 governorship election. But his choice held little appeal for

increasingly discerning party supporters who saw Abiodun as a better successor. In the final analysis, the wish of the people ultimately prevailed and Abiodun won with a landslide.

They will do it again because they have had a taste of good governance in the last two and a half years of the administration.

For those who may not know, Amosun and Abiodun had been age-long friends and strong political allies before the latter threw his hat into the ring. As a matter of fact, when his re-election bid for a second term ran into turbulence as a result of the opposition of the state establishment, some of whom had dissolved into the Social Democratic Party (SDP), it was the Iperu-Remo Prince who came to the rescue by initiating the necessary trouble-shooting efforts, and thereafter topped it up with money donation, as well as procurement of Toyota Hummer buses, motorcycles, and other logistics means to ensure seamless campaign.

To the glory of God and the support of other critical stakeholders, the intervention paid off as the embattled governor won the 2015 governorship election with a wide margin. But as no one could read the depth of the human heart, hardly had Abiodun declared his intention to pick the ticket of the APC to run for the governorship race in the 2019 General Elections that Amosun spat onto the sky and received it with his eyes, threatening to deploy all powers within his reach to stop Abiodun’s lofty ambition. All appeals made by the national hierarchy of the party and other political bigwigs in the South-west, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who had intervened to ensure continued peace and internal cohesion within the fold fell on deaf ears. At the height of the onslaught against his succession game plan, Amosun directed Akinlade and his supporters to move over to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), while he stayed back in the APC to actualise his senatorial ambition.

The anti-climax of all these intrigues was the dark episode of February 11, 2019, when some suspected thugs believed to be loyal supporters of APM engaged the APC in a bloody clash during the presidential campaign held at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Though both parties supported President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, the sad incident left a sour taste in the mouths of the peace-loving people of Ogun State. As they say, the rest is history. o 4BMBLP XSPUF GSPN 0LFBHCFEF *NFLP "GPO -(" PG 0HVO 4UBUF Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

2023: Enugu’s Enduring Peace and Ekweremadu’s Vaulting Ambition Uchenna Nwatu

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lthough he has yet to openly declare interest in the 2023 governorship in Enugu State, supporters of the former deputy president of the senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have been making strenuous efforts to present him as the best candidate. In a latest bid to project him as the heir presumptive, supporters of the senator who currently represents Enugu West Senatorial District published an opinion poll conducted by a hitherto unheard group, which placed Ekweremadu top of a list of would be governorship aspirants.

Rather than convince, the poll seems more like an embellishing project for the putative, nay self-serving, ambition of Ekweremadu. And being more or less a validation-seeking project commissioned by the senator’s own supporters, the poll calls to mind these wise words by Williams James, an influential scholar of the 19th century often regarded as the “father of American psychology”: “A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”

It wasn’t only through the phoney poll that the prejudices of Ekweremadu’s supporters have been laid bare; it shows also in very stark details in their demonization of zoning of the governorship. And like it is when prejudices are not reined in, reason suffers, sometimes even hurting the cause being championed to benefit their idol, ironically. This is because denouncing the principle of zoning is an implicit condemnation of the premise on which Ekweremadu’s attainment of the deputy presidency of the senate derived.

In 2007, the Peoples Democratic Party zoned the senate president’s slot to the North-Central and the deputy senate president’s office to the South-East, which were eventually clinched by Senator David Mark and Ekweremadu, respectively. A similar format was adopted in 2011, enabling the latter to further bolster his political influence. It is important to reiterate that Ekweremadu attained this exalted office on the basis of that office being limited to legislators from the South-East geo-political region, effectively shutting out others who may have ordinarily aspired for the position. There had also been a bid for the senate president’s seat in 2005 after the slot fell to Enugu, with each of the four other states of the South-East having produced a senate president who would later be impeached.

Barring the fact he was outmaneuvered by Senator Ken Nnamani, with the support of mostly legislators from opposi-

tion parties, Ekweremadu may have ascended the ultimate legislative office. Of course, that feat would have been on the altar of zoning, a concept that Ekweremadu and his acolytes now revile. His latter day revulsion is not because the idea conflicts with any noble principle; it is for the simple reason that an application of zoning as has been the case in Enugu State puts his putative governorship ambition in peril.

By 2023, Ekweremadu will have spent 20 years cumulatively in the senate, and a total of 24 years in public office during which he has occupied prime positions such as chief of staff to a governor and secretary to the state government. Such long years in office have apparently bred in Ekweremadu the delusion that years spent in public office should necessarily culminate in a bigger political office. When elected public officers succumb to such narcissistic mindset, service becomes the first casualty because self interest and public interest are always mutually exclusive. This is one of the bane of politics in Nigeria.

It is this self interest that explains Ekweremadu’s ambition to run for the governor’s seat in 2023, which is clearly a brazen defiance of a long established order of power rotation among the three senatorial zones in Enugu State. This understanding has fostered a pervading sense of inclusion and given Enugu State years of political stability, a critical factor that accounts for the wholesome peace for which the state is noted. It is this existing peaceful order that Ekweremadu’s vaulting ambition threatens.

Fortunately, the idea of rotational power has been embraced across partisan divide in Enugu State as a unifying imperative.

This point has been overwhelmingly reaffirmed in recent times by key stakeholders - including statesmen and former governors - in the state. It is, in fact, no less so even in Ekweremadu’s Enugu West Senatorial Zone.

But what really is the argument that the former deputy senate president hopes would convince the electorate to jettison this political tradition that has endured for years? According to his supporters, given that a governor have emerged from each of the three senatorial zones, a fresh governorship rotation could indeed begin from any zone. That is just a euphemism for “we’re okay with anyone who can muscle their way to the throne as long as he is our son”. So what if a new governor emerges from the same senatorial zone as the incumbent in 2023? It’s easy to infer that the former deputy senate president and his supporters will baulk at such outcome, unlikely as it were.

Even when his supporters try to mask their self-serving campaign under an intellectual banner, the attempt is just

Ekweremadu as pathetic and casts Ekweremadu as largely presumptuous. The argument that merit should be the sole factor that determines the next governor rests on the presumption that Ekweremadu is the best candidate. But the length of time spent in public office does not equate with competence.

Besides, this push implies there has been some leadership deficit in the governance of Enugu State, which is certainly not. If that were the case, then it amounts to a verdict of self-indictment on Ekweremadu, who has been an influential figure in every administration in Enugu State since 1999.

The length of time spent in public office might not make one an excellent public servant committed to the ethos of selflessness. But it does however make the holder of such office increasingly reluctant to step aside away from a life of perks and influence. That is the dilemma Ekweremadu currently faces. It is a difficult choice to make. But a statesman would choose an option that nurtures inclusiveness than grab one that promises fleeting personal glory at the expense of cohesion and peaceful co-existence. t /XBUV JT B QVCMJD BGGBJST BOBMZTU BOE XSJUFT GSPN &OVHV

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

POLITY

Osun PDP not for Sale: Save Our State from Iyorchia Ayu Taofeek Adegoke

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ecent happenings in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), especially as it affects Osun chapter of the party, calls for sober reflections. To this end, this is a clarion call to leaders of thoughts and right-thinking members of our party to save our state and the party from pathological liars and wheeler-dealers as represented by the National Chairman and his cohorts who are selfishly playing with the chances and the opportunities for Osun PDP to take over the mantle of leadership in the state from APC, come July 16, this year.

Indications have emerged that our number one PDP member is at it again in his typical sleazy manner, this time around, toying with our future and those of our children yet unborn in Osun State by selling out Osun State and imposing Senator Ademola Adeleke as the party’s gubernatorial candidate. Our national Chairman has been bought over. Hmmm....he and his co-travelers should remember that conscience is an open wound.

It is on record that Ayu met with Deji Adeleke, the billionaire, a self-professed member of PDP and brother to Ademola Adeleke, one of the six PDP aspirants in Osun, in his house at Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, 31st January, 2022.This was a day before stakeholders from Osun, which included some elders, had a meeting with the National Working Committee, NWC, in Abuja.

On that fateful Monday which preceded the stakeholders’ meeting, Ayu, the man we collectively entrusted with the destiny of our party, clandestinely held one hour meeting alone with Deji Adeleke in his Library at his Maitama home in Abuja. The begging question is: Was Osun PDP ticket sold and bought that day?

Ayu-appointed an Appeal Panel and in their reports, warned that Senator Ademola Adeleke’s credentials should be rechecked and thoroughly scrutinized before submission to INEC. Was this not the job the Screening Committee ought to have done with utmost sincerity and

Ademola Adeleke seriousness? The Screening Committee failed in this regard as it was perfunctory in its approach.

Does the fear in some quarters that a well-woven script was already in place to ensure that Ademola Adeleke’s name will be the one to be sent to INEC, not confirm that the ticket had already been sold and bought before the party primaries by Ayu’s PDP Working Committee?

The recent court judgement which joyously prompted majority in the party to heave a sigh of relief that they have been freed from the bondage of imposition being hatched by our national party leaders who are hell bent in foisting the candidature

of Ademola Adeleke on discerning and already agitated members of PDP in Osun.

That Adeleke’s emergence will automatically spell doom and misfortune to our party and its teeming members is non-negotiable. Worse still, determined to shipwreck the yearning aspirations of thousands of people of Osun to see the PDP enthroned in the state later this year, out of the blues, came the appointment on Thursday, 16th February, 2022, of the Osun PDP PRO, Sunday Bisi, who has been acting as Senator Ademola Adeleke’s Campaign Manager for over two years now, touring all local governments in the state in Adeleke’s campaign paraphernalia. Yet, the same man (Sunday Bisi), is who our almighty national leadership is insisting must be our acting Chairman in the state, a development that is antithetical and flagrant disobedience to what court judgement said. Is this not enough proof that Iyorchia Ayu and the PDP NWC have sold out the PDP governorship ticket before the party primaries? Can a leopard ever change its spots?

The good people of Osun are calling on the PDP Governors across Nigeria as leaders of the party, to rescue us by not allowing Ayu to sell our future. A proper screening to evaluate the six PDP aspirants vis a vis their abilities, competences and capabilities to govern Osun was never carried out because Ayu chose to sell the ticket to the highest bidder. Self-serving and pecuniary gains on the part of leaders, will only take us to a dreary destination if we fail to chart the right course.

Our respectable leaders, elders and party faithful should rise against the tyrannical antics of these conscienceless and unrepentant money- for-posts politicians. Unfortunately, this is why Nigeria has continued to move in a spot without making any progress because we prefer with glee, to always sacrifice merits on the altar of greed.

Is the PDP, particularly at the national level, seriously desirous of winning Osun at the forthcoming polls? Then, those saddled with this responsibility must choose right and with the fear of God too.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Sister to the widow of Mrs. Ajibowu Owoade, Mrs. Enuma Okoro; Widow of late Chief Ajibowu Owoade, Mrs. Sheyi Owoade; Nigeria Ambassador to Niger and Lake Chad Regions, Amb. Babagana Kingibe; and Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, during a condolence visit to the foremost Banker’s family, late Jibowu Owoade at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos... yesterday.

L-R: Peoples Democratic presidential aspirant, Mr. Sam Ohuabunwa and the Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, during a courtesy visit to Clark by Ohuabunwa in Abuja.... recently Julius Atoi

L-R: Director, the Cake movie, Mr. Prosper Edesiri; Supervising Director, Mr Steve Gukas; Actress, Ms. Tsakute Saskay; Actor, Mr. Emmanuel Koloman; and Executive Producer,Mr. Dotun Olakunrin, at the media Conference on the upcoming film entitled ‘CAKE’ in Lagos ...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Caregiver, Love Home Orphanage, Mrs Joy Joseph; Group Corporate Communications and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, and Manager/Social Worker, Love Home Orphanage, Mrs Onasanya Oyetoke, during Dufil’s presentation of cartons of Indomie Instant Noodles to the Love Home Orphanage in Lagos to commemorate this year’s Valentine celebration in Lagos... recently ABIODUN AJALA

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

25

POLITY Another Crushing Fuel Scarcity, What’s Going On Here?

For most Nigerians, this is perhaps the worst time anyone would want to be a Nigerian living in Nigeria. Before 2015, most Nigerians thought the conditions of living were appalling and deplorable. This is why the then All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration to run for president on the promise of change received a groundswell of public support.

To this group, Buhari’s change mantra was needed to clean the Augean stable and put Nigeria back on the world map.

After emerging victorious at the polls, a triumphant Buhari in his inaugural address assured Nigerians he would tackle problems besetting the country head-on.

Hear him: “At home, we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel, and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head-on. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us.

We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems.”

About seven years down his tenure, Nigeria is in retrogression with the President blaming his predecessor for the woes he promised to bring solutions to. In the seven years since he took over, the Buhari government has not improved electricity generation from the 3000/4000 MW it inherited from former President Goodluck Jonathan.

While Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola keeps reeling off figures detailing thousands of megawatts generated by the administration, none of these megawatts has impacted in improving electricity supply or is being felt by the people.

Indeed, apart from not adding value, it has been reported that power generation has dropped from 3000MW to less than 2000MW nationwide.

As if the pains inflicted by incessant power outages were not enough, it was a bewildered nation that woke up last week to witness the resurgence of fuel queues in Abuja, Lagos, and all the major cities pan-Nigeria. Now, apart from the lack of a constant power supply, Nigerians were now faced with two major hurdles including fuel scarcity.

So the question now is: what went wrong? According to the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, the company’s investigation has revealed the presence of Methanol in four petrol cargoes imported by MRS, Emadeb/ Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium, Oando, and Duke

THEFRONTLINES JOSEPH USHIGIALE

Oil. Furthermore, he said the NNPC quality inspectors including GMO, SGS, GeoChem, and G&G conducted tests before discharge, which showed that the cargo also met the country’s standard.

“As a standard practice for all PMS import to Nigeria, the cargoes were equally certified by inspection agent appointed by the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has met Nigerian specification.

“It is important to note that the usual quality inspection protocol employed in both the load port in Belgium and our discharge ports in Nigeria do not include the test for per cent of methanol content and therefore the additive was not detected by our quality inspectors,” he said.

Less than 24 hours after Kyari’s announcement, MRS issued its own rebuttal arguing that NNPC’s statement was misleading to the general public because according to the company “Due to current subsidy regime, NNPC is the sole supplier of all PMS in Nigeria. Consequently, the NNPC through their trading arm Duke Oil, supplied a cargo of PMS purchased from international trader Litasco and delivered it with Motor Tanker (MT) Nord Gainer. This vessel discharged in Apapa between the 24th and 30th of January, 2022,” it had alleged.

This rebuttal was to be followed by yet another of the companies alleged to be behind the adulterated fuel importation into the country.

A statement released by the lead partner, Emadeb Energy Services explained that the importation of the contaminated PMS was executed by a “member of the consortium, to wit: Brittania-U. “Therefore, the blanket claims made against the consortium by the NNPC are misleading and contradict the actual events that happened; they do not fully reflect and/or represent what transpired.

“It is important to inform the public of these facts and provide clarifications relating to the delivery of the said contaminated PMS to the country.

“We also deem it necessary to protect our image as we have invested a lot in building our respective brands in the industry.

“At the formation of the Consortium in May 2021 by NNPC, Brittania-U refused to execute the Service and Consortium Agreement submitted to NNPC in fulfillment of the award of the DSDP Contract.

“Emadeb, as the lead of the Consortium, engaged Brittania-U

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

severally and they insisted on dealing with NNPC independently.

“NNPC was expressly notified about this by the other Consortium members via a letter dated June 2, 2021,” it clarified.

It would appear that someone somewhere is hiding some vital information and shielding himself from a reprimand and that person is Kyari. For instance, since petroleum product importers started having problems sourcing for foreign exchange who else other than the NNPC has been importing petroleum products?

If NNPC handles nearly all the imports through crude-forfuel contracts, known as Direct Sale, Direct Purchase (DSDP), with consortia of local and foreign oil firms, who else other than himself and the company should take full responsibility for this monumental failing?

If Kyari is arguing that petrol brought into Nigeria usually does not include the test for the level of methanol content and that cargoes’ quality certificates issued at the loading port in Belgium, by AmSpec Belgium, indicated that the product complied with Nigerian specifications, what steps were put in place to guide against the possibility of a supplier cutting corners?

If officials at the NNPC are not benefiting or gaming the system, why lower the standard to off-spec and also exempt the products from being checked for methanol and ethanol?

Why did Nigeria not simply adopt global petroleum products standards but chose to cherry-pick as if we exist on another planet altogether?

Although the federal government has instituted an inquiry to unravel those behind the scam with assurances that affected motorists whose vehicles have been affected to be compensated, the outcome of such an investigation is obvious.

Minister of State for Petroleum, Timi Sylva told the media after the federal executive meeting last week that “There will be a major investigation to unravel everything and then let us really get to the bottom of it before we can come back and tell you what is going to happen to the culprits.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

The Suspicious Gbajabiamila Probe of Deep Blue Project Colin Udoh

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t was the revered British leader Winston Churchill, who submitted that “an Appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile in the hope that it would eat him last.”

An analysis of the submission would indicate that many people, nations and leaders, simply shy away from taking bold and painful decisions in order to address an inconveniencing challenge in the hope such problem would disappear with the passage of time.

In Nigeria, many malevolent challenges that are neither necessary nor permanent and constitute severe national setbacks, abound in various sectors of the economy with successive administrations shying away from them, apparently due to political reasons or lack of political will to confront the monsters. Some of these atrocities manifest in the form of sea piracy, kidnapping, crude oil theft and bunkering, which rob the nation of huge cash and scare away foreign investors from the country. The obnoxious trend has been going on in Nigeria for many decades with no serious challenge from the government, inadvertently encouraging the malicious elements from within and without Nigeria to feast on the nation’s maritime resources without any challenge from any quarter.

Indeed, the predators of the country’s aquatic wealth had been feeding fat from an unmanned goldmine sector and smiling to their banks while the nation kept reel from their havoc, losing men, materials and huge resources as a consequence of its docility and laissezfaire disposition towards a serious national security threat.

But the looting and plundering of the nation’s oceanic wealth are now substantially and effectively being contained thanks to a tactical, holistic, proactive and multi-level scheme known as “Deep Blue Project”.

The Deep Blue Project, a bi-ministerial collaboration of the Federal Ministries of Defence and Transportation, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), developed a maritime security architecture comprising all military and security services as well as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) with the aim of building a crimefree maritime environment for shipping businesses to

Gbajabiamila

thrive. In line with this, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2017 approved the sum of $195 million for the execution of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure framework, which is popularly known as the Deep Blue Project.

The project, which is being handled by Homeland Security International (HLSI), a well-known Israeli security firm registered in Nigeria, is aimed at tackling piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping, oil theft, smuggling, illegal trafficking of drugs and other related maritime crimes on Nigeria’s territorial waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) up to the Gulf of Guinea region.

Under the scheme,, which was flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2021 in Lagos, the contractors have meticulously project deployed critical assets such as Special Mission Vessels, 17 Fast Interceptor Boats, two Special Mission Aircraft, three helicopters, four unmanned aerial vehicles and 16 armoured vehicles for tackling maritime insecurity.

The Deep Blue Project also involves the training of field and technical operatives drawn from the various strata of the security services including Nigerian Navy, Airforce, Nigerian Army and the NIMASA as well as the establishment of a command and control centre

for data collection and information sharing to aid targeted enforcement. In June, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Deep Blue Project in Lagos.

It is a fact that since its launch, the project has recorded a massive decline in maritime insecurity and sea piracy on Nigerian waters, drawing accolades from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which has scored Nigeria high in the security of the Gulf of Guinea. It has also drawn applause for the first time from the Republic of Korea, which singled it out for glowing tributes for [its effectiveness. The security architecture includes hi-tech weapons, surveillance equipment, a C4i centre, special mission aircrafts, special mission vessels, special mission helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, high speed Interceptor boats, armoured vehicles, among others.

Interestingly, this project, the first of its kind in the country, has come under several probes notably by the House of Representatives. At least, two of the probes so far, have been carried out by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement and Committee on Public Petitions. But in all the probes so far carried out, nothing sinister has been spotted about the contract or the way the contractors are conducting their operations.

But in a twist that smacks of curiosity and suspicion, the nation was woken up by a new probe ordered by the same House of Representatives presided over by its Speaker, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila. Indeed, the new round of probe of a project that has already been completed, commissioned

by Mr. President and is working seamlessly and attracting global applause, is something that has raised concerns as to whether there are some political motives being pursued by the leadership of the protagonists of the inexplicable inquiry.

Of course, those who are suspicious of some elements in the House of Representatives being actuated by political motives rather than national interest may have some points in that the masterminds of the new probe ordered last week, appear to be injudicious over their new enquiry. A case in point to prove that the ordered new probe has no bearing is the fact that the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, which has now been asked to probe the contract afresh, wrongly directed its invitation letter to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

26

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

REVENGE IN MIND

19.2.2022

PAGE. 29

Eze, Olise Preference for Fatherland or Country of Birth?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Michael Olise has been in blistering form for Crystal Palace this season

Eze, Olise

Preference for Fatherland or Country of Birth?

IfthereisonethingtheNigeriaFootballFederationhadconsistentlysuccededin,it’swooingplayersofNigerian descent to star for the Super Eagles inspite of having played for their countries of birth at the junior cadre and the list is endless. Victor Moses, Leon Balogun, Henry Onyekuru, Sheyi Ojo, and most recently, Ademola Lookman, to mention but a few. In continuation of the‘VIP Scouting,’NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick, national team interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amuneke recently traveled to UK to convince Crystal Palace duo of Ebere Eze and Michael Olise to dump the countries of their birth for fatherland. How well NFF succeeds in that move, however, remains to be seen

W

hile Eberechi Eze had represented England at the U-20 and U-21 levels, Michael Olise had played for France at the U-18. But in continuation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ‘VIP Scouting’, the Crystal Palace duo are being wooed to play for Nigeria at the senior level, culminating in Super Eagles interim technical adviser Augustine Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amuneke to embark on a trip to United Kingdom to convince the two players to switch nationality.

Eguavoen was in England in the company of his assistant Amuneke, the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick and general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, to meet with Premier League Super Eagles stars.

Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and he is eligible to represent France, Algeria, England, or Nigeria.

The 20-year-old has represented France at the youth level in the past, after he made his debut in 2019, against Qatar U-23 and was also called up to the France U-18 squad for the 2019 Toulon.

Eze on the other hand was born in Green-

wich, Greater London to Nigerian parents and therefore eligible to play for the Three Lions of England and the Super Eagles.

He trained with the Nigeria national team in 2018, he was, however, called up to the England national U-20 team, where he made his debut in a 2–1 win against Italy in the U-20 Elite League in October 2018.

Eze then captained England U-20 in a 2–1 loss against Chile at the 2019 Toulon Tournament, where Olise also represented France. He made a total of seven appearances for the English U-20 side.

According to Owngoalnigeria.com, Eguavoen met with UK-based Nigerian David Doherty, ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers playoff game against Ghana in March.

Doherty played a role in Ola Aina’s decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria, he also brought Ebere Eze to the Super Eagles training camp in London in 2017.

He is said to still be very close to Eze, who in turn is a very close friend of Micheal Olise.

Pinnick has never hidden his resolve at ensuring that youngsters of Nigerian origin who are doing well in England

and other leagues will wear the Nigerian colours at the appropriate time. He said it had been in the plans of the present NFF board to build a young Super Eagles team ahead of the 2022 World Cup, adding that the federation was monitoring several Nigerian players that are making waves in the various leagues.

“What we are trying to do is what we call VIP scouting – talking to these young players that are playing abroad to play for their fatherland. No Nigerian, even if they have four or five passports, they are always excited being Nigerians. I can assure you that we shall get them to play for us at appropriate time,” Pinnick had said.

Despite joining Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021 with a broadened horizon, having won Championship Young Player of the Year the season before, there was still a moment of hesitation among the Palace fans over how quickly Olise would adapt to Premier League standards.

After all, there was no real need for a weight of expectation to burden the then 19-year-old.

Eze was Palace’s star boy, and his impending return, along with the signings of Odsonne Edouard and Conor Gallagher,

meant that the Reading academy graduate could be eased into the fold gradually.

But now that six months have flown by in Olise’s Crystal Palace chapter, the intoxicating demeanour of the Frenchman has caught the attention of the top-flight on countless occasions, and he has crushed the notion that Premier League adaptability would be an arduous assignment.

Turning defences inside out, conjuring a pantheon of tantalising crosses into the box, and getting Selhurst Park off their seatsOlise is the real deal, and he has proven to be the fulcrum of Patrick Viera’s youthful revolution.

Olise’s £8 million arrival to South London from Reading in July 2021 was Vieira’s first acquisition since being appointed head coach, and it kick started a dramatic shift in the club’s transfer policy.

Starting the season on the backfoot could have hindered the youngster’s opportunity to get first-team football, but the injury he suffered seemed to do nothing but add further determination to the maquillage of Olise. He showed straight away that he was comfortable in the presence of giants.

Meanwhile, Eze, 23, has been one of the Premier League’s most inspiring stories.

The Englishman was rejected by a handful of Premier League and Championship clubs as a youngster before getting his chance at QPR. The R’s brought him in and eventually brought him into their first-team, and Eze wouldn’t let them down.

He became an instant favourite among fans for his daring performances, with the 2019/20 season being his breakthrough year at the club.

Eze scored 14 goals and assisted eight that season, earning himself a reported £20 million move to Crystal Palace ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

And of course, Eze would take to the Premier League like a duck to water, scoring four and assisting six in his debut season before picking up a horror Achilles injury.

He made a speedy recovery and has now featured five times in the league this season, but report that the newly-rich Newcastle United are weighing up a £45 million summer swoop for the attacking midfielder.

The report says that Newcastle offered Palace £5 million to take Eze on loan last month, with a view to a £35 million permanent transfer.

How well the NFF officials and their coaches are able convince the duo remains to be seen as Algeria Desert Foxes are also said to be on Olise’s trail.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Tottenham Take Top Four Revival to the Etihad With three straight losses and Premier League top four ticket fast slipping,Tottenham Hotspur would be hoping to revive their Champions League qualification with a visit to league leaders, Manchester City at the Etihad. Spurs would be spurred by the fact that they inflicted the Citizens their first league defeat of the season and have defeated the champions in three of their last four games.The Lily White would therefore be craving for a repeat of the first leg result in today’s encounter Premiership Table Man City Liverpool Chelsea Man Utd West Ham Arsenal Wolves Tottenham Brighton Southampton Leicester Aston Villa Crystal Palace Brentford Leeds Everton Newcastle Norwich Watford Burnley

25 24 24 25 25 22 23 22 24 24 22 23 24 25 23 22 23 24 23 21

47 42 30 8 11 9 4 -1 0 -7 -5 -5 -3 -14 -19 -10 -19 -36 -20 -12

63 54 47 43 41 39 37 36 33 29 27 27 26 24 23 22 21 17 15 14

Premier League TODAY

West Ham v Newcastle 12:30 Arsenal v Brentford 15:00 Aston Villa v Watford 15:00 Brighton v Burnley 15:00 Crystal Palace v Chelsea 15:00 Liverpool v Norwich City 15:00 Southampton v Everton 15:00 Man City v Tottenham 17:30 SUNDAY

Newcastle v Wolves v

Man Utd 14:00 Leicester 16:30

La Liga TODAY

Granada Osasuna Cádiz Madrid

v v v v

Villarreal 13:00 Atlético 15:15 Getafe 17:30 Alavés 20:00

v v v v

Sevilla13:00 Barcelona 15:15 Mallorca 17:30 Sociedad 20:00

v

Levante 20:00

SUNDAY

Espanyol Valencia Real Betis Bilbao MONDAY Tottenham Hotspur’s striker, Harry Kane (m) watched keenly by Manchester City central defence duo of Aymeric Larporte and John Stone

M

anchesterCitywill be looking to further strengthen their grip on first spot in the Premier League table when they welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium this evening.

The Citizens are currently nine points clear of second-placed Liverpool at the summit, while Tottenham occupy eighth position, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Man City all but secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League courtesy of a stunning performance away to Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday evening, running out 5-0 winners in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

The Citizens are also chasing FA Cup success this term, preparing to travel to Peterborough United in the fifth round of the competition at the start of March, while they are in a strong position to retain the Premier League title, sitting top of the pile with 63 points from 25 matches.

Pep Guardiola’s side are nine points ahead of second-placed Liverpool, but the Reds do have a game in hand, so the Manchester outfit cannot afford to take their eye off the ball and will be fired up to collect all three points against Antonio Conte’s team today.

Man City are unbeaten in the league

since the end of October, winning 14 of their last 15 matches, which is a staggering run of form at this level of football, and they have been defensively excellent for much of the campaign, conceding just 14 times, which is the best record in the division.

The English champions lost 1-0 to Tottenham in the reverse match in North London earlier this season, but they have the best home record in England’s top flight this term, picking up 31 points from 12 matches, recording victories in 10 of their 12 matches at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham will be the underdogs heading into this weekend’s contest, but the capital side have won three of their last four Premier League matches against Man City, with each of the victories coming in London.

Spurs have not overcome the Citizens in Manchester since February 2016, and they will enter this match off the back of defeats in their last three Premier League games, losing at Chelsea on January 23 before home reverses to Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Antonio Conte’s side currently sit eighth in the table, seven points behind fourth-placed Man United, but they have three games in hand on the Red Devils, so a top-four finish is certainly still achievable, even if their recent form has been disappointing.

Tottenham have scored just 28 Premier

League goals this season, though, with Harry Kane, who was denied a big-money switch to the Etihad Stadium last summer, finding the back of the net on just five occasions.

Recent comments from Conte will not have helped improve the mood at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and there is certainly a possibility that the Italian could walk away from the club in the coming months, particularly if their form does not improve, but a positive result this weekend could be a springboard.

Fresh from being crowned champions of the world for the first time in their history, Chelsea return to Premier League action with a London derby against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park today.

The match will be Chelsea’s first league outing in almost a month, but they take on a Palace side still winless in the top flight so far this calendar year.

Kai Havertz-scorer of the winner in the Champions League final last season - secured another trophy for the club with a penalty late in extra time of their final against Palmeiras last Saturday, wrapping up a 2-1 win.

That is now two pieces of silverware for the Blues this term, and there could still be three more to come with an EFL Cup final against Liverpool at the end of this month, a Champions League last-16 tie with Lille and the Premier League still mathematically within their reach.

Celta Vigo

Hot Shot PLAYERS

CLUB

GOALS

Mo Salah Liverpool 16 Diogo Jota Liverpool 12 Raheem Sterling Man City 10 Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd 9 Heung Son Tottenham 9 Jamie Vardy Leicester 9 Jarrod Bowen West Ham 7 Emmanuel Dennis Watford 8 Michail Antonio West Ham 8 Emile Smith Rowe Arsenal 8 Raphinha Leeds 8 Sadio Mané Liverpool 8 Mason Mount Chelsea 7 Bruno Fernandes Man Utd 7 Conor Gallagher Palace 7 Neal Maupay Brighton 7 Bernardo Silva Man City 7 Kevin De Bruyne Man City 7 Riyad Mahrez Man City 7 Bukayo Saka Arsenal 6 James Maddison Leicester 6 Ward-Prowse Southampton 6 Luiz Jorginho Chelsea 6 Maxwel Cornet Burnley 6 Callum Wilson Newcastle 6

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

R-L: IGCC Captain, Mr. Larry Osai, Chief Tom Nwakalo-Imu, Vice Captain; Tam Brisibe, Treasurer; Austine Modumgwo, Course Officer, Queen Mowah, Lady Captain; Mrs Vivian Ebreneyin and other executives during the foundation laying ceremony of the new starter hut

Blessing Okagbare

Okagbare Gets 10 Years Ban for Doping Nigerian sprinter, Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years for doping and refusing to co-operate with the investigation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said yesterday.

Okagbare, who won silver in the long jump at the Beijing 2008 Games, was provisionally suspended last year after testing positive for human growth hormone before the Tokyo Olympics and later hit with three separate anti-doping

charges.

The 33-year-old had competed in the 100m heats in Tokyo on July 31 and was due to run in the semi-final before being suspended.

“The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years, five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case,” AIU

said in a statement.

Okagbare also won silver in the long jump at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, while also securing a bronze in the 200m at the same event.

“We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal; a ban of 10-years is a strong message against intentional and co-ordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport,” added Brett Clothier, head of the AIU.

Mirandes Boss Eulogizes Umar Ahead of Almeria Clash Mirandes boss Joseba Etxeberria believes Almeria forward Sadiq Umar is a first-class striker and therefore hoping that his team would have to bring their best defensive game to ensure they do not concede when they take on Almeria tomorrow.

The former Real Sociedad man is aware of the threat the Super Eagles striker poses as he takes his team to the Estadio de Los Juegos Mediterraneos.

Etxeberria just took over the reins at Mirandes five

days ago, and his first task would be to get a result against the second-best team in the Spanish Laliga2 this season- Almeria.

Mirandes would be up against an Umar-led Almeria attack which has scored 42 goals this season, the highest in the league.

Umar is one of the deadliest attackers in the Spanish second division, with 10 goals in 22 games. The Mirandes boss recognises his quality, and he believes they would have to

deal with the Umar threat if they are to get anything from the game.

“Umar is a first-rate centreforward,” Etxeberria said at the pre-match presser, as per La Voz de Almeria.

“With good defensive mechanisms, we will be more reliable, and apart from that, we have to keep our vigilance to the maximum.”

Nonetheless, Umar would look to add to his goal tally, as Mirandes have the secondworst defence in the Laliga2.

Morocco 2022: Super Falcons Spank Lady Elephants Nine –time champions Nigeria put one leg into the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals when beating their Ivorian counterparts 2-0 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday.

A brace by US –based forward Ifeoma Onumonu took the Falcons above the visitors in the two-match fixture, the winner of which will proceed to the finals in Morocco, at which Africa’s flagbearers at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup

will emerge.

Petite and impressive winger Koko Ange N’Guessan came close to opening the scores after only three minutes when she came face to face with Chiamaka Nnadozie from a flowing move, but the France –based Nigeria number one thwarted with her right leg.

The lanky Onumonu, winning her first cap for Nigeria, thought she had got the first goal 12 minutes into the

game when she scooped past goalkeeper Cynthia Djohore after being set up

by Rasheedat Ajibade, but Burkinabe referee Jacqueline Nikiema insisted she had blown for an infringement in favour of the Nigerian playmaker.

Nine minutes later, Onumonu, who plays for Gotham FC in New York, was again in the right place to finish in splendid manner after the ball rolled to her from a goalmouth melee.

Djokovic Keeps Open Mind over being Vaccinated against Covid-19 Novak Djokovic remains open to receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, but for now, he accepts not doing so may prevent him from playing in tournaments this season.

During an interview with Serbian public broadcaster RTS, the world No 1 said he keeps “an open mind”, over being vaccinated.

“I am not exclusive, anything is possible in life,” he said. “I decided at this moment not to do it and I am ready to bear

consequences.”

“I am trying to understand this whole situation regarding the pandemic and fight against the virus like every other citizen in the world.

“I have information that everyone else has, and I am trying, as a professional sportsman, which was always the case, to triple-check anything that goes into my body and in which way that can affect me, and if anything changes

half per cent, I can feel that.

“Simply, at that top tennis level, every change can produce positive or negative results. I am merely cautious, and I took some time for myself before I make a decision.”

Djokovic’s refusal to get vaccinated against the virus prevented him from defending his Australian Open title last month as he was eventually deported from the country after his visa was revoked twice.

Lagos 2022 African Fencing: Nigeria to Field 21 Athletes Hosts Nigeria will feature 21 fencers, at the 11th Cadet and Junior African Fencing Championship scheduled for between February 23 and February 27 at Festival Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos Nigeria Fencing Federation President, Adeyinka Samuel disclosed in Lagos that the team which would be competing in individual and team events will be the largest ever for Nigeria at the championship.

The nation’s flag bearers, he

added, were mostly drawn from the country while a few others who are based abroad will also vie for titles in épée, sabre and foil events.

“Our fencers have intensified their training in the last two months and we are optimistic they will compete favourably with other countries “We are looking forward to better our performance at the championship which which serves as a point earning event to the World Cadet and Junior

Championship slated for the United Arab Emirates in April,” Samuel stated.

Rachael Olulayo of FEED Sports Nigeria, which is the grassroots platform of Nigerian fencing with the ambition to train a minimum of 10, 000 in each state in Nigeria disclosed that two of the Fund, Educate, Empower and Develop discoveries will be among those that will represent Nigeria and stand the chance to get their first experience in international event for world points.

Peller Unity Cup Season II Starts Tuesday Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The second edition of the Peller Unity Cup (PUC), put together by member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/ Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Shina Peller, would start on Tuesday, February 22, at the Saki township stadium.

Twenty teams are expected to participate in the football tournament through the Local Organising Com-

mittee (LOC) in the 10 local government areas of Oke Ogun, in Oyo State, with 22 players per team and three officials, and would end in March.

The lawmaker while addressing journalists, in Okeho, said the competition came into existence to use sporting activities, particularly football, to promote peace and spur youth empowerment and development at the grassroots.

According to him, football is a universal language and its significant role in bringing the world together cannot be overemphasised.

He said, “Football, being a universal language that everyone understands, helps connect people together irrespective of tribal, political or religious belief.

It helps to unite people. This is what the PUC stands for; it is a unifying tool for the people of Oke Ogun.”

Orodje of Okpe Golf Tournament Tees-off March 4 The 4th Orodje of Okpe Golf Tournament has been scheduled to tee-off from March 4 - 5, at the golf course, Sapele Athletic Club Golf Section, Sapele, Delta State.

The two-day event being organised by the golf section is to commemorate the 15th Coronation Anniversary of Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Orhue 1 Major General Felix Mujaperuo (rtd), a prolific golfer, and the Grand Patron

of the club.

The golf event tagged ‘HRM Orodje 2022’ is sponsored by Seplat Energy, and it will feature golfers from different parts of the country.

Speaking on the tournament, Captain of the golf section, Okakuro Gilbert Aghogho revealed that this year edition would be better organised than the previous editions.

The Captain, who also is the Chairman, planning committee hinted that the monarch being a

prolific golfer, his friends and associates would take part in the event whereby winners in men’s and ladies events, veteran and super veteran and other categories would go home with exciting prizes and trophies.

Furthermore, he explained that the golf course was already wearing a new look in readiness for the tournament, and that coronavirus protocols for the safety of all the participants would be adhered to.

Ibori Golf and Country Club Captain Lays Foundation for New Starter Hut The newly inaugurated Executive Committee of Ibori Golf and Country Club (IGCC), Asaba, Delta State has opened a new chapter in the club with the foundation laying of a new starter hut.

This foundation laying ceremony held on Tuesday came into being three weeks after the new executive committee of the club was inaugurated at the club house, Asaba.

The ceremony which was performed by the new exco led by its Captain, Mr. Larry Osai had in attendance other

members of the club’s executive committee.

They include Chief Tom Nwakalo-Imu, Vice-captain; Tam Brisibe, treasurer; Austine Modumgwo, course officer, Queen Mowah, Lady Captain; Mrs Vivian Ebreneyin amongst others.

Speaking at the event, the captain commended the immediate past executive committee for the level of development embarked upon during their tenure, adding that his administration would leverage on the commendable developments and attain new

heights.

“This is part of our administration’s desire to justify the confidence reposed in us by the overwhelming members of the club. More capital projects are in the pipeline for execution before our tenure ends.

“I am appealing and seeking adequate support from all club members in order to move and develop the club together with a view to making it a prime golfing destination in Nigeria. One tree cannot make a forest,” he concluded.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ FEBRUARY 19, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Calvin Bassey Return to England Heightens Calvin Bassey

If reports coming out of England is anything to go by, Nigerian defender, Calvin Bassey may be making a return to the Premier League barely a year and a half after he left Leicester City for Scottish giants, Glasgow Rangers

W

est Ham United are reportedly keeping tabs on Rangers defender, Calvin Bassey following a failed move in 2020.

The Hammers were keen on the 22-year-old previously before the versatile left-back opted to move to a then Steven Gerrard managed Rangers.

However, it would appear that the interest hasn’t dwindled in East London and the Irons could return for the Nigerian ace.

West Ham are, according to Football Insider, ready to rekindle their interest in Bassey, having missed out to Rangers in 2020.

The report claims that West Ham have Bassey ‘on their radar ahead of the summer’ as David Moyes goes in search of a leftfooted defender once more.

This season Bassey described as a ‘rough diamond’ by former manager, Steven Gerrard has provided three assists in 28 appearances across all competitions.

Valued at £900,000 and under contract at Ibrox until 2024, signing the Italy-born starlet would be an affordable venture for the Hammers.

Equally adept playing as a centre-back or left-back, it’s easy to understand why Moyes would be endeared by the prospect of signing Bassey.

Having been on the lookout for a fresh face to act as an understudy to Aaron Cresswell as well as a long-term replacement, the Nigerian qualified youngster could fit the bill.

In Rangers game against arch rival, Bassey put up a lacklustre performance culminating Sky Sports pundit James McFadden slamming the Super Eagles invitee for almost gifting Hearts a goal.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men dominated the first half but straight after the break, the Gers were all over the place; Bassey, in particular.

“The 22-year-old left-back went to head the ball back to goalkeeper Allan McGregor but was woefully short and intercepted by Cammy Devlin.

“Luckily for the Light Blues, Devlin’s effort was poor but that didn’t stop Bassey from avoiding McFadden’s criticism.

Speaking on Sky Sports Football the ex-Scotland international said: “It’s a huge let-off.

He added: “It’s a shocking error by Calvin Bassey and he gets away with it.

“Devlin has got time, as well.

If Rangers have learned anything from the last couple of games, it should have become very clear that the club needs to strengthen their left-back options in the summer transfer window.

Bassey was moved into his natural left-back role as Leon Balogun returned at centre-back but it was by no means a solid display by the ex-Leciester left-back.

Bassey was poor in possession, in our eyes. He wasn’t exactly a threat when he attacked with Ryan Kent, who had a lot of work to do by himself on the left-wing.

Bassey was also dodgy at the back- he never looked that comfortable.

It’s been a while since Bassey has played at left-back from the off so we’ll give him a bit of lee-way. But we’d rather the club sold Barisic in the summer and leave Bassey as a back-up.”

The Italian-born defender has been a member of the Midlands club’s academy for quite a while now, and at 21, has the perfect mix of ability and potential to make an impact at the Ibrox Stadium.

Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard had a lot of nice things to say about him.

He said on the club website, “There was a lot of clubs interested in Calvin and for us it’s pleasing to secure the services of another young talent. He’s a strong and dynamic athlete who is very much the modern-day full-back. He will develop further and we

are excited to have made another strong addition to our group. We continue to look ahead to next season and Calvin is another positive addition as we continue to build the strength and depth of our squad.”

The 22-year-old left-back was promoted to the Foxes’ Premier League 2 side back in the summer of 2018, after which he’s become a regular in their academy team.

Although he did miss the odd game along the way, the talent that Bassey possessed was apparent to see from day one. The defender had a fairly important part to play in the team this season as well, as the Foxes find themselves in second place on the PL2 table, just three points off an unbeaten Chelsea side at the summit.

Altogether, the youngster played in a little under 100 fixtures for the Foxes youth teams across various levels, which included four outings in the UEFA Youth League back in the 16/17 campaign, he was never in much limelight for some reason.

Since the 16/17 campaign, the defender’s stock has consistently been on the rise, and he’s deservedly received a proportionate increase in his playing time as well. Two seasons with the U-18 side were enough for Steve Beaglehole to call the speedster up to the U-23 setup, after which he’s gone on to respectively play 13 and 16 fixtures in PL2 over the last two seasons.

The wing-back’s ability to perfectly balance defending and attacking is arguably what has tempted the Gers to make a move for him this summer. Although Gerrard has described him as a proper modern-day full-back, it’s worth considering that Bassey doesn’t bombard forward at every possible instance. The youngster seems to have a strong understanding of what’s required in each varying situation, and this defensive awareness is a real asset to have in football these days.

The Ibrox acquisition is a physically strong player who isn’t afraid to use brute force to win the ball back when solid positioning and general observation just won’t do.

Physically strong and well-aware of his skillset, Bassey is among a rare breed of defenders who isn’t desperate to win the ball back and is comfortable just ensuring that any avenues into the box are well covered. The 22-year-old’s height and stature make him a strong presence in the box while defending against set-piece situations as well.

Although the youngster doesn’t necessarily overlap on every opportunity he gets, when he does go forward, the Leicester man usually ensures that he provides the desired effect. A good crosser from wide, Bassey is sure to provide good cover in a position that had been a concern for the Rangers over the last couple of seasons.

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 FEBRUARY 19, 2022

PERSPECTIVE

Ndi-Zoning of Enugu State at it Again Ogbuagu Anikwe

Emene. In the Second Republic, Chief Jim Nwobodo approved land for the construction of a vehicle assembly plant, also at Emene. Asika also began construction of a vegetable oil refinery plant at Nachi in Oji River and on the East-North highway. The plant was completed and commissioned

by Military Governor Emeka Omeruah in 1978.

N

di-zoning of Enugu State are gladiators at each other’s throats over which local government area should produce the next governor. Ndi-Zoning are at it again, now that a new election cycle is upon us.

My friends keep asking why I keep out of the zoning conversation. My answer is that I find disheartening what happens to my dear state at every electoral cycle.

Voters are confused and induced to vote for anything but what takes them out of an unending cycle of misery. In their campaigns, gladiators hardly address the state of our State and how to make it better. All we hear are quarrels about where the next governor should come from. At its base, these quarrels are nothing but elite conspiracy maneuvers to grab power for selfish ends.

So, there you have it. I personally find the idea of zoning gross, even as I appreciate the motive behind it. I detest the idea of zoning governorship positions because it basically says that we cannot guarantee electing an unselfish manager that will plan and execute a wholistic development agenda for our dear state. Consequently, we must rotate the position for every zone to have someone to look after its interest.

But has zoning worked well in practice?

Doesn’t it rob governors of the crucial global planning outlook that jumpstarts real development? My intervention here is not about the zoning argument we hear from Enugu East. Like the East, Enugu West is also pushing its own brand of zoning, a re-zoning arrangement if you will. Theirs may be a bit different from the restart-zoning-from-our-side argument being pushed by Enugu East. In principle, both are however about zoning.

Zoning without End? The question for ndi-zoning of Enugu is therefore for how long? How long should zoning last? How long should we endure an agreement that sustains and guarantees lopsided development of Enugu State?

Why not review the march of zoning since 1999? Such a review exposes what the state and its constituent units have gained from the practice so far. And do not tell me that zoning has worked well. If it has, why are we having complaints from all over the place? Why is Aninri, Awgu, Enugu East, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu East, and Oji River – more than a third of Enugu local governments – complaining of marginalization and abandonment? We may hear of more when Gov. Ugwuanyi steps down and people of Enugu North feel it’s safe to complain!

An honest review is called for. This will tell us whether to continue – or to discard zoning for something else. This point bears repeating because this is the best time to do a review, now that every zone has had its turn.

The alternative is to continue with today’s brinksmanship masquerading as political gamesmanship. This is why I passionately despise the Enugu zoning charade. And I know that I’m not alone.

Many concerned professionals from Enugu lament that zoning has stunted Enugu’s development efforts.

Industry and manpower Legacies Our story is heartbreaking because the Coal City State inherited manpower and industrial assets. These assets are enough to transform her into one of the wealthiest States in Nigeria.

Enugu’s manpower assets today derive from the decision by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe to plant two university campuses in the State (UNN and UNEC). Ajie Ukpabi Asika’s followed up by converting IMT

Years of the Locust Today, Enugu is essentially an industrial wasteland. The Emene industrial corridor exemplifies the degradation we witnessed in our dear State. How many of the First Republic Industries are left standing? Nada. The Second Republic car assembly plant has been run aground, gobbled up and is now downgraded to a local autobody fabrication workshop.

PRODA produces antiquated machineries for garri processing and such like.

Similarly, the vegetable oil refinery plant was mismanaged, privatized by Robert Akonobi, another military governor.

Mismanagement, coupled with regional geopolitics, led to its eventual shut down.

To add to the injury, it was deliberately set ablaze. Twice. Today, the AVOP plant is a shell of concrete and blocks sheltered by a thick forest.

Since the current republic started in 1999, the industry we grow in Enugu is an army of vulnerable urban youths composing political praise songs and raining abuses in the social media. And their destitute rural cousins celebrating their bleak future in puffs of Indian hemp and swigs of nkpuru-mmiri and ogogoro. They cannot be absorbed in any sectors because we are not developing employment-purposed sectors. Is this not food for thought for ndi-zoning of Enugu State?

Ugwuanyi

into a citadel of academic excellence. Thereafter, Chief Jim Nwobodo further boosted the efforts by establishing ASUTECH (now ESUT) as another engineering and technology institution. There was also the Federal College of Education at Eha Amufu. The institutions remained in Enugu State after assets of the defunct Eastern Region and old Anambra State were shared.

Zik and Dr. MI Okpara laid the groundwork for today’s Enugu’s industrialization. They originally carved out Emene district in Enugu as an industrial hub. Subsequently, steel rods, asbestos, cement products, oxygen and acetylene gases,

among others, were manufactured in the hub. The hub was strategically located to transport whatever was produced by road, rail and air.

The Eastern rail line passes through Emene, and by the corner of Enugu International Airport. In addition, the Abakaliki-Enugu highway passes

by Emene and terminates at the East-North road at 9th Mile Corner.

Whatever is produced at the Emene industrial corridor therefore stand to be conveniently exported nationwide by air, rail and road.

After the Civil War, Sole Administrator Ukpabi Asika established PRODA, the engineering and technology research and development hub at

These are my concerns and the concerns of the average voter as we watch ndi-zoning of Enugu State going at each other’s throats. The people they rouse to vote at every election season are being literally killed through their zoning arrangement. Will they ever stop to consider what Enugu needs to cater for its army of unemployed youths? For rural folks too weak to continue with backbreaking subsistence farming using ancient implements? And for educational institutions focused more on where a vice chancellor comes from than the products they churn out?

An Elite Conspiracy These are my concerns and the concerns of the average voter as we watch ndi-zoning of Enugu State going at each other’s throats. The people they rouse to vote at every election season are being literally killed through their zoning arrangement.

Will they ever stop to consider what Enugu needs to cater for its army of unemployed youths? For rural folks too weak to continue with backbreaking subsistence farming using ancient implements? And for educational institutions focused more on where a vice chancellor comes from than the products they churn out?

I’m unable to see how rotation enables us plan how to produce world class graduates, empower youth entrepreneurs and incentivize local industries to boost employment. How will zoning facilitate tech hubs and direct our youths to profitable careers in diverse areas such as sports, music and entertainment? What are we in Enugu State today exporting to Nigeria and the world? How do we reeducate youths currently chanting party slogans and abusing each other in the social media?

Finally, we know that there was never any intentionally planned and agreed zoning arrangement to start with. What played out from ndi-zoning of Enugu State is an elite conspiracy that has managed to produce governors from three zones.

And, as former governor Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo said recently, PDP’s idea of zoning stops at the point that power goes around.

In Nigeria, it hasn’t gone around yet, but it has in Enugu State. Frankly speaking, something has to give in Enugu, if you ask me. Perhaps, what is needed is a third force that can bring ndi-zoning back to their senses. Such force connects with people who vote and persuades them to understand that, oftentimes, zoning is a mere ploy to grab power for selfish ends.

Anikwe was Commissioner for Information in Enugu State.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Automotive Car Paint Steps, Tips, and Tricks

Rolls-Royce

Spirit of Ecstasy Redesigned for Most Aerodynamic Rolls-Royce Ever

R

olls-Royce is redesigning its figurine, known as Spirit of Ecstasy, to be more aerodynamic.

It was officially registered as intellectual property of RollsRoyce on 6th February 1911, 111 years ago.

“The Spirit of Ecstasy is the most famous and desirable automotive mascot in the world. More than just a symbol, she is the embodiment of our brand, and a constant source of inspiration and pride for the marque and its clients. Like our brand, she has always moved with the times while staying true to her nature and character.

In her new form she is more streamlined and graceful than ever before – the perfect emblem

for the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created, and for gracing the prow of our bold electric future.”

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

“111 years ago today, the Spirit of Ecstasy became an official part of Rolls-Royce. Yet, she has come to represent a spiritual direction for our brand. Her form perfectly captures the marque – she leans forward, expressing our relentless pursuit of progress, and her dress gracefully flows in the wind, echoing the serenity of our products in motion. For Spectre and beyond, she becomes lower and more focussed; braced for unprecedented speed and the exciting future her presence will define.”

Anders Warming, Director of Design, RollsRoyce Motor Cars.

Rolls-Royce has reimagined its iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine to grace the bonnet of its new all-electric motor car, Spectre, 111 years to the day the Spirit of Ecstasy was first registered as intellectual property of Rolls-Royce on 6th February 1911.

The figurine has been remodelled with a lower, more dynamic stance that brings her much closer to the drawings made by her original creator, the illustrator and sculptor Charles Sykes, in the early years of the 20th century. It also sees her physical form represent The Expression, a visual device that forms part of the marque’s new visual language.

Aguar Land Rover Announces Partnership With Nvidia

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aguar Land Rover has formed a multiyear strategic partnership with NVIDIA, the leader in artiÀcial intelligence (AI) and computing, to jointly develop and deliver next-generation automated driving systems plus AI-enabled services and experiences for its customers.

Starting in 2025, all new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will be built on the NVIDIA DRIVE™ software-deÀned platform³delivering a wide spectrum of active safety, automated driving and parking systems as well as driver assistance systems. Inside the vehicle, the system will deliver AI features, including driver and occupant monitoring as well as advanced visualisation of the vehicle’s environment.

This full-stack solution is based on NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion™, which features DRIVE Orin™ centralised AV computers; DRIVE AV and DRIVE IX software; safety, security and networking systems; plus, surround sensors.

DRIVE Orin is the AI brain of the car and runs the Jaguar Land Rover Operating System, while DRIVE Hyperion is the central nervous system.

Jaguar Land Rover will also leverage in-house developed data centre solutions with NVIDIA DGX™ for training AI models and DRIVE Sim software built on NVIDIA Omniverse™ for real-time physically accurate simulation. Jaguar Land Rover’s software-deÀned features and its end-to-end veriÀcation and validation architecture will enable the delivery of innovative assisted and automated driving services throughout the life of the vehicle via over-the-air software updates.

Collaboration and knowledge-sharing with

L – R : Mrs Oluwabusola Salami, Mr Ismail Salami, First runners –up; Mr Abiona Babarinde, GM, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group; Mrs Ose Babasanya, Mr Tolulope Babasanya, Winner of the Coscharis Motors Valentine campaign tagged ‘#onthehighwaytolove’ at the dinner hosted by Coscharis Motors Plc for the winning couples of the campaign

industry leader NVIDIA is essential to realising our Reimagine strategy, setting new benchmarks in quality, technology and sustainability.

Jaguar Land Rover will become the creator of the world’s most desirable luxury vehicles and services for the most discerning customers. Our

long-term strategic partnership with NVIDIA will unlock a world of potential for our future vehicles as the business continues its transformation into a truly global, digital powerhouse. Thierry Bollorpchief Executive O΀cer At Jaguar Land Rover.

This page is not intended to teach you everything you need to know to paint your car. Its goal is merely to identify the basic steps, and some useful tips and tricks to help make the t job of painting your car more successful.

B Before you get started, check into your local environmental regulations regarding spraying paints at home. Even if you decide not to do p the t entire job yourself, you can still get a better paint job and/or save a lot of money by doing p the t prep work yourself – using the following information. i One of the best tips we can give you is to remove as much of the trim as possible from r over and around the areas to be painted. If you’re doing an exterior-only paint job, this means trim, bumpers, mirrors, grille, and other exterior items. b If you’re painting all or part of the interior, you’ll have a lot more to remove. h The next step is to thoroughly clean every nook and cranny (not just the painted areas, but n also any areas that dirt could be dislodged from while painting. Start with detergent, and follow w that t with a quality wax and grease remover on areas that will be painted. Then apply a thick layer of tape to any areas like the windshield l molding that may not have been removed. This m will w protect these areas from the sanding you’ll be doing next.Sand down the old paint (at least to the original paint level) using a dual-action (DA) orbital air sander, which is less likely to dig in like other sanders. In general, use sandpaper finer (a higher number) than 120 grit. You may need to use coarser grits for removing rust or excess fillers. We’re not going to get into the details of body repair (welding, fillers, etc.) in this section, but obviously, these repairs would have to be made if there is damage or rust. Even minor pinholes have to be properly repaired.

Avoid the temptation to use large amounts of acrylic glaze. The surface glazes over quickly, but thick areas take longer to dry and often shrink back a lot. After a thorough cleaning of the car (and the mess you just made), it will be time to mask off the car for the primer/filler coats.

Masking is also one of the most important steps for a high quality paint job. If you’re not painting the trunk, engine compartment, etc, you’ll have to take special care in masking off these areas from overspray. Using weatherstrip material or even weatherstrip tape can help to seal the joints between body panels to prevent spray from entering. Use a thin plastic tool such as a plastic knife or filler spreader to force masking tape under the edges of any remaining trim such as around the windshield or window moldings.

Make sure you also mask off the tires and wheel wells, and form an apron around the underside of the car to keep overspray off of these areas.

Now do one more wipe-downs just prior to applying the primer/filler coats. In addition to applying several thin coats of a quality primer/ filler, we recommend applying a guide coat.

This is a thin sparse coat of a contrasting color of primer/filler peppered on top of the last full primer/filler coat. As the car is block sanded (see next paragraph), the guide coat will be removed quickly from areas that are high. In low areas, the guide coat will remain visible. You will need to use your judgment on whether to sand the high areas a bit more, do additional body work, or (for very minor low areas) add a couple additional coats of primer/filler and a guide coat.

Wet sanding of the primer is generally done with 400 to 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Use a soft foam pad wrapped with the paper for sanding curved areas. For flat areas, use a rubber pad. Use a bucket of warm clean water and a sponge to constantly rinse the area and the sandpaper.

Although we didn’t mention it, by this time you’ve probably removed most of the soggy masking tape and paper used to mask off the car. If not do it now. When done, clean the car thoroughly with clean water, and wipe the car dry to prevent contaminants in the water from being left on the primer. If you’re not going to color paint the car immediately, or if you’re going to transport the car to a different location for the final paint job, you must prevent getting any oils or contaminants on the surface. A coat of primer sealer is highly recommended if there is any chance of the car getting contaminated.

Remember all the work you did to mask off the car.

(Source: Paintforcars.com)

45

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

AUTO WORLD

New Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC , EQE 53 4MATIC+ with Battery-electric Drive

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ercedes-AMG is consistently pushing ahead with the Future of Driving Performance and expanding its product portfolio with battery-electric performance models. New to the range are the two Mercedes-AMG E4E 43 4MATIC business saloons (WLTP combined power consumption: 22.5-19. kWh/100 km; WLTP combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; WLTP range: 462-533 km)>1@ and Mercedes-AMG E4E 53 4MATIC (WLTP preliminary combined power consumption Àgure: 23.2-20.3 kWh/100 km; WLTP preliminary CO2 emissions Àgure: 0 g/km; WLTP provisional range Àgure: 444-518 km)>2@. They are based on the electric-exclusive Mercedes architecture of the luxury and premium class (EVA2). AMG-speciÀc solutions – particularly in

the areas of drive, suspension, brakes, sound, exterior and interior design, and equipment – ensure a dynamic and emotively appealing AMG driving experience.

“With two new models, we are expanding our range with purely electrically powered performance vehicles and are thus addressing additional target groups. The E4E 43 4MATIC is the entry-level model for electric Driving Performance from Mercedes-AMG. The E4E 53 4MATIC , on the other hand, focuses on even more sportiness and greater driving dynamics. And that’s not the end of our Future of Driving Performance: After performance hybrids and all-electric AMG derivatives based on EVA2, stand-alone AMG electric vehicles will follow in the not too distant future. These are based on AMG.EA, our new, completely in-house-developed platform,” says Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC

Safety Code For Joggers

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NE of my daily routines to keep Àt is a 30 to one hour walking and jogging exercise. Everytime I embark on this daily exercise, I stumble on some oddities by fellow joggers who by their mien are literate but ignorant of the risk pedestrians face.

I know I did a piece on pedestrian safety sometimes last year, but I am prompted to do another one for several reasons. The Àrst is that there is the need to properly educate members of the public on the dos and don’ts of jogging and other general safety information for pedestrians’ safety.

The second is that increasing pedestrian safety will reduce road tra΀c fatalities and thus help us in achieving our 2015 strategic goals of reducing road tra΀c crashes by 20 per cent and fatalities by 30 per cent. The last is that it is my way of honoring one of our most celebrated writers and mentors who lost his life last year while jogging.

ONE of my daily routines to keep Àt is a 30 to one hour walking and jogging

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

exercise. Everytime I embark on this daily exercise, I stumble on some oddities by fellow joggers who by their mien are literate but ignorant of the risk pedestrians face. I know I did a piece on pedestrian safety sometimes last year, but I am prompted to do another one for several reasons. The Àrst is that there is the need to properly educate members of the public on the dos and don’ts of jogging and other general safety information for pedestrians’ safety. The second is that increasing pedestrian safety will reduce road tra΀c fatalities and thus help us in achieving our 2015 strategic goals of reducing road tra΀c

crashes by 20 per cent and fatalities by 30 per cent. The last is that it is my way of honoring one of our most celebrated writers and mentors who lost his life last year while jogging.

I must confess that I am yet to come to terms with his death and thus could not muster the courage to do a piece that will require making reference to him due to the circumstance of his death. Late Dimgba Igwe as testiÀed by many was indeed God’s gift to journalism and Nigeria.

Although I never worked under him, I spent my days in defunct Concord Press admiring the bond between him and his brother from another mother, Mike Awoyinfa, in addition to my addiction to their writings. This piece is not another dirge on him as I am not sure I am competent to craft one, having read well composed writeups on him by some of the best hands in the pen business. I just believe that although he is gone, there is the need to rehash the circumstance of his death and provide guide to those living to avert such similar tragedy in 2015.

I must confess that I am yet to come to terms with his death and thus could not muster the courage to do a piece that will require making reference to him due to the circumstance of his death.

Late Dimgba Igwe as testiÀed by many was indeed God’s gift to journalism and Nigeria. Although I never worked under him, I spent my days in defunct Concord Press admiring the bond between him and his brother from another mother, Mike Awoyinfa, in addition to my addiction to their writings.

This piece is not another dirge on him as I am not sure I am competent to craft one, having read well composed writeups on him by some of the best hands in the pen business. I just believe that although he is gone, there is the need to rehash the circumstance of his death and provide guide to those living to avert such similar tragedy in 2015.

According to media reports, late veteran journalist and Vice Chairman of The Sun Newspapers, Dimgba Igwe was killed

46

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Talk Less Of’ Wrong

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HE GUARDIAN of February 15 misspelled a commonly-used word: “While not justifying the Egyptian Security Services non-challance and outright insensitivity….” Spell-check: nonchalance (and without hyphenation) The next two slips are also from the preceding edition: “Monitors seek early deployment of polls materials to (in) Sokoto, C’ River” “These are the sorts of action (actions) as opposed to….” “…its location that makes it a melting point for the various ethnic nationalities that surround the city….” (Vanguard COMMENT, February 15) In this case: melting pot.

“Many primary and secondary schools are not wired for basic electricity, talk less for (sic) ICT.” (Vanguard Cyber Platform, February 15) ‘Talk less for’ is primitive English! Solution: let alone ICT. “We urge you to continue to avail the nation your sterling contributions in the Defence Sector” (THISDAY, February 15) Avail the nation of your sterling….

“NAFDAC: “How My Pikin tragedy occured” (Source: as above) Spell-check: occurred Again: “Solutions for a cash-lite Lagos” (Fidelity Bank PLC Full Page Colour Advert, February 15) Let’s keep our word: solutions to…

“The statement issued by Bello certainly helped to sooth frayed nerves.” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, February 15) The rains are here: soothe. “…the current political arrangement that concentrates undue and enormous economic and political powers at (on) the centre is….” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Comment, February 15)

“When early morning downpour wreaks havocs in Lagos” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, February 15) Havoc is non-count.

“Euro giants lock horn at San Siro” (Source: as above) In sporting arenas, giants lock horns (not horn).

Vanguard COMMENT Page (Editorial/ Opinion/Viewpoint) of February 14 issued two embarrassing lines: “Shots are not fired to (at) the leg or other places that could disable the target.”

Still on Vanguard Editorial: “In Lagos, the police jumped off their vehicle and started firing life (live) bullets….”

“SKorean (sic) pastor arrested over children’s deaths” World Watch: S/Korean pastor arrested for children’s death—not ‘deaths’!

Finally from the Lovers’ Day edition of Vanguard: “Heroes welcome for Chipolopolo” (Back Page Sports Bold Headline) Do you mean a hero’s welcome?

“Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA…in a warm handshake with the President….” (Vanguard Business Page Caption, February 14) Of what use is it to the reader whether the handshake is cold, hot or warm? Beyond the issue of temperature, it is meaningless telling the reader what he can decipher (the obvious handshake). A rewrite: “…NPA MD with the President and Chairman of Council of Nigerian Institute of Management (name carelessly withheld by Vanguard!) at (sic) (during) a visit to NPA. “AIDS: 1.1m Nigerians in need of anti-retroviral” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Headline, February 14) For their safety: anti-retroviral drugs “111 NURTW miscreants arrested in (on) Lagos Island” (Source: as above) THE NATION ON SUNDAY banner blunder of February 13 created unnecessary misunderstanding: “Boko Haram: SSS

draws up wanted leaders list” Truth in defence of freedom: leaders’ list Still on this widest-circulating newspaper in Nigeria: “Poll records low turn out” Next time: turnout “I learnt from him, (what is the function of this comma here?) how to control my breadth when I am playing the sax.”

Entertainment plus: breath Let us take more blunders from last Friday’s edition of THE NATION before we move to another publication. Its editorial and comment pages contained three gaffes: “One of the unfortunate fallouts of the Amnesty Programme….” My comment: ‘fallout’ is uncountable. “…transforming a large number of former militants from armed banditry to productive livelihood.” There cannot be ‘banditry’ without the use of arms (violence)! Therefore, why ‘armed banditry’—and not just simply ‘banditry’, which is robbery with violence? “…the bombing that destroyed lives and property in Abuja during the country’s 50th independence anniversary.” In defence of grammar: One of these: life and property (which should apply here) or lives and properties, depending on context and usage competency.

DAILY INDEPENDENT Editorial of February 10 goofed: “…which as The Economist once pointed out can make loans with tenors of between 10 to 15 years.” Not my view: between 10 and 15 or from 10 to 15.

“Police arrest reporter on trump up charges” (Vanguard Headline, February 10) Get it right: trumped-up charges “Anger of the matriachs” (THE NATION Front Page, February 10) Spell-check: matriarchs “Kalu condoles Dantata’s family….”

(National News Headline, February 9) The

Perceptions 2023: Ahmed Bola Tinubu

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milar to the faint reminiscence of the biblical creation story when man was made manifest on the sixth day, in all its glory, this is the sixth edition of perceptual excavations of individuals with bold or brash ambition to lead or rule this nation as from 29 May, 2023. This hopefully will illustrate the making or unmaking of the man some call ‘the kingmaker’, whose lingering hunger to be president is now an open secret noised in multiple assemblies across Nigeria by diverse people who are sharply divided about the sainthood or sorcery of the man who has grown to be known and addressed as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban Borgu (among several titles) in spite of trenchant efforts of his detractors who bandy other less dignifying names.

Apart from the incumbent president of Nigeria, the taciturn former army general, Muhammadu Buhari, there is no Nigerian political figure, arguably, with the span of influence, vociferous cultic hero-worshipping, undisguised adulation of vaunted personal attributes, and groundswell of passionate admirers and cynical traducers, almost in equal proportion and fervour.

On 29 May, 1999, the former Senator Tinubu became the 12th governor of Lagos State, taking over from the dashing military administrator and colonel, Buba Marwa. His deputy, the much older Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, in 2003, was to enter the history books as one in the first line of deputies impeached in the fourth republic - ridding himself of the vestiges of the oligarchs and power brokers of Afenifere, which brought him to power. She however insisted her exit was through voluntary resignation. The dapper Femi Pedro became his deputy for the second term, with a similarly devastating climax - impeachment!

Tinubu’s forays into politics began earlier in the 90s, rolling with the tides of IBB’s wily ‘dance and dribble’ political transition programme. He was with the likes of Rabiu Kwankwaso, Dapo Sarumi, Atiku Abubakar, etc, as a member of the powerful Shehu Musa Yar’Adua-led People’s Front group in the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP. He got lucky, and became a senator, representing Lagos

Tinubu West district.

Then, the third republic collapsed aftermath of the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, and consequent ruckus. Tinubu was in the vanguard of restoring the beleaguered mandate of Chief MKO Abiola, until the “clear winner” died in detention on 7 July, 1998, and his warring acolytes scattered, mostly overseas. Tinubu was also amongst the “pilgrims” exiled by the repercussions of the popular stance against the rabid reign of authoritarianism unleashed by Sani Abacha between late 1993 and mid 1998. He was one of the vocal and gallant ones who sacrificed their personal and considerable savings for the triumph of holistic agitation against anti-democratic putschists - if the inspiring stories of NADECO talebearers would be trusted.

A year before the advent of the fourth republic, and after the demise of Nigeria’s number one nemesis, Abacha, struck down by the proverbial apple - or whatever the revisionists would have us believe - Tinubu stormed back to reckoning, clearing the thorny way to the Alausa

seat of power in a blistering race with the more favoured Funso Williams (who died in a mysterious and gruesome circumstance) at the primaries of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Of course, he handily won the January 9, 1999 general election - a massive 841,732 votes (73%) to Dapo Sarumi of PDP’s measly 184,900 votes (16%) and the odd 122,000 votes for APP’s Nosiru Kekere-Ekun (10%).

Despite the alleged chicanery of the ruling PDP, Tinubu retained his seat in 2003, unlike his SouthWest colleagues who kowtowed to primordial sentiments in a soulless slugfest. Thereupon, Tinubu erected a succession hegemony that has continued to produce the rich state’s chief executives since he euphemistically stepped aside in 2007 - through different plumages as political parties: AD, ACN and APC. He joined other “renegades” of 2014 to topple the reckless buffoonery of PDP at the national level. And APC was formed. Buhari became the unchallenged face of prinning opposition while Tinubu was its war-chest manager and war-room commander. Apparently distressed by his inability to run with Buhari, on what the opposition would have greedily seized as an unconscionable Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2015 electioneering battles, Tinubu suckled his amazing ill-luck, and hugged the contentious honorific of “National Leader”. And thus opened a miraculous doorway for his former commissioner for justice, professor of law, and loyal associate, Yemi Osinbajo, to become the Vice President.

This would later culminate in a gigantic strategic handicap to the “Tinubu for President” campaign which has never truly vanished from the periphery of party calculus in the last seven years.

Now the roulette wheel has swung towards 2023, and all the chips have been thrown in, to install the redoubtable kingmaker as the next president of the biggest black nation on earth.

On the other hand, malevolent monuments are gathering to frustrate the ambition of the man putatively attributed with elaborate political sagacity and profound human management prowess. And of course, he is reportedly ‘blessed’ with wealth and impatient cash too humongous

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

Senate Chief Whip condoled with Dantata’s family.

THE NATION of February 9 circulated copious blunders: “Congratulation to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, and the Dangote Group for (on or upon) today’s commissioning of the new….”

“Army arrests soldier over (for) Kaduna bombing” (Front Page Sub-headline) “Man, 59, charged over (with) alleged issuance of N134m dud cheque” (Vanguard Headline, February 9) “…they advocate for government of nationalities or (a) government of people with similar ethnic or historical backgrounds.” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, February 9) Replace ‘for’ with ‘a’ in the interest of a cohesive polity.

“Is it lawful to give riot victims mass burial without the permission of their living relatives? Would it have been their dead relatives? Balderdash!

FEEDBACK YOUR column is interesting and educative. More power to your elbow. Keep it up. (Suleiman Abdul Aliyu/ Kano/08057664871) HOW I missed you recently….(Komolafe G. O./Ilesa/08037277985) ASSURE me of your column every week and I assure you of my annual subscription!

We need a censors’ board at WAEC English level to certify these writers posing as graduates. The employee is a reflection of the employer, just as the subordinate typifies his boss. (Lasun Lawal/ Ibadan/08072720414) FROM the columnist: Lasun, I like this proposal of yours—it reminds me of mandatory psychiatric tests for Lagos drivers!

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

for the ordinary mind to contemplate.

Given the situation we find ourselves, and the current turmoil our governance has wobbled under, the often touted capacities and competencies of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu: a visionary of stupendous girth; a connoisseur of headhunting and nurturing exceptional talents; a rare mind suffused in intellection and erudition; a knack for prodigious investments in worthy causes and self-promoting entities - when all most others see is emptiness and grey area. Such a man is surely sorely needed now!

However, the $5b question is this: Is Bola Tinubu of 2021-2022 the man we want to lead us in 2023? Is he the same man as that of 2003, 2007, and even 2011? Are we not on the verge of falling for the same trap that upturned our hope and expectations when we equated the Buhari of 2015 and 2019 with the wiry bohemian of 1983 and 1985?!

Let us plod through the litany of impediments strewn along the path of the Jagaba of Borgu.

While it is probably uncharitable to bicker about the state of health of anyone, in view of the tragic humdrum the country suffered as our incumbent president battled one ailment or the other for most part of his first term, thereby making more news and raising worried eyebrows for travelling overseas to receive critical medical treatment - contrary to his energetic promise or manifesto; Nigerians are understandably fretting about the severity or otherwise of Tinubu’s health - especially as some of his detractors have made a song and dance about the ambivalence of his age and the uncertainty of his medical stature.

So many photos, articles, blog posts, and vitriols on countless social media have been expended to disparage or escalate these claims - yet, the campaigns have not even started!

(To Be Continued)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

47

TRIBUTE

Princess Wilma Aguele: A Beautiful Soul Conquers Death Frankwhite Nzeh

“Those that we love never truly leave us.

There are things that death cannot touch.”

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ack Thorne, the renowned British screen writer captured it suscinctly with the above quote, portraying exactlythecaseofPrincessWilmaEbahi, abeautifulsoulthatcouldnotbetamed by death, whose recent transition to a ‘better place’ has provided her relatives, friends, colleagues and well wisher another opportunity to appreciate the true essence of life and love, she was to say the least a lovely soul, an epitome of generosity and kindness.

Her footprint of excellence was felt in various sectors of the Nigerian space and beyond, with abundant testimonies to the huge asset she had been to the system. Hence the decision of her friends and family never to mourn her but to celebrate her because she came, she saw and she conquered, even in death Princess Wilma Ebahi Nkemdilim Aguele was born on 24th July, 1963 in Uromi, Edo State, to the family of Prince Solomon and Chief (Mrs) Stella Aguele. She was educated at Okaigben Primary School, Ewohimi before gaining admission into the prestigious Baptist Girls High School, Agbor, Delta State in 1976. Upon her writing her West African Examination Council (W.A.E.C) exams and leaving school in 1980, Wilma got admission into Sacramento City College, Sacramento, California, USA where she bagged an Associate in Arts (AA) Certificate in 1982 before proceeding to the very prestigious University of Southern California, USC, Los Angeles, California from whereshebaggedB.Sc.inInternationalRelations (Economic and Diplomatic Issues on Middle East and Africa) in 1984.

She was undergoing a post graduate degree in

Urban and Regional Planning (Planning for Public and Private Enterprises) at the same University before her return to Nigeria in 1987.

She began her working career when she was employed in the United States by the State of Michigan, and later got deployed to Nigeria as their International Trade Specialist between1987 to 1989. She helped established the State of Michigan African Office in Nigeria and Ghana.

She also worked briefly with other private firms before she initiated and registered her flagship Company Wilbahi Investments Ltd in 1990.

Wilma was a compassionate entrepreneur who went on to start other Wilbahi Companies as special purpose vehicle business concern to achieve her business goals. These Companies, toomanytomentionincludes;WilbahiEngineering Ltd, Wilbahi Systems Ltd, Wilbahi Farms Ltd, Wilbahi Oil & Gas Ltd, Merit Shipping Ltd, Merit Export Ltd, Amber Gas Ltd, Midland Petroleum Company Ltd, Sedwil International Ltd etc. She was a director and shareholder in several other Companies.Wilma was a comsumate entrepreneur and became a mother with the birth of her first daughter Princess (Mrs.) Yasmin Amunara Dakota Shaneyfelt nee Daukoru in 1997 and her second daughter Princess Samira Inala Daphine Daukoru in 1998. She was the best mother for her daughters.

Wilma loved her Country Nigeria and worked very hard to promote anything Nigeria. She served as a member of the vision 20:20 committee and supported the Agricultural Policy of the Federal Government as an Agro-Allied Investor and farmer.

She is a community leader with great love for her native community and people. She brought Federal Government Road Project to her people and also built an Oil Palm Industry in her community to promote commerce and interest in Agriculture. She was a mentor to many young

Late Princess Aguele people and a Philanthropist.Wilma is a member of the following Association; Nigerian-British Chambers of Commerce and Industry, NigeriaSouthAfricaChamberofCommerceandIndustry, Nigeria-Danish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), MAN Edo & Delta State, African Cashew Alliance, African Women Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP), Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG). Nigerian-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and

Industry, Nigerian – Canadian Business Association, Women Chamber of Commerce Mines and Industries. She is well travelled and attended several International Conferences.

Wilma breathed her last at a German Hospital on 14th January, 2022 where she had gone to seek medical help to fight her lung cancer battle that began in 2018. She is survived by her aged parents, elder sister, many younger siblings, two beautiful daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins and many other relatives.

Anyim Pius Anyim: His Unforgettables Victor Ikechukwu

A

nyim Pius Anyim is gradually warming his way to the enviable list of Nigerians with unforgettable feats. Born in a far flung rural community of Ishiagu in Ebonyi state, Anyim’s humble background never revealed any inkling of a man destined for greatness. Perhaps his ability to surmount the obvious limited opportunities available early in life ought to have given out the uniqueness of his character.

He was never exposed to visibility of civilisations, ingredients that would otherwise have shaped his meteoric rise to fame.

He lived all through a community-based life style, passing through a local community primary school to a local community secondary education. He would not have competed for admission into Ivy Universities, not for lack of intelligence but obviously for lack of opportunities to do so. Yet he was never deterred by such timid backgrounds, as he still emerged a reference point today in Nigeria. He may not have been announced by his academic prowess, though he read law to Master degree but that is not the distinguishing factor of his life. His staying feats that have enlisted him into the famous Hall of the Unforgettables in Nigeria today is simply the way he used powers bestowed on him to the benefit and admiration of majority of humanity.

At a very youthful age of 39 years, he was elected a senator, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone. At the age of 40 years, he became perhaps, the first ever youngest president of the Senate of the federal Republic of Nigeria. He was later as well to become the first non-career civil servant to occupy the office of the Secretary to the Government of The Federation, (SGF). The performances and the successes he achieved in those offices however appeared to have left behind an indelible footprint in the sand of his time.

While people will like him and some may even loath him but no one can reasonably

Anyim

argue against the fact that Anyim brought immense wealth and even political stability to bear in the leadership of the Nigerian Senate while piloting its affairs as a president. Again records still judge him correct that he brought so much flavour and dexterity in the management of the administration organ of the executive arms of government as SGF. So much was his impact in power that eminent Nigerians had described him in superlative languages in 2021 when he celebrated his 60th birthday.

Senator Nnachi represents Ebonyi South, Anyim’s senatorial zone in the Senate.

He spoke about Anyim saying, “If you’ve ever visited ishaigu, Anyim’s home town before, you’ll know between his reign and

now what he has made up of Ishiagu as a community. So, he’s a very great man.

Hon. Livinus Makwe, the House of Representatives member representing Anyim’s federal Constituency too has this to say about Anyim: “He is a philanthropist to the core, generous to a fault. Courageous and bold.

Sen. Ben Collins Ndu from Enugu State who incidentally was in the Senate same time with Anyim described him this way: “He is somebody that can never fail you if you have anything to do with him. Highly reliable and very efficient and above all, trustworthy.

Mike Ozekhome SAN, Human rights activist, says, “Here is a greast Pan Nigerian who rose from the rungs of the ladder

and climbed from a humble background.”

Muhammad Musa Argungu says when Anyim was a staff social mobilization Agency in Sokoto that, “Pius Anyim was everywhere doing everything, he was able to save so many marriages, so many disputes and clashes between farmers and Fulanis were averted through his hard work. He was able to bring territorial order to quite a number of people seeking social justice.”

Prof. Jerry Gana CON, former minister stated thus: “I was very pleased to notice that he had a first class brain with first class thoughts, ideas and service and I was pleased to have the opportunity of appointing him as one of my special assistants.”

Abdusalami Abubakar, former Head of state: “He has done very well in his capacity as a legal adviser and his potentials were realized by the various appointments in the panels he has been appointed to.”

Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State told us that, “Anyim has a very pleasant disposition towards people. A very respectable person and his presence is always felt during discussions on issues concerning the country.”

Olusegun Obasanjo, former president, when Anyim was the president of the Senate said: “he is one man who was given opportunity to run and he showed that he can manage and make good use of that opportunity.”

Senator Ken Nnamani, former senate president after Anyim tenure said: “I will describe him as a very cheerful person, you can hardly get him angry but when he does, he roars like a lion, being of large breath. But generally speaking, he is cheerful person and kindly disposed.”

Senator David Mark, another senate president after Anyim said: “I must say that Anyim didn’t disappoint as president of the senate. I think he did his best and always put the nation first”.

Senator Bukola Saraki, another, former senate president after Anyim stated: “Over the years by virtue of his time as both senate president and SGF, he has always showed himself as a team player, someone who believes in inclusion and finding solutions to problems.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 19, 2022

PEOPLE Day Benin City Stood Still for Shipping Magnate, Greg Ogbeifun Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun, Chairman, Starzs Investments Company Limited is no doubt, one of the illustrious sons of Edo State. The Port Harcourt based billionaire shipping mogul and philanthropist’s exploits spread from Nigeria to the rest of the world. Between February 11 and 12, 2022, dignitaries from all walks of life converged on the ancient city of Benin, Edo State to celebrate Ogbeifun during his 71st birthday, commissioning of a multi- million Naira Diverse Auto Care Centre, presentation of Greg Ogbeifun Institute of Maritime Technology and unveiling of his autobiography titled, “Not Always Easy: My Voyage from Obscurity.” The event was rounded off with a thanksgiving service and reception. Funke Olaode who was in Benin chronicles the two-day birthday celebration

T

he unprecedented crowd that thronged Benin City last weekend was overwhelming.

Indeed, it was a homecoming for a man often described as an iconic fellow of maritime industry. He is truly a beloved son of the soil, a philanthropist per excellence, a shipping magnate with remarkable business exploits, who has worked tirelessly over the last 50 years. Greg Utomwen Ogbeifun is a man of vision who is constantly on a mission, a super-focused and agile 71-year-old man, who has refused to be slowed down by age.

He is always ready to explore by breaking new boundaries in his business endeavours.

Ogbeifun is a detribalised Nigerian whose friends cut across every ethnic backgrounds in Nigeria. His outstanding business aside, his reliability, integrity and dependability have constantly drawn friends into his tent. It wasn’t a surprise when the entire Benin City stood still for Ogbeifun, during his two-day birthday bash held in the ancient city.

The dignitaries were led by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, Senator Mathew Urhoghide, Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Osagie Okunbor, former Managing Director of Nigerian Port Authority, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, Executive Director in NIMASA, Victor Ochie, immediate past executive secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr. Hassan Bello, Chairman, Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited, Engr. Greg Ero, The Iyasere of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr. Simbi Wabote, Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, Alumni of Edo Boys’ Old Students Association and the entire Ogbeifun clans both home and abroad.

The two-day celebration for a man who has worked tirelessly by establishing companies that add value to the lives of others and leaving behind legacies that will outlive him began on his birthday Friday February 11, with dedication of a multi-million Naira Diverse Auto Care Centre, a subsidiary of Starzs Group. The sprawling edifice situated inside Edo Production Centre, on Sapele Road, Benin City is an ultra-modern technology driven automobile company, whose sole aim is to provide solutions for all the automobile repair concerns. Not only that, it has a fully automated centre with a state-of -the-art equipment and a great team of savvy professionals who specialize in vehicle of automobile maintenance, thus ensuring that vehicle malfunction (s) are correctly diagonised and corrected for effective performance.

In his address, the celebrant and founder of the centre said: “I am highly delighted and extremely honoured at the inauguration of this centre today to mark my 71st birthday. This marks an important milestone in the automobile maintenance industry in Nigeria and it is also of great significance to the future of the automobile industry.”

Ogbeifun thanked Obaseki for his unwavering support and encouragement for entrepreneurs of which Diverse Auto Care Centre Limited is a beneficiary. “We are particularly grateful for the recent land allocation to us measuring

Ogbeifun surrounded by his immediate family members while cutting his 71st birthday cake: L-R: Osasu, Osarugue, celebrant, Greg Ogbeifun, his wife, Victoria , Iroghama, and Efosa

about 3,000 square meters across the road from this centre. This, we believe, will enable us expand our business.”

He rounded off the speech by thanking Ade-Ojo and others too numerous to mention for supporting his vision.

In his short speech, Ade-Ojo commended Ogbeifun whom he described as a man of great integrity: “I was briefed about this project about a year ago and I saw it as a welcome development. I am amazed with what I saw on ground.

This is a commendable initiative, one of its kinds in Edo State as it will continue to add to the employment markets. I am happy to start with you from the scratch. I commend you for this great effort. I thank God for your life, that at 71, you are still adding value to people’s lives. You will continue to do more great thing.”

Dedication over, later in the evening, invited guests moved to Edo Hotel tucked inside GRA for the Gala Night. For a man who has been relentless in his quest for the advancement of the maritime industry, two keys were done that evening: the presentation of Greg Ogbeifun Institute of Maritime Technology (GOMINT) and the unveiling of his autobiography titled ‘Not Always Easy: My Voyage from Obscurity” where he documented his life trajectory.

The unveiling of the book was led by the former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion. According to Igbinedion, Ogbeifun, the son of the soil, though based in Port Harcourt, has always had the interest of his people at heart. The event well-coordinated by the former Edo helmsman called all and sundry to obtain the books. The show of support by

different donors was impressive.

In his speech, Obaseki eulogised Ogbeifun for his outstanding contributions to the development of the state’s education sector especially in setting up of the Greg Ogbeifun Maritime Institute of Technology (GOMINT). Obaseki said: “You are doing something to enhance the development of the state and its economy.

You have made much contribution to the state.

Your interest in education is remarkable and outstanding as you have done greatly in our education sector.

“You are working hard to make Edo a part of the blue economy of Nigeria. What you are doing in the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen is there for all of us to see. Greg, born in Edo, left the state, conquered the waves and came back to contribute to the development of the state.”

Obaseki said copies of Ogbeifun’s book would be distributed to libraries in schools across the state to serve as a reference to inspire students.

The celebration continued on Saturday February 12th with thanksgiving service and reception. Officiated by presiding Bishop, Voice of Freedom Ministries, Bishop Abraham Chigbundu. In his sermon, the clergy man said: “The best of the celebration is what we are doing now. I want to thank God for Ogbeifun’s life and for his consistency in serving God. We are to thank God on his behalf for keeping him.

It has not been easy but God has been faithful in his life.”

Amaechi, who had earlier toured and lauded the newly commissioned Diverse Auto Care Centre, praised Ogbeifun for his commitment:

“I knew Greg before I met him in my official capacity. He is an Edo man who has completely sub-merged himself into Port Harcourt. His investments in Port Harcourt have given teeming youths employment. He is visionary man who has used his business exploits to continue to empower people in Port Harcourt, Edo State and Nigeria. I am happy to be here today. And this is wishing him well.”

Extolling the virtue of Ogbeifun, Dr. Olushola Osho, who has been his ally for over five decades said he was not surprised at his remarkable achievements because he had always been a super-focused man right from the onset: “He is man with a large heart who forgives easily and move on. He likes to explore and break new boundaries. He is a restless being but tenacious; a goal getter who doesn’t give up. The Auto Care Center and what he has established have become his legacies. He is 71 and it takes a large heart to continue to add value to his society. This is wishing him long life in good heart.”

Basking in the euphoria of a successful celebration and accolades showered on him, the “birthday boy” thanked everyone for taking out there time to celebrate him. “I thank you all, my family, friends and my dear wife, Victoria who has reduced my age by taking good care of me. Why am I thanking God? For keeping me alive and for giving me good people like you, for identifying and associating with me which money cannot buy? It is not by my power but by the grace of God. I am also blessed with good children who have given me joy. I am a blessed man.”

TR

Saturday, February 19, 2022

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Osun APC on Aregbesola “It is ungodly, unfair and immoral for anyone to deploy taxpayers’ money against taxpayers, just as Aregbesola is doing with the men of Civil Defence Corps. We want the Presidency and all security agencies to urgently address the fire being stoked in Osun by Aregbesola” – Osun State APC calling on the presidency to caution the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

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A Tribute to Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya

E

ven as a seasoned, oftentimes dispassionate writer, words fail me as I try to pen this special tribute to a very special woman. Some people are just too wonderfully created that one would expect that they will live forever. Princess Adenrele is one of such persons. Though she has transformed from mortal to immortal and departed our sinful, ungrateful world, I know she will live in our hearts forever and we shall meet again in heaven by God’s grace.

Before we ever met in London about two decades ago, her great name and pedigree had preceded her. She was a shining star in the political firmament and one of the few female politicians renowned as totally dedicated, committed, determined, principled and fearless about nation building.

On the day we met, I had received a call from the famous Actress, RONNIE DIKKO, who told me they were in London on vacation.

I promised to come on a visit Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya to their apartment somewhere in Sussex Gardens in West London. battles. Her absolute belief that Princess was as cool and calm Lagos State has been hijacked as the proverbial cucumber. I by non-indigenes brought her couldn’t imagine the irrepressible on a collision course with very and steely personality that was powerful forces in the Lagos buried within that soft exterior. I State hierarchy. Her blistering, would later discover a disciplined unflinching and unalloyed loyalty and principled woman with to her Boss, Governor Babatunde amazing capacity for hard work Raji Fashola was another source combined with inimitable love of trouble which almost crumbled and kindness. For hours that first and consumed her. The truth is day, we discussed the politics of that this stellar characteristic our dear beloved Nigeria. Her which was one of her greatest late Dad featured prominently in that conversation.

She loved her Dad, the indefatigable CHIEF ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA, so passionately like most daughters do. He was her eternal hero. She resembled CHIEF ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA except for her light skin which she took from her British Mum, from Manchester. We became not only the best of friends and confidants, but also close family. Her humility was the main attraction to my circle of friends including Oba Adedokun Abolarin, Prince Adedamola Aderemi, Mr Gbenga Omololu-Olunloyo, Mr Olusegun Fatoye and above all my Uncle, Chief Ezekiel Olasunmoye Fatoye who became her best friend too.

She fought many political

strengths and which endeared her to people of all classes was practically her undoing. Princess was not one to pretend or hide behind one finger. She said it as it was and was ready to damn the consequences. For her, integrity in relationships, business, community and politics was paramount and sacrosanct. She did not believe that it was something to be toyed or joked with.

She took on many battles and

She resembled Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya except for her light skin which she took from her British Mum, from Manchester.

We became not only the best of friends and confidants, but also close family. Her humility was the main attraction to my circle of friends

fought on till the very end.

She was not a bitter soul and continued to have the courage of her conviction even as those whose wars she fought appeared to abandon her on the altar of expediency. The one thing she believed in was her crusade for the emancipation of the masses of her people in Ikorodu and Lagos State. She was much loved and respected in Ikorodu because it was obvious to all that their pain and suffering were hers as well. She gave most of her time and life to fighting for the underdog and uplifting the underprivileged. It was sometimes a lonely battle which made her wonder what manner of people she was dealing with. Princess could not understand selfishness or greed. She simply gave and gave. The joy for her was to see the happy faces and contentment of those she had been able to assist and bless. Their fight was her fight. The battles eventually took a toll on her physical and psychological health but she remained dignified and unbowed.

A truly royal and regal woman.

She was an amazing AMAZON in every sense of the word.

I must have had a premonition of her imminent departure as I visited her at home for the last time just a few days before she passed on. It was a decision I took because I kept getting the urge to visit urgently even though I had a busy schedule of activities.

As we talked and took pictures during my visit she looked weak and frail. When we said goodbye, I felt hollow. There was an emptiness within me that somehow resonated and reverberated through my very bones marrow. I had never seen her so fragile. She was always strong no matter the challenges. It seemed like someone had walked over my grave. It came as very little surprise when I heard the shocking news that the elegant, beautiful, graceful Swan had flown majestically away to the bosom of our Lord.

Our consolation is that she’s gone home to rest in the Lord. Her heart was pure, her soul divine and she lived her life for others.

I will always have and treasure my very fond memories of her.

Good night The Omowonuade.

Rest in Peace...

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