SATURDAY 9TH APRIL 2022

Emefiele: InfraCo to Unlock N8 trillion Pension Funds’ Assets for Deployment to Bankable Infrastructure Projects Across Nigeria Signs terms sheet with four asset managers Nume Ekeghe The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele yesterday announced that the

Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCo) would unlock N8 trillion of pension funds’ assets to be deployed into bankable infrastructure projects

across Nigeria.

Emefiele also announced the appointment of Mr. Lazarus Angbazo as Chief Executive Officer of InfraCo and signed

terms agreement with four Infrastructure Asset Managers – the AAA Consortium, Chapel Hill Denham, Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers and Sanlam

Infra works.

Infracorp is being promoted by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, with

KPMG as transaction advisers.

Also, with their Legal Advisers Kenna Partners, Olaniwun Ajayi, Continued on page 5

CBN’s Crackdown on Cryptocurrency Trading Results in N1.314bn Fines for Six Banks in 2021... Page 5 Saturday 9 April, 2022 Vol 27. No 9860

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ICAN to Buhari: Use Forensic Accounting to Unravel Financiers of Terrorism ... Page 5

Court: Nnamdi Kanu Must Stand Trial on 7 Terrorism Charges Refuses to acquit, discharge him, strikes out 8 other counts, to rule on bail application May 18 Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday

ordered the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to stand trial on only seven of

the 15-count alleged terrorism charges against him.

Justice Nyako made the order while ruling on Kanu's

application to quash the charge preferred against him by the federal government.

The application, premised on

34 grounds and supported by a 36-paragraph affidavit, also sought an order to acquit and discharge Kanu.

Delivering ruling in the application, Justice Nyako struck Continued on page 5

Search for Consensus Presidential Candidate in PDP Falters, Atiku Insists on Primary Election Our Correspondents The quest by some presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a consensus flagbearer for the party ahead of their Presidential primaries is looking more like a fruitless mission, with former vice president Atiku Abubakar and two others (Dele Momodu and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa) insisting that all aspirants must face the party’s delegates in “democratic primary election.”

The four aspirants in the forefront of the campaign for consensus - former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and the former Managing Director of FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatudeen – have been crisscrossing the country in the last few weeks, promoting the consensus flagbearer idea.

Only last Wednesday, the pro-consensus aspirants led

by Saraki met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State,

where the issue of consensus flagbearer topped the agenda and strategies for actualising the mission mapped out.

Wike, while speaking after the meeting, said their interest was to ensure the consolidation of unity in the party.

He said they were developing a formidable strategy that would enable the PDP coast to victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku was, however, absent from the meeting.

The pro-consensus presidential aspirants had earlier met with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on the issue.

A source close to the former vice president told THISDAY last night that Atiku would never be part of any consensus arrangement for the presidential ticket of the PDP. The source said some of the proconsensus presidential aspirants, led by Saraki, met with Atiku in his house in Abuja last week and that the former vice president told them bluntly that what they were Continued on page 5

TALKING FIGURES WITH ACCOUNTANTS… President Muhammadu Buhari with the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ICAN), Comfort Eyitayo, during the visit of members of the institute to Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

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CBN’s Crackdown on Cryptocurrency Trading Results in N1.314bn Fines for Six Banks in 2021 Bennett Oghifo

It emerged yesterday that six banks were fined N1.315 billion by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the 2021 financial year for failing to comply with regulations prohibiting their customers from trading in cryptocurrencies.

In the latest revelation from the banks’ full year 2021 financial report, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Fidelity Bank Plc. and Wema Bank were fined a total of N514 million crypto infractions.

The FCMB was fined N400 million over its failure to close four accounts of customers said to be involved in cryptocurrency trading.

Fidelity Bank Plc. received a sanction of N14.28 million for cryptocurrency infractions, the bank said in its 2021 audited financial statement.

Wema Bank got a penalty of N100 million for contravening the CBN circular on cryptocurrency.

It also emerged earlier in the week that a N800 million penalty was imposed by the CBN on three banks - Access Bank Plc., Stanbic IBTC, and the United Bank for Africa Plc. - also for violating regulations barring customers from transacting in cryptocurrencies.

The UBA was fined N100 million for a customer’s digitalcurrency transactions. Access Bank Plc. was fined N500 million for failing to shut down customers’ crypto accounts, according to a filing with the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

Stanbic IBTC Bank was fined N200 million for two accounts allegedly used for crypto transactions.

The total penalties imposed so far for contravening the CBN circular on cryptocurrency is a massive N1.315 billion for the six banks.

The apex bank issued a circular on February 5, 2021, warning and reminding local financial institutions against conducting crypto transactions or enabling payments for crypto exchanges.

It directed financial institutions to close the accounts of anyone participating in or operating cryptocurrency exchanges immediately.

The CBN has ignored pushback against its crypto regulation and has advised Nigerians to adopt its CBDC, the eNaira.

The penalties are part of efforts by the apex bank to ensure that banks implement an order to block trading in cryptocurrencies due to the threat they pose to Nigeria’s financial system.

Despite these regulations, Nigeria accounts for the largest volume of cryptocurrency transactions outside the United States., according to Paxful, a

Bitcoin marketplace.

The country also has the largest proportion of retail users conducting crypto transactions under $10,000, Chainalysis says.

The Chief Executive Officer,

Stanbic IBTC, Wole Adeniyi, during an investor conference call in Lagos last Tuesday confirmed that his bank was fined N200 million for two accounts alleged to have been used for crypto

transactions.

Adeniyi said that while Stanbic IBTC followed the apex bank’s directive, the transactions it was sanctioned for might have passed through its system undetected.

technology.

“It doesn’t seem that they are going to entertain a refund, but they are now sharing intelligence with us to be able to kind of deter clients,” he added.

ICAN to Buhari: Use Forensic Accounting to Unravel Financiers of Terrorism Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) yesterday told President Muhammadu Buhari that the financiers of terrorism in the country could be traced and checked through the application of the principles of forensic accounting.

The ICAN leadership, during a courtesy visit yesterday to the President at the State House, Abuja, told him that the Institute was ready to avail the country of its technical competences in forensic audit and work with security agencies to expose the perpetrators of the illegal business.

ICAN President, Mrs Comfort Olu Eyitayo, who spoke on behalf of the Institute, emphasised that Forensic Accounting, working with security outfits, could be used to reduce the security

challenges facing the country by tracking all monies used in committing crimes, and payments.

She said, "We are worried with the nefarious activities of some bad elements in the society who engage in the dastardly acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, killings for ritual purposes, among many others.

"Fighting terrorism is a big challenge across the world and we commend the efforts being made to stem this tide in our country.

"As Chattered Accountants, we acknowledge our role in combating terrorism by the application of the principles of forensic accounting and following the money to fish out the perpetrators of these illegal activities.

"Sir, we would continue to avail the country of our technical competences in forensic audit,

working with other security agencies to expose these enemies of progress."

The ICAN boss also disclosed that the Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with the Nigerian Police Academy on forensic investigations and auditing aimed at contributing to the national desire for a prosperous economy.

Eyitayo said the Institute had established seven faculties to train accountants in specialised fields, which include forensic accounting, adding that "it is noteworthy that the Institute had signed an MoU with the Nigerian Police Academy on forensic investigations and auditing."

She appreciated President Buhari and his administration for adhering to best accounting principles and practices to secure and revive the economy, particularly by reverting to the

January to December budget calendar.

Eyitayo, however, said ICAN was taken aback by a memo that emanated from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, stating that professional certificates would no longer be used as qualification for entry level into the nation's civil service.

According to her: "This, to say the least, is a most unfortunate development, because encouraging professionalism across all levels of government would give traction to the quality of service delivered by our civil servants.

"We appeal to you (Buhari) sir to use your esteemed office to analyse the merits and demerits of this decision and direct that it should be retraced."

Welcoming the delegation, President Buhari declared that professionals in various fields,

especially accounting, provide the strength and framework for thriving economies, assuring that his administration will continue to engage experts to gain measurable and reliable results.

The President noted the contributions of the Institute in ensuring probity, accountability and transparency, urging more diligence and professionalism.

According to him: "Having served as a military Head of State, and returned to politics to serve as a President, after losing three elections, I have seen the system of accountability in the country, and the mess to be cleaned up."

Describing ICAN as a "social stabiliser'' of the economy, the President said he would go through the reports and recommendations of the Institute on inclusivity and strengthening of the nation’s accounting system for growth.

EMEFIELE: INFRACO TO UNLOCK N8 TRILLION PENSION FUNDS’ ASSETS FOR DEPLOYMENT TO BANKABLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ACROSS NIGERIA and Ukiri and Lijadu – they are to deliver InfraCo as a catalyst to accelerate public-private solutions for infrastructure in Nigeria, with initial capital raising of N15 trillion.

At a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, Emefiele said: “We have done our scoping, we believe that a substantial

portion of the N15 trillion is available locally. There is a lot of liquidity today not just in the banking industry; there is a lot of liquidity that is currently held by our pension funds managers. I understand from the last count that the size of Nigeria pension fund is over N13 trillion. I am told that

in another three to five years, Nigerian pension assets would rise to almost N20 trillion to N25 trillion.

“There is a lot of local capital and liquidity in Nigeria and what we would like to say is that we would begin by talking to people, the institutions that have this liquidity to come

in and take up this kind of debt and that is why I am trying to say that out of the N14 trillion that will be debt, we imagine that on looking at it on a straight line, we should be looking at N8- N9 trillion available say within the Nigerian banking industry and the pension fund administrators.

“And of course, naturally the rest will be raised through foreign debt like Eurobond and the rest of them. So, yes, there will be Eurobond, but because we are moving very quickly, very fast, we will be looking at more in Nigeria.

Continued on page 14

SEARCH FOR CONSENSUS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN PDP FALTERS, ATIKU INSISTS ON PRIMARY ELECTION pushing for was undemocratic, can’t work and that he would never be part of it.

Atiku was said to have advised that all aspirants should go and face the party’s delegates at the National Convention.

Another source close to the former vice president told THISDAY: “The push for consensus is by people aiming to shut out a particular aspirant.

Are they saying the 13 aspirants that took forms would sit down and pick one of them as the consensus flagbearer? Does this make sense? Who will step down for who? The aspirants should be meeting and selling their ideas to delegates; not meeting over consensus candidate. That is the position of Atiku.”

Newspaper publisher and another presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu told THISDAY last night that the move for consensus PDP flagbearer was dead on arrival.

Momodu stated: “I see a very

dangerous kind of desperation in our career politicians in Nigeria as our country prepares for the 2023 Presidential election. It is unfortunate that some of our leaders are toying with the hard-fought democracy most of them were never part of.

“At a time our country is at its worst state in decades, career politicians are only interested in hijacking power for themselves and are totally disinterested in engaging the electorates on how they plan to rescue our country and its long-suffering people from the brink of total collapse.

“The concept of consensus as practised in Nigeria is anathema to democracy because it is based on everything that democracy is not. It denies merit, enshrines illegality and enthrones mediocrity.

Moreover, it embraces corruption, bullying and other unseen ills and threats. How are the proponents of consensus different from President Muhammadu Buhari who has virtually taken over the control

of APC as the Alpha & Omega?

“How will they enforce their consensus on someone like me when I have bought my nomination form and I'm ready to contest all the way?

They should please conserve and preserve their energies and let the people make their choices in a free and fair contest. That is the essence of democracy. We need to save hapless Nigerians from this unnecessary distraction.”

Another PDP Presidential aspirant, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa questioned the principles that would govern the choice of a consensus presidential candidate being promoted.

He said: “When I see Bukola Saraki moving round the country canvassing for a PDP consensus Presidential candidate, he reminds me of his father many years ago, moving round the country saying it was the turn of the North to present a Presidential candidate.

“However, what are the principles governing the choice of

COURT: NNAMDI KANU MUST STAND TRIAL ON 7 TERRORISM CHARGES out eight of the 15-count charges because the prosecution failed to disclose any form of offence alleged to have been committed by the defendant.

The judge ruled: “In this instant preliminary objection application, I have read the counts and come to the conclusion that counts 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14 have not disclosed any offence against the defendant.

“Counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15 show some allegations, which the defendant has to answer.

“The court shall proceed to try the defendant on those counts.”

By the ruling, Kanu would now stand trial on counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15, which the court believes he needs to respond to.

Meanwhile, the court has fixed May 18 to deliver ruling

He noted that the CBN was able to detect the relevant transactions using an “advanced capability” that Nigerian banks don’t have access to, and they’ve asked the apex bank to share the

in Kanu's application for bail.

The court fixed the date after listening to arguments for and against granting the application.

Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, in moving the bail application said: “Until a person is tried and convicted, he should be allowed to walk free.”

He reminded the court that a defendant ought to enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

“I humbly urge my lord to use your discretion to grant him bail subject to my lord’s condition,” he said.

“You can limit him to stay in my house and I will not allow him to move around,” the lawyer added jokingly.

Responding, prosecution

counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, prayed the court to refuse the application, adding that Kanu had allegedly violated the earlier bail granted him.

“My lord granted him bail in 2017 on health grounds, but since then until date, no medical record was submitted to the court until he jumped bail,” he said.

“What we should be saying is contempt of court because he has flagrantly violated the orders of the court.”

He urged the judge to be guided by her discretion vis-a-vis the circumstances of the case “and in the alternative, order accelerated hearing on this matter so that the defendant can know his fate one way or the other.”

In a short ruling, the judge

announced May 18 to deliver the ruling on the bail application.

The IPOB leader was arraigned last year on an amended criminal charge, shortly after he was arrested and repatriated to Nigeria.

He had fled the country in 2017 after soldiers invaded his family house in Abia State and was reported to have committed most of the alleged offences from his hideout somewhere in the United Kingdom.

After he was repatriated and arraigned, he pleaded not guilty to the 15-count amended charges bordering on alleged treasonable felony and asked the court to quash the charges for being defective and baseless, adding that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try him based on those charges.

a consensus Presidential candidate?

It is worth consideration when consensus is anchored on the principle of equity, justice and fair play, not the brow beaten saga, which APC was compelled to submit to by Mr. President recently. Consensus should not approximate to an arm twisting scenario or drama.

“Why is the talk of consensus at this time when the clamour for a Nigerian President of Southeast extraction has gained critical mass at the national level? Someone brought the idea of this consensus to my attention, to buy into it.

When 10 people are contesting or vying for a position, you don't exclude nine to the advantage of one person. Consensus must be a collective decision of all those involved in this game. Period.”

Meeting with Makinde, Okowa At the PDP pro-consensus presidential aspirants meeting with Makinde, the governor said the party would work to ensure the success of a consensus presidential candidate arrangement for the PDP. “We have discussed behind closed doors the issue of the consensus arrangements we are trying to put together. We did it at the last convention of our party, and that was the first time the PDP was able to achieve bringing in a national chairman for the party through a consensus arrangement,” Makinde said.

At the meeting with Makinde, Saraki declared: “Of course, we all have our individual interests to become the president, but we have decided in our meetings that we are ready to subject ourselves to a consensus arrangement. It is not just for one part of the country, but for the PDP as a party.”

At another meeting with

Okowa, Saraki also made a case for consensus candidate: “This is important because we believe that the country needs unity. We are all eminently qualified to lead this country but we believe that only one person will lead and that person needs everybody to make Nigeria better and to fix this country.”

The former governor of Kwara stated that the interest of the aspirants was second to that of the country, adding, “This also goes to show that this consensus arrangement is not just about the issue of the North but about Nigeria.”

Saraki said any of them is qualified to lead the country and that they had agreed to a consensus arrangement to elect the party’s presidential flagbearer.

Also, Saraki, during a consultative visit to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State last month, said some of the PDP presidential aspirants from the north were ready for a consensus candidate.

He said: “At the end of the day, it is only one person that will lead this country in 2023; and we also resolved that we are going to work closely to ensure that we come out with a way that consensus arrangement would come among the three of us on how to go forward into leading this country.”

The aspirants that have purchased the PDP presidential forms are Atiku, Saraki, Wike, Anyim Pius Anyim, Governor Mohammed, Governor Tambuwal, Hayatudeen and Dele Momodu.

Others are a United States based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; a pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa and an unknown politician from Imo State, Mrs. Oliver Tareila Diana.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

NEWS

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

Soludo Visits Burnt LG Headquarters as Gunmen Invade Anambra Cattle Market David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday, visited the headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area in Ekwulobia.

On the same day, it emerged that gunmen on Thursday evening invaded a cattle market in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, killing cows and goats in the market.

The Aguata local government secretariat was on Thursday razed by gunmen, including

shops and vehicles parked in the premises.

But Soludo who inspected the burnt local government headquarters said the attack was only a reprisal by criminal elements, whose camps were on the same day stormed by security agencies, and most of them arrested.

Soludo said: “Yesterday (Thursday), security operatives smoked out some criminals camped at Ogboji and Aguluezechukwu, and the reprisal is the burning of Aguata Local

Government Area Headquarters by some of the fleeing criminals.

“Part of the items found in these criminal hideouts is a register of kidnapped victims and the ransom paid. This is not who we are, never can we, under any guise, allow criminals the latitude to define who we are.

“Ndi Anambra are irrepressible. They are out to reclaim their land. To restore peace, and set the pace for the building of a liveable and prosperous homeland. I repeat, anyone in the bush with a gun is a criminal

and would be fiercely resisted by the people.”

The governor spoke further that: “We have extended the olive branch to all genuine agitators, and made extensive calls for those in the bush to come out and shun criminality.

“How do you explain to any sane mind that responsible citizens have elected to pursue a supposed legitimate course adopting criminal strategies of kidnapping, arson and murder?

This is despicable, not permissible and against any known law of

humanity.”

He added that 85 per cent of those arrested are from a state in the South-east, while the remaining 15 per cent are from another state in the same zone, and that there was no Anambra indigene among them.

Meanwhile, gunmen on Thursday evening invaded a cattle market in Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, killing cows and goats in the market.

THISDAY gathered that the gunmen headed to Igboukwu

after they left Ekwulobia, the headquarters of Soludo’s local government council, Aguata, where they burnt down structures and vehicles.

A video trending on social media also showed slain cows littering the cattle market, with traders bemoaning their loss.

Meanwhile, police in Anambra State have confirmed the incident, saying it happened on Thursday after the local government secretariat in Ekwulobia had also been set ablaze by unidentified gunmen.

Buhari Assents to Bill Raising Teachers Retirement Age to 65 Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Bill 2022 which raised retirement age of teachers in public schools from 60 to 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service.

He also assented to three others namely Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act, 2022; National Biotechnology Development Agency Act, 2022 and Federal Medical Centre, Hong (Establishment) Act, 2022 passed by the National Assembly at a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, witnessed by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Hon. Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub.

In a statement issued yesterday by Presidential Spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022 provided for the

retirement age of teachers in Nigeria.

Section 1 of the Act clearly stated that Teachers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier while the provision of Section 3 of the Act provided that the Public Service Rule or any Legislation that requires a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of Service shall not apply to Teachers in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act, 2022 repealed the Nigeria Law Reform Commission Act, Cap. N118, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Enact the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, 2022 to facilitate the effective implementation of the Commission’s Law Reform Proposals and enhance its performance and bring the Law in conformity to best practices.

Oni Petitions IGP, DSS Over Alleged Assassination Attempt Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Former governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni and candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 18 governorship poll in Ekiti State, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, over an alleged attempt by some desperate politicians to assassinate him.

Also copied was the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, over an attempt on his life by political thugs during his visit to Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti State on April 6, 2022.

Some suspected political thugs, wielding guns and other lethal weapons, had on that day launched an attack on Oni’s campaign and wounded scores of SDP members while also vandalising some vehicles in his convoy.

Segun Oni Campaign

Organisation (SOCO) through its legal counsel, Owoseni Ajayi and associates, had in the letter dated April 7, 2022, told the security chiefs to beef security around the SDP candidate and also investigate those behind the attack for possible arrest and prosecution.

Oni, in the 18-paragraph petition titled ‘Re: Attempted assassination of Engr. Olusegun Oni, former Governor of Ekiti State and Gubernatorial Candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ekiti State in the forthcoming Governorship Election’, urged full investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem that happened on Wednesday April 6, 2022, at Efon Alaaye.

“That the culprits should be brought to book immediately to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in the state

YOU’RE WELCOME… Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right) introducing members of the State Executive Council (right) to the Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo (3rd right) when the governor received the VP at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, enroute Ebonyi State for an official engagement, yesterday. With them are the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe (2nd right) and the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru (4th right)

Okorocha: APC Should Stand Firm in Zoning Presidency to South-east Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Following the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to throw its presidential ticket open, the former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has called on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stand firm in micro-zoning its presidential ticket to the South-east for equity, justice and fairness.

Okorocha, who represents Imo West in the Senate, said the leadership of the party must be bold enough to come out on the issue of zoning.

The party chieftain, who disclosed this in an interview with THISDAY yesterday in Abuja, urged the leadership of the party to make reconciliation

of aggrieved party members a matter of priority.

The lawmaker added that the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) must also come up with a well mapped out programme for the party primaries so that everyone would believe that the intention of the party was to have free and fair elections.

Okorocha stated: “The leadership must be bold enough to call a spade a spade on the issue of zoning, so as to not allow people gallivanting about and at the end you will tell them to step down. They should be bold enough to talk on the issue of zoning. I think with this in mind we will be cruising as a party.

“APC presidential ticket

should go South for equity, justice and fairness and to give everyone a sense of belonging.

“Secondly, even in the South, there is a need for micro-zoning like it was done in the days of Olu Falae and President Olusegun Obasanjo. They should look at the Southeast and micro-zone it to the South-east to complete this long awaited cycle for justice and peace.

“Maybe after four years or after eight years, you might now say okay the cycle is completed. Now, it is an open game for all. But as long as that cycle is not completed, it might be hurting the nation from time to time because something is wrong.”

Okorocha was of the opinion

that the ruling party should be able to stand firm in doing this against whoever that might feel bad and be able to persuade them to see the reasons.

He emphasised that at a time zoning was about to complete, the only zone that has never produced a presidency from the South is the South-east.

Asked what his next line of action would be if the party decided to go for consensus arrangement and he wasn’t favoured, the lawmaker said he must be given cogent reasons why he should step down.

Okorocha pointed out that what happened during the national convention of the party was not consensus but respect for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Three Killed, Several Kidnapped in Another Terrorist Attack in Niger Community Laleye Dipo in Minna

No fewer than three people have been confirmed killed with several others kidnapped in a terrorist attack on Rumache Madalla community in the Bassa/Kukoki ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred in the afternoon of Thursday.

Confirming the incident in a statement made available

to journalists the Concerned Shiroro Youths, an organisation saddled with the monitoring of the security situation in the local government area said many villagers were injured during the attack and are receiving treatments in several medical outfits around the area.

The statement jointly signed

by Yusuf Abubakar Kokki and Sani Abubakar the co-conveners of the organisation declared that: “Those who sustained

multiple gunshot injuries are currently on admission at various medical facilities within relatively secured areas of the local government and are responding to treatment.

According to the statement, “the murderous and heartless terrorists in their large numbers and heavily armed with assorted sophisticated and dangerous weapons stormed the aforementioned

village and unleashed mayhem on unsuspecting victims “These rampaging criminals attack their victims at will, ironically and unfortunately in some cases without slightest hindrance, resistance or confrontation from the conventional security,” the statement said.

It lamented that the “defenceless, unarmed and peaceful locals have been crassly abandoned to their fate wallowing in perpetual agony.”

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NEWS

Nigeria Outpaces Iraq in IS Attacks, Says Report Bennett Oghifo Nigeria has outpaced Iraq as the country with the highest number of attacks by the Islamic State (IS).

This is contained in a new report by Jihad Analytics, a company whose Chief Executive and Founder is a consultant

specialising in global and cyber jihad, open-source intelligence and data, according to its website.

Jihad Analytics’ report says Nigeria has recorded a total of 162 IS operations since January 2022, while Iraq has recorded 120.

The report says half of the attacks claimed by IS since the beginning of 2022 were in Africa,

Ashiru Elected IFFS’s Secretary-General Nigeria’s Professor of Anatomy and consultant reproductive endocrinologist, Prof Oladapo Ashiru, has been elected Secretary-General of the International Federation of Fertility Societies, IFFS. Ashiru, OFR, FAMedS, was elected on April 6th, 2022, during the General Assembly of the World Fertility Congress in Athens, Greece.

The new IFFS scribe is the first black to be so elected and will be in office for the 2022-2025.

The IFFS World Congress provides a unique platform for attendees to convene, learn and discuss current advances in reproductive health, access to fertility care, and reproductive rights across the globe, and

engage the patient perspective.

The theme of the 24th World Congress was ‘Exploring New Horizons in Fertility Care’.

The International Federation of Fertility Societies is a longstanding global organisation representing National Fertility Societies since 1968.

It represents over 65 United Nations country-specific Fertility Societies that, in the aggregate, encompass an estimated 50,000 physicians and reproduction medicine specialists worldwide, including various healthcare professionals. The IFFS is the world body on Fertility and a non-state organisation in an official relationship with the World Health Organisation.

Police Rescue 15 Victims of Human Trafficking, Repel Terrorists’ Attack in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Police Command has busted a syndicate of suspected human traffickers in Baraji Quarters of Daura Local Government Area of the state and rescued 15 victims.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, told journalists at a press briefing yesterday that the rescued victims were eight females and seven males.

He explained that nemesis caught up with the human traffickers when they

were accosted at the Baraji Quarters by a team of police operatives, conveying the victims bound for Niger Republic to Libya.

According to him, upon sighting the police, the driver of the unregistered Golf 111 vehicle abandoned the victims and “took to his heels and ran into the bush.”

The superintendent of police added that efforts were ongoing by police and other security agencies in the state with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects.

Pantami: FG Will Continue to Develop Digital Policies to Attract Foreign Investments Emma Okonji The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to develop digital policies that would attract more foreign investments to Nigeria.

Pantami restated the government’s commitment during the recent launch of MDXi Lekki II Data Centre

by MainOne in Lagos.

The minister who was represented by the Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission Board, Prof.

Adeolu Akande, welcomed Equinix investment to Nigeria, the parent company of MainOne, and assured Equinix, a global digital infrastructure company of government support to enable its investments to thrive in Nigeria.

“The federal government has developed its National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy with a clear vision

to transform Nigeria into a leading economy. Government also developed its National Broadband Plan, which was Chaired by the CEO of MainOne, Funke Opeke, to enhance broadband penetration and development in the country. The MDXi Lekki II Data Centre that is being launched today, is in line with the objectives of FG’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy.

“With the exponential growth of the fourth industrial revolution, it has become essential to provide robust and secured data centres to warehouse data growth.

Nigeria and the world indeed is experiencing unprecedented growth of data and we need reliable data centres, hence the need to commend MainOne for expanding its data centre operations to accommodate more data storage,” Pantami said.

with the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), an affiliate of IS, now more active in Nigeria.

“Since the beginning of the year, the Islamic State has conducted half of its attacks in #Africa,” the company said in a tweet yesterday.

“For the first time in the history of the jihadi group, Iraq is no longer the country where #IS claims the highest number of operations: the group #ISWAP is now more active in Nigeria.”

ISWAP, since it broke out of Boko Haram, has been terrorising Nigeria’s North-east.

Attacks by insurgents have resulted in the killing of thousands, while over two million people have been displaced in the region.

In March, Nigeria ranked 6th on the 2022 global terrorism index (GTI). The GTI, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), an independent and non-profit think tank, said Nigeria, Syria and Somalia were

the only countries among the 10 most impacted by terrorism to record an improvement in score from 2020 to 2021.

The ranking was viewed as a relative improvement as Nigeria dropped two places from the fourth position, where it had been since 2017.

The GTI report said the death of Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram, and efforts of the government to improve security contributed to factors that led to the decline of Boko Haram activities

in Nigeria.

“Given the demise of their leader, Shekau’s followers were faced with the decision to either continue Shekau’s ideology or join ISWA. It has been reported that as many as former Boko Haram commanders have joined ISWA after Shekau’s death,” the report reads. “Attacks by ISWA as well as counter-terrorism efforts by the Nigerian government and foreign military forces have significantly weakened Boko Haram’s impact in Nigeria.”

WITNESS TO DEVELOPMENT . . .

L-R: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Douye Diri, and his wife, Dr. Gloria, during the inauguration of the New Yenagoa City link bridge and road projects on Thursday in Yenagoa.

Troops Escape Death, PatrolVan Burnt as Hoodlums Attack Checkpoint in Aba Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Troops of the Nigerian Army narrowly escaped death yesterday, during an attack by gunmen at a military checkpoint in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State.

The incident which was said to have taken place at the popular

Tonimas Junction along the Aba axis of the Enugu - Port Harcourt Expressway apparently took the soldiers by surprise.

According to an eyewitness, the troops who were usually deployed to man the checkpoint, arrived in the morning only to be greeted by gunfire from the hoodlums, who had apparently laid ambush for them.

The eyewitness, who is a resident of the area where the attack took place, said that “people were scared to the point of jumping out of their skins,” during the exchange of gunfire between the hoodlums and the troops.

It could not be ascertained if any soldier died in the assault but their patrol van was completely

burnt by the hoodlums.

At the time of the incident, residents of Aba were observing the usual sit-at-home directive of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was in court yesterday in continuation of his treason trial in an Abuja High Court.

Labour Storms Venue of Governors Meeting Over Autonomy Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja As the struggle over autonomy for state Houses of Assembly, Judiciary and Local Government council rages, organised labour yesterday afternoon stormed the venue of a scheduled meeting of state governors in Abuja, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs urging the governors to drop their opposition against the independence of the three arms of government.

Most of the governors on sighting the protesting workers carrying placards at the entrance of the hotel, immediately reversed their vehicles and left the place.

Addressing the workers who gathered in front of the meeting venue, at Fraizer Suites, located at the Central Business Area in Abuja, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, said that the Labour movement wanted

an unhindered local government system.

He also said that the failure of the local government system in the country and the inability of the three arms of government in the state to operate independently had brought a lot of challenges to the country.

He said, “All of us could recall that the issue of autonomy and independence for these three arms of government to actually operate independently, have been

an issue in Nigeria. And that has led to a lot of challenges.

I can say as a matter of fact, it is because the local government system is not working. That is why the security architecture of Nigeria today has collapsed.

“There is no security anywhere because that tier of government that ought to provide all the necessary information and all the necessary infrastructure were without, to attend to issues of insecurity is no longer functional.

2023: Warm Reception at Anioma Congress Excites Edevbi

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The governorship aspiration of Olorogun David Edevbie, received a boost as the Anioma Congress, the supreme socio-cultural body of Delta North senatorial district, hosted the former three-time state Commissioner for Finance, on Thursday in Asaba.

More than 40 traditional rulers from communities across the district as well as hundreds of eminent political,

professional and businesses leaders in Anioma attended the event held at the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien.

Also present at the event was former deputy governor of the state, Chief Benjamin Elue.

Edevbie said that he was pleasantly surprised at the rare display of warmth and affection by the royal fathers and top leadership of the Anioma nation of the state,

for him and members of his entourage.

The Asagba of Asaba, who presided at the consultative meeting, said that the reception was important as it afforded them the opportunity to hear directly from the governorship hopeful what is his development agenda for the state.

According to the Asagba of Asaba, “Anioma is one people; we speak in one voice. The Anioma Congress is composed of the traditional

rulers, the political, business and professional class.

“We are here to guide our people and, when we speak, we believe we speak the mind of the people.”

After outlining his vision and agenda for the development of the state, members of the congress commended Edevbie on his robust development programmes and expressed confidence in his capacity to deliver on the agenda if he became governor.

SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

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NEWS

Darkness Nationwide as

JOHESU Accuses CMDs, MDs of Sabotaging FG Directives on Training

Power Grid Collapses Again

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has called for disciplinary action against Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) for sabotaging government directive on resident pharmacy training.

Acting National Secretary of JOHESU, Comrade Matthew Ajorutu, in a letter to Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), alleged that the Chief Executive Officers of FHIs, with the backing of the Federal Ministry of Health (FmoH), sabotaged the residency training by refusing to implement approved resident training for pharmacists as contained in the government circular.

He condemned what he described as ‘undisguised oppression against health workers

Peter Uzoho The nation’s electricity grid crashed again yesterday after the collapse to zero generation and supply recorded in March, which plunged many homes and businesses into total darkness and resultant pains.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) disclosed the latest grid collapse yesterday in a mail sent to its customers, saying the collapse happened at 6:30pm leading to outages across its network and that it was working with the Transmission

Company of Nigeria (TCN) to resolve the issue.

“Dear Esteemed Customer, A system collapse occurred on the national grid about 6:30 P.M. today (yesterday), leading to outages across our network.

We are working with our TCN partners to resolve the issue.

“We sincerely apologise for the inconveniences this may have caused. EKEDC Island District,” EKEDC stated.

Also, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company said the collapse had resulted in power

outage in its area of operation.

“Please be informed that there has just been a national grid collapse causing an outage in our franchise areas.

“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appeal that you bear with us while we await restoration from the TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria). We regret all inconvenience caused,” AEDC tweeted.

7&1 GHFOLQHG WR FRQÀUP the development, as its Head RI 3XEOLF $ͿDLUV 1GLGL 0EDK

refused to take calls put across her mobile lines or reply to text messages sent to her, as at the WLPH RI ÀOLQJ WKLV UHSRUW The latest collapse has brought the number of such embarrassing incidents to four in 2022 and in three consecutive months -February, March and April.

The collapse, however, occurred despite the recent showmanship and action without result interventions by the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, and heads of agencies under his ministry.

by disrupting their (pharmacists’) post-graduate specialty and skills acquisition endeavours.’

The development, he said, was contrary to the 2015 circular by the FMoH under the leadership of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Linus Awute, which approved the use of all FHIs in the country as training facilities for resident pharmacists in-training at the WAPCP. According to him, 11 years after the National Council on Establishment (NCE) endorsed a consultant pharmacist cadre, FmoH, in alliance with the Committee of CMDs and MDs of the FHIs had ignored the circular which prescribed that graduates of the WAPCP in the Directorate Cadre from CONHESS 13 to 15 be recognised as Consultant Pharmacists in the Public Service.

UN: Food Insecurity Leaves 8.4 m in Dire Need of Humanitarian Assistance in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe Michael Olugbode in Abuja

PARTNERING FOR DEVELOPMENT… L-R: Mr. Olatunji Olowolafe, Board Member, InfraCorp; Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, Chief Executive Officer, InfraCorp; Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria and Chairman, InfraCorp; Dr. Kingsley Obiora, Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN and Board Member, InfraCorp; and Mr. Ayotunde Anjorin, representative of the CFO, African Finance Corporation (AFC), at the signing of the Term Sheets between InfraCorp and four Infrastructure Asset Managers, at the CBN Office in Lagos...yesterday

Caverton Records N4.3bn Loss in 2021 amid COVID-19 Impacts Chinedu Eze Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, the leading provider of marine, aviation and logistics services to local and international oil and gas companies in Nigeria, has announced its audited results for the year ended 31st December 2021, showing a N4.3bn loss.

Despite a loss of N4.3bn, this is an improvement on last quarter results as the company continues to recover from the serious negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors which have negatively

impacted business operations in Nigeria and the rest of the world.

Commenting on the results, Bode Makanjuola, Caverton’s Chief Executive Officer, said that the company remains cautiously optimistic on improved fortunes for Caverton and our shareholders.

“Despite these results, Caverton remains the leading provider of oil and gas logistics in the Nigerian oil sector and will continue to strive to provide safe and efficient service to its clients whilst utilising its cash reserves to accommodate

accrued losses. To further boost revenues, the Group has been exploring further opportunities within and outside the oil and gas sector.

“In addition to growing our market share in the oil and gas logistics sector our primary focus for the year will be on third party training and maintenance. Our Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and our Caverton Aviation Training Centre (CATC), both in Lagos, officially commenced business operation in the 2nd half of 2021. Prospects

for training and maintenance are extremely positive as we are in advanced contract negotiations with a number of government and private institutions across sub–Saharan Africa,”Makanjuola said.

Caverton Aviation Training Centre (CATC) full flight simulator gained full certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), in October 2021.

The EASA’s mission is to promote the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation.

Gov Ikpeazu’s Kinsmen in Diaspora Kick Ugwuanyi Gives Executive Backing for Domestication of Disability Act Against Ngwa Self Succession Agenda Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Contrary to the general perception in Abia State, it has emerged that the scheming

by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s kinsmen to retain power for another eight years is not a collective Ngwa agenda.

This is because a section of the Ngwa people in diaspora view the self succession plot as “obnoxious” and are vehemently questioning its morality given that an Ngwa man would exit Government House next \HDU DIWHU HLJKW \HDUV LQ R΀FH

Among the opponents of self succession is a United States of America-based Ngwa group under the aegis of Isiala Ngwa Family Association (INFA), which in a statement called for a power shift to Abia North “in the spirit of justice and equity.”

In the statement signed by its Coordinator, Uchenna Elemuo, INFA noted that though it would appear politically logical for the Old Aba Division to retain power to balance things out with the Old Bende DiviVLRQ LW FDQ·W EH MXVWLÀHG LQ WKH present circumstances.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has given executive backing for the domestication of the Nigerian Disability Act by the State House of Assembly.

Ugwuanyi gave the express approval when representatives of Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI) visited him at the Government House Enugu, yesterday.

Voice of Disability Initiative is an advocacy network formed by and for women with disabilities, saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding and protecting the fundamental

human rights of women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria.

VDI is being supported by an international foundation known as Amplifychange to implement a project on advancing the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in the country.

The advocacy group organized a sensitization programme and rally in Enugu State as part of the activities being supported by Amplifychange to commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day with the Campaign theme: #BreakTheBias.

be in an emergency situation (Phase 4).

The United Nations has “This is a 19 per cent said the deterioration of food increase in the number of security in Borno, Adamawa people in need of food security and Yobe (BAY) states had left assistance since the October more than 8.4 million people 2021 analysis, including an in dire need of humanitarian alarming 28 per cent increase assistance and protection. in the number of people in A statement by the United the emergency category.

“Additionally, according to 1DWLRQV 2΀FH IRU WKH &RRUGLQDWLRQ RI +XPDQLWDULDQ $ͿDLUV the IPC acute malnutrition (UN-OCHA) yesterday, said analysis from September 2021 “After averting catastrophe - August 2022 the number of in 2021, danger looms again acutely malnourished children for the people of North-east and women is expected 1LJHULD LI HͿRUWV DUH QRW WR VLJQLÀFDQWO\ LQFUHDVH LQ the year 2022 and further sustained.”

The statement further said worsen in the lean season. that: “Final Cadre Harmonisé The analysis indicates that (CH) analysis results from 1.74 million children aged 6-59 March 2022 project deterio- months will need treatment ration of the food security for acute malnutrition in 2022. situation in Borno, Adamawa These are anticipated to be the and Yobe (BAY) states, where highest levels observed since more than 8.4 million people the emergency period of 2016.”

The statement further added require humanitarian assistance that: “The 2022 Humanitarian and protection.

“The March 2022 CH Response Plan for Nigeria is projects 4.1 million people in seeking $1.1 billion to support 5.5 need (Integrated Food Security million people. As part of this, 3KDVH &ODVVLÀFDWLRQ 3KDVH $351 million is urgently needed or above) during the peak by May to deliver life-saving of the 2022 lean season, of food security and nutrition whom an estimated almost DVVLVWDQFH WR WKH PRVW DͿHFWHG 600,000 people are projected to people.”

FCCPC: Court Rejects Med Contour’s ‘No Case Submission,’ Fixes Trial for May 26 Dike Onwuamaeze A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has ruled on April 7 that a Lagos-based Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, and the Med Contour Services Limited (MCSL) have a case to answer in a suit filed against them over the death of one Mrs. Nneka Onwuzulugbo, by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Competition (FCCPC).

It should be recalled that the FCCPC arraigned Adepoju and MCSL for allegedly obstructing the investigation by the commission into the case which led to the death of Onwuzulugbo on July 3, 2020.

But Adepoju, through her attorney filed a “No Case Submission” claiming that the prosecution has not made a sufficiently answerable prima facie case for the defendant to defend.

Thereafter, the court reserved the matter for a decision and ruling, which it delivered on Thursday,

April 7, 2022.

A press release that was issued by the FCCPC on Thursday titled ‘RE: FRN vs. Dr. Anuoluwapo Funmilayo Adepoju and Med Contour Services Limited’, stated that the court rejected the no case submission application by the GHIHQGDQW DQG D΀UPHG WKDW there is a case to answer. ,W VDLG WKDW WKH FRXUW DOVR À[HG the commencement of trial on the matter on May 26, 2022.

The Executive Vice Chairman DQG &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI FCCPC, Mr. Babatunde Irukera, said that on “April 7, 2022, and sitting in Lagos, the Federal High Court entered its decision and ruled rejecting the defendant’s ‘No &DVH 6XEPLVVLRQ · 6SHFLÀFDOO\ WKH court ruled that the evidence so far propounded, presented and articulated by the prosecution, and admitted by the court satisfy the elements of the criminal charges pending against Anuoluwapo Adepoju.

SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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APRIL 9, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

CHOICES BEFORE THE SOUTH-EAST The south-east must be dispassionate about its choices in the 2023 elections, writes Fredrick Nwabufo

W

here do we go from here? Do we go to Pharaoh Sesostris III of Egypt to become ‘’prime minister’’ or do we go to Xerxes of Persia to earn a place in the council? Whichever way, there has to be a ‘’go’’. The south-east may be hamstrung by burdensome choices as regards the 2023 presidential election, but it must determine its own future now by getting dividend out of wild gambles.

The APC and the PDP are the only two operable vehicles for the actualisation of south-east’s goals – within the wider Nigerian interest. But the south-east’s dalliance with the PDP since 1999 has neither resulted in commensurate development for the region nor precipitated the centering of the region in national politics.

The south-east and the PDP liaison has been an abusive one. At the risk of everything, including its own development, the region has supported the party. In my column, ‘What did PDP do to deserve the loyalty of Igbos?’, I said the Igbo keep tailing the PDP through its floundering and wobbles, but even within the party, the south-east is henpecked. Yet, the Igbo sustain the romance.

In the column, I also challenged anyone to list the infrastructural achievements of the PDP federal government in the south-east in 16 years. I am still waiting for anyone to take up the gauntlet. The reality is that the south-east’s loyalty to the PDP has been grossly taken for granted by the party.

It is like a union encumbered by unrequited affection. One partner remains devoted, giving and committed to the relationship to the point that the other partner sees the loyalty as deserving or his entitlement without making any effort to reciprocate the trust.

It has become clear the PDP will not zone its presidential ticket to the south-east. Logically, if the PDP zones the ticket to the south-east without the APC zoning its own ticket to the same region, the election is as good as lost. I had explained reasons the south-east cannot produce Nigeria’s next president in previous columns – one of which is the prevailing national animus for the region owing to the terrorism of Biafra agitators. The perception is that the terrorism in the region has the tacit and direct imprimatur of the south-east political leadership and citizens owing to their variance with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The south-east will only have a chance at the presidency if the PDP and the APC both zone their tickets to the region. But this is wishful thinking.

The PDP zoning panel threw open the presidential ticket, asphalting the way for Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president (from the north-east),

THE SOUTH-EAST UMBILICAL CORD WAS NOT BURIED WITH ANY POLITICAL PARTY; HENCE IT MUST ACCORD ALL POLITICAL PARTIES EQUAL MEASURE OF LOYALTY BASED ON ITS INTEREST WITHIN THE BROADER NIGERIAN INTEREST

and Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers (from the south-south), to contest. Although Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue and chairman of the zoning committee, tried to apply chicanery to what seems to be a fait accompli by saying the party’s national executive committee (NEC) is yet to take a decision on the panel’s recommendations, the PDP presidential ticket trajectory is clear.

A few days ago, some Igbo leaders accused two south-east governors of receiving bribes to support the presidential bid of Wike. This is the problem in situ. Survivalist politics — which negates the interest of the whole for that of the individual.

The whispers in PDP spectrum are that if the presidential ticket goes to a northern candidate, then the vice-presidential slot will go to the south-west. The PDP is thinking about winning the 2023 presidential election. Good strategy, yes, but where does that leave the dotting south-east?

Nowhere. The assumption is that the south-east will swim with the PDP through hell and high water. This is the region’s depressing position now – taken for granted, used and abused.

How can the PDP propitiate the south-east for its years of blind loyalty? Can anything good still come from the south-east’s consort with the PDP? Only the south-east can determine this.

Only the region can decide the outcome of its dalliance with the party going forward. But it has to take tough and rational decisions to come to a place of significance, respect and regard once again.

Does the APC offer better political advantages for the south-east? I do not think so, really. Not at the moment. This is because there is yet to be a welding organism between the region and the party. A bulk of the region’s political elite isolated itself from the party and chose to play the opposition.

The south-east must be dispassionate about its choices in the 2023 elections. Its umbilical cord was not buried with any political party; hence it must accord all political parties equal measure of loyalty based on its interest within the broader Nigerian interest.

The region must see other parties outside the PDP as vehicles to achieving development, integration and national unity.

Only the party that presents a workable plan of how to support the local economy now battered by resident troglodytes, drive development and bridge the familial chasm; beyond political appointments which do not help anyone except those appointed; should the region follow. The south-east’s umbilical cord was not buried with any political party.

Nwabufo is a writer and journalist

SOLUDO’S SOP TO IPOB Kene Obiezu urges the Truth, Justice and Peace Committee to train its sight on the separatist organisation

W

henever great responsibilities are thrust upon giant shoulders during grave moments, even sceptics and cynics come to expect some kind of synergy, some symphony between the efforts put into tackling the problems and the results achieved.

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Charles Chukwuma Soludo is yet to clock a full month in office, but he is already feeling the weight of expectations that comes with being the governor of one of Nigeria`s most sophisticated states. Since he was sworn in on the 17th of March, 2022, he has gone about his duties with a sense of mission largely driven by his vision for a better state in which new ways of doing things will produce novel results.

The morning tells the day, but it will be premature to judge Mr. Soludo now even if he has started brilliantly from all indications. The moment the celebrated Professor of Economics won the polls of November 6, 2021, many held their breath and began a countdown to

the day the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor would take over as governor of the state. Particularly, they wanted to see how one of Nigeria`s most prominent public intellectuals would fare in the hot seat of Nigerian politics and everything that comes with it.

Observers and stakeholders alike were especially keen to see how Mr. Soludo would tackle the insecurity in Anambra State as it was no secret that the ‘Light of the Nation’ state had become enveloped in the darkness of insecurity with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as the chief culprit.

With its leader Mr. Nnamdi Kanu the subject of judicial proceedings in Abuja, the IPOB had in the last year turned the Southeast upside down.

It was not just the costly and crippling sit-at-home orders it enforced on Mondays, random killings and arson also became the order of the day as security in the whole region degenerated. In fact, it was at the last minute that the IPOB decided against disrupting the elections that

produced Mr. Soludo as governor.

Already, Mr. Soludo`s time in office as governor has seen the IPOB `s Monday follies come to an end in the state. If there was any doubt that the governor played a huge role in this, his recent constitution of a Truth, Justice and Peace Committee put paid to that and showed that as a foremost economist, he recognizes that there can be no genuine economic progress in an atmosphere of insecurity.

The 15-member Committee headed by renowned law teacher and writer, Mr. Chidi Odinkalu has Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu as secretary.

Other prominent faces on the Committee are Mr. Charles Oputa and Music icon Onyeka Onwenu. The Committee is to take a holistic look at the nightmare of insecurity in the Southeast and make recommendations. But there is no doubt that it must have its sight trained on the IPOB. The group, long proscribed as a terrorist group by the federal government, sharply divides opinions

even among those it is supposedly struggling to liberate. The activities of the group in shutting down activities in the Southeast every Monday proved hugely unpopular even as the Southeast became a hotbed of insecurity. Till this day, criminal activities continue with alarming regularity in Anambra State and even if the IPOB denies direct responsibility, it must take the blame for creating the atmosphere of insecurity in the first place.

Mr. Soludo may be trying to get his government up and running, yet, with the IPOB, there is only very little room for maneuver. The group boasts in its ranks many unscrupulous elements who have ripped apart the security of the southeast. While solutions are to be eagerly sought, there must be accountability too lest it be said that it was under Mr. Soludo`s government that all those who spilled innocent blood in Anambra State were absolved of their iniquitous crimes. keneobiezu@gmail.com

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APRIL 9, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

What’s going on?

Nigeria and Police Brutality

Nigeria’s Security Challenges

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he recent attack on travellers along AbujaKaduna road is shocking. The fact that the ‘terrorists’ could now detonate explosives before killing and kidnapping innocent people is quite alarming. It says a lot about our security system.

It also sends a clear message to all and sundry that no one is safe, we are all in this mess together; the common people and the ‘elite’ alike. No system of transportation is safe, one could now be attacked when travelling by road, railway or even by air.

The unfortunate train attack is not the first of its kind- and will not be the last unless the needful is done. The only difference is that this time around, the ‘terrorists’ appeared well armed, more audacious and with the hunger to kill.

Those terrorists have been attacking villages and killing people especially in the northern parts of the country, where such attacks have become the order of the day. They have established themselves as an authority in a number of villages under their control.

Some of their brutal attacks and heinous crimes are actually underreported in the news media.

According to the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) in a report published between January and February, at least 1, 761 people lost their lives across the country in incidents related to insecurity and protracted armed violence. Under our noses, our beloved country, once a nation of peace and tranquility, is gradually turning into the likes of Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan.

Even worse, majority of those killed are people trying to make a living for themselves and their families. People are killed in their homes, in offices, at markets, on roads and virtually everywhere.

It suffices to conclude at the moment that there’s seemingly the creation of ‘a state within another’.

On one hand, there’s the almighty sovereign Nigeria that continually fails to protect its citizens and on another, the hypothetical terror nation ruled by such terrorists as Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers, and the likes.

The government is failing woefully in its basic responsibility in securing the lives of citizens, as they sworn to do before taking over the reins of government from the previous administration.

Therefore all hands must now be on deck to nip in the bud this issue that is threatening our very existence irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religious

or political affiliations. To begin with, the government should be bold enough to fish out and address the ultimate cause of the crises, the genesis of the terror groups, their sponsors, financial channels, sources of arms and weaponry, contacts in the community, etc. In addition, such factors that tend to inflame the situation as poverty, social injustice, illiteracy, etc., should also be proactively addressed by devising measures that will assuage people’s suffering and displeasure.

Furthermore, the security forces should be well equipped with state-of-the-art weapons in order to take the war to the terrorists’ camp. They should also engage the public in intelligence gathering, reporting suspicious activities, etc.

In conclusion, the people should also cooperate and work-hand-in hand with security forces and other relevant government agencies in every way legally possible in order to curtail the worsening security crisis ravaging the country.

Najeeb Maigatari, Jigawa State, Maigatari313@ gmail.com

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he police are everywhere in Nigeria unleashing ‘injuria’ on Nigerians. They are expected to enforce laws, investigate crimes and make lawful arrests.

But, instead of making laws, they break them; instead of investigating crimes, they commit them, and instead of being arrested for the crimes committed, they are the ones who cynically and ironically make unlawful arrests of innocent Nigerians.

Many police officers in Nigeria are vampires in our empire. They are a scourge. They afflict pains. They cause tribulations which lead to despair that makes people perspire.

The recent groaning and public expression of despair by a prominent traditional ruler in Osun State, The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, over the gruesome murder of his relative, Saheed Ajibola Olabomi, by a

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

team of policemen on July 27, 2021 in Osogbo, Osun State, is just one out of countless number of cases of innocent Nigerians who unjustly lost their lives to police brutality.

In September last year, 2021, a young girl, Monsurat Ojuade, who had just turned 18, was killed, without committing any offence, by a police officer, who shot her through the gate in Lagos. According to the Nigeria Director of Amnesty International, Osai Ojigho, “Evidence gathered by Amnesty International paints a damning picture of ruthless excessive force

by Nigerian security forces”. These include physical abuse, secret detentions, extortion, theft, and extrajudicial executions of suspects.

The list of police brutality cases in Nigeria is very long. For example, it was reported that not less than 115 people were killed by security forces in Nigeria’s Southeast between March and June 2021. Mr. President, this act of man’s inhumanity to man by our security personnel, especially the police, must stop. As the Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, kindly use your position to ensure justice demanded by the monarch over the murder of his relative, Saheed Olabomi.

Immediately after the incident, Saheed was taken to University of Osun (UNIOSUN) Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, and the autopsy conducted on him established the fact that he died as a result of the injuries received from the shot fired by the police.

The Olabomi’s family has unjustly lost their son, but they shouldn’t lose justice, as this may aggravate their pains and anger, which in turn, may lead to chaos, and disobedience to the laws of the land.

Jimoh Olorede, oloredejimoh@ gmail.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

NEWS 0DOWLQD·V ,PSDFW RQ 1LJHULDQV· +DSSLQHVV The 2022 World Happiness Report recently ranked Nigeria as the 116th happiest place in the world - a spot lower than we ranked last year.

This is a clear indicator of WKH VLJQLÀFDQW LQFUHDVH LQ negative emotions that have plagued our countrymen in recent times. Interestingly, FRQVFLRXV HͿRUWV DUH EHLQJ made by conscientious brands like Maltina who are working arduously to change the narrative.

Speaking on their contributions so far, Maltina Senior Brand Manager, Elohor Olumide-Awe said, “In over four decades of our existence as Nigeria’s number one malt brand, we have built a

WALKING IN FAITH… L-R: Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi and the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu, Dr. Ernest Obodo, taking a tour round Mary Agro Farms of the Diocese at Udi, Enugu State...recently

WR (JXDYRHQ 2OLVHK 5XIDL 2WKHUV Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, \HVWHUGD\ SUHVHQWHG &HUWLÀFDWHV of Occupancy to some members of the 1994 Super Eagles squad to the African Cup of Nations in 1994, 28 years after the federal government made the pledge.

At the event which took place in Abuja, Fashola recalled that the matter began to gain traction in

the public space again after his counterpart at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, intimated KLP RI WKH QRQ IXOÀOOPHQW RI the promise.

He explained that because it would be almost impossible to give the entire team and some crew members houses in Abuja, it was decided that the EHQHÀFLDULHV ZLOO SLFN D VWDWH RI their choice where they wanted

their buildings.

Subsequently, the minister explained that President Muhammadu approved the incorporation of the names of WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV LQWR WKH 1DWLRQDO Housing Programme (NHP), culminating in the handing over of the documents.

“This promise is late enough and we want to ensure that it does not delay any further,” the minister stated, adding that once

(PHÀHOH ,QIUD&R WR 8QORFN 1 WULOOLRQ 3HQVLRQ )XQGV· $VVHWV IRU 'HSOR\PHQW WR %DQNDEOH ,QIUDVWUXFWXUH 3URMHFWV $FURVV 1LJHULD &RQW·G 3J “So, let’s not forget these are projects from viability stand points and that they will be generating Naira revenue. Most of the roads will be carrying the traffic cam, they will be tolled but we will try as much as possible to ensure that the tolls are not too high and become so burdensome on the road users.

“The important thing I think is we must begin to come to a realisation that for us to have good infrastructure, for us to have good roads, we will need to make them commercially viable and that means we have to really pay for them.”

Further speaking on how InfraCo would be financed, Emefiele said the first phase of this financing is to raise N14 trillion debt plus N1 trillion equity which is being contributed by the CBN, AFC and NSIA. He added: “Upon signing the terms sheet today, we will go straight into execution mode because Nigeria very badly needs to develop its infrastructure. There is infrastructure deficit in the public sector, there is infrastructure deficit in the private sector and we would like to see that we played our part at this time to support the efforts of not just the government but also the private sector in doing whatever can be done to develop infrastructure in Nigeria.

“We are determined to do this because we all travel to different parts of the world and we see state of the development of their infrastructure and indeed most of the developing countries that we like to compare ourselves with also have some sort of our type

of InfraCo and that is why they have moved very aggressively in developing infrastructure in those countries. We are determined to see to it that from today InfraCo is open for business.

“From today we are unveiling InfraCo to Nigeria and because we are sure, we are confident that the funding of N15 trillion is available.

“In other countries where infrastructure corporations have worked, pension funds have been used to develop the infrastructure of those countries.

“Emerging market economies have used private sector funds coming from either pension fund managers or the banking industry to set an example that we here in Nigeria stand ready to support infrastructure development, to support the government in the development of Nigeria infrastructure, and that is our solemn pledge today that we will. I am so sure that with the gap in the Nigerian infrastructure, this is the first tranche and I believe it will soon very quickly be used up and we can now go to a phase two and phase three.

“Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa and a country with the largest population in Africa truly deserves that at this time. Its infrastructure must be top notch so as to continue to encourage investors both locally and foreign to have confidence to come and do business in Nigeria.”

On his part, Angbazo said: “The specific mission of InfraCo is to harness opportunities for infrastructure development in Nigeria by originating, structuring,

executing and managing end-to-end bankable projects. These projects would be managed privately by asset managers that are private entities and they would do this in partnership with public and private sector participants to provide long and attractive investment returns required not just in terms of financial returns but also in terms of social impact.”

“InfraCo is a dedicated vehicle to unlock and enable development of infrastructure. It is a catalyst to unlock private capital by leveraging local and international pools of capital and finally it is an enabler for economic growth and development by driving local capacity building, inclusive growth and development with impact.”

*HQHVLV *URXS 5HVWDWHV &RPPLWPHQW WR &XVWRPHU 6DWLVIDFWLRQ Innocent Megbolu

Genesis Group, a fast-paced hospitality conglomerate with business interest in restaurants, catering, snacks food manufacturing, hotels, cinemas and real estate development, has restated its commitment WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV JHW WR WKH VLWH to customer satisfaction. the keys to their houses will be The group stated this at its 30th handed over to them. anniversary in Port-Harcourt, Rivers He disclosed that during colla- State capital. tion, the name of Finidi George Genesis Group which started as was left out in error, noting that it a 25-seater restaurant in Enugu in has now been sent to the president 1991, has grown to a multinational for approval. conglomerate headquartered in In the 1994 African Cup of Port-Harcourt with business interest Nations, the 19th edition, which in hospitality and oil and gas. was hosted by Tunisia, Nigeria The founder and GMD, Dr. had won its second championship, Nnaeto Orazulike, noted that EHDWLQJ =DPELD LQ WKH ÀQDO ² for three decades the business

)DVKROD +DQGV 2YHU +RXVH 'RFXPHQWV

reputation for curating unique experiences for consumers nationwide. Through a wide range of our projects, Nigerians across the nation have felt our warm hand and dedication to fostering happiness across borders. With the International Day of Happiness held on the 20th of March 2022, we stayed true to our values and once again embarked on purely KXPDQLWDULDQ HͿRUWV WR VSUHDG happiness.”

One of such programmes that made waves during this period was a Maltina sponsored radio trivia programme aired on Beat 99.9FM where consumers won branded merchandise when they answered questions correctly.

conglomerate has continuously innovated, diversified and provided exceptional products and services to its esteemed clients and customers, which include multinationals, local corporations and the Nigerian public.

According to Orazulike, “The 30th anniversary is an incredible milestone for any company. The corporation has achieved success through the hard work, passion, and dedication of the team members.”

He listed development, adherence and continued improvements of its procedures, processes and protocols along with a culture of extreme customer service that exists throughout the entire organisation among its mileage.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

Insecurity: Only the Truth Can Set Nigeria Free

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ne of the reasons insurgents are having a free rein across Nigeria is because the men and women around President Muhammadu Buhari are not telling him the truth about his frightening failings. Many of them, whose opinions would have helped this country, have become merchants of lies, rolling out imaginary security achievements while massaging the egos of Buhari and his kitchen cabinet.

Outside the government, many have also cowardly chosen to remain silent.

Simply put: They are unwilling to speak truth to power. As a result, killings and kidnappings have persisted in beloved Nigeria, amid government’s ineptitude.

The Nigerian state has never been this weak. That was why the terrorists that bombed a Kaduna-bound train last Monday confidently released a video mocking the Nigerian state before freeing one of their captives, the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali-Hassan.

The attack left eight people dead, while many others were either abducted or injured. Two others died in the hospital from gunshot injuries sustained during the attack.

Fourteen days after this crime against humanity, not a single one of these bastards has been apprehended. This is how low Buhari has brought Nigeria.

In the midst of these shenanigans, the Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI), the umbrella body for Northern Muslims, is doing very well for Nigeria. The JNI has remained consistent, telling truth to authority on its security failings. Its latest dispatch to the Buhari government on insecurity, following the attack on the Kaduna-bound train, speaks volumes. It declared last Monday that any government unable to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens, as enunciated in Section 33 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has lost the moral justification to be in power.

The section mentioned states that “every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.” JNI’s assertion is heartwarming.

It is the type of statement that might

Buhari

perhaps jolt the Buhari government into action against killings in this country.

The next three paragraphs are my main takeaway from the statement of the religious body headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III: “In Islam and by all global standards, the essence of government and governance is solely to protect the five principal cardinal rights of the human race, the most important of which is life!

“That is why Allah (SWT) declared in the Glorious Quran that if a single soul is killed without just cause, then it is as if the entire humanity is wiped off the face of the earth. We claim to be people of faith and all these occurrences are allowed without any form of prompt intervention. Why? “Terrorists are now becoming bolder and more belligerent by the day. In fact, terrorists do what they wish knowing that there is no gun power or authority that will defy them…Why are attacks experienced all over the place and continuing unabated without any deterrence? Why can’t the government proactively take the battle to the criminals’ hideouts and wipe them off?

Why should the government wait until people are attacked, lives and properties lost for them to strike and be issuing empty orders and usual condemnation?”

Indeed, governments exist to protect

human lives and any regime that can’t do this is a failure. Human lives are sacred and must be protected. This is the truth all forces of good must persistently hammer on the head of this current federal government. Buhari is a big failure in this area of securing Nigerians. The situation in the last seven years is unprecedented.

This federal government must wake up.

Another voice in this drive to hammer the truth on the head of President Buhari is Shiekh Nuru Khalid, the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Abuja, who was sacked for delivering a sermon challenging the failings of the Buhari government in the area of security.

Khalid showed a lot of courage, calling out Buhari for failing to tame the escalating killings in the country. He also flayed the President over his failure to visit places and people affected by insecurity.

The cleric said: “Everyone condemned the incident, except the bandits. So, condemnation is not enough. The President should visit the state to sympathise with the victims. The President has been to Kaduna for campaigns but couldn’t go to the state on a sympathy visit.”

Khalid urged Nigerians not to vote in 2023 elections if the killings across the country continue.

Saidu Muhammed Dansadau, Chairman of the Apo mosque’s management committee who defended the Sheik’s sack, accused him of inciting public outrage.

Dansadau is one of those influential Nigerians unwilling to speak truth to Buhari. A confused Dansadau chose to sacrifice Khalid. Too bad!

But Khalid’s response to his sack will hunt Dansadau and his cohorts forever.

The cleric remarked: “God is the most powerful. He gives (enthrones) and takes away power (dethrones) from whomever He wishes.”

This cleric has vowed to continue speaking the truth, daring those who perceived his sermon as inciting to show evidence. “My sack is a reflection of how Nigeria is today. Many people are hiding under the cover of religion to perpetrate all manners of unwholesome acts…If it’s a sin to ask for secured Nigeria, I’m ready to go to hell,” declared Khalid.

This is good news for lovers of truth.

The other good news is that Khalid has been appointed to lead another Juma’at

Rivers State NLC’s Blow for Wike

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hat Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is campaigning for the presidential ticket of the PDP is perturbing. Wike wants to be President of Nigeria? This is what this country has been reduced to. A man that has crippled Rivers State with debt is talking about becoming president of Nigeria. Perhaps, this man called Wike is campaigning for something else; certainly, not the presidency of this country. Wike, a dictator, has spent the last seven years brutalising everybody in Rivers State.

There is so much pain in this state.

This governor has been building flyovers at the expense of human beings. He has been building very expensive multi-lane city roads while public hospitals and schools are in tatters. The citizens lack access to things as basic as public water supply and drivable inner streets. In this same Rivers State, where new flyovers have gulped over N100 billion, the state’s pensioners are struggling to survive due to huge unpaid annuities. Many have died waiting for pension.

Thousands of youths in Rivers State are roaming the streets unemployed.

Many have become touts due to joblessness. Wike has failed to harness these resources. He is only interested in building flyovers. This governor is unaware that human capacity development is vital. Wike seems to have forgotten that he promised to employ 10,000 teachers during his campaigns in 2019. When will this happen? Perhaps, when he wins PDP’s Presidential ticket.

The response of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Rivers State to Wike’s Presidential ambition gives a clear picture of this clown aspiring to be the president of Nigeria.

The Rivers State NLC Chairman, Mrs Beatrice Itubo remarks: “We have seen what is happening here in Rivers State. Pensioners have not been paid their gratuity since the inception of this administration. Workers have not been promoted since the inception of this administration.

“Charity they say begins at home.

Let him (Wike) come home and pay retirees their gratuities, pay pension arrears, promote workers and then employ more workers. The system is empty. It is not just to run from here and then you want to go to Abuja. There in Abuja, will

Wike

you kill all the workers in Nigeria?”

Itubo was apt. Wike should not be part of any decent society. He is a Fascist and will be worse than Benito Mussolini, if he moves anywhere close to the Presidency of this country. Anybody talking about a Wike Presidency is talking about fascism emerging in Nigeria. May the circumstance never happen.

mosque in Abuja. We need more of men like this if we want to surmount terrorism.

The Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan is another voice of truth that recently caught my attention. Lawan joined in drawing attention to all the lies that no part of Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram and ISWAP. He affirms that Guzamala and Kukawa local government areas of Borno State are under the control of Boko Haram and appealed to the federal government and the military authorities to ensure the recapture of these areas.

Lawan’s words were penetrating: “The entire Guzamala Local Government Area where I hail from is still under the control of Boko Haram as there is no presence of troops or civilians as I speak…There is no single existence of civil authority in Guzamala, not to even talk of military presence in the council’s headquarter and its surrounding communities.

“Our people including our district heads, stakeholders who are here with us are still taking refuge in camps and host communities located in Nganzai, Monguno and other neighbouring local government areas including Maiduguri metropolis in the last six years. Our people are desperate to go back home…I insist that Guzamala is still a no -go -area.”

Only the truth can set Borno free from Boko Haram and ISWAP. It’s great having Lawan’s voice to the truth that Boko Haram and ISWAP are alive and kicking in Borno State; that terrorists control territories in Nigeria. In Borno State, 20 of the 27 local government areas are not safe. This is the truth the Buhari government must face and act on appropriately.

Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah is likewise doing a good job, saying the truth about territories controlled by terrorists in Kebbi State, with massive killing and wanton destruction of property. Sakaba and Danko/Wasagu LGs are the most affected.

This week, news from the war front was not positive for the security chiefs who continue to wallow in deceit that they have the capacity to end killings in Nigeria. The terrorists again took the battle to the military, killing 17 soldiers at a military base in Polwire, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

No fewer than 44 others were injured during the attack. The terrorists came in hundreds and overwhelmed the soldiers.

The killers were also in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State last Sunday, killing and maiming. A biological son of the Zamfara State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mamman Tsafe was among those killed in Tsafe town.

Last Tuesday, rampaging terrorists attacked Gidan Daudu village, Kankara LG of Katsina State, killing a popular businessman, Sale Auta. They also abducted the late Auta’s teenage daughter, Aisha, and several others.

The truth is that our security agents lack the capacity to tame these terrorists and end killings of innocent Nigerians.

We can all see the result of our gallant security agents. Only this truth can set Nigeria free from the servitude of terrorists.

Technology, intelligence, quality equipment and quality manpower are necessities for taming insurgents. Use of drones for intelligence gathering and attacks is also vital. Our security agencies lack these.

The Nigerian government must seek help from climes that have successfully tamed terrorists. This country must seek help from private military contractors from these climes. I will always recommend Israeli military contractors. This is the way forward for Nigeria.

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SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Wizkid’s Grammy Loss: Situating Global Music Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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n April 3, 2022, the 64th Grammy Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. At the event, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid was nominated for two categories: Best Global Music Performance and Best Global Music Album.

However, the singer lost both nominations as the Best Global Music Performance was won by Pakistani singer, Arooj Aftab for his single, ‘Mohabbat’. ‘Mohabbat’ was a soundtrack.

While the Beninese singer and multipleGrammy winning artiste, Angelique Kidjo, won in the Best Global Music Album category for her critically acclaimed album, ‘Mother Nature’. The album features Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi and more on different songs. The category also had Nigerian artistes namely Femi and Made Kuti with their Legacy + album and Wizkid with his Made In Lagos Deluxe album.

Wizkid’s loss comes as a surprise to many who had predicted a double win for the superstar in both categories. Wizkid was believed to be the favorite when nominations were announced, because he had the biggest song ‘Essence’, a standout song off ‘Made in Lagos’ in one category. As expected, fans, music critics, and industry lovers have continued to react differently with many strongly opposed to Kidjo’s win.

Grammy award voting members in their judgment settled for Angélique Kidjo’s climate change pivoted album ‘Mother Nature’. In 2021, ‘Essence’ was unofficially tagged the song of the summer. The ‘Made In Lagos’ album broke into the Billboard Hot 100, became the soundtrack at public events, and was on the list of major music magazines’ end-of-the-year songs list.

Now, what really makes a song or a body of work “global” to the Grammys?

Grammys definition or theme of global music remains contextual as against the more fashionable universal appeal of an

Angelique Kidjo

album and songs. Theme that appears conscious and Afrocentric enough for an album, should be more deliberate and narrative-driven. And address some of Africa’s country realities.

Consider the Kuti’s here.

Some critics argued and faulted Wizkid’s in this regards, considering the power of music viz-a-viz the politics and nature of the Grammys. “Mother Nature” in which the leading song talked about the dangers of climate change-induced disasters, celebrated Africans’ uniqueness and victims of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.

Opinion holds that the voting members of the ‘Best Global’ category are still not aware of how modern African music works, they still believe the continent lives on one dollar per day — still, on point, they are ravaged by poverty, war, corruption, and famine. Truly these are some of Africa’s country realities. They don’t believe in

Wizkid

exotic cars, cash, women, etc. which Wizkid tends to glamorize and projects without giving much of focus to issues Africans are grappling with.

Wizkid’s loss on Sunday brings to mind what played out in 2020, when Angelique Kidjo edged out Burna Boy at the Grammys to clinch the Gramophone Award (as it’s originally called) for ‘Best World Music Album’ category. Then supermodel Naomi Campbell made a case, situating in context the place of Afrobeats in world music. In Campbell’s view, it is unfair to categorize the genre at the Grammys with others.

She criticized the Recording Academy for lumping Afrobeats into the World Music category instead of giving the genre its own separate category. “Afrobeats is a musical genre played on mainstream and primetime radio not only across the continent of Africa, but across the world.

This misrepresentation diminishes an entire genre in which such a high standard of talent has emerged; a genre that has been

a force of hope and positivity for many, and a vehicle for artistry on the continent of Africa.”

Naomi continued: “Please take the next 363 days to reassess and reflect on your perspective of ‘World Music…what will this neglectful categorization of music mean to individual cultures? Cultures that contribute their blood, sweat and tears, and every level of their creativity and work ethic into making music for you and for all of us.

“Please get up to speed on the state of all popular music today, and include Afrobeats Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and all the subcategories that this genre so deserves – just as any other respected and recognized musical genre.

This is bigger than you, so open your eyes, ears and minds and treat us right and with the respect we deserve.”

Although Legendary Kidjo doesn’t just play Afrobeats, her music is diverse, encompassing and influential. That cannot be said of Wizkid. It can’t be said for sure, but Campbell’s outburst did in a way influence the Grammys which sees the title ‘Best World Music Album’ changed to ‘Best Global Music Album’ the following year. The categorization hasn’t changed which in this case might have jeopardized Wizkid’s chances at the 64th Grammys.

Naomi, this time around was displeased with Wizkid’s double loss. And didn’t hesitate to criticize the Recording Academy on her Instagram page, accusing the committee of failing to pay attention to what was going on in the universe.

Naomi said, “To my brother @ wizkidayo, #MadeinLagos was beyond a phenomenal album!! Winner without doubt!! You are the king of the people, that has bought Afrobeats mainstream, that means more than any academy of any sort… “@recordingacademy Once again you choose to be tone deaf to what is going in the universe. “#MadeinLagos Album and song Essence was clearly in the wrong category; how can you ignore the song Essence, The song by Wizkid, and Tems that was covered and remixed by Justin Bieber, you seem to

Biodun Stephen Rolls on With ‘Strangers’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

F

ilmmaker, Biodun Stephen is on a roll. Back to back the award-winning movie director is churning out movies and has stamped her position.

Just weeks after the theatrical release of her movie ‘A Simple Lie, Stephen is set to debut her latest feature, ‘Strangers’. The movie will premiere in cinemas on April 29. Her other feature, ‘The Wildflower’ is also set for theatrical release on a near future date.

Narrated in the first person, ‘Strangers’ which is her latest follows the life of a remote village boy, untamed by civilization, but hit by calamitous events that changed the course of his existence.

‘Strangers’ packs stars such as Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Oshin, Bolaji Ogunmola, Debbie Felix, Femi Adebayo, Chris Iheuwa, Jide Kosoko, Bimbo Akintola, Mide Glover, Nonso Odogwu, among others.

Speaking on the film, the executive producer Banju Adesanmi revealed that he was inspired by the resilience of the characters involved in the true life events.

“Strangers chronicles series of despairing events with miraculous outcomes. It is a story that is sweet to hear; I decided to adapt it into a screenplay and joined forces with notable figures that can translate it into a captivating motion

2nd right: Biodun Stephen on set of Strangers with the cast and crew

picture. The international recognition for the movie is a testament to this.”

The film inspired by true events has already won Stephen a gold award at the International Indepen-

dent Film Awards. He is reputed for putting her whole to produce masterpieces. Fans shouldn’t expect anything less! More reason that makes ‘Strangers’ a must-see is because it was directed by Biodun

Stephen, the director of ‘Breaded Life’, ‘Picture Perfect’, and the newly released ‘A Simple Lie’. Not forgetting her hilarious adventure, ‘Progressive Tailors Club’, exploring all the shenanigans that take place during a tailors club meeting.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Wedding Bells Ring Loud for Rita Dominic, Fidelis Anosike Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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uperstaractress,Rita Dominic is set to walk down the aisle a few days from now with her man, Fidelis Anosike. The couple will be getting married in Imo state on April 18th and 19th. The actress who has kept her relationship with the Daily Times publisher private took many by surprise when she first took to her Instagram page to reveal the identity of her partner in December 2020.

Soon after, the blogosphere went agog with comments and congratulatory messages. In fact, her post as at the time had generated over 10,000 comments, which by far the highest she has ever recorded on any of her social media platforms. The husband and wife-to-be have continued to send social media users gushing after they shared their beautiful pre-wedding pictures on Tuesday.

The alluring images tell a subtle and enchanting story of love between the two. Rita rocked a simple white shirt while her lover complemented the look with a nice black shirt.

The images also captured the two leaning into each other’s warm embrace and even almost locking lips in one. Many couldn’t help but gush over the two as they congratulated them ahead of the big celebration.

Rita and Anosike met during the 2017 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) session on film business which had government representatives, business leaders and development agencies as well as media entrepreneurs and top executives.

Thus began their beautiful. The news of her forthcoming wedding has stoked up celebration among her fans that have waited for her for years to pick a man.

The La Femme Anjola star has successfully kept her relationship private. Once speaking during a television interview in November 2018 on her experience regarding relationship and how society perceives a woman’s success incomplete without marriage, Rita insisted she would not marry because society wants her to, but because she wants to.

“At the end of the day, if I’m going to do it, I’m doing it for myself not because society wants me to do it. And I always will still say; I will marry the man of my dreams and not the man society dreams for me”, Rita said. “Society feels there’s something wrong with you if you’re at a certain age and you’re not married. What if it’s the society that something is wrong with for thinking that way; for forcing someone to do what they don’t want to do or forcing them to do what they want to do but in their society’s own time and not at the person’s time?”

Rita Dominic and Fidelis Anosike

AMAA Short Film Festival: StarTimes Expands Prize for Best Documentary

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he Africa Film Academy, in partnership with Startimes Nigeria, has expanded the prizes for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAAs) short film festival.

A special prize of $1000 has been added for the best documentary.

The submission of short films which opened on March 20 will end April 20, 2022. To participate, the entry is open to short films produced or released between 1st January, 2020 and 20th April, 2022 and should be uploaded to www.bit.ly/THESHORTS2022. Also,

the short films must not be longer than 40 mins while entries in indigenous language must be subtitled in English language.

‘The Shorts’ will be live and available for the viewing pleasure of Startimes Subscribers on ST Nollywood Plus channel from 25th April, 2022 and also available on StartimesON App. “The festival will commence on April 25, 2022 and run for a whole month till May 25, 2022. During the festivals, exceptional films that make the cut will compete for prizes,” AMAA’s founder, Peace Anyiam-

Osigwe said.

“The first prize will get $3000 and a laptop; the 2nd Prize will receive $2000 and a phone; while the 3rd Prize gets $1000 and a phone. We have added a special prize of $1000 for the best documentary. Already, we have received hundreds of entries from filmmakers, who specialise or have short films,” she added.

Ms Anyiam-Osigwe further shed more light on the film festival: “This partnership is big to us because it enables us to grow the short film industry in Nigeria and across Africa. We are happy that StarTimes

keyed into this journey with us to give opportunities to young and existing filmmakers.”

On his part, StarTimes CEO, Alex Jian, said the collaboration with AMAA is very crucial and strategic with the growing demand for quality local content by Nigerian and African film practitioners.

Jian further noted that StarTimes is glad to strengthen its partnership with AMAA to bring significant impact to the Nigerian and African film industry by ensuring the growth of filmmakers and getting value for their productions.

‘Blood Sisters’ is Netflix First Nigerian Original Series Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ollowing the release of the trailer for “Blood Sisters,” Netflix and EbonyLife Studios’ CEO, Mo Abudu have clarified the thriller as the streamer’s first Nigerian original series. InitialTwitter reactions queried the streamer over the four-part series, as prior to the trailer and announcement of the movie release date, Kemi Adetiba’s limited “King of Boys” series was believed to be the Nigerian original series.

Reacting to curiousTwitter users, Abudu took to her official Instagram post with a statement.

“Today, Netflix and EbonyLife Studios announce our pulsating limited series that will launch globally and exclusively on Netflix on the 5th of May 2022.This is officially Netflix’s First Nigerian Original Series as per the press release issued

by Netflix today,” the film executive wrote.

Netflix’s Manager, Content for Africa, Dorothy Ghettuba also confirmed the streamer’s stance in an Instagram post. She said: “From @ moabudu and her outstanding team at @ebonylifestudios comes our first Nigerian original series Blood Sisters. What is it about? Glad you asked. It is about two friends, a dark secret and an unforgiving family. It is crazy y’all. Yo!!”

The Adetiba directed limited series was

Nancy Isime and Ini Dima-Okojie

presumed to be the streamer’s first Nigerian original series after the Akin Omotoso led one was back-burned. Recall that late last year, Netflix EbonyLife Studios revealed the cast of Blood Sisters, a Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang directed four-part crime thriller.The

pulsating series will premiere globally and exclusive to Netflix on May 5th, 2022.

Blood Sisters tells the story of two friends Sarah (Ini Dima-Okojie) and Kemi (Nancy Isime).

Sarah is engaged to her dream man, Kola (Deyemi Okanlawon). However, their seem-

ingly idyllic union has a dark side and despite Kemi’s vocal misgivings, Sarah is determined to press on with the wedding. What follows is a heart-stopping series of catastrophic events marked by murder, love, betrayal and the test of friendship.

The movie explores themes like intra-family relationships, physical and substance abuse, love, commitment and relationships, as well as the test of friendships when held up against challenging circumstances. Speaking on the importance of telling the Blood Sisters story, CEO of EbonyLife Studios Mo Abudu says: “Blood Sisters is a crime thriller, which is a new genre for us, so the prospect was challenging but very exciting!

“It was also a particularly unique and intense experience as we shot during the pandemic, but we remained committed to the vision we share with Netflix - to tell authentic and exciting African stories with superb production values.”

Blood Sisters features a sterling cast of Nollywood’s finest, including Ramsey Nouah, Kate Henshaw, Uche Jombo, Patrick Doyle, Joke Silva, Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, Wale Ojo, Deyemi Okanlawon, amongst others. Fan favourites among the cast include Gabriel Afolayan, Kehinde Bankole, Daniel Etim Effiong, Ibrahim Suleiman,Toke Makinwa and Okey Uzoeshi.

SATURDAY APRIL 9, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R APRIL 10, 2022

EVENTS

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he Special Adviser to the Honorable Minister ofWorks and Housing, Alhaji Hakeem Bello and hisWife , Mrs. Habibat Olubunmi Bello gave out their Daughter, former Miss Barakah Temitope to a Medical Doctor, Dr. Moshood Abiodun, Son of Chief Amidat Atanda, and Alhaja Iyabo Kuyebi, in a well-attended Muslims Nikkai wedding ceremony at the Lagos State Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja and Reception was held at the Haven Event Centre, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja GRA. Among the dignitaries at the occasion is the Registrar Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) , Prof. Ishaq Oloyede as Chairman of the Occasion, Wife of the Minister of Works and Housing, Dame Abimbola Fashola, former Deputy Governors of Lagos State, Prince Shara Adebisi Sosan and Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire as well as the Present Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat

Registra, JAMB and Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede (left) presenting the wedding Certificate to the newly wedded

The Bride’s Parents, Special Adviser to the Minister of Works and Housing, Ahaji Hakeem Bello with Wife Mrs. Habibat Olubunmi Bello

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, giving his word of Advice

The Groom’s Parents, Chief Amidat Atanda Kuyebi and Alhaja Iyabo Kuyebi

L-R: Brides Grandmother Mrs. Esther Iyaomiye; Cousin, Mrs. Helen Oyetunji and aunt, Mrs. Kemi Iyaomiye

Wife of the Senator representing Lagos East, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru and a guest Mrs. Omobola Sego

Excecutive Secretary, Lagos State Muslims Pigrims Board, AbdulHakeem Kosoko, delivering his lecture

L-R: Former Special Adviser on Environment, Dr. Taofeek Folarin; Director General, Debt Management Office, Pastor Ben Akabueze and Managing Director, Federal Mrgage Bank, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi

L-R: Mr. Idris Olorunimbe; Lukman Olaonipekun; Rasheed Muri-Okunola and Oluwaseun Fashipe

L-R: Member Board of Federal Housing Authority, Miss Chidubem Lillian Umenzekwe; Chief Modestus Umezenkwe; Bride’s Father, Alhaji Hakeem Bello; Mrs. Henrietta Umezenkwe and Mrs. Mercy Oniliagha

Wife of the Minister of Works and Housing, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola

Wife of the Publisher, Express Newspaper, Mrs.Toyin Nwosu; Managing Director, THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Eniola Bello; Parents of the bride, Alhaji Hakeem and Mrs. Habibat Olubunmi Bello and Mr. Steve Nwosu

L-R: Mr. Tunde Ajijedidun; Dr. John Okoh and Mr. Fisayo Ishola

Deputy Editor THISDAY, Mr. Wale Olaleye with Publisher, Express Chairman of the Occasion, and JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq Newspaper, Mr. Steve Nwosu Oloyede making his remark

Groom with friends of the Bride

Cross Section of the both parents and their well wishers

Former Lagos State Deputy Governors, Princess Adebisi Shara Sosan with Princes Adejoke Orelope Adefulire

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

IMAGES

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n Saturday March 26, 2022, Aisha Obiagwu and Mukhtar Mustapha held their Nikkah Ceremony at National Mosque, Abuja. Reception was at the AES Events opposite Citec Estate. Here are Photographs of Personalities at the occasion.

PHOTOS: JULIUS ATOI L-R: Representative of father of the bride, Abdul Jaber Obiagwu; brides mother, Alhaja Simbiat Lawal; groom, Mukhtar Mobolaji Mustapha; bride, Aisha Aretha; Grooms mother, Alhaja Idiat Mofolake Mustapha and Grooms father, Alhaji Deji Mustaapha

L-R: Barakat Mustapha; Alhaji Deji Mustaapha and Mrs. Rasheedat Adeboye (nee Mustapha)

L-R: Alhaja and Alhaji Aderemi Adetunji

L-R: Lanre Kareem; Mrs. Taibat Kareem; Mrs. Barakat Kareem and Alhaja Sherifat Kareem

L-R: Mrs. Bilikis Adeyemo; Dr. Nuraen Dindi and Mrs. Okalawon Iswaj

L-R: Afolabi Saheed; Wasiu Mustapha; and Yakub Mustapha

L-R: Alhaji Faseun Akanbi Lasis and Alhaja Musilimat Faseu

L-R: Mrs. Qudus Sadiat and Dr. Abdulhafees Qudus

L-R: Mr. Nofiu Mustapha; Mr. Yemi Mustapha; Mr. Yomi Mustapha and Ridnan Mustapha

L-R: Hasanat Abduluwahab and Aishat Yusuf Olaniyan

Mukhtar Mobola Mustapha and wife Aisha

Pastor and Mrs. Adewale Gbadamosi

L-R: Dr Omili Michae; Eric Ojeh; and Israel Iwegbu

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

POLITY Megwara: Ikpeazu’s Choice of Ikonne, Setback for Abia Chief Kingsley Megwara, ex-General Manager, Abia State Passenger Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMS) and Special Adviser Diaspora Affairs under Governor Theodore Orji, states why Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s seven years in government have taken Abia back to the woods. The former House of Reps aspirant also posits why the governor’s rumored plan to choose former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Prof Uche Ikonne as his successor would not do Abia any good. He spoke with Nduka Nwosu

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hrowback to 2014 in Texas, this reporter flew in from New York as THISDAY New York Bureau chief to cover the Biennial Conference of Ohuhuland organised by Diaspora citizens of Ohuhu in Umuahia.

It was a big event and at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, this reporter was welcomed by High Chief Onyema Ndukwe who drove him to the conference centre for the two-day event where the major topic was a search for the next governor of Abia State. It was a search for that leader who would become a crusader and revivalist of the monumental achievements of Dr. M.I. Okpara former Premier of Eastern Nigeria. Ndi Ohuhu were looking for another Michael Okpara whose achievements litter the entire space of the nine geographical states of the Southeast and South south constituting the old Eastern Nigeria.

It coincided with that season of the year when Governor Theodore Orji’s administration was making great strides in agriculture. It was a reminder to Abians that the agrarian revolution of the Okpara Administration could be revived to give Malaysia a chase after ‘stealing’ Eastern Nigeria’s secret of being the world’s leading producer of palm produce in the 1960s and even as the fastest developing economy in Africa.

Kingsley Megwara who was Theodore Orji’s Special Adviser Diaspora Affairs delivered a special message from the governor while another worthy Ohuhu son, Professor Alwell Onukogu, the then Rector of Abia Polytechnic delivered the keynote speech, all bothering on the leadership search. The first shot came from THISDAY that Ikpeazu, a former lecturer at Abia State University (ABSU) was the anointed one. He had been chosen among other things because it was the turn of the Abia Central Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the state given the rotational formula and the Abia Charter of Equity in place.

Ikpeazu was rated as a man of sterling academic contributions at ABSU. More importantly his appointment as the state’s chief waste disposal head, was a reference point of cleanliness being next to godliness. It is a moot point if that was not an over-rated assessment because right now Abia State has won the trophy back-to-back for seven years as the dirtiest state in the Southeast.

The more important debate now in Abia and the Southeast is the alleged under- performance of Ikpeazu in seven years by May 29 and whether the purported choice of Professor Ikonne, would help Abia realise its dream of being counted as a 21st century compliant state. This time around Megwara has joined the opposition group in the party to query why Ikonne whose record of accomplishments at ABSU and as the rector of Abia Polytechnic, would be enough to name him the anchor of a team being packaged to lift Abia State out of its quandary of being the least developed state (LDS) in the Southeast.

Megwara fills the missing gap: “Some of us who are on ground are waiting for Governor Ikpeazu to make that pronouncement. It has become a tradition for governors to pick who succeeds them. Having lived in America for over 27 years, I have seen it work the other way round. The people pick who their governor would be in a keenly contested primaries as robust as the actual election, in a clean and transparent way. It is only in this country that governors choose their successors. I do not think any governor has the right to choose who succeeds him. It is only in this country that you see that happening. The people should keep their PVCs which give them the right to choose who governs them.

“The stories making the round is that the Governor has picked Professor Ikonne to succeed him. Some of us who are stakeholders do not think Professor Ikonne is the right man for Abia State at this time.”

Megwara points to Ikonne’s track record at Abia Polytechnic and ABSU insisting there was little to cheer about if that was a clue to the personal qualities of the future chief executive of the state: “There is a sharp difference between being a professor and an effective administrator. I have nothing against Ikonne as a person. He is a gentleman you can share a bottle of beer with and laugh over issues.

Megwara What Abia State needs at this time is a tested administrator capable of turning things around. There are many competent hands across the two Senatorial Zones he has chosen. What Abia State needs at this time is a competent hand supported by professionals and stakeholders with the ultimate intention of rejigging the whole structure in Abia State.

“Ikonne’s pedigree as a manager of men and tools does not lend support to his competence in running the state.

Abia State is at a crossroads. We need a young and tested zealot with the bubbly, effervescent personality to get things done, in the manner of Peter, of a disciple of Christ, raring to go, with a sense of mission to turn around the decayed infrastructure in Aba, with the ability to reconstruct Umuahia the state capital, currently the least developed in the Southeast.

“The capital city of Umuahia has been a laughingstock for too long just as Ohafia, Arochukwu, Isuochi and the other local governments of the state. We need someone who from day one, will hit the ground running, someone who would say no, this is what needs to be done, we cannot go in that direction, no we need to correct this or

There is a sharp difference between being a professor and an effective administrator. I have nothing against Ikonne as a person. He is a gentleman you can share a bottle of beer with and laugh over issues. What Abia State needs at this time is a tested administrator capable of turning things around.There are many competent hands across the two Senatorial Zones he has chosen

that. We do not need a retired and worn-out civil servant at this time. I have nothing against Ikonne as a person, but his antecedents do not make him the right man for the job. My concern is the future of Abia State.

“Every time I travel to America and return home, I weep for my state, a state in total darkness and infrastructure decay. All the roads constructed in the last 24 months have gone out of style, are in total disarray.

“Abia State stands out among other states as having the costliest turnover of road construction per kilometer, yet none of those roads has survived two years of smoothness at a stretch. How long will Abia State continue to be a laughingstock? My colleagues, the late Chief Chijioke Nwakudu, who was a chief of staff before his demise, Dr. Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, a deputy chief of staff and Dr. Solomon Ogunji, late Commissioner for Environment, would be reeling in their resting places to see what is going on in Abia. Some of those in and out of Ikpeazu’s government are wailing at the sad state of things even if they are not talking.

“With Theodore Orji, we saw glimpses of a state that was crawling out of its cocoon. Right now, we cannot hold on to anything. When shall we stop singing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”

Megwara says those who supported Ikpeazu’s candidacy had thought he had the capacity to turn around things with Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and Arochukwu needing a facelift. Unfortunately, that was a misplaced trust.

Therefore, choosing the governor’s candidate will spell a worse disaster for Abia,” because the governor, he notes, “till date has failed to lead from the front. Everything we thought he would do as a leader has not happened.”

When the governor hosted a meeting of PDP Governors, adds Megwara, it happened in his private residence, “a massive estate four times the size of Williams Memorial Secondary School Afugiri in Ohuhu Umuahia. He did that because there was no Government House in Umuahia to host the governors. They were hosted at the new unofficial Government House in his village, Umuobiakwa in Obingwa Local Government in the Abia Central Senatorial Zone.

For seven years running, the Government House which Governor Orji built to an appreciable level along with a modern secretariat and an international conference centre, has been abandoned by the Ikpeazu Administration.”

At a parley with the Abia Media Forum, Ikpeazu was asked why he abandoned the development of Umuahia as the state capital, he said he wanted to groom the goose that would lay the golden eggs from which Umuahia would benefit. Unfortunately, Megwara observes, Aba as the leading commercial hub in West Africa years gone by, has nothing to show as a goose that lays the golden eggs, that is, despite all the loud noise of Made in Aba, that mantra does not reflect anything new.

According to him, Ikpeazu has taken the mandate of Abia people for granted. The APC and APGA, he stresses, are waiting for further slips by the Ikpeazu Administration, to step in and complete the job of a takeover. The governor, he notes, should ideally take the state’s stakeholders along with him; instead, he has designed a strange formula between two Senatorial zones, Abia Central and Abia North as contestants for the gubernatorial trophy.

The question in certain quarters is why Megwara who was one of the closest associates of the governor, who unofficially was his campaign manager and spokesperson, could not advise him appropriately even as a member of Ikpeazu’s kitchen cabinet? Why did he not do this from his duty post as the General Manager, Abia State Passenger Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMS)?

He responds: “In Nigeria, governors are next to God. It is one thing to advise a governor, it is another thing for the governor to take your advice when as a fact he thinks he knows everything. One other thing I found out is this celebration of mediocrity. There are many wonderful initiatives this government kickstarted but were abandoned for one reason or the other. There was an initiative from a young man who returned from America.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

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POLITY

PDP’s Realistic Path to Aso Rock Daniel Bwala

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his assertion somewhat sounds blunt, unapologetic and arrogant coming from an APC stalwart.

Sadly, it is the plain truth, given the moment, times and seasons we are in. The stakes are high, the country is polarized and the optics are unpredictable.

There are questions agitating the minds of not only the members of PDP coming from the southern extractions, but even the moderates and millennial: questions that bother on equality, equity, unity, polarization and insecurity. If you sent a questionnaire to millions of Nigerians about where should the next PDP president come from, you are likely to have the greater number of the answers in favour of the south, given that President Muhammadu Buhari, although an APC president, but hails from the north; yet just like in law, we grapple with the question of law and morality. PDP is confronted with the same sad reality of opportunity over equity, success over argument. Even the question of equity in terms of their quota in the zoning formula is debatable and we can argue until the cows come home.

There are those who still hold the strong firm beliefs that in PDP the north has not exhausted its quota especially when you consider that strictly from the partisan point of view. There are those who would on the other hand tell you that partisan or not the North is the North and would equate Buhari’s administration as one and done. However PDP must not pretend about the realities of the time and need to take advantage of advantage.

Either it insists on power shift to the south or allows free contests in the hope that if the Northern politician wins the chances are that PDP would win the elections and take back power to re-set whatever they believe is the political equilibrium.

There are dynamics that would shape how PDP wins the Aso Rock. The factors are numbers, message, personalities and movement.

The winner of any election must be someone who scores the highest, majority of the lawful votes cast. This is the key to determining elections and election petitions. Therefore PDP has to worry about how and what best strategy to adopt to win the majority of the lawful votes cast. There is strength in numbers. This also speaks to the need for PDP to rally around who would best bring the numbers.

Again what accounted for the failed attempt

by PDP to win the 2019 elections was largely the messaging. There were mixed messages, there appeared to be contrary messaging or conflicting messaging. In one breathe they preach unity and unifying the country and in another breathe they preach full blown capitalism without recourse to the downtrodden Nigerians who must first be rescued from hunger and death. There were times they didn’t even convey any message but continued to say it was time for PDP to take over.

They also didn’t have a reply to the hauling and scathing allegations by APC about corruption, Mal-administration and instigators of insecurity.

Messaging is vital in buildup or during the electioneering campaign. That’s why all religious faiths teach proclamation, evangelism and messaging.

Salesmen can tell you too. Why do you think advertorials in both print and electronic media cost the biggest budget? In America 77 percent of the spending during elections are on advertising and messaging. In contrast, because of loss of confidence in the process, Nigerian politicians spend more on hiring thugs, or using an undemocratic approach to winning the elections. PDP needs to reinvent itself with a renewed message that will promise hope or any sense of survival and progress.

Personalities In Africa, personalities win elections, not so much of the party. APC won 2015 elections because of Buhari, not necessarily the party. The party helped to a large extent in mobilizing support, funds, ideas and consolidation, but no doubt PMB brought the numbers. There is a common cliché in APC that Buhari has the vote-bank. Whatever

messaging he used to acquire the numbers, no doubt he has the vote bank. He consistently brought about 8 million votes in all his elections attempts, that was what informed APC to go for whoever has the numbers.

His personality was the product that APC sold to cash in to power.

If PDP must win, they would need the personality or personalities that will bring in the numbers. The undecided or millennial always lean or gravitate towards the character or personality of the person they would eventually vote for.

To take back the power, PDP would need in addition to the above, a movement. That means PDP must reinvent itself and mobilize all bases. “A political movement is a collective attempt by a group of people to change government policy or social values. Political movements are usually in opposition to an element of the status quo and are often associated with a certain ideology”.

PDP must reinvent and develop a broad based ideology.

An ideology is an identity; right now PDP doesn’t seem to have a well-defined ideology that one can take and run with it. What helped APC win the 2015 elections wasn’t just that Nigerians were tired of PDP, it was also that APC developed a well-defined ideological message and ran with it. The message was “Change.” Change is a major element of a progressive ideology. It meant creating equal opportunities; it meant representing the interests of the ordinary people through political change and the support of government actions. Whether APC lived to its fullest ideals is another debate for another day, but that was the message and it resonated with the masses especially the middle class, low class, no class, market women class and boy it created the movement.

PDP needs that, more than just paying lip service to catch-phrases.

Right now in PDP there is no personality with the requisite pedigree and reach to bring in the numbers more than Atiku Abubakar. It is a sad truth, but he is the only realistic path for the PDP to the Aso Villa.

Sometime around 2017 or 2018 when PDP wasn’t even considering Atiku Abubakar in their discourse, when Saraki, Tambuwal and others were running the show with the solid support of Governor Nyesom Wike, I recall in an interview on Channels TV I said, the only candidate in PDP that would give PMB a run for his money is Atiku Abubakar; boy didn’t he? PMB with his voting bank and with the united efforts of all the APC juggernauts could only secure a little over two million against Atiku.

In 2023, Buhari would not be on the ballot, APC may not likely have the compact common front as was the case in 2019, what opportunity do you think this likely suggests to PDP? But Atiku needs Nyesom Wike as a necessary party to win the 2023 elections.

Atiku’s capacity and reach with Wike’s sagacity and energy, 2023 would be an interesting event. Atiku’s chances have been further broadened by the defection of Rabiu Kwankwaso from PDP. No doubt Governor Wike has over the years created a rising profile by his political opposition activism and governance achievement. He has won many hearts and was the voice of the opposition, but that is as far as it can get, when the chips are down, he can’t bring in the numbers beyond South South. My apologies, but my humble opinion is South South politicians most often than not have adopted the militant approach even in politics and it will not help in bringing in the numbers beyond the south south.

Simply put, Wike is a regional political war lord. He has not consciously and conspicuously expanded his political engagements beyond the south south and it is too late to achieve that now going into 2023 elections.

Wike has to tone down the rhetoric and fights, and accept reality to be Atiku’s running mate. That’s their realistic path #VLPMB 4BSBLJ The 8th Senate boosted the profile of Bukola Saraki immensely in the PDP. He was to PDP in the 8th senate what Wike is to PDP in the 2019-to date politics. They were both considered as champions for their party.

Saraki no doubt has built his structure and support base beyond his geopolitical zone. He is one politician who was careful and strategic in building a base across all the geopolitical zones of the country. He used the 8th Senate to create a structure, but sadly he can’t bring in the numbers as much as Atiku would heading to the 2023 elections. Again Atiku needs him as campaign director general because of the structure he’s got and can deploy as well as his political affiliations and reach.

Atiku Seyi Makinde Makinde is gradually building an image and structure in the south west. He is young and progressive. He has carefully avoided political controversy to build a marketable image. This means hope especially to the youth in PDP that you can rise to prominence by sheer determination and God’s help. But Makinde isn’t built for 2023, maybe in the future when the image he is building will assume a stature needed for national politics. His challenge is that most south west PDP generals have refused to accept him as the leader of the party and this would militate against his possible bid for presidency come 2023.

Aminu Tambuwal Has a rising profile for national politics. He seems to have proved capacity to collaborate and engage during his time as Speaker of the federal House of Representatives. He successfully led a revolt against the same PDP then to prove he has capacity for movement.

But pundits believe he has not done enough in his state to show capacity for national politics. Tambuwal’s biggest challenge is Atiku; he surely cannot upstage Atiku from the North. He has also not expanded his political base beyond the North West talk-less other regions of the country. He therefore cannot bring in the numbers nor generate the movement needed to challenge APC whoever the candidate eventually is.

Who will rally the business community and engage their support more in PDP? Atiku.

Who will harvest the large votes in all the geopolitical zones more for PDP? Atiku. Who has the financial capacity or capacity to generate the funds to run the elections for PDP? Atiku and Nyesom Wike.

Who has the national experience of the Aso Villa and in fact laid the foundation for establishment of modern institutions in the country? Atiku. Who can rally the international community in this global quest for a secured future for PDP? Atiku. Who has proven to be more nationalistic and unifying than others in PDP? Atiku. In the final analysis any politician that ran for office more than three times and still remains relevant has the greater chances of winning elections, e.g Buhari, Abraham Lincoln, etc.

t %S #XBMB -FHBM 1SBDUJUJPOFS BOE #BSSJTUFS -JODPMOT JO /1 ECXBMB !ZBIPP DPN

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

POLITY

Udeh: I’ll Advance Ugwuanyi’s Good Governance Ideals At 42, Dr. Kingsley Udeh is head of the back room where the lofty policy initiatives of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi are formulated. He is a Development expert with versatile academic qualifications and multi-sectoral experience in governance. Udeh holds a Master’s Degree in Law (Nottingham) and PhD from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Until he resigned last week to seek the PDP nomination for governor, Ude was Special Adviser to Ugwuanyi. With a solid base as a cross between the youth and the older generation that constitute the political leadership in the state, he is neither untainted by any past unsavoury record nor mirred in the deep cleavages of the state’s sectional politics. Udeh talks to THISDAY on why he joined the race for Enugu governorship Until recently, not much was known about Kingsley Ude. What has been your experience working with Ugwuanyi?

in the past. Does this pose a hindrance to your aspiration?

Not at all. Zoning of the governorship position in Enugu state is on the basis of Senatorial zones. Governorship is not zoned in the state on the basis of Local Government Areas.

People will always advance all manner of arguments to enhance their own chances but the fact that ex-Governors Jim Nwobodo and Chimaroke Nnamani come from the same area with me, does not in any way diminish my chances.

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t has been a mixture of challenges and fulfilment working with a visionary leader like Governor Ugwuanyi. I joined the administration in 2017 as the Senior Special Assistant on Development Aids. That’s the office that handles much of the state’s international partnerships. From that office, I have been the Focal Person of the Enugu State Open Government Partnership (a multi stakeholders’ good governance platform) before I moved to Education as Special Adviser. Before joining the administration, I was a consultant to several international development organizations among which are the UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank, African Development Bank, FCDO and UK Department of International Development. We dealt in multi-disciplinary engagements across almost all the states of the federation.

You have not been fully involved in the state’s politics until you declared your governorship ambition few weeks ago. What is driving your aspiration?

To me the whole essence of politics is servant leadership.

I have been involved in leadership and activities that impact the public positively. I believe that one should not seek power just for the sake of it but as an enablement to do good. This philosophy has guided my public life as well as my private endeavors as a developmental philanthropist supporting our teeming youths, widows, orphans and people with disabilities and the less privileged in our communities The field of Enugu State governorship contest is filled with heavyweights. How will you compete with them considering your relatively young age and short experience?

My candidacy is unique in many ways and what you consider to be disadvantages are actually what makes it stand out. I am the unifier, and rather than being bogged down by the unnecessary divisions in our polity, I believe I am accepted

Having worked closely with Ugwuanyi, how would you assess his performance?

Ugwuanyi must be assessed within the context of prevailing realities in the state and the country, and in all, he has done exceedingly well. I can say so about all the sectors of development in the state including the critical human development sector. Like he promised when he came in in 2015, he has not only progressed on the infrastructural development initiative of his predecessor, he has integrated the rural areas by providing the key indices that stimulate development.

Udeh across board. And having spent over 20 years in key international institutions involved in development plus my critical work Adviser to Enugu state governor, I have all the requisite experience.

So, are you the governor’s candidate?

I don’t know what you mean by ‘the Governor’s candidate’. The governor is father of all and the undisputed leader of our party, the PDP in Enugu State and the South-East. He does not take the decision of who flies the party flag alone because there are several other stakeholders. I believe when the chips are down, the party leadership, stakeholders and the delegates will make the right decision.

You come from Ozala in Nkanu West Local Government Area which has produced two governors

L – R: Regional Sales Manager, Access Bank, Anambra State, Raymond Mbonu; 1st runner up winner Accessprenuer, Elue David; and NYSC Camp Director, Anambra State, Ayorinde Ayanda at the NYSC Accesspreneur Competition held in Anambra State… recently

L-R: Femi Lijadu; Demola Akinrele; Segun Senbanjo; and Dakova, guests at Lady Christine Otedola 90th birthday ceremony in Epe, Lagos…. recently

What aspects of his governance style would you adopt if you are elected governor in 2023?

I must admit that I have learnt a lot working with Ugwuanyi. He has a passion for the common people, he is pragmatic and focused on delivering on his promises.

One act of the governor that has had a profound impact on the development of the state is the setting up of Sectoral Ad-Hoc Committees that looked into all aspects of development. I was part of the formulation of the committees and the production of the development blueprint that resulted from their activities. It is one of the many policy documents that has taken the state higher, and one that his successor must adopt if he must progress on the trajectory of wholesome development.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Representative of the Executive Chairman, Ejigbo L.C.D.A, Honorable Lanre Akinbowale; Vice Chairman, Mosan Okunola L.C.D.A, Mr. Dayo Oshinowo; General Manager, LASRRA, Engr.

Ibilola Kasunmu; Olu of Agege, Oba Kamila Akanni Oyedeji Isiba; former Agege Local Goverment Secretary, Mr. Temidayo Adeyemi at the Town Hall meeting on the sensitisation of the New Lagos Resident Card held for Ikeja division at Agege Stadium…. recently

L-R: Hamisu Mijinyawa; James Beka; Adamu Ahmed Gombi; Jamilu Yusuf; Yahya Bodwai; Bako Waliya; Babangida Danjauro and others at the 21 APC LGA Chairmen Meeting held in Adamawa State … recently

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

POLITY Enugu 2023: Ekweremadu and PDP’s Enlightened Interest The coincidence of this political season with the legal tussles between the PDP and some governors, who defected to the ruling party, APC, with its mandate should serve as a wakeup call to the party in the run up to the 2023 general election, writes Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

T

he sack of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, his deputy, and 16 House of Assembly Members, over their defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, with Peoples Democratic Party’s mandate and the ensuing legal tussle is still reverberating in the polity.

But unfortunately for the PDP, the party is still waging war on many fronts, as Umahi isn’t alone. There is Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara. Before Matawalle, was Prof. Ben Ayade of Cross River, who predicated his defection on the President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationalistic dispositions and need to join hands with him to build the nation.

“We need all governors to recognise that it is not party that matters. It is character, it is honour, it is commitment to the vision of this great nation”, Ayade rapped.

You would expect the author of Budget of Deep Vision, Budget of Infinite Transformation, Budget of Kinetic Crystallisation, Budget of Oabalistic Densification, Budget of Olympotic Meristemasis, Budget of Blush and Bliss, and recently, Budget of Conjugated Agglutination in 2022 to know better that betraying one’s party isn’t a mark of honour.

Meanwhile, the likes of Senators Bello Tukur, Ahmed Barata, and Jonathan Zwingina; former Minister, Idi Hong; and Sadiq Haske couldn’t even wait for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to handover before defecting to the APC on 8th April 2015. By the time the APC began its brand of anti-corruption war with its former National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, assuring that “once you join APC, all your sins are forgiven”, it seemed the PDP was going to bleed to death.

Deserving of special mention is PDP’s former National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu. Not only did he relocate overseas at a time he should be fighting for the survival of aparty he led to defeat, Mu’azu capped it up with a formal defection to the APC on 12th January 2019 alongside former governor Mallam Isah Yuguda; former Secretary to Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed; and former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Senator Babayo Gamawa.

Mu’azu’s disappearance almost spelt doom for the PDP, as it paved the way for the appointment of Buhari’s in-law and APC founding member, Ali Modu Sheriff from North East zone to serve out the remainder of Mu’azu’s tenure in line with PDP’s constitution. The Owu chief, Olusegun Obasanjo, rightly feared that Sheriff could become PDP’s undertaker; and he almost was.

At some point, PDP’s national office was sealed off ad-infinitum. Again, following the Appeal Court, Port Harcourt’s ruling that the convention that produced the Senator Ahmed Makarfi caretaker leadership was illegal, PDP convoked an emergency meeting of its organs - Board of Trustees, National Assembly Caucus, PDP Governors Forum, National Vice Chairmen, State Assembly Caucuses, ex-ministers forum, etc. on 20th February 2017. But a clearly compromised and partisan police sealed off the International Conference Centre (ICC), forcing relocation to Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge for the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Senate President at the time, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, lamented, “all the institutions of democracy are being captured, manipulated and harassed, but what remains is for us to remain resolute”.

However, how many party chieftains were ready to remain resolute when even some governors with immunity ran for cover in those heady days. You would never see them at PDP functions. They would never criticise the bad ways and policies of the APC-led administration.

For example, out of the 12 PDP governors at the time, only four – Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers) attended such a highly crucial meeting. As usual, the likes of Ayade, Umahi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, etc. were nowhere to be found.

In retrospect, all the PDP chieftains that stood up for the PDP deserve accolades. But for today, it becomes imperative to single out Ekweremadu for a special mention for his principled decision to stay put in the PDP and receive all the head-butts and lashes of the ruling party even when he had everything to gain by simply defecting like others. Being PDP’s highest national office holder, Ekweremadu’s defection could have had serious demoralising and spiraling effects the PDP, for its millions of members and supporters, he stood as a symbol of hope for the party’s survival. Even when his Minority Leader, Senator Godwill Akpabio, jumped ship, as the water became too hot, Ekweremadu still refused

Ekweremadu

Therefore, many were actually surprised when instead of gunning for the presidency, Ekweremadu recently declared to run for the governorship of Enugu Statet. But in reading his recent interview, his decision becomes understandable.

According to him, his model of rebuilding Nigeria is for experienced and competent hands to get down to the states to reignite real and competitive development to budge. It is noteworthy that he had no constitutional immunity like the governors. Governor Bala Mohammed aptly likened Ekweremadu’s efforts to one wedging a moving lorry with his head.

Benefiting from the experience of some of his colleagues at the ECOWAS parliament, especially those from nations like Ghana where the dominant parties have each lost power and returned again, Ekweremadu knew that the parliament was PDP’s most viable platform for renaissance. Ekweremadu and other PDP leaders rallied PDP National Assembly Members-elect to a retreat in Port Harcourt ahead of the inauguration of the 8th Assembly. There, they plotted the party’s survival and laid the foundation for the high octane political manoeuvre that helped PDP exert tremendous influence in the emergence of the new leadership in both chambers.

However, Ekweremadu and Dr. Bukola Saraki’s emergence did not go down well with the APC. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, told newsmen that Ekweremadu’s re-emergence would give the PDP the “oxygen to breath from”,

adding, however that there were “many ways of killing a rat”.

In a 29th August 2018 political analysis entitled “Applying Squeezes on all Sides”, Thisday’s political desk recalled Senator Kabir Marafa’s statement that “The remaining problem is what we do with our Deputy Senate President”. He called on Ekweremadu, whom he described as “my leader and my boss” to “please defect to the APC and that will seal the whole thing and there will never be a problem again”.

During Ekweremadu’s 56th birthday, Majority Leader at the time and current Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, urged Ekweremadu “to see through the mist; this woolly environment, and take the right decision”.

Continuing, he said, “You are an asset; I want to say clearly that you are going to fit in perfectly well; 2023 is here (for you) for the taking”.

Meanwhile, Ekweremadu survived an assassination attempt on his way to work in Abuja on 17th November 2015. In June 2016, he was arraigned alongside Saraki on trumped up charges of forgery of Senate Standing Rule, even when there was no mention of their names, let alone any indictment on them in the police report or the Proof of Evidence filed in court. The government later withdrew the charges.

On 26th May 2017, the police stormed his official guesthouse in Abuja in search of phantom caches of arms, said to belong to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). The Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property headed by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla equally came after him. May 12 2018 edition of Sun newspaper reported how Okoi Obono-Obla hired the services of a witch doctor to try to locate Ekweremadu’s alleged hidden assets at Katampe, Abuja, when the fictitious lists of purported undeclared assets couldn’t fly in court. In fact, the court ruled in Ekweremadu’s favour the cases over those assets.

A serving Senator led armed men into the hallowed chambers of the Senate as Ekweremadu presided, but he showed uncommon bravery, refusing to adjourn the Senate. Battalions of security agents laid siege to Ekweremadu and Saraki’s official residences on 24th July 2018 in a failed attempt to hold them hostage and illegally impeach them. There was a siege to the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) on 7th August 2018 in another failed attempt to change of Senate leadership. In all these, Ekweremadu stood strong with the PDP like the Rock of Gibraltar, apologies Ernest Okonkwo.

Ekweremadu chaired the PDP Post-Election Review Panel, which recommendations, played central role in turning the fortunes of the party around. For instance, the adoption of the panel’s recommendation to zone the 2019 PDP presidential ticket to the North, helped to rally back many northern PDP chieftains like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, among others back into the party. At the National Assembly, the rank of PDP swelled again. PDP came back to life and many believe that PDP actually won the 2019 presidential election.

Therefore, many were actually surprised when instead of gunning for the presidency, Ekweremadu recently declared to run for the governorship of Enugu Statet. But in reading his recent interview, his decision becomes understandable. According to him, his model of rebuilding Nigeria is for experienced and competent hands to get down to the states to reignite real and competitive development. He believes that Nigeria can only work if a handful of states are made to work well again to serve as a model and catalyst to others. He said he wanted Enugu, under his leadership, to play the role Dubai played in what the UAE is today. Truly, a Prof.

Charles Soludo in Anambra, Ekweremadu in Enugu will present a golden opportunity for the South East to roar back to socio-economic prosperity and stability, such as witnessed in the days of Dr. Michael Okpara.

But for the PDP, Ekweremadu’s interest in Enugu’s governorship, presents it an opportunity to show that loyalty counts. It is also an opportunity to save itself the heartaches that political profiteers, opportunists, and their protégées bring. There should be reward for good behaviour and consequences for bad behaviours.

Therefore, the least expected of the PDP in the instance is a level playing field for all Enugu governorship aspirants. Otherwise, Ekweremadu, by his service and steadfastness to the party, has earned the right of first refusal of PDP’s Enugu governorship ticket.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

Federal Works Ministry Goofs

“E

KO Bridge fire incident: Federal Ministry of Works and Housing issues 7-day quit notice to persons illegally doing businesses or habiting (inhabiting) under bridges (under-bridges) and loops of federal roads nationwide” ‘The quit notice became necessary to forestall future occurrence of the type of fire incident which….” Why not ‘to forestall recurrence’?

“The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing…is concerned that such incidence (such an incident) will….”

“Some suffer one form of stigma or the other (or another, on grounds of pluralism) in their communities.” “…Warns against imposters (impostors)” “Ayu warns that allowing standoff to linger may result to (in) party losing state” “INEC reads riot act (the riot act) to political parties over conduct of primaries” News around the city of March 30 comes to the fore with this: “Suspected herdsmen machete farmer in Ondo” Please note that ‘machete’ is strictly a noun.

THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper of April 2, takes over from the voice of the nation in today’s session on grammatical scholarship: “Confusion continue (continues) to trail the defection of Ebonyi State Governor….” “…continued stay in office having decamped (defected) from the party that brought them to office.” “…under (on) the platform of the ruling Peoples (sic) Democratic Party (PDP)” “May his soul continue to rest in the bossom (bosom) of the Lord, Amen!”

“Monday’s attack on a passenger train around Kateri-Rijana axis in Kaduna, leading to the killing of some passengers and abduction of others, have (has) once again thrown up the issue of insecurity which has ravaged the country.”

National News Front Page of March 29 did not

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

spell-check one of its sub-headlines: “Continous importation of fuel unacceptable—Tambuwal” The fact: continuous.

THISDAY of March 28 leads the inglorious way this week: “Beyond making some contractors happy, there is nothing to be gained by adding a camouflage uniform to the Police which need to be repositioned, revamped and restructured for effective and efficient discharge of its (their) responsibilities.”

“Masquerades, students’ clash: 14 arraigned in court” (Vanguard, March 29) Get it right: masqueraders (who wear special costumes and masks over their faces to hide their identities as they masquerade). Got the distinction? A ‘ rraigned in court’? I would have reprimanded whoever cast this headline, but one of the readers of this column has advised me not to be doing that. Where else would they have been arraigned, gentlemen of the press?

Perhaps, Fela’s shrine!

Let us welcome National Accord newspaper editorial to this column for the first time. Its March 27 edition goofed: “The Chairman of the Committee…said at an interactive session with stakeholders that studies have (had) shown that Nigeria has (had) about 10 million vehicles….” That is the unique nature of reported speech!

Vanguard of March 27 circulated two headline blunders: “PDP accuses APC of plan to frame-up (frame up) members” “Nigeria losses (loses) over $20b annually (yearly—preferably—for headline purposes) in power, other sectors” The phrasal bug also bit BUSINESSDAY of March 27: “Hot weather: LASG warns against long stay under the sun” City File: stay in the sun.

“Benue police arrest 63 over (for) communal clash” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, March 26) “…injustice that each succeeding government had meted out on (to) the people of Ogoniland.”

“The US is gender sensitive, it may just concede for (to) Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to be the next World Bank President.” (Vanguard, March 26) “New capital market probe panel says no

witch-hunting” (Source: as above) No witch-hunt.

THE NATION of March 26 offered its readers just a blunder: “The issues that gave rise to the Niger Delta uprising which culminated into (in) a full-scale….”

From The Guardian of March 26 come the next two slips: “…the federal authorities are seeking partnership with them in it’s (its) transformation agenda….”

“Oyo flags-off (flags off) bridge, road projects” This week’s headline review continues with last Sunday’s edition of Leadership: “Atiku, PDP governors in hide and seek game over party chair” Get it right: just hide-and-seek. (‘Game’ is otiose here—and note the hyphenation).

Vanguard of March 23 disseminated three blunders: “The Nigeria Police is (sic) about the only one of our security agencies that....” A rewrite: The Nigeria Police Force/Service is about the only one of our security agencies that....

“The hope is that at the end of his tenure, he will leave (would have left) behind a highly motivated police force, one we can (could) all be proud of.”

Because of the element of contextual probability, it is wrong to use the declarative tense.

“They are not maintained and the age-old tradition of keeping military and law enforcement environments spic and span is no longer adhered to.”

Spell-check: spick and span.

Still on Vanguard: “If we are forced, we may demand for total resource control....” I unequivocally demand the removal of ‘for’ from the extract.

“We have impacted immensely in (on) the lives of....”

“A peep into the credentials...indicate (indicates) that the delegates have a touch (tough) task at hand.” “Late (The late) Comptroller....”

Again: “Rest in the bossom (bosom) of the Lord our dear friend” “...we had one of the most successful NEC meeting (meetings) (DAILY INDEPENDENT, March 22) “My grouse with (about) Ajayi Crowther University” (THE NATION, March 22) THE NATION of March 23 circulated copious

More Perspectives On ‘Perception 2023’

W

e continue with the diverse and sometimes deprecating perspectives on sentiments and perceptions on the electability of 12 notable presidential hopefuls, published in several articles in this column between January and March this year. Please, read on...

ON KAYODE FAYEMI - Published JANUARY 29, 2022: I respect your view but disagree with it. Quite amusing that you would consider the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum a lightweight.

It is a similar position Bill Clinton occupied in the US when he won the Democratic Party’s ticket and went on to defeat Bush Senior in the general election. Fayemi, a two-term Governor and former Minister, has managed his state considerably well despite the lean resources he has had to contend with. In my opinion, he has all it takes to unify our country and manage our problematic diversity. Your opinion does not do justice to the experience, personality and competence of Fayemi.

- Julius Ogunro JFK tried his best in governance and I can only say there is always room for improvement...

Did he too want to contest? He’s yet to show interest naa.

- Aluko Olu Isaacs Failure from the beginning… What did he do for Ekiti people? What is his achievement? He should go and register as local govt messenger.

- Adeleye Adeniyi For me, the only criteria for assessing the suitability of Governor Fayemi for President is his performance as a two-term Governor of Ekiti state. What value has he been able to add to the lives of the Ekiti people? How has he been able to change their lives? What are his achievements as a two-term governor and what are the Ekiti people saying about him? As far as l am concerned, if he did nothing for the Ekiti people as governor, he will do nothing for Nigerians as president. Ditto for all the other

EBERE WABARA

presidential aspirants.

- Michael Shina Martins Interesting perspective. I wouldn’t say I completely disagree, but there are parts of your write-up that make one curious. When you say he has a “hazy national pedigree in governance”, it suggests anyone without a “national pedigree in governance” stands no chance of winning a presidential election in Nigeria. Goodluck Jonathan and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua would disagree with you on that. Also, it suggests anyone without a “national pedigree in governance” shouldn’t vie for the Office of the President, irrespective of their qualifications and capacity. But to the issue of having a “national pedigree in governance” or not, I find it hard to agree that someone who has been a two-time governor, chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, and a former federal minister, would be said to have a “hazy national pedigree in governance”.

- Declan Okoye Fayemi does not have record of performance.

Just like his predecessor, Fayose… same of the same.

- Victor Adegbembo His wife should be made Minister for Women Affairs in the next dispensation, she would be eminently effective and it would be a compensation and negotiated position for Fayemi supporting Asiwaju Tinubu for President, while Asiwaju Tinubu supports his candidate (BAO) for Governor.

- Akinkunmi Bello Oga, you missed the mark with this. Absolutely.

Fayemi has the pedigree and threshold of competence to be a great leader of this country. You could say he is not a populist and is somewhat academic, but he is sound and appears to understand the nuances of a complex country such as ours. I will support him over the current pretenders.

- Peter Edache Failure.

- Oludare Adebisi ON YAHAYA BELLO - FEBRUARY 05: While we gaze at many failures of Bello, I think morality demands that we also take a glimpse at

his successes. Or are we saying since he became governor, it has always been stories of woes?

- Mufu Onifade This man that can not govern a state wants to rule Nigerians?

- Ojo Samuel ON NYESOM WIKE - FEBRUARY 05: FAJ, you are looking for Wike’s trouble o!

- Sola Adesokan ON AMINU TAMBUWAL - FEBRUARY 12: That’s a good story for Tambuwal and it really shows us the only way to get power in Nigeria.

His routes are the only conventional way to be influential in any retail politics we run here.

Aminu is not the expected radical we are looking for, he started eating crumbcakes from the table of the crumbs and now he is now a crumb master, and the Nigerian graduates feel so bad about his visions for better Nigeria and his state people.

Do we have to mention things that need to be done? If they want us to tell them what we want, fine, we will tell them. What is not acceptable is not to see a good politician among us. It is painful that most of our leaders are not worthy to carry the shoes of one county house of reps (member) around town in the USA. Tambuwal did not distance himself from the old cargoes and that’s where he got it wrong on arrival. I wish him good luck.

- Gbenga Akeju ON RABIU KWANKWASO - FEBRUARY 12: This is a brief but commendable history...

- Olawale Esan You are entitled to your opinion, it’s within your Fundamental Human Right.

- Tokunbo Omolase (To Continue) EBENEZER OBEY-FABIYI: LEGENDARY MINSTREL AT 80 It took his parents a few years to notice traces of musical robustness in him after his birth 80 years ago (on April 3, 1942). Ebenezer Olasupo Ar mu Fabiyi however, had to wait 16 years to start what has turned out to be a most

gaffes: “Many a times....” Why not simply ‘many times’—and if you must use the extract—many a time....

“I developed special interest for (in) the physicallychallenged people and orphans....”

“Cabotage review: Stakeholder advocates for maritime task force” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Maritime, March 23) I advocate the elimination of ‘for’ in the interest of all lexical stakeholders.

From DAILY INDEPENDENT of March 23 comes the next school-boy howler: “Maybe as we have often pointed out is a relic of the past.” My dear reader, just vide the meaning of ‘relic’ and, consequently, put a full stop after the word.

The latest entrant to this column, National Accord, March 23 edition, beginning from its front page, showed streaks of amateurism on three occasions: “Police nabs (nab) 41 suspected hoodlums in Suleja” “The Namadi Sambo’s anger on (at) the power project....”

“In the last couple of years, there has been a maddening rush for Abuja vehicle plate numbers by indigenes of Benue State....” Special report: number-plates The next two infelicities are from National News of March 22: “Gunmen kill five vigilante members in Anambra” Either five vigilance members or five vigilantes.

“Experts say the adulteration of transport fuel is a thriving business nationwide; (what is the semi colon doing here?) and may result to (in) economic losses....”

Wrong: matriach; right: matriarch (Source: as above) “The last but not the least is about corruption.”

Last but not least….

From my inbox Good job on Media Gaffes. I have been crying about the death of good English in our media, both print and electronic. They are supposed to be the custodians of good grammar, but it is no longer the case.

Adolphus A. (Port Harcourt/08033410380)

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

illustrious career.

He toiled with the “rave-of-the-moment” Lagos bands of Ade Ade, Akibo Salvage and Fatai Rolling Dollars between 1958 and 1963.

Right after leaving Rolling Dollars to found his own International Brothers Band, he morphed his name to something more street smart - Ebenezer Obey, and released a delightful debut, Ewa Wo Ohun Oju Ri. He was barely in his twenties!

From a remarkably inspirational repertoire in excess of 150 compositions, Nigerians of the 20th and 21st centuries have been titillated by the sonorous philosophy and lingering didacticism of this Idogo, Ogun State born maestro. Here’s a classic checklist: Board Members, K t k t , Happy Birthday To You, Awọn Ika Eniyan, Laiṣ Lairo, Iwọ ni To Nsebi, Abanij Eniyan, Eniyan Lásán, Orí Mí Koni Burú, Ọta Mi D hin L hìn Mi, Eda To Mose Okunkun, Olomi Gbọ Temi, ni Ri Nkan He, Gb’ b Mi Oluwa, Ajo Ko Dabi Ile, Edumare Sọrọ Mi Dayọ, Iba F’Oluwa, Aimasiko Lon’ Damu da, Sa Ma Miliki, Baba Lo Ran Mi Wa, and so on.

Almost 23 years ago (in late 1999 when he was aged 57) I caused the following statement to be published: “As this century winds up with [Evangelist (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi (MFR)] devoting his incredible talent to the ministry of God, we salute this astute businessman, devoted father and creator of Miliki (Juju) music.”

Well, last Sunday, April 3, 2022, in glorious fulfillment of those thoughts, and with massive admiration for an uncommon living legend, in the art and craft of knitting words, faith and fun in a musical contraption that keeps people of all tongues, tribes, creeds and strata on their feet, gyrating to the power and pungency of the invisible force of Juju music… we wish the ageless creative Commander, and iconic lamp holder of edifying minstrelsy… a wonderful and epochal 80th anniversary.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

9.4.2022

NEWS

THE DECIDER PAGE. 29

Kelechi Nwakali

When Dream Turns Sour?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Kelechi Nwakali

When Dream Turns Sour?

Nwakali

After his exploits at the 2015 U-17 World Cup in Chile where he was voted as the tournament’s best player, earning him a move to Premier League giants- Arsenal, many believed the Super Eagles had been guaranteed an emerging talent but it was not to be as Kelechi Nwakali’s senior national team dream was looking like a mirage. His dream eventually came to pass when he was invited for the last AFCON in Cameroon.The trip to the centralAfrican country turned out sour for the attacking midfield as he was sacked by his Spanish club- SD Huesca, for returning late after participating in the biennial competition

K

elechi Nwakali at a stage got so frustrated when erstwhile Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr, did not look in his direction that his agentandbrother,Allwellclaimed he would be changing nationality.

Allwell the elder brother of Nigerian attacking midfielder had claimed then those other nations had approached the player over a possible switch of international allegiance.

Allwell had explained that his brother has Nigeria in his heart, but will consider all offers put to him by other nations.

“Some agents of foreign countries have approached Kelechi for a switch of allegiance so he would play for their national teams,” the elder Nwakali had said then.

“Well, I cannot confirm if he has given it a consideration because I know his wish to play for the Super Eagles. He is still studying the proposals and has yet to take a decision.”

But the former Arsenal man quickly denied it. Writing on his Twitter he said: “Contrary to reports circulating in the media, I remain committed to serving my country.

“It is always an honour to wear the green of Nigeria and it is my dream to continue to do so. I categorically deny these reports and will continue to work hard until I am called upon.

“I am hugely proud to have represented Nigeria at various levels and am grateful to have had these opportunities in my career thus far.

“I have never considered playing for

another nation and continuing to play for Nigeria at international level remains my priority and my dream.”

Nwakali, however, got his opportunity to play for the senior national team when he was listed in the Nigerian side that campaigned at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Due to illness, Kelechi returned to his Spanish club and his contract was terminated by his act.

Nwakali has shared his side of the story after his contract with SD Huesca was unilaterally terminated by the LaLiga 2 club on Tuesday.

He has expressed his displeasure about the way he was treated by Huesca before he parted company with the club, saying he was made to train on his own, was not allowed to use the facilities or receive treatment from the club’s physios, was not paid his wages and they tried to bully him into signing a new contract.

On the final day of the January transfer window, SD Huesca attempted to get the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles captain off their wage bill by offloading him to Burgos CF but the move did not eventually happen.

Nwakali believes his problems with Huesca started after he attended the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in January against the club’s wishes.

The ASJ Academy product has insisted that

the leadership of the Azulgranas disrespected Nigeria as a country and labelled the Africa Cup of Nations an unimportant tournament.

Nwakali was involved in all the three matches played by the Super Eagles during the group stage of AFCON 2021 but was omitted from the matchday squad in the round of 16 clash against Tunisia after he was diagnosed with a respiratory tract infection.

Writing on Instagram on Wednesday, Nwakali stated : “In December 2021 I experienced the biggest honour of my life after I received a full international call up for my beloved Nigeria.

“But the joy of the moment quickly came crashing down when the club’s sporting director Ruben Garcia put extreme pressure on me not to go to AFCON due to it not being an important tournament.

“He told me that if I go to AFCON I will not play for Huesca again.

“This behaviour and the lack of respect shown to my country Nigeria was truly heartbreaking and it was just the latest example of the club attempting to bully me into getting their own way.”

Nwakali is departing Huesca, whom he joined from Arsenal in 2019, after making 33 appearances in all competitions.

The second-tier outfit announced it had terminated Nwakali’s deal, which was due to expire at the end of this season, on

Tuesday but did not give a reason for the decision.

Nwakali’s final appearance for the club had come against Girona on January 2 before he departed for international duty.

“All I want to do is get back to playing the sport I love,” Nwakali added Meanwhile, Spanish players’ union has announced that it will challenge in court the “unilateral” dismissal of the 23-year-old by SD Huesca.

The players’ union AFA Futbol stated in an official statement on Tuesday that the labour rights of Super Eagles midfielder were violated by the club.

SD Huesca terminated Nwakali’s contract after he played at the Africa Cup of Nations against the Spanish club’s wishes and he then turned down a transfer in January.

Nwakali alleges Huesca Sporting Director, Ruben Garcia, pressured him not to join the Super Eagles squad for January’s Nations Cup and that the club had been “abusing its power” in an attempt to force him to sign a new contract, including failing to pay his wages on time.

Huesca “completely deny and disagree with the player’s accusations” and say they will defend themselves in court if required.

“The club has acted at all times with the utmost respect for the player,” a Huesca statement said.

“Given the seriousness of some of the statements made, the club reserves the exercise of any actions it deems appropriate in defence of its legitimate rights and interests.”

The midfielder burst into the limelight in the 2015 U-17 World Cup where helped Nigeria win the title, scooping the Golden Ball award of the tournament in the process.

He has also played for the U-20.

Born on June 5, 1998, Nwakali started his career at the Diamond Football Academy and after his performances at 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball Award, culminating English Premier League side, Arsenal to go for his signature.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Man City Host Liverpool in Title Decider With just one point separating the two, defending champions and leadersManchester City welcome second place Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium in game that will most probably decide who wins the Premier League.The two teams not only boast of the best crop of players but perhaps the two best coaches in England. A win for the Citizens would put them four points ahead of the Reds, while Jurgen Klopp’s side would be two points ahead with a victory. It would no doubt be an explosive encounter but importantly for the neutrals to enjoy

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

30 30 29 30 29 31 30 31 30 28 30 30 30 31 30 31 29 29 30 30

52 57 35 15 10 11 8 6 4 -4 0 -9 -10 -11 -21 -33 -20 -17 -28 -45

73 72 59 54 54 51 51 49 37 37 36 36 34 33 31 30 25 24 22 18

Premier League TODAY

Everton v Man Utd 12:30 Arsenal v Brighton 15:00 Southampton v Chelsea 15:00 Watford v Leeds Utd 15:00 Aston Villa v Tottenham 17:30 SUNDAY

Brentford v West Ham 14:00 Leicester v Crystal Palace 14:00 Norwich City v Burnley 14:00 Man City v Liverpool 16:30

La Liga TODAY

Cádiz v Real Betis 13:00 Mallorca v Atlético 15:15 Villarreal v Bilbao 17:30 Madrid v Getafe 20:00 SUNDAY

Osasuna v Alavés 13:00 Espanyol v Celta Vigo 15:15 Elche v Sociedad 17:30 Levante v Barcelona 20:00 Liverpool’s Mo Salah and Manchester City wing-back, Joao Cancelo in a fierce battle in the first leg

M

anchester City’s top-of-thetable showdown with Liverpool at the Etihad could give a very clear indication as to which side will propel themselves to the crown.

The gap between the two sides at the top of the table now stands at just one point, with the reigning champions just about holding off the threat of the Reds for the time being.

Both sides head into the meeting off the back of Champions League quarter-final first-leg wins, with City getting the better of Atletico Madrid 1-0 while Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners over Benfica.

It has only taken two draws and a loss for City to lose their grip on what seemed certain to be a sixth Premier League crown, as Liverpool continued to rampage forward while Southampton, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur dented Pep Guardiola’s dreams of back-to-back glory.

At one stage eight points clear at the top of the rankings having played the same number of games as Liverpool - 14 at one point having played two games more - City are still fighting for success on three fronts this season after ceding their customary EFL Cup crown to the Reds.

City’s title destiny is still in their own hands, though, and victory on their own turf would see them open up an unassailable four-point gap at the summit heading into the final seven games of the season, but a Champions League quarter-final second leg with Atletico and a reunion with Liverpool in the semi-finals of the FA Cup represents a gruelling Easter period for the Citizens.

Heading into Sunday’s game at the Etihad with the wind in their sails was therefore of paramount importance for Man City, who eased to a 2-0 win at Burnley before eventually managing to find their way through the low block of Atletico.

City will take an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions into Sunday’s top-of-thetable battle - winning six of them, including each of their last three - and they have conceded a mere two goals in that stretch; no mean feat with the effervescent Ruben Dias watching on from the treatment room.

Conceding just 18 goals in 30 Premier League games this season unsurprisingly gives City the label of the division’s best defensive side this term, while 40 goals on home soil is also the best of its kind - even if Liverpool have gleaned more points on familiar territory this season.

Not since October have City failed to find the back of the net in a Premier League game at the Etihad - winning eight of their last nine such matches alongside that shock defeat to Tottenham - but Liverpool have all the motivation they need to consign City to a potentially fatal defeat.

Potentially getting some early mind games in by hailing his counterpart Guardiola as “the best coach in the world”, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has entered the month of April with the quadruple still a real possibility, although he is probably already sick of hearing the word.

Having already stolen Man City’s EFL Cup crown out of their grasp and within touching distance of doing the same to their coveted Premier League title, Liverpool - to put it simply - have been a winning machine since January, and they have not rested on their laurels since the international break.

Liverpool were not at their free-flowing best against Watford at Anfield last weekend but nevertheless got over Burnley.

The Reds have moved on from the days of the indispensable Mohamed Salah-Roberto Firmino-Sadio Mane front three, but two astute attacking acquisitions in Jota and Diaz continue to prove their worth to the manager; giving him the healthiest kind of selection headache for Sunday.

The 3-1 win at Benfica marked Liverpool’s

fifth victory in a row in all competitions, and Klopp’s side have astonishingly prevailed in 17 of their last 18 games domestically and continentally - only Inter Milan have been able to get one over the Merseyside giants in that run.

Liverpool’s remarkable run of victories sees them head into Sunday’s game aiming to win in the Premier League for the 11th time in a row, with last weekend’s triumph over Watford seeing them string together 10 Premier League wins for the fifth time in their history - matching the previous record set by, you guessed it, Man City.

While they will be coming up against the league’s best defence, Liverpool have proven to be pretty adept at keeping the ball away from their own net with five successive clean sheets in the Premier League, and a whopping tally of 77 goals is the highest in

MONDAY

Vallecano v Valencia 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

CLUB

Mo Salah Heung Son Diogo Jota Harry Kane Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Man Utd

GOALS

20 14 14 12 12

the league by far.

If there is a victor on the blue side of Manchester this weekend, the Premier League trophy will be theirs to lose, but challenges aplenty will still present themselves amid City and Liverpool’s hectic schedules before the curtain closes on another fascinating title battle.

Africa’s Big Five in Qatar to Go Live on DStv, GOtv The big news in African football last week was the confirmation of the five teams which will represent the continent at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco and Tunisia secured their tickets to the global tournament.

SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv will be counting down the days to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the tournament set to run from 21 November to 18 December and provide the most thrilling distillation of ‘The Beautiful Game’.

The Black Stars overcame arch rivals Nigeria on away

goals (after a 1-1 draw on aggregate) to secure a fourth overall qualification – adding to their previous appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

Senegal continued to have the wood over Egypt, as they ousted the North Africans on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw. The Teranga Lions will be appearing at the World Cup for a third time, adding to 2002 and 2018.

Tunisia and Morocco overcame Mali, 1-0 on aggregate and DR Congo, 5-2 on aggregate to each seal their sixth World Cup appearance: 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2018 for the Carthage Eagles, while the Atlas Lions played

the global event in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018.

The most dramatic qualification came from Cameroon, who scored through Karl Toko Ekambi deep in injury time after 120 minutes in Blida to defeat Algeria 2-1, with the tie ending 2-2 on aggregate and sending the Indomitable Lions to the World Cup on the away goal rule as the African team with the most successful World Cup qualification campaigns. The 2022 will be their eighth showing at the finals, adding to 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Action at the 2022 Nigerian Derby International Horse Racing Championship in Kaduna

NUGA President Professor Stephen Hamafyelto (left) handing over the NUGA flag to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos Professor Tanko Ishaya (right) at the closing ceremony of the 2022 NUGA Games hosted by the University of Lagos.

FirstBank Taking Horse Racing Sponsorship to Another Level Prof. Tanko Ishaya Assures of Lasting Legacy at 27th When you talk of golf in Nigeria, a brand that readily comes to mind is FirstBank and when its polo, certainly the brand sticks. Talk of football, basketball, athletics and even tennis, FirstBank is already established as one of the biggest players in term of sports sponsorship while discovering talents and harnessing skills.

Weeks back in faraway Kaduna, the financial institution added another feather to its growing and glowing reputation by sponsoring 2022 Nigerian Derby International Horse Racing Championship, further reaffirming their tag, ‘First with Sport’.

Truly, the banking giant has always been first with sports.

Over 102 years of polo sponsorship isn’t a joke, Lagos Open golf Championship would be 61-years in 2022, OBJ Amateur Open would be six-years old in Abeokuta later in the year. They are present in Kano where they bankrolled Dala Hard Court, a yearly tennis tournament.

In football, FirstBank Fc popularly known as the ‘Elephant Boys’ compete in the lower tier of

Lagos State Football Association (NNWL) league, the Elephant Girls; its Basketball Team has won laurels at the continental level. To them at the Elephant House, sports sponsorship is like a tradition.

A proof of that came weeks back in far away Kaduna where it bankrolled Nigerian Derby, an International Horse Racing Competition. Jockeys from Niger Republic, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Jockeys from host country were on to race for fame and honours. Renowned star Jockeys, Chinada Mamman from Nigerien Republic, his counterparts Nuhu Mamane, Hadju Usein, Saleh Abubakar, Kanta Umar, Musa Ndoki were in Kaduna. Others from Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso were on display in the highly competitive Derby.

On the other side of the divide were royal fathers led by the Emir of Zauzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamali, top government functionaries and businessmen.

Complementing this class of people were horse racing fans

who lined the railed track of the expansive sports centre to watch men race on horses.

Also, on the display were some of the best horses money can buy.

There were the local breeds, the Arabian horse, the slim Sudan type and the Thoroughbred horses common in Argentina and Mexico. And to make the event go as planned was the biggest player in sports sponsorship in Nigeria, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited which provided the funds needed.

Expectedly, the event was all about running horse in the racecourse, the display of power and endurance, of gut and skill.

This and many were on the display in the Derby.

Now, until now, the thought of Horse Racing in Nigeria sounds funny because Nigeria is one of the many countries in the world without an active horse racing scene, horse racing enthusiasts outside of Nigeria are unlikely to think of the country as a hub for the sport. But the truth is that the excitement around the grounds of a race track is amazing.

Seedorf Leads Team Heineken in Face-off Challenge with JJ Okocha, Davido, Others

The beauty of Nigeria and Dutch football artistry will be on showcase on Tuesday, when visiting football legend Clarence Seedorf leads a selected Heineken team against a starstudded Nigerian side in a faceoff challenge being organised by international premium beer brand, Heineken.

Seedorf who is headlining this year’s Heineken UEFA Champions League trophy tour will be showing football fans in Nigeria as well as loyal Heineken customers why he remains an iconic name in football circles especially when it comes to the Champions League.

Seedorf, the first and only player to have won the UEFA Champions League Trophy with three different clubs, will have along with him on the Heineken team another ex-football star,

Patrick van Uden.

Others on the team include; Martin Kochl, Supply Chain Director NB Plc, Rob Kleinjan, Finance Director NB Plc as well as Jelle Van der Meer, Max Crombaach and Maarten Vrolijk are on the Heineken team along with Seedorf for the faceoff challenge that would be taking place at the Landmark Events Centre next Tuesday.

Team Nigeria on its part boasts of a healthy mix of football, entertainment and business personalities that would be showing off their skills against their Dutch counterparts.

Ex-Super Eagles stars, Austin JJ Okocha and Daniel Amokachi will be doing their thing along with Davido and Reekado Banks while Allen Onyema; CEO of Air Peace and Olawale Fagbemi will all be showing off their unique

skills also.

Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi described the faceoff challenge as another Heineken Football Experience which remains unrivalled even as he predicts there will be lots of fun in the five-a-side contest.

He said: “It’s a unique football experience with a healthy mix of gladiators in football, entertainment and the corporate world. They will showcase their talents on the turf courtesy of Heineken,” he noted.

The match, which is part of the long-chain of activities for the Trophy Tour, comes up a few hours before the UEFA Champions League second leg match between Real Madrid versus Chelsea and Bayern Munich versus Villarreal.

Lagos Country Club Agog for Ademiluyi Tennis The Tennis Section of the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja will be on the spotlight from April 11-16 as the Prince Ademiluyi Memorial Tennis Tournament holds.

According to Ehi Ujiagbe, the captain of the Tennis Section, no fewer than 60 kids were scheduled to feature.

He added t h a t k i d s were excited at the re t u r n o f t h e t o u r n a ment which was forced to be put on hold for

the last few years due to Covid-19.

Ujiagbe hinted that the six-day programme, which is the 16th edition, will begin as a clinic and end up as tournament and was open to kids from ages 3-18.

He stated that the Ademiluyi Memorial Tournament was one of the legacies of Dr. Ademiluyii, an ardent tennis fan, who was a staunch member of the tennis section.

“Being one of the longest running junior programmes in the club we look forward to a memorable tournament.

“It’s a matter of fact that Ademiluyi tournament has helped in the development of Nigerian tennis over the decade as some of the top players both on the junior and senior ranks were product of this programme.”

Tennis equipment as well as certificates will be given to kids that excel in the tournament.

After the curtain closed on the 26th edition of the NUGA Games hosted by the University of Lagos, the flag for the 27th edition billed for 2024 was handed over to the University of Jos, UNIJOS after it won the hosting rights ahead of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,Vice-Chancellor of the UNIJOS, Prof.Tanko Ishaya revealed his vision for the Games noting that being the first time for the school, they would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the 2024 NUGA Games will be one to be talked about years after. Prof. Ishay notes that the hosting of the Games will not just be for the sake of hosting but to enable the University set up sporting structures, especially a High Performance Centre given the weather conditions in Jos

How do you feel with UNIJOS winning the hosting rights for the 2024 NUGA Games?

We thank God almighty that we have it at last. Since the existence of UNIJOS, we have been longing and looking forward to this opportunity. Our thanks also go to those that have made it possible for us to get the hosting rights.

The chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Jos, Professor Attahiru Jega was on the ground to give us all the necessary support that we needed and that speaks volumes for us as an institution.

Let me say this, getting the hosting rights is one thing but we are conscious that there is a lot required of us.

You have two years ahead to prepare, how are you going about the funding knowing that the facilities for the Games are key factors?

When we came out to look for the hosting rights, we were conscious of the challenges. We are very optimistic that by the grace of God within the two years, we will bring out the facilities required to be able to host one of the best NUGA Games in the history of this country. We already have one thing going for us in Jos, which is the weather and no one can change that.

We also have the support of the Plateau State government and as I speak, I am glad to tell you that the state government sent the Commissioner of Sports to be with us in UNILAG for the NUGA Games. And that is to say that we have the support of the people to make it happen.

So, we are not alone and by that, we are going to extend our search for funds from not only the government but from individuals and sports lovers. We have called out a lot of people for funding. It might interest you to know that we recently acquired a sports theatre which is one of the facilities we need to put in place for the Games.

In a year’s time, is it possible to showcase at least part of these facilities you are talking about?

Absolutely! Not even in a year’s time. As we speak, we will be able to showcase some of the facilities that we are planning to use. So, in a year’s time, we would have significantly done it right.

We are not going to relax because we have limited time to prepare.

Aside from facilities, what vision do you have in terms of preparations for the athletes that would compete for you at that time?

We love sports and we have quite a number of athletes and coaches. At the Games in Lagos, we had almost 200 students that participated in the Games and we finished 15th place on the table. That is to show the world that in terms of preparation we are going to continue from where we are at present. And I am glad to tell you that we got a gold medal against host UNILAG which is really very fundamental.

UNIJOS is not going to stop there; we are going to show serious commitment aside from providing facilities.

At the end of your term as Vice-Chancellor, what legacy do you want to leave?

I want to see that UNIJOS emerges as the best university in Nigeria in terms of educational standards. And to see it also competing with other international universities in the world, not just in Nigeria.

What should we be looking at in terms of sporting excellence?

We have already commenced preparations. We are now going to go ahead towards establishing a centre of excellence. Not just sporting activities but anything that has to do with human kinetics and so on. So that’s what we hope to actually achieve.

What will this hosting

right add to UNIJOS? As I said earlier on, the hosting right we got from NUGA is not only going to be useful in the University.

It will add great potential to the city and the people of Plateau and its socialeconomic activities. More importantly, Jos City is a great place for High Altitude Training. Setting up a HighPerformance Centre in this regard will go a long way in providing the necessary infrastructure Nigeria will benefit from because part of it will be an Olympic Size swimming pool that will also help in training, therapy, performance and recovery for athletes and others.

A major issue is that of security, what are your plans?

Of course, the issue of security if you look at it is one that is important and the Plateau State government is doing well in that regard. We will ensure there is stability and peace by setting up the right security measures in motion.

Nevertheless, Nigeria is what it is today and you will find out that there are security issues in every part of the country. The government is doing quite a lot to make sure that peace returns everywhere.

From the university’s point of view, we have achieved successful grounds towards ensuring that we provide some level of security on campus in terms of perimeter fencing and lots more. We are also requesting funds to make sure that at least we have technology that will add to our security architecture.

So, in essence, UNIJOS is safe for NUGA? UNIJOS is safe for NUGA and by the grace of God, we will host the best NUGA Games ever. We are also conscious of key areas of concern and we will make sure that all that needs to be done is properly taken care of.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Noni Maduka tries to beat Leicester midfielder, Youri Tielemans on Thurday at the King Power Stadium

Noni Maduka

A New Addition to Foxes’ Nigerian Legion With Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman already making waves at the King Power Stadium, Leicester City may welcome another Nigerian to their fold after Brendan Rodgers was reported to be eyeing Noni Madueke for a summer move to the Leicestershire County

L

eicester City have expressed their interested in the services of PSV Nigeria-eligible winger, Noni Madueke.

The 20-year-old England U-21 international has been impressive since joining the Dutch giants from Tottenham Academy in 2018.

He has contributed 14 goals in 30 games this season across all competitions and is impressing at the Phillips Stadium.

Leicester had ample opportunity to take another look at the winger when the Foxes hosted the Eredivisie campaigners in the Europa Conference League quarterfinals on Thursday.

Leicester City head coach, Brendan Rodgers is also a huge fan of the winger and sang his praises ahead of their game at the King Power Stadium.

“He’s done really well,” Rodgers said.

He came through the system over here but clearly felt he wanted to play first-team football and maybe there was that opportunity abroad.

You’ve seen other young players do that, going into Germany and into Holland.

“He’s a talented player, he’s physically very good, he’s got a nice left foot, he’s dynamic, he wants to run in behind, so he’s a threat. I know he plays with Luke Thomas in the Under-21s.

He’ll be a threat I’m sure.”

Madueke is yet to represent England or any country at the senior level but is eligible to represent Nigeria and the Three Lions.

He was born in the UK to Nigerian parents.

When asked by Sky Sports to sum up his game, he said, “I am a bit of a showman. I try to beat players. I am fast. I have an eye for goal. That is how I would describe myself.”

This is not cockiness. He is humble but confident, and that confidence is justified. The 20-year-old Londoner has been a huge success since leaving Tottenham for PSV over three years ago - rejecting the chance to go to Manchester United.

Madueke was back in England for his first professional game against English opposition when PSV face Leicester City in the Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday.

It is just the next experience for one of the bright young talents of English football.

These are the occasions that persuaded him to move to Eindhoven in the first place. He has made over 60 appearances for the 1988 European Cup winners since making his debut over two years ago. The justification for his bold choice is obvious.

“I have been in a first-team environment since I was 17,” he says.

“I don’t think there is any way I would have experienced first-team football at that age in England. That is the main thing. I just liked the aura of the club. From the moment I came here, I liked the aura straight away. It just felt like the right next step.”

The standout moment so far came in August when he scored twice in a 4-0 thrashing of Ajax in the Dutch Super Cup. It was a man-of-thematch performance. “That was the highlight of my years here. It was the first trophy that I have won in my professional career.”

The first of many? There seems no doubt.

There is a steely pragmatism to Madueke. He does not romanticise his move abroad, instead downplaying the significance of a young man living on his own in another country. He is doing

what he must do to succeed.

Asked if it was a challenge for him to leave home at such a young age, he is clear. “Off the pitch, not really. I think if I were in England it would be pretty much the same. Moving abroad when you are young, it takes a bit of heart. Other than that, it is no different.

“I have definitely seen another side of life and had to adapt. There was a culture shift.

But I am someone who is easy-going and can live anywhere so it was not so difficult. I live by myself but I see my family quite frequently.

Everyone speaks English so it is pretty easy.

“I feel like I was just coming here for a job, to get the job done. It was a move for my career so I was just thinking of making the best out of it. I was not really worried about leaving London or anything like that. I just knew. I was focused.

I wanted to do the job.”

His first season was spent with the development team, working under Ruud van Nistelrooy, honing his craft under the former Manchester United striker. “He is a legend of the game so it was an honour and he is still a great finisher.

He helped me a lot with that.”

The breakthrough came last season when he was PSV’s third-highest scorer in the Eredivisie with seven goals despite starting only seven of the team’s 34 matches. Roger Schmidt, the club’s experienced coach, taught him another side of the game.

“He has helped me with my out-of-possession work, pressing and being connected to the other players on the pitch so I can win the ball back as quickly as possible. Two years on, I am a bit more polished in my game. That is the difference now.

“When you are 18 coming into the first team

you are a bit raw. I am probably a more decisive player than I was two years ago. My biggest strengths are still my speed and my dribbling but I would say that my end product is good as well now.”

Even so, it has not been straightforward since that day against Ajax. Madueke missed much of the winter through injury. “It was difficult but now I am over it and I have been able to play the second half of the season with pretty much no problems,” he says.

In particular, he caught the eye in both games for the England U21 side last month.

“It was fun. Two games, two wins.

“It has definitely been a progressive year.”

ThatwasdecisiveagainstLeicesteronThursday where his father and brother were at the King Power Stadium but - typically - the player himself has laser-like focus.

“It is definitely a big game. I am coming back home. It is my first game against an English team. It will be another experience but I just see it as another game we have to win.

“Leicester are a good team. But so are we,” he said before the encounter with the Foxes.

Rodgers’ team are just one of the Premier League clubs that have been linked with a move for him in the summer. It is only a matter of time before he returns to England. “I definitely want to play there next.” He just does not know yet when that will be.

“Whether it is this summer or whenever it is, for now, I am focusing on the rest of the season.

It is definitely an ambition of mine to play there.

I have had a kickstart in my career by playing a lot of games at a young age. I feel like I will be ready for any step I take.”

There is that confidence. He just needed the opportunity.

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 ˾ APRIL 9, 2022

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Helpful Tips When Dealing With a Car Mechanic Your car, unfortunately, will not last forever. You can extend its expected life by a couple of years, but necessary maintenance and upkeep are essential for keeping your car running. However, there are situations where you need to visit a car mechanic to treat issues with your precious vehicle.

Through the entire process of researching, consulting, and repairing your car, you need to make sure you and the car mechanic are on equal ground.

Here are five helpful tips when dealing with a car mechanic to help you do that.

Transportation management grows the economy

Effective Transportation Requires Road Master Plans With Economic Inclusiveness

T

he provision of road infrastructure is for enhanced movement of people, goods and services, facilitating trade and economic development.

Transportation being a vehicle for economic growth through incountry and cross border transactions is enhanced by qualitative roads designed and built with economic inclusiveness in the master plan. By this, road building is purposefully implemented to coordinate places and business activities.

The Corps Marshall, Federal Road Safety Commission, Dr. Boboye Ayeyemi stated this during the week in Abuja at the African Road Builders’ inaugural conference and Africa Road Builders’ Award, known as the Trophee Babacar Ndiaye Award.

President Muhammadu Buhari won the

2021 Trophee Babacar Ndiaye award but the presentation was not done because of COVD-19.

The president’s award was thus presented at the Abuja conference.

The 2022 Trophee Babacar Ndiaye, which was the 7th Edition of the Road Builders, had the theme ‘Building Roads, Building Economies’.

It was organised by African journalists in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works & Housing, and AfDB. The Corps Marshall said, “Apart from providing mobility to enhance the business environment, roads are paramount in granting access controls to certain localities in the context of national security, as economic growth and security are linked.

Importance of Road “Roads are inevitable to economies (Micro and Macro levels) in the following ways: Roads that

Support Economies In underscoring the importance of roads to building economies, the roads and road infrastructures must be designed and built to be: Safe, resilient, smart, sustainable. Roads should be built in a way that would not become ‘death traps’ to the users.”

Dr. Ayeyemi said there is a strong relationship between roads and economic development. “The world’s leading economies have better built roads with networks that promote road safety and minimal socio-economic consequences.

“The number of Kilometers of road available per capita in the developing economies is very low compared to what obtains in Europe and North America. This low availability of roads per capita has its negative impact on the economies of the countries in Africa and Asia.

All-New 2023 Honda HR-V Steps Out with Youthful, Athletic Styling

T

he all-new Honda HR-V debuts a clean, sporty and expressive exterior design for 2023, featuring a bold new grille, longer hood and VOHHN URRÁLQH %DVHG RQ the award-winning 11th generation Honda Civic, the HR-V is larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and wider stance while still remaining sporty and personal. The HR-V is the right size with the space and utility for an adventurous weekend escape, yet nimble to maneuver city streets. Set to launch this summer, HR-V will feature a more responsive engine and a new independent rear suspension, giving the FRPSDFW 689 D PRUH FRQÀGHQW UHÀQHG and fun-to-drive personality.

“By gaining aspirational qualities beyond its segment, the all-new 2023 Honda HR-V will welcome a new generation of customers to Honda and grow in importance as a gateway to the Honda brand,” said Michael Kistemaker, assistant vice president of Automobile Sales of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This new HR-V will advance its position as the segment leader with \RXQJ EX\HUV ÀUVW WLPH EX\HUV DQG multicultural customers.”

Inspired by the thrill of new experiences, HR-V’s design is ambitious with a strong sense of adventure. A low horizontal beltline that begins with its extended hood

Look Out for Dishonesty Car mechanics are usually reliable and truthful when it comes to how much your car needs work. They tell you what to look out for and so you can identify future problems quickly.

However, some mechanics aren’t so truthful. Some might try to upsell you with add-on services and do a poor job repairing your vehicle. Look out for any suspicious behavior and dishonesty.

Make Sure They’re Reputable One of the best five helpful tips you should know about when dealing with a car mechanic is the importance of their reputation. Make sure it’s a good one. Every car mechanic comes with different learning backgrounds and experiences. Do your research ahead of time and look out for any red flags from customer reviews so you come out smarter at the end.

Have Proper Communication Car mechanics will always provide loads of information you might not understand during the repair process. So, educate yourself on the car mechanic terminology so you don’t become confused.

Also, keep documented proof of previous conversations, receipts, and quotes for future reference in case you forget about any payments or exchanges. This is essential so you and the mechanic have a strong, confident relationship throughout the repair period.

Clean Your Car Ahead of Time Car mechanics don’t always appreciate dirty cars in their workshops. It prevents them from getting work done in their service time and can become hazardous for their health.

So, take the time beforehand to clean out your vehicle. Mechanics will appreciate the effort you made to make their job a little easier.

The all-new Honda HR-V

and continues over the swell of the rear IHQGHUV JLYHV LWV ÁRZLQJ IRUPV D VHQVH of motion. Wide-set LED headlights and taillights emphasize HR-V’s athletic stance.

A sculpted hatch and functional tailgate spoiler highlight its sporty proportions.

A large greenhouse provides excellent

visibility, enhanced by door-mounted mirrors and HR-V’s low cowl. For a cleaner, upscale look, laser-brazing technology eliminates the need for unsightly roof moldings, and HR-V’s windshield wipers hide under the hood line when not in use.

Maintain Realistic Expectations Lastly, go in with realistic expectations for your mechanic.

Car mechanics spend lots of time and effort repairing cars, but they don’t perform miracles.

Sometimes the repairs that need to get done aren’t feasible, so try to remain realistic and understand what they can and can’t do.(Source: TouchUpDirect) (Source: TouchUpDirect)

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

AUTO WORLD

GAC Motor, Lotus Bank Offer Auto Financing Scheme

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n a bid to make vehicle acquisition HDVLHU DQG PRUH DͿRUGDEOH WR DOO prospective auto patrons nationwide, GAC Motors has entered into a partnership with Lotus Bank.

The scheme, ‘Rent to Win’, the two organisations said, is aimed at reducing the number of used vehicles on Nigerian roads.

Chairman, CIG Motors (franchise owners of the GAC brand in Nigeria), Chief Diana Chen, while speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, said that the partnership with Lotus Bank is designed to enable customers to DFTXLUH QHZ YHKLFOHV LQ D ÀQDQFLDOO\ FRQYHnient manner with comfortable repayment plans.

Chen explained that the scheme is a special one to willing clients and reiterated that it would be executed with the sincerity of purpose it deserves. $FFRUGLQJ WR KHU FXVWRPHUV ZKR TXDOLÀHG L-R: Executive Director of Lotus Bank, Alhaji Alhassan Abdulkarim; and Chairman, CIG Motors, for purchase of the brands could pay back between 36 to 48 months.

Chief Diana Chen, at the Auto Finance Scheme signing ceremony in Lagos… recently According to her, “the agreement we have is unique and you can’t get it anywhere else. bank was established less than a year ago, Executive Director, Lotus Bank, Alhaji 7KLV LV D VSHFLDO VFKHPH ZH DUH RͿHULQJ WR WKH Alhassan Abdulkarim expressed delight at LW ZDV WKH ÀUVW WLPH LW ZDV VLJQLQJ VXFK DQ public. With this agreement we are signing agreement with any automobile company in the agreement between the two organisatoday, Nigerians would not need to bring out Nigeria and expressed optimism that it had tions. their entire money to buy a vehicle at once”.

WKH FDSDFLW\ WR ÀQDQFH WKH VFKHPH Abdulkarim explained that since the

He emphasised that as a bank, the major DFWLRQ RI WKH EDQN LV WR HQJDJH LQ ÀQDQFLDO intermediation with clients and promised that any client who approaches the bank for acquisition of the any GAC Motors model, such request would be granted within 48 hours.

He, however, said that such customers must meet the procedures spelt out by the bank, which include domiciling of their salary accounts with the bank and for businessmen; they must show evidence of continuous payments as agreed with the bank. +H VDLG ´:H KDYH WKH FDSDFLW\ WR ÀQDQFH as much of this scheme as possible despite the fact that we are just eight months in the ÀQDQFLDO VHFWRU 6R IDU ZH KDYH EUDQFKHV across the country.

“As of today, we have about N13 billion capital, which is the capital of a national bank for instance. If any organization wants to acquire 1,000 of these vehicles, ZH KDYH WKH FDSDFLW\ WR ÀQDQFH VXFK DQ entity.”

Also speaking at the signing ceremony, General Manager, Commercial, CIG Motors, Jibril Arogundade, recalled that the automobile company had the same agreement ZLWK VRPH ÀQDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV HDUOLHU DQG described the experience as successful for the automobile industry.

Virgil Abloh, Mercedes-Maybach Create Ultimate Legacy Car

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Virgil Abloh’s cooperation with Mercedes–Maybach culminates in the launch of a limited-edition bespoke S-Class

he late Virgil Abloh’s cooperation with Mercedes–Maybach culminates in the launch of a limited-edition bespoke S-Class and capsule collection, inspired

by Project MAYBACH. Mercedes–Maybach has unveiled the ÀQDO FKDSWHU RI 3URMHFW 0$<%$&+ LWV cooperation with trusted partner, the late polymath artist, architect, creative director, fashion designer and philanthropist, Virgil Abloh. Designed in partnership ZLWK 0HUFHGHV %HQ] *URXS $* &KLHI 'HVLJQ 2΀FHU *RUGHQ :DJHQHU LQ WKH YHKLFOH ZDV ÀQDOLVHG before Abloh’s untimely passing in November and is available in a strictly limited run of 150 units. The launch coincides with the release of a capsule collection designed by Virgil Abloh and in collaboration with 2Ϳ :KLWH ,W KDV EHHQ GHYHORSHG LQ FRQQHFWLRQ WR WKH Project MAYBACH electric showcar and is exclusively DYDLODEOH WR EX\ RQ 2Ϳ :KLWH )DUIHWFK DQG 0D\EDFK ,FRQV RI /X[XU\ RQOLQH VWRUHV DV ZHOO DV 2Ϳ :KLWH stores in select markets. )RU RYHU D FHQWXU\ 0HUFHGHV²0D\EDFK KDV GHÀQHG the boundaries of luxury experiences, and the limited edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh, a fully equipped Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680 (WLTP combined fuel consumption: 14.3-13.4 l/100 km | combined CO2 emissions: 326-304 g/km)1 continues this tradition.

Created by Mercedes-Benz’ most specialised customiza-

tion and craftmanship team in the manufaktur LQ 6LQGHOÀQJHQ ² WKH YHKLFOH H[WHULRU IHDWXUHV WKH unique two-tone colour combination created for Project MAYBACH. While the upper part of the vehicle is lacquered in a glossy obsidian black, the ORZHU SDUW VLGH ÁDQNV DQG VSHFLDO IRUJHG ULPV DUH painted in a sand hue.

The highest levels of craftsmanship continue into the vehicle’s interior with an identical two-tone colour VFKHPH 7KH IRXU VHDW FRQÀJXUDWLRQ VWHHULQJ ZKHHO doors, lower dashboard and ceiling are lined in black and sand coloured nappa leather, complete with sand coloured décor trims and strips. The highpile ÁRRUPDWV DUH EODFN ZLWK D VDQG FRORXUHG OHDWKHU border and embroidered Mercedes-Maybach logo.

To enhance its monolithic appearance, the window frames are painted, and a special Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo is inscribed on the piano black middle of the centre-console, rear cushions, head restraints and door sill panel.

Unique to the limited-edition S-Class is a bespoke user interface, which presents the driver with an even more luxurious variation of the Maybach MBUX suite of cutting-edge technologies. Hand picked visual elements are used to enrich the digital content: from a home button with coloured border DQG EUDQG ORJR GHQRWLQJ WKH HGLWLRQ WR SURÀOH pictures decorated with luxurious fashion accessories.

I Am The Best Drunk Driver

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he is 21 years old. She lives in Pennsylvania in the United States of America. I do not know what she does, neither do I know if she is married or a single mother. I am sure she has siblings; maybe parents too. These are family members whose emotional bonding and wellbeing must be top priority to her.

Unfortunately she failed to display the same empathy on the wellbeing of others who share the road. I am sure you are wondering if I am doing an expose on her. Well I am not but merely trying to bring you up to speed with a recent event which those who are freaky about speeding, dangerous driving as well as driving under the influence should note.

Jayana Tanae Webb is her name. She is in the news not for winning a lottery or being cast in a lead role in an oncoming Hollywood movie. Rather she is in the news for a tragedy whose outcome even her haters may not like. A tragedy whose outcome she already regrets despite all the bragado if you permit the usage. The 21-year-old woman is the one who on precisely 15 January,2022, had bragged that, “if you ask me, I am the best drunk driver.” I do not know if her claim before the avoidable tragedy was restricted to Pennsylvania or the whole United States of America or even perhaps the Universe.

She boasted of her drunk driving skills on Twitter but has now been arrested and charged with murder

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

after car crash that killed a pedestrian and two state troopers on Interstate 95 about two months after her boast According to reports surfed, the Pennsylvania State Police arrested and charged Jayana Tanae Webb of Eagleville with third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence(DUI), homicide by vehicle, manslaughter of a law enforcement officer in the second degree, and other charges. The suspect had been pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving and after the tragic incident, she had blood alcohol content over the legal limit.

This best drunk driver in the world for 2022 was arraigned for her ‘‘heroic murderous act’’ and is currently being held without bail to drive home the seriousness of this infraction which a typical Nigerian road user would have waived aside as mere traffic infraction destined by Almighty God. The crash like I told you earlier, took place in South Philadelphia on Monday

23March, 2022, a week after her bragging, on I-95 South in the area of Milepost 18 near the Stadium Complex, located just north of Broad Street.

It further states that the State police troopers, like the Federal Road Safety Corps operatives killed by unknown gunmen in Anambra State over the weekend while performing their lawful duties, were responding to reports of a man walking along I-95 South. They were assisting the 28years old man, identified as Reyes Rivera Oliveras, of Allentown, into the back of their vehicle. While attempting to speed past the scene, Webb who had earlier been pulled over before the distress call, hit the two state troopers, Oliveras the pedestrian and the police car. The impact of the hit was so great that the troopers were killed on the scenes. Webb remained at the scene.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Robert Evanchick the tragedy has caused the Police department heartbreak. In a solidarity message, he asked fellow Pennsylvanians to keep the families of the troopers identified as 33-year-old Martin Mack and 29-year-old Branden Sisca and the pedestrian in their thoughts and prayers while for me I urge motorists in Nigeria to think through their bad driving habits.

There is no doubt that she is indeed the best driver in town as boasted. The alleged drunk driver, Jayana Tanae Webb, faces three counts of third-degree murder after prosecutors said she killed troopers Branden Sisca,

29, and Martin Mack III, 33, along with pedestrian Reyes Rivera Oliveras, 28, on the shoulder of I-95 on Monday night in Philadelphia. . Sisca and Mack left behind wives. Mack had two children while Sisca’s widow is pregnant. Drowned in uncontrollable tears, Webb allegedly admitted to driving under the influence as she was arraigned on 18 felony counts, including two counts of manslaughter of a law enforcement officer What actually are the Bottom of Form penalties for killing someone while driving drunk in the United States. The offences I gathered from the web are quite severe. A motorist who is convicted for driving under the influence-killing risk felony charges that carry jail or prison time or fines. It also carries license suspension or revocation which is a must best practice which we must fully implement as a consequent strategy to stop the avoidable killings on our roads.

The motorist therefore faces felony charges although the state laws differ on how such infractions are charged.

There are several options open to the prosecutor.

One of such options is the State statutes that specify more severe penalties for driving under the influence offenses involving deaths. In Michigan, for instance, a first offender driving while intoxicated faces up to 93 days in jail and a maximum of $500 in fines.

But a Michigan same offender who causes the death of another person is guilty of a felony and faces up to 15 years in prison and $2,500 to $10,000 in fines.

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

PERSPECTIVE The Governor Osun Deserves in 2022 Ismail Omipidan

F

romitscreationin1991todate,Osun haspassedthroughmanydevelopmentalspheresasasubsetoftheNigerian State. From economic to political, to infrastructure, to social, to cultural stages, the State of theVirtuous has carvedanicheforitselfandhasgotits own share of the saying that every society gets the leadership it deserves.

Butlikeeverygrowingentity,IpinleOmoluabimust matureandgetitsownidentityafteraboutthirty-one years of existence.

As a State, Osun within the Nigerian political ecosystem, inherited the handout regime, going to Abuja,capinhandeverymonth,tocollectitsshareof theproverbialnationalcake.Typicaloftheoutcomeof thiseconomicparadigm,developmentwasachieved infitsandstarts,withitsgrowthhingingonthehealth ofthepetrodollarinthevolatileinternationalmarket.

Characteristically also, economic innovation and diversification were stalled while creativity and productivity were shoved to the driver’s seat.

Osun politics was not left out in the theatre of the absurd. ‘Buje budanu’ (mindless spending) blurred goodgovernanceanddevelopment,therealessence of democracy.

Infrastructuredevelopmentansweredtotheprice of petrol in the international market and the size of allocation from Abuja. When both sneezed, project execution and payment of salaries and pensions were stifled.

Poverty,hungerandunemployment,thehybridsof mismanaged economy and the ravaging economic downturn,madeourcultureandOmoluabiethosvictims at the hands of our leaders of tomorrow.

Because money was almost always available, necessity, the mother of invention, travelled out of the window and creativity went on Sabbatical. The partywassoonoverandresilience,theborrowedrobe we always dressed ourselves in when we survived a crisissituation,demonstratedtousthatithadlimits.

It refused to come back from Sabbatical. We were thrownintoaneconomicwhirlwindtillfurthernotice.

Wearenowfacedwiththelessonsoffailuretosave for the rainy day. It would appear that our monolithic economicmodelthatproducedeconomiccursedidnot allowourleaderstomastergovernanceinadepressed economy. And unfortunately, the people have been conditioned to recede into the on-and-off mode of prosperity today, austerity tomorrow.

Whetheringovernmentorincorporateclimes,leaders are elected or appointed to manage good and challenging times, to prosecute set goals and the vision of the establishment – no excuses.The character of leadership comes to the fore at challenging times, every leader can pretend to be doing governance when the going is good. Challenging times are here and they show no sign of abating soon.

The Osun of yesterday belongs to the class of governance with scant productivity. That paradigm cannot fit into the economic complexities and realitiesoftoday.Andsorry,voters,naythepeople,donot understand the language of excuses. They have slid intothesolution-creativitymode.Electoralpromises must be fulfilled.

Wheneconomicdroughtcamevisitingin2015,Osun neededanewgovernanceparadigmshiftthatishinged

Oyetola

onstrategicthinkingtoliftitoutofthewoodsand setitonthepathofsustainabledevelopment.

Thenenteredyearslateranewleaderschooled inmanagingchallengedbusinessesandentities andwatersprangoutoftherocksandthedesert to offer water to the thirsty people of Osun.

Thedesertdoesnottransformintoaluxuriant forest overnight. It requires creativity, persistence, hard work, discipline and employment of Omoluabi ethos to turn the desert around.

Thesequalitiesarenotfoundonthedancefloor; they don’t answer to propaganda.

Osun,inthelastthreeandhalfyears,hasbeen onitstwofeetdespitethethroesofeconomic uncertaintiesasaresultofawell-thought-out DevelopmentAgendawhosestrategyanswers to creating wealth to sustain electoral promises.Thisnew-foundwealthcreationstrategy wasnotpartoftheeconomicprinciplesofthe yesteryears.

Anywonderoureconomywasalwaysinthewoodsand debts piled up for today and tomorrow generations?

Creating wealth is not limited to exploiting Osun’s resources buried in its soil. It also includes creatively exploitingthepotentialofthehumancapital–facilitating fundsandprojectsthroughfriends,associatesandthe workforce of the State.

The new leader understands that funding projects and programmes is doable with or without cash; he is skilful enough to know that doing projects is possible inadepressedeconomy.Heintroducedthedynamics and mechanics: financial discipline, innovation and creativity–pluggingloopholes,cuttingcosts(wastes), employing Alternative Project Financing technique, taking advantage of development windows offered by the Federal Government and facilitating projects through strategic local and international partners.

The new sheriff in town birthed the era of inclusive governance, participatory democracy and equitable service delivery to the people, including the poor, the

The new leader understands that funding projects and programmes is doable with or without cash; he is skilful enough to know that doing projects is possible in a depressed economy. He introduced the dynamics and mechanics: financial discipline, innovation and creativity –plugging loopholes, cutting costs (wastes), employing Alternative Project Financing technique, taking advantage of development windows offered by the Federal Government and facilitating projects through strategic local and international partners

needy, people living with disabilities and the youth as channels of service distribution. Thus, the era of provisionofadequate,quality,andequitableservices across the State with the people as the deciders of their needs was born.

Thesestrategies,wrappedwithalargedoseofpolitical will, have given birth to a new Osun and transformed the Osun economy in the last three years.They have created an Osun of possibilities and opportunities.

TheyhavereplacedtheState’swoodenlegswiththe steely props.They are steadily releasing the State’s neckfromthedebtnoose,ensuringworkers’salaries and pensions are paid as and when due and tapping the State’s untapped resources.

Theyaresteadilydeliveringsocialservicesandinnovativestrategies,includingbutnotlimitedtorevitalisation ofGeneralHospitalsinthethreesenatorialdistrictsand 332PrimaryHealthCentresineveryWardacrossthe State;managementofCovid-19pandemic;building structures; convoking Osun Economic Summit that broughtover1,000localandinternationalinvestorsto theStatewithover20ofthemsigningMemorandaof Understandingatthevenue;reconstruction/rehabilitation of hundreds of rural and urban roads across the Stateforsocioeconomicdevelopment;construction of the iconic Olaiya Flyover; renovation of schools acrosstheState;provisionofeducationalmaterials forstudentsandtrainingandre-trainingofteachersto enhancetheircapacity;recruitmentofteachers;provisionofaffordable,adequateandfunctionaleducation tostudents;provisionofloansandcreditfacilitiesfor women and youths; and cultivation of youths as the faceofgovernment’ssustainabledevelopmentefforts.

This clear-cuts governance and paradigm shift in the management of the economy of Osun in the last threeandhalfyearshascatalysedOsun’seconomyinto theclassoftransformationaleconomiesandsetiton thepathofsustainabledevelopment,usingstrategic thinking and strong political will as channels.

Suffice to say that in Osun, we may not have all the billions, but we are surely getting our priorities right under Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. Despite the paucity of funds, the Governor has so far kept faith with the vision of the founding fathers of the State to sustainably build Ipinle Omoluabi – State of the Virtuous.

Since coming on board about four years ago, the Governor has demonstrated that he not only understandsandappreciatesthepeculiarneedsofanaverage Osunperson,butheisalsopassionatelyinterestedin growingtheStatefromwherehispredecessorleftoff.

Rather than reel out excuses, he has been silently fulfillingmostofthepromiseshemadetothecitizens oftheStateduringtheelectioneering.FromtheIgbajo road,whichwaslasttouched33yearsago,toAtakumosa Market, which got burnt in 2015, Oyetola has validated the popular axiom: ”the way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

Hear what the Asiwaju of Igbajo, a legal luminary, Chief Solomon Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who ledadelegationofIgbajoDevelopmentAssociation (IDA) on a “ThankYou” visit to Mr. Governor said: “For manyyears,this(Ada-Igbajo)roadhasbeencryingfor rehabilitation.EvenbeforeIbecametheCommissioner forjusticeintheState(1991-92),thisroadhadbeen in a terrible state.

“Buttoday,wethankGodforusingyourgovernment to come to our aid.This will go a long way to redefine many things in the benefiting communities.

“Youhavegivenusagreatrelief.Osunisveryluckyto have you as Governor at this time. You have come to powerwithdeepexperienceinboththeprivateandthe publicsectorsasreflectedinthewayandmanneryou havebeenprudentlyandsensiblyrunningtheresources and affairs of the State.”

Oyetola is set to take Osun to the next level, going forward. The Governor Osun deserves in 2022 is onewhounderstandsthedynamicsofautopilotand sustaininggoodgovernanceandservicedeliveryina depressedeconomy;onewhobelievesinconsolidation; onewhohasplansforgenerationsyetunborn;onewhose purposeingovernmentisthesecurityandwelfareof the people and who sacrifices for their welfare.

Osungovernancehaslefttheanaloguestage.Those who don’t speak the digital governance language of the people have no place in the Abere topmost job.

Omipidan, a former Politics Editor of The Sun Newspaper, is the CPS to Oyetola

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

PERSPECTIVE Business Side of Peter Obi’s Politics Emeka Alex Duru

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here are times when statesmen rise beyond speech making and face the realitiesoftheday.Onsuchoccasions, engagement in politics transcends winning elections to laying solid foundations for the future of their countries. Political commentators describe it as Realpolitik – facing the reality.

AfterwinningincumbentHerbertHooverinthe1932 United States (US) presidential election, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, looked beyond the euphoria of victory to fashioning out agenda to lift his country from the depression it was mired in.

Inthefirst100daysofhiscomingtooffice,hespearheadedunprecedentedlegislationsthatgaveriseto theNewDeal,hispackageforrefloatingtheeconomy.

Theprogrammeprovidedrelieftotheunemployed andfarmers,aswellasofferingregulatoryreforms relatedtofinance,communications,andlabour.The successofthepackagegavetheUSeconomyahuge boost,earninghimare-election-arecordthreetimes.

Peter Obi, former Anambra state governor and 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the PeoplesDemocraticParty(PDP),isthinkingofNigeria beyond the polls, hence his regular refrain that he is notdesperatetobepresidentbutdesperatetosee a functional country.

Politics, for him, is a serious business; it cannot be divorcedfromtheeconomybutmustworktogether, fordevelopment,inlinewiththerecommendationof economists,DaronAcemogluandJamesRobinson, in their well-received book, “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty”.

CentralinObi’srecommendation,isthecompelling needforNigeriatodepartfromconsumerorientation to a productive economy. “There is nothing more to share”, he lamented the other day, in a meeting with theNationalWorkingCommittee(NWC),ofhisparty to intimate it of his intention to vie for the office of the President in the 2023 election.

Career politicians may not toe the line of Obi’s bluntness. But for him, it was better the truth was said.TheBibleteachesthattheLordJesusChristdid sotoHisdiscipleswhenitwasapparentthattheydid notunderstandthattheirfriend,Lazaruswasdead.

Hehadtoldthedisciplesthathe(Lazarus)hadfallen asleep. But they thought that He was referring to physical sleep. To drive the message home, He told them,“Lazarusisdead”andproceededtoraisehim.

For Obi, the task ahead goes beyond winning the presidency. Nigeria, he reckons, is on the edge and requires unusual measures to pull it from tipping over. He said: “Our country is now going through a difficult time. I am not desperate to be a President; I am desperate to see a better Nigeria.”

Obi

For Obi, the task ahead goes beyond winning the presidency.

Nigeria, he reckons, is on the edge and requires unusual measures to pull it from tipping over. He said: “Our country LV QRZ JRLQJ WKURXJK D GLIÀFXOW WLPH , DP QRW GHVSHUDWH WR EH D 3UHVLGHQW , DP GHVSHUDWH WR VHH D EHWWHU 1LJHULD µ +LV many years in business during which he has chaired corporations in the country, including the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC and so many quoted companies, capping it with resounding success as a governor, give him robust insight into the state of affairs in the country Hismanyyearsinbusinessduringwhichhehas chaired corporations in the country, including the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC and so many quoted companies, capping it with resounding success as a governor, give him robust insight into the state of affairs in

the country.

Itisacrisissituation,hedeclared,warningthatthe country cannot continue like this, without getting crashed.

Obibackedhisfearswithstatistics.“Inthefirstfive months of last year, we earned in revenue, N1.847

trillion and used N1.802 trillion which is about 98% toservicedebts.LastyeartheNationalBudgetwas N14trillion.WeweretoldwewouldborrowN4trillion butendedupborrowingclosetobetweenN6.5and N7 trillion.

“This year we budgeted over N17 trillion and promisedtogenerateoverN10trillionfromrevenue.

Thequestionis-fromwhere?Howcanwegenerate revenueofthattunewhenyouhaveover100million Nigerians living in poverty?” he asked.

Unemployment,heobserved,is33percentofficially but when added to under employment, climbs to a about 60 per cent. Of the lot, are the young ones w constitute the asset and the engine room of who t their productive age.

People now spend 100 per cent of their salary to f feed.

TheresultismoreNigerianslivingunderpoverty a thecountryrecordingseveralmillionsofout-ofand s school children.Thisisaninvitationtodanger,hesaid.

Toavoidthesituationgettingoutofhand,Obiinsisted t the country must shift from consumption to that p production.

Heisinorder.Inthelastsevenyears,the c country has been going down the slide in all indices o development. The cost of living has been going of u astronomically and standard of living dropping up i frightening proportion. Infrastructure collapse, in p policyarticulationandimplementationaddto poor t uncertain economic climate. the Therisingspateofinsecurityisequallynothelping m matters.

Infact,tostatethatNigeria’scurrentsecurity p profile is piteous, is perhaps, an understatement. It i rather flat on its back, literally, offering uncertain is h hopes ofrecovery,onaccountofthefluidityofassault o the citizens and other interests in the country. on Theimmediateresult,asidelossoflifeandproperty, i thedrasticfallintheproductivity.Itistherefore,not is s surprising thatvariousreportsonstatisticsaboutthe G Gross DomesticProducts(GDP)inNigeriacompared w herrelativelylesserendowedneighbours,have with seen her trailing behind.

Obi said the only way out is to put food on people’s tables to ensure that they are not doing the wrong thing. “If they don’t know where the next meal will come from, the tendency is that they will become a tool for anything”, he remarked.

Besides the recommendations, he has offered himselfforservice,pledgingtodrawfromhiswealth of knowledge to turn things around. “I am aspiring because I know that I can turn this country in the positivedirectionwithinfouryears.Wehaveagreat country, all we need is to steer it right”, he informed the PDP NWC. Hisrecordincarefulmanagementoftheresources of Anambra state as a governor, indicates that he is onetobetrusted.Inasystemcharacterizedbydeparting governors leaving their successors with debts and the treasury in red, Obi did the extra-ordinary in maintaining a clean record.

Apart from not owing the workers, contactors or anypersonorgroupthathadfinancialdealingswith thestate,hebequeathedtohissuccessormoneyto pay three months’ salaries, run schools for a year and start more projects. To cap it, he left in savings, N75 billion ($156 million, and the rest in naira) with documents to prove same.

Obi seeks the PDP presidential ticket to replicate the feat at the national level.

Duru, a journalist, wrote from Lagos.

Time for EFCC, ICPC to Shine Light on Presidential Aspirants Eddie Mbadiwe

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s 2023 draws closer, some people have become sceptical if there will be presidential elections in view of the consuming insecurity that has enveloped Nigeria. One sometimes ponders why anyone would want to rule a country that spends about 90% of its earned income on debt servicing unless the person has a divine wand.

Ngozi Okonjo Iwela and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo were to get a debt cancellation and since then nothing else has happened except big talk. Ngozi Okonjo Iwela and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo have etched their names in gold.

Another possible reason for those wanting to rule is forum hunting to buy immunity and escape the long arm of the law. As the day follows the night it is inescapable that those who have pillaged this country pay restitution or prepare for a long time in prison. There is no escape from natural justice.

The last question is for that category of people who finally want to sell the country and condemn us to slavery. G.O Pastor Adeboye said in clear terms he does not know if there will be an election as God has not told him yet.

He is equally clear that he does not and has never supported any candidate of any party as his job is to pray. Being human, he at some point must be frustrated and wonder if God answers his prayer.

All of us have at one moment or the other had our periods of doubt. The water is currently muddied and EFCC and ICPC can shine clear lights and help us see through this polluted environment. Some people are so sceptical that they just cannot see a way out. It will in fact be criminal to foist some of these people as rulers of Nigeria.

The young man who is at the current helm of affairs at EFCC we understand had a part of his early education at the prestigious, highly disciplined, no nonsense Government Secondary School Owerri where the English men who were principals distilled integrity and honesty into the spinal cord of the then students.

It was one of the three model government secondary schools in the former Eastern Nigeria. At Owerri, students were given a rounded education not necessarily to pass examinations but they also passed. Failure was not an option. So the EFCC must not fail.

The EFCC must shine the light on some of these charlatans to enable the chaff fall off from the wheat. It is in my view that this is a duty EFCC owe the Nigerian public. The rain must fall so that the dust will settle.

A number of people have given up on Nigeria but quite a few are unrepentant optimists who still believe a greener pasture still lies ahead As long as we can contend with the current insecurity and rejig our modus operandi to enthrone equity and justice in all appointments, it is still for a little acorn to emerge into mighty Iroko tree. In the by-line of the West African Pilot EFCC and ICPC must show the light and the people will certainly find the way.

Rt. Hon Dr. Eddie Mbadiwe writes from Abuja

Bawa, EFCC’s Chairman

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

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THEFRONTLINES

JOE/PEOPLE

El Rufai’s Curious Solution to Tackle Terrorists

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hose responsibility is it to protect the lives and property of citizens of a country?

Since 1960 when Nigeria became an independent country, the Commanders in Chief (CinCs) have always sworn to respect the provisions of the Constitution and protect the lives and property of every Nigerian. So far, past leaders had fulfilled that purpose of keeping Nigerians and their property safe and secured. The consistent wanton destruction of lives and property through banditry, kidnapping, and ethnic cleansing by the Fulani terrorists has been unprecedented in the history of this country. From Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo, Kebbi states it has been a cocktail of tears, sorrow, suffering, bloodletting, and cries by innocent victims who have been at the receiving end of the reign of terror unleashed on them since the President Muhammadu Buhari took office.

Buhari, a former military leader who, alongside his cohorts, overthrew a democratically elected President Shehu Shagari, won the 2015 election by popular vote.

It would be his fourth attempt having lost in the first three attempts to seek the presidency. He won this time around and took office with fanfare and at the time Nigerians were genuinely looking for a messiah to rescue them from what was gradually becoming the glaring ineptitude of the then President Goodluck Jonathan.

To be fair, insurgency was in full swing under Jonathan when Buhari swept to power. Apart from his exploits in Borno where he previously mercilessly wiped out the dreaded Maitatsine sect, Buhari was considered a perfect fit with his military background to quickly end insurgency that had taken firm hold in the north east and environs. He also added filip to the groundswell of expectations when he roundly condemned Jonathan as a weakling for his failure to stop the abduction of the Chibok girls. He promised to deal decisively with the insurgents and wipe them off in three months of taking office. Nigerians beleived him then and gifted

him a resounding electoral victory to get the job done.

Soon as Buhari was inaugurated, there emerged a previously faceless group which announced itself as Miyetti Allah also known as Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as a power broking group in Nigeria. With no previous political pedigree except for hailing from the same tribe with Buhari, it became untouchable, brutal and violent. Under the MACBAN a new militia exclusively populated by fulani renegades arrived in Nigeria. No one knows for sure from where but sources point out Guinea, Chad, Niger, Mali, and around the Sahel region in West Africa.

These renegagdes assumed a life of their own, took on the violence task of banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling. Their activities compounded the government fight to end insurgency. Not only that, it now seems the government is covering the militia up by providing them weapons, vehicles, food etc. A government emissary and muslim cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi sympathises with them and has asked for amnesty for them as he visits them regularly in their hide outs.

So it is not as if government does not know where they are, government knows their location but backing them up with the military.

It is for this reasons that seven years on, Buhari has neither wiped off the insurgents nor gotten a clue as to how to go about ending the menace. His cluelessness or his refusal to take action against them has embolden them to kidnap for ransom and kill without being challenged, attacked or made to face the full wrath of the law. It is not for nothing that today, innocent citizens are being confronted by a plethora of Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani Terrorists and Violent Fulani herdsmen fighting indigenous people in Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna and other places to dispossess them of their land in form of a jihad.

A chronicle of activities by these insurgents shows that in November 2018, Boko Haram seized about 50 loggers on their way to collect firewood in the forest, after killing 49 in two previous attacks.

All together, it is reported that Boko Haram and a splinter group known as ISWAP have killed 36,000

people in the north-east and forced roughly 2 million to flee since 2009, according to the United Nations.

Most recently, the group claimed responsibility for the kidnap of more than 300 schoolboys in Katsina in northern Nigeria. The boys were returned to their homes in mid-December.

In 2020, Boko Haram jihadists seized about 40 loggers and killed three others in north-east Nigeria near the border with Cameroon. Surprisingly, since Boko Haram launched its insurgency in the northeast region nine years ago, at least 2,295 teachers have been killed and over 1,400 schools have been destroyed.

Most of these schools haven’t been able to reopen due to extensive damage or ongoing insecurity in the area, according to UNICEF. The number of children kidnapped by the terrorist group includes 276 girls snatched from a boarding school in the northeast town of Chibok on the night of April 14, 2014.

Most recently, suspected Boko Haram fighters abducted 110 students from an girls’ boarding school in the northeast town of Dapchi in the middle of the night on Feb. 19. More than a month later, 104 of the schoolgirls were freed by their captors following “back-channel efforts and with the help of some friends of the country,” a ministry official was quoted to have hinted then.

Apart from Boko Haram and ISWAP exploits the combination of Fulani herdsmen and fulani terrorists are having a field day in Zamfara where the highly celebrated Kidnapping Kingpin BelloTurji openly admitted that their activities are being sponsored by the federal government. In a viral video still in circulation, he said without government sponsorship they could not buy AK47 guns and the sophisticated weapons and vehicles they are using for their nefarious activities and he challenged the government to openly deny that it is not sponsoring them.

The government has maintained silence yet refusing to go after them. With such a leeway, the terrorists have been consistently attacking Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states and inflicting and leaving heavy casualties in their wake while governemnt looks away

Why Umo Eno? In nominating Umoh Eno as his successor, Governor Emmanuel chose a visionary with eyes on the ball. Bennett Oghifo writes

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overnor Udom Emmanuel’s announcement of his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as his nominee for successor in 2023 expectedly elicited mixed reactions not just in Akwa Ibom State, but in other parts of the country. The reactions ranged from surprise to disappointment DQG DQJHU ² GLVDSSRLQWPHQW DQG PX΁HG grumblings from some members of his cabinet and anger from some aspirants, all of who had assumed they were close enough to getting nominated by the governor.

Before Emmanuel made the announcement of his nominated successor, there had been speculations about who might be the anointed one, among those that had not only indicated interested but had actually commenced consultations across the state on their ambition to succeed him. Quite VLJQLÀFDQWO\ WKH WRXWHG DVSLUDQWV DUH VDLG to be a blend of “professional” politicians from the legislative and executive arms of government at the federal and state levels, respectively, with one private sector player.

It would seem like a competition of who was seen and perceived to be closest to him, especially at public events. Matters may have been aggravated by the fact that the governor kept the entire state in suspense with his often repeated statement that he was waiting on God to reveal his successor to him.

And when he eventually announced his choice, the surprise was that it was not one of those tagged “prominent politicians”, as was generally expected. Eno, the surprise choice, was not even thought to be interested in politics, let alone have an eye on Government House even though he has been in government for about two years.

Eno

Most certainly, there would have been questions in some quarters about the proprietary or otherwise of the governor suggesting his successor, with some concluding that Emmanuel may have settled for a quiet and humble choice he could probably control even outside R΀FH WKXV HORQJDWLQJ KLV WHQXUH WR D “third” term, a very familiar conclusion that is often drawn in Nigeria when an outgoing governor attempts to support anyone as his successor.

“The question that needs to be asked is whether Governor Udom Emmanuel has a right to choose a successor, or should even be interested in who succeeds him”, said Adeola Makinde, a /DJRV EDVHG SXEOLF DͿDLUV DQDO\VW DQG political commentator. “The obvious answer is ‘yes’. It is normal and natural for a leader to be interested in who

succeeds him. In fact, a leader should not just be interested in who succeeds him; he should be actively involved in the emergence RI KLV VXFFHVVRU <RX ÀQG LW LQ WKH FRUSRUDWH world where leaders actually groom their successors”. +H FLWHG WKH HPHUJHQFH RI *RGZLQ (PHÀHOH as Jim Ovia’s successor as managing director DQG FKLHI H[HFXWLYH R΀FHU RI =HQLWK %DQN 3OF D SRVLWLRQ KH KHOG EULHÁ\ XQWLO IRUPHU president, Goodluck Jonathan, appointed him governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. “The HPHUJHQFH RI (PHÀHOH ZDV QRW KDSSHQVWDQFHµ KH VDLG ´2YLD LGHQWLÀHG KLP DQG EHJDQ WR position him to take over the position of chief H[HFXWLYH R΀FHU RI WKH EDQN ORQJ EHIRUH WKH time came for him to leave the bank. That was why the succession was seamless and without any hiccup.”

Makinde says the best measure of a successful leader is his ability to produce a successor.

This belief explains the reason leaders play an active role in the process that leads to the emergence of their successors.

“It is done all over the world, in political and corporate environments, and even in social organizations”, he said. “In the case of an outgoing governor like what you have in Akwa Ibom, Governor Udom must be interested in who succeeds him for many reasons, chief among which is the need to ensure the person coming after him shares his vision and would be committed to the development of the state along the path he set out.”

A major positive that has trailed Bola Tinubu VLQFH KH OHIW R΀FH DV JRYHUQRU RI /DJRV 6WDWH in 2007 is his ability to identify good materials for the position of governor of the state, people who would stay focused on his vision of a highly industrialized state with economy that ranks among the biggest in Africa, if not the

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

as if nothing is happening. Even Katsina, the President’s home state is not spared. Yet, the President takes no action. What a big shame.

It is therefore surprising to hear Kaduna state governor, Nasir El Rufai, a staunch Buhari ally and cotraveller suggesting that mercenaries should be hired to tackle the terrorists. Really? What has changed? When the Jonathan administration hired Executive Outcome, a South African based security contractor to help in fighting the insurgents, it was the same people who protested the move arguing that all that was needed was to equip the military to get the job done. Now the time has come to work the talk yet all we get are excuses and more killings as government takes no action.

Is it not this same El Rufai that demonised Jonathan in the build up to 2015 and positioning Buhari as the messiah that had answers to all Nigeria’s problems?

Without mincing words, El Rufai’s tenure remains a watershed in the history of that state in terms of the bloodletting, displacement of indigenous people from their ancestral land and actively and openly supporting the terrorists. He has demonstrated his partisanship aligning squarely with his murderous Fulani tribesmen.

To underscore how poor El Rufai and his alter ego Buhari have performed, an once peaceful Kaduna has become the official home of the terrorists. The Nigeria Defence Academy was attacked, some military officers killed and some others kidnapped under his very nose. He did nothing. In just one week, the Kaduna airport was over ran by the terrorists and one person lost his life. No one was apprehended.Within 24 hours, the Abuja to Kaduna bound train was attacked when the rail tracked was bombed. No fewer than eight persons lost their lives and an unspecified number was kidnapped. No arrest has been made, yet one hundred million ransom was reportedly paid to the insurgent to secure the release of the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

world. Babatunde Fashola, his successor, bought into the vision by continuing the drive for the creation of a free trade zone that would be an industrial hub in the country, followed by Akinwunmi Amobode and Babajide Sanwa-Olu, in that order.

7KH ÀUVW IUXLW RI WKH IUHH ]RQH LV WKH 'DQJRWH Fertilizer Company that was commissioned

by President Muhammadu Buhari in March, 7KH 'DQJRWH 5HÀQHU\ DQG 3HWURFKHPLFDO Company, the second largest in the world, is expected to come on stream in the zone before the year runs out.

(PPDQXHO FDPH LQWR R΀FH ZLWK D GHYHORSment agenda that is in line with the vision of the founding fathers of modern Akwa Ibom. Part of the vision is to transform Akwa Ibom from a purely civil service state into a highly industrialized state and an economic hub in the West and Central African subregions, and an economic powerhouse on WKH $IULFDQ FRQWLQHQW +LJK SURÀOH SURMHFWV such as Ibom Air, the most successful state government owned airline in Africa, Ibom 'HHS 6HD 3RUW DQG D KHDY\ LQYHVWPHQW LQ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH DUH GHVLJQHG WR ÀW LQWR WKH vision.

In nominating Eno as a possible successor, the governor settled for a man who has shown capacity to drive that vision through his belief and commitment to the economic development of the state.

Eno demonstrated this belief when he chose to leave his comfort zone to come home to invest in a state that did not have much WR RͿHU LQ WHUPV RI LQYHVWPHQW DWWUDFWLRQ when he could simply have set up shop in Lagos, a more attractive environment, where he spent his entire working life.

He took the risk (calculated, as it turned out to be) of obtaining a N100 million loan facility to execute a hospitality contract that gave him the big break and made him the biggest individual player in the industry in the state. That he is today a success story in the private sector – the focus of the government’s economic drive, is a testimony to his belief in the vision of the current administration.

Emmanuel’s choice may have been borne out of conviction that the industrial and economic development trajectory of Akwa Ibom would continue under Eno.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER APRIL 9, 2022

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Head, Sales and Savings, Fidelity Bank, Ukpai Ibe; Divisional Head, Products Development, Osita Ode; beneficiaries of Fidelity Bank Get Alert in Millions season 5 promo, Ebuka Chijioke; Akpobome Okpako; Deborah Elias; Regional Bank Head, Agege and Ikorodu, Cynthia Erigbuemi; Regional Bank Head, Festac, Paschal Nzeribe; and Monitoring and Enforcement Officer, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Niyi Adeleke, at the Fidelity Bank Get Alert in Millions Season 5 fourth monthly prize presentation ceremony in Mushin, Lagos... recently

L-R: Music Producer and Sound Engineer, Focus Ramon; Rapper, Song writer and Performing artiste, Reminisce Alaga; Director, Integrated Marketing Communications, TeamApt, Osagie Alonge; Entertainment lawyer, Foza Fawehinmi; Editor, Strategic Partnerships and Lead, Pulse Podcast Network at Pulse Nigeria, Motolani Alake and A&R Consultant, Excel Joab after at Tom Tom’s ‘Breathe For It’ virtual summit held... recently

Dandies Restates Commitment to Effective Service as Firm Clocks 10 &DWHULQJ RXWÀW 'DQGLHV KDV UHDIÀUPHG LWV FRPPLWPHQW WR TXDOLW\ DQG improved service at the occasion of its 10th anniversary.

7KH ÀUP DOVR KLQWHG RI SODQV to expand its scope of operations EH\RQG RͿHULQJ FDWHULQJ VHUYLFHV for corporate, weddings and social events. &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI WKH ÀUP 0RGXSH 2GXELUR H[SUHVVHG appreciation to all stakeholders who have been part on the organisation’s story in ten years.

She assured that the organisation would not compromise on quality,

rather raise the bar on quality for which it was known for.

She said, “Since we began in 2012, we have adopted the use of up-to-date techniques and skilled personnel in keeping to our vision of being the most desirable catering company with one-time delivery and continuous ground-breaking professional development.

“We have also try to remain relevant in the sector with modern operations that kept us on top-ofmind recall by our range of clients across the banking, telecommunication, power, construction, public

relations and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.

“Over the years, we have expanded our business to cover areas as event management, poultry farm, cooking DQG EDNLQJ DFDGHP\ IRU NLGV WHHQV as well as raw packaged food.”

She attributed the success of the business to customers’ loyalty, professionalism, ingenuity and its modus operandi.

She revealed that the organisation would soon launch an ultra-modern restaurant and lounge in Ikeja, Lagos, to further strengthen its presence in Nigeria.

AFAR Re - appoints Mainoma as Chairman Governance

The Association of Forensic Accounting Researchers (AFAR) has re- appointed Prof. Muhammad Akaro Mainoma as the Chairman of the Association’s Governing Council after a successful three years tenure.

Mainoma who served as the pioneer Chairman of AFAR was re- appointed at the association’s board meeting that held in Lagos, recently.

A statement by AFAR Global President, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun said Mainoma ZRXOG EH VWHHULQJ WKH DͿDLUV RI WKH DVsociation for the next four years.

During this period, he is to assume responsibilities for leading the association WR JURZWK DQG H΀FLHQF\ JLYHQ KLV H[SHULHQFH DQG SURÀOH LQ DFDGHPLFV FRUSRUDWH governance, public sector and international accounting.

Speaking on his reappointment, Oyedokun said that Mainoma’s consideration followed his track record and excellent SHUIRUPDQFH GXULQJ KLV ÀUVW WHQXUH He added that the position of AFAR’s chairman is reserved for a Professor of not less than 10 years who must have held strong academic administrative positions like Vice- Chancellor and Dean, amongst others.

Mainoma has served in various capacities in both the public and private sector.

He was the immediate past Vice Chancellor RI 1DVDUDZD 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ .H΀ DV well as the immediate past President of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).

He once served as Nasarawa State Commissioner for Finance. He is a member of many professional and academic bodies

both in Nigeria and abroad including the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and International Association of Accounting Educators and Researchers (IAAER) amongst others.

Commenting, Mainoma expressed appreciation on his reappointment and assured of greater feats in the association under his leadership.

He said, “It is with delight that I accept to continue to lead as appointed by the Board of Trustees of AFAR. We are motivated by what the members are doing to expand the frontiers of knowledge. Forensic Accounting being multidisciplinary area that involves accounting, fraud prevention, auditing, law and psychology required special researches that uses methodology that accommodates all the disciplines.

‘Sokoyokoto’ Re-launches, Announces Flour Mills, Pepsi as Key Sponsors Organisers of popular television series branded ‘Sokoyokoto’ has announced a re-launch of the show, promising a better and rewarding experience for viewers.

The organisers also revealed that cooking show being powered

by Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, FMN and Seven up Bottling Company will be featuring two segments.

Speaking on the re-launch, Executive Producer of the show, Eduwa Ogungbe explained that the programme was rested two years ago but now re-launching with new exciting features.

She said, “For two years now, we have been working assiduously behind the scene to return with more thrilling, stimulating and exhilarating show that would bring the programme back to a foremost position and we have really done that.

“The programme will include a unique two segment split- the cooking segment

sponsored by Flour Mills Nigeria and featuring products like Golden Penny Prime Flour, Semovita, pasta, macaroni, Noodles and Aunty B Semolina.”

The second part is the main party sponsored by Seven up bottling company plc., bottlers of Pepsi, $TXDÀQD ZDWHU 0LUinda, Lipton iced tea amongst others.

Ogungbe explained further that top rated artistes as well as SOD\HUV IURP GLͿHUHQW sectors of the economy have been lined up to grace the show who will also display culinary skills and party swag before a live audience of over hundred guests.

In addition to the cooking contest, she informed that the programme will also have a segment for games, dance and talent contest where winners will get a prize of N20, 000 each.

The programme will air on Saturdays and Sundays on designated station.

Three Crowns Engages Muslim Preparations Hits Top Gear for Top Quality Award Faithful during Ramadan Indigenous dairy brand, Three Crowns Milk has unveiled a campaign aimed at educating consumers on how to live healthy during the Ramadan period.

The campaign tagged-Three Crowns Supports your Heart’ packs series of activities including a social media engagement ZLWK WKH EUDQG DQG LQÁXHQFHUV Speaking on the campaign, Three Crowns’ Marketing Manager, Gloria Jacobs stated that that the Ramadan season provided an opportunity for the brand to further connect with Muslims across the country.

She explained that the campaign also aimed to uphold key messages of the season, which is giving, sharing and caring.

She said, “With this campaign, we aim

to encourage the culture of giving associated with this period and promote the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle throughout the period of Ramadan and EH\RQG 6HOHFWHG 0XVOLP LQÁXHQFHUV ZLOO engage with Three Crowns consumers to highlight the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle during Ramadan, while balancing life, family, and faith.

She added that consumers also stand a chance to win exciting prizes by connectLQJ ZLWK LQÁXHQFHUV RQ WKHLU ,QVWDJUDP Facebook Live sessions, and answer questions correctly” She also disclosed that the brand will be giving out products to mosques in Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Kano, Abuja and Jos for consumers use after breaking their fast.

Foremost quality organisation, World Quality Alliance in partnership with African Quality Institute has announced plans for the 2022 edition of the Top Quality Achievement award set to hold in Lagos.

7KH DZDUG UHFRJQLVHV ÀUPV WKDW SULRULWLVH leadership innovation and creativity in quality management in Africa.

Speaking on the award initiative, Executive Director of World Quality Alliance, Mrs. Favour Esorougwe stated that the SODWIRUP DOVR UHFRJQLVHV $IULFDQ ÀUPV that pay priority to standards.

She added that the award is aimed at organisations looking to improve their performance and networking opportunities.

“This is aimed at identifying and rewarding companies, personalities and products that apply quality culture and

management best practices to the analysis, planning and Implementation and control of policies designed to achieve corporate REMHFWLYH LQ ERWK SURÀW DQG QRQ SURÀW making organisations in Africa.”

Esorougwe informed also that while this year’s award would be held in Nigeria, subsequent ones have been arranged to hold in other African countries like South Africa, Ghana and Egypt etc.

She noted that as part of the award event is the African Quality Congress 2022 where leaders will converge for developmental discussions.

Esorougwe said, “the congress will be providing delegates with greater underVWDQGLQJ RI KRZ RSHUDWLRQDO HͿHFWLYHQHVV DQG H΀FLHQF\ WR YLWDO RUJDQLVDWLRQDO success.”

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MISSILE

Fayose to Atiku, Saraki “When the journey was rough and bad, they ran back…we must not forget history.” –Former governor of Ekiti State and a PDP chieftain, Ayodele Fayose, punching holes in the aspirations of Atiku Abubakar and Bukonla Saraki for the presidential ticket of the PDP.

OKEYIKECHUKWU Symptoms of a Deep-Rooted Crisis EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

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ll the federal roads in the country are bad. Yes, some repair and reconstruction work is going on here and there. But these repairs have been going on since 1999, when the Peoples Democratic Party took over government. As I write, these bad roads are also now unsafe. The stench of insecurity in the air drowns out everything else. The airports are not safe. The once-celebrated rail lines are now as vulnerable as a day-old chick in an open yard. Poverty is king everywhere, even as our national debt is abominably high – and still rising.

Taxes are going up too. Poverty indices are also going up. Inflation is galloping away on the national landscape, even as corruption, and what appears to be the endorsement of corruption, seems to be thriving.

In the midst of all these, the insincerity of politicians, especially politicians from the two dominant political parties, is going up. The wrong conception of “the purpose of the state” and the duty of leaders is the motif everywhere. What it means “to serve the people” has been overtaken by a species of ignorance that mistakes expenditure, especially wrongheaded expenditure, for positive impact on the life of the people. Otherwise, why would the governor of one of the poorest, most devastated, most unsafe, most vandalized and traumatized state in Nigeria invest tons of scarce resources in the procurement of luxury vehicles for traditional rulers. Will this gesture improve security of lives and property, of even the very beneficiaries themselves?

Will it promote economic productivity, human capital development, or what?

Let us calmly admit that it is no longer reasonable to see the misfortune of out troubled nation purely in terms of the two dominant political parties. It is a leadership problem that cuts across political, religious, trado-cultural and business lines. It is, in fact, an elite problem that revolves around a conspiratorial agenda that has turned the Federal Republic of Nigeria into a criminal enterprise. Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, the PDP, the APC, or all of them put together, are not solely responsible for our current national problems. They have their share of the blame in some way, but what we are seeing everywhere today took decades in coming.

As was said here on 28 October, 2016, “We have been building a mansion on quicksand and with pillars of straw.

The soil, quicksand as it is, is further infested with two species of ants, called presumption and nepotism. These ants, which feed exclusively on straw, have been nibbling away for decades. They have left us with a hollow and painted frame that conceals a lie. This lie has been on parade for decades. It is described as

Buhari

an architectural masterpiece by casual observers. An architectural masterpiece that is not designed to withstand the wind? Now that the whirlwind has come, and the elements are in their element, radical modifications (in design and material) have become necessary.

It is not right that a nation should be undergirded by untruth. It is also not right that a nation should be under a political economy of decay and corruption, warehoused and propagated by a business and political elite that lives in denial. When old lies are told afresh by those who know they are lying, a time comes when even the liars themselves won’t be sure whether they are lying anymore. Reason? Others would be repeating the same lies with great aplomb everywhere.”

The above observations capture our national predicament today. It is now practically too late to make a quick U-turn. Yes, it is! The abnormal, the reprehensible and the abominable have all taken root. They have blossomed.

They have all borne fruit. Now is harvest time. Why, you may ask? The answer, given here six years ago is that “…we have brought up children who have seen shielded criminality as leadership. We have a nation wherein hiding under the instruments of state to violate natural justice, equity and good conscience makes you not guilty of any crime. Look at Nigeria today! The dominant motifs are (1) skewed values, (2) a flawed national psyche and (3) an aberrant leadership recruitment process.”

Hinting at some aspects of the errors of the past that have now come to haunt us, it was noted here thus: “A major misdirection of the State and people

occurred on January 15, 1966, when Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu announced his military coup d’etat.

That coup saw a junior officer issuing instructions to his superiors. It saw murder as an instrument for leadership recruitment and transformation. It saw an officer peremptorily informing the nation (by mere announcement about ‘Extraordinary Orders’) that all local administration in the country was now under the ‘local military commander’, who would mete out any punishment he ‘deemed appropriate’ to anyone who disobeyed him.”

It is a matter of record that that intervention “left right and wrong in the hands of individuals of, sometimes, questionable antecedents. It violated Service Discipline and set new paradigms for the collapse of esprit de corps in the armed forces. A generation groomed along ideological lines in leadership recruitment stagnated for 12 years, until 1979. The trio of Zik, Awo and Aminu Kano, who would have since given way to the likes of Tafawa Balewa, Michael Okpara, Bola Ige and others before 1979, turned up as presidential candidates, because of the 1966 coup. This created the backlog of two generations of leaders that we are still unable to deal with today. The average age of party youth leaders, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) says it all.”

Just look around you today. What are most of our youths doing? If they are not part of one leadership support group for misleading leaders, they are the bandits, terrorists, militants, or unknown gunmen.

The few who represent a better future are in clear danger of being wiped out.

Consider the long list of prematurely retired military officers many of whom may well have died of a broken heart, after losing their professional calling and finding it difficult to fit into a rowdy civilian world they could not understand.

They may well have left this world as frustrated and unfulfilled military professionals. “Others were last seen, or heard, as failed politicians, owners of failed banks and failed airlines, failed philanthropists, failed traditional rulers and much more. Yet they initially joined the armed forces to become military professionals, unlike some of their later colleagues who joined during the triumph of military regimes as a short-cut to wealth.”

What have we done, and what are we doing, with our very good retired soldiers, retired professors and other retired professionals? This column said, on the above-stated date, that “No nation develops by having its high-quality human capital and professionals, military or not, routinely swept out of service. Not after so much had been invested in training them! Now that events have come full

circle on all fronts, and we are seeing the impossibility of sustaining untruth with layers of mud, there is no good news out there. Look again: there is only, perhaps, the dawning realization that the nation is a grand scam, perpetrated and facilitated by public and civil servants and their private sector allies. Look again!

A dismantling of Nigeria’s ‘false legs’, or pseudopodia, is afoot.”

Today the nation is concerned with electing a new president. Forget zoning, “competence and capacity,” we are now being told. Would you do that if you have malaria and need a doctor? Would you that if you are looking for a mechanic to fix the knocked engine of your car?

Would you ignore competence and capacity, as you seek out someone to cure your tooth ache? If the answer to the above questions is “no,” why would any sane person, or clime, want to fix a nation with a knocked engine say that deploying those who know what to do is not the way to go?

As for all the talk about whether the APC is better than the PDP, or vice versa, let these two platforms for national plunder spare us their false tales of salvation. We are where we are today partly because of these two parties. Today, the nation reels. “…let the friends and admirers of Presidents Jonathan and Buhari pull themselves together and stop thinking that any criticism of the government, or person, of President Muhammadu Buhari is an automatic endorsement of the tenure and performance of their man. It cannot be. The Jonathan Presidency could have done much better than it did, but it allowed itself to be ruined by avoidable blunders, indecisiveness, image deficits, and a consistent failure to present an inspiring comportment.” Having said that, let us also turn to the friends and admirers of President Buhari and tell them that “Insularity, with the risk of crippling itself,” has brought their inchoate government where it is today. As said here six years ago, “Nigeria’s flawed and overlooked fundamentals have come back to haunt the nation. It all boils down to the absence of truth, deep knowledge, nobility of soul, propriety in public office, dignity in self-presentation, graceful ambience, competence and decency in leadership; for which neither Buhari nor Jonathan are solely responsible.”

The symptoms of national collapse are staring us in the face everywhere. Those who should be worried are not. Those who are attempting a solution do not understand the extent, and depth, of the problem. Otherwise no one would be saying “forget competence and look for who can help you win elections.” They would have known that there duty, as leaders, is to educate those they say are their party members on “the criteria for sound, 21st leadership.” Rested.

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