SATURDAY 17TH JUNE 2023

IMF Salutes FX Unification as Naira Rises to N663/$1 at I&E Window

Nume Ekeghe

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday applauded the federal government for its decision to unify forex exchange rates by operating a free-floating exchange determined by the market.

The Central Bank of Nigeria had

on Wednesday collapsed all its multiple official FX exchange rates into the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window.

The IMF Representative in Nigeria, Mr Ari Aisen in a statement to THISDAY noted that this development had been a longstanding recommendation to

Nigeria and that the Fund is ready to provide technical assistance to enable this policy to succeed.

This is just as the Naira appreciated at the I&E window yesterday to N663/$1 from N702/$1 it closed the previous day, indicating a N39 gain for the Naira.

Ari stated: “The Fund greatly welcomes the authorities’ decision to introduce a unified marketreflective exchange rate regime in line with our long-standing recommendations. We stand ready to support the new administration in its implementation of FX reforms.”

Also, on the parallel market, the nation’s currency appreciated by N2 from N762/$1 the previous day, to N760/$1 yesterday.

It would be recalled that the Fund in its Article IV Consultation with Nigeria released in February this year had recommended the removal of fuel subsidies,

unification of exchange rates, and an array of fiscal reforms which the current administration in its early days is already implementing.

The IMF in that recommendation stated: “Directors encouraged

NJC Dismisses Petition against Mary Odili, Approves 9 Judges for Appeal Court...

Four More Countries Show Interest in $25bn

Grant

Emefiele’s Lawyers,

Family, Access to Him, Court Orders DSS

It's constitutional right of suspended CBN governor, Justice Muazu stresses

Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), to, immediately grant the lawyers and family members of

the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele

unhindered access to him. The order was sequel to an exparte application brought on

behalf of Emefiele and argued

Continued on page 5

Sultan, Okoh: Nigeria, a Secular State, No Religion is Superior

Say statements that give impression of religious dominance, superiority in the country reprehensible

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) yesterday reiterated the constitutional secularity of the country and added that no religion is superior to the other.

NIREC made the submissions in a joint statement by the cochairmen of the body - President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Daniel Okoh and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar.

While affirming that Nigeria is a multi-religious state under God, the organisation called on religious leaders to resist political manipulation of religion that could lead to anarchy.

The NIREC co-chairmen said they were disturbed by the ugly trend occasioned by the hate

speeches before and after the 2023 elections.

The statement said, “Weaponising religion for selfish, political gains is capable of causing religious conflict in Nigeria. NIREC therefore condemns, in strongest terms, the statements that give the impression that one religion is superior to the other. NIREC affirms that Nigeria is a multireligious state under God.

“NIREC condemns statements that give the impression of religious dominance and superiority in the country. We wish however that every Nigerian could be a true Christian or a true Muslim as that would promote the religious values that could transform the nation. Given that most politicians in Nigeria practice one religion or

Continued on page 5

BRAINSTORMING ON WAY FORWARD…

L-R: President Bola Tinubu and President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during Aliko’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday. GODWIN OMOIGUI

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Hamza Muazu of a High

GOODNIGHT RAYMOND ALEOGHO DOKPESI…

NJC Dismisses Petition against Mary Odili, Approves Nine Judges for Appeal Court

Sets up 7 committees to probe judicial officers

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed petitions against a retired Supreme Court Judge, Mary Odili, and 25 others, just as it also set up seven committees to probe petitions against some other judicial officers.

The NJC also recommended Nine judges for appointment as Justices of the Court of Appeal. These decisions were reached at the Council's meetings held on Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja, a statement yesterday by the Council's Information Director, Mr Soji, said.

According to the statement, the council considered reports from various investigation committees and preliminary complaints assessment committees, on petitions

written against 33 judicial officers from the Court of Appeal and state High Courts.

The statement added that the Council agreed with recommendations to empanel investigation committees against serving judges of different states.

“Petitions against the remaining judicial officers were either dismissed for lack of merit, lack of diligent prosecution, withdrawal of the petition, being subjudice and for the subject judge having retired from service,” the statement reads.

Amongst those dismissed include that of Justice Odili; on the grounds that she had retired as a Judicial Officer while the other 25 petitions were thrown out for various reasons ranging from lack of merit, lack of diligent prosecution, withdrawal, being sub judice and for the subject

Judge having retired from service.

However, seven State High Court Judges indicted by the NJC's investigation Committee are to face probe panels that would determine the level of their culpability.

Meanwhile, the Council has recommended 37 Judicial Officers for appointment to the President and seven Governors as Justices of the Court of Appeal, Heads of Court and Judges of the High Court and Customary Courts of Appeal.

Nine of them are going to the Court of Appeal. They are Justices Asma’u Musa Mainoma, Paul Ahmed Bassi, Hannatu LajaBalogun, Binta Fatima Zubair, Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, Peter Chudi Obiora, Okon Efreti Abang, Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Lateef Adebayo Ganiyu.

Justice Dije Abdu Aboki was

SULTAN, OKOH: NIGERIA, A SECULAR STATE, NO RELIGION IS SUPERIOR

the other, the Christian and Muslim politicians should proclaim the fear and love of God by caring for the common good and welfare of the citizens.”

NIREC called on religious leaders in the country to resist political manipulation of religion that could lead to anarchy.

“We condemn the antics of politicians whose main goal is to achieve their political interest by whatever means possible, including using religion as a cover. NIREC calls on our political leaders to use their platforms to sue for peace,

unity and harmony while also refraining from making statements or comments that are capable of aggravating the already heated polity in the nation.

“NIREC calls upon all politicians to play politics with the fear of God, dignity, honour and decorum by eschewing the politics of division and sectionalism. NIREC appeals to the general public to note that the elections are over and various cases are in court challenging the outcome and must therefore give the judiciary the opportunity to do its work,” said

the inter-religious body.

NIREC urged Nigerians to continue to be patriotic, lawabiding and peace-loving and oppose “all acts of machinations and manipulations by leaders who are using religion to tear the nation apart.”

It urged prayers for a nation that will continue to promote justice and peaceful co-existence.

“The task of building a prosperous Nigeria is the task of every citizen. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” declared NIREC.

IMF SALUTES FX UNIFICATION AS NAIRA RISES TO N663/$1 AT I&E WINDOW

a continued move toward a unified and market-clearing exchange rate by dismantling various exchange rate windows at the CBN. Providing clarity on exchange rate policy would help boost investor confidence, quell capital outflow pressures, and rebuild buffers.”

The article also noted that directors urged decisive and

effective monetary policy tightening to avoid a de-anchoring of inflation expectations.

Noting recent increases in the policy rate, they encouraged the CBN to stand ready to further increase the policy rate if needed and to implement additional actions, including fully sterilising central bank financing of fiscal deficits and phasing out credit

intervention programmes.

It further states: “Strengthening the CBN’s independence and establishing price stability as its primary objective is critical. Directors also urged the authorities to finalise securitisation of the CBN’s existing stock of overdrafts and emphasised that the CBN’s budget financing should strictly adhere to the statutory limits.”

GRANT EMEFIELE’S LAWYERS, FAMILY, ACCESS TO HIM, COURT ORDERS DSS

orally by his lawyer, Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN).

Emefiele was arrested by the DSS on Saturday, hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu. The DSS took Emefiele into custody after several hours of siege at his Lagos residence.

He was immediately brought to Abuja where he has been since.

President Tinubu, had suspended Emefiele over what was described as weighty allegations against him.

The motion for Emefiele’s lawyers and family to access

him, marked No. FCT/HC/ CV/6450/23, has the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director General, Department of State Services as respondents.

"The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately, and regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application," part of the enrolled order dated June 16, read.

Justice Muazu emphasised that access is a constitutional right of Emefiele.

The senior lawyer, during his oral submission, told the court that he has written letters to the respondents, particularly on June 14, 2023, for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS has refused to respond to the application.

Responding, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd Respondents, Mr I. Awo, informed the court that the DSS does not have the penchant for refusing such a request and that it is wrong to do so.

Awo assured that he was certain the Security Service would abide

recommended for appointment as Chief Judge of Kano, Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa for Edo and Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye for Edo.

The NJC also came up with a policy barring judicial officers from switching from High Courts to the

Customary Courts of Appeal and vice versa.

However, the council added that the only exception is when a new Customary Court of Appeal is established in a state.

“Judges who indicate interest to go to the customary court of

appeal will be allowed to proceed,” the council said.

“Once established, the candidates for the headship of the court must be drawn from that court only, even if all the judges of the court are junior to their counterparts in other courts.”

Four More Countries Show Interest in $25bn Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline

As NNPCL continues drive to maximise returns on gas resources

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on behalf of the federal government, yesterday signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with four African countries - Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic and Republic of Guinea - on the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP).

The NMGP is 5,600 kilometres long, traversing 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’ lvoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania.

Essentially, the project is an initiative of the federal government and the Kingdom of Morocco and was conceived during the visit of King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Nigeria in December 2016.

It is aimed at monetisation of Nigeria’s over 206 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) natural gas resources, thereby generating additional revenue for the country, diversifying the country’s gas export routes and eliminating gas flaring.

In addition, the about 7,000 kilometres line which will assist in supplying gas to Morocco, 13 other African countries and Europe, will originate from Brass Island (Nigeria) and terminate in North of Morocco, where it will be connected

by the order of Court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to see him, while counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.

Meanwhile, counsel to the DSS, as well as the AGF requested for extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion, which was granted and the suit was further adjourned till Tuesday June 20, 2023 for hearing of the substantive suit.

to the existing Maghreb European Pipeline (MEP).

Aside the NNPCL, which signed on behalf of Nigeria, other participating parties during the MoU signing yesterday included The Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) of Morocco, the Société Nationale des Opérations Pétrolières of Cote d’Ivoire (PETROCI), the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures of Benin (SNHBenin), and the Société Nationale des Pétroles of the Republic of Guinea (SONAP).

Speaking during the event which held at the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, on the sidelines of the first steering committee meeting of the project, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, noted that the initial work for the project had reached advanced stage.

Kyari explained that the progress so far made was a clear demonstration of the commitment of the host governments, the ECOWAS Commission, and the National Oil Companies (NOCs) to deliver on the strategic project, as well as create wealth and value for participating countries.

“We are pleased to note that currently the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) phase II study is over 70 per cent and the tendering process for the Surveys, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), as well as Land Acquisition & Resettlement Policy Framework (LARPF) are on track with clear visibility into project funding,” he stated.

He thanked the Nigerian government for entrusting NNPC Ltd with the strategic project, assuring that it will help support the new government’s economic growth projection.

"As a commercial enterprise, NNPC Ltd sees this project as an

opportunity to monetise Nigeria's abundant hydrocarbon resources, by expanding access to energy to support economic growth, industrialisation, and job creation across the African continent and beyond,” he added.

Kyari stressed that the collective decisions and actions guided by members' shared vision would extend far beyond gas supply to spur prosperity and economic integration among the nations.

Also, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitisation, Mr Sédiko Douka, stated that the ECOWAS member states were fully committed to the project.

As proof, Douka noted that the statutory bodies of ECOWAS had ratified the decision to merge the planned West Africa line and the Nigeria-Morocco projects into a single one while MoUs had been signed between the project promoters.

The gas pipeline project, he said, is of paramount importance for the region, as it will help strengthen its electricity production and generation capacity, stimulate industrial and agricultural development, and contribute to the energy transition by using a source of energy that is cleaner than other fossil fuels.

He explained that this is even more necessary given that, as part of the planning of ECOWAS’s regional power generation and transmission facilities up to 2033, it has emerged that gas-fired power plants will account for 42 per cent of the region’s installed capacity.

“It is therefore vital to establish all the necessary strategies now to guarantee the region’s supply of natural gas, and thus meet the challenges of the future,” he explained.

Douka assured all stakeholders of ECOWAS’ readiness to make its full contribution to the development of the project, and to spare no effort to ensure its success.

L-R: Widow, Mrs. Moji Dokpesi; Mrs. Dolapo Phillips; Mr. Dele Phillips; Mrs. Kofo Oduntan; Mr. Rotimi Oduntan; and Engr. Halima Dokpesi at the Service of Songs and Industry Night in honour of the founder of Ray Power/AIT, late High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi at RCCG City of David, Lagos… Thursday MUBO PETERS

Court Sets Aside Order Sacking IGP

Bennett Oghifo

The Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, has set aside its sack order on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali Baba.

The court upheld the right of Alkali to fair hearing as enshrined

in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution which was not guaranteed by the plaintiff in his application.

It said it was convinced by the depositions of the court bailiff that the IGP was not served the originating summons.

Justice Fatun Riman reversed the court’s earlier judgement fol-

Uzodimma Begs Editors to Support Tinubu’s Government

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called on members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his quest to make Nigeria a better place for all.

The governor made the call yesterday in his remarks while flagging off the Nigerian Guild of Editors National Biennial Convention 2023 in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The Convention effectively brought to an end the tenure of the Mustapha Isa-led NGE executive to usher in a new one.

Governor Uzodimma reminded the editors that they were partners in progress with the government, hence, they must professionally play their constitutional role in the interest of the society.

The governor commended Mr. Isa-led executive and members of the Guild for their efforts so far in ensuring that the good stories about Nigeria are brought to public domain without compromising their professional ethics, reminding them, however, that the country is making steady progress in her democratic journey since the return of democracy in 1999 despite obvious hiccups.

He also lauded the choice of the theme for the Convention: ‘Post 2023 election: Promoting Professionalism for Enhancement of Democracy and Good

Governance’.

He said: “Your theme for this conference, ‘Post- 2023 Election: Promoting Professionalism For Enhancement Of Democracy And Good Governance’ is rather apt given the divergent opinions that trailed the conduct of the recently concluded general elections, and how the media reported the fall outs. As the saying goes, opinions are free, but facts remain sacred. Without preempting the guest lecturer in his interrogation of the topic, let me state that I am of the opinion that the traditional media discharged their duties creditably during the 2023 elections.

“I am impressed that you have chosen this path of self examination, which I consider germane in our collective bid to enhance good governance and strengthen our democracy. The last time you were here, I harped on the need for journalists to embrace developmental journalism in our quest to sustain and strengthen our democracy. While the media have the responsibility of holding public officers to account, they should, in addition, encourage the government through constructive criticism and well-intentioned suggestions on how things could be done differently to achieve better results. The ultimate goal should be the development and unity of our country and nothing else.

Aseyin Stool: Group Urges Makinde, Stakeholders to Wade in

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Almost a year after the death of the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Salawudeen Adekunle, a socio-economic organisation, Iseyin Youths Development Group (IYDG), has called on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, to wade into the lingering crisis bedevilling the selection of a new Aseyin.

The group in a statement yesterday by its National President, Babajide Oniyo, said with the absence of an Aseyin, issues of security of lives and property of residents have become difficult for stakeholders to settle.

Oniyo, in the statement, also connected the vacant stool to what he called ‘stagnant economic development’ in the community, urging Makinde to find express solution to the gridlock.

The group in a statement titled, ‘Aseyin Stool so critical to be Vacant: A special Appeal to the Kingmakers and Stakeholders’, also called for the collaboration of all traditional rulers in OkeOgun area, on ending cases of kidnapping and sundry criminal occurrences.

The statement read in part, “The

lowing an application by IGP’s counsel, Abdullahi Abdulhakeem Ago, against a previous ruling in favour of a plaintiff, Okechukwu Nwafor

The court had on May 19, 2023 declared that Baba is an illegal occupant of the office of IGP.

Justice Riman, who gave the order, insisted that Baba’s continued stay in office was against the clear provisions of the Police Act, 2020, saying it is “unlawful and unconstitutional”.

The court made the order in its judgement in a suit marked FHC/AKW/CS/58/2023, filed by Okechukwu Nwafor, who claimed to be a taxpayer.

But IGP asked the court to set aside the judgement because the subject matter had been

determined by another Federal High Court under Justice J.K. Omotosho in suit FHC/ABJ/ CS/31/2023.

The police chief also alleged that the court should quash its judgement due to non-service of the originating processes on him.

The court upheld the arguments of the Inspector General of Police in a 17-page ruling on June 15, 2023.

According to the judgement made available to THISDAY, Justice Riman said a court can reverse its judgement where there was a fundamental error.

The judge said: “The law is settled that any court of record including the Supreme Court has the inherent jurisdiction

to set aside its own judgment given in any proceeding in which there must have been a fundamental defect such as one which goes to the issue of jurisdiction and competence of the court

“Such a judgement is a nullity. A person affected by it, is therefore, entitled ex-debito justitiae to have it set aside. The court can set it aside suo motu and the person affected may apply by motion and not necessarily by way of appeal.

“A judgement or order which is a nullity owing to failure to comply with an essential provision such as service of process can be set aside by the court which gave it or made

the order.

“The law is trite that the necessity for the requirement of service of originating processes, whether personal or by substituted means to bring to the notice of the defendant in action knowledge of the pending of a suit against him to enable such defendant prepare himself and defend the action appropriately

“I find merit in this application. Accordingly, the judgement of this court delivered on 19th day of May 2023 is hereby set aside for non- service of the originating processes on the 2nd Defendant (the Inspector-General of Police). This is the ruling of this court.”

YOU’RE WELCOME....

L-R: Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio when the latter and Federal Government’s delegation paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Enugu, on Friday.

Delta Former Information Commissioner, Aniagwu, Tackles Clark

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

prolonged vacuum to the Aseyin throne created by the passing of Oba Dr. Abdul Ganiyu SalawudeenAdekunle Oloogunebi,Ajinese 1, almost a year ago has become a great concern to Iseyin peoplehomeandabroad;ascontinuance of the royal stool’s vacancy will pose a magnificent developmental challenges to the ancient town.

“It cannot be forgotten in a jiffy that Kabiyesi joined his ancestors on Sunday, the 24th July, 2022 at 62; and after spending 15 years on the throne. It’s then worrisome to note that the throne still remains vacant almost a year after the monarch’s departure. This definitely will not come without a prize.

“We are much aware and treasure the fact that Iseyin has three Ruling Houses from which the throne is being rotated viz. Akando, Ajisibi and Majaro. And very conspicuously, the last three Aseyins from Oba Moshood Osuolale Adeyeri, Oba Abdul Ganiyu Alobalowo and Oba (Dr.) Abdul Ganiyu Salawudeen Adekunle, were from Akando, Majaro and Ajisibi ruling houses respectively. Hence, it’s clear that it’s the turn of Akando; going by the monarchical rotational system of Iseyin land from the time immemorial. If this is correct, we feel it should be seamless.

Immediate past Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has rebuffed accusations of misappropriation raised against former governor Ifeanyi Okowa by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, saying that the former Senator was progressing in error in his assertions against the former governor.

Rebuffing the claims earlier made by Clark on Arise News Television, Aniagwu who appeared on the station’s The Morning Show, said that Clark

was being used by political actors who lost out in the elections in Delta State, asserting that he was perhaps angry over the fact that the candidates he supported in the election lost.

Clark had in an Arise News programme on Wednesday charged Senator Okowa to among others account for N1.7 trillion reportedly received during his administration.

Besides, he also accused the former governor of betrayal in accepting to be running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate,

Approves

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Police Service Commission (PSC), yesterday, approved the appointment of AIGs Frank Mba and Bala Ciroma as Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIG).

DIG Ciroma will replace DIG Ali Janga who has retired from service and has represented the North-east geo-political zone in the police management team.

DIG Ciroma, the most senior officer from the zone will henceforth represent the zone.

DIG Mba will represent the South-east zone and replace retired DIG John Amadi, who

Atiku Abubakar, against the agitation for a president from the South.

Responding to Clark, Aniagwu who served as Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary in his first term said, “In the case of the Delta State elder statesman, he progressed in error, and I wouldn’t know whether that means lying. The issues he put forth are not original to him. In the course of the election, he had his own candidate in the state election and we defeated that candidate. Perhaps the anger of his candidate losing is still possibly part of what is

pulling his position.

“I will actually appeal that you come to Delta. When you come to Delta you will see the difference that Governor Okowa has been able to make in terms of infrastructure.”

On Clark’s claim of betrayal on the part of Okowa of the Southern governors, Aniagwu said, “He also talked about the issue of betrayal. He said that in Asaba that governors met and agreed that the presidency should come to the South. That is not true. You need to go and google it.

Ciroma’s Promotion to DIGs

before his retirement represented the zone.

The commission also approved the promotion of 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police and 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the substantive rank of Commissioners.

A statement signed by Spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said the decisions were highpoints of the 21st Plenary Meeting of the commission presided over by its Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector-General of Police and attended by all the members

of the commission including the Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Ifeoma Adaora Anyanwutaku.

The new AIGs are CP Abubakar Lawal, CP Alhassan Aminu, CP Abdul Umar, CP Shettima Zannah, CP Ebong Eyibio Ebong, CP Adepoju Ayiinde Ilori and CP Okon Okon Effiong.

Others are CP Echeng Eworo Echeng, CP Susan Ukpanukiema Horsfall; CP Bankole Lanre Sikiru, CP Oladimeji Yomi Olarewaju; CP Sani Gwarzo and CP Odama Paul Ojeka.

The 22 Deputy Commis-

sioners of Police promoted to the rank of Commissioners are DCP Abibo Deinma Reuben, DCP Thomas Abraham Nabhoni, DCP Wakil Abdul Salamai, DCP Enyinnaya Inonachi, DCP Ronke Nurat Okunade, DCP Adekunle Ismail Olusokan, DCP Hassan Abdu Yabnet, DCP Festus Chinedu Oko, DCP Aminu Baba Raji and DCP Omolara Ibidun Oluntola.

Others are DCP Akoh Benedict Gabriel, DCP Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, DCP Bafda Magaji Jahun, DCP Ahmadu Tijani Abdullahi and DCP Mohamned Mu’azu.

At 64, Pastor Chris Okotie Envisions a New Nigeria

for the restructuring of the country, scrapping the current presidential system of government which would be replaced by aboriginal democracy.

Okotie who turned 64 yesterday broke his silence and was making a public pronouncement for the first time since the Presidential inauguration said the current system was not best suited for the country.

ria from a moribund political cocoon corrupted by duplicity, political criminality and the travesty of the electoral-social etiquette.”

assizes, by opposing political parties, nothing tangible will be achieved under this debilitating system.”

IReV

is Only Innovation in 2023 Elections, Dino Melaye Tells Tribunal

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Senator Dino Melaye yesterday told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PREPEC) that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) Results

Viewing Portals is the major innovation that differentiated the 2023 general elections from previous elections in the country.

This is as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday tendered additional video evidence to support claims that INEC assured on electronic transmission of results of the 2023 general elections.

Melaye, who spoke as the second star witness and 22nd witness of candidate of the

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, told the five-member panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, that the IReV was designed to give credibility and validity to the just concluded general elections. “I was part of those who put together the Electoral Act,” he boasted.

Melaye, who is the candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State, admitted that he walked out of the National Collation Centre during the collation of the presidential election results, in protest of the alleged malpractices and manipulation of the process to favour candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio: FG Eager to Partner with Enugu State

The Federal Government is ready and eager to partner with Enugu State towards the economic prosperity of the nation and protection of lives and property.

The overture was made by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was at the helms of a Federal Government delegation to the funeral of Lady Jane Nnamani, wife of the former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, on Saturday.

Speaking when he led the delegation that comprised the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Special Adviser to the President on Security, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, among a host of other lawmakers, federal functionaries, and party leaders, on courtesy visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, Akpabio stressed that election was over and it was time for governance, which called for cooperation across

party lines.

“It is customary that coming to a place like this, we should pay you respect and to assure you that the government, which sent us to console Senator Ken Nnamani and the good people of Enugu State, would require your cooperation and the cooperation of all the stakeholders and practitioners of governance in Nigeria, irrespective of political parties, in order to the develop the country.

“In the renewed hope of the administration, we want to work with you. We believe that time for election has passed and now is time for governance. The president’s interest is to work with all the states in Nigeria, and we can focus on the two most important issues: revitalising the economy, and securing the lives and property of our people”.

In his response, Governor Mbah assured the Federal Government delegation of the readiness of his administration and the people of Enugu to collaborate with the government at the centre for the good of the state and the nation.

Eze Anaba Elected President Nigerian Guild of Editors

The Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Eze Anaba, was yesterday elected the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

Anaba polled 250 votes to defeat his opponent, a former Editor of THISDAY, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, who polled got 81 votes.

He succeeds Mr. Mustapha Isah.

The new exco would pilot the affairs of the NGE for the next two years.

Iyobosa Uwugiaren of THISDAY was re-elected General Secretary.

Those returned unopposed included Husseina Bangshika as Deputy President; Steve Nwosu as treasurer; Kabir Alabi Garba (Vice President West); Gabriel Akinadewo Folajimi (Assistant Secretary); Umoru Ibrahim (Vice President North); Muhammad Sanusi and Paulyn Owhievbie Ugbodaga (both Standing Committee North).

In a statement released in Lagos by his media adviser, Ladi Ayodeji, the Reverend expressed concern on a range of burning national issues and capped them up with his vision for Nigeria.

According to him, “It is hubristic naivety to envisage the emergence of a new Nige-

On why the current presidential system is not suited for Nigeria, he pointed out that “The current presidential system of governance has again manifested itself as a hydra-headed monstrosity.”

Commenting on the possible outcome of cases before the Presidential Election Petîtion Tribunal (PEPT) he expressed his reservations that “No matter the outcome of the adjudications of the casesions brought before Nigeria

WORKING TOGETHER. . .

The preliminary report of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has indicted Max Air of overwriting the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the serious incident which occurred on May 7, 2023 on landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

On the way forward, Okotie recommended that “We must be willing and courageous enough to abandon this circadian rhythm of political disaster and leadership deficit.”

According to him, “I am fully persuaded that aboriginal democracy is the only way forward. Let us make hay while the sun is still shining. To do otherwise is tantamount to mindless illogicality and clueless ineptitude.”

On his vision for Nigeria, he pointed out that “At sixty-four (64), I envision Nigeria standing on the brink of the River Jordan anticipating an Aquarian miracle to facilitate our entry into the promised land. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Nigeria will make a way where there seems to be no way. He has heard our cry. He is faithful. Delay is no denial.”

Okotie assured Nigerians that he would continue to pursue his dream of getting the country restructured to pave the way for Aboriginal democracy.

Others elected were Charles Kalu (Social/Publicity Secretary), Sheddy Ozoene (Vice President East), Chinedu Egere and Dom Isute (Standing Committee East), Onuoha Ukeh, Rose Moses and Oluwole Sogunle (Standing Committee West).

The election took place at the ongoing NGE’s biennial convention which ends in Owerri, Imo State, today.

Over 400 editors are in Owerri for 2023 NGE biennial convention with the theme: ‘Post 2023 Election: Promoting Professionalism for Enhancement of Democracy and Good Governance.”

The convention was declared open by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

The Special Guest of Honour was Vice President, Kasim Shettima; Keynote Speaker -Dr. Chido Nwakanma; Father of the Day - Former Governor, Segun Osoba, and Chairman of the Convention, Dr. Tony Onyima.

The report also accused the airline of feigning ignorance of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority’s (NCAA) All Operators Letter (AOL) (NCAA/ FSG/AOL/19/03) in respect of continuous overwriting of CVR information.

The report challenged NCAA to invoke the relevant sections of Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015 in accordance with IS 1.3.3 Legal Enforcement Actions to non-compliant operators with the AOL (NCAA/FSG/ AOL/19/03) on continuous overwriting of CVR information by airlines.

The Bureau explained that the serious accident took place in Abuja on May 7, 2023 on Boeing 737-400 aircraft with the registration number: 5N-MBD, which occurred on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with

143 passengers onboard.

The preliminary report on the serious incident released by the Director General, NSIB, Akin Olateru, in Abuja on Thursday, said that the aircraft departed Abuja for Yola as NGL1648 at 12:10p.m. and arrived Yola at 13:25p.m. same day.

The report said that the aircraft was on ground in Yola for about 30 minutes before the turn around for Abuja.

The report also revealed that after takeoff, the landing gear was left extended for three minutes to allow cooling due to high temperature on ground in Yola airport, adding that at 14:08p.m.,

Nigerian Air Force personnel from the Air Force Hangar close to runway 35, reported to Yola Control Tower that an object “appearing like a tyre fell off from the departing NGL1649.”

This it said the control tower promptly informed the pilot as well as Kano Area Control (ACC) and Abuja tower.

Besides, the report stated that the flight purser (L1) and another cabin crew (L2) informed the pilot that a passenger at seat row 24 informed them about seeing a wheel fall off from the airplane, but the pilot responded that instruments and landing gear indications were normal.

Nigerians Asked to Accept Ex-inmates Without Suspicion

Nigerians have been advised to accept freed ex-prison inmates back into the society without suspicion as they have been made to go through reformatory and rehabilitation programmes that have made them no more dangerous.

The advice was given by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Oluwatoyin Akinlade, during a familiarisation tour to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Headquarters in Abuja.

She said that the public should welcome and accept ex-offenders,

stressing that the inmates have gone through various reformatory and rehabilitation programmes while in custody there-by making them changed and better citizens. She expressed satisfaction on inmates welfare, particularly their mental health while in custody and the vocational skills programme which gives them a good sense of belonging

She said, “My dream for Nigerian Correctional Service is, no offender will go back the same or worse,” while expressing satisfaction on the reformatory and rehabilitation programmes of inmates which help them to

be self-employed upon being discharged.

Akinlade charged the public to stop stigmatising ex-offenders; saying rather they should assist in their reintegration to the society as they have a lot to offer for the development of the society.

She said Correctional staff are doing a lot to see that inmates don’t go back to the society the same way they came, and enjoined members of the public to complement the efforts of NCoS.

Akinlade also said she is passionate about the Correctional Service and appealed to the management and staff to cooperate with her to

achieve great heights and pledged to put in her all to ensure that the service is well recognised globally. She called on the Service to blow their trumpets and publicise its activities to the world through documentaries and TV shows so that the society can appreciate and support their efforts.

The PS also promised to promote staff welfare in order to get the best out of them, stressing that “welfare for the inmates, welfare for the staff, let’s start with the staff. If you don’t take care of the correctors, you will not get corrections, no morals- no result.”

L-R: The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Caroline Wuruola Adepojuat at Democracy Day Celebration in Abuja... Recently

Bennett Oghifo

Former Presidential candidate and Restructuring campaigner, Rev. Chris Okotie has again advocated

Chinedu Eze

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

NSIB Indicts Max Air over Serious Incident in Abuja Involving Its Boeing B737-400

OF TEACHERS THAT TEACH WELL

Austin Isikhuemen pays tribute to Felix Okieimen, a university teacher who touched lives and changed them for good

Ihave never had an opportunity to write an appraisal of my teacher. That unlikely assignment, whose very proposition will rankle most sector where three-sixty-degree feedback is now commonplace human resources management. Additionally, my resolve to do this is strengthened by my knowledge of the man I intend to assess. He in the process and take any accolades in his stride. So, here goes. Professor Felix Ebhodaghe Okieimen, a professor of chemistry turned 70 years on 14th June 2023. He, therefore, has attained the statutory retirement age in the ivory tower and dropped the proverbial chalk after a life lived teaching and shaping lives across the Nigeria academic firmament using the University of Benin as his base. He is handsome. He is healthy. He is leaving with his integrity intact and his records of achievement long as the second Niger Bridge. His family is a source of inspiration to many. He was still teaching till 13th June and will probably not allow retirement to stop the pleasurable life hobby that teaching has become for him. So, there are enough reasons to celebrate the man.

Happy birthday to the academic giant, the man whose brilliance and erudition can be documented in a book of several chapters, whose integrity among students, academic colleagues and anyone he has come into contact with, is exemplary. A Professor of professors of whom we are all sure what he professes! Many happy returns of the day Sir!

Born to Iruekpen, Edo State, parents who spent most of their lives at Uhonmora in Owan Area of Edo State, it was not surprising that this son of a Headmaster eventually chose teaching as his profession. He attended University of Benin where he was a pioneer student. Graduating top of his class and among the very best of the first graduating set, he did not waste time before heading to University of Cardiff in Wales where he was one of the youngest graduating PhDs. He returned home immediately to continue a teaching role in his former university.

That was where our paths crossed. Not long after he returned home to Uniben, I finished secondary school that same 1980 and got admitted into the same university to read Biochemistry. I met him during registration and, strangely, he took a liking to me from there and became my academic and life coach. At the 500 Lecture Theatre, the young, denim jeans-wearing light-skinned young lecturer made chemistry seem like a stroll in the park! The impression was electric. For young men like me. And for young ladies too, as you might have expected! Forget the razzmatazz, the man was a pure academic and he made you feel ashamed if you let yourself down by scoring low in his tests or exams. He does not need to tell you not to let it happen again before you make the promise yourself!

That 500 Lecture Theatre was a melting pot of sorts. The place where every science, engineering, medical sciences and pharmacy took the same courses in year one or pre-degree then glamorously called PD! It is that lecture theatre that should be blamed for the burgeoning numbers and spread of the Professor’s admirers and students, achievers and professionals across the world today. Thousands of students who attribute their success and life trajectory, like mine, to the dedicated efforts of this great teacher who knows nothing about the use of ethnicity, religion, crude politics to advance their frontiers, are celebrating his attainment of six scores and ten. He has beaten Nigeria’s life expectancy which is about 55 years by 15 years already. He looks set for another 30 with complete eyesight and full dentition!

Professor Okieimen, is unarguably, the most prolific academic that Uniben has produced as its alumnus and he is also the most productive academic to have had the privilege of teaching and research therein. You can use any measure and the man stands tall. I will not use the phrase ‘above all’ as he would frown at that. But I would love anyone to challenge me if there is anyone else who has supervised and produced as many PhDs and Masters Degree holders in that our revered university since its inception! Even by publications in reputable journals across the world. He has many books he authored and even established and edited a Journal of Chemistry. He was the youngest DVC ever in Uniben and was picked purely on merit without his asking.

Substance use is inarguably one of the challenges staving the potential of the 21st-century child. According to a 2021 World Drug Report, Nigeria could have 20 million drug users by the year 2030.

And the challenge is further exacerbated by the reality that many Nigerian students may no longer even believe in the dangers of substance abuse. According to the World Drug Report, though the potency of cannabis has quintupled in the last 24 years, the percentage of adolescents who perceived the drug as harmful fell by as much as 40 per cent, leading to more risk of

According to a 2018 study published by the South African Journal of Child Health, substance abuse among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa is already at unprecedented heights. About 41.6% of youth have some experience with abusing substances, with alcohol and tobacco being the highest. And today, substance use is

AT THE 500 LECTURE THEATRE, THE YOUNG, DENIM JEANS-WEARING LIGHT-SKINNED YOUNG LECTURER MADE CHEMISTRY SEEM LIKE A STROLL IN THE PARK! THE IMPRESSION WAS ELECTRIC. FOR YOUNG MEN LIKE ME. AND FOR YOUNG LADIES TOO, AS YOU MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED! FORGET THE RAZZMATAZZ, THE MAN WAS A PURE ACADEMIC AND HE MADE YOU FEEL ASHAMED IF YOU LET YOURSELF DOWN BY SCORING LOW IN HIS TESTS OR EXAMS

A man with so much output in academia could have been thought of, as many are wont to do, as an armchair chemist satisfied to pontificate on theories on the University Campus where he holds sway. No. Not Professor Okieimen. He took his craft, at some stage, to practice what he preaches at Shell, the epitome of industrial chemistry practice and left giant footprints there in a very rewarding and pace-setting sabbatical. His former students bestride various industries across Nigeria – Chemical industries, pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, banks, breweries, medicine, teaching, research centres, government agencies, government, finance. Even the armed forces. They are to be found in several countries across the world. Only Uniben can tell why they call him today the best Vice Chancellor they never had.

I would like to use two examples to buttress my assertion of the innate goodness of this man. Despite that fact that he did not know me before my admission and considering that I was in a different department, the Professor took great interest in my progress. First he wanted me to transfer from Biochemistry to a certain professional course purely on the bases of my outstanding Division One school certificate result. He got the dean to agree only for me to turn it down because, in my naïve thinking, six years was a bridge too far considering my meagre financial support. Little did I know he was going to be supporting me with life and studies-enhancing meal tickets later on.

The Professor opened his home to me. That was how I started spending some holidays at his No. 4, Utekon Avenue home somewhere off Oba Eweka Street. It was my first opportunity of sleeping in a house in the place they called GRA! And I used the telephone there for the first time in my life. This man was making me a big boy…. That was where I first saw a coffee maker but avoided its use so as not to over-expose my provincial credentials.

It was through his address I routed my job search responses because I knew no other reliable one after graduation and youth service. My 19-year career in Guinness would probably have been short-circuited had all the letters inviting me to the various assessment exams and interviews not passed through his mailbag. He it was, who in 1996, chaired my traditional marriage ceremony in faraway Igarra. You needed to see him dance to the sonorous music my Somorika in-laws put on show. Then, he printed all five hundred copies of my wedding programme free of charge. It is instructive that it was during that traditional marriage that he met my parents for the first time!

I also know of a student of his to who Prof. always gave holiday research work so as to prevent him from going to the village where his siblings were dying mysteriously one after the other. The young man was assisted to go for a Master’s program and graduate assistantship in the US where his PhD dissertation attracted the cream of the City Council where the University is located and his achievement was published in local newspapers. Following this, his research on inks, this former Okieimen student mentee got headhunted by Hewlett Packard (HP) the world-renowned maker of printers and printing inks. He began to move around the world. His life has been changed for good by the Okieimen touch. I leave him unnamed because I have not asked his permission to make this public before writing this night. Prof., as his students fondly call him, extended his goodness to others to his family at home. It is not for nothing that his wife, a former student, moved gradually from just Mrs. Charity Okieimen to Professor (Mrs.) Charity Okieimen, Professor of Chemical Engineering. Today, one of his daughters lectures in architecture. For Professor Okieimen, charity indeed begins at home.

know Professor Okieimen’s former students and admirers around the globe, or at least those who are aware of today’s retirement and birthday, are planning a massive event, at no cost to the celebrant, at a later date. The programme would be innovative, and it will raise the standard of how to celebrate an achiever whose life has been of service to many. A great man who has brought light into the darkness of ignorance and despair that otherwise would have been the lot of many. A man who made it possible for a student to know timely, what to do so that his imminent 2nd Upper can turn around with a bit more focused effort, into a first class. A professor who is at home with the young, the elderly, Christian, Muslim, atheist-agnostic and even the traditionalist and treats them with equal respect.

auxtynnisi@yahoo.com

Education can be the best deterrent to substance abuse, contends Blossom Deji-Folutile

highly publicised in the media. Although not all substance-related media entertainment content encourages the abuse of substances, they hardly constitute a substitution for substance use orientation among the young.

According to a UN report, by 2030, the number of substance users in Africa, the world’s youngest continent, will have increased by 40% .

Substance abuse is a cancer, and like most cancers, is often terminal. But what is the solution?

Well, the data say that substance abuse education can be the best deterrent. In fact, in a 2018 study conducted by African Healthcare Services on substance use among secondary school students in Oyo State, it was found that the proportion of respondents who were substance who had not received any formal lectures on substance abuse at school compared to those who had been taught.

and government agencies have launched programmes and campaigns to raise awareness against substance abuse in youths. But simply raising awareness is not enough. Because according to Natural High, a drug misunderstand substance abuse statistics. Essentially, making substance abuse education accessible is one thing, but making it digestible for young people is another. It is to that end that the MTN Foundation has, through its AntiSubstance Abuse Programme (ASAP), created another platform to help make substance abuse education more entertaining and comprehensible for young students.

The MTN ASAP quiz competition, which aims to provide participants with the necessary information to make healthier personal choices and avoid risky situations that can predispose them to substance use, is one of

many social intervention initiatives provided by the Foundation. The reasoning behind the quiz initiative was not a shot in the dark. In fact, a total of 18 public secondary schools took part in the competition, and the selection criteria ensured that the institutions represented were from regions of Nigeria where there is a high prevalence of substance abuse.

So far, the spirited competition has yielded chance to win the MTN ASAP quiz competition later in June.

With this initiative, there are no losers. Because the goal is to sensitise and impact the lives of young Nigerians, steering them away from the abyss of substance abuse and addiction. And even though initiatives like MTN seem like fun extracurricular activities, they are here to save lives.

Deji-Folutile, a consultant, writes from Lagos

Interfaith Dialogue and Freedom of Religion

Humanists International thanks the Kingdom and Parliament of Morocco for hosting this Dialogue and the Inter Parliamentary Union for the invitation to this conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Working together for our common future. I understand invited to participate in this important program. The invitation demonstrates a paradigm shift, a commitment to the promotion of a more inclusive interfaith dialogue. of an inclusive interfaith communications. People cannot engage in any meaningful dialogue if they cannot freely minorities including real or imagined atheists, humanists and form. We must rally against the oppression and prosecute and sentence the president of the Humanist

renounced Islam, the family took him to a mental hospital.

In response to the tensed and volatile religious the interfaith mediation center in Kaduna, an interfaith/ dialogue in the history of the country. Many faith leaders

media coverage of the dialogue. Humanists urge par-

interfaith dialogue, and the furtherance of freedom of Leo Igwe, parliamentary conference on interfaith dialogue, Marrakesh, Morocco

Judge Cautions EFCC Over Stella Oduah’s Case

Nume Ekeghe

The trial of former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah and eight others accused of misappropriating N2,459,030,000 witnessed a a judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against exhibiting any signs of political bias.

The matter being tried by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was suspended on Thursday by the judge after citing alleged threats to his life by some unknown people.

The judge took the decision after also citing an alleged invasion of his privacy by operating under an alleged organisation ‘Anti Corruption Network’.

Oduah’s Director of Media/ Publicity, Ezennia Nonso Chukwudebe, in a statement noted that displeased by the development Justice Ekwo informed the public about the relentless nature of these whom he said had taken the threats notches higher while wondering why they were so desperate to introduce political

colouration to the proceedings. those threatening his life and privacy while he asked them to matters of the court as their attempts will not change the delivery of due justice.

The trial judge also directed the Deputy Court Registrar of the Federal High Court to liaise with the Corporate the person/s behind the organisation, intending to identify them and make them pay accordingly.

He equally directed the

Taraba Mulls Land Reforms as Panacea to Incessant Tiv/Jukun Conflict

Wole Ayodele in Jalingo

HOSTING GUILD OF EDITORS…

L-R: Former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba and Governor Hope Uzodimma of

Convention 2023 in Owerri...yesterday

to investigate and bring the perpetrators to the court on the next sitting of the court.

With copies of the publication where he was threatened, Justice Ekwo distributed the publication among the lawyers in court and warned against such moves as they would not change the course of justice.

Recall that at the last sitting of the court on the 5th of June 2023, a similar episode played out when the judge noted that some unknown and unscrupulous persons had been invading his privacy by sending various threatening messages to his phone.

There are strong indications that the Taraba State Government would introduce land reforms in the state in a bid to permanently between the Tiv and Jukun tribes in Southern Taraba.

The Chairman of the Economic, Youth and Security Summit, Mr. Benjamin Bako, gave the hint yesterday at a press conference in Jalingo, organised to mark the end of the summit.

The summit was initiated by Governor Agbu Kefas to generate ideas towards improving the economic fortunes of the state as well as address youth restiveness and incessant security challenges plaguing the state.

Fielding questions from journalresources particularly land as the major cause of the perennial Jukun tribes in the state which ought not to be considered the vast land the state is blessed with.

According to him, “The Tiv and Jukun in Taraba State is usually triggered by the struggle for resources particularly land for cultivation and other agricultural purposes.

“It is however saddening that

Lukman Accuses Adamu, Omisore of Squandering N30bn Realised from Sale of Forms

Adedayo Akinwale

The crisis rocking the ruling

All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed another dimension yesterday as the party’s National Vice Chairman, North-west, Dr. Salihu Lukman accused the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore of squandering N30 billion realised during the sales of forms for the 2023 elections.

Lukman in a statement titled:

‘Rebuilding the APC to Reform

Nigerian Politics: Task Before

President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’, accused Adamu of reckless financial management of the party.

He noted that critical issues of party funding have remained very ad hoc because no defined funding framework has been established.

To this end, the party chieftain noted that with the election of principal officers in the National Assembly completed, President Tinubu being the leader of the party should prioritise rebuilding the APC.

He said prioritising rebuilding the APC to return it to its founding vision is basically about ensuring

Nigeria Receives 1.5m Vaccine Doses from Indonesia

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government yesterday formally took delivery of 1,580,000 doses of lifesaving Pentavalent vaccines donated by the Government of Indonesia.

Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the handover of the 1,580,000 doses of Pentavalent vaccines by the Indonesian Ambassador, Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said the receipt of lifesaving Pentavalent vaccines will go a long way to support Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme.

“We are indeed appreciative

of the positive impact of the strong and ongoing partnership underpinned by mutual respect that exists between our two countries.

“This partnership has today led to the donation of 1,580,000 doses of lifesaving Pentavalent vaccines to support Nigeria’s Routine Immunisation programme.

“As we all know, vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases and improve the health of our communities,” he said.

Shuaib said the Pentavalent vaccine is a critical tool for protecting children against five major childhood diseases, namely- diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.

that all the organs of the party are constituted and allowed to function in line with the provisions of the APC constitution.

Lukman expressed worry that since the formation of APC in 2013, the party’s Board of Trustees now renamed National Advisory Council (NAC) was never constituted.

The party chieftain pointed out that not more than five meetings of the National Caucus were held, while none has been held under Adamu.

Lukman noted that lower organs of the party such as Zonal Execu-

tive Committees, Zonal Congresses, Working Committees, Executive Committees, Congresses at states, local governments and wards

He said requirement to set up Senatorial District Committees as provided under Article 13.10 of the APC constitution was redundant; while Women, Youth and Persons Living with Disabilities Wings provided in the APC constitution are left at the discretions of National Women’s Leader, National Youth Leader, and National Leader of Persons Living with Disabilities.

Stay Connected with your Constituencies, Diri Charges Bayelsa Federal Lawmakers

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, has charged federal lawmakers from the state to remain close to their various constituencies and to remain relevant following Tuesday’s inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

Governor Diri, who gave the charge in Abuja yesterday at a special reception organised by the Bayelsa State Government for elected members of the Senate and House of Representatives in Abuja, noted that as representatives of the people, lawmakers must maintain a special

bond with their roots back home to give the people a sense of belonging.

Diri thanked the people of Bayelsa State for the overwhelming support given to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which translated to the victory of the party in three Senatorial constituencies.

“I would like to congratulate you once again on your victory at the polls and your inauguration as Honourable members of the House of Representatives and Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

struggle for land would continue tribes considering the fact that the state is blessed with vast arable land that are largely uncultivated.”

He, however, frowned at the persistent interference of the Benue State government each time there was a breakout of tribes, saying Benue State has no business interfering in the

According to him, “The two tribes are indigenes of Tarabatween them, it is the responsibility of Taraba State government to without any external interference.”

He maintained that with a serious and focused leader like Governor Kefas, the incessant would soon become a thing of the past.

It would be noted that the governor has a reputation for as he was credited with brokering peace between the federal government and militant leaders in the Niger Delta that led to the success of the Amnesty programme initiated by the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Gunmen Kidnap Benue Catholic Priest

George Okoh in Makurdi

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped a Catholic priest of Otukpo Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Adikwu.

The Rev. Father is the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

He said, on Thursday night at 10p.m. some gunmen stormed Ajegbe Awume, Ohimini Benue State and went straight to the church premises, from where they took the priest away.

“The kidnappers went straight to the church premises and kidnapped the Rev. Father in Charge of St. Margaret Parish.” The whereabouts of the Catholic priest is yet unknown as no demand for ransom is yet to be made. When contacted, the Benue State Command’s Public Rela-

It would be recalled that this is the third time a priest of the Catholic Church has been kidnapped by gunmen in the area in recent time.

Kenna Partners Hosts Breakfast Session on Corporate Governance

Wale Igbintade

In a bid to promote good corporate governance to ensure the sustainability of enterprises in Nigeria, Kenna Partners, a leading distinguished Board members, company secretaries, regulators, and other senior managers/ executives in Nigeria to an interactive breakfast session in Lagos on June 9, 2023.

The breakfast conversations, Based Governance’, served as a veritable platform for Regulators and Senior Executives to share their perspectives on a modern approach to corporate governance in Nigeria.

The session was opened with dialogues on insights from the Book ‘Outcomes-based Governance; A Modern Approach to Corporate Governance’ and eliciting substantial experiences from the distinguished governance experts and authors; Professor Mervyn King, SC, and Professor

Fabian Ajogwu, SAN.

Opening the conversations, Professor Mervyn King, Senior Counsel, and former judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa, gave a brief background to the development of corporate Africa.

He stated that the Board of Directors’ focus solely on the interests of shareholders led to a sustainability crisis as companies paid less attention and regard to the interest of other stakeholders.

Professor King, SC, noted that the collapse of the Enron Brothers in the early 2000s and the Global Financial Crisis was a wake-up call to improve corporate Governance metrics.

According to him “the Executives of an organisation are the heart, mind, and conscience of that organisation hence modern corporate Governance should be more mindful”.

Imo State at the Nigerian Guild of Editors National Biennial

Yemi

Democracy is More about Welfare, Security

Last Monday was another June 12, a day set aside to celebrate democracy and its icon in Nigeria, the late Moshood Abiola. As usual, it was an additional opportunity for lethargic politicians that have made democracy meaningless in beloved Nigeria, to grandstand about 24 years of uninterrupted democracy. They so much enjoy the ceremonial celebration of June 12. Democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people. Yes, everybody can’t directly stir the wheel of activities of government. Some people must be put forward for this and they must doggedly act to enhance the lives of the people. Regrettably, over the years, most of these people put forward at all levels of government persistently fail Nigerians.

Majority of our political leaders have failed to provide the dividends of democ- racy to our people in terms of security, welfare, justice and freedom, yet, they go about grandstanding about their beliefs and commitment to democracy on every Democracy Day. President Bola Tinubu, in his broadcast on June 12, reiterated his commitment to Democracy amid the hunger and pain in the land, heightened by the withdrawal of petrol subsidy. He apologised to Nigerians for the pains, forgetting that democracy is also about the welfare of the people, and the pains should not have happened in that manner.

On Democracy Day, President Tinubu eulogised Abiola and other martyrs of the June 12 struggle but forgot what they stood for in terms of the welfare of the people. MKO Abiola stood for the welfare of the people. Tinubu can’t say this about the welfare of Nigerians in his 20 days as President. For me, President Tinubu ought to be ready with concrete welfare policies for Nigerians before removing petrol subsidy. He did not do this, yet, he is talking about commitment to democracy.

The removal of fuel subsidy should have been a gradual one with concrete welfare plans. Adding almost N372 to a litre of petrol in one swoop is outright wickedness. The poor and the working class are gasping for breath. This is not what democracy is all about.

Governors across the states also celebrated June 12 Democracy Day. So sad that most of them have been showing very little commitment to the welfare of their people. Tattered public schools and hospitals litter most states where governors celebrated Democracy Day on June 12. They know that democracy is also about the welfare of the people, yet, they spend most of their time pummeling these people. You will find a governor living a life of extreme luxury, flying around in a private jet, while civil servants are owed months of salaries. Some governors spend more money on choice wines than on medications for public hospitals.

One very irritating example is that of

former governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who celebrated bizarre investments in flyovers amid ragged public schools and hospitals. This man called Wike equated welfare of the people with massive construc- tion of flyovers. He did not understand the meaning of human capital development. While thousands of youths of the state are roaming the streets unemployed, Wike was busy constructing bogus and extremely expensive flyovers.

In this same rich Rivers State, where flyovers gulped billions of Naira, about 99.9 per cent of homes have no access to something as basic as public water supply, while the state’s pensioners are struggling to survive due to huge unpaid annuities. In fact, payment of pension and gratuities stopped immediately Wike became governor.

How can our political leaders be talking about commitment to democracy on June 12 celebration when security of the people is in a big mess across the country? Just seven days back, Fulani militias entered Barkin-Ladi and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State and killed 21 persons. I’m talking about human lives here. In eight years of Muhammadu Buhari as President, he failed woefully to recognise that securing the people is a key part of democracy. Tinubu must practically recognise that security is part of democracy. Unfortunately, nationwide security in 20 days of Tinubu as President has been horrible.

That was why Amnesty International on Tuesday lamented the killing of 123 people by terrorists in just 16 days of Tinubu as President. Amnesty urged the new govern-

ment to ensure that protecting lives gets utmost priority and advised the federal and state governments to ensure that those suspected of criminal responsibility are urgently brought to justice in fair trials.

Amnesty said: “The Nigerian authorities are obliged under international human rights laws, regional human rights treaties, and Nigerian constitution to protect the rights of all people without discrimination. Protecting lives should be the utmost prior- ity of the new government. The Nigerian authorities must urgently take steps to stop the bloodletting. The brazen failure of the authorities to protect the people of Nigeria is gradually becoming the norm in theWell,country.” it is looking like the brazen failure of the federal government under Buhari to protect Nigerians is continuing under Tinubu. Twenty days after Tinubu’s inauguration, it is still business as usual for Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militias, kidnappers, IPOB/ESN and all sorts of terror groups, ravaging our land and sending people to early graves. I have updated my figures and the result is that 152 people had been killed by terrorists across Nigeria as at June 16. The most daring of the attacks happened in Sokoto and Zamfara States, where terrorists killed over 63 persons early June.

Tinubu, in his inaugural speech, said he would defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our sub-region, adding, “Security shall be the top priority of our administration

DSS Playing to the Gallery on Emefiele

The Department of State Services (DSS) again displayed its unending overzealousness during the arrest of the suspended CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele on June 10. The DSS is now known for playing to the gallery ever since this vital security agency came under the leadership of Yusuf Bichi. Emefiele’s arrival at the airport in Lagos and airlift to Abuja was r ecorded and leaked to the press by the DSS. Why this media trial? One of the DSS officers was even jokingly dangling a handcuff before the camera as Emefiele was climbing into the plane. Why even arrest him in the first place? All that is required for somebody at Emefiele’s level, is an invitation to their office and he would show up. Why all the razzmatazz?

There are allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering, and other economic crimes against the suspended CBN governor, which the DSS says it is still investigating. I won’t be surprised

if the investigation is bungled at the end of the day. The DSS levelling allegations of money laundering, and other economic crimes against Emefiele? This is preposterous. This should be for the EFCC and not the DSS. It is the EFCC that has the legal right for this. Is Bichi and his boys saying they are not aware of this?

Of all the crime stories the DSS has been peddling against Emefiele, none of them look sustainable in any law court. They say they saw his branded campaign vehicles with terrorists, so he is involved in terrorism financing. So simplistic? Is this what the DSS will take to court? Where is the concrete evidence that he provided the vehicles to terrorists? What will Emefiele at his level gain by financing terrorism?

I remember that one of Bichi’s men appeared before Justice John Tsoho on December 15, 2022, asking for permission to arrest Emefiele over these same thoughtless allegations of terrorism financing and fraudulent practices.

Justice Tsoho, upon perusal of the documents submitted by the DSS, captures the ricketiness of the application thus: “The entire affidavit depositions, especially as per paragraph 4 of the supporting affidavit, purport that preliminary investigation has revealed various acts of terrorism financing, fraudulent activities perpetrated by the respondent and his involvement in economic crimes of national security dimension. These are no doubt grave allegations, but which the applicant has not presented any concrete evidence to support. The applicant should have taken the court into confidence while seeking the exercise of its discretion in favour of granting the application.”

Simply put, the affidavit submitted to Justice Tsoho did not substantiate or provide any material fact of terrorism and corruption against Emefiele.

Honestly, the DSS under Bichi remains an embarrassment to this country. Tinubu must end this by removing the DSS boss.

because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence. To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture. We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide better training, equipment, pay andNigeriansfirepower.” are yet to experience anything near Tinubu’s promise of security. I pray the brazen failure of Buhari in this vital area of security won’t continue. Insecurity must be tackled pragmatically.

Back to welfare of the people as a key part of democracy. It is pertinent to refresh our political leaders’ memory of a submission by Bill Gates, during a visit to Nigeria in 2018, on how government can provide dividends of democracy to the people. The Microsoft boss declared: “The most important choice Nigerian leaders can make is to maximise the country’s greatest resource, which is the people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive. If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities - the human capital we are talking about today - then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.”

Gates tried to redirect this country’s leaders to the path of sustainable prog- ress by urging them to spend more on human capital development instead of splendor projects. This is the meaning of “government of the people.” This is what democracy and June 12 truly represent. MKO was in the Vanguard of the w elfare of the people.

Confession of Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa S

enator Adamu Bulkachuwa, the lawmaker who represented Bauchi North in the 9th Senate did not tell us anything new about the corruption in the Nigerian bench. But he showed great courage in drawing attention to the sleaze. During the valedictory session of the Senate earlier this week, Bulkachuwa revealed how his wife, Zainab Bulkachuwa helped him and some of his colleagues when she was the President of the Court of Appeal.

Senator Bulkachuwa, whose wife was the first female head of the court of appeal, revealed that he influenced her decisions as head of the appeal court and extended the same to his colleagues. He wanted to start mentioning the names of the beneficiaries but was quickly stopped by President of the 9th Senate, Ahmad Lawan, saying, “distinguished, I don’t think this is a good idea going in this direction.”

The Nigerian bench is in a mess, with so much corruption. Judgements are largely procured with big cash. Senator Bulkachuwa’s confession is good. The National Judicial Council, NJC, needs to dig in further, to arrest the rot in the bench. Anti-corruption agencies must also dig in.

Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, rightly pointed out, “Senator Bulkachuwa’s statement at the Valedictory of the 9th senate is a monumental disgrace for our institutions. This man deserves to be taken up immediately by the authorities. It is a blight on my confidence in our systems. I represented Usman Tuggar in relation to the disputed elections between him and senator Bulkachuwa for Bauchi North senatorial. We lost in three courts. Senator Bulkachuwa seems to suggest why.”

Abiola

CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION…

Fubara Tackles Police on Harassment of Citizens, Says Rivers Unsafe for Criminals

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has condemned the series of reported harassment of citizens by some Force in Rivers State.

Governor Fubara made the observation yesterday, when the newly deployed state ComEmeka, paid him a courtesy

visit at the Government House, at the activities of some police of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state, said the unit of the police was commissioner to look into those noted operations and ensure that they cease to function in the state so that

Obaseki Congratulates Edo Assembly Members on Inauguration, Urges Collaboration to Sustain Devt

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo State Governor, Mr.Edo State House of Assembly recorded by the administration across all sectors of the state in the past six years.

Association of Oruk Anam Indigenes Declares Support for Gov Eno

Mary Nnah

State Governor, Mr. Umo Eno, the people of the state. Association, Apostle Raphael Government Area resident in of all chapters of the association in Dopemu, Alimosho.

Elijah on behalf of the associaEno and his deputy, Senator Akon

Eyakenyi on their victory in the as well as other elected andbe dedicated to duty and do more to advance the state to socio-economic development.

IoT W’ Africa Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition Holds July 4

conference & exhibition platform is

members of the public do not from them.

“The importance of security is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders and so bottom of complaints from citizens in consideration of security matters, as the people Fubara said.

vised the police commissioner in the state, as well as complaint without bias or favour to address security issues holistically.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to sustain support to all security that the security of lives and property are not compromised.

Runsewe Commends Niger Republic for Sustaining Cross Border Security

the African economy has beencapabilities best.

The African continent, with a facilitate advancements in these have also made contributions with

Elijah said that Governor Eno-led in May. Conference. As Africa continues to experievents will act as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development. connected future where tradition path to prosperity for the entire

Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House respectively.

becomes more obvious that on the rule of law and a wellis law, order, safety, stability, and security because we have a transact businesses in the state. the journey we started six and 7th Assembly as it was a historic and watershed Assembly in the

Risk Management: Italy Supports ECOWAS with $14m

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

has invested over $14 million in the last one year on risk sustainable development in West Africa.

Thursday, a project which the for Disaster Risk Reduction

He said: “The Governproud of the cooperation in Disaster and Risk Reducand the Federal Republic ofDRR, more than 14 million dollars to support a better impact of disaster, how these disrupt the socio-economic system and the possibility for

a formidable military collaborasecurity of lives and property of both countries.

The Director General of the Runsewe, made the commendaof senior military officers from office in Abuja as part of their -

both countries shared similar values and ideals as common

Commission, Economic Community of West African States

bilateral relationship between Haram, insecurity and Jihadist movement. The multi-national task force on insecurity between

We’re Implementing a Long Term Sustainability Plan, Says Heritage Bank

rumours in a section of the yesterday, the bank described defamatory, and posited that assets and resources. of workforce was a necessary step towards the realisation of

Automobile Enthusiasts Gear Up for Customs, Classics

Intern’l Expo in Lagos

Automobile enthusiasts are 14 and 15. and classic cars and bikes from

Media and The Temple Company, open to everyone.

compensated in line with the bank’s policy. continue to provide outstandcustomers, employees and all stakeholders. The statement reads in attention that articles have been published by certain media were diverted by any member and defamatory. These articles have used unrelated facts and narrative.

press statement.

The Dubai-based founder and oversee operations and ensure the expo’s success.

Meanwhile, famous actor and

ticket free for a week.

He mentioned this perk on his social media handles as part of his support for the Customs and Classics Expo.

R-L: Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, presenting a gift to leader of the delegation of the Superior Military College, Niger Republic, Col. Abdurasak Ben Ibrahim, during their visit to NCAC headquarters in Abuja...recently

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394

Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

African Music Gets Grammy Recognition African Music Gets Grammy Recognition

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Ahead of the 66th edition of the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy, which is in charge of the organisation, has added three new categories to the annual award ceremony that celebrate musical excellence across the globe. In the update of events, the Grammys will now have three new categories: Best African Music Performance, Best Pop Dance Recording, and Best Alternative Jazz Album.

It is believed that the success of African stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Tems, CKay, Rema, Black Sherif, Yemi Alade, and a host of others have contributed to the new African category (Best African Music Performance), which is expected to be highly competitive, considering that the new category isn’t just limited to the

popular Afrobeats genre but cuts across highly rooted genres like Fuji, High Life, Kizomba, and many more.

Recall that the clamour for categories that largely recognise contemporary African sounds has been widespread in recent times. According to reports, the additional categories and further amendments were voted on and passed at the Recording Academy’s most recent semiannual Board of Trustees meeting, making the Grammys possess a total of 94 categories in the 66th edition, which take place in 2024.

Noteworthy that many music lovers were left disappointed when Nigerian Grammy awards. Burna Boy was as it were was nominated for Best World Music Album for his 2019 record ‘African Giant’ but lost out to Beninese singer-songwriter, Angelique Kidjo. Same for Wizkid at the last Grammys with his phenomenal and globally acclaimed album ‘Made in Lagos’, which lost to same Angelique Kidjo in

the Best Global Music Album category (formerly Best World Music Album), including the album’s hit song ‘Essence’ lost to Pakistani Arooj Aftab in the Best Global Music Performance category. pissed and disappointed following the loss. Among the lots was supermodel Naomi Campbell who took to Instagram to criticize and urge the Grammy organisMusic’ and called attention to the lack of recognition for the Afrobeats music genre. Soon commenced the process to create a Grammy Award category for Afrobeats sometime last year.

(CEO) of the Recording Academy who then in October last year revealed that the in the long road to adding an Afrobeats category to the Grammys in a chat with the media while speaking to the press at the Global Citizens concert in Ghana.

Maryam Booth Leads Cast in ‘The Kiss of Death’

The production team of the ‘The Kiss of Death’ has in a social media post revealed the cast of the story which examines how cultural and religious issues interplay with our lifestyle. Principal photography which commenced May 26, 2023 wrapped last Wednesday. Set in the Northern part of Nigeria, it is no surprise the cast list features a preponderance of Northern actors.

With Sani Danja, Maryam Booth, and veteran, Francis Onwochie in the lead, others are Yakubu Muhammed. Moshood Fattah, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Chidinma Nechi, Yakubu Muhammed, Maryam Ibraham. The movie is collaborative venture between Riverting Integrated Entertainment Limited, True Life Productions, with Optiva Capital Partners as sponsor.

Directed by Terry McMahon, a renowned

tragic-love story that is highly anticipated. Inspired by a true-life situation, the movie revolves around the life of Tony, a young man Muslim region in northern Nigeria for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Tony’s character embodies the essence beyond societal boundaries to help others in need. One fateful day, He encounters Alimah, fainting spells due to her anemic condition. Drawing from his own experiences with asthma and breathlessness, Tony instinctively performs mouth-to-mouth therapy (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, known as CPR-an emergency lifesaving procedure) on Alimah.

a chain of events with monumental consequences. According to the writer, producer,

Leke Akinrowo, in a chat, the movie’s title, ‘The Kiss of Death,’ encapsulates the severe repercussions Tony faces as a result of his environment. The narrative delves deep into the complexities of cultural and religious makes in the pursuit of kindness.

Akinrowo noted the choice of a foreign wanted to see our indigenous stories through the eyes of foreign practitioners. Think of movies like ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘Hotel Rwanda’, ‘The Rise and Fall of Idi Amin’, and so on. Our stories transcend our immediate environment when they’re told by people who are not experiencing our realities directly. Not just us in Africa, but also India, as in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. I would like to see what we can achieve with ‘The Kiss of Death’ with a foreign storyteller handling it.”

Essentially, I do Afrobeats, Dancehall Jassi Nation

Quite a couple of musical performances preceded his album listening party on a recent Wednesday. The acts had defied the rain to give support to the afrobeats/dancehall artiste, ‘Jassi Nation’ born Omokaro Paul Joseph who happens to be one of their own. The atmosphere great, one could feel the camaraderie as they take turns to entertain the guests at X10 Lounge and Bar, located at Wilmer Crescent, Olodi Apapa. Shortly afterwards, the celebrant tells Ferdinand Ekechukwu about the EP, and his music. Excerpt . . .

INo, this is my second. I released an album last year; an eleven-track album titled ‘Welcome to Jassi Nation’. While this new EP is titled ‘Kogbagidi’, a six track EP.

No video. But I have a video of a single which I released last year.

Just one artiste named Fireman (King Sango).

I’m not into any label. I’m an independent artiste.

It’s not been easy. And it’s not been easy even for artiste under a label not to talk of an independent artiste. But this is what we know how to do best. So,

we keeping it up with everything we have whether there’s a label or not we got to keep pushing till we are lucky to have a deal with a label someday.

Though I’m versatile with the kind of songs I do. But essentially, I do afrobeats and dancehall.

Inspiration comes from God.

Have been doing music since childhood basically sixteen.

Bennie Man, Timaya and Tuface

You should be expecting or looking out for the EP which will be released soon. It’s going to be on social media and major streaming platforms like Audiomack, Spotify, Youtube just name it.

Maryam Booth

Love, Laughter, Drama in ‘Hello Mr Right’

Treality show on StarTimes, was full of love, excitement, and drama.

Episode one was anchored by celebrities Kiekie and Bolanle Ninalowo, who spiced up the show with witty comments and advice.

The show, which premiered on June 10, features twelve single ladies and three single guys looking for their perfect match and a chance to win over N20,000,000 prizes.

but when money comes in, love becomes sweeter.”

all matches are mutual, as some guys are rejected by their chosen ladies or vice versa.

Whilst a contestant turned down a guy because her taste pitched at guys in their twenties, another lady was fascinated by the same guy because he was chubby. Seven ladies showed interest in this guy; however, when he was asked to pick his favourite out of the seven, his choice turned him down, citing an excuse that she doesn’t like short guys.

Two lucky couples found tough decision: Cash-out or Cash-big. Cash-out allows them to take instant cash prizes ranging from N10,000 to N250,000 via a lucky-dip box; while Cash-big gives them a chance to compete for N5 million cash and N5 million worth of prizes if they emerge as the ultimate couple via an audience vote. Bolanle Ninalowo and Kiekie

Burna Boy

Jassi

FormereditoratTHISDAYnewspaper and publisher of METROWATCH online newspaper, Mr. Collins Edomaruse and his wife, Ngozi, on May 20, 2023, gave out their second daughter and third child, Efe Precious Edomaruse, in marriage to her heartthrob, Dr. David Egede, in a colourful ceremony held at the NELO’s PLACE Events Centre, Ikeja – Lagos State. Here are some of the dignitaries at the occasion

PHOTOS: ABIODUN AJALA

Mr and Mrs Fred OmoregbeMr and Mrs Ifeanyi Uba

Mr Daniel and Mrs Oby Egede

Mr. Chuks and Mrs. Meg Egede

Mr. Emma and Mrs. Rita Egede

The couple, David and Efe (middle) flanked by the Groom’s parents, Mr and Mrs Lawrence Egede

L-R: Rt. Hon. Chevalier Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki KSG, CON, JP, Petroleum and Management Consultant; and brides’ father, and publisher, METROWATCH online newspaper, Mr. Collins Edomaruse, during the church service

L-R: Mr and Mrs. Isaac Umunna; Alhaji Akeem Oyetunji; and Hajia Oyetunji

CEO, Seers Securities Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Matthew Ibizugbe and his wife, Caro

Mrs Joy EgedeCEO of The Royal Prince Super Market, Mr. Sunday Egede

L-R: member of the Egede family, Mrs. Ogor Augustina; CEO, Super Savers Supermarket, Mr. Lucky Egede; and his wife, Chinwe

Bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs Collins Edomaruse

Eric Opah’s Fortune Global Sets Standards in Shipping

Compliance advocate in maritime, founder/CEO of Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Limited, Dr. Eric Opah, shares his almost three decades of experience in the shipping and logistics industry with Nduka Nwosu

Eric Opah can easily pass as the poster boy of the global maritime business in corporate Nigeria. He has the language, exposure and an impressive track record, a fitting achievement as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Limited. Having drawn immense experience from the Panalpina World Transport Group, which to many represents the pinnacle in the shipping, clearing and logistics business, is it any wonder, Opah as a practitioner is obsessed with the need for transparency, trustworthiness, and compliance in the industry? Opah’s dream is to use Fortune Global Shipping to remind practitioners within and outside the shores of Nigeria, that the country can be ranked better in global best practices.

Whether as a board member of the Nigerian American-Chamber of Commerce, or an associate member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria (IoDN), Opah’s mantra has been transparency, trustworthiness, and compliance in the delivery of goods and services. No platform offers a better place to practice these ideals than Fortune Global Shipping, which keeps gaining global recognition for maintaining lofty standards as a brand.

The Nigeria 50 Award, sponsored by the Tony Elumelu Foundation with Professor Michael Porter’s All World Network (USA), ranked Fortune Global Shipping 10th among the fastest growing companies in Nigeria. Opah sees this as an acknowledgement of Global Fortune Shipping’s accomplishments as he remains unrelenting in his advocacy of over three decades.

The prize for the company’s business growth and excellence included his attendance of the All-World Network Executive Program in Harvard University. Says Opah, who parades several honours, including, Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Logistics Academy, “My goals and aspirations are diverse, and they range from personal to industry-based goals. As an entrepreneur, my goal is to continue to grow the Fortune Global of my dream into a globally competitive business enterprise. Again, I aspire for a Nigerian logistics and forwarding industry where the players can be described as competent, professional, and trustworthy as against the dominant view that most multi-national enterprises and international industry players hold about how we practice the business in our country. If the profession is to follow the global prescription of best delivery and due process, it follows the growth of the shipping and logistics business would be given, in Nigeria.

Opah agrees but adds that there has been significant growth, yet Nigeria’s snail walk in this sector falls below 40 percent. According to him, the shipping and maritime economy must walk the growth ladder of operational efficiency, technological approach or digitisation of the entire shipping and maritime sector, in response to global industry trends and standard practices that promote industry performance and transparency: “Rating both sectors on a scale of 1-10, I will put these sectors at 4 over 10 for several reasons. There is operational inefficiency, followed by functional duplicity of the regulatory bodies, leading up to multiple cargo examinations charges, and cargo delivery delays. A significant knowledge gap in documentation, interpretation of taxes, tariff classification, poor understanding of International Commercial Terms (INCOTERMS) and diverse regulatory requirements is obvious.

“There is a huge deficit in technological and physical infrastructure. Most regula-

tory leaders of the Nigerian maritime and general transport sector, have limited knowledge of industry requirements and global best practices, inhibiting the level of progress expected for the 21st century logistics industry.”

Opah, a fellow of the Nigerian Ports and Terminal Management Academy, extends his advocacy and expectations of growth and standard practices to the need for states and the Federal Government to open the sector through the development of the un-utilised ports in the country by dredging the waterways and deepening sea routes. As he put it, overwhelming Lagos with excessive maritime activities appears to be a deliberate act of poor planning, and weak orientation towards economic diversification.

He states that his position is informed by the fact that two decades following Nigeria’s independence, there were at least five functional seaports in Nigeria - the ones in Apapa (Tin Can and Apapa main port), Warri, Sapele, Port Harcourt, and Calabar. “All that was required in all these ports,” he insists, “was infrastructural development and the

expansion of their operational capacities to maintain efficient import and export operations. The economic implication of the neglect of the other ports has led to over-dependence on the Tincan and Apapa ports.”

He continues: “These have over-whelmed Lagos to the extent that the traffic gridlock, delay in cargo delivery, disruption of other economic activities, including the manufacturing sector and supply chains schedules across Nigeria, are getting worse daily. Many business owners have relocated from Apapa to Lagos Island when it could have been better staying closer to their business locations.

“Another major consequence of this overdependence on Lagos ports is the weakening of the agricultural, and other export sectors due to the difficulty and high cost of moving goods from other parts of Nigeria to the ports in Apapa.”

Furthermore, he adds, this has also led to huge revenue losses for the Federal Government due to diversion of vessels and businesses to other ports within the West African zone such as Cotonou and Lomé ports. Opah debunks the long-held view that heavy duty ships cannot navigate the shallow waters in other parts of the country.

According to him, these are old women’s tales designed as a cover up, another excuse for not doing the right thing. “The truth is that across the world, in places where ocean drafts are shallower than the others, economic exigency compels government to invest in dredging and expansion of port capacities to hold large vessels. We can borrow a leaf from Egypt where a once shallow River Nile has become a major transport route for ships around the world. This is the practice in various parts of the globe.”

Opah who is the President of the Mbubo Transformation Group, a platform for community development in Abia State and the Eric Opah Foundation, which is strong on educational empowerment of youths, is asked how the South East can learn from Lagos that has constructed an additional port of its own.

“Let us correct an impression here,” he educates his audience, “the onus rests on the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority to construct port infrastructure anywhere in the country. Nevertheless, the South East governments can collaborate with the Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority and private investors to develop ports and free trade zones as is the case with Lekki

and Lagos free zones.

“However, the Lekki Free Trade Zone is supported by easy access to the Atlantic Ocean. The Federal Government needs to give licenses and permits or right of way for private investors to get involved in the development of a deep seaport between Abia and Akwa Ibom for instance.

“Consequently, South East governors also need to sell the viability of an Eastern Seaports Initiative (ESI).to private investors and with a development action plan for such initiative.”

The safety of sea routes for transportation of passengers, goods and services has often been questioned but Opah, who once served as the Director of Air Cargo Operations for China Southern Cargo Airlines, says the sea routes are safe to the extent of the security measures put in place to protect them. He argues that “without effective security patrols by the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies, one cannot say that the sea routes are safe.”

Why is the sector not maximising freight and passenger movements within the country? Opah explains this is due to the huge infrastructural deficit, evident in poor inland waterways, road development, and inadequate rail channels which have affected every means and mode of transportation for both freight and passenger movements across the country. “Similarly, insecurity prompted by terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and highway robberies are critical inhibitors of freight and passenger movements across Nigeria,” he said. He goes further to outline the other challenges in the industry: “There are several problems bedeviling the Nigerian logistics industry, which include duplicity of regulatory agencies in the Nigerian logistics value chain, shortage of professionally trained talents, inefficient customs processes, poor quality of trade and transport related infrastructure, low quality services, poor policy implementation, limited access to funding, dominance of foreign players, near or complete absence of refrigerated facilities to accommodate agricultural and perishable products. There are also the unregulated and non-compliant freight forwarding agents with an ineffective sanction mechanism and corruption due to heavy dependence on human interface in logistic processes.”

Needless to say that Opah who holds a degree in Business Administration, could not have been this successful without the love of family where Christiana has taken charge effectively piloting the affairs of three lovely children while daddy is in the battlefield. The Abia State Government had earlier honoured the President of Umunna-Nsulu Progressive Forum with the title of Oke Oji Abia or the Great One of Abia.

His biographer refers to his entrepreneurial ingenuity as uncommon among his peers and that he has proven he has so much unfolding on this uncommon journey. On his honorary doctorate degree award, Opah says it is a call for greater aspiration and continuous commitment to excellence as well as the need to invest in human capacity development through education and job-based learning. “It reminds me of the need to setup a professional training academy for the Nigerian logistics industry as part of my own contribution to the development of the logistics sector in Nigeria.”

As a parting note, he insists the way forward is to re-vitalise all existing ports with ultra-modern equipment and the requisite IT infrastructure, while developing the critical access roads and rail lines to promote efficient supply chain systems.

Opah

My goals and aspirations are diverse, and they range from personal to industry-based goals. As an entrepreneur, my goal is to continue to grow the Fortune Global of my dream into a globally competitive business enterprise. Again, I aspire for a Nigerian logistics and forwarding industry where the players can be described as competent, professional, and trustworthy as against the dominant view that most multi-national enterprises and international industry players hold about how we practice the business in our country

Mercedes-Benz Takes in-car Voice Control to New Level With ChatGPT

ercedes-Benz is further expanding the use of and integrating it into the voice control of its vehicles. By adding ChatGPT, voice control via the “Hey Mercedes” MBUX Voice Assistant will become even more intuitive. An optional beta program for U.S. customers will begin on June 16, 2023 for over 900,000 vehicles equipped with the MBUX infotainment system1.

Customers can participate via the Mercedes me app or directly from the vehicle using the voice command, “Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta program.”2 The rollout of the beta program will happen over-the-air. Mercedes-Benz is integrating ChatGPT through Azure OpenAI Service, leveraging the enterprise-grade capabilities of Microsoft’s cloud and AI platform.

Addition for voice control via “Hey Mercedes”

The Mercedes-Benz MBUX Voice Assistant has already set industry standards and is known for its intuitive operation and a large command portfolio. Customers can receive sports and weather

Mupdates, have questions answered about their surroundings or even control smart functions.

ChatGPT complements the existing intuitive voice control via “Hey Mercedes.” While most and responses, ChatGPT leverages a large language model to greatly improve natural language understanding and expand the topics to which it can respond.

Mercedes-Benz combines the best of both worlds, enhancing the validated data of the MBUX Voice Assistant with the more natural dialogue format of ChatGPT. Users will experience a voice assistant that not only accepts natural voice commands but can also conduct conversations. Soon, participants who ask the Voice Assistant for details about their destination, to suggest a new dinner recipe, or to answer a complex question, will receive a more comprehensive answer – while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Mercedes-Benz ensures data privacy

A collaboration with Microsoft enables the integration of ChatGPT. Through Azure OpenAI Service, Mercedes-Benz is tapping OpenAI’s

TIPS OF THE WEEK

If You Must Drive, 10 Ways to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Even though we are aware that engines need fuel to run, that does not mean you can’t make some small changes to help you gain some fuel savings.

1. Keep tires pumped up Tires that are underinflated have a higher rolling resistance on the road. This means that with every kilometer traveled, your tires generate more friction and rolling resistance, and hence, will increase fuel consumption. If all your tires are underinflated by 10 psi, this could reduce fuel efficiency by up to 10%.

2. Lose the weight in your boot

For those with a habit of keeping everything and anything in the boot, in addition to emergency spares, think twice when loading up next time. Every extra 50kg your car puts on increases fuel consumption by 2%.

3. Drive with AC

Driving with the windows down at speeds faster than 80km/h causes a lot of wind resistance, and costs you a lot more fuel. Contrary to what you may think, in this situation, it’s simply more fuel efficient to drive with the aircon on.

4. Don’t go too fast or too slow

large-scale generative AI models combined with the enterprise-grade security, privacy and reliability capabilities of Azure. Mercedes-Benz retains complete control over the IT processes in the background. The voice command data collected is stored in the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, where it is anonymized and analyzed.

Data protection is a top priority for MercedesBenz. Customers know at all times what information is collected and for what purpose, and they are free to make their own decisions. Mercedes-Benz protects all customer data from manipulation and misuse.

“The integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft in our controlled cloud environment is a milestone on our way to making our cars the center of our customers’ digital lives. Our beta program boosts the existing Hey Mercedes functions such as navigation queries, weather requests and others with the capabilities of ChatGPT. This way, we aim to support conversations with natural dialogues and follow-up questions. Our customers can always rely on us to ensure the best possible protection of their data privacy. the relationship with your Mercedes.”

Trains Have Right of Way over Vehicles at Level Crossings, Says NRC

Trains have the right of way over ambulances, patrol vans, other vehicles and pedestrians at level crossings, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, has said.

He stated this in Lagos against the backdrop of frequent accidents at level crossings in the country and warned that trains are not required to slow down at the crossings for other users.

Okhiria spoke on Thursday along with other concerned stakeholders at a symposium on railway safety in Nigeria, an event organised by Transport Day with the NRC to mark the 2023 International Level Cross Awareness Day/No Trespass Campaign.

Even as the NRC MD said the Federal Government in collaboration with the Lagos State Government was already replacing the level crossings with flyovers/ underpasses in Lagos, he noted that some areas within and outside the city would still have crossings.

He said any motorist or pedestrian involved in any collision with a train at the level crossing or rail track is liable.

He said, “Trains are not required to slow down at crossings and their speed can often be difficult to gauge.

He said the NRC had made provisions for safety measures at the approach of level crossings such as road signs, siren, barrier, lights and level crossing keepers.

He urged all road users to obey the signs and pay attention to their environment when approaching

“Always remember that where there is a crossing,

is

see a

prepared to stop at the stop sign. The flashing lights are there to warn you of oncoming trains and failing to stop under this circumstance is a very dangerous act,” he said.

When cruising down a highway, your engine works hard to overcome wind resistance. You’ll burn up to 15% more fuel at 100 km/h and 25% more at 110 km/h. That might tempt you to drive slow, but if you drive slower than 50 km/h, your engine would drop to a lower gear, thus using up more fuel. In conclusion, a steady 50 – 90 km/h on the highway is best to achieve optimal fuel economy.

5. Remain steady when accelerating Avoid revving your accelerator to a high revolutions per minute (RPM). It’s better for fuel economy, as your engine uses less fuel when it is revolving slower, at a lower RPM.

6. Avoid braking aggressively

Slamming on the brakes increases fuel consumption as you need to accelerate again later. This is especially true if you follow too closely behind the vehicle in front of you. Not to mention, tailgating is dangerous and something to avoid.

7. Cruise in top gear

If you’re driving an automatic car, make use of cruise control to keep your speed constant. And if you’re driving a manual car, maintain a higher gear when appropriate. In each of these instances, your engines go through less revolutions per minute (RPM) and will reduce your fuel consumption.

8. Practice predictive driving

Look to the road ahead and plan your next move. Instead of slamming on the brakes to a complete stop, try slowing down as you approach the red light. Or when reaching the foot of a hill, start accelerating as you edge closer to it rather than when you approach it. Avoid hard accelerations when moving your car from a complete stop, or climbing a hill as it will increase fuel consumption.

9. Plan your rush hour route

Stop-start traffic puts a lot of pressure on your engine, thus burns more fuel. When possible, plan your commute to and from work carefully to help you avoid the worst of peak traffic.

10. Don’t stay idle for long

If you are waiting for something or someone for more than three minutes, turn off your engine. You may not be moving but as long as your engine is on, it’s burning precious fuel.

And a final word. Regular car servicing helps maintain your engine’s fuel efficiency. Engine parts work closely in tandem. If poorly maintained, sludge and corrosion will build-up between the parts making it difficult for the engine to work smoothly.

(CourtesyofMobil).

Mercedes presents ChatGPT, voice control

L-R: Representative of the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mr. Akinwale Akintola; Managing Director of Nexant Consulting, Mr. Toks Akingbade; Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria; Representative of the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Ajomo Ebenezer; Managing Editor of Transport Day, Mr. Frank Kintum; A Safety Expert, Mrs. Bola Edwards, at the Railway Safety symposium under the auspices of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD)/No Trespass Day, organised by Transport Day in collaboration with NRC, held in Lagos… recently level crossings.

there

danger. When you

sign indicating a crossing, slow down, look and listen and be

Anambra to Power Mass Transit with Innoson’s Renewable Technologies

The Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Christian Udechukwu tells journalists that the government sees Innoson Motors’ low and high capacity vehicles that are fitted with renewable energy technologies, as the solution to the challenges that are presently facing Nigerians with the removal of fuel subsidy. Bennett Oghifo reports

Why are you at the Innoson Vehicles plant?

The State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo had asked me to come to Innoson today, to see how Anambra State is getting ready for the solutions to the challenges that are presently facing Nigeria. The challenges that are facing Nigerian workers and the Nigerian public because of the removal of fuel subsidy. And we are aware that Innoson has renewable energy technologies such as CNG, LNG, and solar powered technologies that are able to support the mass transport system in Nigeria. So the governor asked me to come and see how Innoson is getting ready to help Anambra industries to prepare and to contribute to national contributions.

Are you saying that Anambra State is ready to providing public utilities for the people of Anambra State?

Yes. The challenge is not just for the people of Anambra State, it is for the 36 states of the federation plus the FCT.

And the governor had already partnered with Innoson in Anambra. We engaged with Innoson for the mass transportation system in Anambra. The entire convoy of the Governor is made up of Innoson vehicles. We are aware that many other institutions in Nigeria are increasingly using Innoson vehicles. But the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy by the federal government has created a shock in the system, where for example, the NNPC has quadrupled by almost 200 percent, the price of fuel. That has shocked the transport system. And that is why there is restiveness in the NLC TUC and other regular Nigerians. I am a little bit agitated that the cost of transportation has increased substantially and one of the ways by which the government can alleviate that is by introducing mass transportation system that run on alternative energy as well as the ones that run on fuel. But the more you have the ones that run the greater the pressure for stability in the regular fuel price. Because there is an existence of alternative fuel choices. And Innoson offers those alternative choices. That is why we are here. We are here to see how he is carrying out mass production of vehicles to be able to supply and support the federal government in its policies to alleviate the problems and challenges Nigerians face now in transportation. That is why we are here. If you look behind, you will see the buses that are lined up there. It is a large number running up to a few

hundreds. There are small and big capacity buses. The more your people are able to get into the buses, the more mobility Nigerians will have. That is why we are here. I heard that some states, for example, are cutting down work days from five working days

to three working days. That cannot enhance and help the productivity of Nigerians. In fact, we are mindful of the fact that part of the challenges we would have to overcome in order to reduce Nigeria’s debt burden is to increase productivity.

Volkswagen Infuses New Tiguan01 with Premium Class Technologies

As part of final test drives, the Volkswagen brand has announced the first details of its currently best-selling model: The third generation of the new Tiguan will be available with a newly developed active suspension control system and full-size features such as HD Matrix headlights. It is based on the new generation of the modular transverse matrix, MQB evo. With plug-in hybrid drive, the new Tiguan will achieve electric ranges of up to 100 kilometres in the future. The world premiere will take place in autumn, and the bestseller will be launched on the market in 2024. The Tiguan has been the Volkswagen brand’s best-selling model worldwide for years. Since its debut in autumn 2007, more than 7.4 million people around the world have chosen this SUV.Now Volkswagen

is completely relaunching the successful model.

Volkswagen has further developed the modular transverse matrix for the new Tiguan. The new generation is called MQB evo. Kai Grünitz, Member of the Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development: “State-of-the-art technology components interact perfectly in the MQB evo: a new generation of plug-in hybrid drives with electric ranges of up to 100 kilometres, probably the best active chassis control in its segment, premium interior quality and an equally new and intuitive infotainment system deliver what drivers expect from Volkswagen.”

Some new features at a glance IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlights. The Tiguan will be one of the first vehicles in its class to be available with optional HD matrix headlights. The IQ.LIGHT HD matrix headlight technology was developed

Kill the Bad Habit Not the Child

Did you know that road traffic crash injuries alone are the leading cause of death among children aged 5-29 years. Did you know these deaths and injuries are not inevitable? They are preventable. Ironi- cally most parents are not concerned, going by their actions behind the wheels. Last week I dealt with some of these bad driving habits behind the wheel.

They include excessive and inappropriate speeding. Use of mobile phones while driving. Traffic light infractions as well as driving against traffic. There are those who are recalcitrant violators on the use of seat belts as well the clarion call on the use of child restraints for the protection of children within specific ages. Please see the first part for more details.

Did you know that ten percent of global road deaths occur in Africa although only four percent of the world’s registered vehicles are in the continent? Did you also know that if road traffic crash reporting were to improve, the road traffic rash index in the continent would be different as it would most likely show more deaths as well as more injuries?

Did you also know that there are several global instruments geared at tackling child safety globally? They include the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by almost all governments. The Convention outlines in 41 articles the human rights to be respected and protected for every child under the age of eighteen years.

It States that children have a right to a safe environment, and to protection from injury

SAFE DRIVING with

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

and violence. The Convention stresses the responsibilities of society to protect children (from birth up to the age 18 years). Member states have since domesticated these to address rising cases of deaths and injuries against children.

There is also the United Nations General Assembly document titled: A World Fit for Children. This document sets out a number of health goals for children. One of such goals which is specific to injuries calls on all Member States to reduce child injuries due to accidents or other causes through the development and implantation of appropriate measures.

Similarly, the WHO/UNICEF in a report, titled, World report on Child injury prevention, expressed concern that every day around the World, the lives of more than 2000 families are torn apart by the loss of a child to an unintentional injury or so-called “accidents” that could have been prevented….”It noted that children injuries have been neglected for many years.

Children’s maturity and their interest as well as their needs differ from adults, the report further stated. It cautioned that simply reproducing injury prevention strategies that are relevant for adults does not adequately protect children. The report affirmed that there are proven interventions such as child seats which is the trust of this piece.

Other proven interventions include cycling helmets, child-resistant packaging for medications, fencing around swimming pools, hot water top temperature regulations and window-guards. To name a few.

Yet what I see daily on the streets of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna among other cities marvels me. Despite our level of education and sophistication, parents have over the years refused to copy the developed clime in the area of child protection especially in moving vehicles. This is why I am focusing on raising our sensibilities on making the roads safer especially for children.

Like I said earlier, motor crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional injury related deaths among children ages 14 and under. However, the wearing of seatbelts could prevent many of these deaths and serious injuries. Thus, over the last 25 years, it is conservatively estimated that in highly motorized countries over 310,000 fatalities and more than 9 million moderate to critical injuries have been prevented through wearing of seatbelts.

Even in a safety conscious Country such as the United State of America, it is thought that in the year 2021, 26,325 passenger vehicle occupants were killed. About fifty percent of those killed failed to wear their seatbelts. Seatbelt saved about 14,944 lives and could have saved an

jointly for the Tiguan and Touareg. Based on the top-down principle, the lighting technology of a premium-class model will now be used in the mid-sized Tiguan. New display- and operating concept. The interior of the Tiguan has been revamped and designed.Volkswagen has taken specific customer requirements into account for intuitive operation. For example, the Tiguan comes onto the market with a newly developed cockpit and a new infotainment system. A screen with a diagonal of up to 38 centimetres (15 inches) clearly displays important functions such as navigation, music and climate control and can be customised with quick access. The center console also houses the Driving Experience Control. The rotary control with its own mini-screen can be used to control drive mode, radio volume or ambient lighting colours. High-quality materials, newly developed seats and effective noise insulation increase value and comfort.

additional2549 people if they had been wearing seat belts in 2017 alone

Seatbelts, of course, do not prevent an accident-taken place. They do however play a crucial role in reducing the severity of injury to vehicle occupants involved in an accident. Vehicle safety features are distinguished by two categories: “Primary safety and Secondary safety” Primary safety features aim to prevent an accident taking place e.g good breaks tyres, Secondary safety features aim to prevent or minimize injury to a vehicle occupant once the accident has occurred.

Seatbelts are a secondary safety device with a number of objectives which includes: preventing ejection from the vehicle in an impact, reducing the risk of contact with the interior of the vehicle or reducing the speed of such impacts, provided a distributed force to the wearer to give the necessary support in an accident restraining the vehicle occupant before guiding them back into their seats.

The effectiveness of the use of seatbelts is no longer in doubt as studies concluded throughout the World since the 1950’s have shown conclusively that seatbelt when worn and fitted correctly, saves lives. Users as safety belts sustain approximately 35 percent less ‘major-fatal’ grade injuries than non-users. Another study by Nordisk Trafiksikker Hedsrad (1984) calculated that ‘drivers and front seat passengers who do not use seat belts suffer almost the same percentage of head injuries as non-users in rear seats’ Therefore, use of seatbelt by rear seat passengers could not only reduce the likelihood and severity of injury to themselves, but also to drivers and/or front seat passengers.

Udechukwu (inset) and Innoson Motors Assembled Vehicles

Interior of new Tiguan

Celebrating Michael Ade-Ojo @85

Life is full of bumps, thorns, and twisted turns. Sometimes it leaves a trail of anguish and tears; and yet other times it blazes in the glory of both faith and fate, and bequests unto mankind a threshold of legacies.

Legacies can be negative or positive. For instance, the practice of slavery was a negative legacy, whereas, the invention of the wheel in Mesopotamia for carts, pottery, and grinding grain into flour were positive legacies. A story of positive legacy is usually enchanting, enthralling, and enticing. Just like the famous story of the little city of Bethlehem, which over 2000 years ago bequeathed unto mankind a new beginning, a new life, a fresh hope, and new meaning to existence, so also, is the story of Ilara-Mokin, from where 85 years ago, a little boy was born.

The story of this boy, whose legacies in life encapsulate the true meaning of success, smells of roses; and yet his entire significations exude a range of humility that belies all that come with the fancies and privileges of a businessman of his class. That boy is today, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman, Elizade Motors, and Founder, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.

Michael scribbles on the sands of history, the story of life and legacy. A story that rivets the mind and stirs the soul. As a child, Michael grew up in the eerie, sleepy, solemn but peaceful and progressive town of Ilara-Mokin, located in the present-day Ondo State. His grandfather hailed from the Olisa family of IlaraMokin, a virgin puritanical town from whose bowels emerged the great business icon Michael Ade-Ojo.

Young Michael started out in life with life’s lessons and discipline pressed on his virgin mind by his mother, Madam Beatrice Ojo. He recognised this when he said in an encounter “What I am today can be credited to my mother because she brought me up in a disciplined way.” According to him, his mother was so hardworking, in fact, a workaholic that “I don’t know when she rested. She did all kinds of work; eko moulding, trading in kerosene, foodstuffs, especially rice and beans, and others. I never saw her idle.”

This spirit of hard work imbibed from his mother must be the lever that propelled him while growing up, when he started school, and in fact, all through his life. From his mother, he understood the meaning of discipline and hard work. From her, he learned to be honest and never to tell a lie. He understood early in life from his mother that it is better to tell the truth and face the consequences, than to tell a lie to evade punishment. Surely, this must be a case of “teach a child the right way to live when he/she grows up he will not depart from it.”

This saying manifested hugely in Michael’s life and he said as much. “When I started school, I began to help my mother in her house chores and in her trade. As a young boy, I could do almost everything the young girls could do; fetch water, firewood, cook

food, pound yam, and run all manner of errands.” Of course, young Michael was always eager and ready to support his mother in every way possible. She meant everything to him. “I loved my mother. She made sure that even though I saw poverty, that I would not smell it. She ensured she provided everything I needed both at home and for school. She was a mother like no other.”

Although every child would love his or her mother, Michael had an umbilical cord bonding with his mother that is special and unforgettable. The love of a mother is like a rushing wave. It flows without ceasing. As a growing child, who lost his father early in life, Michael experienced the pangs of poverty that constantly threatened him and his family, all through his primary and secondary schools, even in his university days at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN. However, he passed through the pains with a zest only possible for a youngster who had received appropriate discipline and training from a loving mother.

Fortunately, in the face of poverty, God would always prove himself able to rescue people in all situations and the assurance he gives to finish a project is that he starts it. With the efforts of his mother, brothers, and sisters, he was able to pull through school including his university education. As a student, he was diligent with his studies. For instance, it was said that he normally gives himself a target by telling his mother to deny him food whenever he fails to lead his mates in class tests or examinations. This is to enable him to be responsible enough to make top grades. But, of course, the mother would

not do any such thing. His conviction for integrity, focus, fear of God, sincerity, purpose, which were all values imbibed from his mother, became the anchor of his success; and till date, he remains one of the most accomplished Nigerians that ever lived.

Today, at 85, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, that boy who was raised in poverty, is an accomplished billionaire, and is recorded in his trail of achievements as the Founder of Elizade University and Elizade Motors. The company which he started with just one support staff in 1971 has become a conglomerate with several subsidiaries including Mikeade Investment Co. Ltd, Mikeade Property Development. Co. Ltd, Classic Motors Ltd, Elizade Autoland Nigeria, Okin Travels Ltd, Oodua Creations Ltd, among others.

Growing up, he loved arts and creative works. His other hobbies included football, and golf. He loves golf so much that he built Smokin Hills Golf Resort in Ilara-Mokin, said to be the second largest in Africa. But, now, he is more into supporting the society through ‘Giving’, “I love giving back to people, community, and society. I sympathise with people a lot. I just can’t stand the sight of seeing people in poverty or suffering. I do not know how to decline people who approach me for help.”

No wonder, “Chief” as he is fondly called, has picked up interest in the wellbeing of the Male Gender, especially the boy child. As a Patron of the Elizabethan Humanitarian Life (H&H) Foundation, he is particular about the plight of the male gender including both the boy child and the aged men.

In his address at the launch of the Foundation recently, he demonstrated his commitment to the

cause when he said, “As a person, I am committed to the cause of this Foundation, as it concerns the wellbeing of the male gender. I must also say that I love both genders equally and perhaps that’s why God gave me equal numbers of 3 boys and 3 girls.

“Training both the boy-child and girl-child with equal attention will help to mitigate, if not eradicate, the high incidence of divorce and violence in the homes. A good and well-trained girl will be happy to marry a good and well-trained boy, and both of them will create a peaceful home that will make a good society and then a good nation.”

He pleaded with parents to show love to their children as no one knows what they will become in life. He admonished those that have been neglecting the male-child to turn a new leaf. He advocated that the society should allow for equal opportunities and chances for the male and female children.

It was Henry Drummond who said that “You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others.” This is very true in the life Chief Ade-Ojo, as he finds fulfillment in supporting people and even with the humanitarian cause of attending to the wellbeing of the male gender in the society.

The Founder of the Elizabethan Humanitarian Life (H&H) Foundation, Mrs. Oyinade Samuel-Eluwole, commended Chief Ade-Ojo’s heart for the poor and the needy: “When we approached the Chief with our proposal to be our Patron, we were not sure how he would respond. But I was shocked at his simplicity and how he attended to us. Right now, he is even more committed to this cause than anyone else. In fact, we thank God for his life and at 85 years, we give God the glory for his good health. Our prayer is for God to keep him healthy and grant him many more years to see him accomplish his dream of continuous support to the needy, especially to the wellbeing of the Male Gender. We all in the H&H Foundation, staff and management, congratulate him on the occasion of his 85th birthday.”

A member of the Board of Governors of the H&H Foundation, Joko Okupe, said that Chief Ade-Ojo has a large heart for giving. “I have known him, and worked closely with him, for almost 30 years. His simplicity, humility and consideration for the less privileged are inspiring. Sometimes, I just sit and reflect about his life and wonder how such a wealthy and accomplished man can also live so simply without any chip on his shoulders. It is quite commendable.”

But, Chief Ade-Ojo, OON, at the age of 85, has an answer to that puzzle, “Well, while I can say is that I am not anti-social, my background has something to do with that. From the way I was brought up, I think I trained myself not to be loud because my parents were not loud. I will rather pretend about what I have than exhibit it. I will rather be underestimated than overestimated. I like to do things in a very moderate way.”

Obviously, the family discipline, especially from his mother, shaped his outlook, and his worldview, about life.

Sad Sam Smiles @ 88

The iconic publisher of Vanguard newspapers, Sam Amuka-Pemu, remains as ever a self-effacing Nigerian patriot of uncommon class and carriage. Call him “Sad Sam” or “Uncle Sam” who deserves a bow for he is a splendid role model to scores of journalists.

It’s one of my regrets that I have never really had to work on his stable, though a book of mine had been serialized by Vanguard. When the renowned columnist Pini Jason tragically passed away I was called up to take his place in the newspaper but I had my hands full, and thus could not take up the esteemed offer.

Sam Amuka is one publisher I would want to work for without asking to be paid! He is that beloved of me.

The guru called Sad Sam was the pioneer editor of the magazine Spear, published by the Daily Times stable.

In his heyday as a journalist in the 1960s, he ranked as a foremost columnist of coveted distinction, and excelled as the editor of the bestselling Sunday Times from 1967 to 1971.

He wrote a must-read column “This Nigeria” under his celebrated pen-name, Sad Sam. He was witty at every turn.

He once wrote a column on a beggar he used to give some coins during his break-time. On one occasion, he told the beggar that he did not have the needed loose change to offer only for the beggar to reply that he had the necessary change. Sad Sam promptly told the beggar that it clearly showed that the receiver was actually richer than the so-called benefactor!

The birth of The Punch newspapers in March 1973 owes lots to the gumption of Sam Amuka who partnered with the business tycoon, Chief Olu Aboderin, in founding the trailblazing newspaper.

A man about town, Sam Amuka gave Punch the needed style and panache. The newspaper broke bold ground in covering the “unknown soldier” incident in which armed soldiers burnt down Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s Kalakuta Republic, around Empire Hotel at Yaba, Lagos.

While Sam Amuka did the journalistic beat of giving Punch its cherished place in the sun he did not adequately cover his business interests in the newspaper.

He ended up being schemed out of the newspaper he had founded. He was too trusting as to understand the underground motives in entrepreneurship. He felt deeply betrayed, and only had to settle out of court for a pittance in lieu of all that he had offered in founding and steadying the ship of Punch.

With the loss bearing down on him, Sam Amuka

told all his friends that he would no longer be involved in newspapering.

He said he would be settling down in his village in

the old Bendel State to do some farming, describing himself as “a bushman”. He eventually only indulged briefly in fish business in the Lagos area.

In late 1983, Sam Amuka started nursing the idea of founding another newspaper to be called Vanguard.

The never-say-die publisher of Vanguard worked night and day without rest for the refreshing paper that first hit the news-stands on July 15, 1984.

The newspaper gave Nigerian womanhood pride of place.

Sam Amuka’s knack for spotting and nurturing talent is nonpareil. Even as he had lost much through his trusting nature it never stopped him from imbuing his subordinates with the needed trust to accomplish their duties. He believes in working hard and enjoying hard. He has no stomach whatsoever for laziness and incompetence.

It is little wonder that the low and mighty of Nigeria have come out with lavish greetings on the marking of Sam Amuka’s 88th birthday.

He has literally given all his life to journalism, and has thus helped in enriching Nigerian lives across generations.

Sam Amuka is the epochal history of Nigerian journalism writ large.

On a cheeky note, I pray as I heard from the grapevine that Sam Amuka’s manhood must not die before him! Both must go together!

I can see Sad Sam finally smiling at 88!

Raheem Akingbolu

Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

Ade-Ojo

Sam Amuka-Pemu

with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Bluetti Marks Father’s Day with Special Sales Campaign

father.

gardening, or needs to do some on-site

is becoming outdated.

Experts Emphasise AI for Businesses at Technext Summit

Business organisations have been across the board.

segments to meet, greet and share in businesses, urging organisations to

fantastic.”

CITN Gets New President,

Pledges

Support to Dev’t

among others.

SystemSpecs Lavishes Prize on Winners of Essay Contest

Firms Unveil ‘Project iCommunity’ to Spread STEAM Knowledge

across the federation entering for the comothers.

students”, she said.

L-R: Marketing Intern at TomTom Nigeria, Emmanuel Kuram; Nigerian Idol host, IK Osakioduwa; Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, Busola Tejumola; Nigerian Idol Host, Obi Asika; Brand Manager (Gum & Candy) Cadbury West Africa, Joan Odafe and Executive Head, Marketing, Multichoice Nigeria, Tope Oshunkeye at the Nigerian Idol press conference held at Multichoice Studio in Lagos... recently.

Head of Department(HOD), Politics and Int’l Relations, Dr. Akeem Amodu; HOD Management and Accounting, Dr. Tina Akinbo; Dean, Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Ibadan and Guest Speaker, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert; Dean, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Prof. Omolara Campbell; HOD Sociology, Psychology & Criminology, Dr. Jane Adebusuyi and HOD Economics, Dr. O.O Ogunjimi all of Lead City University at the 2nd International Conference of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences of the University in Ibadan, Oyo State...recently

POLITY

LADY JANE NNAMANI

Blossoming from Mortality to Immortality

Uche Anichukwu

D“eath closes all,” writes Alfred Lord Tennyson. And in that tradition of all mortals, the earthly chapter of Her Excellency, the late Lady Jane Udenwo Nnamani, came to a close on May 4, 2023, albeit unexpectedly.

She was someone I was privileged to relate with very closely. Fate brought me and the family together when in January 2003 I joined the campaign team of His Excellency, Senator Ken Nnamani, ahead of that year’s general election in Enugu. Thus began a long journey that took us to Abuja that year, with the Senator eventually emerging the President of the Senate in 2005.

Although Lady Jane Nnamani lived in the USA, she visited Nigeria from time to time. But those visits were enough to form a strong impression about her pleasant, graceful and unassuming personality. She was an epitome of Waawa woman – humility personified. Even as President of the Senate’s wife, she remained down to earth. She was a mother in every ramification of the word. Rather than hug the limelight at home as wife of a Senator and ultimately, President of the Senate, she paid the price of motherhood, staying back in the USA to shoulder the responsibility of the moral, spiritual, physical, and all-round upbringing and wellbeing of their wonderful children – Nnabuihe, Ogonna, Chidera, and Amaka. Thank God the sacrifices paid off in the quality of offspring she bequeathed.

Yet the Senator’s Abuja home must run smoothly even in her absence. She, therefore, virtually entrusted everything to me, though we were not related by blood. That additional responsibility meant that I must work beyond my brief as Special Assistant (Media) to the President of the Senate. That included taking full charge of the Senate President’s Mansion, supervising the domestic workers, ensuring the mansion ran effectively, and that the welfare of workers and visitors were promptly attended to.

To cope, I shuttled between the National Assembly office and the Mansion several times each work day. As a result, some colleagues jokingly referred to me as the Chief of Staff, Mansion.

Lady Jane Nnamani ensured that the welfare of her husband and the Mansion staff and the retinue of security agents did not suffer in her absence. She practically ran the menu from the U.S. She would call and guide the kitchen on the most appropriate meals to serve her husband. She would ask to be sure that the stewards were at their best, and that the kitchen and every inch of the mansion was clean and sparkling.

By the way, we had a great team like Obiora Obeagu, Jude Egbonwonu and Ogochukwu Onah, who were part of Senator Nnamani’s aides at the time. We all, as a matter of routine, worked late into the night because there was an office inside the building where we continued to do some official work with the senator. We could only retire when the Senator bade us goodnight, and it could even be as late as 2am or even later. Only then would I call Her Excellency to brief her about our day since Maryland, U.S, was about five hours behind. Of course, I must be at the Mansion before 7am to be sure everything was in order before His Excellency came downstairs.

So, she related with us – Obiora, Jude, and myself – as a big sister would relate with her younger siblings. We were absolutely free with her

and cracked jokes. I also vividly recall that there was never a time she came from the U.S. without goodies. Likewise, it was her habit to send something to Obiora Obeagu, Jude Egbonwonu, the domestic staff and myself each time His Excellency traveled to the U.S. She was generous, kind, and indeed a mentor.

I will remember her for her life-shaping stories and pieces of advice, which in themselves are glimpses of her life’s philosophies. For instance, she was a

firm believer in the concept of “Aka nnu na aka mmanu” (benevolence and hospitality), which according to Igbo cosmology, bailed people out at critical times. For instance, she said her mother narrated how one of the many people that she (their mother) let go when they could not pay for their meals in her restaurant in Port Harcourt, saved a member from an absolute death at the outbreak of the Nigeria-Biafra war.

I will also never forget the excitement in her voice the day I informed her I wanted to get married. She was actually one of the two women, apart from my mother, whose opinions and blessings I sought before going ahead with marriage rites. That was the quality of relationship I enjoyed with her all through the period I worked with them. Meanwhile, I recall that we last met during a commercial flight from Enugu to Abuja. She was her ever effervescent, friendly, cheerful, and unassuming self. She held my hand as she asked after my wife, children, and mother. How could one have ever imagined that death was so near?

Born in Port Harcourt on October 1, 1965, to the family of Late Yaro Onah and Late Mrs. Margret Onah of Umu-Okonwegwu family in Umunnugwu, Amechi Uwani, Awkunanaw, Enugu State, Lady Jane Udenwo Nnamani made bold and indelible imprints on the sands of time. She was an entrepreneur par excellence, who ran a chain of successful businesses. She also excelled in the public sector where she served as a member of the Governing Council of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

Lady Jane Nnamani was also a philanthropist, who engaged in the empowerment of widows and youths. She supported the less privileged to acquire education and also built and donated a hostel and residential lodges to students of tertiary institutions in Enugu metropolis.

Her Excellency served God with passion, investing her resources in the promotion of the gospel. She contributed to the physical infrastructural development of the church, and was a respected and prominent member of the St. John’s Methodist Church Amechi-Uwani Women Fellowship. While in the USA, she was a devout member of Good Hope United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. She was equally a Lady of John Wesley Methodist Church.

Yet in all this, Lady Jane Nnamani did not relent in her self-development efforts either. In fact, she was in the final year of her doctorate programme in Business Management when the Grim Reaper came calling.

Your Excellency, Ada Weku, Ada Ugwuejegu, the pride of Awkunanaw Osagwede, how difficult it is to bid you goodnight at noon. It is however consoling that great men (and women), according to the Greek poet, Callimachus, never die. You triumphed over death by winning a place in the heart of humanity and posterity through your great deeds and legacies. As you pass from your labour, posterity will continue to reap from the fields you worked. You will forever be remembered by what you have done.

Yes, though, like the mighty Caesar, thou dost lie so low today, with all thy conquests, glories, and triumphs seemingly shrunk to a little measure that shall be sown to the mother earth this day, your legacies shall continue to blossom, immortally, from generation to generation until we meet again on that bright resurrection morning. Goodnight, and rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Anichukwu was Special Assistant (Media) to former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani

Late Lady Jane Nnamani

Lady Jane Nnamani was also a philanthropist, who engaged in the empowerment of widows and youths. She supported the less privileged to acquire education and also built and donated a hostel and residential lodges to students of tertiary institutions in Enugu metropolis

POLITY

NUC Grants Licence to Amadeus University

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has officially granted a licence to Amadeus University, Amizi, Abia State, to operate as a private university. The ceremony, which took place recently in Abuja at the commission’s headquarters, also attracted key stakeholders.

According to a statement from the promoters of the university, “Amadeus University is set to embark on its mission to deliver quality education with a unique focus on entrepreneurship, research, innovation, and social impact. The establishment of Amadeus University is a response to the growing need for expanded access to higher education in the country.”

Driven by a vision to empower youth, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, a development economist and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Grooming Centre, founded Amadeus University.

Speaking after the ceremony, Dr. Nwabunka remarked: “The establishment of Amadeus University is a testament to our commitment to building capacity, providing opportunities as we do at Grooming Centre, and promoting entrepreneurship to reap the dividends of Nigeria’s young demographic. Our university will provide a distinct educa-

tional experience while fostering innovation, research, and sustainable outcomes.”

The university is located in Amizi, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. The cultural richness and lush topography of the area offers an ideal setting for learning.

The promoters said: “The university’s faculties and departments will cover various fields of study, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded education for its students. Additionally, the institution aims to foster academic, sporting and social linkages with other universities across the globe, further enriching the learning experience.”

According to Prof. Akaneren Essien, Chairman of the university’s Planning and Implementation Committee: “Education is a powerful tool for empowerment and positive change. Through Amadeus University, we aspire to produce globally competitive graduates who will drive socioeconomic development with meaningful results.”

He said the university looks forward to welcoming its first set of students and it will make a lasting impact in the field of tertiary education. Essien urged prospective students and parents to visit the university site; amadeus.edu.ng or email enquiries@amadeus.edu.ng.

Burna Boy’s Performance at UCL Show Elevates Pepsi

Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

On June 10, Afrobeat was at the centre of the world as Grammy Award winner & Pepsi Ambassador Burna Boy performed to thousands of football fans at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey, for the UEFA Champion League Kickoff Show Final. Every line between football and music was completely blurred as fans of both interests merged and celebrated the moment.

For Nigerians, it was a historic moment seeing the Afrobeat’s star soaring again at heights once dreamed of. From winning the Grammys to performing at one of the most watched sporting events in the world, Nigerian pride could not have made Nigerians prouder with this latest feat. This iconic moment was made possible by Pepsi. A brand known for championing pop culture in Nigeria and across the world, Pepsi once again created an unforgettable experience for fans at the UCL final and live in Lagos.

Over the years, brand Pepsi has consistently put its customers first and connects leveraging 3 of its strongest pillars. Be it

music, football or lifestyle. It understands that where the fans find joy and entertainment, deeper connections can be forged. Achieving this requires working with the individuals who influence this space.

Take for instance the Nigerian music scene, when Pepsi launched the Pepsi Confam campaign, the brand activated its music pillars leveraging a number of its partner platforms and initiatives. A focal point is its Confam December and Confam Gbedu campaign which has leveraged some of Naija biggest music stars and legends such as Afrobeat queen, Tiwa Savage, iconic music maestro Lagbaja and the rave of the moment, the Afrobeats sensation Rema. The successful connection of these two generations, is proof that the brand is at the forefront of Naija music ecosystem.

Understanding how football unites people of diverse backgrounds, the brand once again threw its weight behind the UCL final Kick-Off Show. However, this time, it took a bolder step by celebrating the fans at the center of it all with the #PepsiKickOffShow Challenge.

Launched in March, the challenge had Pepsi ambassadors Lionel Messi and Burna Boy call on fans to display their love for music and football. The luckiest fan would have the

opportunity to travel to Istanbul with a partner. The challenge saw seven lucky winners from across the globe granted the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform their best dance moves as part of the Kick-Off Show cast. Nigerian dancer, Adekoya Bolanle became the lucky winner to rep Nigerian on the global stage.

As Burna Boy performed some of his popular hits such as ‘Last Last’ on stage, social media buzzed with glowing comments on how the superstar’s fame continues to grow astonishingly. And with Pepsi behind this latest feat, the brand solidified its remarkable impact on the Nigerian music scene as a powerhouse. The reaction from the live audience here in Lagos was no different, as confam fans garnered across all works of life and converged under one roof to experience unforgettable moments in our music and football history.

Again, the six-minute Kick Off Show emphasized how Pepsi continues to tell captivating stories through the intersection of music and football. It leverages these opportunities to connect with the fans who remain important in these cultural spaces, meeting them where it matters most and ensuring that they are part of history-making moments. It reaffirms its commitment to creating iconic experiences that resonate with fans worldwide.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Vintech Investment Limited, Ajuonuma Oluchukwu; CEO, Iykstyles, International Limited, Iyke Obachie; Deputy Managing Director, South, Access Bank plc, Chizoma Okoli;

L-R: Executive Secretary, The Food Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Agharese Onaghise; Head, Waste Management and Sanitation Services Department, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Babajide Adeoye; Packaging Recovery Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company, Idris Adetola; Head, Circular Economy and Recycling Project, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Toyin Oguntola; and Waste Recovery Manager, RecyclePoints, Olajide Oni, at the Nigerian Bottling Company Plastic Recycling exercise held at its Ikeja Plant, in commemoration of World Environment Day…recently KOLA ALLI

L-R: Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi; Project Manager, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Ayokunnu Ojeniyi; Chairman, ICC Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Savage; and Honourary treasurer, ICC Nigeria, Mrs. Dorothy Ufot SAN, during the ICC Nigeria Post Annual General Meeting Talk on the Business Facilitation ACT 2022 in Lagos…. yesterday.

and CEO, Alma Stores, Ayokunle Akinkugbe, at the Access Bank Customer Engagement forum in Lagos…. yesterday.

L-R: Head, Human Resources, Savannah, Nigeria, Yetunde Onabule; Deputy Managing Director, West African Exploration and Production Company Limited, K-Kay Kanu; Managing Director, Savannah Nigeria, Pade Durotoye; President, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), Elliot Ibie; and Subsurface Coordinator, Savannah, Nigeria, Ekere Akpan during a visit by the President of NAPE to Savannah’s office in Lagos … yesterday

L-R: Chairman, Planning and Implementation Committee, Professor Akaneren Essien; Founder, Amadeus University and Chairman, BOT, Grooming Centre, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka; Executive Secretary, Nigerian University Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Rasheed and Chairman Governing Council, Grooming Centre, Dr. Noel Ihebuzor, after Amadeus University was presented with certificate.

Dispose of, Not ‘off’

“ONLY family head, principal members can validly dispose off family land (2)” Law Report: dispose of. “…even if it means going extra miles….” I will go the extra mile (note the fixed expres- sion) to ensure that this column appears unfailingly every week.

“And like (as) someone said recently….”

“…in the evacuation of dead bodies to mortuary.” On a clinical note: corpses instead of ‘dead bodies’ and a mortuary or mortuaries, depending on the fact of the matter.

“…as well as condoning the place and evacuating the dead and survivors to nearest health facilities.” Bomb blasts and conflicting figures: cordoning off (take note of the spelling and correct entry) the place.

“There seems (seem) to be stiff competitions among the foreign media and local press as well as….”

“…politicians are also culprits in overheating the system with provocative statements in blaming their opponents over (for) every misdeed.”

“Baring few skirmishes which regrettably led to the death of four persons….” An anatomy of the season of linguistic violence: there is a world of distinction between ‘a few’ (which correctly applies here) and ‘few’, which connotatively suggests an expectation of more skirmishes—except if the writer has a weird denotative inclination towards potentialities for more skirmishes! Otherwise, the extract is lexically absurd because of his regret.

Daily Independent of May 30 failed a simple phrasal verb test: “End-term report card: Buhari lashes at critics” Collocational information: Buhari lashes out at critics

Of course, the inside pages, naturally, were also not left out: “The Honourable Minister for (of) Power….” But, Commissioner for Power… Niger State Government, take note!

“NDLEA arrests two over (for or in connection with) trafficking at Lagos Airport”

Daily Trust equally contributed four howlers to the pool of improprieties: “It will be recalled that Bamigbetan regained his freedom on the payment of a whooping (whopping) ransom of N15 million.”

“…has given a firm assurance that his government will stop at nothing to (at) reducing the menace to the barest minimum in the state.”

“…and like (as) Governor Sanwo-Olu said, eternal vigilance should be the watch word (watchword).”

“I misled Middle Belt to vote for Tinubu” Politics Today: I misled Middle Belt into voting for Tinubu

“…he has been able to repay back N20 billion.” Delete ‘back’ and move forward!

“Osuntokun scores Buhari low in education” My amiable and humanistic former lecturer scored Buhari low on (not in) education. An aside: Prof., thanks for all the biros you gave to us during lectures almost three decades ago in UNILAG. I remember it all as if it were yesterday! God will continue to prosper you. I also fondly recollect another fine gentleman, the late Dr. Hakeem Haruna of History Department, for his unique didactic methodology. May his soul continue to rest in peace.

Still on Daily Independent: “ABUAD: It can stand with world class (world-class) universities”

“ABUAD students on life in the campus” Special Report: ABUAD students on life on campus—or, simply, ABUAD students on

campus life, especially for headline purposes

“Tinubu has no solution to Nigeria’s crisis” Definitely, Nigeria has more than one crisis: therefore crises.

Now, the final entry from Daily Trust: “… creative people to interact at (in) the corridors of power”

The Guardian of May 28 contained a surfeit of lexical falsehoods: “One military personnel was also killed in the encounter.” ‘Personnel’ (plural) is a collective noun that cannot be used for just an individual.

“…Amaechi said that his purported suspension was an act of political witch-hunting.” Conscience, Nurtured by Truth: political witch-hunt

“Time for leaders to close rank (ranks)…”

“Otti assures on welfare” Who did the governor assure? ‘Assure’ compulsorily takes an object.

“Uzodinma seeks on leadership training”

Yank away ‘on’!

Still on THE GUARDIAN under focus: “… the military lobby intensively for deployment into (in) the zone.” (Editorial)

“To bring this to the attention of the decern- ing (discerning) investors, the Jigawa State Government is organising the first Economic and Investment Summit.” (Full-page advertorial)

Lastly from THE GUARDIAN Law Report: “Courts are not permitted to suo motu raise issues, resolve same (the same) without hearing from parties”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER of May 27, circulated a few errors right from its Front Page: “The good news came few (a few) hours before President Buhari….”

“…after overrunning three terrorists camps (terrorists’ camps) in the riotous….”

The next four blunders are from a full-page advertisement in the Saturday newspaper

Train Trip 3: Fiasco at Lafenwa

On our return trip from Ibadan, a sad commentary on the business model that NRC is running poked us in the face. At the splendid Omi-Adio station (aka Ladoke Akintola), the travelling contingent was merely a little more than half of the number of people we left Agege with (something needs to be done to the marketing and get-out-the-commuters strategies of the railway corporation).

Anyway, we were given two Business Class tickets (C3-31 & 32) - cost of tickets is consistent, to and fro the Lagos-Ibadan-Lagos line. Because of the paucity of passengers, we were less than 10 in the Business Class coach, and I played with the notion of taking an entire double seat for myself to stretch; after all, several seats were empty, literally begging for embrace. But reason overcame fantasy, and I sat on my designated seat.

Less than an hour later we arrived at Professor Wole Soyinka station (what we used to call it Lafenwa station) in Abeokuta, and an unusually large contingent of passengers boarded. Most of them, apparently from one Owambe party or the other, were Business Class ticket holders. They searched for their seats using their tickets as touchstones. A gentleman came to our seats, and demanded our seats! Shooo! Lo and behold, he was also holding a ticket marked C-3 - 31! Sorry, this older “C-3 - 31” was not budging. He was advised by his co-travellers to pick any of the remaining seats, as there were still many unoccupied seats. Less than five minutes after we left the station… and a quick interjection here is in order: in spite of the boisterous and large contingent of Abeokuta revelers, the train kept to its five-minute waiting time. Stunning!

Back to the ticket fiasco. Few minutes after we resumed our journey, another elderly gentleman asked to see my ticket - he was also holding a pair of tickets: C3-31 & 32. Exactly like ours! So, I asked him under what authority he was asking for our tickets. He brought out an identity card of the NRC…apparently, he was a senior staff member, and he got his twin tickets in Abeokuta declaring our seats from Ibadan as “unoccupied”. He was visibly amazed to see our tickets, bearing the same hand written seat numbers exactly as his own. “There is a mix-up somewhere,” he announced to himself. I couldn’t be bothered, though shaking my head at the naiveté of a 21st century business outlay operated on the track of a 19th century procedure.

I believe the mode of payment for tickets, and the lack of digital interface between stations would make such errors unavoidable. And more worrisome is the possibility that senior officials of the corporation could be dispensing complimentary tickets for themselves, their family members and friends, making it easy for over-invoicing or wanton allocation of seats already bought and occupied. I was not sure if I should be sad or incensed.

Of course, this would be easily excused in 1983 because of our lack of management and maintenance etiquette… not in 2023 - forty years in which the world is verging on extraordinary accomplishments and cutting-edge advancement in diverse areas of human existence, our railway corporation cannot get the right tickets for the right seats!

With that ticket-mixup distraction behind us, I settled to enjoy the return to good old Lagos. I took in the fading sunshine, and the glory of boundless forestry and scattered settlements of hinter dwellers carving out their tiny acres of fertile landmass. The small station after

leaving Omi-Adio is the nondescript Olodo Station (named after former Ogun governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba)...the train didn’t even slack its steady pace when coasting through Olodo, with only the nearby grass bowing gently in recognition of the throttling behemoth.

The Papalanto station (renamed Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Fela’s mother) comes into view after Abeokuta. It has hardly changed from 1983…apart from the newly spruced up rail tracks running parallel to the few old tracks. Forty years ago, it was at Papalanto we would heave in shards of sugar canes… delirious in the gushing streaks of sacharined juices from the chopped sticks, wrapped in bunches with coarse twigs. No matter how many you bought, they would never go farther than Jebba, in Kwara State, where other assortments of local confectioneries would come to our rescue.

Arriving at Kajola station, named after the immediate past vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, ensures that you are welcomed by the rustic background of what I believe is the old Ewekoro cement factory on the horizon to the right side of the station. Ewekoro used to be a clear attestation that we were almost in Lagos in the 70s when returning from my secondary school, Lisabi Grammar School in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta. Kajola seems like a quietly busy oasis cut out of a massive wilderness. If my recollection is fairly adequate, it was at Kajola station one was seemingly assured that the business model of the railway corporation was more than passenger traffic. We saw several articulated train trucks, halfbodied compartments, parked at the

under review: “I duff (doff) my hart (hat) for (to) a brother that is more of value than gold.” Preferably: I take off my hat to….

“Your deligence (diligence) in business is wonderful….”

“Many residents of the state have agreed to endure in order to enjoy a safe and secured (secure)“Sometomorrow.” parts of Maiduguri was (were) no go area (no-go areas) to any sane mind as people are (were) picked up for slaughter. The laws operating in those areas were different from any other parts (part) of the state (or other parts of the state).”

Finally from THISDAY COVER under review: “….the deployment of more troops to (in) states was belated.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 28 displayed slothfulness and crankiness: “To stem this abuse by some judges, the CJN said that he has (had) directed that before any judge can (could) travel abroad, he or she (sic) must obtain permission from the head judge.” My comment: instead of ‘he or she,’ use ‘they’—which is the acceptable form.

Still on last Tuesday’s edition of Leadership: “…Wike opened up on the crisis in Rivers State and his grouse with (about) ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi….”

“If we have problems, probably there might be one reason or the other (one reason or another) the governor is not happy.”

“As two-time governor of Lagos, you shone like star (a star).”

“To their dubious chicanery, your voice resonate (resonates) distinctly….” Also note that the last word in the extract is otiose! (This and the preceding blunder are from a full-page congratulatory advertorial by one of the governors (name withheld!) in honour of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu)

other side of the station. Surely, these must be for hauling goods and produce, we mused. Praise the Lord!

Of course, our train didn’t stop at Kajola. Nor did we stop as we entered Àgbàdo station, named after the former “action governor” of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande - though there was a noticeable mellow in the train’s speed. This makes sense, since the bustling city-state that hardly sleeps is notorious for deadly mishaps between trains and vehicles, and even humans and cattle. Many lives have been lost as the city dwellers encroach and congregate around the train tracks to live in shanties, develop proper residencies (with or without permits), or bring their wares nearer to the milling throng of workers and buyers, swirling and weaving across old and new train tracks.

At the skirt of Àgbàdo station, the scenery has changed from the lush endless flow of greenery, to the tight-knit ungainly contours of habitats dotting the sidelines of the tracks. We are in Lasgidi!

All through our trips, the thought kept recurring in my subconscious: what if those itinerant drifters and scavengers had removed some of the steel columns or even the ramparts securing the tracks - so as to sell to their co-miscreants?

Such an ugly, critically life-threatening scenario was never part of the landscape forty years ago - not to mention the barely lingering threat of train jackings and abductions…a telling deterioration of the quality of living and devaluation of human life in the most populous black nation on earth.

(The End)

Joseph Akpala

Navigating European Managerial Waters

It’s not a common sight for a black man to sit on the bench of European clubs as manager and only recently, former Super Eagles winger and Enyimba of Aba coach, Finidi George called on his retired colleagues to return home and take coaching jobs in the NPL after failing in their quest in Europe. Recently, however, a former Nigeria international, Joseph Akpala seems to have found success where his more illustrious colleagues failed as he was recently appointed coach of a top Belgium club, though in an interim capacity

Joseph Akpala may not have been as successful as some of his contemporaries that played in the European big leagues and indeed won several laurels. Most of his playing career were within Belgium, Romania, Germany, Turkey and Saudi Arabia but the former midfielder is already navigating the waters his contemporaries have been craving for having been assistant at KV Kortrijk before his last appointment.

In an attempt to navigate uncertain waters, former Nigerian international Akpala has been appointed as the interim manager of Belgium’s Jupiler League side, KV Kortrijk. Akpala, well-acquainted with Belgian football from his successful spells at Club Brugge, Royale Charleroi, and KV Oostende, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

With an impressive record of 90 goals in 286 league and playoff games in Belgium, the 36-year-old is no stranger to the challenges of the Belgian top flight. Akpala hung up his boots in 2021 after a brief stint at FC Dinamo in the Romanian second-tier.

Having previously served as an assistant to Veertien Speelers at KV Kortrijk, Akpala is

familiar with the club and its dynamics.

As the team commenced training on Monday, the responsibility of guiding the squad has temporarily been entrusted to him until a permanent coach is appointed.

Alongside Jimmy and Kurt Berton, Akpala aims to provide the Kortrijk players with the support they require during this transitional period.

As KV Kortrijk gears up for the upcoming season, an air of uncertainty hangs over the West Flemish club.

The team, currently under the ownership of wealthy Malaysian Vincent Tan, finds itself in a state of flux as Tan seeks to offload the club. Since the end of April, the absence of a head coach, chairman, and manager has left KV Kortrijk without clear leadership. Head coach Bernd Storck, the fourth to hold the position in a year, departed in April, followed swiftly by the resignations of CEO Matthias Leterme and chairman Ronny Verhelst.

The catalyst behind these changes was Tan’s desire to sell the club, an ambition repeatedly rebuffed when English clubs

Bournemouth and Burnley expressed interest in acquiring KV Kortrijk.

The void in leadership, combined with the uncertainty surrounding a potential change in ownership, has raised numerous questions among players and fans alike.

In an effort to allay concerns, interim trainer Akpala emphasises the importance of remaining positive, stating, “We can’t afford to be negative; it won’t alter the situation.”

Akpala exudes confidence in the club’s determination to secure its future, expressing belief that decisions regarding a new owner and coach may be imminent.

Despite the unrest stemming from the potential sale, KV Kortrijk boasts a strong commercial foundation, offering hope for stability and a prosperous future.

In July 2020, Belgian First Division A club Oostende announced the departure of Akpala following the expiration of his contract.

The former Super Eagles striker had returned to the Versluys Arena outfit in the summer of 2020, signing a year deal.

The then 33-year-old forward only made

seven appearances across all competitions for Alexander Blessin’s men that season due to injury problems.

“Striker Joseph Akpala is not offered a new contract and is therefore again a free player,” read a statement from the club website.

“We thank ‘Joske’ for his boundless efforts and excellent mentality and wish him every success in the further course of his career.

Akpala made 62 league appearances in his first spell with the side, scoring 12 goals between 2015 and 2018 before leaving to join Al-Faisaly.

The forward started his career with Pepsi Football Academy in Lagos before joining Bendel Insurance, where he signed his first professional contract.

He departed the shores of Nigeria to team up with Sporting Charleroi in Belgium in 2006 before signing for rival side Club Brugge two years later.

The striker moved to Turkey in 2014 to team up with Super Lig club Karabukspor, where he managed to score seven goals in 25 league appearances during his one-year stay before signing for Oostende.

Akpala takes charge as interim manager of Belgium side, KV Kortrijk

Invited NPL Players to Super Eagles Not in Camp to Increase Numbers, Says Finidi George

Kunle Adewale

Super Eagles assistant coach, Finidi George has debunked insinuation in some quarters that the four players invited from the Nigeria Premier League to the Super Eagles for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Serria Leone were just in camp to satisfy the yearnings and clamoring of Nigerian football fans for the inclusion of home-based players in the senior national team, but would never have a chance to play.

In a chat with THISDAY Newspapers, the UEFA Champions League winner with Ajax said all the players-both local or foreign-based, invited to prosecute the Sunday’s encounter have equal chances of playing.

“To start with, the four players were invited based on merit and they stand an equal chance of playing for the Super Eagles with the foreign based professionals. The onus now on them to satisfy the handlers during training that they’re set for the match against Serria Leone.

“None of the players would be on parade against the Leone Stars in Monrovia on

Sunday based on their pedigree but rather the selection would be made based on their output in training ahead of the encounter. Of course, not everybody will play, either you’re foreign or home-based,” Finidi said.

The former Nigeria international however stated that even if none of the homebased players did not play against Serria Leone being invited to the Super Eagles is an honour.

“It is an honour to be invited to the national team, in some other climes some players ‘celebrate’ it. To be invited for an AFCON qualifier itself is a big lift in one’s career and a player should feel honoured to be counted worthy of the call-up,” the former Super Eagles winger noted.

Meanwhile, George, who also double as Enyimba Head Coach has attributed the team’s latest Nigeria Premier League (NPL) triumph to ‘hardwork and unity’.

The 1994 AFCON winner claimed a record-extending nineth NPL title on Sunday in Lagos after a 1-1 draw against holders Rivers United to move top of the Super Six standings with nine points and a better goal difference of +4 ahead of Remo Stars and Rivers United.

Waidi Akani Advocates Sustenance of Abridged League for 2 More Years

Kunle Adewale

Though the Interim Management Committee, IMC, has insisted that come August, the Nigeria Premier League, NPL will kick off with the 38-match format, former Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, LSFA, Waidi Akani is of the opinion that with the success of the Super Six, those managing the league should continue with the Abridged League for two years at least, to sustain the momentum of the playoffs witnessed at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

In a chat with THISDAY at the conclusion of the Super Six, the former Nigeria international expressed that the arrangement should be maintained for now.

“I think the Super Six should be repeated for the Nigeria Premier League to get its momentum back. The nine days of the Playoffs was a huge success, which brought

back memories of what our league used to be.

“ l am in support of the Abridged League because it saved the clubs from many travels that they would have embarked upon with the 38-match format, considering the fact that most of the clubs are not buoyant enough to travel by air on a weekly basis. Moreover, with the security situation in the country it is not even advisable to the clubs to travel by road and this is what the Abridged League has helped to reduced “ Akani said.

Continuing, the former defunct NEPA FC of Lagos midfielder said a 38-match league format could not have attracted the kind of crowd witnessed during the Super Six.

“You cannot have a 38-match format and see such a crowd that we saw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday.

It is the first league title for the former Nigeria International, who is only in his second season at the helm of Enyimba.

Asked what was the key to the club’s success in the league in the just-concluded campaign, the former Ajax winger said: “It is that unity and work ethic.

“I tell the players that ‘when you work hard you’ll get the reward one way or the other’.

“We have a lot of young players who are willing to listen and are ready to work. So, that combination with my character also, really helped.

“I am not the high-handed type that has to scold everybody. I speak to them, and they understand. I explain things to them that ‘I’ve done it before; played to the highest level’. They want to learn from me. That’s the attitude (in the team), and it becomes easier for me.

The 52-year-old gaffer stated that he has a cordial relationship with his players, which was evident during celebration when the team scores.

“You can see that on the field of play. A player scores a goal, he is coming to

Are we ready to televise the 38 matches on television? For me, I will suggest that we maintain the Abridged League for two or three years till the league starts attracting sponsors then we can go back to the conventional format,” the Yaba College of Technology engineering graduate opined.

“Also looking at it from the financial aspect, the Abridged League will also save those running the league and even the clubs of some expenses. Aside from bringing fans back to the stadium, there was a sense of togetherness that has not been seen in our football during the playoffs in Lagos,” he noted.

On the issue of home-based players not being invited to the Super Eagles, he reacted thus:” You cannot force a national team coach to invite players from the local league if they don’t meet with the standard of what he wanted. But the handlers of our national teams should endeavour to watch top matches in our league, and no matter what they would still see good defenders and goalkeepers that would make the national team,” he expressed.

me because he knows how hard we’ve worked, the encouragement I’ve given to them.

“So, we are like a family, and that is key (to our success).”

Following the latest league success, the Nigerian giants, alongside Remo Stars, will represent Nigeria in the 2023/2024 CAF Champions League – a competition they won back-to-back in 2003 and 2004.

Insurance Midfielder, Nwachukwu Still Dazed by National Team Call-up

Divine Nwachukwu admits no-one was more surprised than him at receiving a maiden call-up to the Nigeria squad for their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone on Sunday. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder was one of four home-based players included in Jose Peseiro’s 23-man roster as reward for his fine performances in the colours of Bendel Insurance.

Nwachukwu contributed one goal and five assists to help the Vipers finish top of Group A at the end of the regular season and scored three times during the Nigeria Professional Football League playoffs to catch the eye of Peseiro.

The youngster represented his country at the Under-17 level, but revealed his journey since then has been a struggle and expressed pride at getting the nod by the Super Eagles head coach.

“I feel amazing, what can I say? I am more than happy right now. When I got the text, I thought it was a joke,” he said of the invitation to join the senior national team.

“I feel very amazing and I feel proud of myself and what I have done. It has been one rough journey for me. I have been in the U20, U23 squads but in the end, I got kicked out.

“To play for Bendel Insurance at my age and to do what I have done is amazing and at least I got a reward. The coach saw me and picked me. It is a plus for me and I am very happy for that.”

Enyimba placerscelebrate winning 2023 Nigeria Premier League

Super Eagles Set to Clinch 2024 AFCON Ticket Against Leone Stars

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will tomorrow at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, take on the Leone Stars of Serria Leone in an attempt to clinch the ticket for the 2024 African Cup of Nations slated for Cote d’Ivoire with a game to spare.

The Nigerian side hit Monrovia this morning from their Eko Hotel camp having had few days of close doors training sessions at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, in Lagos.

In the first leg played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the Jose Peseiro side came from a goal down to beat the Leone Stars, courtesy of Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen’s goals.

The 22,000 -capacity arena will witness fireworks from 5pm Nigeria time as the Super Eagles seek to reach the finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire early next year, with a game to spare.

The three-time African champions are expected to fire from all cylinders at the Paynesville, conscious that Guinea Bissau, overtook Nigeria in first place after inflicting a lone goal defeat on group whipping boys, Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday.

When both sides met in 2020, in another Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match (Cameroon 2021), the Leone Stars famously came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with the Super Eagles at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, and few days later, held the Eagles to a barren draw at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown.

Interestingly, former Super Eagles player, Garba Lawal has warned the Nigerian national team players not allow another upset against their opponent.

Speaking on a radio station in Lagos, the onetime Esperance of Tunisia star warned that the attitude to

the remaining games in the qualifiers must be positive.

“In football, what matters is the victory. Nobody remembers whether you played good football or not. What matters is the three points on offer,” Lawal said.

“The Super Eagles must not give room for complacency. It’s going to be 50/50 and it’s not going to be an easy game for the team. We must not allow another upset from a supposedly weaker team.

“They (Super Eagles players) have to be organised, that will make the job easy for the coaches because the philosophy and methodology has to be the same.”

However, Nigeria in-form Napoli of Italy striker, Victor Osimhen, has stated that the team will not leave room for complacency against the Leone Stars tomorrow.

“We don’t want obstacles on our ways. We have a game on Sunday to qualify which won’t be easy,” Osimhen remarked.

“But we got the quality to execute it. A new coach came on with new strategies but we have to achieve our collective goals and be objective.

Osimhen noted that the team are well aware of the disco nnect with most of the fan base and understands that a win and ultimately qualification to the AFCON is what is expected after failure to qualify for the 2022 search FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“We want to bring our f ans back to our side because we know they are understandably disappointed.

“It was disheartening for us when we couldn’t qualify for the World Cup. “

Osimhen revealed that the players were abused on social media by Nigerian fans following the disappointment of missing the World Cup.

“We had online abuses. Now it’s behind us but the memories still

linger. We will do our best to earn their trust,” Osimhen emphasised.

Ademola Lookman has indeed assured the Nigerian football fans of giving his best against Sierra Leone tomorrow as he expressed commitment to ensuring that Nigeria secures their spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former RB Leipzig star, who joined Atalanta BC in the summer of 2022, has made an impressive impact, scoring 12 goals in his first 20 Serie A games for the Bergamo-based club.

Although he has faced challenges with fatigue and injury, Lookman remains determined to give his best for the national team.

“My aim is to give my best, like what I always try to do. You know, If I could give my best, there is not much more than to give your best, and work hard. And to keep trying. Try to control what I can control,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has designated Sudanese referee Mahmood Ali Ismail as the center referee for match between Sierra Leone and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Ismail will be joined by his compatriot Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim as assistant referee one and Djiboutian official Liban Abdourazak Ahmed as assistant referee two.

Mohamed Diraneh Guedi, also from Djibouti, will be the fourth official. Bakary Jammeh from Gambia will oversee the match as the match commissioner, while Kokou Djaoupe from Togo will be the referee assessor.

Nigeria has accumulated nine points from four matches and will secure one of the two qualification spots if they manage to draw against the Leone Stars, who currently sit in third place with five points.

Super Eagles need at least a draw against Sierra Leone to safeguard their ticket for the 2023 AFCON.

AFCON Fixtures

17/06/2023

Zambia 13:00 Cote D’ Ivoire - Group H

Central Africa 13:00 Angola – Group E

Lesotho 13:00 Comoros - Group H

EQ Guinea 15:00 Tunisia – Group J

South Africa 15:00 Morocco - Group K

Botswana 16:00 Libya - Group J

Benin 19:00 Senegal – Group L

18/06/2023

Tanzania 13:00 Niger Group F

Rwanda 13:00 Mozambique Group L

Madagascar 14:00 Ghana Group E

Uganda 15:00 Algeria – Group F

Eswatini 15:00 Togo – Group B

Cape Verde 16:00 Burkina Faso – Group B

Congo 16:00 Mali - Group G

Sierra Leone 16:00 Nigeria – Group A

GROUP A

SUPER

GOALKEEPERS

Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem)

Victor Sochima (Rivers United)

Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)

DEFENDERS

William Ekong (Watford FC)

Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC)

Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim)

Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United)

Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Brom)

Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes)

Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)

Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce)

MIDFIELDERS

Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton)

Alex Iwobi (Everton)

Divine Nwachukwu (Insurance)

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)

Frank Onyeka (Brentford )

FORWARDS

Moses Simon (Nantes FC)

Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)

Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham)

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)

Super Eagles finalising their training at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, ahead of AFCON qualifier against Sierria Leone

Nigerian Breweries Brings Super Eagles Stars Close to Fans, Ambassadors

Nigerian Breweries on Thursday night organiesed a delightful evening for Super Eagles players at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.

The innovative event sought to bring the players closer to their fans and the brand ambassadors of Nigerian Breweries’ products, including Goldberg, Life, and Zagg Energy.

This gathering provided an opportunity for the players to unwind and relax before their important match against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

For the past five days, the Super Eagles have been diligently preparing in Lagos for their upcoming game in Monrovia. Under the guidance of Coach Jose Peseiro, the team has been working hard to ensure they are in top form. While the players remained focused on their upcoming assignment, Nigerian Breweries recognised the significance of fostering a strong bond between the Super Eagles stars, their fans, and the

company’s brand ambassadors. Thus, they organised a dinner event where the players could interact and have some fun.

The Head of Marketing and Communications Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sandra Amachree, hosted the event, ensuring a joyous and memorable experience for everyone involved.

The atmosphere was vibrant as the players temporarily shed their serious on-pitch demeanour and embraced a more relaxed posture. From the team’s captain, Ahmed Musa, to notable players like Alex Iwobi, William TroostEkong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Joe Aribo, Victor Osimhen, and the team’s comedian, Kelechi Iheanacho, they all took turns answering questions from the fans.

During the event, Alex Iwobi shared his favourite post-match meal, revealing a penchant for Jollof rice and fried plantain (dodo), as it provides him with the energy he needs. The Everton Player of the Season was quick to be told he will also need some Zaag Energy Drink to go with

his favourite meal.

For Joe Aribo, he excitedly informed the fans about his current pre-match jam, which happens to be the hit song by Kcee Ojapiano. Victor Osimhen shared an unforgettable experience from his career, reminiscing about the first chance he received to showcase his talent. When asked what he would have become if he weren’t a footballer, Kelechi Iheanacho humorously responded that he would still be a footballer.

The brand ambassadors of Nigerian Breweries’ products, Iyabo Ojo, Toyin AbrahamAdedeji, and Debo Adebowale (Mr Macaroni), were also present at the event and enthusiastically expressed their admiration for the Super Eagles players. They commended the players for consistently bringing joy and pride to the hearts of Nigerians. The brand ambassadors urged the players to remain dedicated and resilient, even in the face of criticism from a few disgruntled fans when results do not go the country’s way.

Ebi, Asisat, Ajibade Lead 20 Others for Australia & New Zealand World Cup

Head Coach Randy Waldrum has listed European Cup winner Asisat Oshoala, dainty attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade and history-making captain Onome Ebi in his list of 23 Super Falcons for this year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.

There is also first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, as well as defenders Osinachi

Ohale and Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Desire Oparanozie. Nigeria will play Canada, co-host nation Australia and the Republic of Ireland in that order at the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, with 32 teams set to debut at the championship

Amusan Reveals the Power of Glo 4g LTE Advanced in New TVC

– same number as for the men’s finals in Qatar last year.

Nine-time African champions Nigeria, who were within whistling distance of the semi-finals before losing to Brazil in extra time in the United States of America in 1999, will arrive in Australia on Tuesday, 4th July for a 15-day final camping programme before the finals begin on 20th July.

SAC Golf Section Hosts 150 Golfers at Captain’s Inaugural Tourney Today

Members and friends of Nigeria’s oldest golf club, Sapele Athletic Club Golf Section will converge in ancient town for the 2023 Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament this weekend.

The inaugural tournament organised under the leadership of the club Captain, Alexander Verhees in conjunction with his executive team will feature about 150 golfers across the

country.

Verhees disclosed that golfers should expect a high quality and well organised golf tournament. Celebrating the oldest golf course in Nigeria and willing to support the improvement of this golf club.

He said: “This is the third tournament to be organized this year. We are working with the rain doctors in Sapele to bring sunshine on this

day. Friday evening is the captain’s cocktail, and I will do the traditional tee-off on Saturday by 7.00am, with a great breakfast followed by lunch.

“We are expecting a full house and as many golfers as for their last Orodje of Okpe Golf Tournament whereby they had over 100 players. Club members played yesterday while all guests play today.

Napoli Already Looking at Life without Osimhen

Italian Serie A champions, Napoli may have alrady been preparing for life after superstar Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, as they have completed a permanent deal for Argentina striker Giovanni Simeone.

Osimhen was the best striker in Italy last season. He scored 26 goals in the Serie A to become the first African player to win the Capocannoniere. His brilliance

also earned Napoli their first Scudetto in 33 years.

Osimhen’s brilliance has attracted serious interest from clubs abroad, as PSG, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all been linked with a potential transfer.

Napoli would demand at least €150million from potential suitors for the deal to happen. But that could be a difficult ask.

Nonetheless, there is still a risk of losing Osimhen, and Napoli would have to make plans to ensure that his departure is not felt.

The club have officially signed Simeone from Hellas Verona for €12million. The Argentine forward spent last season on loan at Napoli, and he registered nine goals and one assist in 33 appearances.

Tosin Amusan is a wonder to behold on the tracks. She dashes like lightning, dusting her peers and wiping past records like tabular rasa. Her appearance in any competition almost always means that the other competitors are destined to watch her back as she sprints to the finish line to breast the champion’s tape. Amusan, the World, Commonwealth and African Champion in 100m hurdles doubles as a brand ambassador for Globacom. She is the star of a new television commercial where the Nigerian telecommunications giant heightens expectations of an exceptional experience on its newly launched Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution Advanced network, popularly known as 4G LTE Advanced.

The Nigerian sprinter now affectionately nicknamed “Tobi Express”, who emerged the first Nigerian to win a world athletics champion to set a world record, in the 66-second television commercial unveiled recently by Globacom captures the details and values embedded in the LTE technology by Glo.

According to the advert, the technology is “faster, stronger and better”. It is faster because of the latency speed which is 50ms. (Latency speed is the time it takes before a network begins to respond to a command). It is stronger because the throughput for 4G LTE Advanced is up to 1 Gbps. The 4G LTE Advanced is also better because it allows networks to combine more than one frequency. Glo is combining

three for its 4G LTE Advanced deployment.

The Glo LTE Advanced is also described as the power of three LTE data networks because it combines three spectrums and available multiple LTE carriers of 700 MHz, 1,800MHz and 2,600 MHz to provide a better internet experience to subscribers.

“When you stream, it’s like you’re in the drama itself; when you make calls, you reach where others can’t; doing business is like running Wall Street from your street; and when you play, it’s like travelling the world without moving an inch. You can download in the blink of an eye in 4k; and when you go for your dreams, it’s like running with the strength of three nations behind you,” Amusan assures in the commercial.

The 4G LTE Advanced technology is a major step in the Globacom’s commitment to further actualising its objective of empowering Nigerians for a better internet experience and more productive life. Globacom noted in a press statement announcing the launch of the technology that the consistent growth of smart devices in Nigeria, the demand for bandwidth and high speed capabilities are also increasing as subscribers exchange, download and upload more videos, music and documents and use mobile applications that are bandwidth intensive, hence, the need for a top of the range system to power customers’ telecommunications needs.

This transformational technology translates into better and

more reliable services for individuals who use large volumes of data to download, libraries of music and movies; as well as government and corporate organisations such as banks, oil and gas companies as well as academic and health institutions which depend heavily on reliable data connection for their operations.

Globacom plans to deploy up to 4,000 LTE Advanced sites in heavy data consuming locations across the length and breadth of the country.

On how its new and existing customers can connect to the network, Globacom explained: “It is a simple process. For those who already have 4G SIMs, they will be able to enjoy the Glo LTE Advanced service. But for those who do not have the 4G SIMs, they first need to upgrade their SIM cards to USIM (4G SIM). The upgrade process is also simple, as all you require is a SIM Swap, which takes two minutes. The customer also needs a device that is 4G-enabled. Then, you will experience seamless and super-fast mobile Internet services on the Glo network,” the network disclosed. It urged subscribers to visit the nearest Gloworld shop to connect to the Glo 4G LTE Advanced and enjoy the boundless opportunities offered by the advanced and superior technology. So, if you desire a faster, stronger and better network that guarantees speed and quality, go for the power of three data networks in one-Glo 4G LTE is that power.

Ndidi, Iheanacho Get New Manager as Leicester Appoint Maresca

If the Super Eagles duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho remain with Leicester City next season, they will be working with a new manager after the Foxes appointed Enzo Mariska as their new manager in their quest to return to the English top flight.

Maresca has left Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at treble-winning Manchester City to move to the King Power in a bid to help Leicester secure promotion from the Championship next season.

The Italian succeeds Dean Smith, who was unable to save Leicester from relegation last season. Smith was given a short-term contract until the end of the campaign following Brendan Rodgers’ departure in April.

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Enzo brings a combination of personality, method and ambition that meets extremely well with the footballing direction we are looking to.

“His philosophy has been

built over a rich and varied career, including an outstanding education as a coach, and fits with the vision we have for this next chapter in Leicester City’s history.

“Enzo’s profile has stood out to us for some time - a feeling that was only enhanced upon meeting him and listening to his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. I have no doubt he will be warmly welcomed by our supporters and that together we can reset the club’s course towards future

Super Eagles players with all the Goldberg Brand Ambassadors and NB plc team at the dinner with the national team on Friday night at Eko Hotels

Amusan

MIKEOZEKHOME

GUEST COLUMNIST

How Buharocracy Put Nigeria in Throes

Iwill not allow historical revisionists the opportunity to quickly rewrite Nigeria’s recent history - especially of former president Muhammadu Buhari’s dismal performance and misgovernance of Nigeria in the last eight years. True, the fawners, bootlickers, toady flatterers and clappers, who benefited greatly from his warped tenure, are ever ready to applaud, clap and “rankadede” him forever. I am not one of them. I never was. Never will be. Or are you?

Let me however thank Buhari (as I had done severally before now), for decorating me with the prestigious National honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), the 4th highest honour in Nigeria. This adds to my 2009 National honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). Buhari did this notwithstanding my strident criticism of his governance and leadership style throughout his eight disastrous years of poor governance. He sure has tons of guts and strong balls to have taken my frequent disagreements with him in good faith. He earned my deep respect and admiration in this regard of large-heartedness.

This is because not many in his huge shoes would have done so, given the same circumstances. However, whilst thanking the ex- president, I will not be fair to history, the present and future generations yet unborn, if I do not give my earnest, but humble assessment of his eight years misgovenance of Nigeria. It was simply squandering of riches. Missed opportunities! Missteps. False steps. This is where Buharocracy comes in. He wobbled. He fumbled. He dawdled. He groggled. He literally crumbled. Buharocracy is the concept of government. But, let me background this writeup with my neologism.

I have since evolved Ozekpedia- my own neologism – my coinage of new words and phrases that appear not to exist before, but which I now throw up to achieve popular or institutional recognition and thus get accepted in the mainstream English language. It is in this regard I have since minted fresh words such as Electionocracy.

I had also coined, with reference to former President Buhari not treating Nigeria as one unified “Federal Republic of Nigeria”, some aberrative terms employed and practised by Buhari in his peculiar style of governance. Buhari practised “Federal Republic of the North”; or “The Northern Republic of Nigeria”; or “Republic of Northern Nigeria”; or “Republic of Federal North”; or “Northern Nigeria Republic”; or “Republic of Northern Nigeria and other vassal states”. I did not coin, but I have since used and popularised “Amala politics”; “Gbegiri politics”; “Come-and-chop politics”; and “Stomach infrastructure politics”, etc. But I have also minted into our political lexicon, words such as “tuwo sinkafa politics” “politrician”, “militrician”, “civitrician”, and “politics of akpu”, “edikang ikon”, and “politics of omisaghue and amato”.

In one of my outings as far back as May 11, 2015 (even before Buhari was sworn in for his first term), titled, “Era of Decampment: Politicians Without Principles”

I wrote as follows: “The “come-and-chop” or “chop-I-chop” politics syndrome found its name into the Nigerian political lexicon long before Fayose. Long before now, we had colourful politicians like Busari Adelakun (Eruobodo) and Lamidi Adedibu, who popularised “amala” or “gbegiri” politics. Some call it “akpu”, “edikang ikon”, “tuwo sinkafa” politics. I call it “politics of “omhisaghue and amato” (don’t ask me what these mean in my Etsako, Weppa-Wanno language).

“This genre of politics is simply anchored on the cheap principle of sharing (never baking) the national cake amongst family members, old school mates, kinsmen, religious peers, business companions, political affiliates, etc. It is a euphemism for freely stealing from the national treasury and pillaging our commonwealth.

“It thrives on cronyism, tribalism, nepotism, undue favouritism, clannishness, religious bigotry, ethnic chauvinism and ethno-religious jingoism. It abhors merit. It detests brilliance. It enthrones mediocrity. As a principle, “come and chop” politics advocates that the strongest continuously pummels and subdues the strong into a comatose position of irreversibility, while the already weak ones are battered into oblivion and totally interred or entombed alive.

“The Nigerian politician (sorry, politrician) is at once a “Militrician” (Military top brass turned into politicians and “Civitrician” (civilians practising politics). The Nigerian Politician has corrupted politics and madly stripped it of its inherent nobility and integrity.

“Like common whores, they prostitute from one political party to another, never ashamed to return to an earlier party that he left with éclat and celebration to eat his vomit. Whether the party is PDP, APC, AD, APP, AC, ACN, CPC, ANPP, the Nigerian Politician gallivants about shamelessly, strutting from one party to the other. He lacks morality. He is allergic to political decorum or democratic nuances. He is a loose cannon. The same political class rotates offices amongst themselves. The same faces, but different offices. Once a local government chairman, he aspires to be member of a state House of Assembly; then House of Representatives; then Senate.

“Later, he leaves Senate to become a Governor; or from his gubernatorial seat to become a Senator. Over the years, it is the same dramatis personnel. No new entrants. No fresh ideas. Power is rotated from father to son, mother to daughter, brother to brother and kinsman to kinswoman. Little wonder that Nigeria has not grown. Even her purported development has been without actual and real development. She continues to suffer the fate of the barber’s chair of perpetual motion and rotation on its axis, but without progress. Her growth is stunted, for there is no manure or fertilizer to resuscitate

the parched soil.”

On Ozekpedia, therefore, do not blame me or come after my jugular for daring to challenge Collins, Websters, Blacks and Oxford English Dictionaries. This was how Andrew Le Breton first conceptualized 28 Volumes of the Encyclopedia in French. It was later translated by Dennis Diderot, an 18th Century French Philosopher, Art Critic and writer, between 1751 and 1772. Indeed, it was actually an avid writer and admirer, who after following my writeups for a very long time, sent me the coinages – “Ozekpedia”, “Ozekmatics” and “Ozekdictionary”. He was referring to many of my writeups, including those on the requirement that the Nigerian President must compulsorily need to have 25% votes of FCT, Abuja; and my linguistics; syntax and prose style. I thank him immensely.

Nigeria had her independence on October 1, 1960. She was however totally severed off the umbilical cord of imperialism in 1963 - when she became a Republic. Since then, the story of her leadership travails has become an unending tragedy; a cesspool and affront on the labours of our heroes past. The Nigerian polity became engulfed in the grip of series of military juntas under the thin guise of salvaging the decaying system. This went on until 1999, when a democratic government was ushered in.

This year makes it 24 years of uninterrupted democracy. But it seems - like a man with a heavy load of web on his face – that Nigeria is still undergoing a vicious cycling and recycling of her leaders, de - die - in - diem.

In times of much uncertainty and untrammeled corruption bazaar, Nigeria was so unfortunate to have been governed by an apparently pretentious man who was almost deified and canonized.

Buhari, like a man who never believes that once beaten, twice shy – ensured that Nigeria was beaten twice by the same man - Buhari. First as a military dictator. Later as a civilian ruler (not a democratic leader, in my humble estimation). I hope we are now awake from our self-imposed slumber and selective amnesia in this democracy.

Strictu sensu, Nigeria, in my humble view, does not practise democracy. Rather, we practise other “cracies” (not democracy), which I have coined from my dictionary - Ozekpedia. These are Judocracy, Electionocracy, Executocracy, Selectocracy and Legislatocracy.

I have today, added another “cracy”, but this particular cracy is crazy – ‘Buharocracy.’ Buharocracy is a type of cracy, where government is ‘abysmally ignoramus, zero-idealistic, and dictatorially at its crescendo.’ Little wonder, popular African singer, late Anikulapo-Kuti, in one of the ‘Abami Eda’s songs, “Beast of No Nation”, sang, “Na craze world be dat, craze world, No be outside Buhari dey, craze world, na craze man be dat, craze world.”

Fela warned us then, but Nigerians feigned deafness; maybe because they said he smoked weed. Nigerians forgot that to be fore-warned, is to be fore-armed. Former President of America, Barrack Obama, once admonished, “I always believe that ultimately, if people are paying attention, then we get good government and good leadership. And when we get lazy, as a democracy, and civically start taking shortcuts, then it results in bad government and politics.”

Oh, see where our refusal and neglect to pay attention to history have landed us!. Leadership, to be sure, would also be accounted for in the last days of human existence. Taking solace from the Bible; “Blessed are you, o land, whose King is of nobility and whose instructions Princes eat at the appropriate time - for strength and not for drunkenness.” An Islamic cleric, Ma’qil

narrated, “I heard Rasulullah (SAW) saying: “Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim).

John G. Lake, once told us, “The man with a groan never moved the world except to more groans.” Buhari tried very hard to flourish himself like a saint in white apparel, when in fact, he was the chief repository of negative governance. Therefore, Stanley Baldwin was not wrong when he said, “Dictatorship is like a giant beech - tree - very magnificent to look at in it’s prime, but nothing grows underneath.” Where have the eight wasted years of the once feared “anti - corruption Czar” led us to today? I don’t know. Or, do you?

The voyage of Nigeria since May 29, 2015, through May 29, 2023, (being the second and final coming of Buharocracy), amounted to a craze of all cracies.

There are many “cracies” corrupted from the word “Democracy”, as shown in Ozekpedia above. When Abraham Lincoln on 19th November, 1863, eulogized “Democracy” during his Gettysburg Declaration as “government of the people by the people and for the people”, he could never have imagined that subsequent world leaders would corrupt this beautiful term invented by the ancient Athenians of Greece in 507 BC, following a turbulent era of aristocracy and tyranny. “Demos” derived from Greek, meaning “people”, or “population”. “Crasy” means “rule”, “government”, “governing body”. So, democracy is government of the people. Buharocracy is a form of government where the people expect so much, but get nothing; or at best, so little in return. It is a system of government in which the ruler, during campaigns and in his manifesto, promises so much; but brazenly discards and trashes all promises upon being voted in by the people. In Buharocracy, the ruler freely deceives the people. He is a maximum dictator, rules by precepts, rather than by examples. The concept allows the ruler to ride slipshod on his people; destroy institutions, enkindle divisions; and enthrone cyronynism, prebendalism, nepotism, favouritism, ethnicity, sectionalism, tribalism and religious bigotry. Under Buharocracy, rule of law is literally suspended in place of so- called National Security, a veneer for self-interest or government interest. Under Buharocracy, the elected rules, rather than governs. He tells the people, “do what I say and not what I do”. Because the ruler suffers grave disconnect with the people, he feigns amnesia of their sufferings and despondency. He neither sympathises, nor empathises. He lives in a make-belief world; a world garnished with grandeur of illusion. The ruler is permitted to discard his hitherto pretentious Spartan-like life.

He indulges in vain-glorious affluence, pomp, pageantry and razzmatazz. Kakaaki trumpets escort him to the airport when travelling, and also welcome him back from his frequent medical trips abroad. The maximum dictator under Buharocracy is deaf, dumb and numb to the feelings, yearnings and aspirations of his beleaguered and vanquished citizens rendered prostrate through misgovernance, high-handedness, corruption, insecurity and jack-bootism.

He would rather build rail lines, refineries and industries in a neighbouring country like Niger, wherein he has his own firm roots of origin, to the detriment of his own country – Nigeria – that elected him into office. Restructuring and true federalism are an anathema to Buharocracy. That is Buharocracy for you. And more...

“Contrary to what the former minister, Sirika has been saying about the importance of having a national carrier, this is a moribund idea worldwide. Countries don’t go that route any more, it is a drain on any country” –The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, calling for the dissolution of Nigeria Air.

Onyema on Sirika

Buhari