SATURDAY 11TH JULY 2020

Buhari Signs N10.8tn Revised Budget, Assures MDAs on Capital Votes Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja signed into law the revised 2020 budget of N10.8 trillion with an assurance that the government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will receive 50 per

cent of their capital allocations at the end of this month.

At the signing ceremony, which took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, the President said the earlier N10.59 trillion budget passed by the National Assembly had to be reviewed because of the adverse effects

of COVID-19 on the economy.

Buhari, who thanked the National Assembly for prompt passage of the budget, said whereas the 2020 Appropriation Bill earlier passed by the National Assembly was signed on December 17, 2019, the Act was no longer implementable

in view of the drastic fall in the prices of petroleum products in the international market.

He also said the review became compelling because the global crisis caused by the pandemic resulted in the reduction of oil production quota by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting

Countries (OPEC) with a view to strengthening the oil market.

The President added that the trend was forcing the global economy into recession, hence the need to reallocate resources through the revised budget to pave way for effective implementation of necessary

health and emergency matters.

"However, it became necessary to revise the Appropriation Act 2020 in response to recent developments, particularly the COVID-19. Crude oil prices in the world market declined Continued on page 5

Immigration Stops 58 Nigerian Doctors’ Departure to London… Page 14 Saturday 11 July, 2020 Vol 25. No 9224

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Nigeria’s Public Debt Stock Hits N28.63tn Lagos leads borrower states with N444bn obligation James Emejo in Abuja

March 31 this year.

According to the Nigerian Nigeria's total public debt Domestic and Foreign Debt Q1 portfolio, all the states and the 2020 report released yesterday federal government inclusive, by the National Bureau of stood at N28.63 trillion as at Statistics (NBS), the total

public debt rose by 4.48 per cent compared to the N27.40 trillion recorded in Q4 2019.

External debt accounted for N9.99 trillion or 34.89 per cent of the total debt. The domestic

component stood at N18.64 trillion or 65.11 per cent of total borrowing.

Of the domestic debt of N18.64 trillion, federal government's share alone is

N14.53 trillion compared to Q4 2019 when total domestic debt was N18.37 trillion with the federal government accounting for N14.27 trillion.

Federal government's

domestic debt service for Q1 also increased to N609.13 billion compared to N254.04 billion in Q4 of 2019.

Continued on page 5

Magu, Who Denied Scores Their Freedom, Seeks Bail FG confirms suspension, Mohammed Umar appointed acting chairman IG substitutes all policemen serving with EFCC

Alex Enumah in Abuja The former Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has, through his lawyer, demanded his immediate release on bail from custody.

On the same day, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami confirmed the ongoing probe of Magu, and announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the immediate suspension of Magu.

Magu’s tenure as the boss of the EFCC was characterised by large scale abuse of human rights, with reckless detention

of suspects. Even when suspects got bails, they are sometimes rearrested at court premises and dumped into detention by Magu’s boys.

Though, Magu showed no respect for human rights, analysts are of the opinion that he should be allowed to enjoy his lawful bail.

In a formal application for bail by his lawyer, Mr Oluwatosin Ojaomo, Magu said it would enable him prepare his defense against the allegations of corruption brought by Malami.

In the bail application addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Continued on page 5

Okonjo-Iweala Faces WTO General Council Next Week... Page 5

RATIFYING REVISED BUDGET 2020...

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari and President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, during the signing of the revised 2020 budget at the Presidential Villa Abuja....yesterday godwin omoigui

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Okonjo-Iweala Faces WTO General Council Next Week Alleges plot to sabotage her campaign Obinna Chima Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and the country’s candidate for the position of Director General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), is expected to make a presentation to the General Council of the organisation on July 15.

According to the WTO’s timelines for the selection of a successor to its departing Director-General, Roberto Azevêdo, Okonjo-Iweala will be the second candidate to face the General Council, after Mexico’s candidate, Jesus Seade Kuri.

There are eight candidates jostling for the plum job, and they will all make presentations to WTO’s General Council between July 15 and 17.

The global trade body said in a statement yesterday that in recent weeks its General Council Chair, David Walker of New Zealand, had been consulting with members on the next stages of the process.

The statement explained that under normal circumstances, the second phase of the process in which the candidates "make themselves known to members," would take three months.

“But following his discussions with members, it has been agreed that the phase two of campaigning will be shortened by one month and will expire on September 7.

“On that date, the third and final phase of the process will begin. Under this phase, Amb. Walker, together with the Chairs of the Dispute Settlement Body (Dacio Castillo of Honduras) and Trade Policy Review Body (Harald Aspelund of Iceland), will consult with all WTO members to assess their preferences and seek to determine which candidate is best placed to attract consensus support.

“This phase may involve more than one stage of consultations as members seek to narrow the field of candidates. Walker informed members that, as spelled out in the guidelines, the third Phase would last no more than two months,” the statement explained.

Walker was also quoted to have said: “In order to provide clarity for both the candidates and the membership regarding these timelines, we will therefore proceed with Phase

Two and Phase Three of the appointment process following the expedited deadlines.”

On May 14, Azevêdo had informed the 164 WTO members that he would be stepping down from his post on August 31, 2020, one year before the expiry of his mandate.

Following consultations with members, Walker had announced on 20 May that a one-month timeframe had been agreed during which members would submit their candidate nominees. That deadline expired on Wednesday.

Okonjo-Iweala, former Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank, is a renowned global finance expert, an economist and international development professional with over 30 years experience, having worked in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

She is at present the Chair of the Board of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. She also sits on the boards of Standard Chartered Plc and Twitter Inc. She was recently appointed African Union Special Envoy to mobilise international financial support

in the fight against COVID-19, as well as Envoy for the World Health Organisation's access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, also recently appointed OkonjoIweala, to serve as a member of her newly-established External Advisory Group.

She had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the number two position of Managing Director (Operations).

Plot to Sabotage Okonjo-Iweala’s Campaign Uncovered Meanwhile, Okonjo-Iweala yesterday said she had uncovered an ongoing effort by, “some well-connected Nigerians to sabotage her campaign as the country’s candidate for the WTO Director General.

In a statement by her Media Adviser, Paul C. Nwabuikwu, she pointed out that as part of the campaign, the persons and their cohorts are peddling outright lies and distortions designed to invent a non-

existent “scandal” in order to paint her campaign in negative light.

“An example of this is the effort to misrepresent the campaign’s relationship with Mercury Communications, one of the organisations and individuals that have done voluntary, pro bono work for the campaign.

“Mercury was never formally engaged by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and its work for the campaign was done strictly on volunteer basis.

“Against this background, the attempt by these elements to manufacture a controversy in the local and international media by distorting the facts and creating falsehoods to link the campaign with some of Mercury’s current or past clients to push a false impression is contemptible.

“It is sad that the elements behind this campaign are placing their squalid concerns above the interests of the country.”

According to the statement, Okonjo-Iweala is humbled that her campaign is progressing in the right direction, adding that her candidacy has been

embraced by many Nigerians, including a growing number of spirited volunteers.

“She deeply appreciates the strong show of support by both the Presidency and Nigerians, despite the efforts of the persons engaged in this pull her down (PhD) exercise.

She will continue to do her best to make her candidacy count for the country,” the statement added.

In a related development, Mercury, in a separate statement, revealed that the organisation “does not and has never had a contract to represent Okonjo-Iweala’s campaign for WTO,” stressing that her campaign is comprised of volunteers.

“A small number of Mercury employees are volunteering to help Dr. Ngozi in her campaign for WTO Director General. She is not a client of our firm and the campaign has never had a contract with Mercury.

“An administrative error was made when the staff volunteered, leading to a precautionary LDA registration.

This was cancelled because it was unnecessary,” the statement added.

Policemen Serving With EFCC

premises, while withdrawn police personnel must report to the Force Headquarters on Monday.”

However, the spokesman, force headquarters, Frank Mba told THISDAY that he “has no idea” about the deployments.

A source told THISDAY last night that the police security guarding the official and personal houses of Magu had also been withdrawn.

The men were ordered to leave the residences in Abuja yesterday and report to the police headquarters. The source also said all vehicles in Magu’s official house in Maitama were driven away by policemen from IG’s office.

MAGU, WHO DENIED SCORES THEIR FREEDOM, SEEKS BAIL Adamu and dated July 10, Magu denied all the allegations against him.

Part of the letter reads: “We are solicitors to Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and a commissioner of police, who is currently under detention at your facility and whom we shall later refer to as our client.

We humbly apply for his bail on self-recognizance.

"It is our client’s brief that he was invited by a team of security operatives with respect to an investigation into the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under his leadership.

"Our client has consistently denied all the allegations levelled against him by the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice and has provided both documentary and oral evidence to clear the air on all the allegations."

Ojaomo, while expressing hope that the IG would release Magu on administrative bail, said the decision to write the application was based on the IG's, "Declaration and avowed commitment at your inauguration as the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the constitutional rights of all Nigerians is protected under your leadership.

“This has been severally demonstrated by your recent directives to all police formations in Nigeria not to

detain any suspect for any offence which is bailable in nature due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging the world, which Nigeria is not an exemption.”

Ojaomo also argued that the allegations against Magu were bailable, and as such, the IG should grant him an administrative bail pending the completion of the investigation into the allegations and for him to adequately prepare his defense in accordance with the relevant provisions of the constitution.

Ojaomo further stated that if Magu would not be granted bail on self-recognizance, they were ready to provide a credible surety that would ensure the availability of Magu, anytime he was needed for the purpose of the investigation.

Meanwhile, Magu’s suspension is contained in a statement issued by Dr. Umar Gwandu, the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

It stated that President Buhari had approved his immediate suspension, which the statement said, was to give the Presidential Investigation Panel, under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws, unhindered inquiry into the allegations.

The statement added that President Buhari had also approved that the EFCC

Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, should take charge and oversee the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and further directives in that regard.

Recall that Malami had last month recommended the sack of Magu to President Buhari over several allegations ranging from diversion of recovered loot to insubordination and misconduct.

In the exclusive report

by THISDAY, Malami was said to have also included a shortlist of three candidates for consideration to replace Magu.

Among Malami's claims, are the alleged gaps or discrepancies in figures concerning recovered assets, where he said Magu was not transparent enough in the management of recovered assets.

Specifically, he said the EFCC boss disclosed a total recovery of N504 billion but lodged N543 billion in the Recovery Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

"Incidentally, this exceeded the disclosed figures by N39 billion.”

Malami was also said to have accused Magu of "blatant display of arrogance and insubordination to him as supervising minister of the EFCC.” According to the source, Malami claimed that most of the assets recovered by the

EFCC were allegedly sold by Magu without the knowledge of anyone.

Magu, who is notorious for illegal detention and humiliation of suspects during his reign as EFCC boss, was arrested last Monday in Abuja while on his way to a meeting at the Police headquarters, Abuja.

Immediately after his arrest, he was taken before a probe panel constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, five days since his arrest and interrogation by the Justice Ayo Salami-led panel, he is still in the custody of the police.

IG Substitutes All

The Inspector General of Police has directed the immediate withdrawal of all police operatives serving at the EFCC. He directed that they should be replaced with new ones.

The directive is contained in a signal to the Assistant Inspector-General, Police Mobile Force Squadrons one to 79, the Force Secretary and Commissioners of Police of all the state commands and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the order, “only staff of EFCC should be allowed access into the EFCC

NIGERIA'S PUBLIC DEBT STOCK HITS N28.63TN Total domestic debts by states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were valued at N4.11 trillion with Lagos State accounting for N444.23 billion or 10.8 per cent.

Yobe was adjusted to have the least debt domestic stock, accounting for N29.29 billion or 0.7 per cent of total debt.

In dollar terms however, foreign debt was estimated at $27.66 billion.

Debts from multilateral institutions totaled $12.65 billion or 45.75 per cent of total foreign debt while bilateral debt amounted to $3.84 billion or 13.89 per cent of total external borrowing as well as commercial debts which

stood at $11.16 billion or 40.37 per cent of total foreign debts.

In addition, the federal government's domestic debt stock by instrument stood at N14.53 trillion with FGN bonds accounting for N10.55 trillion or 72.65 per cent of domestic borrowing.

Abia State accounted for N69.63 billion of the domestic debt stock of states, Adawawa N101.58 billion, Akwa Ibom N240.03 billion, Anambra N33.91 billion, Bauchi N100.40 billion, Bayelsa N154.95 billion, Benue N116.19 billion, Borno N83.38 billion and Cross River N165.91 billion within the review period.

Others include Delta N230.75

billion, Ebonyi N42.41 billion, Edo N84.76 billion, Ekiti N77.89 billion, Enugu N62.98 billion, Gombe N82.50 billion, Imo N163.99 billion, Jigawa N36.02 billion, Kaduna N78.69 billion, Kano N107.75 billion, Katsina N66.16 billion, Kebbi N69.26 billion and Kogi N128.91 billion.

Others are Kwara N62.89 billion, Nasarawa N60.99 billion, Niger N59.83 billion, Ogun N143.53, Ondo N65.29 billion, Osun N137.30 billion, Oyo N100.59 billion, Plateau N130.72 billion, Rivers N266.93 billion, Sokoto N47.74 billion, Taraba N81.26 billion, and Zamfara N70.84 billion as well as the FCT with N106.80 billion.

(Repeal and Amendment) Act, 2020, that I have just signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N10.81 trillion, which is an increase of N216 billion over the level of expenditure initially proposed in the 2020 Appropriation Act.” The President thanked Nigerians for “their understanding and unflinching support, especially during these difficult times.”

Answering questions from State House reporters after the event, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the National Assembly had to pass the revised budget without delay because it was necessary to alleviate the

plights of the citizenry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Present at the signing ceremony were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Others were the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, her Minister of State, Clement Agba; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emiefiele and the DirectorGeneral of the Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze.

BUHARI SIGNS N10.8TN REVISED BUDGET, ASSURES MDAS ON CAPITAL VOTES sharply from a high of $72.20 per barrel in January 2020 to below $20 per barrel in April 2020, and have since remained around $40 per barrel.

“Nigeria’s crude oil production quota has been reduced as part of the efforts of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to strengthen the oil market.

Global trade has generally been disrupted as almost all economies were locked down for protracted periods in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“All these developments are plunging the global economy into recession, and Nigeria has not escaped the

impact of this. In effect, the assumptions underlying the 2020 Appropriation Act are no longer sustainable.

“It is therefore imperative to adjust our expected revenues, considering the widespread disruptions in domestic and international economic activities due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the containment measures taken in response thereto.

“Understandably too, we needed to reallocate resources in the Appropriation (Repeal and Amendment) Act, 2020 to ensure effective implementation of required health and emergency measures, as well as to mitigate the negative socio-economic

effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic," he said.

According to the president, the revised 2020 budget was an expression of the federal government's commitment to effectively contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the lives of Nigerians.

He added that "with these budget amendments, as well as our recently launched N2.3 trillion stimulus programme, we are well-positioned to safeguard the economy.”

Buhari directed affected government institutions to ensure the effective implementation of the budget so that its objectives would be achieved.

He also instructed the ministers to ensure that agencies and departments under their supervision intensify the implementation of capital projects and also cooperate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to realise the objectives of the budget.

The President also disclosed that a measure of progress had been made in the implementation of the 2020 Appropriation Act, pointing out that as at May 31, 2020, N253.33 billion had been released for implementation of capital projects.

He said: “That Appropriation

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JULY 11 , 2020

NEWS

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

Court Nullifies NERC’s Order Sacking Ibadan DisCo Board 1XOOLÀHV HOHFWULFLW\ LQGXVWU\ HQIRUFHPHQW UHJXODWLRQ Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday set aside the decision by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) removing the Board of Directors of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) otherwise known as Ibadan Disco.

The trial judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, nullified NERC’s Regulation 18 of the Electricity Industry (Enforcement) Regulation 2014 for being inconsistent with the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (ESPRA).

Justice Taiwo in agreeing with the submissions of Olaniwun Ajayi who represented Ibadan Disco and its directors, held that the appointment and removal of directors must be in accordance with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and ESPRA. Specifically, the court held that there was nothing in EPSRA being NERC’s enabling law which permits NERC to make the removal directive.

In further agreement with Olaniwun Ajayi, the court held that Regulation 18 of the

Electricity Industry (Enforcement) Regulation 2014, which purports to give NERC the powers to remove directors was ultra vires, as it went beyond the remit of EPSRA. It also held that NERC could not be an umpire in its own case, adding that any allegations of fraud must be investigated not by NERC, but by the police and tried by a competent court NERC had, through its Order No NERC/181/2018 of June 19, 2018, suspended the Board of Directors and other key management staff of IBEDC on account of the company’s purported default in the recovery of an inappropriate shareholder loan of N6 billion granted to IEDMG Ltd by the utility.

IEDMG is the core investor in IEBDC following the privatisation of electricity distribution companies by the federal government.

The loan was granted by IBEDC from funds released to all Discos by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilisation Funds (NEMSF) for the purpose

Ondo CJ Rejects Request to Commence Impeachment of Deputy Governor James Sowole in Akure The move to remove the Deputy Governor of Ondo State has suffered a setback as the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu, has turned down the request of Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun to constitute an investigative panel to look into the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against the number two citizen.

Fourteen out of the 26 members of the House had on Tuesday signed an impeachment notice ordered to be served on the deputy governor by the Clerk of the House, Mr. Bode Adeyelu.

The impeachment notice was signed by the 14 lawmakers who among others, accused Ajayi of gross misconduct including defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on June 21, 2020.

Immediately the impeachment notice was signed, another nine members of the House dissociated themselves from the impeachment process which they said did not follow due process.

Sequel to the resolution of the House, the Speaker on Thursday wrote a letter to the Chief Judge to set up a seven-man panel to investigate the Notice of Allegation of Gross Misconduct by members of the House of Assembly against the state Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

The Speaker’s letter reads in parts: “By the Resolution of the House today pursuant to Section 188 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended it was resolved that the allegations be investigated forthwith.

“It is in line with the above that request that you set up the 7-man panel to conduct the

investigation as resolved by the Honourable House and the Panel, shall soon as possible, report back to the House.”

But the Chief Judge, in a 4-page reply to the Speaker’s request, drew the attention of the Speaker to the Section 188 of the nation’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states how a governor or deputy governor can be removed from office.

The Section 188(2) reads that “whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than two-third of the members of the House of Assembly.

And Section 188(2b) states that the governor or deputy governor “ is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified, the Speaker of the House of Assembly shall within seven days of the receipt of the notice, cause a copy of the notice to be served on the holder of the office and on each member of the House of Assembly, and shall cause any statement made in reply to the allegation by the holder of the office (governor/deputy governor) to be served on each member of the House of Assembly.”

The Chief Judge, however, stated that the implication of the sections of the constitution cited was that the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, must be served with impeachment notice signed by not less than twothird of the members of the House of Assembly of the state.

The notice to be served on him must state that he is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office and must specify the particulars of the gross misconduct and that he must be allowed to respond to the allegations.

of improving the networks and reducing aggregate technical, commercial and collection losses.

The commission had earlier fined IBEDC N50 million on September 18, 2017 for non-

compliance with Order No NERC/173/2017 directing the company to fully recover the

outstanding sum of N5.7billion being the balance of the loan granted by the utility to IEDMG.

TAKE HEART...

APC Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, widow of the late former Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, during a condolence visit to the late Ajimobi’s family in Lagos...on yesterday.

Akpabio Denies N500m NDDC Contract Deji Elumoye in Abuja Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has claimed that at no time did he award contracts worth N500 million by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contrary to insinuations in some quarters to that effect.

This is just as the immediate past Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Yimebe Nunieh, declared that out of the entire N81billion spent by the Commission between October 29, 2019 to May 31, 2020, only N8 billion was spent by IMC under her leadership between October 29, 2019 and February 28, 2020.

Akpabio, a former Senate Minority Leader, told the Senate Ad-Hoc committee investigating the alleged financial recklessness of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC at a public hearing yesterday, that it’s not unlikely that he made such recommendation as

a sitting Senator in 2017 but the request was not considered for approval.

His words: “On the alleged N500 million contracts said to have been awarded to me by the NDDC, probably when I was in the Senate, because that letter is dated 2017, I must have made recommendation that they should consider to include it but they were not included in the budget. They were not considered. So those jobs were not done. Not one Naira was paid.

“And when you make recommendations, it is not that you are going to be the contractor.

It is that if they put a job for your constituency, when they are going through due process, they will advertise that job, and that job would be awarded to the contractor that won the bid. It is not that when a Senator makes a suggestion to an agency, that that Senator will automatically

go and become the contractor.

“And the fact that that paper was written on the Minority Leader’s letter-headed paper shows that it was not an award.

An awarded contract would have been on NDDC letter head. So, when I saw it, I did not think it was worth responding to because I am a seasoned administrator and a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I owe the nation nothing but good service and to tell the truth.

It wasn’t worth responding to because it was a total falsehood. I have never been a contractor in NDDC. “Even if those suggested projects worth N500 million were accepted, there is no guarantee that Godswill Akpabio or my nominee would have been the contractor,” the minister explained.

He, however, disclosed that no new contract had been awarded in the Commission since he became minister last September.

While insisting that the ongoing forensic auditing of the

Commission ordered by the Presidency was the only way to clear the age-long mess in the agency, he also charged the National Assembly to guard against abuses of the budgeting procedures particularly with respect to the NDDC. Akpabio, emphasised that he had never awarded any contract since he became Minister of Niger Delta Affairs except the contract for COVID-19 palliatives.

Lamenting the rot that existed in the budgeting system for the Commission, Akpabio disclosed that in a particular instance, N10. billion was put in the budget but some people just went into one hotel in Abuja and reduced it to N100 million adding that this figure failed to achieve any result.

He noted that instances abound where money budgeted had been drastically and illegally reduced by some members of the National Assembly against the originally approved fund.

‘Women More Equipped for Leadership’ The twin attributes of empathy and resilience make women better leaders, according to a renowned university lecturer.

This was the consensus at an international webinar hosted by the Movement of Women in Lagos State Institutions for Good Governance (MOWLAS) in Lagos during the week.

Speaking at the summit with the theme ‘Leadership Paradigm Shift and Role of Women in the Realities of COVID-19’, Prof.

Bolanle Iranloye, opined that the nation stood a better chance to weather the negative impacts of the ongoing pandemic by assigning women more leadership roles in critical sectors of its political economy.

Specifically, the scholar argued that the myth of male superiority

no longer holds water in view of the realities of the day.

“Before now, it was often said that leadership was only for the male gender. But the outstanding performance of women in leadership has created an awakening in us that drives us towards a paradigm shift.

Women in leadership positions are excelling, even in spite of limited opportunities. Women leadership will continue to evolve as more women rise through the ranks and break down barriers,” she said.

Iranloye is a Professor of Physiology at the University of Lagos College of Medicine.

The event, which drew 90 participants from Nigeria, Canada and United States of America, was convened and

moderated by former acting Vice Chancellor, and Director, Directorate of Advancement, Lagos State University, Prof.

Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.

Speaking further, Professor Iranloye identified women folk as the gender who can better multi-task even in stressful situations.

She cited New Zealand, Taiwan, Germany, China, Norway, Finland as countries where women folk have proved their leadership mettle during the Covid-19 challenge.

She however lamented that the situation was different in Nigeria which has just one woman out of the 12 members of the presidential task force for COVID 19.

Her words: “Women have

proven to be master multitaskers and highly collaborative.

They possess certain leadership attributes such as empathy, resilience, intuition and sensitivity.

Empathy and resilience make them great leaders.”

She listed the Late Dr. Stella Adadevoh, late Prof.

Dora Akunyili, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa as worthy examples of those who have excelled in various sectors and concluded that in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, women are best positioned to lead their organisations out of the woods: “When there is crisis, call a woman; when there is need for efficient leadership, call a woman.”

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Ondo Guber: APC Screening Committee Disqualifies One Aspirant Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

SAFETY AT TRANSCORP HILTON… L-R: MD/CEO, Transcorp Hilton Hotels Plc, Dupe Olusola and the General Manager, Kevin Brett, at a media cocktail to showcase the enhanced safety measures at Transcorp Hilton Abuja...recently

Osinbajo’s Daughter Denies Owning N800m Wuse Property Bennett Oghifo Miss Kiki Osinbajo, daughter to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has denied ownership of a building in Wuse 2, Abuja, which houses her business, stating that she is a tenant in the facility.

The vice president’s daughter stated this in her Instagram post yesterday in reaction to a post by a blogger, identified as Jackson Ude, who alleged that Kiki owns

the property located on Durban Street, Wuse 2.

The blogger had tweeted, “How did Kiki Osinbajo, VP Osinbajo’s daughter, earn N800 million she invested in the property housing her Glam’d Africa Beauty House in Abuja on 10 Durban Street, Wuse 2. Abuja?”

Kiki, a Lawyer, reacted on Instagram saying, “For me it is completely unbelievable that a grown man will sit in his home and lie about me,

a grown man who possibly has children my age!

“Like many young women in Nigeria I work hard, it may be difficult for people like him to understand that a young woman can work hard and succeed on her own steam.

Anyone can verify the ownership of the property of Glamd Africa at Agis in Abuja. I am a tenant in that property. My landlord’s name is Mr. Musa

Adams.”

The same blogger had alleged, in a different post, that Vice President Osinbajo received N4 billion from the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, who the government is investigating.

The vice president also denied the allegation and has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to investigate the blogger.

The Screening Committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to screen governorship aspirants, ahead of the July 20 primary election in Ondo State has disqualified one of the aspirants.

It was however gathered that Dr. Abraham Michael, was the aspirant disqualified by the committee.

The committee made this known yesterday when it submitted its report to the caretaker committee led by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

The Chairman of the Screening Committee, Mr. Tijani Tumsa, revealed that the aspirants were scored based on their presentations, educational qualifications, among others, but added that one of the 12 aspirants failed to meet up with the requirements set by the party.

He said, “We commenced the screening exercise two days ago.

There were 12 aspirants in all and I’m glad to report that they all showed up for the exercise and we were able to conduct the screening within the two days stipulated.

“The committee decided that the aspirants be scored base on their presentations, educational qualifications, their commitment to the

party, knowledge of the constitution, community service, manifesto of the APC, their team spirit and working experience.

“Of the 12 aspirants, the committee has deemed it possible to qualify eleven of the aspirants to contest for the primary. We understand of course that the 12th aspirant has the option of appealing the decision of the committee.”

Tumsah noted that the aspirants cooperated in no small measures to the success of the exercise, and also thanked the party for finding the members of the committee worthy to conduct exercise.

The aspirants who participated in the screening exercise are: the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, Mr. Joseph Olusola Iji, Odimayo Okunjimi, Olayide Owolabi Adelami, Issac Kekemeke, Olusola Oke, lfeoluwa Oyedele and Olajumoke Anifowoshe.

Others are: Awodeyi Colinus, Olubukola Adetula, Dr.Abraham Michael and Dr. Nathaniel Adojutelegan.

Receiving the report on behalf of Buni, the caretaker committee’s secretary, Sen. John Udoehe, commended the committee for doing a diligent exercise.

He however assured that the report would be transferred to the appeal committee for necessary action.

Offa Bank Robbery : Principal Suspect Narrates How Police Killed Six Suspects Pay-As-You-Go Not Applicable to Pay TV, Says FCCPC Chief Executive, Irukera Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

One of the principal suspects in the April 5, 2018 Offa bank robbery, Mr. Azeez Salawu yesterday narrated to the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin how six suspects were killed in his presence by the policemen at Force Headquarters in Abuja.

During the attack, no fewer than 18 people, including a pregnant police woman were killed by the suspected armed robbers that invaded five banks in the ancient town of Offa.

Since then, the five suspects that allegedly partook in the incident have been facing trial at the state High Court, Ilorin. They include, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez and Niyi Ogundiran who were present in court yesterday.

However, at the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, a principal suspect in the incident, Mr. Salawu told the court that the killing of the six suspects in his presence during his interrogation at the Force Headquarters, Abuja was meant to coerce him to admit his alleged participation in the bank robbery attacks in Offa, where 18 people, including policemen were report-

edly killed. This is even as defence counsel, Mathias Emelibe, prayed the court to order the exhumation of the corpse of a principal suspect in the robbery, Michael Adikwu, who allegedly died in police custody in Abuja.

This, he said, was necessary to determine whether the cause of Adikwu’s death was natural or otherwise.

He said that attempts by the prosecution to impress it on the court that there were only five suspects in the case amount to suppression of facts.

He recalled that when the case first came up in October 2018, six suspects were listed on the charge sheet, including Michael Adikwu, who the police later claimed to have died in their custody.

Mr. Salawu, the fourth defendant, however had said earlier in during cross examination in the trial within trial that, “At that same day, Inspector Hassan directed officer Vincent to go and bring five people from somewhere. They asked me to watch what they’ll do to the five persons and that they will do same to me if I don’t cooperate with them.

They killed the five persons in my presence.

They also shot

Lagos Lawmaker, Braimoh Buried The body of Tunde Buraimoh, the lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, was buried yesterday at Ikoyi cemetery according to Islamic rites.

The solemn ceremony drew tears from family, friends and associates of the late Buraimoh, who died in the early hours of yesterday from complications of ill health at 60 years.

The late Bruraimoh was the spokesman of the Lagos State House of Assembly and was serving his second term in the House before his demise.

He was the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government between 1999 and 2002, and was also the Bamofin of Ketuland.

He studied Law at Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye where he graduated in 1988.

Akinnibosun,Adeola and Ogunleye on the legs in my presence. They threatened to kill me but I started begging that I didn’t do anything wrong.

“They said I and Ogunleye robbed at Offa and I denied this but they insisted. They beat me mercilessly inside a generator house, otherwise called theatre. It’s a lie that they interrogated me in a conducive environment.”

Salawu added, “On the second day, I was brought out again from the cell. They showed a man to me and asked me whether I know him. The man is Michael Adikwu. I said I don’t know him. They also asked him whether he knows me but he replied no. They killed him in my presence.

“I pleaded with them not to kill me because my children are still young. They tied me down and hanged me again. I then asked them what they wanted from me, when the torture became unbearable”, he said.

Salawu further claimed that he was forced to thumb print a statement already prepared by the police against his consent.

The prosecution counsel, Abdulwahab Egbewole (SAN), said that contradictions in the dates when the suspects claimed they were interrogated and the police records showed that they were only cooking up stories about their alleged torture and coercion.

He therefore urged the court to admit the confessional statements by the suspects.

Ugwuanyi Inaugurates Community Policing Advisory Committee Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has inaugurated a 17-man State Community Policing Advisory Committee (SCPAC), chaired by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdurrahman, with the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH, Igwe Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, as co-chairman.

Accordingtoastatementfromthestate, thenewCommunityPolicingprogramme is an initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, ascommunicatedbytheInspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, which is saddled with the responsibility of deepening community approach as well as confidence, trust and mutual respect between the Police and the people, in the management of crimes and criminalities.

Inaugurating the committee at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Ugwuanyi disclosed that his administration had

rejigged and re-tooled the state Security Architecture to bring it up to speed with emerging dimensions of insecurity and criminality ”through institutionalised collaboration among its Neighbourhood Watch groups, Forest Guards and security agencies, especially in the area of intelligence sharing.”

The event was attended by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Abubakar, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, ICT, DIG Celestine Okoye, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 13, AIG Danmallam Mohammed, and other Senior Security Officers.

Governor Ugwuanyi further disclosed that the Enugu State Security Trust Fund law was in place to ensure sustainable support for the security agencies in the state while the State Forest Guards Law is before the State Assembly.

Benneth Oghifo Chief Executive of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, has stated that the pay-as-you-go billing model in telecommunications is not necessarily applicable to pay television.

Irukera said this yesterday while appearing on Sunrise Daily, Channels Television’s flagship public affairs programme. Responding to a question on the subject, Irukera said many pay television subscribers confuse the operations of telecommunications with those of the pay television industry. He explained that what obtains in telecoms is not necessarily applicable in pay television, as broadcast content must have been paid for and customers only pay for access unlike in telecommunications where the subscriber only pays when the timer starts.

He added that what consumers mean to ask for is actually pay-perview and went further to differentiate the two terms.

Irukera also said the FCCPC’s role does not include imposing business models on operators, saying the price is negotiated between buyers and sellers.

He however said if the commission sees a business model more profitable and beneficial to consumers, it would advance it.

“Our role is to make sure that consumers get the best possible from a consumer protection standpoint; from the competition standpoint, to make that the playing field is level. And we don’t impose business models on operators. They choose what they want to do and the price is something that is negotiated between consumers and sellers.

But if we see that there is a business model that is more profitable, beneficial to consumers, we will

certainly advance that.

“My challenge with what sometimes is the discussion around pay-as-you-go in pay TV is that there is a disconnection and we’ve been through this. We have conducted some investigations and we have done some surveys in different parts of the world.

“The pay-as-you-go model in telecommunications is not necessarily applicable and so we confuse it sometimes with pay-per-view. Pay-per-view is not that you pay for what you view from the point of when you turn your television on.

“It is primarily that there are certain programmes, maybe a boxing match, a soccer match or some movies that are still in the cinemas that some of the pay TV operators have bought and you can literally request instead of going to a stadium or going to a cinema to watch, you can watch it in your home and pay for that view.

“That is pay-per-view, but we confuse it with pay-as-you-go What people are asking for in pay-as-you-go is when you turn on your television and you are watching, you pay. When you turn off your television and you are not watching, you don’t pay.

“It is difficult because the content has been created, what you are paying for is access.

How you use the access is entirely discretionary and up to you. Unlike the telephone where the clock starts and the airtime goes down, you have paid for content,” he said.

The agitation for the implementation of pay-as-you-go in Nigeria is a loud one. An Ad-hoc Committee of the House of Representatives is currently investigating the non-implementation of pay-as-you-go by pay television service providers.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JULY 11, 2020

NEWS

Court Lifts Order Restraining FG from Withdrawing Marginal Oil Field Licences Davidson Iriekpen

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday set aside its earlier order restraining the federal government from withdrawing licences from 10 marginal oil field operators.

The trial Judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, set aside the restraining order, while delivering a ruling on a motion brought before it by the Ministry of Petroleum and a director in the Department Petroleum Resources (DPR), Auwaul Sarki, on the grounds that they were not properly served with the court processes.

Justice Aneke had on June 3, restrained the federal government through the Ministry of Petroleum, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Sarki, and ordering that processes be served personally on the respondents.

The judge had made the order after listening to an ex-parte application filed and argued by their counsel Tayo Oyetibo SAN and Uche Nwokedi SAN. However, the Marginal Oil

Field operators had told the court that the order and other processes in the suit were served on the respondents via their official e-mail address.

In setting aside the restraining order yesterday, Justice Aneke, after citing plethora of Supreme Court’s authorities, held that the marginal oil field operators failed to comply with the court order, which directed them to serve all the processes on the respondents’ address, which he said was contrary to the rules of admissibility.

He also held that the Practice Direction which the applicants based the service of the processes on the respondents could not supersede the court’s rule, but ought to compliment it.

Consequently, the judge set aside the restraining order made on June 3, 2020, against the respondents and ordered that the whole processes be commenced afresh.

After the restraining order was set aside, Oyetibo pleaded with

the court to urge the counsel to the respondents to accept the processes on behalf of their clients.

He also urged the court to make an order or urge the respondents not to tamper with the subject matter in the suit, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Responding, counsel to the respondents, Dr. Wale Olawoyin (SAN), while conceding to accept the processes in the suit on behalf of his clients, also promised that the government will not do anything with the subject matter until the determination of the suit.

Following the submissions of the parties, Justice Aneke, adjourned till July 20, for hearing of motion on interlocutory injunction.

In urging the court to grant the ex parte application, lawyers to the marginal field operators, Nwokedi, alleged that they have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the production and development of the affected marginal oil fields, adding that the purported revocation of their awards of marginal oil

fields by the government violated their constitutional rights to fair hearing, their rights under the Petroleum Act and under the guidelines governing marginal oil fields in Nigeria.

They also urged the court to halt the attempt by the federal government to include the affected marginal oil fields in the next bidding rounds for award of marginal fields as it recently announced pending the determination of the substantive suit However, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and Sarki, the director in the DPR, through their lawyers, Olawoyin urged the court to set aside the restraining order and declare that they were not properly served with the court processes in the suit.

The respondents’ application dated June 11, 2020, for setting aside the originating motion that gave birth to the restrained order, Mr. Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) leading Mr. Wale Olawoyin (SAN) and Adebayo Ologe, lawyers to the Ministry of Petroleum and Mr. Auwalu Sarki,

FG Approves Fourth Evacuation Flight for Stranded Nigerians in US

Rights Groups Asks FG to Expand Scope of Magu’s Investigation

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

A Civil Rights Advocacy group Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeira (HURIWA) has asked the Presidential panel probing the embattled former acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, to widen the scope of the investigation by inviting Nigerians who had experiences with the agency to narrate them.

In the alternative, such people should be asked to send in memoranda and petitions, adding that the anti-graft commission stank of professional misconduct which should necessitate a more elaborate investigations from time of its establishment.

In a media statement made available by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, the body said it had resolved to petition the Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel investigating Magu to also look at the extensively damaging allegations made by Chief Emmanuel Nwude, convicted previously over advanced fee fraud by a Lagos High Court, that some of the properties not listed amongst his assets forfeited upon conviction were sold by the Economic and Financial Crimes

The federal government has approved a fourth evacuation flight for stranded Nigerians in the United States.

A statement issued yesterday by the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York revealed that the stranded Nigerians would be evacuated by Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. ET509.

The Consulate added that the airline was scheduled to depart Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey on Tuesday, 28th July 2020 by 21:15hrs and arrive Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday, 29th July 2020 by 13:25hrs.

It stated: “Consequently, all prospective evacuees duly registered with any of the three Nigerian Missions in the USA should purchase their one-way tickets through www.ethiopianairlines. com at the cost of $1,250.00 for Economy class and $2,800.00 for Business Class for adult/child fare, including all taxes, with the usual percentage reduction for infants under 2yrs.

“All prospective evacuees who purchased tickets, should forward a copy of their evacuation

ticket, as well as the name, phone number and contact address of their Next of Kin ln Nigeria to cgnnanlgeriahouse.com, which will be done on a ‘first come, first served‘ basis.”

The consulate said in accordance with the Nigerian Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covld-19, all prospective evacuees must present an original Covid-19 negative test result, not older than 14 days on the day of departure at the airport and undergo three temperature check 4hrs before departure.

It stressed that any intending evacuees without the stipulated test result, or a body temperature above 38 degrees centigrade, or any symptoms suggestive of Covid-19, would not be allowed to check in.

It said that while on board, all prospective evacuees were required to wear face masks and be in possession of a hand sanitizer for intermittent use throughout the journey.

The consulate urged all evacuees to adhere strictly to all instructions of Port Health Services (PHS) officials and observe other entry screening protocols on arrival.

Commission.

According to HURIWA, when Nwude allegedly protested over the illegality, both himself and his lawyer were then roped in and charged for a nebulous offence allegedly by the suspended Chairman of the EFCC which they eventually won at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

HURIWA submitted that the weighty allegations made against the EFCC and some of their lawyers by the complainant Chief Emmanuel Nwude were such that should be captured under the terms of reference of the Justice Ayo Salami headed Presidential panel of investigations just as the Rights group said it would also petition the President on the need to carry out a holistic forensic investigations of EFCC so the Aegean stable would be cleaned up thoroughly and for the anti-graft war to regain the needed credible momentum.

The body said that from the petitions and responses of the Commission and some of its lawyers, it would turn in severe revelations of various kinds of abuses should the government take time to invite petitions and probe some of the sleazy actions of the commission.

Lagos Says 2,191 COVID-19 Patients Not in Care Centres Cases hit 31,323, with 12,795 discharged and 709 deaths Bennett Oghifo The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Prof Akin Abayomi has expressed concern that 2,191 people who tested positive for COVID-19 were yet to visit any of the state’s care centres for treatment.

Professor Abayomi, who stated this yesterday, confirmed that these patients are in various communities across the state, advising residents to take responsibility for their wellbeign.

On the same day, 575 new

cases of COVID-19 were recorded nationwide, taking the tally to 31,323, with 12,795 discharged and 709 deaths.

Professor Abayomi tweeted: “In Lagos we #TakeResponsibility by wearing our face mask when in public spaces in addition to regular hand washing and #PhysicalDistancing.

“Stopping communnity spread of #COVID19 begins with you!

Staying alive and safe together #ForAGreaterLagos begins with Us! #WeCanDoIt” Abayomi said a total of 45,490

COVID-19 tests were conducted in the state, adding “The new cases bring the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Lagos to 11,537 as of Wednesday.

Also, 2,191 active cases in communities have yet to turn up for admission in COVID-19 Lagos care centres. For a greater Lagos, we take responsibility by wearing our face masks when in public spaces in addition to regular handwashing and physical distancing.

“Stopping the community spread of COVID-19 begins with you. Staying alive and safe together begins

with us. 1,753 of the confirmed cases have since been discharged from COVID-19 care centres following full recovery while 7,059 of the confirmed cases are being monitored in communities by the COVID-19 Lagos response team.”

According to data released last night by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control 575 new COVID-19 cases were recorded nationwide, bringing the total cases to 31,323.

The disease control centre said to date, 12,795 patients had been discharged while 709 sucumbed to the disease.

FG to Announce Stimulus Packages for the Private Sector Soon Dike Onwuamaeze

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, has assured the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) that the federal government would soon announce series of stimulus packages that would assist operators in the private sector to withstand the COVID-19 propelled severe economic wind on businesses.

Adebayo revealed that 40 per cent of the expected stimulus would be reserved for women owned businesses, including the N50 billion survival funds for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the N15 billion Guaranteed Uptake Scheme that is meant to save 500,000 jobs.

A press release that was issued by the Director General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers

of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (MACCIMA), Mr. Ayoola Olukanni, said that the minister gave the assurance on Thursday during a virtual meeting he had with the leaders of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) made up of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the NACCIMA, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI).

The meeting was attended by the President of NACCIMA, who is also the current President of the OPSN, Mrs. Saratu Iya Aliyu; the President of MAN, Mr. Ahmed Mansur; the President of NECA, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi and the President of NASME, Mr. Orimadegun Agboade.

Revised 2020 Delta Budget Passed Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The Delta State Government 2020 Appropriation Bill has been passed by the state House of Assembly after its third reading on the floor of the House at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

The state 2020 budget, which had earlier been reviewed downward by the state government on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, stands now at N282,331,896,385 (two hundred and eighty-two billion, three hundred and thirty-one million, eight hundred and ninety-six thousand, three hundred and eighty-five naira).

The amount as passed by the House is made up of N152.5 billion (one hundred and fiftytwo point five billion naira) for Recurrent Expenditure and N129.9 billion (one hundred and twenty-nine point nine billion naira) for Capital Expenditure.

The passage of the revised appropriation bill followed receipt of the report at plenary from the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, which was mandated to scrutinise the bill after passing second reading.

The Deputy Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ika South, Hon. Festus Okoh, said that recommendations were made after intense scrutiny of the amendment bill.

Amaechi Celebrates Rufus Ada George at 80 Minister of Transportation and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has hailed former governor of old Rivers State (now Bayelsa and Rivers States), Chief Rufus Ada-George as an exemplary leader, a uniter and a father to many.

Amaechi made the commendation in a birthday message to Chief Ada-George, the Peripelebo 1 of Okrika on the occasion of his 80th birthday anniversary.

“As governor of Rivers State, you raised leaders, you created opportunities for growth in politics for many of us, you are a father figure to many of us who served in the government of Rivers State.

You left indelible footprints in the state and opened up a path for us to follow.

“On this occasion of your 80th birthday, I pray God to grant you more life, good health, grace, peace and joy. I wish you a very happy birthday!” Amaechi said.

Insecurity: Group Seeks God’s Intervention in Nigeria A Non-Governmental Organisation, Global Social Mobilisation Foundation, has organised a special prayer summit to seek God’s intervention in the rise of violent crimes across the country.

The foundation’s National President, Chaplain John Lawal Isyaku-Guga who organised the prayer summit in Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State, with the theme ‘Prayer of Patriotic Nigerians’, stressed the need for both Muslims and Christians to continue to dwell in harmony, do good to each other and be their brothers’ keepers.

According to him, “If peaceful co-existence exists between the two major religions it will go a long way in bringing more development nationwide, because without peace there cannot be progress in society.

“If fellow Nigerians can continue to pray for leaders and nation, we shall experience divine intervention in all sectors of our national life,” he said.

Isyaku-Guga who commended former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon for tirelessly praying for Nigeria, said “prayer is the unseen weapon that works faster than guns in solving problems and challenges both at the state and national levels and internationally.”

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation and inauguration officials of GSMF in Danja local government, special prayer session offered for both leaders at national, state and local government levels as well as prayer for an end to armed banditry and stop to spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

SUPER SATURDAY Storm at Anu Adepoju’s Contour Cosmetic Clinic While her reign lasted, Dr. Anu Adepoju’s clinic in Lagos was the place to be for cosmetic surgery.

Ladies stormed the place for liposuction, hips, butt and breast enlargement. Suddenly, stories of badly done surgeries started emerging. At a point, a lady allegedly died after a cosmetic surgery in the clinic. Thereafter, the clinic was shut and Anu arraigned in court. Is she guilty as charged? Ferdinand Ekechukwu digs in

“I

am Dr. Adepoju Anuoluwapo, a graduate of University of Lagos College of Medicine Class of 2015. I am a fully registered member of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and a graduate member of Nigeria Medical Association; also, a Physician member of American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery,” she tersely, albeit steadily, introduces herself as she opened up on her war with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and an online blog who she accused of blackmail.

In a video which appeared online, the embattled doctor who operates as Dr. Anu, claimed officials of the FCCPC, following petition of acts of medical misconducts against her, had broken into her Lagos-based cosmetic hospital at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. “They actually broke the gate, broke the door, went upstairs, broke the door upstairs, took video, took pictures of my theatre, carted away with things. So I cried out to the association - Nigerian Medical Association – and they wrote officially to FCCPC that they do not have any business with medical facilities.

“And that they also introduced me, officially to the commission that I’m a doctor. Because what they have there said I wasn’t a doctor.” She further addressed the controversies trailing her. In the video, she spoke on how she was falsely represented in the media due to her profession which does not allow her share details.

The doctor debunked claims that she uses her patients for rituals and accused the owner of a popular blog of requesting for N2 million naira so as to support her and stop writing exaggerated lies about her.

Now for those who may not know, the subject, Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju runs a medical facility which lately has been enmeshed in controversies of botched cosmetic surgeries, and in some cases, death allegedly from complications of the surgeries. Popularly known as Dr. Anu Fella or Sisi Anu, her outfit, Med Contour carries out cosmetic surgeries like liposuction hips, butt enlargement and breast augmentation, has been called out a number of times.

At the centre of her controversies, and in each episode, her seeming boldness postures her readiness to go headlong with the aggrieved friends and allies of the women who patronize her clinic for body enhancement procedures. In what appears to be the aftermath of a botched surgery in 2019, the doctor was arrested and taken to Panti Police Station for questioning but was later released under controversial circumstances. In fact, it was widely reported that she shut her facility last year and went underground, after “killing” a beauty queen due to complications of a failed surgery.

A friend of the deceased had claimed that Dr. Anu conducted the surgery on the late beauty queen same year she graduated from medical school and started her internship. But just a month after her release, Dr. Anu Fella re-opened Med Contour clinic, released spiteful statements on her social media handle, absolving herself of any wrongdoing, claimed victimization and blamed LUTH for killing her clients since in her own understanding, they fail to manage the patients who suffered complications of

Dr. Anu

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

11

SUPER SATURDAY Storm at Anu Adepoju’s Contour Cosmetic Clinic

Dr. Anu the cosmetic surgery she performed on them.

That particular incident would open a can of worms for Dr. Anu, giving way to outrage and series of complaints leading up to her recent arrest on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Her trial kicked off on July 3. The medical doctor was dragged before the court by the FCCPC over allegations that the cosmetic surgery carried out by her led to the death of one Mrs. Nneka Miriam Barbra Onwuzuligbo. The agency accused her of obstructing investigation of the case.

The agency also accused her of disregarding several directives to her to appear before the agency and produce certain documents. Back in April, the FCCPC had shut her clinic. The agency initiated investigations of the clinic after receiving petitions against her. According to the charge sheet, “Dr. Anu, without sufficient cause, failed or refused to appear before the FCCPC in compliance with the Commission’s Summons dated 15th day of April 2020.”

Dr. Anu was also accused of making false claims about her services to prospective clients. In a sixparagraph affidavit of completion of investigation attached to the charge sheet, the commission through its counsel, Babatunde Irukera, said it received complaints against Dr. Anu from one Marlene Oluwakemi, Taiwo Temilade, and Vivian Onwuzuligbo that Dr. Anu’s services are unsafe for consumers, and that she made “false, misleading and deceptive representation in relation to the marketing of their services.”

In particular, the above-mentioned Vivian Onwuzuligbo, a relation of the Mrs. Nnneka Miriam Barbara Onwuzuligbo (now deceased) alleged that the deceased died as a result of the failed defendants’ cosmetic surgery and she is privy to the events that led to the demise of the deceased. Dr. Anu pleaded not guilty to the five counts. The presiding judge Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi then granted her bail on self-recognisance in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and adjourned the case till July 9 for the commencement of trial.

In retrospect however, not a few have questioned her reputation over the integrity of her practice as a cosmetics surgeon. Although the kinds of surgeries she conducts are elective, looking at her education and qualification, how does an alleged 2016 graduate amass the skill needed to perform cosmetic surgery on women between 2016 and 2019 (the year of her first known complication)? Was she truly certified by the American College of Surgeons? Which organization in Nigeria certified her to practice as a plastic/cosmetic surgeon?

Is she registered with NAPRAS (National Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons) Nigeria?

It behooves the relevant authorities and professional medical bodies and associations to speak up before unsuspecting women become statistics of quackery. A concerned medical doctor, who claimed to know her personally, alleged: “I was in LUTH the same period with Dr. Anu and this babe finished 2016/2017. How she’s already a plastic surgeon is beyond me. In 3 years, she has done house job, undergone residency for surgery (3 years or so) and another residency for plastic surgery, how? She didn’t even finish internship before she opened Medcontour Clinic”.

The doctor noted further: “Yes, she is a doctor quite alright, but Anu’s qualifications as a plastic surgeon or any surgeon at all is a big lie. Anu is not a specialist; in fact, she should go and complete her internship at LUTH. Anu Fella’s case shows the corruption and rot in Nigeria’s medical system”.

In recent times, more women have taken to social media to call out Dr Anu for the adverse effects of the cosmetic surgery she had done on people. In March 2020, a social media user @omohtee who was identified as Omotola took to social media to tell the world about the surgery she undergone through Dr. Anu and the complications she suffered from it.

Dr. Anu in her response, summed her patient’s symptoms and concerns as Body Dysmorphia – a mental illness characterised by an obsessive need to fix’ even a seeming perfect body. But the problem with the Dr. Anu’s submission, as somebody pointed out, is that it obvious to her that her returning client did not need any more work done, and she still went ahead to carry out the surgery regardless.

It didn’t end there. Some weeks after the backlash, Omohtee surfaced online with claims that Dr. Anu arrested her for dragging her on social media and made the police to force her to sign an undertaking not to speak or post about her alleged experience with the “failed plastic surgery” on social media.

That was the last heard of Omohtee after she posted, “I have signed undertaking that I won’t say anything about her on social media again, which I didn’t even do after my viral video. It was the new girl’s video that’s made her trend again. They dialed one man number on my phone (the gist lover person) thinking I have it saved. I collected mad insults and bullying today upon all my pictures I showed them and even letter from the hospital. I’m still receiving treatment.”

In June 2020, just few weeks after that, one Omotola took to the social media to say that she was afraid for her life following a ‘botched’ cosmetic surgery carried out by Dr. Anu. . . Another woman who simply identifies herself as “Vick” has also cried out in a

viral video following the challenges she’s been facing after a cosmetic breast surgery that Dr. Anu allegedly performed on her. Vick said she suffered complications shortly after the surgery for which she paid over N1.6m.

After making a complaint of having a “reddish sign” on her left breast, she said she was placed on an injection which continued for four weeks.

However, her complaints persisted and it was found that she had abscess in both of her breasts, following which she had to have the abscesses drained off, but her troubles were far from over as the problem kept reoccurring. Vick in the now viral video lamented in an emotion-laden voice that she spent all she had on the surgical process at Med Contour. She revealed she is currently at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where doctors will again drain off the abscesses in her breasts.

Friends of Dr. Anu are also fighting for her. One of them remarked on Tuesday: “How else can we explain why the FCCPC would get involved in a case that is outside its jurisdiction? Why would Mr. Irukera, the CEO of the agency personally come to Lagos from Abuja and invade Dr. Anu’s clinic with a team of policemen without a search warrant or any legal backing of any sort? Why does he appear to have an obsessive interest in Dr Anu’s case? In whose interest is he hell bent on circumventing the law just to embarrass Dr. Anu? “Irukera charges against Dr Anu since June 3, 2020 and did not serve her a copy as demanded by law. She only became aware of the charges in court on July 3, 2020. He was duly scolded by Justice Liman for failure to duly and properly serve Dr. Anu before the beginning of trial. Before Dr. Anu was arraigned, Irukera went ahead to give the press uncertified court copies of proof of evidence and affidavit of completion of investigation, making himself the regulator, enforcer, investigator, prosecutor and judge in this case.”

Meanwhile, LUTH has asked the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Investigation Panel to investigate Dr. Anu following the botched cosmetic surgery performed by her on Miss Nneka Onwuzuligbo. The management of LUTH accused Dr. Anu of professional misconduct following the death of one Miss Onwuzuligbo, “who developed complications after cosmetic surgery at Dr Anu’s facility before dying at LUTH, after which Dr. Anu tried to extricate herself by blaming LUTH for her death.”

In a petition dated June 11, 2020, and signed by LUTH’s Director of Legal Services, O. O. Olajide, the hospital said Nneka was brought to its hospital with severe respiratory distress and septicaemia with infected surgical wounds.

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

COMMENTARY

‘WE ARE HERE FOR THE PEOPLE’ Etuk Ekanem pays tribute to Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State

I

n this era of dearth of true leaders to steer the affairs of the nation towards Eldorado, Akwa Ibomites are daily thanking their stars that they have a great and visionary leader in the person of Governor Udom Emmanuel. As the governor celebrates his birthday today, Saturday July 11, encomiums have been pouring in from far and near to felicitate with an astute leader, a great banker – turned politician who left his enviable managerial position at the Zenith Bank for politics just to bring accelerated development to his people.

Today, Akwa Ibom, the largest oil producing state in Nigeria, is the best for it. A governor who promised to bring economic succour to the grassroots, has constructed over 1,700 kilometers of roads within five years across the state.

He swore even from the moment he became the secretary to the state government that if ever he becomes governor one day the state will witness the most glorious moments of its existence.

A true man of God, a leader with deep unbridled conscience, knowing that foreign investments can only be possible if development is well–spread in the state, he has extended other social infrastructure to the three senatorial districts of the state. Today the network of roads in Akwa Ibom State remains one of the best in the South south. And he believes that as an oil producing state, people must wake up every day to see, perceive and feel the presence and dividends of democracy in and around them. As a financial expert, given to astuteness, his love for health care services and provisions in the state speak volumes. As Covid-19 began to ravage the world, he quickly deemed it fit to swing into action, protecting the state dishing out instructions on how to stay safe.

Of note is his remodeling of the state-owned hospitals to suit the exigencies of the moment and for the people to have enough places to seek for medical succour as the corona virus continues to cause havoc. At the moment, the state has recorded one of the lowest cases of Covid-19. Emmanuel’s administration has built an infectious disease centre, a 300-bed facility and one of the best in sub-Saharan Africa.

Located at Ituk Mbang, one of the sprawling rural places in the state, the centre caters for all cases of diseases as they arise. Indeed it is one of the best isolation centres around. He once said “we do not wish to be caught unawares. When you have modern medical centres, it helps to curtail the spread of diseases”.

This centre also boasts of first class standards PRC laboratories, good enough for an ideal isolation centre and the sort.

All the medical personnel there are properly taken care of by the governor and his team.

In the area of education, there have been great improvements in terms of standards, quality teachers and updated modern school facilities to compete with the rest of the world.

As he celebrates his birthday, what is uppermost in the minds

FOOD IS ONE OF THE BEST ITEMS THE STATE CAN BOAST OF TODAY. IN ADDITION TO THE OVER 18 NEW INDUSTRIES IN THE STATE, QUITE A NUMBER OF THE YOUTHS HAVE JOBS TO DO

of Akwa Ibomites is that here is a leader who believes in the people he is elected to lead. He provides and runs the only and most efficient state-owned airline in Nigeria – Ibom Air. With the airport properly located off Oron – Uyo road, it is central to the needs of the people. Doing business in Akwa Ibom now is lots easier because it is easy to access the state either by road or by air. And being an agrarian society, where you have the best collection of sea foods ever, governor Emmanuel and his well-tested cabinet and technocrats have improved the agricultural status of the state.

Food is one of the best items the state can boast of today.

In addition to the over 18 new industries in the state, quite a number of the youths have jobs to do. In so doing, the rate of crime has reduced drastically since Emmanuel assumed office more than five years ago. What is more? The rate of kidnapping has reduced. From being kidnapers’ den, the state today enjoys one of the freest, safest environments in the country.

Expatriates, oil workers, the natives, no longer fear to go home or move about in the state.

As the state has suddenly become highly industrialized, people no longer consider it a purely civil service state. Much of what has been achieved came about because governor Emmanuel carries the people along. He is people oriented, no doubt, believing that power belongs to the grassroots. “We are here for the people”, he always says. This is a statement his people are always pleased to hear.

The truth of the matter is that Akwa Ibom is no more rural place it used to be. Much has been elevated and improved upon in all corners of the state. The people, having been encouraged by what they have witnessed since, have vowed to join hands with him to help create more wealth in the state.

People usually feel satisfied to open their own businesses now as more cottage industries spring up here and there.

The environment is friendly, highly conducive for individual businesses to thrive.

When the righteous is on the throne people prosper. This is a God-fearing man in truth and in action. His intentions are genuine, coated with amazing zeal to put smiles on the faces of the public. “I am for the people”, he would clearly state as often as the occasion warrants him to. He loves peace. He rummages on issues that prosper ideas and usher in brotherhood among the throng of his people. Dichotomy of any sort distorts his psyche. He loves to see his people smile, turning to God for solace, for new ideas of development.

As he turns a year older, we see an exuberant governor bringing vibrancy to reign in his domain. It is a moment to glory in this new era of political, economic, social and ideological fanfare in Akwa Ibom State. Kudos to a leader who does not sing his own praises, but strives on silent achievements as he continuously improves the lot of his people.

PURSUING HAPPINESS DURING COVID-19 Happiness belongs to people who make others happy, writes Osamwonyi Omozuwa

S

ome of the ethical challenges of engaging in happiness-stimulating social activities in an ever-changing world became more apparent, when Naira Marley held an outdoor concert at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja. The musical concert, which was held on Saturday 14th June, elicited widespread public censure.

Simply because, it was a celebration of deviance, a gross violation of all FCTA enacted protocols on COVID–19 control.

COVID-19 has narrowed our social cosmos.

It has disrupted the rhythms of social life.

Social life is becoming vapid. People cannot freely spend time doing enjoyable things with others, except on mediated spaces. However, the transformation of mediated spaces to hubs of social, communicational, recreational, educational, and religious activities is causing widespread screen fatigue.

Also, emerging norms of social engagements are making many to feel encaged and emasculated. People’s sense of autonomy is sagging and psychological anguish is increasing.

Fear and despair are thriving where love and happiness once reigned. In fact, humanity is going through a time of communal bereavement.

People want to take breathers. They resort to music. Music is an age-long recipe for euphoria, particularly, in times of dysphoria.

If Naira Marley’s concert observed extant regulations, it might have transcended the limits of ludic pleasure. It might have engendered renewal of hope, and contributed to dissipating COVID-19’s miasma of despair. Globally, creative workers are ethically deploying their genius, and harnessing innovative technologies to promote wellness and wellbeing. Naira

Marley would have followed some of their examples. But he did not. Therefore, making COVID-19 more threatening.

Epicureanism unravels the underlining logic of Naira Marley’s concert. Devotion to sensual pleasure and luxury has attained the status of popular religion. Most young people are animated by the belief that their essential moral duty is to optimise pleasure, luxuriate in affluence, and escape pain.

Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher, in a letter to Menoeceus, notes: “We recognise pleasure as the first good innate in us, and from pleasure we begin every act of choice and avoidance, and to pleasure we return again, using the feeling as the standard by which we judge every good.” Stated pointedly, feelings of pleasure are the moral standard by which Naira Marley, his fans, and many people “judge every good”.

The belief and behaviour of ethical hedonists say man’s ultimate goal is to minimise pain, and maximise pleasure. So, they seek gain without pain, pleasure without principles, and wealth without work. They readily compromise enduring values for fleeting pleasure. Sacrifice means nothing to them; instant gratification means everything. In pursuit of pleasure and affluence, unprincipled advantage takers cast off noble restraints. Their actions are guided by the playbook of situational ethics.

Naira Marley’s musical concert demonstrates the weakness of hedonistic situational ethics.

A culture of lawlessness is entrenched when rational and noble restraints are considered useless, spoilers of pleasure. When the principle of “me first” is at work, everything that secures

public good ceases to work efficiently. This explains why at the planning and execution stages, the gig did not appear in the raider of law enforcement and regulatory authorities.

The pursuit of happiness is endangered by self-centredness. It mutates the nature of happiness, reduces the possibility of finding meaning, and attaining significance. Happiness in its truest form is epiphenomenal; it is derived from self-giving acts that enrich others. Sadly, in this age of hyper individualism, chivalrous behaviours are seen as the moral vestiges of cavemen. Scorners of code of honour are the new honourables.

Love -the fount of enduring happiness- is an endangered virtue. Happiness is elusive where the poverty of love is widespread. The spike in “opt out”, a euphemism for suicide, is an index that lovelessness and unhappiness are markers of postmodern man. In popular imagination, love equates to ludic lust, mere eroticism. Some people realise a bit late that hedonic romance without the ethics of commitment leads to ethical, emotional, relational, and spiritual burnouts.

Furthermore, many people live under the misapprehension that happiness is a function of their purchasing power. They assume that the broader their spectrum of choice is, the happier they become. Of course, higher income improves people’s spectrum of choice, social visibility, and adorability. However, money, luxury, visibility do not necessarily give happiness. People at the top of the social ladder are hardly the happiest.

Lack of meaningful moral education makes people to think, good body image brings happiness. The British philosopher and strident humanist, A.C Graylings, notes that some

people think: “Happiness belongs to those who are thin and buy things.” So, like Erika Kohut, the lead character in Elfriede Jelinek’s novel, The Piano Teacher, they send fortunes buying things they don’t need. Body image and purchasing power cannot substitute good character in the quest for happiness.

Erika Kohut exemplifies the fact that music without nobility of character and thought does not lead to happiness. She used music to inculcate fear, build emotional wall between her and her students. Thereby, she violated the essence of music. Music divorced from ethics becomes an instrument of manipulative control.

Music is pro-social, and central in different ethical guideposts to happiness. Its social and personal functions are significant to human flourishing. Music brings people together. It forges and strengthens social ties. It is a creative way of communicating values, reinforcing cultural identities and stimulating feelings of happiness. In our corruption-encumbered society, music could be used to fine-tune social conscience, and unleash the imaginative prowess of national builders. Also, emotional expression is one of its basic functions. Hence, it fosters inner rejuvenation.

In conclusion, happiness belongs to people who make others happy. Nobody is incapable of offering solace during this austere period of COVID-19. Happiness is not elusive, if we prioritise the wellbeing of others. Nigeria will become an oasis of happiness where human life is richer with meaning, if the golden rule regulates our individual conduct.

Osamwonyi Gabriel Omozuwa, aceomozuwa@gmail.com

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

INSIGHT

In obedience to the times...

Osun and Quest for Productive Economy

Restarting the Aviation Industry

W

hen Covid-19 broke out late 2019, in Wuhan, China, only few scientists saw the birthing of what has become deadliest pandemic in the last half a century. Millions of people have been infected, and hundreds of thousands killed. The world was literally shutdown by this ravaging pandemic. Global economy is a shadow of itself.

Nations of the world and corporate organizations are counting their losses; both in human fatalities and economic cum political losses.

Among the economic sectors affected, aviation industry remains the hardest hit. The sector, being the epicenter of global transportation, was brought to a halt—at least, for three consecutive months. Many airlines grounded their planes, and thousands of jobs put on life support.

Having been able to flatten the curves of infections and fatalities, some countries have started reopening their economies. Life has started returning to aviation industry. Nigeria’s aviation industry just resumed commercial flights on 8th July, 2020, with strict precautionary protocol to ensure safety of passengers and crew members.

There have been threats and rumors of seismic job cuts in the industry owing to the challenges of the pandemic in the global aviation industry. Allen Onyema, chief executive officer of Air Peace, has risen to the occasion to safeguard jobs in the sector. He has been rallying various stakeholders in the entire value chain to prevent what will be the biggest job losses in aviation sector. He has also pleaded with the government to help the industry via palliatives (bailout) and tax reliefs to minimize the effects of the Covid-19 in the sector.

Nigeria’s economy cannot absorb potential job losses in the industry. Drastic actions need to be taken, as being propagated by Onyema.

When Nigerian airspace was closed in March, 2020, many airlines, and affiliate companies in the industry put their staff members on leave without pay, with the promise to be recalled once aviation industry came back to life. But these jobs can no longer be guaranteed as a result of prevailing circumstances.

It is worthy of note that Nigeria’s aviation sector suffered excruciating injuries from the three-month lockdown. During this challenging period, over 4.7 million passenger traffic was lost; and over 140,000 jobs endangered. A critical sector of the economy like aviation that contributes about 0.8 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with potential to be major contributor to the economy.

Apart from overseeing the biggest indigenous

airline, Air Peace honcho, Allen Onyema, is not only concerned about making profits for his company and himself—sustaining already existing jobs, and creating more opportunities in the industry have been of utmost importance to him.

He is of the school of thought that preserving jobs should be of priority to all stakeholders at a difficult time like this. Aviation workers should not be made to bear the burden of economic strangulation of Covid-19 alone. Airlines as well need not be left in doldrums. Government needs to provide the necessary catalysts to kick-start the industry once again, to save jobs and businesses from collapsing.

The easiest way out, whenever a company or organization is witnessing economic downturns, is to downsize the workforce. But Onyema thinks differently. He believes that fate of aviation workers should not be thrown under the bus, at any turbulent period.

When company makes huge profits, workers are not usually the major beneficiaries, but why will they always bear the full weight of the losses when the going gets tough?

Chidiebere Nwobodo, Abuja

A

recent narrative on some online platforms, in which the authors decry exorbitant rent charged by landlords, in connivance with estate agents in Osogbo metropolis and its environs calls for intervention.

Real estate business is a line of business with slow pace of returns. But that an investor in the real estate is intrinsically in business is not in any way in doubt.

So many issues need to be considered before casting aspersions on landlords, knowing fully well that every rational investor is out to make profit no matter what.

Sincerely, the issues surrounding purported exorbitant rent should be analysed creatively from a broad socio-economic dimension and developmental lens of macroeconomic theory known as ‘Economic Cost Advantage’ (ECA), where it is rational for every country, individual and business entity to concentrate on the lines of business with lowest cost of production per unit of product and attendant maximum profit.

The embedded merit of ECA is that, the economic model prioritises production and sustainable economic template, with multiplier effects on the larger society, which include employment and social security.

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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

Because every surviving and developed economy predicates on production and not consumption or speculation, as it is applicable in the real estate business. There is urgent need to look inward and change the old order in the State of Osun.

As a matter of importance, the economic perception of the people must be changed towards greater frontiers of opportunities in order to attain higher purchasing power. Against this backdrop, every citizen in the state must look in the direction of the propelled economic road map of the government to create sufficient wealth. The present administration’s efforts to create viable and dynamic economic direction in critical sectors of the economy like agriculture, tourism, solid state minerals, and many more must be proactively adopted and passionately adapted.

Therefore, since there is conducive economic environment in the state to have reliable economic prosperity, every citizen should have alternative means of income for better standard of living. The intellectually-driven summit on economy organised in the last quarter of 2019 was consciously conceived to create this type of virile economic environment for diversification. Many development economists and management experts have continued to commend the governor on the obvious short and long- term positive effects of such convergence of experts.

The government has also moved further to strengthen the security architecture of the state by setting the pace in community policing arrangement, known as ‘Amotekun Corps’ to complement the federal security formation, knowing fully well that the bedrock of economic growth is safe environment.

Osun remains an arena of tourist sites, in which the rich historical heritage and relative peace in the state should ordinarily attract many world tourists, with huge economic benefits .

In that wise, it is incumbent on the Osun citizenry to key into the economic direction of the present administration in the state and diversify to more sustainable economic path of production.

Also, the consistency in the prompt payment of salaries of workers and other emoluments is a product of conscious resolve of the Oyetola’s administration to prioritise the well-being of the people above any considerations, and not the mindset of exploitation to create economic burden for the good people of the state.

There is need for concerted efforts to create productive economy that will bring about new economic order in Osun, as government continues to give direction to the path of prosperity.

Olaniyi Ajibola, Chief Press Secretary to Osun State Deputy Governor

14

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͹˜ ͰͮͰͮ

NEWS

Immigration Stops 58 Nigerian Doctors' Departure to London Chinedu Eze The Nigeria Immigration Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, has refused departure of58NigeriandoctorstoLondon.

The Nigerian doctors attempted travelling aboard a chartered UK bound aircraft flight number ENT 550 with registration number SP-ES that flew in from London.

Immigration said 56 of the doctors had no visa for entry

to United Kingdom, while only two had visa.

“Medical Doctors were refused departure in line with Section 31 subsection 2a and b, on powers conferred on the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration

Service by the Immigration Act 2015, to prohibit departure of any person under the conditions stated in the Act. “The chartered flight approved for landing in Nigeria was to carry 42 medical doctors for a training

programme but they were 58 with only two having Visa for entry into UK, a situation that calls for refusal of departure,” Immigration said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Sunday James.

The statement also explained that the Nigeria Immigration Service as the agency saddled with control of entry and departure from Nigeria of persons would not allow individuals or groups of well-educated Nigerians who should know the procedures for travelling out of their country and the requirements, which include having a valid visa for entry into a destination country to leave.

“This is to avoid refusal of entry and repatriation back to Nigeria amidst COVID-19 pandemic and spreading of same as well as flouting the federal government’s directive on restriction

of international flights unless for essential reason as approved by government,” the statement said.

It also noted that there was no official communication to the Service from the Ministry of Health in Nigeria or any known Medical body notifying the NIS of the travel of this number of medical doctors.

“The aircraft has departed for London without the Medical Doctors. The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede is taking this opportunity to advise Nigerians to always adhere to travel protocols and ensure they have valid passports with valid visa to the country they intended travelling to before going to any airport, seaport or land border control to avoid refusal to depart,” the statement added.

N9.8bn Debt: AMCON Seizes More Properties in Lekki Davidson Iriekpen

ENRICHING KNOWLEDGE...

The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi, Lagos, Commandant, AVM Kingsley Lar (2nd from left); Deputy Commandant, Maj. Gen. Martins Enedu (right), with their wives, and a participant, unveiling the 2nd Edition of The Hope Magazine, at the symbolic passing out ceremony of Trainees in Lagos...recently

Restore Military Checkpoints on Okene–Lokoja, Pleads Kogi NUJ Ibrahim Oyewale ÓØ ÙÕÙÔË Followingthegruesomemurder of an army officer and two naval officers on Okene Lokoja highway in quick succession, the Kogi State council of the Nigeria

Union of Journalists has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to restore military checkpoints on Okene- lokoja-Abuja road to check the activities of blood thirsty criminals on the road.

According to a statement

AfricanVoices Compilation Edition Features Samuel Eto’o, Others AfricanVoicesChangeMakers,the magazine programme of Cable News Network (CNN), will this weekend feature Cameroonian soccer legend, Samuel Eto’o Fils, in its compilation edition.

It will also feature two Nigerians including Godfrey Nzamujo, a regenerative agriculturist, and Yvonne Anuli Orji, a NigerianAmerican actress reputed for her role as Molly in the Home Box

Transition The family of Fadiora of IleIfe announce the transition to eternal glory of their beloved wife and mother, Madam Esther Modupeola Fadiora, nee Ogunlade. She passed away on July 7, 2020 at the age of 75.

She is survived by her husband, children and grandchildren, amongst whom is Sam Fadiora, CEO of Trivest Technologies.

Late Madam Esther Fadiora

Office series Insecure.

Acording to Globacom, sponsors of the programme, the edition would rehash the three stories of professional excellence as told by Eto’o, whose football career began with Kadji Sports Academy where he distinguished himself as a top striker for four years before leaving for one of the top clubs in Europe, Real Madrid, in 1997. He had successful stints at Chelsea, Everton, and Qatar Football Club among other soccer club sides before retiring from professional football in 2019.

signed by the Council Chairman, Adeiza Momohjimoh and Secretary, Ademu Seidu, the road had become a safe haven for criminals who had left tales of woes on the families of their victims.

The statement stressed that the Osara-Irepeni axis of the road has become notorious for the activities of the blood thirsty criminals. An army captain GSM Abubakar driving in company of his wife was last Sunday shot dead and his wife and mother kidnapped while two naval officers whose names could not be ascertained were reportedly shot dead yesterday within the same axis.

The Council pointed out that the criminals no doubt had taken the advantage of the withdrawal of the military from the road to unleash mayhem on innocent road users with deaths on its trail.

"There is the need for the police

to up their game by patrolling the road instead of creating roadblocks and preoccupying themselves with checking of vehicle particulars.

"The criminals take advantage of these lapses by striking in between police road blocks," the Council added.

The Union also urged the state government to respond to the new wave of criminality across the state.

Itsekiri Threatens to Shut Down Oil Companies Over Gas Park, Depp Seaport Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ Itsekiri ethnic nationality has kicked against alleged abandonment of the multi-billion dollars Gas Revolution Industrial Park project (GRIP)in Ogidigben located at Ugborodo in Warri South West Local Government

Runsewe Commends El-Rufai, Fayemi on Curbing Rape, Gender Violence Charles Ajunwa The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC),OtunbaOlusegun Runsewe, has commended Governors Nasir el-Rufai and Kayode Fayemi of Kaduna and Ekitistatesrespectively,fortaking proactive steps to curb the rising cases of rape and gender-based violence in their states.

Runsewe who made the commendation in Abuja, said that the current rise in cases of rape and gender-based violence in Nigeria was worrisome, adding that it was fast becoming another

form of pandemic.

The NCAC boss who blamed this moral decay on the deterioration of our cultural values stated that steps needed to be urgently taken to put our nation on the path of morality.

Runsewe said that he was encouraged that NCAC has partners in eminent Nigerians like el-Rufai and Fayemi in the efforts to revive our cultural values.

He lamented that many Nigerian youths and even adults now indulge in ungodly behaviours like rape, violation of children, transgenderism, homosexualism and so on. The NCAC DG stressed

Officials of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) yesterday moved againstdebtorsowingthefederal government N9.8billion by seizing their properties and lands at Lekki, Lagos.

The affected properties include large expanse of lands occupied by squatters and mechanic village at Goshen Beach Estate and its environs.

The debtors, according to a suit marked: FHC/L/CS/537/2020, are Knight Rook Limited (under AMCON Receivership), Fibigboye Estates Limited and Grant Properties Limited.

AMCON's representative, Adedeji Aniyikaye-Quadri, said the move followed a June 18, 2020 ex parte order granted in the corporation's favour by Justice Saliu Saidu.

The order attached the respondents' properties for the satisfaction of the N9,866,510,191.00 (billion) debt.

It is to enforce a judgment debt AMCON won at the Federal High Court on October 3, 2017, before Justice I.N. Buba.

AMCON had on Wednesday taken over 40 hectares land at Lekki-Epe Expressway, Sangotedo, Ajah, opposite Peace Garden City Estate, Ajah, pursuant to the same order. Aniyikaye-Quadri said AMCON executed the judgment following the respondents' failure to settle the debt.

He added: "We are not aware of any appeal challenging the judgment.

"The order takes immediate effect, it is permanent and it affects everything fixed on the land whether movable or immoveable, properties of the defendants."

that it was cruel and abominable for a man to rape a three-monthold baby or for a father to rape, impregnate and carry out abortion on his biological daughter three consecutive times.

He said that these evil acts are now also carried out by some religious leaders and in institutions of learning where values and morals are expected to be inculcated in our youths.

Raising the alarm that rape and other forms of sexual assaults were evil and criminal, he noted that they are vices from the pit of hell to destroy our children and pervert our society.

Area of Delta State.

The ethnic group is also set for a showdown with the federal government for its nonchalant attitude towards the promised deep seaport located in Escravos area in Warri by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration Spokesman of Itsekiri Oil/ Gas Producing communities, (MDIOGPC) Mr. Besidone Samuel at a press briefing at Ode Ugborodo (Excravos), Warri South -west Local Government Area, yesterday lamented the action of the government, adding that the federal government should also halt the ongoing bidding process for the 57 marginal fields until companies owned by Itsekiri sons and daughters were given right of first refusal on the fields in Itsekiri communities.

Mr. Samuel alleged that Itsekiri nation had been grossly marginalised in marginal field bid offers since oil was discovered in her communities 60 years ago, adding that if the government failed to halt the process Itsekiri would not hesitate to shut down all oil exploration activities across her communities

He further called on the federal government to direct the Ministries of Works, Niger Delta, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and international oil companies (IOCs) to carry out shore protection across Itsekiri riverine communities to protect the areas from rampaging ocean surge. The Itsekiri nation further urged the government to resume work on the abandoned Omadino-Excravos road “expected to connect the oil and gas-rich coastal communities in Warri South and Warri South-west Local Government “

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS THEODORA MADAKI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS THEODORA MADAKI BASSEY. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ELIZABETH ERYUM ADIKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ERYUM ELIZABETH OJILE.. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

POLITY

Ugwuanyi: Recreating Education Standard in Enugu Joseph Aneke

L

ike many have said, before Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi became the governor of Enugu State, he had his mission and vision well defined and cut out. From the health sector, to security, road infrastructure and education among others, the former ranking member of the House of the House of Representatives already had well designed plans of what he wanted to do to positively impact his people and unlock uncommon developments in the state.

The governor, Gburugburu as he is fondly called, very well understands the place of education in any human setting. He understands that education is the life wire and the bedrock of the socio-political and economic development of any society.

It is clear to him that every modicum of development in any human society is a function of how educated the people are.

So, like G.K Chesterton, Ugwuanyi believes that education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.

It is in the light of that conviction that the governor, since his inauguration on May 29, 2015, has not left any discerning mind in doubt about his preparedness to return education to its glorious days in the state. And he has been up and doing in that regard.

His impacts in the state’s education sector are so massive that I would only mention but a few of them in this write-up for lack of space.

Ugwuanyi is constantly reaffirming his commitment and belief in qualitative, accessible, affordable and inclusive education in the state. While commissioning some equipment and facilities’ repairs for teaching and learning in Technical Colleges and Special Science Schools in the state, he was reported to have said: “Our best investment is in education.”

It is not surprising that in the last two years, his administration has made concerted efforts, despite the prevailing economic recession, to rewrite the history of education in the state by deliberately improving the standard of learning through the implementation of far reaching reforms as embedded in his administration’s four-point agenda.

Realising that primary and secondary education are the bedrock of solid tertiary education, he did not waste time after assumption of office, before he started the renovation, rehabilitation and re-equipment of primary and secondary schools in the state, which were then in deplorable conditions.

The result did not take time to materialise. Last year, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education in a letter by the Director, Education Support Department, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, named Model Secondary School, Nsukka, as winner of the 2019 President’s Teachers & Schools Excellence Award. The School, on October 5, 2019, emerged FG’s 2019 educational award winner of the prestigious national award, at the Eagle Square, Abuja. This followed general assessment of infrastructure, E-Library, quality teaching and learning in

Ugwuanyi public secondary schools in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Education.

That feat was possible because of the governor’s determination to reposition the standard of education in the state.

Since he became governor, his resolve to ensure that education is taken to a new height in Enugu State, has led to the recruitment of over 5000 primary and secondary school teachers; construction, renovation and equipment of 897 classroom blocks and other school projects under the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB).

The state has also procured and distributed 22,150 lockers and 22,150 chairs for primary school children, as well as 1,228 tables, 1,228 arm chairs and 2,456 armless chairs for the teachers. It has also provided 1,130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans just to make the learning environment very conducive.

Also, under the ENSUBEB, 12, 480 writing desks and chairs for primary school pupils and 868 tables and chairs for teachers, have been procured and distributed to improve the standard of learning.

There is also massive construction and reconstruction of classroom blocks, offices and hostels in the secondary schools across the six education zones of the state Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB).

Under the PPSMB, Science equipment has been supplied to 135 secondary schools. Computers have equally been supplied and installed in 200 secondary schools.

To create jobs and make available more teaching staff to respond to teeming number of students in the state, the PPSMB

has converted over 1000 volunteer teachers to permanent staff and released all outstanding arrears of teachers’ promotion in the state.

Irked by the ugly experience of the post-primary school teachers, most of whom have been denied promotion since 2013, even as most of them were approaching retirement, Ugwuanyi’s administration approved the release of the 2013 promotion arrears for the affected teachers with financial effect from April 2017.

The governor’s whirlwind in the state education sector did not stop at primary and secondary schools as the tertiary institutions are equally undergoing renovation and outright reconstruction in some cases.

Before Ugwuanyi came onboard, the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), one of the nation’s pioneer leading lights in engineering and technology education, which had brought glory and accolades, not only to the state but also to the country in the past, was almost dead. It was barely living on its past glory as most of its courses were de-accredited by the supervising body, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), due to decay and lack of necessary facilities.

Ugwuanyi promptly reversed the ugly trend and positioned IMT on a fast developing pedestal by releasing a grant of N100 million to enable it to meet the accreditation needs of its courses.

This was followed with massive provision of infrastructure, renovation of dilapidated buildings and facilities and other logistics needed to improve the quality of learning in the institute.

However, it is not surprising when IMT’s transition into a degree-awarding institution was announced. In partnership with the University of Nigeria Nsukka, IMT would henceforth, be awarding Bachelor’s Degrees in about five courses for a start. With Ugwuanyi’s support, IMT was also able to hold its convocation 11 years after the last one was held.

Aside IMT, there are numerous education transformational interventions in other state-owned tertiary institutions, like the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); the Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET); and the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo in Eziagu Local Government Area.

Ugwuanyi’s large-heartedness and magnanimous spirit equally reflected in the lives of some very intelligent but indigent students whose parents are so poor that they could not finance their education. To this class of people, he provided a soft landing by offering them scholarships. About 680 indigent engineering students of the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo and the IMT, Enugu have been offered scholarship by Ugwuanyi. The same scholarship awards were extended to 22 indigent undergraduates who are currently studying at Mewar University, India.

Even the Enugu West General Assembly (EWGA) noticed Ugwuanyi’s excellent performance in education sector, when it recently declared that his outstanding building blocks in education are quite glaring even to the blind.

Ugwuanyi, from all intent and purposes, seems to have aligned with Malcolm X, who sees education as a passport to the future; for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.

Aneke writes from Coal Camp, Enugu

Nigerian Power Sector Reform: Where Lies the Missing Link?

Ayo Abelegbe

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he Power Sector reform was an integral part of the ambitious economic reform programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) that was unveiled in the year 2000.Prior to that time epileptic power supply from the state-run monopoly – the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) had been a major challenge the government was grappling with. NEPA was singularly responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to consumers across the country. Something had to be done urgently to secure stable power supply with a resultant effect of reducing the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

Borrowing a leaf from the philosophy of Alan Lakein that: “…

Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now” the NCP rolled out a clear and ambitious roadmap for restructuring the power sector. The plan included: promoting competition in the power sector; and creating a new legal and regulatory framework that could engender private investment.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) which is the secretariat of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) was responsible for implementing NCP’s roadmap.

Aparticularly challenging aspect of the reform of the power sector reform involved putting in place the appropriate legislation.

The Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) was eventually enacted in 2005. With the Act in place, three major strands of the reform process came into being. The first strand involved the metamorphosis of NEPAinto a special purpose vehicle - the Power Holding Company (PHCN). This was essential because NEPA was a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Power. The second strand included the creation of the Nigerian Electric Regulatory Commission (NERC) as the sector regulator. NERC has been imbued with the power to regulate the activities of operators and set cost-reflective tariffs.

The third strand related to the unbundling of PHCN into 18 succession companies: 6 generation (Gencos); 11 Distribution companies (Discos) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria

(TCN). The assets, liabilities and staff of PHCN were transferred to the successor companies. Subsequently, FGN sold its majority equity holding in the Gencos and Discos to private investors.

However, TCN has remained fully owned by Government. EPSRA also created the Rural Electrification Agency to enhance access to electricity by rural communities within a short space of time.

The public had a high expectation that once privatised the sector would be capable of providing adequate and stable electricity supply nationwide. The expectation was based on the successful reform of the telecoms sector which had improved tremendously post-privatisation. It is however instructive to note that the structure in the telecommunications sector is not identical with the power sector.

In assessing the adequacy or otherwise of the reform of the power sector, the focus has always been on the distribution end as the portal that is supposed to deliver electricity to the electricity consumers. Acursory assessment of the Discos suggests that their their performance appears to be abysmal in the past seven years: epileptic power supply has continued to plague the sector; and Discos have failed to supply pre-paid meters to consumers, instead relying on estimated billing.

One is thus compelled to ask the question: ‘what are the factors militating against the expediency of the power sector?’

Could it have been the regulatory framework that created the problem? Acritical review has shown that the EPSRAis an adequate piece of legislation. The Act has made adequate provision for a market structure designed to work through industry regulatory rules, while allowing competitiveness through phased progression.

Apart from creating NERC as a sector regulator, the Act provides for a range of regulatory instruments that drive both technical and economic performance such as Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) and market rules. The protection of the poor is well provided for in the legislation. Rural Electrification programmes are promoted through the creation of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA); Rural Electrification Fund; and the Power Consumer Assistance Fund to subsidise underprivileged power consumer.

However, an independent analysis has shown a myriad of factors militating against expedient performance by the Discos.

They are a combination of market factors and corporate governance

issues. Were any of such factors directly related to the reform process as executed by NCP/BPE? It has been argued in some quarters that there might have been some incorrect assumptions, at the point of privatising the Discos, such as: level of metering, technical capability of the investors, collection/commercial losses and CAPEX allowance.

There are yet other more serious factors militating against the success of the reform programme. One such factor is an ineffective sector regulator. NERC has not implemented a cost-reflective tariff.

Furthermore, its failure to appropriately sanction the Discos for breach of its regulations and vesting contracts has eroded investors’ confidence in the market. The Discos continually reject electricity thus compromising grid safety and reliability of power supply.

Another serious challenge is the lack of synergy between the Discos, TCN and REA. The Discos have complained that expensive infrastructure have been installed by FGN agencies in locations where they have no customers needing supply.

Lack of adequate corporate governance in the Discos also poses a significant challenge to the success of the power sector reforms.

The words of the 34th US President, Dwight D. Eisenhower come reverberating at this juncture: “…Good planning without good working is nothing”. Awell thought out and dutifully executed reform process is being hampered by extenuating operational, market and regulatory deficiencies.

It is public knowledge that the FGN is currently seeking assistance from the German power giant - Siemens and the World Bank to reinvigorate the power sector. Before embarking on these initiatives and in order to ensure their success, there is need for the following to occur: There must be evolution of market rules that would enhance effective contracts between Gencos and Independent Power plants (IPPs), TCN, Discos and gas suppliers with adequate backing for payment and performance guarantees; The Gencos/Discos must be properly recapitalised by the shareholders: FGN, States and the Core investors; and Proper Corporate Governance has to be instituted in the Discos. The full repositioning of the power sector is attainable if cautiously approached.

–––Abelegbe is a public Affairs analyst in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State of Nigeria

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

POLITY Olaide Akinremi

My Passion is for Youths, IWork to HelpThem ActualizeTheir Potential Over the years, he built a flourishing business in agriculture and other sectors, thereby creating jobs for the teeming youths of his community and lifting many lives out of abject poverty. Olaide Akinremi who represents Ibadan North Constituency in the House of Representatives, tells Tosin Clegg about his life of philanthropy, politics, love for tourism and many more

I

My agenda for my constituency ’m in the 9th National Assembly to represent Ibadan North Constituency and the good people of Oyo State to the best of my ability. I want to make good laws, sponsor bills and move motions that will improve the lives of average Nigerians and also make Nigeria a better place for all. In fact, my major focus is human capital development, ensuring financial independence and individual sustainability of my people especially the young.

very employable. In those days, a lot of the graduates of polytechnics were so good they ended up in oil and telecoms companies. So we want to bring back that old glory. The University of Ibadan, UCH and College of Medicine are all firsts and produced outstanding graduates for so many years. So why shouldn’t they be able to compete favorably globally?

Outside of STEM, we will have other training and empowerment programmes targeted specifically at the undergraduates to help prepare them for the real world. Of course, we will not neglect sports and entertainment.

Like I said earlier, we intend to create a system that allows for direct feedback from the constituents so that I can be abreast of their needs and concerns. I will also after COVID-19 restrictions are over, kick off a monthly town hall meeting with constituents and also meet various groups and associations.As a matter of fact, don’t be surprised if you hear a knock on your door and it’s me. Everything I do for my constituents will be needs-based and to make lives better.

WhyIdecidedtojoinpolitics I joined politics because of my passion and desire to make my immediate environment a better place.As an entrepreneur, I do what I can to improve my environment and people’s lives but I felt that going into politics I will be able to do a lot more. Being a politician for me, is to help a lot more people than I do as an entrepreneur. I don’t think politics would have stopped me from being an entrepreneur and it wouldn’t have slowed or stopped my interest in agriculture.

Oyohasahugeyouthpopulation The fact that a lot of youths are unemployed bothers me a lot.As a young man growing up in Ibadan, I had great hopes and aspirations.

At a point, I had to seek greener pastures to achieve this because the environment wasn’t quite favorable for this. My passion for the youths is to do all I can to create an enabling environment for each and every hardworking young person to thrive and maximise their potentials without having to seek greener pastures abroad. Nigeria is blessed with a lot of brilliant and talented people that only need a little push and they will excel at their chosen endeavour.

Akinremi

the relevant ministries and agencies. I am also working on getting a few individuals and corporate organisations to invest in the tourism sector.

Plansforpost-COVID-19 I will be connecting more with my constituents and meeting their needs through finding the right solutions. I intend to do this by creating a feedback system and as much as I can have engagements with as many people as possible. I understand that a lot of people are out of jobs and some businesses have crashed so I will do my best to facilitate employment for as many as possible and also expand our support and intervention for MSMEs.

Entertainmentsectorprovidesalotofjobs As someone passionate about developing human capacity, I intend to support the entertainment sector in any way I can. I will have regular meetings with stakeholders and we shall together see how we can form better support for the sector.As a legislator, I will look at bills that will protect intellectual properties and also help promote the industry. I will also support value-adding initiatives and events in any way I can.

I think Oyo State has abundant talented people who just need a little push to get a breakthrough and this is another area I will do my best to focus on in the coming years.

Ourhugetourismpotential It’s from Bowers Tower to UI Zoo,Agodi Gardens, Old Oyo National Park, Suspended Lake inAdoAwaye and the numerous festivals. I think the challenge is that we haven’t marketed ourselves well enough and also some investments need to be channelled to the sector from both government and private sectors. I will do the best I can to see if we can develop a tourist map for Oyo State with the support of

Rolesinmyconstituency I am currently the House Vice Chairman on Science and Technology Committee. I am going to use the position to see how we can partner with these institutions to promote STEM – Science Technology Engineer and Maths among young people. The idea is to develop their skills beyond what they are taught in classrooms so that when they graduate they can actually create employment for themselves and/or become

Icondemnrapeandpolicebrutality These terrible acts have led to the loss of lives of innocent people especially young girls and women. It has left a lot of survivors in emotional and psychological trauma.As a lawmaker, I will strongly advocate for the amendment of existing rape and sexual offences law for stricter punishment at the NationalAssembly. My foundation will also collaborate with NGOs and other relevant organisations in advocacy and campaign against rape, sexual assault, drug abuse and police brutality.Also, I will work with relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book and also ensure they discharge their duties without harassing or putting lives of our young men and women at risk. I’m representing the interest of my people at the NationalAssembly.

In this space of time, I have contributed to lawmaking as well as facilitated several benefits to my constituents. While my focus has majorly been on human capital development, ensuring financial independence and individual sustainability of my people in the process, I have also facilitated series of other benefits and capital projects, some of which are in the pipeline. So far, we have worked on The Out of School Children Bill, motions for Provision of Coronavirus Emergency Fund for Nigerian Universities and Tertiary Institutions, House Committee responsibility which includes working assiduously alongside other members of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in the management and distribution of relief items.

Read full Interview online - www.thisdaylive.com

Ajibola Basiru at 48 Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

S

enator Ajibola Basiru, who represents Osun Central clocked 48 recently. Basiru, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, marked the event quietly. His family members organised a special prayer to thank the Almighty Allah for the good life of the lawmaker and to pray to Allah to continue to keep him more in good health, so as to continue serving the people of his senatorial district and the entire people of the state. Born to the family of the late Basiru Akanni Adebayo of Odofin compound in Osogbo, Senator Basiru has distinguished himself as a political icon in Osun politics, where he ensures good governance and provides quality leadership to the people that he represents at the Senate.

The young, virile and articulate politician began his early education at Salvation Army Primary School, Oke-Fia, Osogbo and later attended Laro Grammar School, Oke-fia, where he obtained his Secondary School Certificate. Simultaneous with his western education, Basiru also had a good grounding in Arabic and Islamic education both at Mahad Zumratul Soliheena, Afonta, Osogbo and Osun Islamic Theological College, Osogbo, which fully prepared him for what he planned to pursue in academics.

He studied Law at the University of Lagos. At the law school, he was the 3rd Overall Best Student. He also won the Graham Douglas Prize for Best Student in Company Law and Practice. In a bid to achieve maximum knowledge in his chosen profession, the lawmaker later obtained a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M) in 2006 a Ph.D from the Department of Private & Property Law, University of Lagos.

As a versatile legal practitioner, he joined Olaniwun Ajayi

Chambers and was assigned to manage areas of conveyance, banking and commercial law, and later joined M. A. Banire & Associates, as a partner, responsible for the day-to-day management of the business affairs of the law firm.

In 2011, he was appointed Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties in Osun State, and in that capacity, Basiru was responsible for Law Reforms, Judicial Sector Reforms, as well as Policy Coordination. He held the position till November 2014 when he again went into private practice with his law firm - Ajibola Basiru & Co, and later was appointment as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in May, 2017 and left in November 2018.

The lawmaker was also part of several electoral litigation teams, including the governorship legal battle Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola, which at the end favoured Aregbesola on November 26, 2010. At the end of Aregbesola’s tenure, Basiru vied for the senatorial ticket of the APC in Osun Central Senatorial district and won in February 2019.

After the inauguration of the Senate in June, 2019, Senator Basiru initially emerged the Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora, Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Societies and after about a year in the saddle, he emerged Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs. Congratulating the celebrant, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola said the future of his former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senator Basiru is bright.

The APC in Osogbo Local Government Council, where he hails from, described Senator Ajibola as a true democrat.

The party said: “There is no doubt the fact that Osun Central is indeed blessed to have such a young, brilliant, energetic, productive and goal getter as our representative. Our belief in your ability and capability is unflinching. We are convinced that the best is always got when the best is sent. As you mark your

Basiru birthday, we pray to Almighty Allah to continue to protect you and grant you good health and long life to serve us more.”

Also, a childhood friend of the lawmaker, Alhaji Khalid Shutti felicitated with the lawmaker on the occasion marking his new age. Alhaji Shutti, a Deputy Director with the National Hajji Commission of Nigeria, Abuja, (NAHCON) said: “I am using this period to felicitate with my good friend and confidant on the occasion marking your 48th birthday. I pray to Almighty Allah to continue to protect you and grant you more good health to serve our fatherland.”

The voice of the people is the voice of God, as the saying goes.

Constituents, political associates, friends, family and colleagues are unanimous in their respective encomium poured on the distinguished Senator, showing that he is a worthy representative.

The prayer is that he lives long to fulfill his desire to continue to better the lot of his people.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

POLITY

A Nation of Flawed Celebutantes

W

e are wandering through the chaotic landscape of our common heritage which has been brutalized by successive incompetents and mercantile do-gooders, in different togas. What we call a nationstate today would have made even the front-liners of our independence struggles whine in debilitating agony were they alive to see the deterioration. Just barely 60 years ago.

Nothing illustrates the decadence of our existence more eloquently than the hyperbolic and nonchalant manner we share and clothe ourselves in titles, to gain some sense of worth and perpetuate an air of entitlement. Traditional rulers gift all manners of characters hallowed titles, or gentrify some fabulous concoctions to splash on ignorant “money-miss-roads”, who then terrorise our roads and sights with odious paraphernalia of hollow chieftainship.

Our media, especially the social media ‘influencers’ and bloggers, flog our sensibilities with blatantly ignorant and irredeemable epithets on the lightning rods of their creative space. Words such as ‘icons’, ‘legends’, ‘superstar’ and ‘celebrities’ are some of their favourite candies dispensed with bewildering care-freeness.

My immediate concern is the abuse of the true meaning, grace and emotion of the word, CELEBRITY. Hopefully, some of the abusers of that word may find redemption in the following submissions, and retract from their current path of watering down the critical emotional efforts of millions who eagerly look out for true examples of quality role models in a nation plundered by corruption, mis-governance, depravities and all sorts of depressing anomalies.

In a progressive society with a functional conscience, the value or esteem given to the celebrity is essentially an aggregate appreciation of the characteristics and attributes which the society seemingly agrees upon, with little or no dissension. In fact, it may be narrowed down to the comparative influence of each generation. As earlier stated, the people who grew up in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s of Nigeria, and many other African countries, have particular expectations and ambitions of who could be classed a “star”, “superstar”, legend, icon, celebrity, and such superlative endearments.

To those bred between 1980’s and 1990’s, these same characterizations and superlatives may take a different colour. Perhaps, they consider themselves less narrow-minded, less rigid, more flamboyant, easier to please, easily excitable. Perhaps not. I strongly suspect the former sentiment.

While it is true that civilisation, culture and the ecosystem are not immovable... in fact, the more flexible and reasonably disposed to reinventing the wheel of any human-driven system, the greater

the capacity to endure, prosper and multiply.

Yet, traditions - or measured and positive observance and interrogation of traditions - are the kernels (unbreakable knots) that keep a society from the erosion of identity... from emotional, psychological and intellectual neo-colonialism... from scattering into tiny quarrelling, destructive entities.

So, in our deeper interrogation of the keyword, CELEBRITY, we must set aside jaundiced mindsets and preconceived notions of our casual understanding of what makes an individual a celebrity.

We must also go beyond funky, hollow ritual of westernized imagination.

‘Celebrity’ is a derivation of the generic noun, ‘celebration’ (or the verb, ‘celebrate’). In Africa, celebrations are not mere “jollification” or revelries. They have deep spiritual and communal ramifications. Every ceremony (another variant of same word) is a rite of passage, a means of communication, and an attempt at re-connection between the visible world that we live, and the invisible that we don’t see but dread a lot!

Therefore, we hold as proper and sustaining the following attributes in those who are decorated with the privileges of power, of influence, moral compass and legacy possibilities.

- A Celebrity status is not attained by guile, by design, by attainment (ie. acquisition of external articles of rewards obtained for meeting or surpassing stated goals); - Not merely by academic excellence, incredible wealth or inheritance; - Not by the grace of physical beauty or admirable physique; - Not by oratorical finesse or the gift of the garb...etc.

One is a CELEBRITY who has accomplished impressive or awesome feat in any area of human endeavors. The keyword is ACCOMPLISHMENT (perceived/internal/success), distinguished from Attainment (external/goal-driven/progress). For example, if you’re the first person to graduate from a university in your village, you are a celebrity to your villagers - it is an awesomely inspiring accomplishment to everyone associated with that village.

As soon as you enter Lagos, or any major city where graduates are roaming the streets, your BSc, MSc, BA, etc, is merely your personal attainment/achievement.

From our village analogy, the following highlighted virtues become self-evident: You need not be famous nor popular, in the main, to be a Celebrity within your environment. Therefore, a Celebrity is POPULAR (well loved) for his or her accomplishment, such that parents want their children to EMULATE...and children look up to the ‘celeb’ with unhidden admiration, seeking INSPIRATION. And consequently, he is FAMOUS (well known) in spite of his best efforts.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

While fame usually pursues the Celebrity, he or she is not excited about the incessant beaming of the media’s searchlight into his life - beyond his public accomplishments! So, the true Celebrity DRIVES the media - he shies away from interviews, spotlights and any avenues that seek to focus unduly on his privacy and personality. This quality endears him to the media, a mystique that must be unveiled... hence the constant “struggle” between the media and the Celebrity.

The Celebrity uses his PRIVILEGE to actively INFLUENCE positively and directly his immediate environment - with or without the media - for the BENEFIT of his society, and humanity.

He is an authentic ROLE MODEL - a beacon of shinning light for younger generations to aim at.

Celebrities are also held in HIGH ESTEEM by the populace because they have remarkable accomplishments which are sustained and referenced by the media, properly so-called.

It is important to note this: in the evolution (the making) of the Celebrity, the role of the MEDIA is paramount. It is the media, by no discernible agreement, that bestow or strip off the toga of “celebre” on any individual or group. Journalists, by their frequent and eloquent coverage of certain individuals, make them famous or popular...make them celebrities. It is therefore vital for the relevant members of the Nigerian media to deepen themselves in the dynamics of social valuation and ethical imperatives within the society they operate in - so that they correctly elevate genuine figures,and isolate pretenders.

The dynamics of social valuation (entrenched virtues and morals ingrained in us from childhood - schools, homes, religious centres, etc) demand that the people we hold up as role models and motivating personalities should have certain enduring qualities that underscore their weight and fascination in our hearts. We perceive them to be kind, talented, gifted, generous, God-fearing, strong-willed, intelligent, etc. We may be wrong, and occasions have proven that, but PERCEPTION is the anchor that pulls us towards our Celebrities.

Next time, we hope to further explore sociodynamics, from the African perspectives; thus laying the foundation to understand, and appreciate the true dimensions of the unidentical twin of Celebrity (the Socialite).

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Officer in charge of Ikota Area Office Eti-Osa Local Government, Mr. Anreti Owolabi; Community Health Extension Worker, Ikota Primary Health Care Centre, Mrs. Ayanlowo Bose; Officer In Charge/Assistant Director Nursing, Ikota Primary Health Care Centre, Mrs. Cecelia Oluborode; and Marketing Services Manager, UAC Restaurants Limited, Mrs. Eustesia Ogunsusi, during the Debonair Pizza CSR initiative to mark 1st anniversary of the Combo Store in Lekki Lagos...recently

L-R: The Holy Matrimony ceremony between Raymond Babatunde Idowu and former Miss Stella Abosede (Nee Ajayi) held at First Square Church, Ago-Igbala, Ibafo, Ogun State...recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Head, Marketing and Communications, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Dr. Demola Sogunle; Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health and Incident Manager, PHEDC, COVID-19 Response, Lagos State, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam; Technical Consultant, L-R: President, Church Administrators Society of Nigeria, Pastor Seyi Oladimeji; Vice-President, Pastor Steve Biosecurity, Lagos State and Global Executive Secretary, GET Consortium, Dr. Babatunde Saka; and Director, Akoni; Secretary, Pastor Ayo Daniels; and Registrar, Pastor Segun Adegoke, at the 6th Annual General Meet- Lagos State Biobank of Consultant Clinical Microbiology, Dr. Bamidele Mutiu, during the donation of COVID-19 Test Kits to Lagos State Government at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, Lagos...recently ing of CASON tagged ‘Uniting the Church Against COVID-19 Disruption’ held in Lagos...recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͹˜ 2020

AUTO Hyundai Motor, LG Chem Launch Global Competition to Invest in EV, Battery

2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce Phantom Presents an Unprecedented Exhibition Opportunity Stories by Bennett Oghifo

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olls-Royce Motor Cars has commissioned a highly technical Clean Room at its manufacturing facility at Goodwood, West Sussex. Similar facilities exist in microchip manufacturing plants and in pharmaceutical and medical equipment production facilities.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Lagos owned by Coscharis Motors Plc is the exclusive franchise owner for Rolls-Royce vehicles sales and services in Nigeria. It currently has showrooms and workshops located both in Lagos and Abuja Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems. Over 2,000 skilled men and women are employed at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ head office and manufacturing plant at Goodwood, West Sussex, the only place in the world where the company’s super-luxury motor cars are hand-built.

Astatement by the automaker said the primary purpose of the Clean Room is to provide a sterile environment within which delicate and highly

bespoke items can be assembled.

The eighth generation of Rolls-Royce Phantom brings with it an unprecedented opportunity to exhibit works of art and design within the motor car itself, in an area named, the Gallery. The Gallery is formed of an uninterrupted piece of glass which spans the width of Phantom’s fascia, behind which a recess presents an illuminated stage, an area for patrons to embrace the unique storytelling characteristic of the marque.

At the conception of the Gallery, a requirement for clean manufacturing was identified and extensive research was conducted in order to create a Bespoke Rolls-Royce Clean Room at the marque’s headquarters in Goodwood, West Sussex – itself a Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence. The lifespan of Phantom is remarkable, with over two-thirds of all Rolls-Royces created over the marque’s 116-year history still in road-worthy condition. It is therefore essential that the Gallery can stand the test of time by preserving precious and personal items for as long as the motor car itself.

Experts from the Home of Rolls-Royce visited pharmaceutical and microprocessor Clean Rooms to fully understand these complex manufacturing laboratories and learn of the procedures and requirements necessary to create

a medical grade, particle free, sterile enclosure.

Even a minute speck of dust would detract from the aesthetic perfection of the Gallery.

The assembly therefore requires meticulous attention to detail.

The Gallery Clean Room contains four medical grade, positively pressurised spaces.

A highly technical sensor continually measures the particulate concentration of each space. Any particulates measuring above 0.001 of a micron are detected, a staggering statistic considering a human hair is between 50-100 microns in diameter. This process enables continual assessment and the opportunity to identify areas for improvement. If contamination is detected, the Gallery Clean Room associates are able to identify exactly when and where the contamination took place, in order to improve future assembly. Planning and quality engineers monitor daily the particle count inside the Gallery Clean Room to ensure that no deep cleans that might interrupt daily production are required.

A complex filtration system is built into the ceiling of the Gallery Clean Room to continually remove unwanted particles from the re-circulating air. This system is, for aesthetic reasons, covered in a wooden veneer – this is, after all, situated at the Home of Rolls-Royce.

All-new Mercedes-Benz GLS, The S-Class of SUVs is now in Nigeria

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he all-new Mercedes-Benz GLS is Mercedes-Benz’s largest and most luxurious SUV. It offers more of everything: more space, more comfort and indeed more luxury.

Since it was first introduced in 2006 as the GL, the Mercedes-Benz GLS has dominated markets for large sized luxury SUVs all over the world. This new generation of the GLS pushes the bar even higher, living to its title as the S-Class of SUVs. The all-new GLS makes its debut in showrooms in Nigeria, courtesy of Weststar Associates Limited, Authorized General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria.

A statement by Weststar said the all-new GLS stands out with highlights like EQ Boost, an all-new 4MATIC that ensures great agility on the road and strong performance off the beaten track, and key comfort features like; the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), electrically adjustable seats throughout as standard and a generous amount of space especially in the second row.

The exterior of the all-new GLS is luxurious and larger than life. It comes with a more superior presence in comparison to its predecessor, thanks to a larger wheelbase at 3135 mm. The impressive proportions and the long bonnet also underscore the power and presence of the new GLS. The nearly upright radiator grille, the prominent chromed skid plate, and the bonnet with two power domes are key features of the unique exterior design. MULTIBEAM LED headlamps come as standard with a total

Mercedes GLS

of 112 LEDs per headlamp in the new GLS. The new GLS also comes with up to 23-inch wheels as well as a refined selection of rim designs.

The optional panoramic sliding sunroof gives a fascinating sense of freedom as it bathes the interior in a pleasantly bright ambience.

Inside the all-new GLS elegant aesthetics are highlighted with leather appointments as standard. The instrument cluster and media display (2 x 12.3-inch as standard), are housed behind a shared continuous glass surface to form a large free-standing screen. There is a

touchpad in the center console as a further means of controlling many vehicle functions.

The ambient lighting impressively illuminates the dashboard, with optical fibers coursing throughout the cockpit. The four rectangular air vents are prominently embedded in the trim element. As a typical feature of off-roaders, there are two prominent grab handles on the center console trimmed with ARTICO man-made leather. There is also a new sport steering wheel with a striking, sculptured spoke design.

With demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) growing, Hyundai Motor Company and LG Chem are jointly sponsoring the “EV & Battery Challenge” (EVBC), a global competition to identify up to 10 EV and battery start-ups for potential investment and collaboration.

New Energy Nexus, the international startup support organization, will manage and facilitate the competition.

With the automobile industry’s increased focus on development of more eco-friendly vehicles, specifically EVs, the demand for high-performance, high-efficiency batteries is greater than ever before. Hyundai has gained prominence in the global market with a comprehensive portfolio of EVs. Hyundai Motor Group is planning to deploy 44 eco-friendly models by the year 2025, including 23 EVs. The chosen start-ups will have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Hyundai and LG Chem, to develop proof-of-concept projects while leveraging the sponsors’ technical expertise, resources and laboratories.

The global competition offers start-ups the opportunity to showcase their respective innovative technologies and unique business models. Through the EVBC, the three sponsors aim to identify and secure core technology capabilities that will bring more value to their customers.

Start-ups that have working prototypes and are building technologies in EV charging and fleet management, power electronics and components, personalization services and battery management, systems, materials, recycling and manufacturing are strongly encouraged to participate. They can apply through www.evbatterychallenge.com now until August 28.

Applicants that pass the first review on business feasibility and technology will go through virtual interviews in October. Then, the finalists will attend a two-day workshop in November at the Hyundai CRADLE Silicon Valley office, the hub for Hyundai Motor Group’s open innovation in the U.S. There, Hyundai and LG Chem will be verifying the innovative technologies of the applicants.

“We are widening our collaboration with start-ups that have promising and innovative ideas. We look forward to working with various start-ups that will lead the global EV market and next-generation battery innovation through a joint program with LG Chem, which has world-class battery technology,” said Youngcho Chi, President and Chief Innovation Officer of Hyundai Motor Group.

FRSC Urges Motorists to Adopt NCDC Protocols Following the Presidential order on the ease of Inter-State movement during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Federal Road Safety Corps Lagos Sector Commander Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide has called on all motoring public to obey all the laid down guidelines by the Government in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Sector Commander made this known on Tuesday while speaking during the Commands Management meeting at FRSC Ojodu. He said there will be upsurge in traffic volume as the interstate lockdown has been lifted hence traffic gridlocks would be inevitable during this period.

He emphasized on the need to embrace the 50% loading capacity of all vehicles as overloading with either passenger or goods will not be overlooked by the personnel across the State.

“While travelling from one state to the other, it’s important that we do not increase the risk of transmission of the virus. The public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines and compulsory use of face mask to keep Coronavirus under control”, he said.

He therefore advised drivers to plan their journey daily and set out early to avoid rushing which can cause excessive speed and eventual fatal crashes.

He also gave the assurance that FRSC will continue to work with sister agencies to help increase the awareness of Covid-19 and enforcement of all road traffic regulations.

He urged motorists to call the FRSC Toll free Number 122 for help and emergency response when necessary.

Plus Kayode Ajulo

I Miraculously Overcame Stammering While Growing up

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I Miraculously Overcame Stammering While Growing up With the status and influence he wields in the society, only cynics would attempt to underrate the personality of upwardly mobile and cerebral lawyer, Kayode Ajulo. His towering image readily dwarfs any untoward mischief anyone might want to play with it. The wide acceptance the amiable dandy dude enjoys did not fall on his laps, but a result of certain qualities he’s held unto that includes hardword work, consistency, honesty and humility abundantly laced with the grace of God. This former Board Chairman of Ondo State Radio vision Corporation, OSRC, boasts of a profile that is no doubt intimidating.

As a lawyer, his exploits cannot be waved aside as he’s known to have handled briefs that attest to his height and validate his professionalism. It is in the same way, he has made innovations that are embraced by the law profession aside being a voice for the voiceless in the society as a rights activist.

As a politician, he was once the National Secretary of the Labour Party.

Ajulo aptly describes what the holy book instructs: Teach a child the way he would walk, when he grows old, he won’t depart from it. This activist has tenaciously held unto all he was filled with as a child which includes his ability to remain undistracted from any cause he focuses on. By seeing the likes of the late legal icon, Justice Kayode Esho and others, patronise his father’s book store as a child, he made up his mind he was going to be a lawyer, a dream he’s successfully living. Ajulo shares his life and times with Bayo Adeoye

Ajulo

My Years in Ibadan Most Memorable

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y formative yearschildhood and teenage years- were in Ibadan, Ilesha and Ile-Ife. Of the three, I must say my years in Ibadan which at the time was widely known as the largest city in Africa was most memorable.

Ibadan was a huge and awe-inspiring city at the time and our neighbourhood in Oke-Bola was quite close to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s house so I often caught glimpses of the sage in person. As Christians, we worshipped as a family at St. James’ Cathedral Anglican Church, OkeBola. I can remember how my friends and I often went on mango-plucking trips along the Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan.

I also remember the joy with which we flew kites in the city and how we chased and danced after the local masquerades during their annual traditional festivals.

We had the Oloolu, Alapansapa, Atipako and the Adeyi masquerades that often thrilled little children. My experiences in Ilesha and Ile-Ife are quite similar but of the three, I loved my years in Ibadan the most and I will always view Ibadan with nostalgia.

Growing Up Under a Salary Earning Father Growing up under a salary earning father and an entrepreneur mother afforded me the opportunity to have a taste of both worlds and this impacted me greatly. The question of whether I grew up with a silver or wooden spoon is quite relative and subjective. While my parents were not wealthy, they never compromised when it came to parental care. They often ensured that they provided us with the variety of things that made up a beautiful childhood, to the best of their ability. I remember gifts of tricycles, Xmas toys, books and other interesting items that made us ever so joyful. They weren’t wealthy but as

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

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PLUS Generosity, Compassion Ingrained into Me from Childhood

Ajulo wtih his family

middle-class parents of that era, they gave me a beautiful childhood that built the foundation for the kind of man I have become today. They were quite caring and generous to neighbours, so generosity and compassion was ingrained into me from childhood. They were also very principled so it was inevitable that I would imbibe some of the principles they had exemplified as I grew up under their watchful eyes.

Growing Up in a Christian Home Shaped My Outlook As far back as I remember, growing up in a Christian home shaped my outlook on life. My ideas of social justice, welfare and standing for truth stems from the values I imbibed from my parents and early associations with the right folks.

The clientele in my father’s bookshop comprised the intellectual class in Ibadan.

I had the opportunity to meet the likes of Wole Soyinka, Ade Ajayi, Bola Ige, Victor Olunloyo, Afe Babalola and Kayode Eso who today are our national icons.

My Father Loved Books My father, as I mentioned earlier, was a salary earner who also was a popular bookseller. He loved books very much and I think this was what informed his passion for selling books. He was a strict man with the ‘Ranti Omo Eniti Iwo Nse’ mantra, and was uncompromisingly-honest in his dealings.

My mother was an entrepreneur who loved the business of trading. She engaged in selling fabrics like damask, guinea and lace then turned to dealing in books and stationeries and was quite successful in her business.

However, she was blessed with this merciful and compassionate disposition that often saw her giving generously to the needy even to the point of depriving her own self. At the time, we had over 20 of her apprentices living with us under one roof!

I used to get quite upset when she would give away joyfully and freely, food and other items that I felt should have been left at home for our use. She made it a point of duty to explain the importance of generosity and mercy to me in a manner in which I learnt to reason with her then as I grew, I began to emulate her generous spirit.

My Gift of a Bell and Bible Like I said earlier, my siblings and I

were blessed to have parents who doted on their children even though they could not really be described as wealthy. They made sure they showed us that they loved us through a variety of gifts. Of all the gifts I received as a child, I cherish the gift of a bell and a bible the most. I cannot recollect how I received the gift anymore but I remember that I was around six years old at the time. I was so impressed by the gift that I marked out a corner in the house as my personal altar where I often retreated to pray, ring the bell and read the Bible. To me, ringing the bell in prayer was a very spiritual act that never failed to activate answers to my prayers and I received many answers to my prayers during this period of my life. It got to a point that visitors to our house often asked me to pray for them and many times returned to testify that they received answers to their prayers from God. Till date, I made it a point of duty to pray with a bell!

I Married Early I tied the nuptial knot in my late twenties as I had always planned to. It had been my intention to get married as early as possible.

How I Overcame Stuttering I used to be a chronic stutterer. I would often stammer and stutter so hard that sometimes I would burst into tears out of frustration. It was a source of low self-esteem that threatened to keep me down but through with the unfailing love of my mother and her prayers, I overcame the challenge and it is amazing how my career is immersed in public speaking today. I work as a lawyer, speaker, lecturer and counsellor and often find myself in situations where I am called upon to make speeches or to deliver lectures and get paid handsomely both in Nigeria and abroad.

Without the support of my mother, this would never have been possible. I think that was the most difficult challenge that ever confronted me and I overcame it with a loving mother’s support and prayers.

I Believe in the Power of Experience I do not believe in mistakes, really; I believe in the power of experience instead.

My philosophy is: human beings are

decision-making organisms and these decisions we make have consequences from which we build a learning point and acquire wisdom. Our decisions lead us to take certain steps. However, some of these steps taken may end up unsuccessful as we find out that we are unable to attain our projected end. This is life and we learn from it. Having given that context, I must say that the biggest learning point for me was dabbling into politics and winning elections as a secretary of a Worker’s union branch as a teenager.

From here, I proceeded into University where I continued to have active interest and participation in students’ politics. All of these led to a decision to relax from active legal practice and seek to be a Senator in 2011, which led me to become a National Secretary of Labour Party.

With hindsight, I must say this decision was costly for me as I was constrained to briefly abandon an initial ambition to attain the status of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) before I clock 35, to committing my energy to full-time partisan politics at the time.

I have learnt a lot from the experiences that my decision at that time led to. Going forward, I am still very interested like every social animal in political leadership.

However, my priority now is legal practice. Although friends and associates continue to mount pressure on me to pursue political office, I am committed to fulfilling certain milestones on my checklist before I turn again to seek any elective office, if ever again.

My Biggest Fear in Life My biggest fear is being recorded as a failure in history. Now you must understand that I hold that there is a stark difference between being an actual failure and being recorded as a failure.

The same applies for success, to me.

Looking back in history, we see that a historical personality like Julius Caesar is recorded by some historians as a failure despite his huge accomplishments in the world leadership, strategy and politics.

Other personalities like Hannibal, Henry III, Suleiman, Napoleon, Hitler, Afonja, Efusetan, Akintola etc are also unfairly treated by history as their flaws and faux pas are made to tower above their feats.

I consider this quite unfair and therefore

I’m constantly concerned about how history will record me. From childhood, I have always loved to read about historical personalities and wonder if this is how they would have told their own stories had they taken it upon themselves to document it. Although it is not a common practice here in Nigeria, the stories of the past are meant to be preserved accurately for coming generations. What I am saying here is that the stories being told about humanity’s heroes and villains are often flawed hence my desire to tell my story as much as possible with my deeds while I am still on this side of mortality. There is a chance for every man to immortalise himself by accomplishments and ensuring that such accomplishments are accurately recorded in history and I intend to fully harness and make use of this chance. Our mortality is indisputable, yes, but what is uncertain is what will be said and written about us after we have passed from this realm.

Why I Chose Law While I will say that your characterisation of me as a brilliant lawyer is subjective, I pray this won’t lead me to wittingly and unwittingly violate our professional rules and ethics. Now, my turning out to be a lawyer seems to have been a matter of course. Growing up in an urban and intellectual city like Ibadan impacted me intellectually. I was fortunate to live among books and to come in contact with great minds like those mentioned above and many more I met in my father’s bookshop and I was often in awe of these men even though some of them were yet to become national icons at the time.

It was so easy for me to become sold on the legal profession. So, it was no surprise to my parents when I declared that I wanted to become a lawyer.

Looking back, I would say that if I had not turned out as a lawyer, I would have become a priest and prophet given the manner with which I embraced the sacred things of God as a youth. I think the law profession and the commitment to justice also came across to me as a sacred trust, hence my decision. I loved the robes of the priests, the judges and the regalia of these professions often came across to me as sacred, hence my love for these two professions.

I W i l l A l wa ys V i ew Ibadan w it h N osta lg ia

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PLUS

Threat of Depression Led me to Skits When it comes to making skits, Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr. Macaroni, is king of the game. His fans’ base is mounting. Born in Lagos State into a family of 10, Mr. Macaroni read Theatre Arts at the Redeemers University, after several failed attempts to study. He tells Azuka Ogujiuba about his journey into skit making How did your journey into skit making start?

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o, I didn’t just start doing skit. As a matter of fact, I said I was never going to do skit in my life, because while in theatre school I used to see the videos of guys that were doing it and I always found it awkward. My friends and I resolved to enter the entertainment market and be shooting films immediately after school with the likes of Kunle Afolayan and the rest.

Doing one minute skit on Instagram didn’t seem professional at that time and I refused to do it. I completed my four-year degree in Theatre Arts and went to another film school. When I got into the industry, I just wanted to do movies but I realised that it was totally different from what I expected.

As a matter of fact, on my first experience I was scammed. I remember one producer instructed me to bring N50,000 promising me that every week I would be coming to location and I will play significant roles. I told my parents and we raised the money but the man only called me once and I was made to carry camera and lights. I was disappointed and I kept going for auditions. I even joined the Yoruba industry and just kept the hustle alive but I wanted more for myself. For me, it wasn’t all about the fame but for the fact that I love what I was doing and couldn’t see myself doing any other thing asides entertainment and acting. It’s always been like that for me, so I was tired but I kept pushing. I was almost going into depression and that led me into production of series sometime in July last year, and I started creating content on Instagram.

How did you come about your character Mr. Macaroni?

Okay, I always say that the Mr. Macaroni character is not just a mere character but my brand name

Mr. Macaroni because I have been using it as a nick name while I featured in the old TV series Face 2 Face movie production.

So, the first time I was going to do the ‘freaky freaky daddy’ character was on a movie set, but I can remember I told myself it was inappropriate to do so and that was why I decided to start mimicking the roles instead.

Apart from Mr. Macaroni, which other part do you play, and do you have plans to turn it into a series?

Yes of course. So, apart from the ‘Freaky Freaky Daddy’ character, another area I am working on now is the in-law part. This is where my daughter keeps bringing different shades of men home. Till now, she’s brought up to five men but I am never satisfied and always see one fault or another in them and, of course, I intend putting this out there as a series. It’s a bigger part.

Beyond Mr Macaroni, what else do you have as plans for your personality; do you have plans to shoot proper movies?

Yes, by God’s grace I intend doing that. Right now, we are writing series but not freaky freaky daddy because for me it was shocking when people call me a comedian. I can’t lie about it because if you ask my teachers and people that taught me, they will tell you I am a serious actor with interests in damning roles, I like to express myself. So, when I started, I realised everyone was interested in something to make them laugh and not really concerned about how good your acting skills were, they just want to laugh. I believe, as an actor, you should be able to carry many roles.

By God’s grace we are going to do movies big. Thankfully, the platform is there so others can showcase their

talents.

at all.

Have you been offered movie roles now?

Yes. They have been coming. In fact, I was on set throughout last week doing both comedy and proper movies, especially those that know me to be a proper actor, and because they believe that there is the popular face out there.

Who has influenced your journey into the industry?

Hmmm, I would say a whole lot of people, and models to look at.

You see, the likes of Olu Jacob’s, Joke Silva, in my theatre days, were the people that inspired me because when I see them perform, they bring light and life into every character they play. That was my motivation and I would tell myself not to give up. I was privileged to have a veteran like Jide Kosoko on set and he cracked me up more than I could have. I am influenced by the success of those before me. For me, it’s the act and, of course, I always talk about my model and teacher, Professor Ahmed Yerima at the Redeemer University and other lecturers too.

As a man what is your view on rape?

It is the most gruesome of all acts.

I have six beautiful sisters and it will be hurtful to hear that anything happens to them. I have a mother too and God forbid I hear you as much as touch my mother like this. I totally condemn it. That’s why some people would want to talk about my vidoes and say whatever they like about girls. I make sure not to abuse the girls and anytime the man is so close to do anything funny, something would just disrupt it. It’s probably why I have more female fans. Rape is wrong and should not be condoned

What’s your view on domestic violence?

Personally, anything violence is not my thing but we all know our women are like eggs and should be protected.

For example, I have been single for about eight years and not dating. The reason is because I haven’t the slightest idea of what love should be and when you say you love someone you wouldn’t want to raise your hands on the person; you just have to treat the person right.

What’s your background like?

My dad is a Muslim, and very liberal, and my mum is a Christian. I learnt a lot from my parents.

How do you manage your female fans?

For me, it’s all love when they come around me. We talk and play and that’s all.

What was the reception you got from your parents when you started out?

Oh, they have been highly supportive and I thank God for that.

Did you have a nick name before Mr. Macaroni?

Not really. They just call me Debo, but when I was very young they called me papa.

What’s your favourite food?

Rice and vegetable soup.

Do you have political ambition?

No, but I see myself taking a role of leadership if the opportunity comes; I wouldn’t mind.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Adut Akech’s Good for Runtown Douglas Agu, the Nigerian music star who performs as Runtown is in wild romance with South Sudan-born/Australia-based fashion supermodel, Adut Akech. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

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magine Douglas Jack Agu, the Nigerian music star who performs as Runtown meets South Sudanese/Australiabased fashion supermodel, Adut Akech. He serenades her with one of his lovely songs and asked her to give him love; yeah, like he sang in ‘Gimme Love’ with Seyi Shay. Mind you, the Soundgod Music honcho has got a lot of beautiful songs, one of which is ‘Mad over You’. He switches to the song and tells her the tune was inspired by African beauty, for a fact. She falls for him and soon afterwards, they both find themselves together as an item. Then the ‘Gallardo’ crooner wants everyone to know he is head over heels in love with this new lady, who is finer than Lupita N’yongo and took to his social media to share a picture of them together. That could just be it.

Soon enough, it sparked relationship rumours. The pair further took to their respective Instagram accounts to share loved-up videos. The duo first sparked what seemed like chemistry on Instagram a few weeks ago when the music star posted a photo on the social media app.

In the video shared by Runtown, the international model was seen on the bed covered with a white duvet. She had her arms on her head and the camera zoomed in on her.

Adut, fans and admirers camped in his comment section where she couldn’t hide her admiration for the music star.

The reports started swelling. It trends on social media that after several hints at what appeared to be a flirtatious moves on their respective Instagram stories, the two have taken it to the next level. Akech in a post shared via her Instagram stories on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 is seen showing off her new boyfriend (maybe lover).

The singer and the model were seen taking a walk on the street as Runtown tenderly pecked her on the cheek. As Runtown made a video of them, Adut tried to cover his face. Adut Akech’s latest video on Instagram indicates that the two

Runtown

might be up to something. It is not clear if both celebrities are officially a couple, however, it would be one friendship or relationship to look out for in the coming days, weeks, or months.

20-year-old Adut was born in South Sudan but raised in Kenya. She is one of the most sought after models in the world, having worked with several

Adut Akech

brands. Akech was introduced to the fashion industry by her family, and despite getting scouted multiple times by local modeling agencies when she was 13 and 14 years, she started her modeling career at 16, signing to her mother’s agency, Chadwick Models, in Sydney, Australia, in 2016.

In 2019, she won the ‘Model of the

Year’ award at British Fashion Awards, London. Akech, who made her fashion week runway debut as an exclusive in the Saint Laurent S/S 17 show, has worked with top brands including Chanel, Valentino and Givenchy, and many others.

Runtown, 30, was previously linked to US-based model, Selena Leath, who is also the mother of his son, Zamar.

Platoon Signs DJ Cuppy Ferdinand Ekechukwu

DJ Cuppy’s debut EP, ‘Original Copy’, is ready and primed for release through Platoon, a UKbased music company. The 27-year-old DJ and artiste announced the deal in a post on her social media handles last Tuesday. Original Copy is expected to break down all preconceived notions and prove to critics that Cuppy is passionate about her art and raising the standard.

In her twitter post, Cuppy wrote: “Contract signed & sealed! Proud to join the @WeArePlatoon family as an artiste …My debut Album delivered!?? #OriginalCopy coming soon!” Cuppy is the latest artiste to join the London-based record label. The firm has signed the likes of British singer, Jorja Smith, Sam Smith and Mr Eazi. It has also developed major artistes like Billie Eilish and Stefflon Don who left to sign hefty global deals with Universal Music Group.

Acknowledging the deal, the company via its official twitter handle @WeArePlatoon posted: “Welcome @cuppymusic to the Platoon fam. So glad to announce you have signed with us! We can’t wait for this album to drop & watch you shinee! #originalcopy.”

Cuppy described the development a dream come true, saying it signals a new chapter in her music career. “A new chapter with sweet music; Cuppy is now a @WeArePlatoon artiste!” she

wrote on Instagram. In one of the video clips, Cuppy could be seen having a virtual meeting with the senior executives of the company who discussed her terms and officially welcomed her on board.

The new deal comes a few weeks after Apple Music, a US music and video streaming service, announced her as host of its first-ever radio show inAfrica - “Africa Now Radio with Cuppy,” whose real name is Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola. Over the past couple of years, Platoon has increased its reach in African countries by handing out advances to several acts in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and so forth. Cuppy’s achievement further stretches what has been an amazing run for the country’s entertainment industry at the global music scene.

Platoon Music, which was acquired by Apple in 2018, works with artistes to produce, distribute and sell their work, using analytics to figure out the target market for the content.

In March, celebrity DJ Cuppy announced the name of her debut EP after aggregating opinions of her fans on social media. Cuppy, the Nigerian-born DJ and music producer is the celebrity DJ daughter of billionaire businessma, Mr. Femi Otedola. Cuppy has been on the rise in her DJ and music producing career earning important endorsements.

Cuppy had previously announced that she

DJ Cuppy

was yet to pick a title for her debut EP, even though it was more than 64 per cent complete.

She, therefore, enlisted her fans and godmother,

Carolyn Steyn, to help her name it. “Original Copy”, which was eventually chosen by her fans, is a strong oxymoron that portrays Cuppy herself.

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SATURDAY JULY 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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˜ ˞ JULY 11, 2020

PERSPECTIVE

PDP, Ndigbo, and 2023 Presidency Zoning Law Mefor

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abriel Suswan, Senator representing Benue North-East Senatorial District recently told a national newspaper that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would still zone the office of the President to the North in 2023.

Hear him: “Of course, the PDP will maintain zoning. We have not realised it, so the zoning still remains in the North in the PDP. In PDP, we zoned the Presidency to the North and have we realised it?

No. So, the zoning still remains in the North for 2023.�

Much as we are aware that the PDP hasn’t adopted any official zoning formula yet, it is instructive that the senator was not circumspect. He spoke like a prophet with an air of finality. And his words, as a founding member of the PDP, a former two-term governor and now a Senator, carry a lot of wait. Besides, PDP is a party that thrives on cliques; and it has often blundered from misfortune to misfortune due to bad choices imposed on it by such cliques or cabals.

Recall the imposition of Ali Modu Sheriff on the Party by just two governors of the PDP and how the Party was plagued and nearly wrecked by crisis for two years until the Abubakar Maikarfi/Ben Obi Committee and the likes of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the governors rallied to rescue the party.

These cliques are alive and well; and they are dragging and digging into the soul of the party, never giving a damn about the common interest or preponderances.

In 2011, despite PDP’s convention that the office of the President be rotated between North and South, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan went against the principle. In the heat of the bad feelings and controversies, grapevine has it that Jonathan eventually called a meeting of PDP and Northern leaders in the Villa where the South South Leader at the time, the now late General Samuel Ogbemudia, sought the understanding of party leaders, especially Northern political leaders concerning the peculiar circumstance that brought their son to power.

Ogbemudia asked that their son be allowed to do one term and power would rotate to the North. Everybody was happy and clapped. Even at that, the 2011 election turned into a festival of blood by the then candidate Mohammadu Buhari’s supporters.

The rest, they say, is history.

Rather than rotate power to the North in 2015, a clique convinced Jonathan to run for another term and damn the consequences. This polarised the PDP at its 2013 mini convention as the North protested and felt so betrayed. Their political sagacity was called into play as they worked across political leanings to teach Jonathan and the PDP a lesson. The likes of Bola Ahmed

Tinubu saw the gap and cashed in, teaming up with the North to form the mega coalition, which became the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was so strange that the PDP believed they would retain the presidency in 2015 after its five governors, nearly two dozen senators and nearly a hundred members of House of Reps formed the New PDP (nPDP) broke away, becoming the fifth legacy political group to form the APC. Even the mere treachery that resulted in Chibuike Amaechi retaining the chairmanship of the Nigeria’s Governors Forum against the wishes of incumbent President Jonathan, was enough signal for the PDP to understand that there was fire on the mountain; yet they refused to smell the coffee.

Power, they say, corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Impunity reigned supreme and to ensure that nobody contested with Jonathan, the PDP printed only one nomination form for the office of the president and handed it to Goodluck. But at the end of the day, PDP defeated PDP in the 2015 Presidential election in the sense that the ranks of the former opposition APC, was inspired and swelled by members of the PDP. It is no secret that Northern PDP chieftains worked for their regional candidate- Buhari. PDP literally scored an own goal, losing scandalously, but predictably.

Today, it appears history is about repeating itself. Otherwise, what is the rationale behind the claim that the PDP was bound to zone the President to the North in 2023? It is preposterous for Suswan to feign ignorance of the dynamics that informed the zoning of presidential ticket to the North in 2019. That decision was sequel to the recommendation of the Ekweremadu Committee (PDP Post-Election Review Committee), which unraveled the reasons behind PDP’s epic loss of power in 2015.

It established that the North voted against PDP and Jonathan, not necessarily for Buhari.

The report there states in part: “Since the last President of PDP extraction came from the southern part of Nigeria, it is recommended that PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections should come from the northern part of the country.

This is in accordance with the popular views and will also assuage any ill feelings in the North over any perceived breach of the Party’s zoning principle�.

It was also reasoned that President Buhari, who hails from the North, would have done only four years by 2019, hence it was in PDP’s interest to have a fellow northerner square up against him. The understanding was that against APC’s propaganda to Ndigbo that their party was South East’s shortest route to the presidency since Buhari would not be seeking reelection after a second term, PDP would also tell Ndigbo that its presidential candidate would only do one term. Again, the Ekweremadu

Committee reasoned that a 2019 northern presidential ticket would help lure back northern political heavy weights like Bukola Saraki, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwakwanso, Aminu Tambuwal, Yakubu Dogara etc. that had left the party. And it worked.

Therefore, Suswan’s logic is warped and embarrassing to say the least, especially when he knows that the dynamics that informed the 2019 zoning have absolutely changed. Besides, Ekweremadu Committee was specific that its recommended zoning formula was for “the 2019 general elections�. What is difficult to understand here?

Let is be clear, power has resided in the North for two straight terms and has to move South, specifically to South East, in the spirit of rotation and zoning, which has been the practice since 1999. All the political parties ought to flow with this national understanding. PDP, APC, and other major parties cannot be moving North when power is supposed to be moving South if they hold the unity and continued corporate existence of this country dear to heart.

Besides, Suswan’s kite is so offensive for ignoring the monumental contributions of the South East to PDP’s electoral fortunes in four straight presidential elections. The South East has particularly stuck to the PDP in thick and thin and was the bastion of opposition and PDP’s revival since it lost power in 2015. So, what are we? Hewers of wood and fetchers of water?

Meanwhile, it is now easier to join the dots of what transpired in 2019. It was alleged at the time that the South East PDP overwhelmingly supported Atiku’s bid for the presidential ticket with an understanding on restructuring and presidential candidate of South East extraction in 2023. So, Suswan’s kite appears to confirm that lack of commitment to a single term and the fielding of a presidential candidate of South East extraction in 2023 was the reason the PDP and its presidential candidate sidelined the key national leaders of the party from the South East immediately after the Port Harcourt National Convention and Presidential Primaries. Sadly, Ndigbo were too obsessed with the possibility of a Vice President of South East extraction to pay attention.

PDP and Suswam should be forewarned that they are taking Igbo support for granted. And they must depart from this treacherous path or reap bountiful protest votes come 2023. The fact that Ndigbo dislike Buhari’s regime for its mistreatment of Ndigbo doesn’t mean we hate APC as a party. Ndigbo will follow en mass any credible alternative to realise their aspiration of leading the country since the end of the civil war. This aspiration is legitimate, logical, moral, and has gained reasonable national traction and acceptance. –––Dr. Mefor writes from Abuja

The Trial of Bala Bantex Francis Damina

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his is indeed a very difficult time for His Excellency Architect Barnabas Bala Bantex. The former Deputy Governor is now being consumed by partisan groupthink. In a widely circulated video of an interview on ECWA Television last week, Bantex, who along with the president of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Hon. Jonathan Asake, were invited to chart the way out of the challenges of insecurity in Southern Kaduna, brewed a storm when he, towards the end of the interview session, said: “ But I want to use this forum to do two things: one is to say to the people of Southern Kaduna, that to the extent that I cannot convince them going by what I have heard judging from what people are saying, there is a lack of confidence in what I am saying.� “I will do two things: One, I will apologize for trying to defend what I know, to the extent that I cannot convince my people. The second thing is, politics is not for me the ultimate. I have issues with my Faith, I have issues to settle with God, 25 years have taken up my time from what I ought to do. I will use this opportunity to ask that the people of God should pray for me because I think, moving out from this studio I will take a bow from partisan politics. I have done that before, I have been pressurized to come back. By the grace of God I think this time will be different.� “I will continue however to give my voice if sought, but I do understand that my association with this political party, with this government at this point in time, when the insecurity is so ravaging the entire country, including my own place, I understand that it is the most herculian task, you know, to give reasons why we should do a detour and think differently. I therefore, will want to tell everybody that as I am moving out of this place, I will look at the world at different direction.�

His Excellency was reacting to the conventional wisdom ably represented by the president of SOKAPU that insecurity in Southern Kaduna is merely an ethnic cleansing that both Bantex and his former principal complicitly watched without showing empathy. But the former Deputy Governor will insist that rather than seeing the killings from the fault lines of religion and ethnicity, there is need for a proper diagnosis of the problem that has now

become a national predicament.

Though I am still in shock that some insular commentators have as usual, taken to the local markets an oblique news that the former Deputy Governor has apologized to ‘his people’, they have rather deliberately and hazily refused to make clarifications about the sins and confessions of His Excellency. But I thought, based on the video, that he has only apologized for sticking to his convictions especially on the way out of the present state of insecurity facing the region contrary to the popular line of thought that the situation is exclusively an ethnic cleansing of a people who do not recite the same Creed with the chief security officer of the state.

My worry is that, the so-called apology is a sarcasm that should rather have been seen as an insult to those who still insist that the former Deputy Governor ought to have abandoned his convictions to stick to their groupthink. Of course, he didn’t apologize that Southern Kaduna was shortchanged, neither was he in agreement that he and his former principal were complicit to the killings, nor accepted that he had at anytime in the media made snide remarks about what is called ‘his people’ supposedly, unless otherwise, referring to a geographical location against the usual definitions based on the nation’s nagging fault lines. But I know that the world now has been clued into the thinking of Asake especially when he severally interchanged ‘his people’ with the ethnic cleansing of ‘our people’. And this is where the trial of His Excellency began.

His sins lie on his refusal to sing from the hymnal of parochialism; and for associating with a political party, Government and characters perceived as missionaries of the other divide - a hospice perception that Governor Nasir El-Rufai himself gave oxygen to when he was alleged to have rated the population of Christians in Kaduna State as thirty percent. But as I recently said to him, “Defining regions based on religion and ethnicity is neither strange nor the exclusive iniquity of the Southern Kaduna people because while the North is defined based on Islam, the middle Belt that, I think, southern Kaduna is part of, is in like manner defined based on Christianity. Yet, the political class is to blame for creating this fault lines as grazing fields to satisfy their greed in moments of legitimacy crisis.

As a seasoned partisan politician who served at various capacities during the PDP, Asake is not unaware of the benefits associated with riding through the staircase of religion and

ethnicity to seek for popularity and sympathy. He must have seen how Governor Ortom of Benue State utilized these perennial fault lines during the killings in his state to: one, divert attention from his non-performance, and two, canvass for legitimacy when he transmuted into a defensor populi by creating a narrative that cast him as an ethno-religious knight in defense of his people against a Buhari-led federal government that appears tolerant - and even supportive - of the killer- herdsmen with whom the president shares a tribe and a religion. My friend, Sam Omatseye, put it well when he wrote: “Ortom is wagging the dog’s tail. He has been an abysmal failure as Governor owing about a year in salaries and presiding over Makurdi that still looks only a little better than a village in the 1980s. The herdsmen crisis is an opportunity to ride on a second term. It is a boom for him from the enemy.� Asake may have also seen how former Governor Ahmed Yerima used what Obasanjo referred to as ‘political Sharia’ to source for legitimacy in Zamfara state.

Yet, the people of Southern Kaduna under his leadership are not to blame for their disposition to swallow these apocryphal narratives hook, line and sinker based on their experiences in the past when certain Muslims in power used religion and ethnicity to inflict hardship on the rest of northern communities who do not worship or speak like them - thereby creating the mutual distrust and suspicion that has now made the communities inflammable.

This is why at the slightest suspicion of the policies of Muslims in power - such as the alleged statement by Governor Nasir El-Rufai that Christians in Kaduna State merely constitute ten percent of the state’s population, or the attempt to reform the traditional institution especially by creating new emirates, could reflexly make our people react like wounded lions believing that it is all aimed at giving advantage to Islam and it’s adherents. And truly, Governor El-Rufai has not been cautious of the sensitivity of this feeling.

No doubt, the trial that has now villified the former Deputy Governor among his people, is a conflict on the need to rise beyond these erroneous narratives by comparing notes with other people across divides of faith and ethnicity who have similar experiences on how to overcome the challenges.

–––Damina wrote from Kaduna and can be reached: francisdamina@gmail.com Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

11.07.2020

NEWS

ITS NORTH LONDON DERBY PAGE. 35

Miguel Azeez

Warming up for Arsenal First Team

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Miguel Azeez

Warming up for Arsenal First Team He is seen as the biggest thing after Patrick Vierra at the Emirates Stadium as far as holding the midfield is concerned.Though Miguel Azeez had starred for England at the U-18 level, he is still open to playing for Nigeria and Spain- the country of his father and mother respectively. Waiting for Mikel Arteta’s nod for first senior team’s action is, however, a priority for the player who said he modelled his game after Barcelona star, Sergio Busquets

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houghArsenalwonderkidMiguel Azeez has played for England U-18 international that doesn’t rule out the possibility of representing Nigeria, where his father hails from, in the near future.

The central midfielder is spoilt for choice over the country to represent internationally at senior level as he is also eligible for Spain through his Spanish mother.

Azeez has everything to become a worldclass player in the coming years and is one of the academy products regarded as the future of Arsenal.

Blessed with a wide range of passing, ability to strike the ball from distance and a free-kick specialist, Azeez has already been compared to Arsenal Legend Patrick Vierra.

“It will be an honour to play for any country that I am affiliated with but I always believe that I have to keep my options open,” Azeez said in an interview with celebrated Spanish journalist Guillem Balague when asked if he would consider playing for Spain.

“At the moment, playing for any country is a dream that any child has; so to get called up to any country will be an honour to me. I have to keep my options open as well.”

Miguel’s dad has not taken him to Nigeria yet because he has lived abroad for more than three decades, but it’s something on his to-do list which the midfielder is looking forward to.

“That’s because I have not been to Nigeria myself for ages, Nigeria is another topic entirely.

I love Nigeria, the thing about the culture is that they don’t pretend to be anything else.

“I can’t speak Yoruba fluently so I don’t even

pretend to say to my boys you have to speak Yoruba when I can’t speak it properly myself.

I have not been to Nigeria since 1988, so that’s a long time. You just reminded me I have to do it,” said Miguel’s father.

While Nigeria and Spain are looking into the possibility of calling Azeez at some point as they are aware of his potential, England first offered him the chance to play international football.

On his maiden call-up to the Young Lions, Miguel said: “There was an U-15 training call-up, that was like three years ago, that was my first experience with England.

“There was an e-mail I got after training that I have been selected to a training camp with England and I was buzzing to start with them.

“Obviously I was delighted, I remember instinctively I was in the room, my dad called me over and I saw on the laptop there was an email from England, I was jumping with joy because playing for your country is the biggest thing possible. I have been an international to U-18s.”

The 17-year-old Azeez, who signed his first professional contract with Arsenal last year, has been tipped to make his first-team debut for the north London club next season, having trained with the first team this term.

The wonderkid insists he is ready to grab the opportunity with both hands if it comes after receiving positive feedback from coaches at the club.

The Gunners are currently upgrading a host of young talents into the first team with Coach Mikel Arteta keen to promote youth into a new era at the Emirates fronted by himself.

Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson are all starting to flourish but many see 17-year-old Azeez as potentially the best of the lot.

The teenager is a swaggering midfield player that many are already likening to Gunners hero Vieira.

Azeez indeed said he models his game on Sergio Busquets - and says he wants to be “the best football player in the world”.

“One of my idols is Sergio Busquets,” said the English-born when Balagué pointed out his style of play is like that of a Spanish midfielder.

“I think he has been the best holding midfielder for a very long time. He always seems to have space around him, always plays with his head up, one step ahead.”

He is generally regarded as one of football brightest prospects, his career is currently being monitored by all three of the different country’s federations all of whom he is eligible to play for.

Azeez is also a poster boy for Adidas, heading up an ad campaign celebrating 25-years of Predator boots range alongside football luminaries David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Paul Pogba.

He began training with Arsenal from the age of five, and has progressed steadily through the academy at Hale End. Playing with a maturity above his years, he’s viewed as a natural leader - something Arsenal giants have lacked in midfield since the days of Vieira.

And he is already coming across as a confident young person off the field, as per a recent interview where he went into more detail about

his progression at Arsenal.

Asked whether he has any interaction with Arteta or other club coaches, Azeez said he hasd been receiving positive feedback.

“How is relationship with Mikel Arteta?

Have you spoken to him yet?” asked Balague, to which the teenager replied, “Not personally one to one but when we train with them we obviously get some feedback.

“He understands the game and is one of the best managers because he has a different look at football and how it is evolving all the time.

“Freddie Ljungberg has told me to keep training the way I am and to keep believing in myself, and Steve Bould who has the Under 23s has told me to keep playing the way I do because the exposure will definitely come.

“Also Per Mertesacker has also told me to keep believing because an opportunity will arise for me in the first team and when it does I will grab it with both hands.”

When he was 15, Azeez was already appearing for Arsenal’s U-18s, and didn’t look out of his depth.

By 17, he was captaining their U-18s and dictating the play in the middle of the park, wowing coaches with his ability.

His rise has been recognised by England, who have capped him at U-16, 17, and 18-level, and there’s certainly more international honours to come.

Back in September, Azeez signed his first pro contract with the club - a three-year deal with an option to extend that contract for a further two a year before it runs down.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

North London Derby

Tottenham Battle Arsenal for Europa League Place Aside from being the first North London Derby at the newTottenham Stadium, tomorrow’s clash between Spurs and Arsenal would also go a long way in determining which of the two London clubs get the ticket for next season’s Europa League, that is why the clash will be more than a derby. It is however a good game for the neutrals to enjoy Premiership Table Liverpool 32 Man City 32 Liverpool 34 49 92 Man City 34 52 69 Chelsea 34 17 60 Leicester 34 32 59 Man Utd 34 26 58 Wolves 34 8 52 Sheff Utd 34 2 51 Arsenal 34 8 50 Tottenham 34 8 49 Burnley 34 -8 49 Everton 34 -8 45 Southampton 34 -13 44 Newcastle 34 -15 43 Crystal Palace 34 -13 42 Brighton 34 -11 36 West Ham 34 -19 31 Watford 34 -22 31 Bournemouth 34 -27 28 Aston Villa 34 -29 27 Norwich 34 -37 21

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PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

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ottenham and Arsenal are set for a north London derby that is crucial to both clubs’ aspirations of finishing in the European places.

One point and a place separate the two clubs, with Arsenal currently above their bitter rivals on 50 points in eighth. A loss for either club on Sunday would be a huge blow to their challenge for fifth spot.

The hosts have been inconsistent, winning two, drawing two and losing one since the Premier League resumed, while the Gunners have recovered from two defeats to go four games unbeaten, including three straight wins before the home draw with Leicester City. Spurs on Thursday forced Bournemouth to a goalless draw.

Spurs will not want to lose the first north London derby at their new stadium but there are still a few issues over their defence that will give Arsenal hope going into the game. The hosts will also have to do without Eric Dier in central defence after he was given a four-game ban, which will encourage the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

The last two meetings have ended in draws, with both teams scoring, but with Arsenal’s form picking up over the last couple of weeks, the Gunners might get the three points.

Today, Chelsea travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United knowing that a sixth win in seven Premier League games will edge them a step closer to qualification for the Champions League.

However, the Blades welcome the Blues to Yorkshire having put together a three-match unbeaten streak, leaving the

club just one point adrift of sixth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

After the resumption of the Premier League, Sheffield United looked like being one of the clubs who were struggling to adapt to the different surroundings, perhaps understandably having lost all momentum due to the enforced break.

However, the Blades have been excellent over the past week, with home victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers coming either side of a draw away at Burnley.

With all three of their last opponents acting as rivals in the race for the Europa League, each result has been recorded at the right time, leaving Chris Wilder’s team on the brink of moving into the top six.

Although squaring off against Champions League chasing Chelsea represents another tough test, there will be no shortage of confidence after the manner of their last-gasp triumph over Wolves.

United outlasted a team which have made a habit of late flourishes, and it will naturally lead to Blues boss Frank Lampard having concerns about how his players will handle their upcoming contest.

Despite edging out Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, Chelsea struggled to close out the 3-2 win, relying on an outstanding late save from Kepa Arrizabalagba and an even better goal-saving tackle from Kurt Zouma.

While Lampard would have been impressed and relieved in equal measure, he has acknowledged that his team cannot afford to keep putting themselves in such situations, particularly after squandering so many opportunities at the other end

of the pitch.

That has been a common theme throughout the season, although Lampard can only be delighted with how Willian and Christian Pulisic have performed since the resumption.

Willian has four goals and three assists to his name, while Pulisic has netted in games against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Palace respectively.

Meanwhile, West Ham United will be looking to boost their Premier League survival hopes and all but relegate Norwich City in the process in today lunchtime’s clash at Carrow Road.

The Hammers are four points above the relegation zone following a mixed run of form, while Norwich are 10 points from safety with four games to play.

Last week’s impressive 3-2 win over London rivals Chelsea, secured through a late strike, was supposed to have kickstarted West Ham’s campaign.

However, a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United four days later was a case of an opportunity lost, with West Ham twice squandering a lead against opponents with little left to play for.

Then came Wednesday’s 1-0 home loss to Burnley condemning the Hammers to a fourth defeat in six matches.

Thankfully for West Ham, the teams below them have also struggled to pick up points since last month’s restart, so there is still a four-point buffer on Aston Villa.

The Villans are on 27 points while Bournemouth are on 28 points, after loss against Manchester United and draw to Tottenham Hotspur respectively on Thursday.

There is no doubt that David Moyes’

Norwich City v Brighton 12:30 Norwich City v West Ham 12:30 Watford v Newcastle 12:30 Liverpool v Burnley 15:00 Sheffield v Chelsea 17:30 Brighton v Man City 20:00 SUNDAY

Wolves v Aston Villa v Tottenham v Bournemouth v

Everton 12:00 C’ Palace 14:15 Arsenal 16:30 Leicester 19:00

MONDAY

Man Utd

v

Southampton 12:00

side are still very much in a relegation battle following their midweek reverse to Burnley, with four big matches to come.

West Ham have Norwich, Watford and Aston Villa to face in their four remaining games - three of only four teams currently below them in the table - plus a trip to in-form Man Utd. It is now effectively a battle between four teams for the two remaining relegation spots given that Norwich have already accepted their fate.

The Canaries are rock bottom of the division, as they have been since preChristmas, and need to win all four of their remaining matches to have any realistic hope of staying up.

With trips to Chelsea and Manchester City still to come, it is fair to say that Championship football will be returning to Carrow Road next season.

Daniel Farke’s men are now playing for pride, and this visit of West Ham does at least offer them a chance to register just a sixth victory of a disappointing campaign.

Four of those wins have come at home, giving them the worst home record in the top flight.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Novak Djokovic won the 2019 edition of the Wimbledon

Enyimba of Aba were last season’s winner

NFF Sets September/October as New Football Season All things being equal, the 2020 football season is expected to kick off between September and October according to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. The NFF, yesterday in an online meeting reached a resolution to suspend the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria National League (NNL).

The meeting had in attendance the Chairpersons of all the National Leagues and the President of the Nigeria Referees Association and the Executive Committee of the NFF. For the NPFL, it ends at the currency

Matchday 25 and the NFF have decided to adopt the Points Per Game (PPG) table to be used to rank the teams in order to ensure sporting merit and supporting fairness.

With the PPG, Plateau United, Rivers United and Lobi Stars who are the top three teams on the table after the last matchday will be submitted to the Confederations of African Football (CAF) to represent Nigeria in the 2020/2021 CAF Inter-Club competitions.

Plateau United and Rivers United will represent Nigeria at the CAF Champions League while Lobi Stars

Champions League

Man City could Face Juventus/ Lyon in Quarter-finals Manchester City will face Lyon or Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals if they hold on to their first-leg advantage over Real Madrid.

City hold a 2-1 lead after the first leg of their last-16 tie, which was played before the tournament was suspended because of coronavirus.

The quarter-finals, semis and final will be held over 12 days in Portugal.

Chelsea could face Barcelona or Napoli in the last eight but trail Bayern Munich 3-0 in their last-16 tie.

The two English sides will meet in the semi-final if they win through.

City - trying to win the competition for the first time - are joint-favourites with German champions Bayern.

Manager Pep Guardiola said: “We have to play against Real Madrid - the kings of the competition. If we think

about the next steps before that we will be out.”

Atletico Madrid, who eliminated defending European champions and new Premier League winners Liverpool, will face Germany’s RB Leipzig in the quarter-finals.

Italian side Atalanta - winners of their past 11 games in all competitions - take on French champions Paris St-Germain, who have not played since 11 March after their domestic season was abandoned.

The competition will conclude in an eight-team knockout tournament in Portugal from 12-23 August.

The second leg of last-16 ties yet to be completed will take place from 7-8 August and teams due to be at home for those matches will still play at their own stadium.

Sports Ministry Appeals Abuja Court Ruling on AFN The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has filed an appeal against the judgment of an Abuja high court made in favour of Ibrahim Gusau against the Olamide George led board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

According to the Director, Legal services of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Mr. Mohamed Dammam, “an appeal with the suit number CA/ABJ/ CV/ 518/ 2020 has been properly entered at the Court of Appeal in the above named matter. The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and three others are the Appellants and Ibrahim Gusau is the Respondent.”

The time to file our brief of arguments has started running from the July 8, 2020, when record wastransmitted totheCourtofAppealfromthe Federal High Court and the Respondent has been served.

TheAppellantsarealreadysetto filetheirbriefssothatthematter canbegivenacceleratedhearing by the Court of Appeal.

In tandem with ethical best practices, parties are expected to maintain status quo ante pending the hearing and determination of this matter before the Court of Appeal.

Mohammed had said that Justice Chikere ruling was only declarative as it did not award damages or make any specific order.

will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup. There will also be no promotion to or relegation from the NPFL for the 2019/2020 season.

It’s the same for the Nigeria National League (NNL)-second division, where there will be no promotion to or relegation from.

The 2019/2020 Nigeria Women’s Football League season which was yet to start has been aborted also with all focus on the new season. The same applies to the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNL) the third level of football in Nigeria.

But when the quarter-finals begin on 12 August, all ties in the competition will be held as one-off games at Sporting Lisbon’s Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The semi-finals will be played on 18-19 August and the final, at Benfica’s Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, on 23 August.

Uefa has implemented the same fivesubstitute rule as the Premier League for the remainder of the tournament and an additional change can be made in extra time.

All quarter-finals to take place from 12-15 August and the remaining last-16 fixtures on 7-8 August.

Last 16 Fixtures Madrid/ Man City v Lyon/Juventus 15/08/20 RB Leipzig v Atletico 13/08/20 Napoli/Barca v Chelsea/Bayern 14/08/20 Atalanta v Paris St-Germain 12/08/20 Semi-final Fixtures Winner of QF one v winner of QF three Winner of QF two v winner of QF

Nigeria may Lose Saka to England as Southgate Scouts him against City England manager Gareth Southgate will monitor Anglo-Nigerian winger Bukayo Saka at close quarterswhenArsenalfaceoff with Manchester City in the semifinaloftheFACupJuly18.

AccordingtotheDailyMail, Southgate has been given the greenlightbytheEnglishFootball Association to attend the semifinal matches involving ManchesterCity,Manchester United, Chelsea andArsenal.

The Three Lions boss’ first scouting mission post lockdown is to run the rule over the exciting young talents in the ranks of the Manchester and London clubs, including Saka, Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden.

Should Saka catch the eye of Southgate, he stands agoodchanceofbeinginvited to the England squad for their UEFANations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.

The Hale End Academy product is a target for the Nigeria Football Federation, with President Amaju Pinnick likening the teenager to a gold fish with no hiding place.

Gernot Rohr’s scout in London, Tunde Adelakun has been keeping tabs on Saka since he broke into the Arsenal firstteamwithaview toacall-uptotheSuperEagles if he switches his allegiance from England to Nigeria.

NFF Seeks to Partner Barca Academy Kunle Adewale The Nigerian Football Federation through the Secretary, Lagos Football Association has written to Blaugrana Sports Group, promoters of the Barca Academy Nigeria, for possible sustainable support, if it meets the association’s requirements.

In a letter signed by Bitrus Bewarang, National Technical Director, on behalf of the General Secretary, addressed to the Lagos FootballAssociation, through the secretary, stated that the NFF is gathering data and collating information on some specific football academies in the country with the aim of assisting them in their programmes. In Lagos State, only three football academies are on the shortlist-Pepsi, Buruj and Barca.

In a media chat, Chairman, Blaugrana Sports Group, Leslie Oghomienor, commended the impactful and visionary leadership of the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, for his tremendous contributions to the development and growth of the game in Nigeria. He appealed that the efforts so far made should be sustained and improved upon, for the good of the game. This he believes will enhance Nigeria’s chances of not only winning world laurels but can stand the chance of hosting a global football tournament.

He however, acknowledged that without the unalloyed support of the Lagos State Government and the Sports Commission led by Deji Tinubu, who during his life time worked tirelessly to ensure that the academy began on a strong footing. He added that the current LSSC Chairman SolaAiyepeku, is a great ally of the academy and his commission’s support has been remarkable, without which the academy would not be where it is today.

“That we have been shortlisted as one of the academies is an indication that the supervising bodies are satisfied with what Barca Academy Group Nigeria is doing.

“And so far, if not for these associations’ huge support we wouldn’t have been able to reach the point we are now. And honestly, to be on the shortlist is a great encouragement and a motivation,” he stated.

OghomienormaintainedthattheBarcaAcademy Group Nigeria’s direction is global, nationalistic and people-oriented and therefore, will continue to look for ways to help grow the available teeming talents and support the development of football in the country.

The NFF will appraise the academies base on genre, target, and age category of participants among others.

The Barca Academy is for both boys and girls ages from 3 to 18 and it is an all year round football academy with three campuses in Lagos.

Wimbledon Boost Players with Increased Prize Money A total of 620 players, singles and doubles, male and female, will benefit from Wimbledon’s £10m fund thanks in large to their pandemic insurance policy.

Wimbledon was cancelled earlier this year for the first time since World War II due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.

Based on the world ranking, 224 players who would have competed in the qualifying tournament will each receive £12,500 while 256 players who would have competed in main singles draw will each receive £25,000.

The 120 players who would have competed in main doubles draw will each receive £6,250, while 16 players who would have competed in the wheelchair events will each receive £6,000.

Four players who would have competed in the Quad Wheelchair events will each receive £5,000.

OutgoingAELTC chief, Richard Lewis has said he was pleased the insurance policy allowed them to financially help players during a difficult time for the sport.

“Immediately following the cancellation of The Championships, we turned our attention to how we could assist those who help make Wimbledon happen,” he said. “We know these months of uncertainty have been very worrying for these groups, including the players, many of whom have faced financial difficulty during this period and who would have quite rightly anticipated the opportunity to earn prize money at Wimbledon based on their world ranking.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 11, 2020

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Henry Onyekuru Another Loan Spell Looms?

Having been recalled from Galatasaray after the parent clubMonaco failed to agree to a short-term proposal deal that would have enabled Henry Onyekuru to represent the Turkish side for the remainder of the protracted campaign and with the Ligue 1 club still unconvinced by the Nigerian winger, another loan is in the offing for the AFCON bronze medallist

H

aving failed to establish himself at French side, Monaco, Nigerian international Henry Onyekuru was returned to Galatasaray for a second spell in the January transfer window where he made seven appearances and scored one goal, culminating the Turkish Super Lig to wanting to retain him.

Onyekuru has however returned to Monaco following the expiration of his loan deal with Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray at the end of last month.

Though Galatasaray wanted the winger to sign a short-term deal to enable him represent the club until the end of the protracted campaign but the French Ligue 1 club turned down the proposal.

According to Turkish newspaper Sabah, Galatasaray have not paid Monaco the 750,000 euros loan fee agreed between the two clubs in the January transfer window and as a result the Nigerian was recalled with five games left to the end of the season.

In 12 outings for Galatasaray, the Super Eagles star scored one goal and provided three assists, logging 871 minutes.

Onyekuru helped The Lions win the Super Lig and Cup in his first spell with the club during the 2018-2019 Season, on loan from Everton.

Meanwhile, Greek Super League giants Olympiakos are working on a deal to sign the Nigerian international. According to Turkish newspaper Milliyet via Fosoline Greece, Olympiakos want to sign the striker from Monaco in the summer transfer window.

Onyekuru experienced some resuscitation at the Turks TelekomArena after failing to establish himself in France.

Following his exceptional output at Galatasa-

ray last season, where he was an instrumental figure towards propelling the Turkish Giants to a league and cup double, Onyekuru is one player in demand come summer.

Having racked up 16 goals and six assists for Fatih Terim’s Gala while on loan from Everton, who he never played for due to work permit issues,AS Monaco pounced, signing the Nigerian international from the Toffees in a deal worth £12 million.

On the surface, this deal was hugely exciting as Onyekuru looked set to complement Monaco’s fellow attacking weapons like Islam Slimani, Wissam Ben Yedder, Aleksandr Golovin and Jean-Kevin Augustin beautifully. In reality, his time with the Monegasques has been anything but smooth sailing, which is largely through no fault of his own.

Not helped by Monaco’s woeful start to the season, which forced Leonardo Jardim to switch to a back three, this meant there was no natural fit for him in the side, for Slimani and Ben Yedder took the striking roles and wingers were no longer used, just wingbacks.

At his best when playing on the left flank or through the middle, Jardim’s setup has certainly not aided his cause to stake his claim. Obviously needing time to adapt to his new environment and some injury issues didn’t help his cause either, as he’s only featured four times totalling 160 minutes of action.

An exciting player who can hurt opponents in a variety of ways with his explosive, gamechanging set of attributes, he’s certainly a nightmare for defenders to come up against.

Blessed with scintillating pace, acceleration and agility, these characteristics ensure he’s such a threat with and without the ball. Firstly, when embarking on his runs, he does so in a thoughtful fashion, as he times, angles and directs his run smartly to get the edge on his adversaries.

So quick and aware when a teammate is in a

position to pinpoint him, he gets on his bike swiftly to give himself every chance to latch onto through balls first.

The way he uses little hesitation moves, double movements, zig-zags, wicked out-to-in diagonal runs, pins markers and exploits the blindside of his marker adds to his menace.

In addition, when bursting into the box, the way he attacks the six-yard box, knows when to go to the near or far post and has the presence of mind to hold his runs as the defence collapses is a bonus.

Meanwhile, when it comes to his work with the ball at his feet, Onyekuru poses a very unpredictable and elusive proposition. On top of his aforementioned athleticism, his mazy dribbling ensures he can breeze by his man with his sheer pace, cut infield in an instant or beat his man with feints, shoulder drops, stepovers or searing changes of pace and direction. Moreover, the fact he’s so dangerous on the ball often attracts multiple markers, which has the key byproduct of freeing up space for teammates and destabilising his foes’ shape.

His close control when dribbling at speed notably places doubt in defenders minds, for if they step in he can quickly shift the ball to outfox them or draw a foul, thus making him an even more challenging adversary.

It must be said, however, that he can overdo it sometimes on the dribble, which means he gets cornered or fails to see a teammate in a better position. But all in all, any negatives are outweighed by the big positives attached to his confident and eye-catching work here.

While it’s not really his game to create chances or orchestrate passing moves, there’s been some signs of his aptitude here, as he can combine nicely in around the box, calmly recycle possession and play the odd splitting through ball if the option is there. Probably the most ef-

fective tool in this regard is how he plays some slick one-twos which help unlock deep sitting defences while allowing him to receive the return pass in a goal facing posture so he can continue his momentum.

Onyekuru’s finishing complements his intriguing game nicely, for this ever-improving area of his armoury allows him to reward all his good work. Instinctive and with a keen eye for goal, the man who finished sixth in the Turkish Super League scoring charts despite playing predominantly as a winger, can crucially score in a variety of ways.

Onyekuru has four years to run on his contract with Monaco, whom he joined from Everton last summer.

The 22-year-old has capped 11 times for Nigeria and was part of the Super Eagles team that clinched bronze at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Onyekuru began his football career with the Aspire Academy in 2010, and graduated in 2015 joining their partner club, KAS Eupen and helped the team get promotion to the Belgium First Division A in his debut season.

After a successful season in the Belgium first division, Onyekuru finished as one of the top scorers in the league, attracting the attention of various big teams in Europe. He finished the 2016/2017 season as joint top-scorer with 22 goals, but the trophy was handed to his rival as he scored more away goals than Onyekuru.

He made his senior debut for Nigeria in a 3-0 friendly win over Togo last year’s July.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹͹˜ 2020

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Guiness Optimistic Amid Weak Growth Guinness Nigeria Plc., has shown optimism about delivering value to its customers in spite of slow growth that is mostly occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company in a statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), informed that its production and revenues had been negatively affected.

The statement shows that Guinness’ financing cost rose by 97 % to N3.582 billion compared to N1.817 billion recorded in 2019.

The company noted further that its activities were strongly affected by the sharp contraction in economic activities, as well as lockdown measures.

The statement reads: “Due to a combination of the impact of COVID-19 and the asset impairment, we expect the profitability of the company for the Financial Year to 30th June 2020 to be impacted. The company’s balance sheet, however, remains strong, and this gives the board the confidence that the company has the right resources to continue to deliver the strategy.”

It will be recalled that the company reported revenue of N96.08 billion for the nine months that ended March 31, 2020, showing a fall of 5.3% compared with N101.40 billion recorded in the corresponding year of 2019.

Moreso, its financing cost rose by 97%

to N3.582 billion compared to N1.817 billion recorded in 2019.

It ended the period with a profit

Head of Strategic Partnerships Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, Soromfe Uzomah

Promasidor Donates SunVita Cereal to Lagos Food Bank Initiative Promasidor Nigeria Limited has donated SunVita cereal to Lagos Food Bank Initiative in support of the government’s effort to providing palliatives to the vulnerable during the Covid -19 Pandemic. The three truckloads of SunVita cereal was handed over to the office of Lagos Food Bank Initiative as part of the company’s gesture to the fight against COVID-19.

Making the presentation to the organisation, Category Manager, Dairy and Cereal Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Olayinka Vincent, who handed over the donation to the president of the organization Mr. Michael Sunbola reiterated the commitment of Promasidor Nigeria Limited to the provision of quality food products to Nigerians.

According to him, “With 2020 being a difficult year due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Promasidor is committed to supporting the government’s efforts at containing further spread of the virus, adding that though the company had initially made contributions worth over N200 million, there are still gaps to be filled and as a responsible company, Promasidor is ready to support the government. He further stated that, SunVita cereal is produced from locally sourced grains like Soya and Maize and

fortified with Nutri-V, a unique blend of vitamins and minerals that helps children grow smarter and stronger.”

Receiving the donation, President of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Mr. Michael Sunbola, assured that Promasidor’s goodwill will go a long way towards supporting the vulnerable within the society. He stated that his organization works with primary health care centres to reach and care for the vulnerable in Lagos State. He thanked Promasidor profusely for their kind heartedness noting that the food supplies would be put to good use.

Promasidor was founded in 1979 by Robert Rose, who left the United Kingdom in 1957 for Zimbabwe to pursue his African dream. It has since grown with presence in 25 African countries. Promasidor Nigeria has achieved tremendous growth since it commenced operations in 1993.

Promasidor Nigeria limited, produces, distributes and markets quality range of products such as Cowbell milk, Loya milk, Miksi milk, SunVita cereal, Top Tea and Onga seasoning across the country bringing joy to millions of consumers. Its Milk powders, culinary and beverage products are affordable, delicious and good for all.

First Bank Upgrades Mobile Banking App Foremost financial institution, First Bank of Nigeria has announced an upgrade of its mobile banking application, FirstMobile, with new and improved features to enhance mobile banking experience for customers.

The bank in a statement explained that the mobile banking app has been redesigned with improved security and self-service features to ease navigation capability and proficiency of customers.

“Its unique cool blue colour background gives it a more appealing interface for customers to enjoy a unified and streamlined banking experience whilst going about their day to day activities.

“FirstMobile is now embedded with a card protection service for customers to enable and disable cards on channels, account switch off as well as second-factor authentication and device registration.

“With the upgraded FirstMobile, customers can remotely initiate the request for a new

after tax of N1.672 billion, plunging by 60% from N4.252 billion recorded in 2019.

debit card as well as the replacement of a lost or damaged one, whilst managing activities on their card and account, thus balance enquiry and statement, amongst others.

“The biometrics for transactions is another innovative security upgrade on the application to validate transactions. This feature includes fingerprint for transactions, allowing the customer to use his or her fingerprint to consummate all transactions”, it informed in a statement.

Other new features of the app, according to the organization, include frequent transaction, dashboard flexibility and personalisation, smoother transaction experience and improved beneficiary management.

“With the frequent transaction feature, the user is able to easily access his or her frequently completed transactions – airtime, transfers and bill payments and re-initiate such with the clicks of a button.

Firm Launches E-Library uLesson Education Limited, has expanded the content library on its uLesson app to include lessons for Junior Secondary School students.

The uLesson app launched in March 2020, with a Senior Secondary School library, covering several subjects.

The app has now extended its offerings to feature junior secondary school contents.

Speaking on the development, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Sim Shagaya, stated that the initiative followed the need to help students maximise academic potentials.

He said, “The digital age is quickly shaping the education landscape and the way students learn. It is our goal at to leverage this digital transformation to provide learning tools that will help students learn in a simpler and more effective manner.”

“The Junior School library has been richly designed in scope, interactivity, and effectiveness in line with the West African Secondary School curriculum. We have taken steps to provide best-in-class lessons delivered by expert tutors to ensure that learners get only the best learning experience.”

Vice President, Learner Experience and Growth, uLesson Education, Manji Cheto added that the new library addresses a deep customer need.

She said, “We pride ourselves as a company that listens to and anticipates customer needs, and then acts quickly to respond to these concerns. The release of our junior secondary library is a great example of this. Customers made it overwhelmingly clear that this is what they wanted from us and so, we are proud to deliver this in the timeframe that we have.”

Firm Kicks off Kids Competition Indomie Fan Club has kicked off the season five edition of its ‘Team Yourself Up’ competition.

The competition is one of the many ways through which the Indomie brand engages thousands of kids and provides a platform for them to express their creative talents and abilities.

The competition also offered participating kids an opportunity to win a wide range of fantastic prizes.

Winnings for the competition included a grand prize of N500,000 and one year supply of Indomie noodles for the overall winner, while the first runner up gets N100,000.

The sum of N75,000 goes to the second runner up, while the third runner up gets a sum of N50,000.

N35,000 is also awarded to the best in each of the regions (Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and East), with lots of other consolation prizes to be won.

All Indomie Fan Club members are rewarded with guaranteed gifts just by participating.

Providing more details, Group Head, Public Relations/Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Tope Ashiwaju, stated that the brand through the competition is leveraging the restrictions in movement to create a bonding and engaging experience between children and their loved ones.

He said, “It is part of our responsibilities to ensure that during this out of school period, our children are engaged in activities that will aid their mental and physical development.

The competition also provides a platform for these kids to express their creative abilities and have loads of fun doing so with their families.”

He added that the ‘best creative art’ category was introduced in the regional competitions so that more winners can emerge for this season.

Firm Charts Fresh Growth Path with New Appointments Radisson Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Ramsay Rankoussi and Daniel Trappler as the Head of Development for Africa and Senior Director, Development for Sub-Sahara, respectively.

This is in line with the company’s expansion drives and a move to strengthen its commitment in Africa.

Ramsay Rankoussi has served with the company for more than six years and presently leads Radisson Hotel Group’s growth in Africa. His appointment reinforces the group’s confidence that Africa continued to be a region of growth.

As the Senior Director, Development for Sub-Sahara, Daniel Trappler, brings a unique set of skills to the investment community.

The company acknowledges him as one of the few specialists in hotel transactions and capital markets.

Chief Development Officer of the company, Elie Younes, said, “Trappler’s strong understanding of the region unlocks access to a network of financial institutions which represents the biggest challenge across the continent, in terms of deal

structuring and hotel openings.”

Younes added, “Africa has always been at the forefront of our growth journey and we have recently adopted a new tailored strategy across the continent, reflecting the needs of the market and also underlining our ambitions to accelerate our presence in all key cities.

“I am very pleased with Ramsay’s new role overseeing our development in Africa.

Over the last six years, Ramsay has proven to be a key asset to our development team, and with the appointment of Daniel, we become increasingly relevant to our owners and investment partners. We look forward to developing our presence even further and contributing to the local community through job creation and additional positive knock-on effects of investment.”

Also speaking, Rankoussi said, “This is a tremendous opportunity to further accelerate our growth in Africa and I am pleased to be surrounded by the best team. We have ensured a geographical alignment in our resources and optimised our response time with deal experts in every market we cover.

SATURDAY JULY 11, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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Saturday, July 11, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Shehu Sani on Magu

“Contrary to the facade you see from the outside, the EFCC is run by an inside cult called the Magu Boys or the Chairman Squad. They are a select cream of vicious officers who operate exclusively with impunity and only report directly to their boss.”

– A member of the 8th Senate, Shehu Sani, accusing the suspended chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, of running the agency like a cult.

PENDULUM Before the Crucifixion of Ibrahim Magu F DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

ellow Nigerians, please, allow me to make some quick clarifications as a preamble to my epistle to you this week. I do not know Ibrahim Magu personally. What I know of him comes mainly from what I have read on the pages of newspapers and saw on television and social media platforms. On a few occasions, I have been privy to and been regaled with stories about some of his exploits and that of his agency, the much dreaded, all-consuming Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) From a distance, I have always been bemused

by Magu’s swashbuckling gait and palpable arrogance, bathed in what I could only perceive as his unfortunate ignorance of his ephemeral position and circumstances. He appeared rude and crude, an all-conquering Emperor in front of whom trembled and quaked his pitiless, pitiable and pitiful victims. God forgive my perception.

He probably is not totally like that. He might actually be a nice man, although simple, you cannot definitely classify him as! Indeed, to a lot of his fans and admirers he was Nemesis come to render judgement and punishment upon his hapless quarry, who were considered worthy of his iron fist approach because of their looting and brigandage.

I have often wondered how Nigeria handed the power of life and death to such a man.

He is of course not the first. His predecessors have, save for maybe one of them, been exactly the same. The trappings, appurtenances and incidents of power seems to not only becloud their judgement, it turns them into monsters who have no sense of fairness, equilibrium or justice, and certainly little or no respect for the laws of the land especially the constitution. It is an understatement to conclude that Nigeria has been an extremely backward country in our choice of leaders. No private company in its right senses would hand over the position of Chief Executive to a man who has never managed One Million Naira in a Trillion Naira conglomerate, particularly when that man had previously been indicted.

But what have we not seen in Nigeria in the name of ethnicity, religion, quota system, zoning, Federal character, gender balancing, godfatherism, nepotism and all such nonsense?

A nation that derides and sometimes even hates talent, diligence, intelligence and merit in all their ramifications and instead rewards mediocrity, failure, fraud and also felons would always find it hard to make any progress. We all know this fact but are irredeemably jinxed and foolishly and carelessly we are reluctant and refuse to change our perfidious ways and habits, or at least our leaders are.

I will waste no tears and lay no wreaths at the political burial of Ibrahim Magu. What goes around comes around. He is about to have a sad taste of the poison he forced others to swallow. But I will never join those who would bury him without an inquest. I have no doubt that his end has come at the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). As they say in America, he is a gonna, as dead as a dodo. Even if he survives the probe, that usually leads nowhere, and bears no fruits, he has already been stripped naked in the marketplace.

There is no longer any hiding place for him. He has definitely fallen in the public esteem. He cannot live the allegations against him down. No amount of denials and protestations of innocence can cure the ills visited upon him or clean the mud which has enveloped him like a miasma of cow dung or horse shit. He’s been used and dumped, like others before him. I’m surprised

agencies, the Federal Government, under the President Olusegun Obasanjo Administration, had wittingly or unwittingly whittled down the power of the Police to investigate crime, prosecute criminals and maintain Law and Order. They had created an alternative law enforcement agency, which under the control of unprincipled men could wield unbridled power and inflict incalculable terror on those that came within their purview.

I will continue to say that the overlapping duplication of functions within the different arms and tiers of government have been a major factor in the total confusion that continues to put many things in disarray in our country. The motive behind setting up EFCC was always suspect and suspicious when we already had other Police agencies like the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Fraud Unit, and also headed still by Police officers. Why do we like frittering away our very scarce resources on needless white elephant institutions?

I have been writing about the excesses of EFCC since the time of Nuhu Ribadu who, I believe, later saw the sense in my admonitions.

On one occasion in 2007, I virtually exchanged verbal fisticuffs with Nuhu Ribadu’s aides on the pages of Thisday. They came after me and I went after them. Men with absolute power hate to be told the truth. And it was a simple and straightforward advice I gave that became a problem. I told them to follow and obey the rule of Law. Under Obasanjo, like they did against Judges not too long ago, they broke into people’s homes in the dead of the night, tore down window units, of reputable businessman in the bad books of government, when there were better and decorous ways of doing things.

They were fond of going after Chairmen of limited liability companies instead of going after the supposedly erring companies and chose to destroy everything and everyone in sight! They crippled many businesses and many families on the assumption that allegation meant conviction. In the end, they usually had little or compelling evidence to secure conviction in a court of law. Sometimes it was so ludicrous because their evidence was not just based on salacious hearsay, but on scurrilous tales found in shady and oftentimes shadowy media platforms.

A really sad state of affairs.

I warned Ribadu that his day would come when he himself would be a victim of a witchhunt. And it didn’t take forever before he fell from the pinnacle of the temple and landed with a thunderous fall. He had to flee and as soon as humanly possible he ran out of the country and sought refuge and solace abroad.

I expected others who took over his post, from time to time, to learn useful lessons for history, but hell no.

Madam Farida Mzamber Waziri came with her own dark goggles and became as menacing as they come. The fear of Farida was the beginning of wisdom. But at least she was knowledgeable, charming and smart. She was later sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan. Ironically, a rival agency, the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) was asked to probe her. I wonder what became of the investigation. I guess that like all such nebulous enquiries, its report is gathering dust in somebody, cobweb covered cabinet.

Ibrahim Lamorde soon took over. He was younger and more urbane and seemed to have learnt didactic lessons that nothing lasts forever.

He had served briefly in 2008 after Ribadu was sacked and Madam Waziri came in as substantive Chairman. He later took over from the same

Magu that as a marksman himself, he did not see the bullets coming and could not escape being hit by dodging the fusillade and barrage of shots.

Now, this is the crux of the matter.

I will not rejoice over the fall of a man who was easily one of the most powerful souls in our country. Magu should have memorised Isaac Newton’s Law of Motion and Gravity. You don’t have to be a student of Physics to understand the simple principle of the law of gravity, that whatever goes up must come down ultimately unless you enter another orbit. Magu forgot that he was merely a tin god with feet of clay. He was a mere mortal after-all. Those before him did their own gra-gra before being booted out, sometimes, unceremoniously. In his own case, he fought on too many fronts. He had enemies within and enemies without. He was a master at viciousness and vindictiveness. Some even wonder if he has any milk of human kindness inside him. He fought like he had personal scores to settle in a position where equity and justice should be the watchword. He jettisoned the famous legal principle that a man is innocent until proven guilty. His tenure witnessed the worst examples of media trial. He spent more time feeding the media with junk stories than supplying the courts with copious and valid evidence. He murdered the rule of Law and the few of us who pleaded against kangarooism were called unprintable names. Now that the chickens have come home to roost, we shall still plead that Magu and his collaborators be given fair hearing. I won’t jump to hurried conclusions like all those spreading lurid rumours that he has stolen billions of Naira, that he bought many expensive houses by proxy, and so on, but it is good for him to now know how it feels when EFCC regales the public with the stuff of which successful thriller novels are made when he was dealing with people who were merely suspects.

Please, let me now break it down gently.

Those who decided to set up EFCC and ICPC without giving them total autonomy and absolute authority knew what they were doing. They were aware that otherwise people at the helm of affairs would have to live in perpetual fear and trepidation of not stepping on too many powerful toes. They would have to permanently study and gauge the body language of their avuncular benefactors. How would a junior Police officer control more power than the Inspector General of Police. Is that not the height of foolhardiness? However, by creating those

Waziri. He at least was not as abrasive as his predecessors and was more civilised and less prone to sensationalism. He was sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015 and was succeeded by Ibrahim Magu.

Interestingly, Magu was never confirmed by the Senate as a substantive Chairman because of allegations of impropriety levelled against him by the Department of State Security (DSS) another powerful security agency. One would have thought that this experience would have chastened Magu and made him act with great circumspection and integrity. Instead, it seemed to give him the hump. It was like he had a chip on his shoulders and was determined to force himself upon those he considered as his traducers and trample on those he felt had persecuted him unjustly.

My take is simple, despite the important roles assigned to EFCC, it is impossible for the agency to do its job efficiently and efficaciously. How would an agency go after those who funded the Presidential campaign of the man who nominated their head and signed his appointment letter?

Is it possible for any President to pretend that the funders brought the money from heaven or any legitimate business? This is the real dilemma of fighting corruption in a country where it is absolutely impossible for supposed saints to win elections without sinners. In my view, the head of such an agency can only be truly independent if he is appointed by an independent body like the Senate, possibly from a short list of 3 to 5 candidates nominated by the Police Commission and not the Executive.

After all, the head of the EFCC is still a police officer and a Commissioner of Police, not even an Assistant Inspector – General of Police. This police officer should spend only one term in the agency and must be absorbed back into the force upon the completion of his tenure.

My advice to the EFCC itself remains constant.

Formulate a standardised approach to fighting crime. Stop going after alleged criminals as if it is a personal vendetta. Investigate the alleged crimes critically and diligently before approaching the courts. Rely on evidence properly obtained and not clutched from the air. Stop destroying alleged offenders and their businesses by shutting them down, defaming their promoters and the like unless absolutely necessary and must seek court orders on sound and truthful grounds.

Stop being the accuser, prosecutor and Judge rolled into one. Avoid media trial as much as possible. It is often counter-productive because it sends negative signals globally that we are a country of criminals. Again, note that not all cases prosecuted by you are won by you. How would you compensate those who win their cases in court? You would have damaged them beyond redemption. Finally, try to prioritise your cases and accept plea bargaining as well as urgent refunds in order to save time and litigation courts, as well as manage the expectations of the public.

I also hope and pray that successive Federal Governments will stop using the EFCC as a tool of oppression and victimisation, and that the new Chairman would understand how transient his power is and show fairness to all, regardless of ethno-religious affiliations and political associations.

Ibrahim Magu did his best, despite his glaring shortcomings, and should be given a fair hearing and a free trial which he denied his luckless casualties.

One Emperor has fallen and is now writhing in a macabre dance of death. We await the new Emperor, benevolent or malevolent, we shall see!

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