SATURDAY 18TH JULY 2020

Dangote’s $2bn Fertiliser Plant Commences Operation February Higher food, commodity prices push inflation to 12.56% Dike Onwuamaeze with agency report and James Emejo in Abuja Dangote Group’s fertilizer plant, under construction in Lagos, will be ready to start

production in February next year, so says Saipem SpA, the builders of the factory.

This is coming on the heels of the latest inflation figure from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), showing

that inflation rose to 12.56 per cent (year-on-year) in June compared to 12.40 per cent in May. Owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, the fertilizer plant located in

Lekki, has capacity for three million tons a year of urea and ammonia, making it the world’s biggest. It is in the vicinity of the 650,000 barrels a day Dangote Oil Refinery, also under construction.

Test run started at the plant in March, though hampered by the disruptions that came with the Coronavirus pandemic, said Maurizio Coratella, Chief Operating Officer of Saipem SpA.

“We are picking up now that things are looking more stable and are currently very well advanced. We are in the commissioning stage of the Continued on page 5

Arotile: Ministers, 20 NASS Members Condole with NAF… Page 8 Saturday 18 July, 2020 Vol 25. No 9231

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COVID-19: WAEC Bows to Nigeria, Shifts Examination Schools get July 29 deadline to ready facilities for resumption Cases hit 35,454, with 14,633 discharged and 772 deaths Bennett Oghifo

shift forward the date of its 2020 Senior School Certificate The West African Examination Examination (SSCE), following Council (WAEC), has bowed a meeting with federal to pressure from Nigeria to government officials in Abuja

early this week.

In a related development, 600 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded yesterday nationwide, taking the number

of confirmed cases to 35,454, with 14,633 discharged and 772 deaths.

The examination was scheduled to begin on August

4, but the federal government announced that students of unity schools would not participate owing to COVID-19 concerns.

The COVID-19 concerns were reiterated when the federal government team, Continued on page 5

Hand over Nunieh to Police Now, Rivers CP Tells Wike Court restrains police from arresting her, Akpabio seeks legal redress Ex-NDDC boss appears before House via Zoom, says no forensic audit ongoing at NDDC PDP to Buhari: Suspend Akpabio, IMC immediately Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Gobum Mukan yesterday did a dramatic about-turn and called on Governor Nyesom Wike to hand over to him, the former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Joi Nunieh, taking refuge at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

On the same day, Nunieh appeared before the House of Representative panel probing the activities of the commission

via Zoom, and informed the panel that “there is no forensic auditing taking place at the NDDC.” Wike had stormed the Port Harcourt residence of the former NDDC boss on Thursday and freed her from a police siege.

Mukan, according to Governor Wike, said his command was not aware of the incident.

But Mukan recanted yesterday while appearing on ARISE TV programme monitored in Port Harcourt and called on Wike to hand over Nunieh to the police.

Continued on page 5

N’Assembly: Sani-Omolori out, Olatunde in... Page 6

HONOURING IBIDUNNI IGHODALO...

L-R: Board Member, Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation, Mrs. Bola Okolie; Board Member, Dr. Ade Adeyemi-Bero; Chairman, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Managing Partner, AT3 Resources, Mrs. Tosin Adefeko; and the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Mrs. Adedayo Richards, at the launch of the foundation’s Project 40at40 in honour of its founder in Lagos…yesterday

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ˜ ͹΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸

PAGE FIVE HAND OVER NUNIEH TO POLICE NOW, RIVERS CP TELLS WIKE He said the policemen came from Force Headquarters to invite the former NDDC boss to Abuja over a petition against her.

"We are aware of their coming. If people felt we were not aware of their coming, did they ask me? We are aware of their coming to the state to invite her," he said.

Mukan also dismissed insinuations that the policemen were on an illegal mission as they did not possess a warrant of arrest.

“It is not in every situation that you need a warrant for an arrest. There are situations that you do not need a warrant to effect an arrest. So, the fact that they do not have a warrant of arrest at that moment does not mean it was an illegality within the confines of the constitution,” he said.

He also said while Wike might have freed her from the hands of people he did not trust, the governor should hand her over to the commissioner of police who is the chief law enforcement officer of the state.

Mukan said: “It is really unfortunate. Under normal circumstance, if the governor is coming to rescue her, he should have handed her over to me to protect her, as the chief law enforcement officer of the state. I still believe he will hand her over because the exercise was legitimate and within the confines of the law.

"So, he should turn her over to the police. I have gotten in touch with him personally and advised him to turn her over."

The police commissioner also said the police did not come to prevent Nunieh from going to the National Assembly to testify in the on-going probe of the NDDC. "We did not know that she was going to give evidence before the House of Representatives. As far as the officers who came to invite her are concerned, they are investigating a petition against

her, which has nothing to do with the issue before the National Assembly. They are two different things," he stated.

Court Restrains Police from Arresting Nunieh Also yesterday, a Rivers State High Court issued an order retraining the police and the State Security Service from arresting or detaining Nunieh.

The Presiding Judge, Justice E. N. Thompson, gave the order on Suit No: PHC/1128 FHR/2020, between Dr. Joi Nunieh (applicant), and Senator Goodwill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Commissioner of Police, Rivers State; State Security Service (SSS); the Inspector General of Police; and the Nigerian Police Force (1st -5th respondents respectively).

Justice E. N. Thompson said, “That the 3rd -5th respondents are restrained from arresting, detaining and harassing the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“That the 1st and 2nd respondents are restrained from using the 3rd - 5th respondents to arrest, harass and intimidate the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice.

“That the 3rd - 5th respondents should, without delay, unconditionally withdraw the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the premises of the applicant pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

The judge adjourned the matter to July 27 for hearing.

Nunieh Appears Before House Via Zoom, Says No Forensic Audit Ongoing at NDDC Meanwhile, Nunieh yesterday appeared before the House of Representative Committee probing the activities of the

development agency, and declared that “there is no forensic auditing taking place at the NDDC.” She gave her testimony, via Zoom, due to her inability to travel to Abuja.

The Committee heard Nunieh’s position at the continuation of its investigative hearing into the alleged missing N40 billion from NDDC funds.

She told the Committee that the procedure for carrying out a forensic audit of the commission was ignored even when President Muhamadu Buhari specifically wrote to state that money required for the process should be included in the commission’s budget.

She alleged that Akpabio insisted on supervising the forensic audit, saying, the President had written a letter to the National Assembly instituting the forensic audit and suspending the appointment of the Board and that he was appointing the Interim Management Committee to supervise the forensic audit.

She stressed that what she met was not exactly what should be going on, as the minister insisted on supervising the forensic audit.

Nunieh said: “I reminded him (Akpabio) and showed him a letter that the President had written. There’s no way that we can spend the money that’s in our budget.

He requested in his memo to the President that money for the funding of the forensic audit be gotten from the service wide votes. President Buhari in his wisdom refused that request and in writing said that it should be put in the NDDC appropriation budget, making NDDC the procuring entity.

“I said that to take the money and send it to the ministry will be like Federal Ministry of Health asking the Federal Medical Center that they will like to implement

procured? My answer is no.”

Asked by the committee to explain the rationale behind the sum of N641 million used by the NDDC for media support for the forensic audit across the nine states of the Niger Delta, Nunieh said she knew nothing about it and that it did not happen during her tenure, adding that she only spent N8 billion throughout her tenure.

"Contracts were given out to some companies that were not registered; some got registered after they were given the contract. In some cases, contracts were pre-awarded before the designs were given.

So, you find out that most of the projects were abandoned," she said.

She recommended that the committee should get a list of certified forensic auditors in Nigeria from the Auditor General of the Federation in order to help in carrying out a proper forensic audit of the NDDC. Nunieh said, "The audit is not just financial, it’s supposed to look through the personnel of the NDDC. When we are talking about billions of Naira being spent by the commission, it’s unbelievable that they don’t have up to 10 engineers. The staff audit is necessary.

"Mr. President should direct the immediate establishment of a national procurement council in NDDC; it should be the first thing even before we talk about a forensic audit.

That could help Nigeria save so much money in terms of fraud and corruption.

"We didn’t have this problem from the records I saw when the NDDC was under the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The NDDC, I will recommend, should be taken back to the office of the SGF. "At the NDDC, I want to make it clear that when Akpabio saw I was not

cooperating, he refused them to give me an official vehicle. I didn’t have an official vehicle.

When I first came in, there were two bulletproof cars that I was using. I came to Abuja, a gentleman met me at the airport and said I’m one of your contractors, I’m the one that gave you the car that you are using, and I said so I’m using a contractor’s car and I’m supposed to supervise a forensic audit.

“I told Akpabio I thought the car I was using was from the commission. He said don’t worry; the man is a very good friend of mine. When I got back to Port Harcourt, I returned the car. The second car is still at the mechanic’s, but after what happened yesterday (Thursday), I asked them to go and collect it so they won’t say it’s because I wrecked the car."

Nunieh also called on the National Assembly to intensify its oversight function, adding, "To Akpabio, he felt the President has delegated all the powers to him. He felt he also had the powers of the Board.

There must be a reorientation for the ministers."

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives committee yesterday summoned Akpabio, as well as the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC to appear before it on Monday to answer questions on allegations against them.

The committee issued the summons after Nunieh, made a series of allegations against him, concerning his administration of the NDDC. The investigation of the NDDC got messier on Thursday as the police invaded the Port Harcourt residence of Nunieh.

It was alleged that the invasion was to prevent Nunieh from moving from Port Harcourt to Abuja to testify before the panel.

The Consumer Price Index, (CPI) which measures inflation rose to 12.56 per cent (yearon-year) in June compared to 12.40 per cent in May, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The June inflation rate is the highest since August 2019 when it recorded 11.02 per cent, indicating a 10-month high.

The NBS noted that the

0.16 per cent rise followed increases recorded in all the divisions that determine the headline index.

According to the CPI figures for June which was released yesterday by the statistical agency, month-on-month, the food sub-index increased by 1.48 per cent last month, up by 0.06 per cent points from 1.42 per cent recorded in May. The composite food index rose by 15.18 per cent compared to 15.04 per cent in the preceding month.

The all items farm produce or core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce stood at 10.13 per cent in June, up by 0.01per cent when compared with 10.12 per cent recorded in May. Specifically, the NBS stated that inflation was fueled by rise in the food index and was caused by increases in prices

of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fruits, oils and fats, meat, fish and vegetables.

On the other hand, core inflation was caused by the highest increases recorded in prices of medical services, hospital services, passenger transport by road, pharmaceutical products, motor cars, paramedical services, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, bicycles, motorcycles, vehicle spare parts and other services in respect of personal transport equipment.

On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.23 per cent up by 0.05 per cent from 1.18 per cent recorded in May, while the rural index also rose by 1.19 per cent in June 2020, up by 0.03 per cent from the 1.16 per cent recorded in the preceding month.

of learning.

The ministry said a decision would be taken after the July 29 deadline on resumption of schools for all categories of learners.

“We have consulted widely with stakeholders in the sector, including commissioners of education in all the states of the federation, the Association of Private School Owners of

Nigeria,(APSON), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, (NAPPS), Provosts of Colleges of Education, Rectors of Polytechnics, Vice-Chancellors of Universities, some State Governors, and development partners,” Nwajiuba was quoted as saying.

“On WAEC, we met with WAEC on Monday and have agreed to further consult with

four other countries on new examination date.

“We appreciate the concern shown by all stakeholders and note the divergent views expressed on the matter.

“Parents should rest assured that the safety of our students and teachers is paramount as we work assiduously towards the speedy reopening of our schools for the exit classes to take external examinations.”

what’s in the budget. On the audit, while I was there, I was the one who prepared all the documents in the forensic audit.

“After that argument, I now came up to say that everything that’s done will be in accordance with the Act; the first thing I did was to go through the procurement of the lead consultants.”

She said many people clearly misunderstood the procurement process of the lead consultants, and that because she did not want any illegality or for the forensic audit to be discredited, she sought help from real consultants, and came up with the terms for the auditors.

Nunieh added: “The lead consultant that everyone is talking about is not a forensic auditor. The role of the lead consultant is to gather all the forensic auditors, all the reports and put them together.

“In the case of the forensic auditor, I do not know if they have ever carried out a forensic audit. Can I now stand before this committee to say that the lead consultant has been procured? My answer will be no. Remember, you cannot give any approval or procure any consultant without the appropriation made by the National Assembly. The 2020 budget hasn’t even been considered or discussed not to mention being passed.”

The former NDDC managing director, who served from October 29, 2019 to February 17, 2020, noted that “everyone in Nigeria had been deceived that the forensic audit is going on, but the forensic auditors have not even been procured.

“I want to say here that if Nigerians find out that the forensic audit is going on, every testimony and allegations that I have made should be canceled and disregarded.

There’s no forensic audit going on. Secondly, can I say that the forensic auditors have been

Continued on page 14

DANGOTE’S $2BN FERTILISER PLANT COMMENCES OPERATION FEBRUARY first train; for the second, we will have that commissioning in six to seven months’ time,” Bloomberg quoted Coratella to have said in an interview.

Saipem is making special arrangements, including setting up dedicated flights for vendors and suppliers to enable it meet the completion deadline, he said.

Saipem’s operations in Nigeria, where it has been in business for more than 50 years, span several industries including oil, gas and power.

Among its four major construction contracts currently running in the country, it expects a 430-megawatt power plant being built for Eni SpA in the Niger Delta region to start operating within weeks.

The company is among bidders for Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s Bonga offshore oil-field expansion and is also in the

early stages of revamping state-owned refineries in the oil-industry centers of Warri and Port Harcourt, Coratella said.

Four refineries with a combined capacity for 445, 000 barrel of crude run by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation are shut for refurbishment and only due back to production in 2023.

Saipem is among three joint ventures that bid for engineering work for Qatar’s liquefied natural gas expansion project. The firm and its partners who won a $4 billion contract to build Nigerian LNG Ltd.’s train 7 project, is eyeing “big LNG” and petrochemical projects in Southeast Asia, the U.S. and Russia, Coratella said.

“In terms of opportunities, most of them have been delayed to 2021,” he said.

The Group Executive

Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development and Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, had said Nigeria would be able to save $500 million from import substitution and provide $400 million from exports of products from the fertiliser plant.

“The supply of fertiliser from the plant will be enough for the Nigerian market and neighbouring countries.

“I am happy that by the time our plant is fully commissioned, the country will become self-sufficient in fertilizer production and even have the capacity to export the products to other African countries. Right now, farmers are forced to utilise whatever fertilizer that is available as they have no choice “But we need to know that the fertilizer that will work in

one state may not be suitable in another state, as they may not have the same soil type and composition. The same fertilizer you use for sorghum may not be the fertilizer you will use for sugar cane,” Edwin had explained.

Higher Food, Commodity Prices Push Inflation to 12.56%

COVID-19: WAEC BOWS TO NIGERIA, SHIFTS EXAMINATION DD led by Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, met with the WAEC officials in Abuja.

A source at the meeting told THISDAY that the WAEC team eventually agreed with the federal government and settled to shift the date of the examination.

In line with this agreement, the federal government issued a statement yesterday, saying

the WAEC “is considering shifting the date of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).”

A statement signed by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, quoted the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba as saying “this as a result of a meeting which held on Monday.”

However, according to the statement, discussions will continue with four other countries to determine a new date for the examination.

Goong added that schools had been given till July 29, 2020, to ensure that their facilities are ready for resumption in line with the guidelines issued by the ministry of education for safe reopening of places

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JULY 18, 2020

NEWS

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

House Frowns at Slow Pace of Work on Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan, Others by Julius Berger Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has decried the slow pace of work on Second Niger Bridge, the LagosIbadan and the AbujaKaduna-Zaria-Kano road projects, being constructed

by Julius Berger and opined they should be split among other companies.

The House therefore ordered enquiry on the three projects following a resolution of the House on 27th February, 2020 mandating its Committee on Works to investigate the work done on the Second Niger Bridge and the two other road projects, awarded under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).

The Second Niger Bridge, was awarded at the cost of N206,151,693 billion, the Kaduna-Abuja Road, was awarded for N155 billion, while the 1st section of the Lagos-Ibadan Road was awarded for N134 billion.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Abubakar Kabir, while receiving the submission of

the company on the three projects yesterday in Abuja, said that the construction company was incapable of handling the three projects at the same time and therefore suggested that the road projects be split and shared to other contractors to guarantee speedy completion.

Kabir stated: “At the rate at which the slow pace of work is going on, there is no way that President Buhari will commission Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way, Abuja-Kaduna-ZariaKani road, during his tenure.”

The committee berated the construction giant for failing to speed up the projects, even after collecting N200 billion from government.

The chairman added: “Despite collecting more than N200 billion, Julius Berger is still yet to do substantial work on the projects. The documents presented at the hearing, are fake.”

“We are recommending that these projects should be split and awarded to other companies, because we don’t think Julius Berger alone, can’t handle them.

“The efforts of the federal

N’Assembly Clerk: SaniOmolori out, Olatunde in Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha and Udora Orizu in Abuja The National Assembly Service Commission has approved the retirement of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori.

The sack also affects over 150 senior management staff of the parliament, whose replacements have been announced.

The new appointments which take immediate effect, is contained in a press release signed by the Executive Chairman of the commission, Ahmed Kadi Amshi, at the end of the Commission’s emergency meeting yesterday evening.

According to the new appointments which he said were in line with Section 6(b) of the National Assembly Act 2014 (as amended), Ojo Amos Olatunde is replacing Sani-Omolori as Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, while Dauda Ibrahim El-Ladan will be replacing Nelson Oyewoh, as Acting Clerk, Senate.

Patrick A. Giwa is to remain Clerk, House of Representatives pending his retirement in November, 2020 Other appointees include: Bala Yabani Mohammed, Acting Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly and Yusuf Asir Danbatta, Acting Secretary to the National Assembly Service Commission The two-page release read in part, ‘’The National Assembly Service Commission at an emergency meeting held today, Friday, 17th July, 2020 has approved the appointments of some senior Management staff for the Service.’’ ‘’Pursuant to its mandate

as provided in the National Assembly Service Act 2014 (as Amended). Section 6(b) which states “appoint persons to hold or act in the Offices of: CIerk to the National Assembly, the Deputy CIerk to the National Assembly, Clerk of the Senate, Clerk of the House of Representatives; Deputy Clerk of the Senate, Deputy Clerk of House of Representatives, Secretaries to Directorates; and Holders of other offices that shall be created by the Commission on the recommendation of the Clerk to the National Assembly.’’

Other top management staff numbering over 150 including Directors, Secretaries, Deputy Directors, among others who have attained 60 years of age or put in 35 years of service, are also affected by the sack.

Contacted on the issue, embattled Clerk, Sani-Omolori said “To God be the glory, I thank God.” The Commission had in the last few days disagreed with the Assembly management led by the Clerk over the retirement age of parliamentary workers.

While the Commission put the retirement age at 60 years or 35 years in service, Sani-Omolori had a contrary opinion saying it was 40 years in service or age 60 citing an amendment of the condition of service of Assembly workers approved by the Eighth Assembly.

This act of Sani-Omolori earned him a query by the Commission which accused him of gross insubordination and gave him up till yesterday to respond to the query.

government of Nigeria to secure the Abacha looted money, is well-documented, the government has said

the money will be used on these critical projects, we will not allow the money to be relooted through inefficiency

and corruption.

“We cannot sit by and ignore the plight of Nigerians suffering daily on these roads,

we will not allow the efforts of the President to deliver these projects to Nigerians, be in vain,” Kabiru noted.

MAKING THINGS WORK...

L-R: Chair, Venue/Accommodation, 14th annual business law e-conference, Christine Sijuwade; secretary, Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Adeola Ajayi; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Seni Adio SAN; Chair, Media/publicity, NBA-SBL, Theodora Kio-Lawson; and Chair, CPC, Ozofu Ogiemudia, at the 14th annual business law e-conference in Lagos…. yesterday

Senate Screens Djebah, Adesina, Other Non-career Ambassadorial Nominees Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs yesterday concluded the screening of 41 noncareer ambassadorial nominees including former Deputy Editor of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Oma Djebah, referred to it by the upper legislative chamber.

The Senate had last week referred the nominees whose names were forwarded for confirmation earlier this month

by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senator Adamu Bulkachwa-led committee.

The committee began the screening exercise on Wednesday

and ended it yesterday with the screening of Djebah from Delta State and 11 other nominees.

Among those screened alongside Djebah was the former Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Debo Adesina (Oyo).

Djebah was accorded the rare privilege of taking a bow before the committee without any questions thrown at him.

This was sequel to a plea by a member of the committee, Senator James Manager, who spoke glowingly of the credentials and qualifications of the senior journalist.

According to Manager, Djebah

had served as Commissioner and Senior Advisor on Foreign Relations in Delta State, among other notable public assignments he had creditably performed. He said given Djebah’s antecedents and pedigree, he was happy to vouch for his integrity and competence for the post of an ambassador and therefore pleaded that he be allowed to ‘take-a-bow’ and go.

Manager’s position was corroborated by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who also vouched for the public service records and professional integrity of the nominee.

The Chairman of the commit-

tee accordingly asked Djebah to take a bow.

Other nominees screened include: Abubakar Ibrahim Siyi (Bauchi); Paul Adikwu (Benue); Jazuli Galadanci (Kano); Dare Awoniyi (Kogi) and Kayode Laro (Kwara).

Others are Abioye Bello (Kwara); Zara Umar (Kwara); Nimi Akinkugbe (Ondo); Folakemi Akinyele (Oyo) and Suleiman Sani (FCT).

The Committee is expected to submit its report on the screening exercise to the Senate at plenary on Tuesday for possible confirmation of the nominees.

Osun: $20.5m WHO Grant for Revitalisation of Primary Health Care Centres Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Osun State Government yesterday explained that $20.5million received from the World Health Organisation (WHO) was meant for the revitalisation and the development of 332 Primary Health Care centres in all the wards in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, stated this at an inter-ministerial press conference, where the achievements of Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration, in the last 20 months were reeled out and the $20.5 million health grant clarified.

According to Isamotu, the state governor made health care of residents of the state his corner stone/priority and had channelled the WHO grant to revitalisation, renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of the 332 Primary Health Care centres in all the

wards in the state.

Isamotu added that all the state general hospitals were also renovated, upgraded and equipped, while new bed wards and doctors’ quarters were also built.

He said as achievements of the Oyetola’s administration, 600 free surgical operations funded by the state government were also conducted, in collaboration with an NGO. He said as part of the state government fight against COVID-19, 350-bed space isolation centres were also built by the state government and that test kits, drugs and other medical items, worth N251.5 million were also procured and supplied to all the health centres and hospitals in the state.

Corroborating the Commissioner of health, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport,

Remi Omowaiye, explained that the WHO grant was gotten for the ‘Saving One Million Lives’ programme and that the money had been judiciously used.

Omowaiye explained that the money was not given directly to the state but deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria and that the money is being released, gradually, through a due process and on the ground that it would be used on health matters.

He said in addition to revitalising the 332 health centres in the state, the sum of N100, 000 is given to each of the centres monthly as their running cost.

He explained that the clarification on how the WHO grant was used or being used became necessary based on calls by people in the opposition party on the state government to explain what and how the money is expended.

He said his ministry handled

the construction and rehabilitation of several roads and construction of bed wards and other health facilities plus the rehabilitation of the state general hospitals, adding that most construction and rehabilitation had been completed.

Omowaiye explained that the governor is the Chairman of the State Health Revitalisation Committee, and that the governor was always supervising the activities of the state ministries to ensure that money released and gotten for health care were properly and judiciously used.

Mrs. Olufunke Egbemode, the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, in her address said the inter-ministerial press conference, which is the administration’s maiden edition, was organised to present the score cards of Governor Oyetola and his cabinet.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JULY 18 , 2020

NEWS Gombe Partners NGOs to Tackle Sexual, Gender BasedViolence Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

YOU’RE WELCOME...

L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State when the Governor paid a courtesy visit to the minister at his office in Abuja...yesterday

Arotile: Ministers, 20 NASS Members Condole with NAF To be buried with full military honours July 23 Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and a 20-member delegation from National Assembly yesterday paid a condolence visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in his office in Abuja.

This comes as Nigerian Air Force said yesterday that the remains of late Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile, the first female combat helicopter pilot, who died in Kaduna would be buried with full military honours

at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on July 23.

The joint delegation from the upper and lower houses of the National Assembly, comprising 20 members, was led by the Chairman Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Bala Ibn-Na’Allah and the Chairman, House Committee on the Air Force, Honourable Shehu Koko.

Speaking during her visit, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, who was accompanied on the visit by the Director-General of the National Council for Women Development as well as leaders of some other women groups, said

she received the news of the death of Flying Officer Arotile with great shock, from which she said it would be difficult for her to recover.

She, however, noted that the death of the young pilot would not be in vain as she would forever be remembered for her gallantry and contributions towards ensuring a secured Nigeria.

The minister prayed that God would comfort the entire NAF family and grant the departed officer’s soul eternal rest. While conveying his condolences, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on his part, prayed that God would grant Flying

Officer Arotile’s soul peaceful repose and her family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Air Force, Senator Bala IbnNa’Allah, stated that the committee, and the Senate as a whole, lacked the words to express how painful her death was to them.

He said they were however consoled that there was no greater honour than when one dies while in service to one’s nation. He described the late Arotile as a dedicated and goal-oriented young woman who lived an exemplary life that was worthy of emulation by other young Nigerians.

Federal High Court CJ, Justice Tsoho goes on Isolation over COVID-19 Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has reportedly gone on self-isolation following a confirmed case of COVID -19 among some of his official aides.

In a swift move to curtail further spread of the virus, the CJ however

ordered some key staff in his office to do same, pending the results of screening tests done for him, members of his immediate family and close aides.

A statement by the acting Information Officer of the court, Mrs. Catherine Nwandu, confirming the development said the Federal High Court recognises that health and safety are paramount in the

sphere of justice delivery.

“The Court is thus following medical protocols and all precautionary measures for the COVID -19 prescribed by global and national health authorities.

“His lordship has further encouraged strict compliance with the precautionary medical protocols issued by national and international health authorities to curb the spread

Military authorities said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke yesterday raided a den of kidnappers in Tomayin Village in Logo Area Council of Benue State after a fierce exchange of fire with the hoodlums, leading to the rescue of 34 Kidnap victims.

An update issued by the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), said the encounter followed credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnap syndicate operating in the general area of Igbom Village in Nenzev council ward of Logo Area Council.

It said troops of Sector 2 and 4, on 16 July 2020 carried out a raid operation on a suspected kidnappers’ den location at Tomayin Village in Logo LGA of Benue State.

“Troops had contact with the bandits leading to exchange of fire as troops closed in on the hideout.

The gallant troops responded with superior fire forcing the armed bandits to flee in disarray into the bushes.

“The determined troops engaged

the criminal elements in hot pursuit leading to the killing of one Zwa Ikyegh identified as the ring leader and others escaped with various degrees of gun shots wounds,” it said.

The update signed by the Coordinator of the Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General John Enenche, said the successful encounter led to the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims some of whom have been in captivity for over a month.

It said the rescued kidnap victims were later reunited with their families in different communities in Logo LGA while troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, six locally made rifle, one locally made pistol and a magazine.

Others include 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two cartridges, two motorcycles and some charms. The hideout was destroyed.

“The military high command congratulated the gallant troops for their professionalism and encouraged them to intensify the onslaught against the enemies of country,” it said.

Charles Ajunwa The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has commended the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong for putting together a research team that has made significant breakthrough in the search for the cure of COVID-19 pandemic.

Runsewe who made this commendation in Abuja, added that with the level of work so far done by the research team, he had hope that Plateau State Government was set to give the world a drug for the COVID-19 pandemic.

He lauded the research team headed by Professor Noel Wannag for their energy and commitment which had resulted in the production of a potential drug for COVID-19.

The NCAC boss said that when the testing processes were over and the drugs finally certified for use, Plateau State Government and the research team would go down in history as saviours of the world from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another Truck Crash Blocks Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Bennett Oghifo The Lagos-Ibadan expressway was again blocked yesterday at the Kara Bridge-end following an early morning crash of two trucks and a fuel-laden tanker.

The Sector Commander, FRSC, Ogun State, Ahmed Umar told THISDAY that the crash, which occurred at about 1.45 AM, was a non-fatal accident unlike what had happened on that bridge in recent time.

One of the trucks fell on its side in a ditch, spilling the goods it carried and the process of removing it

of COVID-19.

“He urged the staff of the court to go about their lawful duties, while ensuring that they are well protected.

“The Chief Judge is deeply moved by the prayers and well wishes of colleagues, staff, extended family and friends and appreciates them for keeping faith at this mo- Hammed Shittu in Ilorin ment,” the statement read.

The Kwara State Coordinator, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Francisca Olaleye, has disclosed that about 12 corps members out of 1,077corps that passed out in the just concluded Runsewe who said that Governor passing out in the state were to Lalong had been in the forefront repeat the service year for various of the efforts to find a cure for offences.

COVID-19 stated that the governor’s Olaleye disclosed this in Ilorin effort was clearly a demonstration during the low-key passing out to the service of humanity for which he was well known.

The research team put together

by Governor Lalong is made up of experts, with the mandate to search for conventional and alternative drugs for the treatment and cure Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia of COVID-19.

The team was also to design Following the Killing of a nephew treatment protocols for the disease and niece to the former Minister from herbal and medicinal products of Information, Labaran Maku, by Plateau State is endowed with. suspected kidnappers, Governor Unveiling the outcome of the Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State research work, Professor Wannag has vowed not to spare efforts in said that three potential COVID-19 tackling violent crimes in the state. drugs formulated from plant Gunmen, suspected to be materials which were indigenous kidnappers, last Tuesday evening to the state, had shown anti-viral invaded Gudi, the ancestral home activities with possible cure of town of Governor Abdullahi Sule, the pandemic. in Akwanga Local Government He added that the drugs Area of the state, killing the former would undergo further analysis minister’s nephew and niece while to determine their efficacy before abducting wife to the nephew. being launched for use by human The slain nephew and niece of beings. the former Minister of Information

Troops Rescue 34 Kidnap Runsewe Commends Plateau on COVID-19 Drugs Victims in Benue Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and George Okoh in Makurdi

Gombe State Government says it is open to alliance with any organisation whose thematic area was to address the incidences of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, stated this yesterday when he granted audience to Violence Against Persons Alliance (VAPP), a coalition of non-governmental organisations formed to push for the domestication of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act. Professor Njodi who expressed sadness over a report ranking the state as number one in the incidences of SGBV, said Gombe State was packaging a stringent law that would address issues such as drug abuse, rape and kidnapping in the state.

He said Governor Inuwa Yahaya had since established the Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation to provide security to the people of the state while carrying out pro social activities that could re-orient the minds of the people.

The SSG said there was a strong

correlation between the abuse of substance and the tendency to commit crime of despicable proportion, saying this was why the Governor of Gombe State appointed a Special Adviser on Drugs and Narcotics.

Professor Njodi thanked the coalition for standing up to be counted in times of need, assuring of the State Government’s readiness to work in partnership with them.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dudu Mamman Manuga, said Violence Against Persons Alliance was a coalition of civil society organisations who came together to address the incidences of sexual and gender based violence in the state.

She said a report by researchers. ng ranked Gombe State as having the highest number of SGBV in the country; a situation the leader of the delegation said was worrisome.

Dudu Manuga said the coalition had since submitted a zero draft bill to the Gombe State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice for the promulgation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in Gombe state.

and its goods caused major gridlock on both the Lagos-bound and outward lanes for several hours.

Umar said it took combined efforts of the Ogun and Lagos states’ sector commands to get the traffic moving again, while fire figthers took positions to combat any fire that may break out.

Last month, the outbound lane of the Kara Bridge was closed to traffic to enable the Federal Ministry of Works to carry out an integrity test on the bridge after an accident involving some trucks.

12 NYSC Members to Repeat Service in Kwara parade for the outgoing corps members at the state secretariat, Ilorin.

According to her, 10 corps members, who absconded from the national service, would repeat the entire service, in accordance to the NYSC bye laws.

Olaleye also said that another two that committed various offences that violated the NYSC bye laws were to repeat the service ranging from three to six months.

Gov Sule Vows to Tackle Crimes over Maku’s Nephew, Niece Killings included an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Salisu Usman alongside his sister, Sa’adatu Usman, a 400 Level student of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto However, the governor assured in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, after he paid a condolence visit to the residence of father of the slain siblings yesterday that he will rid the state of bad elements.

Sule however recalled a meeting of over 70 graded traditional rulers, heads of security agencies and community leaders which was held last Wednesday in the state as a critical step towards checking the menace.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀ 2020

08054699539

Let’s Also Talk about Probing Malami

T

he Attorney-General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, did a good job exposing the infractions of Ibrahim Magu, the suspended boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). To be honest, Magu was reckless and lawless. While his reign lasted, he played God. I have no sympathy for him and I don’t see Magu wriggling out of this mess. He can’t return to that position. Kudos to Malami. However, I am not sorry to say that the AGF did not take the action to tame Magu because he loves this country that much. I am convinced that his actions were anchored on personal interest. If Magu had played ball with Malami, his untidiness wouldn’t have been exposed. So, the next person I strongly feel should be dragged before another presidential probe panel is Malami himself. His five-year tenure has been dominated by unending breaches. I was excited when the Presidency issued a statement on the 6th day of Magu’s trial, stressing that “under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, nobody is above scrutiny.”

That was good music to my ears.

Malami’s specious exuberance is not good for this strategic office and causes discomfiture to this country. His infractions pour and deserve a probe. This AGF’s actions and inactions often leave huge unanswered questions. One that leaves me depressed, whenever I recall, is his deal with Abdullahi Dikko, the former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service. Following the change of government in 2015 and removal of Dikko as the Comptroller-General of Customs, the EFCC moved against him over alleged corruption.

While the anti-graft agency was working very hard on the Dikko case, Malami struck a “Nolle prosequi” deal with the ex-Customs boss. This was because Dikko agreed to restitution in lieu of prosecution. The agreement was based on the return of N1.5 billion to the coffers of the government “being proceeds” of the crimes Dikko allegedly committed while in office.

Only God knows how Malami arrived at this figure. But Dikko made the refund and Malami signed the “Nolle prosequi” deal. The EFCC that was sweating in court was not carried along in the dark transaction. The Magu-led EFCC continued with the graft case against Dikko because it felt the loot Dikko must return was more than the N1.5 billion accepted by Malami.

But the anti-sleaze agency was shattered when a Federal High Court in Abuja barred it from going ahead with the prosecution of Dikko.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba held that the Nolle prosequi agreement initiated by Malami for Dikko was binding on the anti-crime agency.

For me, the EFCC should have been involved in the negotiation culminating in the deal, so that Dikko would refund an amount based on what the EFCC discovered. I believe that

Malami

Malami shortchanged the Nigerian nation. Yes, by virtue of the provisions of Section 174 of the Constitution, the AGF, being the chief law officer of the federation, has wide powers and discretion on prosecution of matters. Such discretions include the entry into a non-prosecution or a deferred prosecution agreement with criminal suspects, and which agreements shall be binding on all prosecutorial agencies. But these powers should not be used to the advantage of criminals. In this Dikko case, Malami used his powers like a tsar to the disadvantage of the Nigerian nation.

A probe panel has to dig in.

Another case that should be probed is the one in which Malami hired Professor Yemi Akinseye-George to claim $793.2 million allegedly hidden in seven commercial banks in Nigeria by three federal agencies. At the initial stage of the case in 2017, many thought Malami had genuinely discovered stashed money, but it turned out to be a charade. Facts and figures presented by the accused agencies and banks showed that there were no such fund stashed anywhere. The NNPC was the first to punch holes in the phony recovery, describing Malami’s claim as “untrue and misleading.” The corporation had clearly informed the Presidency, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, as well as the Central Bank of the existence of the said accounts, prior to the creation of the Asset Recovery Account by the government.

After embarrassing the banks, with the attendant collateral damages, claims that the funds were hidden and unknown to the government turned out to be dubious. Our implausible AGF went back to the court (after obtaining an interim forfeiture order) to withdraw the suit

and was made to pay damages to the banks.

Malami simply wanted to be seen working and wasted huge public fund paying lawyers.

What about the $17 million fees believed to have been paid in 2018 to two lawyers for the recovery of $321 million stolen by the late despot, Sani Abacha? Malami, allegedly engaged the two Nigerian lawyers to “help” with the repatriation of the loot, after the job had been completed by Enrico Monfrini, a Swiss lawyer hired by the Obasanjo government to work on the recovery. The kind of “help” Malami got from the new lawyers was contentious.

Monfrini had already been paid for the same job before Malami inexplicably decided to engage the services of new lawyers.

Monfrini himself could not understand why new lawyers were engaged, saying all that was required was for the Nigerian government to do a letter to the Swiss government for the repatriation of the money.

The Swiss lawyer, who was engaged in 2000, worked on a number of recoveries for Nigeria for six years and helped to recover the stolen money stashed in Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. The monies were then domiciled with the attorney-general of Switzerland, for onward transfer to Nigeria under a strict agreement to avoid “misappropriation” as was the allegation about previous recoveries. Monfrini was given briefs and payment terms to cover the entire recovery process, up to the return of the monies to Nigeria.

Under the agreement, Nigeria undertook to pay 4 per cent of the recovered Luxemburg assets as professional fees and expenses to Monfrini, in addition to roughly $6.8 million in fees for the $250 million Liechtenstein recoveries. The lawyer traced about $321 million Abacha loot to Luxembourg, which was recovered. A letter of intent was signed

by Nigeria and Switzerland in March 2016 to ensure the restitution. Malami and Swiss foreign minister, Didier Burkhalter, signed the

Federal Character at NPA Today, I am focusing on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as I continue my expose on the unending lack of respect for our federal character law, this time, in a federal government agency. The good thing here is that the agency has, through a press statement, confirmed its skewed appointments of General Managers/Heads of Departments. According to the NPA, of its 22 General Managers, 15 are from the North while just seven are southerners.

Looking deeper, while there is just one

Akpabio is a Bad Product

Akpabio

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio is one man that often leaves me wondering how leaders emerge in my beloved Nigeria. This clown, manifestly, has no business with sensitive public offices; yet, he has been a governor, senator and now, minister. It can only happen in Nigeria. In a country over-flowing with quality manpower, charlatans dominate public offices, pushing the country deeper in the inglorious club of underdeveloped countries. It is so depressing. Akpabio’s eight-year reign as governor of Akwa Ibom State was dominated by suspected fraud and ineptitude. At a point, after his tenure, the EFCC was about to arraign him for corruption after a thorough investigation.

Then, he did a dirty deal with the Buhari government and was spared.

Akpabio resurfaced as a Minister under the Buhari government and continued with his muddy deals and actions as enunciated

by Joi Nunieh, who was acting Managing Director of NDDC’s Interim Management Committee. At the NDDC, Akpabio plays God. He gets contracts and gives instruction for dubious payments, so says Nunieh.

document on behalf of both governments. So, why did Malami pay $17 million fees to fresh lawyers? A probe is pertinent here.

Let’s switch over to the Danjuma Goje case.

This senator and former governor of Gombe State was put on trial by the EFCC for alleged N25 billion fraud. Last year, Malami’s men stormed the Federal High Court in Jos and applied for the withdrawal of the case against Goje. It was granted and the corruption charges liquidated. The EFCC was stunned. The weird action in court happened after Goje withdrew from the Senate’s presidency race to endorse Ahmad Lawan, candidate of the leadership of the APC, who eventually won. Malami said charges against Goje were withdrawn because the case against him was weak. This was after the EFCC wasted so much human and material resources prosecuting him. Haba!

This is preposterous. There’s more to this than meets the eye.

Malami’s latest shenanigan is his alleged nod to Omoh-Jay Nigeria Ltd, a firm under investigation for fraud, to sell five sea vessels holding crude oil and diesel forfeited to the federal government. Omoh-Jay was also granted approval to sell the crude oil and diesel in the vessels through an open bid. The firm and its owner are on trial at the Delta State High Court, Asaba, for allegedly stealing crude oil loaded in a vessel called MT Akuada a.k.a. MT Kua. Malami cares less about doing business with a firm on trial and arrogantly tells Nigeria that “Omoh-Jay can’t be denied the opportunity to participate in the auction on a purported account that the company is standing trial.” Why must it be Omoh-Jay? Something is clearly fishy here.

Today, I am demanding for a presidential panel to dig deep into the long list of suspected transgressions by Malami. Our AGF must be tested for corruption. This is the only way forward for the Buhari government.

He punched the former acting managing director for opposing his shenanigans.

Nunieh declared: I was instructed to write an official report to implicate the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, over alleged fraudulent contract awards and executions. The offence of Nwaoboshi was that he was opposed to the NDDC being run by an interim committee. I rebuffed all such entreaties and so, they did all manner of things to forcefully remove me from office.”

In addition to accusation of looting the NDDC and awarding dubious contracts, Akpabio now has a big allegation of sexual harassment by Nunieh hanging on his neck. His defences have been feeble.

Perhaps, Akpabio will be curtailed this time around after 21 years of deceiving Nigerians.

On the flip side, patriots must rise against the harassment of Nunieh. The most recent was the attempt by some faceless security agents to abduct her on Thursday. I am happy Nunieh said she would not be cowed by the experience.

General Manager of South-south origin in the NPA, the Northeast has seven. These are the facts and figures. At the NPA, it is 15 out of 22 General Managers for a section of the country. This is evidently skewed. The management of this agency argues that lower positions like Assistant General Managers and Principal Managers are in favour of southerners. This is puerile. The Federal Character law must be strictly applied to ensure equity and even distribution of positions in the NPA. Hadiza Bala-Usman, as the Managing Director of NPA, has no respect for this law of our land. The new board of the Federal Character Commission headed by Muheeda Dankaka must step into the NPA and enforce the law. It is the law of our land and must be respected in the interest of everyone in this beautiful country. The story continues next week.

Bala-Usman

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

SUPER SATURDAY Rita Dominic

Making a Bold Statement at 45 At 45, veteran actress, Rita Dominic is halfway through the 4th floor as she celebrates another year, with thanks and praise to God for her life and good health, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

F

amous Nollywood star, Rita Dominic, celebrated her birthday last Sunday. The screen goddess and fashionista, whose sense of style has remained a thing of admiration for many, turned 45 on that special day. She shared a video of some goldcoloured balloons with the inscription “Happy Birthday Rita D” on one. The actress has gratified movie buffs with her plays for over two decades now and rightfully thanked God for her life and good health.

She also thanked her fans for their support in her 22 years journey as a Nollywood actress.

“Thanking the Almighty for another year, for life and good health. I’ve been in the industry for 22 years and you all have been steadfast with your support. This I do not take for granted. It has been good most times and rocky sometimes but in all, I give God the glory.

Love you all so much! Bless.

Happy birthday, Reedee #ritadominic”.

As part of her big day, the light skin actress took to her official Instagram page to share stunning new photos of herself posing for the most iconic shots to connect with her fans and followers.

Rita whose social activities and red carpet photos are always a delight did not fail to leave her viewers gushing about her looks. “I just want to ‘relass and be taken kiaroff’ taday”, she captioned one of the posts which show her dressed in a two-piece ivory pantsuit and platinum blonde hair.

“Surprises and more; thank you all so much,” the veteran actress said in another post, thanking all those who had nice things to say about her regardless of her status on her birthday. No doubt, Rita Dominic is loved by a lot of people including her colleagues in the entertainment industry. On her 45th birthday, congratulatory messages from fans, colleagues and loved ones reiterated the steadfast and endless affection for the proud indigene of Mbaise, Imo state.

It was such that steeped the gorgeous actress in an overflow of emotion. And she acknowledged the great day: “You all came through for me yesterday. I am always so overwhelmed each year with your outpouring of love, making a grown woman cry. From the depth of my heart, I say thank you and may God

Rita Dominic

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

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SUPER SATURDAY Making a Bold Statement at 45

Rita Dominic

bless you all abundantly! Love you all.” The University of Port Harcourt Theatre Arts graduate has starred in movies more than records could account for.

Upon making her debut in the 1998 movie, A Time to Kill, the multiple award-winning thespian, producer and co-founder of The Audrey Silva Company, has ever remained relevant to the growth of the industry, earning goodwill of positive and outstanding image with love. She once recounted her journey thus: “When I came into Nollywood, me and some of my peers at the time, we were just doing this because we love to do it.”

True to her words then, “There was no money in it but we just enjoyed acting. I studied Theatre Arts and I remember saying that all I wanted to do was to work in the film industry. It wasn’t even called Nollywood at the time. So, to still be here and see the

growth is a thing of joy”.

Rita persistently reinvents herself in terms of her craft and she is not adept to a particular role. She is also known for her ability to thoroughly interpret roles and embody characters with aplomb.

Her latest movie, ‘La Femme Anjola’, a psychological thriller which has the classic elements of film noir but with an African twist, will see the screen diva play in a lead role as a femme fatale. In contrast however, Rita is not a femme fatale. She doesn’t look it. She’s as attractive as she appears a good woman, especially one who will ultimately not cause distress to a man who becomes involved with her, in reality.

You can only tell if having met her one on one.

She is remarkable in appearance, grace and artistry.

Over the years, she has achieved the consistency of character and performance that have eluded many in

the movie industry. Flawless in delivery, gorgeous in countenance, she has remained one of Nigeria’s iconic and versatile actresses. An array of roles in different characters over the years have somewhat affected the Rita Dominic brand in the real world. Perhaps, leaving her as a superhuman to her followers, but then she reckons that she tries as much as possible to be herself regardless of the name Rita Dominic, or her being an actress, that she’s just an ordinary person.

Rita is the kind of person that likes simple things, even though a lot of people find it difficult to believe.

With her simple lifestyle, maybe they can connect with her on that level. That much, her strong social media presence has helped grown and maintain her fan base by direct conversation with her followers, so many of who go overboard sometimes to appreciate her craft whenever they see her.

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

COMMENTARY

MAGU, CORRUPTION AND WEAK VALUE SYSTEM Our rising corruption profile could be linked to steady decline of moral values, argues Tayo Ogunbiyi

T

he current travail of acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has once again brought to the fore the issue of corruption in the country. Magu, regarded by many as, perhaps, one of the most successful EFCC Chairmen, is facing several allegations of fraud and abuse of office. He is currently facing a probe panel in what seems to be a case of the hunter being hunted.

The Magu saga has, no doubt, brought a momentary dent on the fight against corruption in the country. Though, Magu remains innocent until the allegations against him are proven, the very thought that he could be guilty has brought a dark cloud on anti-corruption crusade in the country.

According to a survey by Transparency International (TI) in 2001, Nigeria was ranked second most corrupt nation in the world after Bangladesh. Some 91 countries were surveyed in that year by TI. In 2003, Nigeria, again, was the second most corrupt country in the world. The 2004 ranking showed a slight progress as the country ranked the third most corrupt country, coming after Bangladesh and Haiti.

According to TI, Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2014, Nigeria was up eight places to 136 out of 175 countries. Indeed, Nigeria shares 136th position with well-known corrupt countries like Cameroon, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, and Lebanon.

A former British Prime Minister once referred to Nigeria as “a fantastically corrupt nation”. Angered, by this declaration, many came out to condemn the former prime minister’s frank assessment of our country’s corruption status. As if to further validate the truth about the nation’s corruption situation, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that a total sum of N400 billion is spent on bribes each year since 2015!

Without a doubt, corruption is one of the biggest challenges in Nigeria. It resonates in almost every sector of the country. In our clime, corruption has the colouration of embezzlement and nepotism, as well as abuses linking public and private actors such as bribery, extortion, influence peddling, and fraud.

It is rather sad that despite the hues and cries in the media by social critics and other stakeholders, the rate of corruption in Nigerian political circle is ever-increasing with a surge in the number of cases where apparatus of government has become an instrument for the enrichment of members of political elite.

But then, how did corruption rise to become an integral part of our national life? Our rising corruption profile could be linked to the steady decline of moral values in our society. Since the early 90s especially, moral value has nose-dived. Today, crooks and individuals with warped moral code are being celebrated across the country.

What is urgently required to redress the situation is a complete re-orientation that cuts across all spectrum of the society. A process that is all encompassing in the sense of a fusion between the physical and the spiritual.

As a prelude, we need to change our value system as a people. We need to re-appraise our undue obsession to materialism and wealth

CORRUPTION HAS THE COLORATION OF EMBEZZLEMENT AND NEPOTISM, AS WELL AS ABUSES LINKING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ACTORS SUCH AS BRIBERY, EXTORTION, INFLUENCE PEDDLING, AND FRAUD

accumulation. It is such mania that is partly responsible for the rot in our socio-political system. How come men of questionable characters and unproven integrity call the shot in our clime?

The answer is simple. Money has become our god. Sadly, religious centers are not excluded from this craze! Neither are traditional institutions. Nowadays, people place curses on their relations for upholding integrity and honesty while holding public offices.

Until we re-order our priority as a people, we will continue to get it wrong. In the days of our founding fathers, men of ideas and principles were widely respected and honoured. Our national heroes such as Herbert Macaulay, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Aminu Kano, among others, did not rise to national prominence as a result of the fatness of their bank accounts.

Rather, they won the hearts of men of their generation because of the strength and depth of their ideas and principles as well as their total commitment to those ideals which they hold in high esteem. Ken Saro-Wiwa put his life on the line not for pecuniary gains or benefits.

No! He died because of his commitment to the emancipation of his people.

One vital key to strengthening our value system is good governance. Governance is about providing sacrificial services to the people. Some analysts have posited that Nigerians are partly crazy about undue wealth acquisition because of the failure of successive governments to sincerely tackle their social-economic needs. Imagine a Nigeria where public infrastructure works and where everyone irrespective of social status, can afford a decent living.

It is the conviction of not a few critics that it is the inability of governments, over time, to meet these basic needs that is responsible, in part, for the craze for wealth at all costs. For instance, everyone wants to provide for himself and his family the basic needs of life which ordinarily should be put in place by government. This is the reason why the nation has become a jungle where everyone devises all sorts of survival strategies. After all, the end, as they say, justifies the means.

Nigerians must understand the corrosive effect of corruption. The trend of unbridled theft, greed, selfishness and illegal acquisition of wealth would lead us to nowhere. We need to take a cue from nations where mutual resources are shrewdly used for the good of all.

In Singapore, for example, in order to drive its economic miracle that has made it the fifth least corrupt country in the world with per capita GDP of $53,053, the elimination of corruption from its public service became a top priority.

In same vein, we need to put in place a culture that rewards honesty, integrity and discipline. We need to have a moral rebirth. It doesn’t matter where we are, we can get to where we ought to be if only we are determined to build a new nation. We can do it. We have the potential. We have the resources. All we need is a strong resolve to get it right.

Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos

TOLULOPE AROTILE: BEYOND TEARS! Ayo Oyoze Baje pays tribute to Nigeria’s first female fighter pilot killed in a freaky accident “Out, out, brief candle.

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing”.

-William Shakespeare(Macbeth)

T

he pain runs deep, beyond wishful words, beyond tears of tragedy! No doubt about it, death is our constant companion, a shadowy hunter that wields its cudgel at its whims. That explains why in a tribute to a loved one years ago I described death as a ‘cruel coward’.

It triggers terror, anguish, agony and oftentimes torrents of tears. But mortals must die, at one time or the other. It is the debt we all must pay for having lived. Yes, citizens rejoice when their tyrants and oppressors die, for the living to understand that earthly power is transient.

The pain, however, is when death stalks the young and the innocent, the good-hearted and the care-givers, the brightest and the best amongst us, and rips them off the bosoms of their beloved ones. So we grieve especially when such happens in preventable circumstances. That perhaps, explains the wave of shock that has so far trailed the recent sudden death of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile. She was only 24 years old but she had made history as Nigeria’s first female fighter pilot back in October 2019. That was less than one year ago.

“Damn! We lost her before we even had her!”

So stated ageless Angela Agoawike, Nigeria’ renowned veteran journalist. And that grieves us the more. Tolulope was poised to do exploits; to make not only members of her family, Kogi

State, Nigeria, the African continent but the world proud of her courage to dare in a maledominated profession. But all that is gone - her brilliance, her efforts, her toils, her sacrifices, all gone like a candle in the wind!

The fact that she did not die in the course of duty, up there in a fighter-plane or manoeuvering against the turbulence of the cloudy sky, but down here as a voiceless victim of a car accident in Kaduna makes it all the more heart-rending.

According to Chiemelie Ezeobi, writing for one of the dailies, Tolulope’s dastardly death has defied logic. “She was targeted by the bandits who shot repeatedly at her aircraft but the dogged fighter engaged her combat skills and evaded them, while successfully carrying out what she was deployed for. She had successfully evaded death only to die in a freak accident inside the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna on Tuesday, July 14, 2020”.

According to recent media reports, she had just returned from ‘Operation GAMA AIKI’ in Minna, Niger State when an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate saw her strolling and reversed his car to greet her. That move proved fatal as his car pushed her down and crushed part of her head! How tragic!

What matters now are the lessons to glean from her short but illustrious life and what measures to put in place to prevent similar accident in the future. The Nigerian Air Force will certainly miss her. For instance, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said: “During her short but impactful stay in the service, late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State,

contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State”.

Aside her gruesome death, there have been several reported cases of carnage on our highways, especially along Abuja-Lokoja-Okene highway that have claimed the lives of some young Nigerians. For instance, on 3 August, 2011, residents woke up to behold the crushed bodies of over 50 victims of armed robbery at the Zariagi end of the Abuja/Okene highway.

The victims reportedly were said to be passengers of an Abuja-bound luxury bus, marked XI 300 ABC, belonging to a popular transport company. They were ordered to lie face down on the highway before they were dispossessed of their belongings. Soon after, an unsuspecting truck was said to have run over the victims and later escaped the scene of the accident!

And in early April, 2011 virtually all the national dailies ran the scary news of how over 80 passengers perished in separate auto-accidents, specifically in Edo and Anambra States. According to those who offered graphic accounts of the horrifying tragedy, a trailer with a burst tyre rammed into a petrol tanker and a fully loaded luxury bus.

The implications are grave for thousands of homes, communities and countries. Such accidents deny them of the active labour force, while rendering not a few children as helpless orphans.

Amongst the several factors fingered as responsible for the sheer wanton waste of human lives on our roads are, the use of

dilapidated, non-roadworthy contraptions called commuter buses, recklessness on the part of the drivers, outright disregard and disrespect for traffic rules and regulations and of course, pothole-riddled roads.

Drivers who engage in drunk-driving, over speeding, over-taking other vehicles at dangerously sharp bends, over-loading vehicles with both passengers and goods and driving at night, even when fatigued have led to the loss of several lives. The pain in all of this is that most of these accidents were clearly preventable.

The FRSC has to be empowered to carry out its core functions of ensuring that we return to our homes safe and sound after our journeys.

The same policy should be extended to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Vehicle Inspection Services. The National Assembly should make an enabling law for the establishment of well-equipped and staffed hospitals within some stipulated kilometers along the highways. The frequency of the patrol teams of both FRSC and NEMA should be increased.

Beyond these, public office holders found to have embezzled billions of naira meant for road construction should be brought to speedy justice, instead of being treated as untouchables. Enough of this culture of impunity that has killed millions of innocent souls.

Let the younger generation read this from Tolulope as food-for-thought: “My advice to younger ones out there is that they should keep doing their best, they should keep running the race until they finish and they should not set limit for themselves because the only limit they have is the one they set for themselves.”

13

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

INSIGHT

Like a Candle...

Nigeria Criminal Justice System – Myth Or Reality?

J

uly 17 of every year is marked as International Criminal Justice Day world over. It is day and a call to reflect on ongoing efforts to seek justice for serious crimes worldwide. This year has brought significant progress in the fight against impunity in the handling of criminal justice, amidst growing challenges, according to HRW. Personally, May 8, 2019 remains a day I will forever live to remember, not just because that was the day my liberty as a Nigerian was forcefully taken away from me for no just cause but because it was the day that marked the beginning of my 162-day journey behind bars, a journey that has exposed me to the Nigerian Criminal justice system in no shallow depth. On that fateful day, I was picked like a terrorist from my base in Port Harcourt after rigorous tracking and searching, using sophisticated technology by the men of the State Investigation Bureau (aka SIB), Kaduna State.

I remember asking one officer in Kaduna; “officer, why is it so difficult for you guys to track and arrest kidnappers and armed terrorists and herdsmen ravaging the state, considering the fact that they use mobile phones for their operations too?” He smiled and said to me, “Steve, you won’t understand, your case is a case of interest. You know in this country some people decide who gets arrested and we officers only work based on instructions given to us. They tell us go, and we go; come, and we come.”

In 162 days I got to understand how bad the criminal justice system is in Nigeria. Permit me to say with a high sense of modesty that I know the depth of rot now like I know the back of my palms: from the police, the courts, especially the Magistrate Courts, to the Prisons (now Correctional Service). This trio that forms the criminal justice architecture is a worse and far more lethal combo than kidnappers and the other ravaging evils we face today. What I mean here is that it will be better for anyone especially ordinary Nigerians to get kidnapped by kidnappers where ransoms will be negotiated, paid and they will be released eventually than to fall in the hands of any of the trio. Most Nigerian police prosecutors are very corrupt individuals who could change the case of a mobile phone argument to armed robbery; like in the case of Wisdom Felix, a young man I met in jail who was subsequently killed by the prison authorities under very inhumane circumstances.

The magistrate courts oftentimes accept whatever the corrupt police prosecutors say. They frequently send suspects to prison on charges that have nothing to do with what the suspects actually may have committed. This is possible as most

suspects appear before the magistrates without lawyer(s) to represent them. The magistrates also, most times, pervert justice and act so unprofessionally that you would wonder if that is what is required by their most revered profession.

Suspects, after being set up by the police prosecutors under the supervision of the magistrates, are then taken to prison (Correctional Service) where the living condition is equivalent to a concentration camp - no thanks to the extremely corrupt prison authorities, health and hygiene are zero; and should an inmate fall sick, the chances of dying are very high.

Then, in some instances, the suspects who are yet to be convicted or sentenced may even get killed by the prison authorities as in the case of the inmates recently killed by officials of the Kaduna Prison in April 2020, an act the prison authorities have been working tirelessly to cover up. Till date there had been no inquest into the killings.

A criminal justice system which allows suspects of minor offenses to stay in prisons and sometime police stations for years longer than the jail term their offenses carry can best be described as a system on a free fall hades.

Steven Kefason, Kaduna

Covid-19 and Sachet Milk Manufacturers

T

his is a suggestion for producers of sachet milk and other similar products. During this period of growing infection rate of the Coronavirus, the importance of making products such as sachet milk easier to open by making slits (or small cuts) on the top edge(s) of the sachet, to prevent people from attempting to open the sachet using their teeth cannot be over-emphasised.

It is all too common for one to open the sachet of milk using the teeth, momentarily forgetting the possibility of getting infected with the Coronavirus.

The milk sachet usually passes through the hands of different people before it gets to the final consumer.

When money exchanges hands during the process of selling the milk, the hands are not usually washed beforehand.

Also, it is possible that the retailer might have sneezed or coughed into his/her hands before handling the milk sachet, or displaying it for sale, and not have washed the hands thereafter.

There is also the possibility that even the money that changes hands during sales might have been touched by someone who has coughed or sneezed into his hands, before going ahead to hande the milk sachet.

And then, one who has bought the sachet to

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

make a cup of tea would, usually absent-mindedly, open the milk sachet with the teeth. This is all too common, especially among children, and even adults too.

Therefore, the manufacturers are advised to make a little cut/slit on the top edge(s) of the milk sachets to make it easier for the consumers to open by tearing the milk sachet with their fingers, instead of their teeth.

I tried of recent to contact the customer care numbers of some of the manufacturers in order to make this suggestion directly to them, but to no avail.

Indeed, my calls to one customer care line (printed on the sachet) met with an auto response asking me to leave a message, along with my contact details.

Up till this time of writing, I am yet to receive any form of feedback from them, hence my resort to this medium.

The idea is for the producers and others who manufacture similar products to make the needed changes/improvements in order to make it easier and safer for consumers to open their products, especially now that the virus is on the rampage.

Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos

Rabbits Feet and Lucky Charms

T

he White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany has suggested that “The science should not stand in the way of…” in reference to schools reopening. Oh Dear, maybe it’s time to get out our rabbits’ feet and luck charms and hope that witchcraft can ward off the spread of COVID-19.

How many people have to say that Science is the way to solve this problem, with hopefully the development of a vaccine before it will be accepted? The only advantage of students going back to school is that they will study Science and realize they might be best to stay home.

President Donald Trump put forward meteorologist Kelvin Droegemeier for the job of Science Advisor. Meteorologists study the weather and all I see is some storms on the horizon and a very cloudy future. Although he is a scientist, we need to turn to the words of Dr Anthony Fauci for the moment for advice as this is a medical problem even if many people do feel “under the weather”.

Maybe the apparently Russian hackers could be hacked, and all the medical research could be shared around so that a solution can be found faster.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

14

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀˜ ͰͮͰͮ

NEWS Fayemi Postpones Reopening of Churches, Mosques to August 14 Victor Ogunje ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ The Ekiti State Government contrary to its earlier announced plans, has shifted the reopening ofworshipcentresacrossthestate

toAugust 14, contrary to July 14 earlier announced by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

In a statement, yesterday, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, the

government said the action was taken in view of the unpreparedness of churches and mosques leaders to comply with conditions stipulated for reopening of the religious centres.

The statement said: "the latest communique of CAN is indicativeofthefactthatworship centres are not yet ready to comply with conditions stipulated as guidelines and conditions

set out by the government for reopening of worship centres.

"In view of the foregoing, the state government has shifted the dateforthereopeningofworship centresonAugust14,2020togive theworshipcentresenoughtime tomeettheprescribedconditions for the reopening," he said.

The commissioner said as much as fumigation of religious centres remained a prerequisite for reopening, that such should not be done in contravention of the Ekiti State Environmental Health and Sanitation Law. She stated that those within the ages of one -12 and 65 and above were also exempted from attending any congregational programme in any religious centre because of their vulnerability.Yaya-Kolade stated: "The

churches are permitted to hold their programmes once in a week and should last for just two hours."

Theleadershipofthe Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), that they had no capacities to comply with COVID-19 Protocols stipulated as conditions for reopening by government.

A statement issued by its state President, Sanni Yaqubu , ordered postponement of services in mosques pending the time all the conditions would be met.

Theconditionsinclude: provisions of COVID-19 facilities like ; infra -red thermometers, sanitizers, face masks, hand washing facilities, maintenance of social distancing, among others .

Buhari Excited as Nigerian Professor is Named ViceChancellor of UK Varsity Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË

ELEVATING ARTS...

L-R: Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe with House Committee Chairman on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ogbeide Ihama, at the unveiling of the NCAC's drive-in theatre in Abuja...recently

Firm Launches Engagement Platform for Youths Eromosele Abiodun Ginger Soul Lifestyle Company has launched its Youth Engagement Platform powered by ARM Pensions Limited.

The launch was delivered via an interactive virtual conference and showcased an ePublication thefirmdescribedas,‘ThePower of One.”The debut ePublication, published by the founder, a

Transformational Life Stylist, Aminah Gbajabiamila, was officially presented to the audience by theICTAdvisortotheFederal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Kemi Areola.

“At N1,000 only, the First 1,000 purchasers gain access to all launch virtual activities, and invaluable Lifetime Access to the Community via www.

GingerPowerOfOne.com, “the

company said in a statement.

“The eConference delivered value to all stakeholders, with an impressive Speaker line up featuring an influential mix of Industryleaders,andpurposeful Community Developers across generations of Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millennials - including but unlimited to Tonye Cole (Cofounder Sahara Group) Audu Maikori (Choco-

Hand over Nunieh to Police Now, Rivers CP Tells Wike The police later broke the back door of the house, gained access to the kitchen and tried to break the connecting door into her apartment.

However, before they could gainentrance,Wikearrivedwith his team of security men from GovernmentHouseandtookher totheGovernmentHousewhere she is currently taking refuge.

Nunieh has been engaged in a running battle with Minister of Niger Delta, on the alleged corruption in the NDDC. PDP to Buhari: Suspend Akpabio, IMC Immediately The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called on PresidentBuharitoimmediately suspendAkpabio,followinghuge fraud allegations against him in the worsening corruption saga rocking the NDDC. The party also asked the Presidenttoimmediatelydisbandthe corruption-ridden IMC of the

NDDCwhereofficialshavebeen fingered to engage in unbridled looting of funds meant for the development of the area under the Buhari administration.

The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan said with the unearthing of corruption, treasury looting, recklessness and manifest public unruliness oftheNDDC’smanagement,the ministerandtheIMChavebecome a huge embarrassment, not only to the Buhari administration, but alsototheNigerDeltaregionand the nation at large.

The party insisted that though President Buhari had ordered a “speedy and coordinated investigation” of the activities of the NDDC management, such an important probe would not yield any credible result as long as Akpabio and the indicted IMC were still in charge in the commission.

ThePDPstatedthattheimme-

late City Group), David Jaiyeola (WorkaNigeria),TopeFajingbesi (SHE-EO 100), Senami Morris (Mistress of the Mind), Dami Oniru (Africa Rising Artist), KashiffGbajabiamila(Traplanta), Confidence Staveley (Sisinerd), Abi Longe (Productivity Plus), Kwame Okpoku (Pajama Millionaire), Amin S. Ameen (Everything NaArt), and others, “it added.

ANigerian academic, Professor Charles Egbu, was yesterday named the Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom to the excitement of PresidentMuhammaduBuhari.

The president felicitated with the professor, who hails from Anambra State and is the first black person to be appointed to head a ranked university in the UK. Thepresident'sMediaAdviser, Mr. FemiAdesina, said the president urged Egbu to continue to proudly keep the flag of Nigeria flyinginallhisendeavoursinthe elevated position.

“With wide experience as Pro-Chancellor at the University of East London, Dean of the SchoolofBuiltEnvironmentand Architecture at London South

Fraudsters Target A'Ibom Deputy Governor Nseobong Okon-Ekong

Cont’d from Pg. 5

diate suspension of the minister and members of the IMC was the only way to ensure that such individualsdidnotinterferewith investigationsortamperwithvital documents.

According to the PDP, “Our party also urges the IGP to provide adequate protection for Ms. Nuniehandotherwitnessesinthe probefromthecorruptcabalinthe NDDC, who have shown to be desperate to silence witnesses in order to cover their trails.”

Akpabio Seeks Legal Redress In a related development,Akpabioyesterdaythreatenedtotake legal action against Nunieh, for allegedlydefaminghischaracter.

This threat was contained in a statementtitled,“Akpabiotosue JoyNuniehfordefamation,denies ‘false allegations’,” signed by his special assistant, Anietie Ekong, in Abuja, said the minister has already instructed his lawyers to seek legal redress.

Ekong described Joy’s allegationsagainsthisprincipalastissues of lies noting that at no time did the minister make advances towards her.

Thestatementreadinpart,“The Honourable Minister’s initial attitudewastoallowhislawyersand thejudicialsystemvindicatehim ofthefalseallegationsagainsthim, butheiscompelledtoreacttosome ofthewaywardallegationslevied againsthispersonbyMs.Nunieh, especially the one bothering on sexual harassment.

“To start with, let it be known thatthereisnoscintillaoftruthinall theallegationspeddledaroundby Ms.Nunieh.Theyaresimplyfalse.

“The Honourable Minister did not at any time, place or circumstance make any form of sexual advances to Ms. Nunieh, noteventoputhimselfinaposition or posture suggestive of sexual advances towards Ms. Nunieh, oranyfemalestaffofhisMinistry or the NDDC.

Bank University, and stints at University of Salford, University College London, Glasgow Caledonian University, Leeds Beckett University, among others, I have no doubt that you will acquit yourself creditably once again in this new assignment,” Buhari said.

According to him, the professor, whom he described as a foremostQuantitySurveyorand an author of 12 books and over 350 publications to his credit, is a worthy example of an industrious Nigerian, who the younger generationshouldadoptasarole model.

Adesina said the president urged the new VC, expected to assume office in November, to build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessors at the university, where he is equally an alumnus.

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses Ekpo, has warned members of the public not to succumb to the tricks of online scammers who were using his name to defraud innocent people of their hardearned money.

Ascreen shot of the message taken from the fake Facebook account with Mr. Ekpo’s identity states: “Due to the current situation (COVID-19) causing the economic breakdown, am using this medium to support Nigerians and empower them with the sum of N50,000 only.

Call my Account Officer on 08081679628, Mr. Kingsley Udo for the transaction, only FCMB bank, Unity bank, Union bank, Jaiz bank users. Note: don’t send your bank details here, send it to the number above for your transaction."

Mr. Ekpo's rebuttal came through a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Ekikere Umoh. He said, the deputy

governor had neither a private nor an official Facebook account, and therefore could not have originated such a message.

“His Excellency has not mandated anybody or an organisation to organise a COVID-19 pandemic palliative or any form of welfare based programme in respect of the pandemic, at any given time on his behalf," Mr. Umoh stated.

According to him, the Deputy Governor had no idea of the identity of the alleged account officer, “nor does he have any account in any of the various banks mentioned in the said messages,” adding emphatically, “as a matter of fact, he does not have any form of financial transactions in the said banks.”

The Press Secretary noted that the Deputy Governor empathised with the public, especially the vulnerable group, over the current pains occasioned by the pandemic.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀˜ ͰͮͰͮ

15

NEWS

35 Parties Collapse Structures for Obaseki as APC Alleges Gratification Adibe Emenyonu ÓØ ÏØÓØ ÓÞã Thirty-five registered, including therecentlyde-registeredpolitical partiesinEdoStateyesterdaycollpased their structures together for the re-election of Governor

GodwinObasekiandhisdeputy, Mr.PhilipShaibuforanotherfour years.

However, the State Media Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress for the Edo Governorship election has

while dismissing the parties that endorsed Obaseki as fringe parties with no electoral value, also accused them of succumbing to gratification for their support.

The state chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP),

who doubles as leader of coalition of Political Parties, (CPP), Hon. Collins Dara Oreruan during a press conference in Benin City, said the coalition was fully on ground, and that the re-election of Obaseki was paramount to

them as group.

According to him, "Instead of acting as individual entities, it will be more effective to support the governor as a block with our existing party structure across the state.

"We have advised our individual party governorship candidates to withdraw and join hands with Obaseki to build on the growth and developmental legacies and foundation he has laid in his first tenure."

He said "CPP shall synergise with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to mobilise the voters at grassroots on the reason why the His Excellency should be returned as governor."

Oreruan who noted that the CPP grassroots campaign would be issue-based, highlighted the visible projects and programmes of

Obaseki administration devoid of lies, false propaganda, insults and character assassination, unfounded and bias political innuendo that breed hatred, malice and violence.

"Our support for Obaseki is total, progressive and focused on a better life for the people of Edo State," he added.

Earlier, the state Secretary of CPP, Comrade Shadrack Udagbai told journalists that SDP, AAC, DPP, KOWA and 31 others have concluded plans to collapse their structures for Obaseki.

In a statement released yesterday by John Mayaki, the Chairman of the Campaign Council, the APC said the 'motley of parties’ have sold out their platform and done irrevocable damage to their potential for growth in the state by agreeing to offer their support to Obaseki.

We’ll Adopt Indirect Primary to Elect Ondo Guber Candidate, Says Yahaya Bello Adedayo Akinwale ÓØ ÌßÔË

CELEBRATING ANOTHER VICTORY...

L-R: L-R: Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri; Elder Statesman, Chief Thompson Okorotie; with wife of Bayelsa State Governor, Gloria, during the governor’s Victory Thanksgiving Service at the Supreme Court over Timi Alaibe’s appeal, held at Government House, Yenagoa...yesterday

Anambra Police Clamp Down on Illegal COVID-19 Task Force for Extortion Rebecca Ejifoma Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command, yesterday, averted crisis in Eziowelle Community,IdemiliNorthLocal Government Area by clamping down on an illegal COVID-19 taskforce in the state.

The self-acclaimed taskforce was clamped down on for allegedly extorting community members.

During a recent burial in Eziowelle Community, the group had invaded the funeral ceremony and extorted money from the bereaved family. The illegal task force team, which claimed it was authorised by administrators of the community, were said to have

chased away sympathisers and abruptly stopped mourners from burying the 65-year-old woman, who died after a protracted illness.

The group who were accompanied by armed policemen, reportedly succeeded in extorting about N90,000 from relations of the dead woman before irate youths in the community confronted and accosted them.

It was gathered that elders of the community quickly intervened and stopped what could have resulted into a bloodbath.

The chairman of the aggrieved youths, Ugochukwu Asikwo told journalists that they were pushed to the wall because of the illegal activities of administrators of the

community whom he alleged to have connived with the illegal task force and police to rip money off the bereaved family.

He said: “They claimed they were after security and development levies. There is no such thing in our community. We have since rejected administrators of our community because of the atrocities they have been committing.”

Another leader in the community, Anthony Ojemba Chigbo, alleged that the rejected administrators in the town had been using the illegal task force team to extort huge sums of money from dwellers.

Meanwhile, a distraught elder in the community, Emeka Molokwu revealed that government gazzette

stipulated N1,500 for burial ceremonies but the illegal team collected more with threats, harassment and intimidation.

Reacting to the development, the state police spokesman, SP Haruna Mohammed, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, John Abang, stated that the clampdown was against all persons involved in incessant extortions, harassment, intimidation, assault and wearing of masks claiming to be enforcing COVID-19 measures.

He said: “The hoodlums wear reflective jackets and operate in shuttle buses/tricycle with stickers bearing COVID-19 Task Force. No such task force was constituted to operate in the state.”

Royal Fathers Bemoan Low National ID Card Registration in Delta State Omon-Julius Onabu ÓØ ÝËÌË The National Identity Card Management Commission (NICMC) has received knocks from the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers for failing to register most qualified Deltans andresidentsofthestatesincethe exercise kicked off seven years ago in 2013.

The royal fathers expressed their dissatisfaction with the Commission's low level of performance in Delta State in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Asaba, yesterday.

They also expressed worry at

the growing cases of infection with the COVID-19 in the country and sued for demonstration of more individual responsibility by obeying the protocols prescribed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

In the three-point communique presented by the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, Obi of Owa Kingdom, the royal fathers remarked that only a little over one million people have been registered out of over four million Deltans since the NICMC commenced registration in 2013.

The council decried the abysmal performance of the commission,

saying that only 48,000 National Identity cards had been produced so far from the about one million registered in the last seven years.

The monarchs stressed that out of the 48,000 cards so far produced, only 20,000 had been delivered to the registrants, describing the development "as a deliberate ploy to reduce the number of those registered and to shortchange Delta State."

They emphasised that there were five activation centres in Delta State but which presently non-functional, pointing out that there was no well-articulated method of registration and points

of collection to the detriment of the people of the state.

The monarchs, therefore, called on the relevant federal government agency or supervisory ministry to adopt a more proactive measure to facilitate the registration of Deltans to enable them obtain the National Identity Card speedily and without stress.

The traditional rulers also expressed concern over the increasing rate of COVID-19 infection in the country due to the widespread disregard for and breach of stipulated protocols and urged Deltans to stay safe and healthy at all times.

The Chairman of Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, has said that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had decided to adopt indirectmodeofprimarytoselect the party's candidate.

He added that it was not within the purview of contestants to choose rules of engagement for the party, but to follow laid down rules and regulations.

Bello disclosed this yesterday while speaking with journalists after the inauguration of the primary election and election appeal committees of the Ondo State governorship at the party Secretariat in Abuja.

He stated: "On the issue of the mode of primary, this has been settled by the previous NWC and ratified by National Executive Committee (NEC), which gives the opportunity to the state executive committee to choose the mode of primary that they would want. This has been settled. The Ondo primary election would be conducted via indirect mode.

"This was the option chosen by the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress and ratified by the National Executive

Committee NEC of our great party in the last meeting. So, we are going for indirect primary."

Bello said that the responsibility before him now was to go and conduct free, fair and credible primary election for whoever was going to be the candidate of the party, adding that he would restrict himself to that.

In carrying out the assignment therefore, Bello noted that he would be guided by the Constitution of the party, the guidelines and all the laws that support the primary election.

According to him, “If free, fair and credible primary is conducted, every member of the party, those who contested and those who are not contesting, including members and sympathisers of the party would support it to victory. I am very confident that we are going to win the general election by the grace of God." Bello added that Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello was presently in Ondo State mediating and to ensure that there was peaceful coexistence and agreement on this mode of primary among the aspirants.

He said: "But let me put it this way, from what I know about party politics especially in APC, I was once a contestant and I had opponents and from what I have come to realise, it is not within the purview of contestants.

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

POLITY FG’s Reform Activities and Economic Liberalisation Sanda Yakubu

N

igeria began a process of accelerated reform of the key sectors of the economy to align with its changing status from a military government to an emerging democracy in 1999. This was in the realization that political democracy without attendant economic democratization would not yield the desired growth. Accordingly, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) was charged by the Federal Government not only to privatize public enterprises, but also to carry out sector reforms and liberalization of key economic sectors especially the infrastructure sector.

This was in recognition of the fact that infrastructure services are critical in the provision of goods and services and also significantly affect the productivity, cost and competitiveness of any economy.

Subsequently, policy decisions vis-à-vis their provision and sector development have ramifications throughout the economy.

Customarily, the reform and liberalization of any economy involves several major steps, some of which include: formulating new policies; establishing a new legal and regulatory framework; structural changes to the sector and the institutional operatives; and the privatisation or commercialisation.

One of the major obstacles that the NCP met when it commenced implementation of its mandate was the lack of well-articulated policies in key sectors of the Nigerian economy. Consequently, in 2000 the NCP established the following steering committees: Oil and Gas Sector Implementation Committee (OGIC); Telecommunications Sector Reform Implementation Committee; Transport Sector Implementation Committee;Aviation Sector Reform Implementation Committee; Electric Power Sector Implementation Committee;Agriculture and Water Resources Implementation Committee; Hospitality/Tourism Implementation Committee; Industry/Manufacturing Sector Implementation Committee; Insurance Sector Reform Implementation Committee; Basic Metals Sector Implementation Committee and Solid Minerals Sector Implementation Committee.

The core mandate of these committees included: Formulation of sector policies to promote competition, efficiency and transparency in the sector; Formulation of proposals for the attraction of private financing and investment in the sector; Overseeing the activities of the various government agencies, parastatals and operators in the sector; Formulation of proposals for the restructuring and liberalization of the sector; Protection of the rights and interests of service providers and consumers; and Recommend the legal and regulatory frameworks.

As the work of these committees advanced and also the implementation of the privatisation program by the BPE commenced, it became apparent that there were several cross-cutting issues in all the sectors that needed to be addressed. The most disturbing amongst them was the collapse of the pension system in the country which was compounded by inadequate legislation on pension.

It also became glaring that to properly manage fiscal reforms, the absence of a proper mechanism for managing cross debts was a major hindrance. In addition, a liberalized economy would require legislation on competition.

In Nigeria, no such legislation existed, which meant that there existed a clear potential for unfair trade practices with full liberalization of the economy.Accordingly, the NCP set up the Steering Committee on Pension Reform; Steering Committee on Resolution and Determination of Cross Debts and Steering Committee on

Competition andAnti-trust Reform.All the committees worked in accordance with their mandate and produced reports for the Federal Government. BPE also collaborated with all stakeholders – the Ministries, members of the NationalAssembly and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in carrying out the reforms.

Telecommunications Sector Reform The Telecommunications Sector Reform Implementation produced a National Policy on Telecommunications which was approved by the NCP and the Federal Executive Council in 2000.

The policy formed the basis for the further liberalization of the telecommunications sector and the passage into law of the Nigerian Communications CommissionAct, 2003. The 2003 Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)Act repealed that of 1992, as amended. Under the 2003 legislation, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) was reformed and strengthened as an independent regulatory body for the communications sub-sector. The Act also provided for the establishment of the National Frequency Management Council and the Universal Service Fund.

Prior to the liberalization, the Nigerian Telecommunications Plc (NITEL) was the only major player in the sector. It acted as a service provider and regulator. In 1999, the number of subscribers was approximated to be 450,000 fixed lines and analogue mobile lines but with the emergence of other operators like MTN,Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat (now 9Mobile) and other telecommunications service providers, Nigeria has achieved 100% Teledensity with over 192 million connected lines while over 146 million lines were active as at May 31, 2015.

The process of reform has led to the licensing of over 40 telecoms operators in the country. Similarly, it is estimated that over a million direct and indirect jobs have been added to the economy. The ICT sub-sector has also witnessed phenomenal growth as a consequence of the reform driven by the BPE. From a sole national carrier, there is now in existence two national carriers, nine unified licenses and several 3G licenses issued. 4G licenses were also issued and telecom companies are awaiting the approval of the widely debated 5G licence.

At the moment, the NCP is considering a draft National Postal Policy and a Postal Sector Reform Bill. The objectives of the Bill include: The promotion and implementation of the National Postal Policy; the establishment of a regulatory framework for the postal sub-sector; encouragement of local and foreign participation in the provision of postal services; the promotion of competition in the sub-sector; and the provision of modern, universal, efficient, reliable, affordable and easily accessible postal services throughout the country.

Under the draft Bill, the Nigerian Postal Commission will be set up as the regulator for the sub-sector. When passed into law, the sub-sector will be unbundled and the emerging entities privatized by way of concession.

The Power Sector Reform The Electric Power Sector Implementation Committee (EPIC) produced the National Policy on Electric Power and a draft Electric Power Sector Reform Bill. The two instruments were approved by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) in 2002. The draft bill was forwarded to the NationalAssembly and passed in 2003. In 2005, a significant landmark that was to change the Nigerian Electricity Industry landscape was undertaken with the enactment of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR)Act. The EPSRAct, 2005 gives legal authority and support to the reform activities i.e. restructuring and eventual privatisation of the National Electric PowerAuthority

(NEPA) which was re-designated Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and incorporated as a public limited company, in line with the reform of the electricity industry. The EPSRAct 2005 also repealed all previous legislations (NEPAAct, ElectricityAct and Utilities Charges CommissionAct as applicable to NEPA).

The Federal Government power sector reform had three key components namely: Restructuring of existing utility; Liberalization and privatization; and Reinforcement of existing infrastructure through NIPP and other government intervention.

The electricity industry reform was/is aimed at improving the overall industry efficiency through restructuring, private sector participation, and competition. Competition which is a major driver of the industry’s efficiency, through additional power generation, improved customer satisfaction and reduced tariff, is introduced at the various levels of the market as it develops from stage to stage. The reform process will be completed when full competition in all the competitive parts of the industry, namely generation and supply is attained.

The reform is a necessary tool to lay solid foundation for sustainable power generation and sector efficiency. It is a means to an end and not the end itself. It is therefore expected that the Federal Government will in the short-medium term, continue to provide funding support for the electric power sector, through yearly FGN’s appropriations so as to improve transmission, and distribution infrastructure which are key components of the energy value chain.

By 1999, the Nigerian electric power sector reached, perhaps, its lowest point in its 100 years history with the following statistics: Of the 79 generation units in the country, only 19 units were operational.Average daily generation was 1,750 MW. No new electric power infrastructure was built between 1989 and 1999. The newest plant was completed in 1990 and the last transmission line built in 1987.An estimated 90 million people were without access to grid electricity.Accurate and reliable estimates of industry losses were unavailable, but were believed to be in excess of 50%.

Objective of the Reform There are two key objectives for embarking on the Power sector reform. These are: the need for improvement in the efficiency of the distribution, generation and transmission network and the need to provide the people with the basic and affordable infrastructure to enable them create employment for themselves.

Seaports Reforms The NCP in 2000 inaugurated a steering committee to develop a National Transport Sector Policy. The resultant policy thrust focused on improving asset management and structural reform by redefining the role of government and the private sector. One of the key objectives for the reform in the Transport sector was to promote trade competitiveness of Nigeria through an effective and affordable integrated transport network. BPE championed the reforms of the nation’s seaports and carried out the concession of the various port terminals to the private sector. Before the reform, it was practically impossible to carry out meaningful business activities at the ports as it took months to clear goods. Ports operations were characterized by long waiting periods, diversion of Nigerian bound vessels to neighbouring countries and very high and duplicated charges to ports users.

––Yakubu, a Reform and Privatisation Specialist, writes from Lafia.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Rotary Club Ikeja, Hosts District Gov, Empowers Artisans

R

otary Club of Ikeja has brought sunshine and smiles to some artisans drawn from the club’s adopted community, Ikorodu.

The presentation of the items, which included hair drier and hair washing station, sewing machines and grinder, took place during the first official visit of the Governor of Rotary International District 9110, Bola Oyebade to Rotary Club of Ikeja.

While presenting the items to some of the beneficiaries at the event, Oyebade extolled the virtues of excellence in the club, describing Rotary Club of Ikeja as a beacon of hope in the District.

According to him, ‘’The Rotary Club of Ikeja has always been one of the top clubs in the District and we were not surprised that the club stood out during the last Rotary year, winning several awards. ‘’In fact, I must commend the Immediate Past President, Rotarian Olumuyiwa Fagbola and I am sure the current President, Rotarian Dotun Lampejo would surpass the achievements recorded last Rotary year. This presentation to these beneficiaries has shown that the club is on the right course this Rotary year.’’

Speaking during the presentation, the President of the club Rotarian Dotun Lampejo said the club had been empowering beneficiaries for years, adding that they also go beyond the presentation to ensure that the beneficiaries made use of the items.

“We have been doing this for years and we have the Service Project Directorate of the club who identify needy beneficiaries

L-R: IPP, Rotarian OIumuyiwa Fagbola, Zainab (Beneficiary), President, Rotarian Dotun Lampejo, Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Bola Oyebade and Service Project Director, Col. Jide Olayinka (rtd.) during the empowerment program of Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110 recently at Erith Apartment, Opebi , Lagos . on a yearly basis. More importantly, we go beyond this official ceremony by paying periodic visits to the beneficiaries and ensuring that the items add value to their lives.’’

Some of the beneficiaries commended the club for sustaining the project over the years, describing it as life-changing business project.

17

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

POLITY /RIGHT OF REPLY

Politics of Land and the Airforce in Enugu Comrade Emma Onwubiko

F

ew weeks back, President Muhammadu Buhari was so enraged about the grave threats to national security and the rapidly waning war on terror marked by series of bombardment of soft civilian targets by armed Fulani herdsmen, Islamic terrorists and armed bandits in most parts of Northern Nigeria that he summoned his military commanders to a round table. He lambasted them for failing to win these battles against insurgents and armed bandits and for the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria. He then gave them on final warning, even as the National Security Adviser to Buhari, Major General Monguno confirmed to the media that the security chiefs, including himself, had been placed on last warning.

However, it would seem that whilst the security chiefs are feeling the heat from the President’s final warning, some of their field operatives who are not involved in the actual battles don’t seem to care as they have continued to get involved in civil and land matters that are far from their constitutional mandates. One of such case is the Nigerian Air Force in Enugu. Based on credible petitions from some distressed land owners in Enugu South Local Government Area of the state, a Civil Rights Advocacy group Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA) waded in by carrying out series of investigative inquiries to ascertain the veracity of the claim that the Nigerian Air Force in Enugu are being deployed by the Enugu State Commissioner for Housing to allegedly corner some landed assets of some persons bought from the community.

HURIWAhad urged the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar to investigate the allegation against his officers accused of being hired allegedly to harass and intimidate legitimate land owners with a view to depriving them of their Constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights to own immovable property in any part of the country.

In a media briefing in Abuja, HURIWArestated the allegations made by some petitioners in Enugu State who approached the Rights group claiming that they were being harassed and physically abused by some officers of the Nigerian Air Force even as the Rights group said it was not proper for the spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force to dismiss these weighty allegations with a mere wave of the hands without carrying out discreet probe of the allegations as made even in a letter from the legal representatives of the Landlords that was reportedly served on the office of the Chief of Air Staff.

The group said they were also sent some photographic and video evidence alleged to be the vehicles driven to the site by the alleged Air Force personnel in Enugu.

We asked the petitioners to seek redress through the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission because their claims that those parading as land owners who approached the Enugu State ministry of Housing to take over ownership of the plots of land had allegedly sold their lands to investors from all across the country on the understanding that the allocations bought would be turned into sprawling estates.

HURIWAsaid under no circumstances should any Nigerian

be deprived of his/her human and commercial rights to own immovable property in Nigeria unjustly “and we are shocked that some Nigerians are still behaving like we are in the 16th century and have forgotten that in the 21st century Nigeria, Citizens under a constitutional democracy have the fundamental human rights to ventilate their distress and seek redress whenever they believe that they are about to be deprived of their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental freedoms.”

The Rights group said it has the highest respect and regard for the Nigerian Air Force which is why it has urged the Chief of Air Staff to investigate the allegations against his officers and if verifiable, adopt the best approach to sanction erring officers.

The copy of the petition sent to the office of the Chief of Air Staff over this issue and signed by a counsel, Obinna Ugwu stated: “Our clients considered it quite expedient and necessary to forward this complaint to you praying for your intervention which has become necessary to put on check the unlawful use of the Personnel of the 155 Nigerian Air Force base Enugu for some purposes which are not only illegal but also unbecoming of the institution of the Nigerian Air force.

“According to our clients, the layout known as Umunnuguw/ Ndiaga layout was a subject of dispute between our clients and the people of Ogui Nike who procured the Nigerian Army into occupation of the said land and which dispute eventually dovetailed to a civil litigation leading to the judgement in favour of our clients in respect of the ownership of the said layout and ordering the Nigerian Army to vacate the said layout.

“By the said judgement, the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu state command which prior to the institution of the suit in court by our clients was an instrument in the hands of our clients’ assailants was restrained from further interference in our clients’ right of peaceful enjoyment of the said land being the subject matter of the litigation.

“Sequel to said judgement, the Nigeria Police force, Enugu state high court, our clients commenced a peaceful enjoyment of the said land without the interference of either the government of Enugu state, Ogui Nike people and/or any of the security agencies.

“However, on the 18th day of June 2020, our clients in what seemed to be a Hollywood scenery noticed to their consternation the invasion of the said Umunnuguw/Ndiaga layout by gun bearing as well as cudgel wielding fierce looking personnel of the Nigerian Air force who without any notice whatsoever began to whip and chase away the indigenes of the above villages from the said layout.

“The investigation conducted by our clients revealed that the said personnel were deployed to the layout by the Air Officer Commanding the 155 Air Force Base Enugu at the instance of the commissioner for housing development, Enugu state and who even prior to his appointment, had exhibited more than a casual personal interest on the said layout.

“It is important also to bring to your knowledge the fact that the government of Enugu State does not have any hand in what your personnel are doing in our client’s villages as your Personnel who obviously are acting out the script handed down to them by the said Commissioner are only being used to further some personal and selfish interest contrary to their constitutional duty of protect-

Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff ing the aerial territorial jurisdiction of this nation.

“Furthermore sir, it is our humble view an aberration that our client’s assailant will easily resort to the use of Nigerian Air force for his clandestine purposes regardless of the overwhelming presence of the Nigeria Police force, Nigeria securities and civil Defence corps and State Security Services who are more disposed and more constitutionally empowered to handle such sundry civil misgivings like land disputes where one exists.

“It is therefore in view of the above and in consideration of the enviable reputation and professionalism the Nigerian Air Force has built over the years that we most respectfully write to humbly request that you prevail on the Air Officer Commanding the 155 Air Force Base Enugu to withdraw the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force deployed to Umunnuguw/Ndiaga layout particularly as there is no unrest, riot, war, etc in these two villages where your personnel from the 155 Nigeria Air force base Enugu are currently using brute force against innocent citizens of this country.

“In confidence that our client’s request will be granted, we do on behalf of our clients humbly express a heartfelt gratitude to you.”

But the NAF has denied the publication by HURIWA. The Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola stated that the online publications which alleged that some NAF personnel in the State confiscate land from owners and sell to land speculators is not only laughable, unfortunate and ridiculous but also against all known ethics of Journalism, alleging the Association was out to smear the good image of the NAF and dance to the tune of whosoever had engaged it, as no effort was made to contact the NAF before going to press.

––Comrade Onwubiko, a human rights activists and public commentator wrote from Abuja

RIGHT OF REPLY

Re: Power Discos Still Dancing Naked Michael Faloseyi

L

ast week’s edition of this column took time to narrate all that was wrong with the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The venom with which Mr Yemi Adebowale, wrote was evident as he threw all caution to the wind and proceeded on verbiage exploration. For instance, an institution made up of credible individuals, many of whom had earned honours and distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours was described as useless.

This amounts to taking the writer’s privileged access to the media to the extreme!

Notwithstanding, the issues raised readily resonate with ordinary Nigerians, and these are problems that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was created to solve. The Commission and operators both inherited these challenges. Though the expectations of Nigerians may not have been met, the Commission is not resting on its oars in addressing challenges as they arise. In this regard therefore, may have missed the point and misled the readers.

It will only be appropriate to provide insight into some of the industry-wide challenges the writer mentioned in his column.

Some of the problems listed include load rejection by the electricity distribution companies (DisCos), a consequence of many misalignments in the electricity value chain— occassioned by past distortions of engineering designs due to political considerations and other extraneous factors. As a result, transmission infrastructure is not sited close to the appropriate distribution load centres and vice versa; in the same vein, the transmission infrastructure is not aligned with generation assets and vice versa. These are installations that predate the new owners of the DisCos and the regulatory authority. Nevertheless, both the

Regulator and the operators have the responsibility to manage and correct this anomaly. Fixing these challenges requires enormous resources as well as time, and are being addressed by NERC. Other issues raised include crazy billings, allegations of reluctance to meter electricity customers by the Discos, as well as accusations over alleged profiteering tendencies. Some of these issues are better addressed by the operators. In response to those other issues within the purview of the Regulator, one can submit that NERC has demonstrated enough concern and capacity to resolve these. For instance, no sooner had the Disco’s indicated their inability to provide meters at the rate required of them, has the Commission introduced the Credited Advanced Payment for Metering Initiative (CAPMI), an innovative step to ensure customers get meters through advanced payments.

The initiative made some impact on metering electricity customers but not in a manner the Commission had envisaged, and so the scheme was wound down. For instance, CAPMI lasted between 2013 and 2016, with 401,000 meters were installed.

This is in addition to meters directly purchased and installed by the Discos. After reassessing the shortcomings of CAPMI, the Commission replaced it with the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulation, aimed at assisting the Disco to engage private investors to fund their metering plans. MAP came into operation in June 2019 and has facilitated the installation of 266,000 meters. The Commission is not resting on its oars but still finding other creative ways of resolving these challenges. We may not have gotten to where we should be, but one cannot take away the fact that efforts are being made. These initiatives illustrate the Commission is conscious of the enormity of the challenge the industry is contending with and will not shy away from tackling it headlong.

In respect of the capping of the estimated billing, which

Adebowale wrote extensively about, the Capping of Estimated Billing Regulation is to complement the Meter Asset Provider Regulation. The purpose is to discourage estimated billing and incentivize the Discos to meter their customers. It was in the course of monitoring compliance that infractions were discovered. The Commission subsequently, in June 2020, issued Notice of Intention to Commence Enforcement (NICE) action to seven DisCos. Regulation is a quasi-judicial function, and much like the famed wheel of justice, it may sometimes seem slow as the due process must be followed.

The essence of regulation is to ensure compliance and not to play to the gallery. That process entails that the Regulator should issue NICE as was done on June 10, 2020. The basic principle of fair hearing requires that the DisCos are allowed the right of reply, which some of them have. The responses will be reviewed before further regulatory action could be taken. At the end of the review, Nigerians will be informed of the decisions of the Commission. Unfortunately, that is what regulatory process entails- the due process The Commission has never been in want of the political will to act appropriately or apply sanctions should the situation demand, and evidence of such abound. For instance, the management board of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company got dissolved over regulatory infractions for which the company is seeking redress in court. There are instances of fine imposed on the operators for breaches. For us at NERC, Adebowale’s claim of a magic wand to resolve these challenges within six months is highly welcomed. The Commission does not pretend to have all the solutions to the myriad industry challenges, and that is why stakeholders’ engagement is part of our regulatory decisionmaking process. We are open to fresh ideas.

––Michael Faloseyi, is Assistant General Manager, Government, External and Industry Relations, NERC.

18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

POLITY

In Defense of the Nigerian Woman Seriake Dickson

I

wish to commend President Buhari for the appointment of Mrs NimiAkinkugbe as theAmbassadorial Nominee representing Ondo State, the state she is married to, the state of her husband and her children and the state she will spend the rest of her life in hopefully.

I condemn the voices that have risen in opposition to her nomination not on account of her competence, experience, capacity or character but only on the basis that she is parentally from Rivers State.

These are the sort of sentiments that have held our country and continent from achieving its true potentials in sourcing for leadership which is critical for national development. Except during football matches, Nigerians are hardly United about the need for quality representation in National leadership. In business, politics and even professions, primordial and ethnic sentiments override rational thinking depriving the country of its best leadership resource in critical areas at critical times.

In the case of women, our mothers, our wives, our sisters our daughters and our friends, this irrational, divisive and discriminatory syndrome takes a more ridiculous dimension. In the 21st century Nigeria, some Nigerians still hold the view that our daughters who get married to persons from states other than the states of their fathers should be penalized and should suffer discrimination even when they are qualified for positions from that state. To begin with, they have no control over the states they marry into. As women, they marry for love.

They follow their hearts and that is how nature has made it and we are all products of that.

Those who constantly oppose our daughters believe that whereas their children, grandchildren and descendants can be anything in those states, the women have to go “back to sender” and cannot derive any benefit from the states of their husbands.

We must all unite against this mindset and I am glad that the President nominated Mrs Akinkugbe and has ignored all opposition to her nomination so far. I hope it remains so.

Nigerian women leaders should organize themselves for positive change and these are the sort of issues in addition to several others they should tackle with our support. The underlying mindset behind this sentiment is the idea that women are properties, ordinary chattel, things that are owned with no rights, feelings or dignity of their own as opposed to being persons with equal rights and ambition. To them, our women could have children, grandchildren, may even be breadwinners, supporting, feeding and educating families of their husbands and be sisters and mothers to them as most do yet they remain properties and chattels, after all, they are women.

This is the primitive mindset that encourages rape as well as other

acts of violence against women which have become endemic. I strongly condemn this notion and this is what we must collectively challenge.

Even when our daughters are nominated from the states of their fathers, there are still voices of opposition who say “why are they taking the slots of their father’s states instead of their husband’s states?”, this is not peculiar to Ondo State. I witnessed this as Governor of Bayelsa State in the case of Diezani Allison Madueke, a Bayelsan married to a husband from Enugu. Nigerians also remember the controversy surrounding the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, from Delta State married to a husband from Abia.

There are several other instances at the national level and more at state level appointments that we may not know of.

If highly educated, enlightened women known locally and around the world can suffer this discrimination in Nigeria, then one can imagine the daily discrimination, indignity and oppression that our women who are not privileged are subjected to in their rural communities across Nigeria and in the developing world. This is the reason why people in Leadership must do more for girl child education and involvement and empowerment of women.

As Governor of Bayelsa State for 8 years, I made this a cardinal program of my Government and it is on record that more women were deliberately brought in through affirmative action, proclaimed and enforced for elective and appointive positions at State and Local Government levels in Bayelsa State.

For example, about 40% of elected councillors in Bayelsa currently are women.

More women were elected and appointed into Government positions in the history of Bayelsa State so far. These women held key government positions and I am happy and proud of the work they did. I am very proud of their capacity, values, dedication and loyalty and I believe they can stand their own anywhere.

I hope this trend continues.

It will take all of us doing this for several years to be able to correct this unfair disadvantage that women suffer.

To all men especially those who belittle our women, in a world that we do not inhabit alone, a world we share with the womenfolk, without whose support, contributions and sacrifices, our species will end, and without whose presence our lives and activities will be miserable, a wise man is he who strives not for the best for himself and the menfolk alone but also the best for the women around him, beginning with his mother, his wife(ves), his daughters and all women he comes in contact with, who indeed strives for the best for all.

It pays when we invest in our women for a safer and more prosperous world.

As a He for She ambassador, and a father of several beautiful and intelligent daughters, my queens as I call them whom I am proud of, and as a brother and friend of so many qualified and decent women

Dickson across our country married to husbands from different states in Nigeria and even outside Nigeria, I consider it my duty and the duty of every well meaning man and leader to take a public position on this issue and to also galvanize public opinion to stop this endless, meaningless and primitive discrimination against our own daughters, sisters, friends and mothers.

To any man from Bayelsa or any other state in Nigeria, anywhere else in the future who May want to oppose the appointment of any of my daughters or granddaughters to any position they may be qualified for, I say do so only the basis of superior qualification, competence, capacity, experience and character and may your parents and grandparents also educate you the way I am striving to educate my daughters.

In less than a month, precisely on the 8th of August, it will be 2 years since my mother Madam Goldcoast Dickson (Mama Gogo) went to be with the lord. I once again use this opportunity to thank God for her life and for giving her to me and my siblings. She taught me and all who came her way compassion, respect, care and love.

My entire family and I miss her everyday and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives. May God continue to grant her soul eternal repose.

This article is dedicated to her memory and Honor, and to the honor of my daughters, women in Nigeria and around the world who are vehicles for change, love, compassion and peace and have come under immense threat in our troubled world.

In conclusion, I commend those who forwarded Mrs Akinkugbe’s name based on her track record and Mr President who accepted her nomination.

––Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson writes from Toru-Orua, Bayelsa.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Member, Senate Committee on Communications, sitting in for Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe; and Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, during the Senate screening on his reappointment as EVC, held at National Assembly Complex, Abuja. ..recently

L-R: Company Medical Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Dr. Richard Ajayi; Corporate Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Joy Egolum; Laboratory Director, Virology Lab, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Sunday Omilabu; and Medical Laboratory Specialist, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mrs. Ifeoma Agbo, during the presentation of drinks to the management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos... recently

L-R: Product Development Manager, Origin Group, Mr. Olusegun Emmanuel; Executive Chairman, Origin Group, Prince Joseph Samuel; and Executive Vice Chairman, Origin Group, Mr. Kunle Ball, at the unveiling of the tractor hailing mobile platform, TRACTORONTHEGO (TOG) by Origin Group in Lagos...recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Famous Brand Training Manager, UAC Restaurants, Tolulope Aderibigbe; Marketing Service Manager, UAC Restaurants, Eustesia Ogunsusi; Group Head, Public Sector, eTranzact/Customer, Sunday Agboola; Marketing Assistant, Funmilayo Taoreed; and Food Court Manager, Debonairs Pizza, Bolaji Olatunji, during the first anniversary of the UAC Restaurants North-west store in Lekki, LagOS...recently

19

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀˜ 2020

AUTO

Range Rover Sport

Range Rover Sport Gains new Tech, Engines for 21 Model Year Stories by Bennett Oghifo

T

he Range Rover Sport – Land Rover’s most dynamic model ever – has gained a suite of upgrades to enhance its appeal as the ultimate luxury performance SUV. AnewgenerationofLandRover’s six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines are confirmedforintroductionontheRangeRoverSport*.

They bring 48V Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) diesel technology to the Range Rover Sport for the first time and are RDE2-certified.

Developed in-house, the new in-line engine is available in D250, D300 and D350 variants, with power outputs ranging from 183kW to 258kW. The SV Premium Palette paint colour range, which makes lustrous colours and Satin finishes available to all Range Rover Sport customers, has been refreshed with eight new colours including

Tourmaline Brown, Amethyst Grey-Purple and Petrolix Blue.

Inside, the purposeful cabin design and elegant details provide an undeniable sense of sporting luxury, while the seamlessly integrated Touch Pro Duo infotainment features enhance connectivity.

Advanced Tech Enhancements to connectivity and security are also available for 21 Model Year Range Rover Sport models.Apple CarPlay andAndroidAuto are offered as standard across all models, while up to eight 4G Wi-Fi connections can be made***, keeping the driver and passengers connected at all times.

The new embedded Spotify app also gives Spotify Premium subscribers instant access to millions of tracks and podcasts directly through Touch Pro Duo without the need to synchronise a smartphone with the vehicle.

Driver and passenger wellbeing has been

enhanced with the Range Rover Sport’s Cabin Air Ionisation system, now with PM2.5 filtration.

Simply controlled via a ‘Purify’ button within the touchscreen infotainment, the state-of-the-art set-up filters out fine dust particles and allergens, and neutralises odours, to provide a calm, relaxing, refined and healthy environment.

A full suite of safety and driver assistance technologies is available, including a choice of Drive Pro packs, plus Park and Park Pro packs.

A configurable Interactive Driver Display and Head Up Display consolidate the Range Rover Sport’s range of technology features.

Two high-definition 10-inch Touch Pro Duo touchscreensformthecentrepieceoftheminimalist cabin. Fast and intuitive, the infotainment system combines finely engineered physical controls and a beautiful digital interface to deliver a truly connected driving experience. The twin touchscreens provide superior clarity and ease

Toyota Unveils Bolder, More Stylish, Safer Camry

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oyota has unveiled a facelifted Camry that brings a bold new look, the latest in Toyota Safety Sense technology and new dash design for Australia’s favourite family

sedan.

The upgraded Camry will arrive in Australia in the first half of next year and offers buyers a stylish and safe four-door sedan with the comfortable and dynamic road manners to make every journey a pleasure, according to a statement by the automaker.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley said over the course of the past 37 years, the Toyota Camry had grown and developed to become Australia’s favourite family sedan that epitomised the core strengths of Toyota vehicles.

“Toyota’s reputation for quality, durability and reliability has long been a hallmark of Camry, which together with its strong and efficient powertrains, advanced safety technology and in recent years, its hybrid drivetrain, has ensured its enduring appeal for Australian customers,” Mr Hanley said.

“This latest facelift delivers a stronger look that further emphasises the car’s stylish aesthetic, along with the sort of safety and convenience technology that is demanded in today’s cars,” he said.

At the front, a bolder, stronger-looking grille and front bumper give the car a more imposing road presence while

2021 Toyota Camry interior

inside, a redesigned dash offers improvements to both ergonomics and visual appeal.

Toyota will continue to offer a mix of hybrid and petrol engines with Camry Hybrid continuing to drive Toyota’s ever-growing environmentally-conscious carpark.

In the first six months of this year, 4,108

Camry Hybrid sales have accounted for 63 per cent of all Camry sales making it the highest percentage of any model in the Toyota lineup.

The Camry Hybrid will be further improved next month with the current 245V nickel metal hydride battery for the 2.5-litre petrol electric drivetrain to be replaced with a new more efficient 259V lithium-ion battery.

of use, with familiar tap, swipe and pinch-to-zoom control gestures on the upper screen. Customers can create shortcuts to preferred features on the customisable home screen.

Touch Pro Duo can dual-task, keeping maps on theuppertouchscreenwhileprovidingeasyaccess tofurtherfeaturesonthelowerdisplay.Bydividing information and controls logically between the two, the Range Rover Sport achieves an intuitive user experience where vital information remains in the driver’s view at all times.

The upper screen can be angled to counter glare and improve visibility. The fixed lower display manages more functional tasks such as climate control and seat and vehicle settings – including TerrainResponse2functions.TworotaryDynamic Dials within the lower screen are key to its design, controlling the cabin temperature, fan speed, seat climate and massage functions.

A range of LED headlight options across the Range Rover Sport line-up provide superior illumination. The energy-efficient lighting technology enhances the technical aspect of the exterior, while the light they produce is closer to daylight, making night driving less tiring.

All models feature signature daytime running lights, automatic headlights and power wash. The advanced LED technology offers four headlight options: Premium, Matrix, Pixel and Pixel-Laser.

The standard Premium headlight package has 24 LEDs per vehicle, with Signature Running Lights and optional Auto High Beam Assist.

Power and efficiency Alongside the existing range of powerful and refined petrol engines are the latest six-cylinder Ingenium diesel engines that are smoother, more refined and more efficient than the engines they replace.

The new in-line designs meet Real Driving Emissions Step 2 (RDE2) standards and Euro 6d-final real-world driving compliance with 48V Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology boosting responses and fuel economy.As a result, thenewIngeniumunitisoneoftheworld’sleading clean diesel engines.

All the engines available play to the Range Rover Sport’s high-performance character, with the new D350dieselpoweringtheluxuryperformanceSUV from0-100km/hin6.9seconds.Withanimpressive torque output of 700Nm, strong responses remain at the core of the Range Rover Sport experience and, with CO2 emissions of just 237g/km for the most powerful D350, customers gain traditional V8 diesel performance with six-cylinder efficiency.

Strong performance is backed up by an engaging drivethatstrikesafinebalancebetweendynamism and comfort. The Range Rover Sport’s advanced all-wheel drive and air suspension both constantly adapt and respond to road conditions, providing driver feedback and involvement, while retaining the superior refinement that customers expect.

Lightweightaluminiumconstructionisakeyfactor behind the Range Rover Sport’s agile handling and dynamic responses.

Mitsubishi Motors Set to Host First-ever Virtual Massilia Motors, the sole distributor of Mitsubishi Motors, is set to host the live premiere of the New Generation Pajero Sport, a first of its kind in Nigeria. The launch, slated for Friday, July 31, 2020, will be a unique experience for attendees to witness a virtual unveiling of the New SUV and an immersive 360-degree virtual tour.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, the brand opted for an innovative digital solution with a Livestream of the anticipated SUV launch. The aim is to keep hope alive with entertainment during these difficult times.

Redesigned with the theme ‘Elevate your Journey’ the New Generation Pajero Sport was crafted to meet drivers’ desires for a perfect blend of comfort and functionality, while also possessing the off-road capability, reliability, and durability of the Pajero series, in a mid-size SUV. The launch event will start with a digital press conference after which guests will be invited to take an intimate look at the Pajero Sport via a 360° virtual tour, followed by a Livestream music event and special guest appearances.

Speaking about the event, the Managing Director/Country Delegate CFAO Nigeria, Thomas Pelletier, highlighted that the company had to adapt rapidly to the new realities faced with the COVID – 19 pandemic, putting in place measures to ensure the safety of customers and staff.

He stated: “The New Pajero Sport is tailored to suit the evolving needs of customers who desire advanced technology, more stylish and comfortable off-road SUVs.

20

˜ ˞ JULY 18, 2020

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

Burglar Alarm, Not ‘Proof’

T

HE first set of blunders comes from The PUNCH of June 30 beginning from its editorial: “Two people, the BBC says, have been arrested over (for) the incident and‌.â€? “Don’t let Igbo resort to selfhelp—Ohaneze faction leaderâ€?

Another view: factional leader “The review is to ensure a service reflective (service-reflective) tariff that will enable Eko Electricity attains (attain) the required‌.â€? (Fullpage public notice by Eko Electricity Distribution Company, The PUNCH, June 30) “Hearty cheers on your 70â€? (Full-page congratulatory advertorial by Fidelity Bank PLC, The PUNCH, June 30) Get it right: 70th Birthday—‘70th’ is adjectival and cannot function as a stand-alone. “We use motor jack to open burglary proof installed in homes, offices—suspectâ€? (News around the city, July 1) Crime, court & living: burglar alarm N60m up for grab (grabs) as NB flags-off (flags off) 2020 Maltina teacher awardâ€? (NATIONAL NEWS, July 1) This way: Maltina Teacher Award “Ndigbo in Lagos APC appoints (appoint) executiveâ€? (Source: as above) The next two faults are contained in a public notice by the EFCC: “The public is hereby notified that the persons whose photographs appears (sic) below are wanted by the EFCC.â€? The challenge with templates and associated slothfulness: Just one man and his picture are involved, but vide the faux pas-ridden text!

Yet another clichĂŠ from the EFCC bag of flaws: “Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact‌.â€? Would it have been useless information? I am just curious!

From DAILY Sun Editorial of July 1 come the following three howlers: “No doubt, the demolition was atrocious and also a direct affront on (to) the sovereignty of Nigeria.â€? “Though Ghana has apologized over (for) the incident‌.â€? “Sadly, there appears (appear) to be some underlying factors militating against‌.â€? “Congratulations to my friend (friend of mine), partner, (otiose comma) and wife for (on/upon) this (these) eleven solid years (are there liquid years?)â€? Please note that the phrase, ‘solid years’,

is informal. “May his soul rest in perfect peace with his Maker.â€? Fixed expression: rest in peace. There is no ‘imperfect peace’. Exceptions: uneasy peace and inner peace. ‘Peace’, largely, is an absolute word. “President Muhammadu Buhari has written world leaders‌.â€? Also note: you write to someone (British English). In American English, you can also write someone. â€œâ€Śamidst criticisms over the country’s rising debt profile as well as the burden to service such debts.â€? Modern trend: amid—not amidst.

Also while—not whilst; amongst (among). “With a heart of felicitation and love, I wish to congratulate (I congratulate) my husband‌ over (on/upon) his merited doctorate (doctoral) award.â€? “Your diligent nature and tenacity of purpose has (have) singled you out for recognition.â€? â€œâ€Śbut you have shown the world that good things comes (why?) to those who work for it (them).â€?

THISDAY of June 17 circulated copious blunders beginning from the front page: “In spite of the current division amongst (among) members of the terrorist group‌.â€? ‘Amidst’, ‘amongst’, ‘whilst’, ‘join together’, ‘log of wood’, ‘heavy downpour’ (the list is endless!)‌ belong to ‘old school’! Just ‘join’, ‘log’ and ‘downpour’—no padding! “His present command and control (command-and-control) tactics must end.â€? â€œâ€Śargues that ‘foreign terrorists’ are being treated with kid’s gloves.â€? Get it right: kid gloves “I am sure those of them that participated in both competitions will tow (toe) the line of reasoning.â€? “Biafra asks Igbo to switch-off (switch off) phones‌.â€? Phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. â€œâ€Śwhile incidences of diseases and death (deaths) have worsened.â€? Please note that even as ‘incidence’ is countable, it is usually singular. “Lagos is a vibrant city with enormous potentials.â€? Either ‘potentialities’ or just ‘potentia “Celebrating one of Plateau’s quintessential legal luminary (luminaries)!â€? “Your several (many) years of practice and public service as commissioner‌for about

nine years has (have) no doubt‌.â€? Preferably ‘many’ “I am no doubt confident that Plateau State, the National Assembly where you now serve as a (an) honourable member‌.â€? “Ashes to beauty (Ashes-to-beauty) story of the cameraâ€? â€œâ€Śbrings to the fore issues concerning some non-governmental organizations set up under the pretext of helping the needy but turn out to be scamsâ€? “If a guy likes me and he’s going online to check for my status‌.â€? Delete ‘for’ because it is redundant “FG seeks China (Chinese) cooperation to tackle piracy in entertainment industryâ€? “Strenghtening (Strengthening) commitmentâ€?, but straightening Last entry from the back page of SATURDAY Telegraph under focus: “He is a bogeyman who pushes, shoves, pulls, elbows and even scratch (scratches) players on the face‌.â€? “CPC to clampdown on illegal microfinance banksâ€? Phrasal verb: clamp down (two words). “An acknowledged scholar, a distinguished statesman and a team leader per excellenceâ€?

This way: leader par excellence. “New trends in electioneering campaigns�

Just electioneering or political campaigns ‘Electioneering campaign’ is sheer verbiage! ‘Electioneering’ encompasses campaign and other related electoral issues. “Some countries have taken tobacco manufacturers to court for the damages their products cause.â€? The will to die: ‘damage‘ is uncountable, except in reparative applications for indemnity. “With the launching (launch preferably) of the poverty alleviation (a hyphen) programme by the Federal Government, not a few Nigerians desire to see it effectively in place. “ â€œâ€Śwhat happened was that somebody filed a writ of summon.â€? This way (singular): a writ of summons; plural: summonses. “It is the Federal Board that is always guilty of that, because it is them who take riff-raffs as welfare officers.â€? ‘Riff-raff’ is uncountable. “Modern technology has reduced the world into (to) a hamlet where the inhabitants are their brothers’ keepers.â€? This way: brother’s keeper (fixed idiom), irrespective of the number of people involved.

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“The coincidence in the timing of all those sleazy gossips in soft-sell magazines and the beginning of his fashion parade‌.â€? ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable. “More overaged players for youth soccerâ€?

Get it right: overage players. “Residents of some of the troubled spots in South Africa in disarrayâ€? Witness to lexical mayhem: trouble spots. â€œâ€Śrummaging all the bags and ransacking every nook and corner.â€? Stock expression: nook and cranny. “The police requires (require) a redeemer who can uplift the Force from the battering it (they) suffered during the long years of militarization.â€? “I inquired from those that appear to know and they said that the president is (was) roaming the country in the name of campaigns.â€? “There is (are) no electricity, no security, no water, no roads, no health facilities in Nigeria.â€? “Foreign companies will be falling over themselves (one another) to come and invest here if we get the 2023 elections right.â€? “...given the lame-duck posture of the opposition parties, the APC simply held sway from the onset (outset).â€? “Reactions on (to) the Pope’s visit, however successful, were mixed in Egypt, a country inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population.â€? “Prior to the Pope’s visit, Egyptian Catholics have (had) opted out of the‌.â€? “The first part was published last week Friday.â€? Monday politics: either last Friday or Friday, last week. “Vigilante (vigilance) groups, committed to the enforcement of the by-law, are being set up.â€? “Some of these areas include producing enough food to feed our teaming (teeming) population.â€? “Rather, the money, including the N200 million per state released for special purposes, was diverted to other uses.â€? We certainly do not need the last three words in the extract, having been taken care of by ‘diversion’. “Unless the detonating mechanism of extremist religious chauvinism is diffusedâ€? Get it right: defused (not diffused).

Governor Wike, A True Rivers Patriot Paulinus Nsirim

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overnor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State is without doubt, the most energetic, pragmatic, proactive and charismatic national figure and political leader in Nigeria today.

He is greatly admired across board for his boldness and forthrightness. The patriotic enthusiasm and chivalry, which he exudes in his honest, robust, unfettered and crusading for all the right causes endears him to many.

The events of Thursday, July 16, 2020, captured especially the leadership authority and courageous audacity with which he stormed the home of Dr. Joi Nunieh, erstwhile Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to rescue the helpless woman, from the menacing siege of armed security operatives, hell bent on abducting her, has already been chronicled in the already burgeoning heroism of Governor Nyesom Wike.

The gravity of the situation in which Dr. Joi Nunieh was rescued by the Governor Wike can perhaps be best comprehended, not only in the very graphic video footages, some of which showed people breaking down the backdoor of her house to gain entry into the main building like determined assassins, but indeed in the fact that both the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Mukan and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Adamu Mohammed, were reportedly not even aware of the operations of the armed security operatives without an official warrant of arrest.

This kind of situation in Nigeria, often translates into very sinister and in many instances, terminal outcomes.

Governor Wike’s arrival had therefore being quite timely and fortuitous, as the hapless Dr. Nunieh, who had been billed to appear before a National Assembly committee that morning, suddenly found herself obviously at her wits end in her room looking down on her diabolical persecutors and visibly in frantic panic, until the reassuring sounds of the Governor’s siren brought overwhelming relief, sanity and freedom to a sordid episode.

Intriguingly, many Rivers State and NDDC watchers may have guffawed and scoffed with the predictable retort of their old clichĂŠ “Wike don come againâ€?, only a few days ago, on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, when the Rivers State Government had released a statement, calling on those involved in the ongoing investigations in the NDDC, to ensure that a daughter of Rivers State, Dr. Joi Nunieh, does not suffer any harm in the course of their undertakings.

The statement noted that the Rivers State Government is not interested in the drama unfolding in the NDDC and will never support any action that will jeopardize the laudable intentions of President Muhammadu Buhari to positively reposition the NDDC and fulfill the yearnings and aspirations the Niger Delta people.

The statement stressed that Rivers State owes it as a duty to protect her citizens from danger no matter their political affiliations and that it will not fail to protect their daughter ,Joi Nunieh from actual harm or perceived danger. “We cannot fold our hands and watch anyone harm her or indeed any Rivers citizen. We advise those involved in the present altercations in the NDDC to thread with caution in their actions and utterances� the statement concluded.

Two days later, the scenario which the Rivers State Government had envisaged, actually came to pass, with the besieging of Dr. Joi Nunieh’s house by armed men from unknown quarters, without a warrant. Governor Wike’s anticipated scenario had manifested and like a true leader and a man of his words, the Rivers Governor physically stormed the residence, dislodged the frustrated agents with characteristic authority and took the greatly relieved former NDDC acting managing director to the safe confines of Rivers State Government House.

Governor Wike himself summed up the day’s event thus: “What has happened today is a disgrace. Who knows what would have happened to her if they had gained access to her main room. I went there personally to see things for myself and rescued her. She is supposed to testify before the House of Representatives Committee and here we are having armed men wanting to abduct her. “We came out to protect our daughter and we will do so to every Rivers citizen. That is the oath of office I swore to. It doesn’t matter the political affiliation. We will not allow anybody

to destroy Rivers state.�

He also called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the circumstances that led to over 50 armed policemen storming the Port Harcourt residence of Dr. Nunieh at 4am on Thursday, July 16, 2020, in an attempted abduction operation, and ended with a terse warning : “From what has happened now, I want to say that Rivers State is fully out. Anybody who is responsible for this attempted abduction of our daughter, should know that enough is enough. “All the Niger Delta States should find out if any of their citizens have a hand in the unfortunate incident and call on such people to leave our daughter alone. She is no longer the Managing Director of NDDC. The way things are going now, it seems people want to destroy Rivers State and it is unacceptable. They can’t treat her as a common criminal. I am sure that President Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of this,� he said.

It is important to remind those who may be nursing the belief that Governor Wike was only playing to the gallery with his earlier warning that no harm should befall Dr. Nunieh and indeed his storming her house on a rescue mission, that the Rivers Governor’s pledge to protect the former NDDC boss, actually dates back to November 2019, when Dr. Joi Nunieh, in her capacity as the then newly appointed managing director of the NDDC Interim Management Committee, visited Governor Wike in Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Rivers Governor not only endorsed and congratulated the then newly inaugurated Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, but also affirmed his allegiance and commitment to protect anything that concerns Rivers State. “As a true Rivers person, I cannot do anything that is against the interest of Rivers State. Political affiliations come secondary.

What matters to me is the development of Rivers State. “The appointment of the Interim Management Committee is purely an executive function and there is no reason for our people to be fighting over it. I will protect anything that has to do with Rivers State,� he declared then. –––Nsirim is the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rivers State Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Sharon Okpamen Tackles Night Hustlers Anderson Obiagwu Growing Up in Aba Taught Me How to Hustle pg. 23

New Artistes for Billionaire Records pg. 24

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Sharon OkpamenTackles Night Hustlers Prolific film maker, Sharon Okpamen, raises awareness about the dangers of prostitution with her new movie titled ‘Night Hustlers’. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

F

ilm maker, Sharon Okpamen has added to the awareness on the dangers and risks of prostitution with her new movie titled, “Night Hustlers”. The movie which was released last Saturday, follows the wayward life of a group of prostitutes, capturing their experiences of intrigues, back-stabbing and betrayal.

Confirming the release of the movie on video streaming platform, YouTube, Sharon posted on her Instagram page alongside the cover art of the movie which she considers printing on CDs. “Night Hustlers finally out on YouTube on sharonokpamentv don’t forget to subscribe guys,” she wrote. Shot in Benin, Edo state, the flick is presented in Pidgin English dialogue via her Sharonny Productions company.

‘Night Hustlers’, her latest movie project parades stars that includes top South-South Nigeria-based actors such as Amenze Okpunu, Shine Francis Osemwengie, Degbuehi Oviahon, Jeffery Omoruyi, Festina Peters izevbizua, Oflex Osabuohen, Maris Iyamu, Shantel Aiwekhoe, Patience Izzy Omoruyi, Idahosa Itohan Angela, Itohan igbinidun, Esther Ifueko Osaro, Aisosa Evbenaye, Jullius Iyamu, among others.

Sharon played the role of Isalabo, an influential ‘madam’ who recruited young innocent girls from the village to the city for prostitution. She was a tough woman who regularly made friends with criminal, the police, politicians and any influential person who can provide her protection.

Speaking on the movie pre-release, the Edo-state born Nollywood actress said: “Movie lovers should watch out for it because it is a story that explains the risks in prostitution. I just wanted to use the movie to draw attention to the perils of prostitution and how its consequences go on to shape the life of our young girls. For me, this is how I am contributing to the society.”

Credit with over 100 movies, Sharon has carved a niche for herself through the lens of her native movies shot mostly in her hometown.

“Night Hustlers” is just one of the movie projects in her kitty at the moment.

The filmmaker is due to churn out more cinematic project but due to the impact of COVID19, she had to tinker with her productions release strategy. “I have a lot of projects I’m working on now. I’m currently writing the script for a proposed movie. We’re yet to shoot because of the pandemic, but I have some movies that are coming up very soon”, she revealed.

The actress cum singer who has released her flicks from the stable of her outfit, Sharonny Production noted that “The way filmmakers are surviving is through YouTube, by selling Edo movies to media organisations like Iroko Tv, Ibaka Tv, Africa Magic. It has been very difficult, because you can tell that Edo movies are not on any of these platforms except YouTube. So, the only way filmmakers are surviving is through YouTube and subscribers are on the increase as people are at home, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Sharaon made her debut as actress in a 2010 movie, “Touch Not My Crown”, courtesy of a kind referral from John Okafor, better known as Mr. Ibu. She said: “My first movie role was that of a maiden in a movie (Touch Not My Crown) in 2010. The role was given to me by the popular actor John Okafor (Mr Ibu). He brought me into the industry and helped me get the role in the movie.”

However, her break-through was a movie titled Eshikito, an Edo movie. “The movie Eshikito gave me a break-through in the Edo movie industry. I did the movie in 2016 and the movie was a huge success.

It was turning point.”

Sharon Okpamen

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR Anderson Obiagwu

Growing Up in Aba Taught Me How to Hustle Anderson Obiagwu, the founder ofAFRIMMAAwards,African Muzik Magazine and BigAEntertainment, has worked tirelessly to create a thriving diaspora entertainment brand for over a decade. He has worked alongside top talents from all over Africa, including Wizkid, Fally Ipupa, Diamond Platnumz, Tuface, Davido, Sauti Sol, Burna Boy, Basketmouth, Bovi, Flavour, Falz and many more. He talks to Tosin Clegg about AFRIMMA Awards, adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, his journey, challenges and a lot more There is a lack of professionalism and poor management structures in the music industry.

Some of the artistes don’t appreciate the platform.

Most people want to get to the top but without working hard. We celebrate some artistes but do you know how hard they have worked to attain the level of success they enjoy today? I believe when top stakeholders in the industry sit down to analyse, lack of professionalism and poor structure is always at the top of the list. There are other challenges but these two I mentioned top it up for me. So many stories I can tell from experience.

Growing up, childhood dreams, education and family was born in Ogberuru in Orlu Local GovernmentArea of Imo State. I grew up in Aba, Abia State where my dad owned a successful pharmaceutical business and my mum took care of the home. My childhood was full of memorable experiences from growing in a loving family to great friends. I had dreams of being a medical doctor but changed my mind when l moved to America 23 years ago.

I

How my background shaped my life Growing up in the city of Aba, which is the industrial capital of Africa, taught me how to hustle and never to settle for less. My work ethics could be attributed to watching my father run a successful business without formal education.

These things make you push for more achievement and that’s what has shaped me till date.

Flavour and my label Flavour was once signed to my Record Label and his biggest song “Nwa Baby Remix” was produced under my label at that time. He has since grown to become one of the most successful artistes in Africa with so many hits. They love him in America and in a lot of African countries.

Flavour is like family to me; all his USA tours till date are produced by Big A Entertainment.

The most difficult thing that ever happened to me in all my years I would say the death of my mum was very devastating to me. My family helped me through it. Thank God for a close-knit family, we just leaned on each other through it all.

The rapid growing Afrobeats trends globally We are getting there but a lot of work still has to be done. It’s time for us to build our own Live Nation. Our artistes shouldn’t be in a hurry to jump into international record deals without proper guidance, to avoid exploitation or modern day slavery. I know it gets very exciting to be recognised internationally but there are deliberate steps to take to ensure that your sound and brand remains the same even when collaborating with the international brands. Make sure you have an in-house structure that understands your long term goals and how best to project you to these international labels so that when these offers come excitement wouldn’t shadow making the right decision.

Passion for entertainment I have always loved music but l fell in love with Afrobeats after l watched 2face perform in Canada in the early 2000. So, l started nursing the ambition to bring Afrobeat tours to America. It was also at a time when our African music was growing but there was a greater demand for international music. It worked easily because there were those in diaspora who were so eager to reconnect with our music so I tapped into that need at that time and today see how we are doing.

Commitment to African music led to creating AFRIMMA Awards AFRIMMA’s vision has been endorsed by some of the biggest African artistes such as Fuse ODG (UK), Davido (Nigeria), Lira (SouthAfrica), 2face (Nigeria), Flavour Nabania (Nigeria), Miriam Chemmoss (Tanzania), Avril (Kenya), Afro Mask (Ghana/ United Kingdom), Nonini (Kenya), Chub Heightz (Botswana) and many more. The award ceremony has held six successful editions bringing some African and US top artistes and executives together to celebrate African music in diaspora. I was honoured by the Mayor of the City of Dallas, Texas, USA for my excellent work in the entertainment scene and being an exemplary public figure.

In 2019, I celebrated 10 years in the entertainment industry launching my memoir called “Crossing Boundaries with Music” which gives more insight on my journey to the top and releasing a debut album featuring top acts such as KCee, Harrysong, Flavor, Masterkraft and more.

More about AFRIMMA Awards This is our 7th year of celebrating AFRIMMA Awards. The AFRICAN MUZIK MAGAZINE AWARDS (AFRIMMA) is the sole award ceremony in the Diaspora that caters to all musical genres from Afrobeats to Kuwaito to Highlife. It was created as a platform to celebrate ourAfrican musicians.AFRIMMAhas established a network that promotes the diversity of African music by bringing prominent artistes from different African countries for a celebration night.

At the time of inception, I felt that we were

With my level of success I desire more achievement I love to build, as a matter of fact, I am currently working on a media platform. I will speak about it when we are almost ready to let the world know.

Even Dangote is still building and developing more, it doesn’t mean at some point you won’t retire but there is so much to still do.

Some of the lessons life has taught me To never give up, and to lead by example. If I had given up at every failed venture, I wouldn’t be here. People like to hear more about success than failures but I believe our failures shape us, so I never give up. I am persistent and determined to always achieve.

Anderson Obiagwu

growing as an industry but with little recognition here in the US. I mean this was the era African artistes were snubbed by the BET and Grammys, and when recognized, it will be off the main stage. So, I created a platform that’s for us by us. Things have changed now, everyone knows Afrobeats, and everyone wants to collaborate with some of the biggest African artistes today.

I just wanted to share my story, in the hope of inspiring people. The book details my struggle and rise to building an empire which is known worldwide today in the music industry. The album is a celebration of Big A Entertainment, I got some of my talented good friends whom I have worked with in the past, like Masterkraft, KCee, amongst others, on it.

Celebrating 10 years in the entertainment business with a new memoir and album

Difficulties in promoting music and organising events in the Diaspora

Plans during this pandemic and moving onward Usually, Big A Entertainment produces a couple of artistes’ tours and AFRIMMA every year, but the global pandemic is affecting everyone. However, we are going back to the drawing board to see how some of our events like AFRIMMA Awards will adapt to the current norm.

Philanthropic acts I throw annual Easter and Christmas parties to give back to the community of Dallas.

A few months ago, I officially launched the Big A Entertainment Foundation to help fight poverty in Africa and we are committed to supporting families currently impacted by the global pandemic.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΀˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR HotBillz

I Grew Up Loving Music Because My Mum Was a Singer Ebuka Igbokwe, popularly known as HotBillz, is a an entrepreneur, dancer, recording artist, music producer, and record label executive. He tells Tosin Clegg about his journey into music, upcoming projects and more Growing up wasn’t easy t was born and brought up in Surulere, Lagos, from Igbokwe royal family of Nnewi. My life journey started with dancing, and my childhood dream was to be a star. I studied at Ansar-ud- Deen Grammar School Surulere and it was a place where you could find many talents. I learnt breakdancing in my school days, and was always going to the school hall to watch my seniors challenge themselves.

It was so much fun. Then I started challenging other people and getting better with my dance moves. I joined a group called The Don Steppers. We used to go for shows all the time but never got paid. As the first child, I knew that can’t be the source of my income, so I started working for people after I finished my secondary school, but wasn’t earning enough.

So, I decided to apply for schooling abroad, where I could work and pay my school fees. I got admission in Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.

I chose Kuala Lumpur because it was cheaper and with time I meet my wife, got married and we had a son.

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Childhood dream My childhood dream was to be a star but I can say I’m where God wants me to be. I love dancing as it’s the source of my happiness.

So gradually I’m unfolding into the person I have always dreamt of becoming and with perseverance, hard work and commitment to my craft I would get to greater heights.

wonderful about it. If all these are in place, then we can expect an amazing creation when it goes into production and when the song is completed.

My brand of music I’m into Afrobeat, Hip Pop music and Electronic Dance music. They enable me to be expressive and spontaneous in such a way that I am not boxed into a particular pattern or vibe. Music is an economy of so many angles and if deployed well one would have a lifelong hold on creating excellent contents and mind-blowing sounds.

Working with Byno on my debut project ‘Good Life’ I knew Byno back in the days when we were dancers, and seeing who he has become now made me desire more to make good music with him. He is a man of many talents and yet he seeks for more knowledge, I think he is that musical genius that the world is yet to feel his messages. Working on this E.P, I intend to collaborate with fantastic and amazing musicians as well. And in this E.P, various genres of music would come into play and it won’t be void of conscious contents. The Good Life EP is one all my fans need to look out for, as by its name and theme, it promises so much to ponder on and vibe to.

My journey into music I grew up loving music because my mum was a singer. She taught us to always listen to music whenever we are down or sad. I feel connected to some music whenever I feel depressed, so I feel like using music to pass messages to people.

And this more or less drove the inspiration and here we are today on a journey to making mind-blowing and heart-warming music.

The challenge of music in Nigeria The challenge of music in Nigeria is just the lack of resources and that is to be able to help the rare talents that are out there, that don’t have the funds to share their talents with the world. That to me is a major problem, as we have no platforms to encourage talents and sometimes they wear off the person. He will then seek means of livelihood elsewhere. But if a system can be structured, then it would help a lot of people get the exposure they desire and get to have music as a means of livelihood.

Key elements in a good sound The melody, the singer’s voice and the lyrics. When it’s easy and fun to sing, the chords perfectly support the melody, the lyrics resonate strongly with you, and everything seems

My inspirations I draw inspirations from people around me as well as from my surroundings, personal experiences and all. I try to be very intentional when creating and that’s why I have the ever

Ebuka Igbokwe

resourceful vocalist, Byno in my corner to always come through with fantastic lyrics, melody and structure. Music generally is something I could refer to as food for the mind and soul and if well-digested, it lifts one up. That’s why it’s paramount for me to always do it right.

Musical influences and role models I have quite a long list of people I’m influenced by and I would also love to work with them on as many projects as possible. They are: Kizz

New Artistes for Billionaire Records

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ondred Ghost Billionaire Records, co-owned by businessman and biological brothers, CEO of Stelmat Nigeria Limited, Mathew Moses Oluwafemi, popularly known as Ghost, and CEO of Hondred Ghost Luxury Night Club, Mathew Peter Oladipupo, popularly known as Hondred, recently signed up two new artistes despite the lull in the music entertainment industry as caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Ghost, the record label boss, said the signing of Ikhumhen Jeffery Ehis, who is known as Jeff South, and Momoh Paul Oshokie also known as Alhaji

Sweetest, is a strategic move in nurturing and marketing these amazing talents to a global audience.

Ghost added: “The Nigerian music industry is set to witness, the finest of talents from the stables of Hondre d G h o s t B i l l i on a i re R e c o rd s . ” J eff S o u t h i s a s i n ge r a n d s a xop h o n i s t w h o h a i l s fro m Ben i n-C i t y, E d o S t a t e , w h o s e g en re o f m u s i c i s a l t e r n a t i v e wi t h a fi n e bl e n d o f A fro h i p p op w h i l e A l h a j i S w e e t e s t i s a n i nd i ge n o u s r a p a r t i s t e fro m Ba uch i w h o d i s h e s o u t l yr i c s i n H a usa .

Al h a j i S w e e t e s t a n d Je ff S out h a re s e t t o re l e a s e a c o l l a b or a t i v e s i n gl e t i t l e d ‘ N o Ba l a nc e ’ l a t e r i n t h e m o n t h .

Jeff South and Alhaji Sweetest

Daniel, Tekno, P Square, Larry Gaage, 2Face, Byno, Davido, Wizkid, Teni, Rudeboy (Paul), Masterkraft, Caution Lxe, Simi, Burna Boy, Flavour, Phyno, Tiwa Savage and Olamide I see myself achieving my dreams My Goal is to reach the hearts of people all around the world with good music and to impact lives with the sounds that emanates from me.

But, in all honesty, I want to make music that would even outlive me.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

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TRIBUTE Adeboye and His Virtuous Woman Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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astor Enoch Adeboye celebrated his wife, Foluke, on the occasion of her 72nd birthday last Monday. Taking to his social media page to praise his wife, who is fondly called Mummy G.O, Adeboye, in a lengthy message, revealed things she does to tickle his fancy despite being grandparents. In the birthday message, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), described his wife as a powerful woman who still manages to acknowledge him as the head of the home and accords him respect.

Daddy G.O advised young women to care for their husbands and not transfer roles to maids and domestic staff.

The prized man of God, who also advised young brides about learning from his beloved wife on how to treat their husbands, had several internet users and other highly placed men talking after his tribute.

The 78-year-old shared this word of advice: “Today is my wife’s birthday and there are lessons that women, especially so many young brides can learn from her. She is a powerful woman, I know that. She has many people who take instructions from her, but as powerful as she is, and even though she has seen me in my weakest moments, I have no doubt that I am her head. If I insist, she would cancel whatever she was to do and come along with me. The Bible in Ephesians 5:23 says: ‘For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church…’

“The husband is the head of the wife. No matter how educated or successful you are, your husband is your head and you must regard him as such at all times. It is a terrible thing for a husband to feel his wife is his head. Many men are misbehaving in their marriages simply because they want to establish that they are the head of their wives. Also, my wife is my number one fan. She wrote in the book

Mathematics of Marriage – which we co-authored, that as my helpmate, she knows she cannot help me without my instructions, so when they come, her response is ‘Yes sir’.

“Busy as she is, she still cooks my meals and serves me herself. Many young ladies these days leave everything to the house help. My wife still trims my nails for me. There was a time when I was a teacher and was staying far from town. She had to cut my hair during that period. She is the only partner of the Adeboye Corporation; she doesn’t delegate her primary duties to anyone else. Just like the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:1-31, I safely rest on my wife. Anything I uphold, she upholds too. Can your husband rely on you? Make up for your husband’s weaknesses, celebrate his successes, be his number one cheerleader. I wish my lovely wife a Happy Birthday.”

The pair got married in 1967 shortly after Adeboye completed his first degree at the University of Lagos, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. Their union has produced four children — three boys and a girl.

Only a while ago, the “powerful” cleric had revealed how far he is willing to go for his dearly beloved wife. During one of his weekly early morning devotions series, Pastor Adeboye made it clear that his wife, Foluke, is not to be messed around with.

The religious leader said he will kill anyone that tries to mess around with his woman.

Adeboye noted that while people can do whatever they like to him in form of criticism and insults, the same must not be extended to his wife. “You can do whatever you like to me, you can criticize me, you can insult me, you can trample on me, I will only pray for you. But if you mess around with my wife, I will kill you. I will kill you so thoroughly you won’t even be able to rise on the resurrection morning.

When people ask me, how are you going to do that? I tell my daddy to send you to hell straight away,” the man of God said.

Pastor and Mrs. Adeboye

A Flying Career Cut Short Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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death so painful. This is perhaps, how best to describe the passing of Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Arotile, Nigeria’s first ever female combat helicopter pilot. Arotile did not die in an aerial operation as many would ordinarily have expected. She was killed in a freak accident at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna state.

The 24-year-old was hit by a car driven by an unnamed ex-classmate who had excitedly wanted to greet her.

Arotile fell and hit her head on the tarmac.

“Flying Officer Arotile died on July 14, 2020 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate while trying

Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Arotile

to greet her,” NAF Director of Public Relations and Information Air Com. Ibikunle Daramola revealed in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday. Arotile lived and died for the sky when her life and career were just starting.

Her resolve to join the military was simply a passion she had nurtured from childhood. “One day, when she was very small, she pointed to one small aircraft parked on a field and said, ‘Dad, one day I am going to fly that aircraft,’ and I said amen,” her father, Akintunde Arotile, recalled in a report.

In an earlier interview, Tolulope said: “I joined the military simply out of passion for it. Being a military personnel has been a long time ambition. The carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional.”

Born in 1995, that childhood yearning would become a

reality September 22, 2012, after she was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy and commissioned five years later.

Arotile made history in October 2019, when she was winged as Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force’s 55 years of existence. Then she was decorated by Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Sadique Abubakar.

At her winging ceremony alongside Kafayat Sanni, the first female fighter pilot, she marched to receive her “wing” with such immaculate strictness that mirrored her passion for the job. Her finesse was such that after she was winged at NAF headquarters Abuja, Abubakar noted: “They are not only female officers but outstanding aviators. While one of the two pilots is the first female fighter pilot in the 55 years of the NAF, the second one is the first female combatant helicopter pilot.”

They both performed excellently well during their training.

Interestingly, she made a lot of Nigerians proud, particularly her parents, Engineer Akintunde and Mrs. Arotile, from Iffe, in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. Her profile was well pronounced in a tribute released by NAF, where she was described as a “very intelligent, disciplined, confident and courageous young officer who added value wherever she served.”

Arotile must have known no other world, except flying.

Primary education at Air Force school, Secondary, too. Then, enlistment into the Air Force, commissioned an officer, and further training abroad to hone her skills. The native of Iffe area of Ijumu LGA of Kogi State and fourth child of her family attended Air Force Primary School from 2000 - 2005 and Air Force Secondary School 2006 – 2011, both in Kaduna.

She later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on September 22, 2012. Arotile was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on September 16, 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

She was winged as the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force two years later, after completing her flying training programme at the Starlite International Training Academy in South Africa.

She held a commercial pilot license and also underwent tactical flying training on the Augusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy. Incidentally, she introduced the newly acquired Augusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to President Muhammadu Buhari, during the presentation ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on February 6, 2020, explaining the features of the fighter helicopters at the Air Show held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

Before her untimely death, she made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, and banditry and other forms of criminality in the country, flying several combat missions.

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˜ ˞ JULY 18, 2020

JOE/FAJ

THEFRONTLINES

Why Are We So Corrupt?

JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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t is probably only in Nigeria that you are shocked with a story that a toilet has been built for N60m. This is not a joke. If in doubt, please refer to the ongoing probe of the NDDC Interim Management Committee (IMC) activities being conducted by the senate.

That is why the title of this piece begins with a very intriguing question that almost everyday, right thinking people pose with the hope that someone could somehow manage to find an answer.

When it comes to the issue of corruption, we need to understand that Nigeria is not in isolation. Indeed corruption exists in all countries from China, Russia, USA, United Kingdom, you name it. Corruption is endemic and it is recognised as a global menace that undermines development.

However, what differentiates and makes Nigeria stand out like a sore thumb are the frequency and magnitude of corruption and the level of punishment or consequences meted out to culprits.

While countries like China, USA, United Kingdom and several others in recognition of the destructive nature of corruption took constitutional and practical steps to build their institutional structures, strengthening them to nip such activities in the bud, Nigeria’s case is in reverse mode.

In these countries, whenever there are corruption cases and the culprits are caught, the courts ensure they are compelled to face dire consequences of long prison terms, forfeiture of property and whatever proceeds of crime etc to the state.

China took it a step further by prescribing the death sentence for corruption to serve as deterrent. Which is why such countries that have consciously taken steps through the establishment of governance structures to curtail corruption have manifest results as reported by the global corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI).

In a recent report ranking how Nigeria was perceived by its citizens and some international organisations published by Transparency International (TI) the report noted that “As in previous years, its citizens together with a selection of international organizations perceive Nigeria as one of Africa’s most corrupt countries. Nigeria’s ranking—146 out of 180 countries surveyed worldwide—is little changed from years past.�

Warning strongly of a bleak future ahead if corrupt tendencies are not curtailed the PWC in a recent report predicted that “corruption in Nigeria could cost up to 37% of GDP by 2030 if it’s not dealt with immediately. This cost is equated to around $1,000 per person in 2014 and nearly $2,000 per person that lives in Nigeria by 2030.�

Estimates from the World Economic Forum show that the cost of corruption equals 5 per cent of global GDP ($2.6trn). The African Union, in 2002, revealed that 25 per cent of the GDP of African states, amounting to $148billion, is lost to corruption each year. Countries, where corruption is rife are likely to have 5 per cent less in investment than countries with much less corruption, an IMF research says. One thing these statistics and every right

Magu

thinking person agrees on, is that the most debilitating force against economic growth, political stability and social development in the world today, is corruption.

The menace of corruption is so pervading in all facets of our society that, hardly would a single day end without a sensational corruption story breaking out in the news outlets. There is hardly a day that the media, including the print, electronic and digital would not publish and telecast at least a breaking story detailing corrupt practices in high places.

In the past, people were arrested and jailed for stealing, embezzling or defrauding their companies or institutions of few thousands and millions. All that has changed with the figures rising from millions to billions and trillions of naira and billions of dollars or hard currencies disappearing into private pockets.

Who are the culprits? The same people to whom the commonwealth is being entrusted to for save keeping have turned around to empty the commonwealth. They are the politicians, civil servants, contractors, advanced fees fraudsters and several low class fraudsters.

In 1999 when the National Assembly was inaugurated, its annual budget for 109 senators and 360 House members was just N2billion. Barely 20 years later, with same number of lawmakers, its annual budget has ballooned to a princely N128billion a difference of N126billion. What do they produce with such humongous sums of money? Your guess is as good as mine. That is not all, budgets are padded with constituency projects, committee connive with the ministry over which they exercise oversight functions to inflate annual budgets etc.

The civil servants on the other hand, who are supposed to guide the politicians and appointees on probity and accountabil-

Who Wants to Be A Socialite?

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ecall that our operative desire, in this ongoing tetralogy, was fuelled by a realisation that my class of post-graduate students have had to be challenged and engaged using robust debates, assignations, definitions, connotations and anecdotes, in appreciating and exercising editorial decisions on people who should be lionized as leading lights of

their society.

Today, as we trudge towards what can be described as the greying end of a four-part treatise on authentic celebrity status in an African continuum, we shall focus attention on the elements that delineate the relevance, or otherwise, of the Socialite, as well as the contra-distinctions to the Celebrity, properly so-called.

On many levels, the socialite is seen from the mindset of a wannabe celeb. We believe that irrespective of an individual’s desires to hug fame and be relevant, if he or she does not acquire the privilege of accomplishments and the mindset of a proper celebrity, he or she is merely a Socialite.

As it was at the beginning, let us tread around the world, with the help of few disparate “definitions� of the Socialite, a word which came into parlance as far back as the 1920s.

Google is uncharitably brief: “Socialite - / s l t/ - noun - a person who is well known in fashionable society and is fond of social activities and entertainment.�

The Macmillan dictionary is even less so: “The word socialite implies frivolity: frequent collocates include wealthy and well-bred but also spoiled, pampered, snooty and vapid.�

The octopal Wikipedia is more urbane: it describes a socialite as “a person (usually from a privileged, wealthy, or aristocratic background) who plays a prominent role in high society. A socialite spends a significant amount of time attending various fashionable social gatherings.�

Two definitions capture the ambivalence of the Socialite quite well; one appears pejorative, and the other attempts to gentrify the root of the word. First is from Vocabulary.com: “A socialite is someone who spends a lot of time in fashionable social circles. A socialite gets invited to all the best parties and says yes to all of them... A socialite is a person who loves being social, especially in circles that are in the public eye.�

And Merriman-Webster.com pontificates: “Synonyms and Near Synonyms of Socialite: Aristocrat, blue blood, gentle, noble, patrician. magnate, magnifico, mogul, gentlefolk...�

Alux.com’s take is both instructive and unapologetic: “Socialites are those famous people who are paid to‌ socialise. That means that they don’t have a normal job, or earn their money in a certain way, they just attend social events, smile, and get rich. Socialites are media lovers, so they need to be in the spotlight as much as they can.â€?

Quite dispiriting for those who brag about being a socialite? Well, we must not dispense with defining the Socialite without some contributions from the patently irreverent Urban dictionary. Here again, we have some colourful, less expletive, ‘nuggets’ framed by regular people: “Socialite: a person who is rich and unemployed. Must be in active contact with the media and other rich and unemployed people. “Someone who has money and doesn’t work, instead devoting his/her life to being ‘socially active’. Socialites go to parties, gather media attention, and essentially ‘work’ at being popular. This often comes at the expense of any meaningful contribution to society or culture. Paris Hilton is a classic example of a socialite. “Somebody who is really a nobody... “Someone born from a rich family who basically lives off their inheritance and doesn’t have to do any work. The kind of person with a perfect life. They go to parties and buy expensive clothes and own a Lamborghini just because they can.�

From available information, we are persuaded that the Socialite’s attributes are mostly the direct opposite of the Celebrity’s. The Socialite may have high attainments, wealth, and other trappings of success, the major difference is the mindset and disposition of the genuine Celebrity, who is willing to give back to society without expecting recompense.

The Socialites are, more of than not, patronising, and calculating - “nothing comes for nothing�!

- The Socialite is driven by the Media: He or she craves to be in the spotlight, be in front of the klieg lights, attend several high-level social events and be the life of the parties (even when not invited); - He has no qualms about crashing parties or functions as

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

ity have proven once more to be the insider who leads the them to loot the treasury. They deliberately circumvent clearly laid down financial rules to suit their whims and caprices conniving with the politicians to loot the treasury.

The contractors on the other hand, acting on their own, as fronts or in cohort with government officials deliberately circumvent due processes and inflate contract sums for project more than 300% over their actual sums with the difference paid as kick backs to government officials. In some cases, as is the current case with the railway under the transportation ministry, the briefcase contractor without any previous proven track record of performance, simply collected mobilization, pocketed it and walked away It has to be clearly pointed out here that corruption did not start with the present President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

In 1966, Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu who led the first coup cited corruption as the reason for the military take over.

Hear him: “Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds.�

While Nzeogwu’s 1966 speech still rings true to this day, the cost of corruption on the people remain quite enormous. It diverts funds intended for development, undermines the ability of governments to provide basic services, feeds inequalities and injustice and discourage foreign aid investment.

Too many people have died as result of entrenched corruption in Nigeria’s public and private life. Too many are poor. Too many are unable to fulfill their potential. Too many families are being destroyed as a result of it.

Several studies show that child mortality rates in countries with high levels of corruption like Nigeria are about one third higher than in other countries, infant mortality rates are almost twice as high and student dropout rates are five times as high.

To be fair, corruption predates this administration and has its origin right from independence. However while it is safe to say Buhari inherited some of it, it is also to be recorded that corruption in spite of his anti corruption thrust, grew exponentially under his very watch.

In the campaigns leading up to the 2015 general elections, Buhari and his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign on a change mantra, promised to end corruption and clean the Augean stable of the menace. Expectations were understandably high and rightly so. The Then President Goodluck Johnathan was perceived as clueless, inept and highly corrupt.

Readers can read full article online www.thisdaylive.com

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

far as the media or public attention is guaranteed; - She is capable of planning and executing daring stunts to be in the news, irrespective of the backlash on her person, status or family; - He or she is driven by the media; actively and, sometimes, shamelessly courting and cavorting with the media; - Social relevance, public-spirited interventions and charities are cosmetic, and geared towards acclaim/accolade baiting.

These subterfuges can also be perceived by the public, and they thus have little or no respect or reverence for such contributions.

- His activities and gestures neither inspire nor motivate the public to greater heights. While the Celebrity’s actions motivate generations, that of the Socialites merely titillate; exciting the minds (not the imaginations) in ‘the moments’.

- Paradoxically, while the real Celebrities influence their society in a positive and clearly defined manner; the Socialite is largely influenced by the society (when they say dollar is “reigning�, he starts spending it at parties; when people crave iPhone 10, he goes for two iPhones 11; when men seem attracted to crazy dress styles seen in American movies, the Socialites have to get the top of the range versions...if there’s no money, she will steal, prostitute, beg, or whatever it takes, etc...)

While some people, especially the poorly miseducated youth, have problems separating most Socialites from the authentic Celebrities, it is vital for the moderator of social dynamism, the intermediary in the interplay of history and culture, THE MEDIA, to be grounded on what ought to stand as motivation or mere entertainment; what is aspirational or fancied mesmerism....what will endure and elevate for ages, against what is ephemeral, shallow and fashionable.

Will the media arise, and preside...and stop clothing empty barrels with dead weight of gold?

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

18.07.2020

NEWS

WEMBLEY RUMBLE FOR FA CUP

Kelechi Iheanacho

Will He Remain a Fox?

PAGE. 29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Kelechi Iheanacho

Will He Remain a Fox?

With Newcastle said to be on his trail to bolster their team ahead of next season and having not received too many kind words from Manager Brendan Rodgers in recent times, Nigeria international, Kelechi Iheanacho, may be preparing for life out of King Power Stadium

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n June, Foxes of Leicester reported that the King Power Stadium were considering selling Nigeria international striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, but since then the former Manchester City player has been a particularly positive catalyst for the Foxes.

Additionally, Manager Brendan Rogers has in a press conference confirmed the club are looking at the transfer market to discover attackers to sign, which automatically places the Nigerian’s position in the squad at risk.

It was also hugely rumoured that Leicester may fund new targets by selling Iheanacho, though Rogers also indicated that the forward won’t be sold by attesting to his impressive current displays, although they are still apparently monitoring potential signings.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United are said to have already made contact with the Foxes to talk about the terms to sign Iheanacho. It is believed that Newcastle want to sign the Nigeria international whether a takeover goes through, or not.

The 23-year-old Iheanacho has made 24 appearances for Leicester this season and scoring 10 goals, despite only starting in 15 games. Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers picks Jamie Vardy as is number one striker and Iheanacho is forced to play second fiddle to the England international.

“He’s unfortunate he is playing behind one of the great strikers in Europe. Jamie is at the very top of his game, in his goalscoring and his pressing, so it’s very difficult for Iheanacho to get in,” Rogers said.

“He is a top lad and a top striker in the world, everyone knows,” Iheanacho said about Vardy.

“I am playing with him in training and

watching him which inspires me as well. I will keep going. We can play as two strikers or we can play one striker as well. It depends on how the manager wants to play and set up the squad and everyone is important.

We need everyone.”

Iheanacho maintained he’s happy at the King Power Stadium and is more than content with his current role under Brendan Rodgers.

“As a football player you need to keep your head and keep going and concentrate when you are playing and when you are not playing,” he said.

“Everyone has to go through this at some point. You need to keep working hard and believing in yourself that one day you can get your chance. I am confident. I believe in myself if I get the chance.

“Maybe you can call it a back-up striker or support striker, it’s something I am happy to be. Of course I could get my chance, it depends on what the manager wants to do,” he admitted.

This could mean that Iheanacho would be open for a change of scenery in the Premier League. He started his career at Manchester City but decided to move to Leicester as chances for first time football slimmed down after the club signed Gabriel Jesus.

Leicester could be demanding at least €45m for Iheanacho, whose current deal runs until 2022.

Rodgers had slammed Iheanacho for his below performance after the Foxes were out-foxed in last Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing by Bournemouth even as he ruled the substitution of the Nigerian as tactical error.

Iheanacho, who had been heavily involved in Jamie Vardy’s opener, was withdrawn at half-time at the Vitality Stadium, with Rodgers

tweaking his system to bring on Dennis Praet.

“Iheanacho wasn’t having one of his better games,” said Rodgers in his post-match press conference.

Iheanacho scored for Leicester City in their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on July 4. It was a vital goal for the Foxes which set them to their first win since project restart, making it two goals for Iheanacho in two games as he continues to show that he belongs at this level.

Fans were having a different conversation about Iheanacho about seven months ago after he struggled to make any sort of impact following his £25m move from Manchester City. For two and a half seasons, the Nigerian looked out of place at Leicester City. It was different managers and the same story for the 23-year-old.

In those two and a half seasons at Leicester City, Iheanacho looked like a player short on confidence and coupled with the instability at the club, he looked lost.

This season was always going to make or mar his career at the top level and six months into it, he wasn’t making any progress until December 2, 2019, when he came off the bench to grab an assist and the winner as Leicester City edged Everton 2-1.

That was quickly followed by a couple of goals and assists. In the next game after the win against Everton, his first Premier League start of the season, he created a goal and scored another as Leicester City beat Aston Villa 4-1 away. He also went on to score three goals in three games against Aston Villa, and also goals against West Ham and Brentford.

And with Leicester City running low on confidence after four games without a win since the Premier League resumed action, it was the Nigeria international that broke

the deadlock in their 3-0 home win against Crystal Palace.

This season, he now has five league goals, his best return since he scored eight goals for Manchester City in the 2015/2016 season.

He still hasn’t gotten the full trust of Rogers, but with his goal against Palace and his performances since December last year, Iheanacho continues to show that he has the abilities to thrive at this level.

With his confidence back, his dribbling has gotten better, he holds the ball better and his passing has improved.

However, no matter what happens with him now, whether he stays at Leicester City after this season or not, Iheanacho has shown that he can thrive at this level and that will be a huge boost for his career.

Iheanacho with his Manager, Brendan Rodgers

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER FA Cup Semi-Final... FA Cup Semi-Final... FA Cup Semi-Final...

Manchester Giants Plot London Rivals’ Fall

Champions, Manchester City will be taking one more step towards defending the English FA Cup as they take on Arsenal in Sunday’s semifinal of the world’s oldest football competition. While the Gunners will be boosted by midfield defeat of Liverpool in the Premier League midweek-the first time in five years, the Citizens will draw their inspiration in Monday’s Court of Arbitration on Sports overturn of their two year ban from the UEFA Champions League. Earlier today, the red half of Manchester-United will take on another London team, Chelsea in the first semifinal in what could be describe as a dress rehearsal to their top-four Premier League battle

A

rsenal and Manchester United will lock horns in the semi-finals of the FA Cup tonight at Wembley Stadium with both teams determined to book their spot in the showpiece final.

City are the holders of the competition, having landed their sixth title last season, but Arsenal are the most successful team in FA Cup history, lifting the famous trophy on 13 occasions.

Arsenal recorded a morale-boosting 2-1 over Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday night, but they remain ninth in the Premier League table and will have to rely on other teams dropping points if they are to secure a spot in the Europa League for the 2020-21 campaign.

The Gunners would be guaranteed a position in the group stages of the European competition if they win the FA Cup, though, and the fact that head coach Mikel Arteta shuffled his pack against Liverpool suggests that he is very much prioritising this competition.

Having taken just a point from their two games against Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur between July 7 and July 12, it was vital that the London club picked up a positive result against the champions.

There is no question that there is work to be done this summer, but it would be a special finish to the season for the club if they could manage to lift the FA Cup, particularly considering that they will need to get past Manchester City in the semi-finals and then either Chelsea or Manchester United in the final.

Arsenal have beaten Leeds United, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Sheffield United in this season’s FA Cup, and they will be bidding to reach the final of the famous tournament for a record 21st time.

The last time Arsenal recorded victory in the competition was in 2017, when they overcame Chelsea but the capital giants have lost to Nottingham Forest and Man United in the last two seasons but are one step away from another final.

The omens are not exactly terrific for Arteta’s side as they have lost each of their last seven games against City in all competitions, including 3-0 defeats in both Premier League games during the 2019-20 campaign.

The London club did win the last FA Cup clash between the two sides, though, recording a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals of the 2016-17 competition before beating Chelsea in the final, and they will be hoping for a repeat of that in the latter stages of this season’s tournament.

City, though, will not be in the mood to relinquish their control of the trophy as they have already missed out on the Premier League title this season due to Liverpool’s incredible campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s side have already won the EFL Cup this term, though, and are on course to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having recorded

Manchester City defender, Walker stops one of Arsenal’s forays

Ole and Lampard

a 2-1 victory away to Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Lifting the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Champions League would certainly go down as a hugely successful campaign for the club, even taking into the account the disappointment of their Premier League season.

City will enter this weekend’s match off the back of a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday night, and they have been victorious in all three of their matches since a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Southampton on July 5.

Guardiola’s team have beaten Port Vale, Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United in this season’s FA Cup to advance to the final, and they

are bidding to win the competition for the seventh time in their history.

Another FA Cup would move them level with Liverpool and Aston Villa in terms of trophies won, with only Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal ahead of them.

The fact that either Chelsea or Man United will be waiting in the final makes this semi-final even more special, and there is simply no downplaying the importance of the match to the two sides, who have both struggled for consistency during their respective Premier League seasons.

City will be feeling pretty good about themselves at the moment, having learned on Monday that their two-year European suspension had been overturned, and

they will be determined to continue their excellent record over Arsenal when the two teams lock horns tonight.

Meanwhile, Manchester United and Chelsea put their Premier League top four battle to one side this weekend as they lock horns in Sunday’s second FA Cup semi-final.

Chelsea (third) and United (fifth) are separated by just a single point in the race for Champions League qualification, though FA Cup glory will be on the minds of Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for now.

Both Lampard and Solskjaer are in a similar situation: two young managers who were legends as players for their respective clubs, but need silverware despite time being on their side.

Arsenal or Manchester City await in the final next month, while a defeat could deal a serious blow to either United or Chelsea’s confidence in the battle for Champions League football.

Despite Chelsea sitting above United in the table, the Red Devils must be favourites given they have beaten the Blues three times already this season.

Form does tend to go out the window when it comes to cup football, but Lampard will have to make changes to prevent Solskjaer getting a fourth win over him.

FA CUP SEMI-FINAL TODAY

Arsenal v Man City

19:45

SUNDAY

Man Utd v Chelsea

18:00

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Bukayo Saka

Uzoho

Uzoho Finally Quits Deportivo, Joins Cypriot Giants APOEL Cypriot outfit APOEL have completed the signing of Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho on a three-year deal from Spanish second division club Deportivo La Coruna.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper, who has spent the last 18 months in Cyprus, penned a permanent contract that will keep him with the Legend until May 2023.

APOEL will be participating in the 2020-21 Europa League first qualifying round after they finished third on the league table before the Cypriot First Division was declared null and void because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The companyAPOELFootball (public) Ltd announces the conclusion of an agreement with Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña for the acquisition of Francis Odinaka Uzoho,” the club announced.

“The co-operation between APOEL and Uzoho will last for three years until

May 2023.

“We welcome Francis to APOEL and wish him to celebrate titles and European successes with the blue and yellow jersey.”

Uzoho spent the 2019-20 season on loan with league rivals Omonia Nicosia where he played five matches before suffering a knee injury that has kept him out of action since November.

He suffered a ligament injury during Nigeria’s international friendly outing against Brazil in Singapore which forced him to go under the knife for treatment.

Uzoho started his European career at Deportivo La Coruna in 2017 after he was scouted while in action for Aspire Academy at a tournament in Barcelona.

He featured prominently for Deportivo’s reserve team that year but struggled to break into the first-team even though he made two LaLiga appearances, against Eibar and Girona, in 2017-18.

Uzoho spent the 2019-20 season on loan with league rivals Omonia Nicosia where he played five matches before suffering a knee injury that has kept him out of action since November.

He suffered a ligament injury during Nigeria’s international friendly outing against Brazil in Singapore which forced him to go under the knife for treatment.

The 21-year-old spent the following campaign in the Spanish Segunda division with Elche where he played seven matches before moving to Cyprus to seek first-team football at Anorthosis Famagusta.

During his brief stint in Famagusta, Uzoho won an appeal after he was fined €1,000 and handed a one-game ban by the Cyprus Football Association for submitting an invalid medical certificate ahead of his league debut, while Anorthosis were deducted nine points.

Pinnick: NFF Won’t Beg Saka to Play for Nigeria Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has insisted the country is blessed with talent and will not beg Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka or any player to represent the Super Eagles.

The 18-year-old has been in fine form since breaking into the Gunners first team and this season he has become a key member of Mikel Arteta’s side.

The versatile player has scored four goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for the Emirates Stadium outfit in the current campaign.

His stock has continued to rise following his eye-catching performances and he recently extended his contract to ward off other clubs who are interested in signing him.

The winger was born in England to Nigerian parents and has represented the European country at U16, U17, U18 and U19 levels but since he has

not yet featured for the Three Lions, he is still eligible to switch his allegiance to the West Africans.

Pinnick has failed in the past to persuade Chelsea duo of Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham to play for the Super Eagles.

The NFF boss made a number of trips to England to convince the players and despite his closeness to Abraham’s father, the striker went to play for the Three Lions.

Pinnick, however, has stated the federation will not plead with any player to don the Nigerian jersey and explained in the case of Saka, there are a number of quality players doing well for the Super Eagles in his position, although if he desires to play for the country he would be given an opportunity.

“Saka is an excellent prospect but we have other players in

Nigerian Woman Buys Portuguese Club A Nigerian entrepreneur, Nneka Ede has become one of the few Africans to own a European club after she bought Portuguese side, Lusitano Ginásio Clube, Futebol, SAD. Mrs Ede’s ownership of the 108-year-old team, which is in the Portuguese third division, began in June, 2020.

The development also makes her the first African woman to own a European side.

A statement from the Campeonato de Portuguese side said her ownership of the club followed months of

negotiations, describing the Nigerian as “passionate and fiery about football.”

“After months of negotiations with different entities,” the club said, “an agreement has been reached with Mrs Nneka Ede, a sports enthusiast and entrepreneur from Nigeria, a country filled with people as passionate and fiery about football as us and which incidentally share the same green and white in their flags, towards the transfer of the ownership of the SAD to the latter that will help us in our mission to take Lusitano to the next level.”

his position who are playing so well,” Pinnick said in an Instagram Live chat.

“We have talents everywhere so we won’t beg people to play for Nigeria. It is about ardour and fervour, If it’s their desire and they merit it, they’ll be given a chance to represent Nigeria.”

Nigeria are three-time African champions, after claiming the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

The Super Eagles finished third in the 2019 edition of the competition in Egypt behind Senegal and Algeria who claimed the diadem.

The Eagles are currently top of Group L of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with six points after victories over the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

StarTimes Airs FA Cup Semifinal Matches this Weekend

Pay-televisionplatform,StarTimeswillairliveactionsofthe FACupsemi-finalmatchesthis weekendonitsWorldFootball Channel, with an option for subscribers to pay-as-you-go.

StarTimes introduced the pay-as-you-go model over two years ago to offer more flexible subscription options to pay-television consumers based on their needs and means.

Thesemi-finalfixturespromise to be intense as fans watch some of the fiercest rivalries in world football.

Arsenal will face Man City today at 7:45pm while Manchester United will battle Chelsea on Sunday at 6pm on World Football Channel.

Manchester United beat Norwich, Arsenal saw off Sheffield United, Chelsea beat

LeicesterandManchesterCity eased past Newcastle to make up the semi-finals.

Record 13-time winners Arsenal will be looking to upset the odds when they meet defending champions City in what is sure to be a mouth-watering encounter.

“As football actions for the 2020 season are approaching their peak, we have ensured that everyone is not left out of the excitement through our flexible payment options calledpay-as-you-go,whichin its simplest definition, means flexibilityinpay-televisionbillingsystem.So,oursubscribers canchoosetopaydaily,weekly, monthlyorquarterlyandenjoy all exciting content on their preferred package/bouquet,” Lazarus Ibeabuchi, PR Manager, StarTimes Nigeria said.

FC Bulmaro Hail NFF over New Football Season Kunle Adewale Head Coach, FC Bulmaro, Gonzalo Dibiasi has hailed the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF on its decision over the possibility of starting a new football season in September.

Dibiasi commended the NFF for its boldness and unshaken commitment to ensure that a new season begin as stated after a long rest because of the global pandemic which has affected the sporting world.

Reacting to the NFF ‘ no promotion, no relegation,’ decision, he said that, it was the wisest way to go, adding that it would give everybody the motivation and strength to move forward for the next season.

‘Importantly, though, we are playing in the Nationwide League, as a young club, our primary objective is to expose our players to competitive football starting from the bottom, and if you have been following the club progress you know where our future is. Most remarkable, we are ready to keep creating opportunities that will add value to the society and better the world,’ Gonzalo Dibiasi explained.

Commenting on the club’s achievement and readiness for the next season, the club’s spokesperson, Ms. Ekamen Wushishi, said as a young club, FC Bulmaro, had taken part in youth club competition in Barcelona, Spain, playing with the kids of global football giants and beating a few of them. We missed this year’s tournament due to the global pandemic. We are ever ready. Our players are young, full of energy and very focused. It is always the joy of our stakeholders to see them do exploit. It is the only club from this part of the world that is participating in the championship.

‘We do not wish to sound boastful, no team in the cadre is our match in anyway. Our drive and bond is solely pulled towards changing lives of those who genuinely cross our path. For us to achieve this goal we are open to partnership that would be of immense value to our young population, ‘ she said.

She also revealed that a prominent foreign body was meeting with the promoters of the young team seeking ways to ride on the back of the club, as a platform to develop and empower young football talents in the country from the grassroots.

This development the club stakeholders believe would surely change the football industry for the better and inspire effective leadership in the game of football in the country.

Liverpool, Chelsea Clash, LaLiga Final Matches on SuperSport DStv and GOtv subscribers can look forward to a thrilling weekend of European football action as SuperSport broadcast live action from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 22 July.

The round’s action in the Premier League is headlined by its final match on the evening of Wednesday 22 July, when Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield.

The match will conclude with the champion Reds lifting the trophy (as it is their final home fixture of the season), but Chelsea will be far more concerned with the 90 minutes preceding that, as they chase UEFA Champions League football for next season – and also look to lay down a marker that they could be a challenger to Liverpool’s title defence in 2020-21.

The match will air live at 8:15 pm on DStv SuperSport 1 & 3

This weekend of LaLiga action is headlined by Real Madrid’s trip to Leganes at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on Sunday 19, as they returned to the champion status in Spain’s elite division. Los Blancos wrapped up a record-extending 34th league title on Thursday. The match will air at 8pm on DStv SuperSport 4.

Also this weekend, Barcelona’s final match as outgoing champions will see them face Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Mendizorrotza.

The game could well be manager Quique Setien’s final domestic clash as manager of the Blaugrana, with his likely failure to defend the league title seen as an unforgivable sin in Catalonia. Only if he can guide Barca to the UEFA Champions League next month will his job be saved. This exciting match will air live at 8pm on DStv SuperSport 11

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 18, 2020

31

GLOBAL SOCCER

Obafemi Martins

Gets Shanghai Shenhua’s Life Line During Nigeria’s preparation to the 2018 World Cup, Super Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr was fast to identify that scoring was one area the team would have issues and the searchlight for a potent striker was being turned on Obafemi Martins.

But just as the voice for the recall of the former Inter Milan’s marksman was becoming stronger, injury knocked him out of what would have been his second Mundial for Nigeria, and ever since, his career nosedived and retirement was looming. It however came as a shock to many that Obagol was signed

by Shanghai Shenhua as a replacement for compatriot, Odion Ighalo

O

bafemi Martins is arguably one of the most travelled African players –having played in Italy for Reggiana and Inter Milan, in England for Newcastle and Birmingham City, in Germany for Wolfsburg, in Russia for FC Rubin Kazan and in Spain for Levante. In 2013, he move to the United State to play in the Major League and then to China to join the legion of Nigeria players.

“I am not imposing players on Rohr, but I think the likes of Obafemi Martins can help strengthen the defective areas.

He is an experienced player and he knows the in and out of Nigeria football,” Joseph Yobo had said of Martins before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Unfortunately however, Martins’ dream of a second World Cup hit the rock after he ruptured his hamstring playing for his Chinese club in what was expected to last six to seven months, but was taking forever.

The 35-year-old has since been without a club and retirement was surely on the cards.

However, in an unexpected twist, more than two years since his last competitive match, the former Inter Milan star made headlines again and rejoined Shenhua ahead of the 2020 Chinese Super League season which will belatedly start later this month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shenhua did not reveal the details of Martins’ contract in the official statement, but it is widely

Obafemi Martins

believed that he has signed a short-term deal after being tasked to fill the boots of his compatriot, Odion Ighalo, whose loan deal at Manchester United has been extended until next year. Obafemi Martins is back in football and rejoins the Chinese Super League.

Shanghai Shenhua official website has received huge plaudits since Ighalo swapped Shenhua for United. At the end of last month, he scored his fifth goal for the Premier League powerhouse at Carrow Road, becoming the first United player in 95 years to score in their first four competitive starts.

Martins, meanwhile, netted 32 goals in 59 appearances during his impressive first stint at Shenhua and played an extremely crucial role in helping the club clinch the Chinese FA Cup title in 2017.

He also scored 18 goals for Nigeria before retiring from national duty.

Martins’ arrival will undoubtedly add firepower to Shenhua, who will play their season opener against defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande on July 25.

The 35-year-old striker rejoins the Chinese Super League outfit on a free transfer in the wake of his compatriot’s loan deal extension at Old Trafford having left Seattle Sounders in 2015, Martins scored 32 goals in 59 games across all competitions for the Chinese heavyweights, while playing a key role in the Hongkou Football Stadium giants’ Chinese FA Cup success in 2017.

However, he left the Shanghai-based team in 2018 after suffering a hamstring injury, and has been without a club ever since.

Martins’ return will strengthen Choi Kang-hee men’s attack ahead of the resumption of the Chinese Super League.

The former Super Eagles striker recently told Goal that retirement was not on his agenda despite being without a club since leaving Shanghai in 2018.

“After my career-threatening injury in China, many people advised me to quit, but I told myself I still have a lot to offer the beautiful game,” he told Goal.

“Football is my life; I eat, drink and sleep football so I don’t see any reason to call time on something that makes me happy.

“I’m 34, but I feel like a teenager, and with this sensation, I can still play for any big team across the world. I’m thankful for what I have achieved in football but I thirst for more.

“That desire is still there, the desire to score more goals and win more titles.

For my next move, I have got offers from the United States, China and Saudi Arabia but I will only move when I see the right bargain.”

After featuring for Reggiana and Inter Milan in Italy, Martins joined Newcastle United in 2006 and helped them win the Intertoto Cup in the same season.

He also represented Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birminham City and Levante before moving to Seattle Sounders in 2016.

In international football, Martins scored on his Nigeria debut in May 2004, against the Republic of Ireland, and ended his Super Eagles career with 18 goals from 42 appearances.

Martins was a part of the Nigerian team that finished third at the 2006 African Cup of Nations scoring two goals in the competition, both coming against Senegal in the first round.

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

Saturday, July 18, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Joi Nunieh to Akpabio

“The man that harassed me is at home, the man who stole the money is at home, the man who stole government files is at home…I don’t think Akpabio can kill me; definitely, he can’t” – Former acting Managing Director of NDDC, Joi Nunieh, accusing the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, of masterminding the failed plot to abduct her.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Is the President Aware this House is Falling?

F

ellow Nigerians, before the general elections of last year, I thought I had seen enough of the shenanigans of those in power. Things got so bad that I simply gave up. I even vowed to stay on my lane and let the heavens fall on all of us, if it must. Any independent and impartial observer would have concluded that those elections would be neither free nor fair. Any objective Nigerian watching from the inside, and participating, would also have felt the same. Both major parties were guilty of denying the Nigerian people the fair elections they desired, but the major culprit in ensuring the elections were certainly not free was the ruling Party. What we therefore ultimately witnessed was not an election. It was a shambolic, reckless and irresponsible act of crass political brigandage.

The leading political parties prepared for all-out war and it just happened that the bigger rigger won using all the power, force and might of the military, police and security agencies which were absolutely at its beck and call and ready disposal. It was no surprise, given the way the whole farce of an election had been set up, that those who control the appurtenances of power sought to completely obliterate anyone who stood in their paths.

Notwithstanding the shoddy and shameful elections, I was ready to excuse the excesses of the government in the first four years with the hope that once the second term had been achieved, we would hopefully see a government with drive and purpose.

I should have known better. A leopard does not change its spots. So, by now, over one year into the second term, it is disgraceful that the leading political parties are yet to settle seriously into the onerous business of governance and indeed, opposition. The opposition has obviously capitulated without as much as a whimper, and the hapless Nigerian citizens are left practically voiceless.

In the first four years of the APC government, it was easy to place all the blame for the failure of the past on the previous ruling party, PDP. No worries. However more than a year into the second coming of the government, the current ruling party has not performed any better. Some would say that it’s fared even worse especially when you consider the goodwill and sheer weight of expectations that trailed the government when it first attained power.

I’m sure those who know how to deceive every government in power would be telling our President that all is well. They would congratulate him on having been able to fix most of the intractable problems of the country and virtually call him the Messiah. It is almost impossible for the President of Nigeria not to be afflicted with the Messianic Complex given the hero worshipping and idolising that goes with the bootlicking that is prevalent and all-pervading amongst our political class.

No matter what the praise singers cry and drum out, all is not well in the polity and in our country as I will demonstrate in a jiffy, before offering my suggestions, as always.

If after over five years, our country is still tottering, wobbling and virtually on the brink of collapse, the President in particular, and our political gladiators in general, must be told, without any atom of ambiguity, that Nigeria is haemorrhaging to death, at the

Buhari speed of light. I will now lay out my reasons one by one.

The foundation of any government such as ours is supposed to be DEMOCRACY. Can anyone in good conscience say what we have today is close to that? The answer is a capital NO. The foundation of Democracy itself is FREEDOM. Can anyone say Nigerians enjoy freedom of thought, association and choice in Nigeria today? The answer is NO. The foundation of freedom is TOLERANCE. Has this government tolerated the plurality of the different nationalities and religions that make up Nigeria? The answer is NO. The foundation of tolerance is COMPASSION. Is this government compassionate towards the sufferings and cries of the generality of the people of Nigeria? The answer is NO. The unfolding crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which the government is clearly incapable of handling with any degree of competence is a clear example of a government that is unserious in the extreþme. The people deserve much more than the grave injustice being done to them at the altar of expediency by people who do not know how to handle a simple dilemma not to talk of a major emergency or calamity. The foundation of compassion is HUMILITY. Is our leader humble enough to appreciate the citizens and reach out to them directly, like he did, even if only to a limited extent, during political campaigns?

The answer, unfortunately, again is NO. It seems the people have been used, abused, dumped and discarded. Soldiers and civilians are dying like rats and they’ve become hidden statistics, because the Government is neither brave nor bold to tell the public the truth.

Either as a result of the war against criminal insurgency and banditry in the North East of the country or the nationwide catastrophe caused by the Corona Virus pandemic, lives are being wasted and people are falling like flies that have been sprayed with Shelltox.

Even dogs and other pets enjoy obituaries and decent burials in some countries. Not anymore in Nigeria. Shallow graves and unceremonious body disposals as well as mass burials have become the order of the day, yet we are still being kept in the dark about these sad and unfortunate incidents.

Let’s now rewind and go back to the issue of Democracy. We are an extravagant lot. The variant of Democracy we chose is not what

we can afford. We are operating an American Presidential system which thrives on political and corporate largesse when we have neither of these in our armoury. We are practising Capitalism without capital. We are wasting and frittering away our scarce resources on massaging human parasites called politicians instead of building our infrastructure deficit and servicing our desperate and unreasonable debts. If I didn’t have the opportunity of visiting other African countries, I would have thought this is how they all squander their resources. But that is not the situation. Other African countries are more prudent even if there is some corruption in their administration.

They certainly are not brazen in the manner in which they go about that sort of nefarious activity. In Nigeria, our politicians actually legitimise their looting by passing legislation to give effect to the grand larceny that they are performing under the nose of the forlorn and wretched citizenry. Our matter is now looking like a curse was cast on us by a spellbinder or sorcerer and the man has since thrown the padlock and its key into the Atlantic Ocean and there is no one to set us free.

Political systems, philosophy, and principles are sustained by ideology. Sadly, we have none because we’ve kept our country on the spot.

We enthrone mediocres, the criminal elements or worse. Some say we are on autopilot and that is what is making us continue as a nation.

I don’t know about that. What I do know is that we are radarless and rudderless. We have no direction. We are like a shipwrecked vessel on the high seas bobbing and drifting about from one direction to the other, simply surviving because no strong waves have yet come to overturn it and end the misery of the ill-fated souls of passenger and crew.

So, politicians can wake up in APC and go to bed in PDP and vice versa. Let’s leave PDP alone for now, they now appear to more composed and comported than APC. Who would have thought that five years ago?

The ruling party has become a monumental nuisance, disgrace and unmitigated disaster to our dear beloved country. Barely one year into second term, the APC apparatchik are already positioning themselves for the 2023 general elections. They have thrown caution and decorum to the winds. That’s the basis for the spate of unashamed and unabashed political fisticuffs and brawls ongoing in most parts of the country.

APC started its reign in 2015 with a bad omen. Instead of quickly putting its house in place and getting its acts together, they spent a total of four years pursuing and fighting some parts of the union of strange bedfellows that formed APC. They became so riotously cantankerous that people wondered if they thought they were still in opposition. It was so shocking that a Party that fought so much to attain power could not manage its victory and glory even for a day. The centre had been broken from the first day when they could not even agree on their Principal officers in the National Assembly.

As if it was not bad enough in the first term of this Presidency, the infighting in the seat of power in Abuja during this second term is atrociously unbelievable and abominable.

There are factions in the Presidents political and personal families, operating directly under his nose, and he appears to be helpless and hapless. What could be worse than being

treated like a lame duck this early in your second term. I’m aware that, on paper, the President has been sold many laudable projects that could catapult Nigeria truly to the next level, but unspeakable stealing, perfidious conduct and an irrational war of attrition won’t let them ever achieve a meaningful part of them. How tragic.

The main cardinal reasons some of us fell for the Buhari Presidency were as follows. That PDP had overstayed its welcome in power and was speedily leading Nigeria towards Golgotha. Buhari was seen as the last Saint standing who would have the moral right to fight corruption to its marrow and rid us of this cankerworm. That Buhari was antisocial and would curb the excessive proclivity of our politicians for outlandish lifestyles. That Buhari as a retired military Major General would chase Boko Haram and other bandits to the pits of hell and our security challenges would be over. That Buhari would put all the monies saved from different sources to judicious use and good causes. I leave you my readers to reach your personal conclusions on where we are with the expectation and hope.

Mine is that our hopes were grossly misplaced and have been unfortunately dashed. I doubt if the NPN and its offspring PDP performed this woefully. Those who wish to bury their heads in sand like the proverbial ostrich are truly welcome to do so. We are at a sorry pass and nothing seems to matter anymore.

My message to President Muhammadu Buhari is that this house built with spittle and dew is collapsing and only a miracle can sustain it any further. The current battle for the soul of the cash cow, called NDDC, is so grisly that this government may not recover from it in a while, if ever. And even worse is the unceremonious manner the former Acting EFCC Chairman was abducted in James Bond fashion in broad daylight and whisked off to the Presidential villa for a phantom investigation by jurists and personalities who should know from past experience that what goes around comes around, while other security agents were busy denying the obvious story. I have no doubt that some people in government have picked on a wrong customer this time.

This Ibrahim Magu has been on their wanted list for a long time. They should have muscled enough firepower to remove him during the screening. Once they missed that chance, they automatically turned him into a scorched snake. So, he already knew who his enemies were and has had ample time and resources to plan a rematch and plot the undoing of his traducers and adversaries. Again, they botched it by not finishing what they started very promptly.

I foresee torrents of salacious and scurrilous tales flying around sooner than later. The theatre of the absurd has already commenced in earnest. Fake and false news abound. Social media is agog and awash with moonlight tales of the good, the bad and the ugly. Trust me, it will get worse and uglier! The child who says his mother won’t have a good sleep must also stay awake all night. The genies and the worms are already crawling out of the Pandora boxes and cans. I see this house collapsing, like a pack of cards, like a straw hut blown away by the mere breath of the big bad wolf! Corruption is indeed fighting back, but from the inside, and against itself!

The spectators have ordered more popcorns...

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