SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST 2023

With $17bn Net Reserves, CBN’s Audited Account Shows

$13.8bn Exposure to JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, FX Forwards

Introduces framework for in-country FX transfers to remove barriers

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is indebted to JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to the tune of $7.5 billion, according to the apex bank's 2022

financial statement. This is coming on the heels of the introduction of draft operational rules and regulations for in-country clearing and settlement of foreign currency (FCY) fund transfers among

Energy Transition: Komolafe Seeks Alternative Funding for Hydrocarbon Exploration...

Says Shaibu frantic to succeed him at all costs

Bennett Oghifo

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki,

Nigerian

Obaseki: My Deputy Plotted Coup against Me, He’s So Desperate

Charles Ajunwa

The African Union, United Nations, the European Union and Germany yesterday spoke out against the worsening conditions deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and his family are living under, as decided by the military junta that overthrew him.

Soldiers from the Presidential Guard had on July 26 deposed President Bazoum, thus truncating the constitutional political leadership in the West African country. Two days later, the soldiers named General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the new leader of the country, with Tchiani warning against any foreign military intervention.

After a meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of States and Government in Abuja on Thursday, the bloc directed the deployment of a “standby force” to restore democracy in Niger after the coup.

However, the African Union in

Continued on page 5

Obaseki

have been at loggerheads ahead of the Edo State governorship election scheduled to

hold in 2024, with Shaibu insisting on being given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket as a matter of right.

Speaking yesterday while addressing has accused his deputy, Philip Shaibu, of planning to succeed him at all costs, while also narrating how Shaibu plotted a coup against him during the election of the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly last June.

Continued on page 5

AU, UN, EU, Raise the Alarm about Bazoum’s Detention Conditions, Safety

Say deposed president exposed to inhuman, degrading treatment in violation of international human rights law Coup leaders brandishing threat of killing Bazoum in the event of military intervention Coup supporters protest near French military base ECOWAS cautions Russia against involvement of Wagner Group

to enable faster, cheaper, and more transparent FX transfers. The debt includes $7 billion to JP FAREWELL SUNDAY MBANG…

Court Stops FBN Holdings from Holding AGM...

James Emejo in Abuja

banks by the apex bank

L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; former governor Udom Emmanuel and his wife Martha; during the funeral service for the prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church Nigeria, Sunday Mbang, at His Eminence Mbang Methodist Cathedral, Eket, Akwa Ibom State…yesterday.

and Shaibu

AU, UN, EU, RAISE THE ALARM ABOUT BAZOUM’S DETENTION CONDITIONS, SAFETY

a statement yesterday expressed “deep concern” at the reported poor conditions of Bazoum’s detention, calling his treatment at the hands of coup leaders “unacceptable”.

“Such treatment of a democratically elected president through a regular electoral process is unacceptable,”

AU Commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat said, joining a chorus of concern about 63-year-old Bazoum.

“Concordant sources attest to a worrying deterioration of conditions,” Faki said.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have also spoken out about the worsening conditions that Bazoum and his family are living under.

It was reported on Wednesday that Bazoum was being kept in isolation and forced to eat plain rice and pasta, with no access to medicines.

Faki also expressed his “strong support” for the decisions adopted by the Economic Community of West African States, which on Thursday approved the deployment of a standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.

An attempt this week to send a joint team of ECOWAS, UN, and AU representatives to Niger’s capital Niamey was rejected by the coup leaders.

Fears for Bazoum

The European Union joined others in sounding the alarm for Bazoum yesterday.

“Bazoum and his family, according to the latest information, have been deprived of food, electricity and medical care for several days,” said EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell.

UN rights chief Volker Turk said Bazoum’s reported detention conditions “could amount to

inhuman and degrading treatment, in violation of international human rights law.”

The AU echoed the concern, saying “such treatment of a democratically elected president is unacceptable”.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that the “coup plotters must face harsh consequences should anything happen” to Bazoum or his family.

A source close to Bazoum said “he’s OK, but the conditions are very difficult,” adding that the coup leaders had brandished the threat of assaulting him in the event of military intervention.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had spoken to Bazoum earlier this week. The 63-year-old described the treatment of him, his wife and their 20-year-old son as “inhuman and cruel”, HRW said.

“I’m not allowed to receive my family members or my friends who have been bringing food and other supplies to us,” the group quoted him as saying.

“My son is sick, has a serious heart condition, and needs to see a doctor,” he was quoted as saying. “They’ve refused to let him get medical treatment.”

Coup Supporters Protest Near French Base

Thousands of coup supporters rallied near a French military base in Niger yesterday, a day after West African leaders said they would muster a “standby” force in their efforts to reinstate the country’s deposed leader.

Fears also mounted for Bazoum, who was ousted by members of his guard on July 26, with reports saying his detention conditions were deteriorating.

Protesters near the base on the outskirts of the capital Niamey

shouted “down with France, down with ECOWAS”, a reference to the West African bloc which on Thursday approved deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order”.

Many brandished Russian and Niger flags and yelled their support for the country’s new strongman, General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

“We are going to make the French leave! ECOWAS isn’t independent, it’s being manipulated by France,” said one demonstrator, Aziz Rabeh Ali, a member of a students’ union.

Former colonial power France has around 1,500 personnel in Niger as part of a force battling an eight-year-old jihadist insurgency.

It is facing growing hostility across the Sahel, withdrawing its anti-jihadist forces from neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso last year after falling out with the military governments that ousted elected leaders.

Niger’s new leaders scrapped defence agreements with France last week, while a hostile protest outside

the French Embassy in Niamey on July 30 prompted Paris to evacuate its citizens.

Falana: Limit Sanctions to Military Junta Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana wants ECOWAS to limit its sanctions on Niger to members of the military junta.

In a statement yesterday, Falana said: “Upon the removal of democratic governments in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, the leaders of ECOWAS imposed sanctions that were specifically targeted against members of the military junta.

“However, in reaction to the recent overthrow of President Bazoum by a group of military officers, the Authority of Heads of State and Government suspended Niger Republic. In addition, economic sanctions were imposed on Niger Republic.

“In implementing the economic

sanctions, the Tinubu administration has cut electricity supply to Niger Republic with dire consequences for the civilian population. In other words, the masses have been thrown into darkness even though they were not involved in the planning and execution of the coup d'etat which sacked the democratically elected government.

“In view of the fact that the disconnection of electricity has no negative effect on the members of the military regime, President Tinubu should direct the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission to restore light to Niger Republic forthwith. All sanctions should be limited to the members of the Nigerien military junta with a view to fast tracking the restoration of democratic rule. The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger should be treated equally by the ECOWAS and the African Union since they have been involved in unconstitutional changes of governments.”

Junta Threatens to Kill Bazoum

Niger’s military junta on Thursday threatened to kill Bazoum if ECOWAS attempted any military intervention to reinstate him.

According to a report by The Associated Press on Thursday night, “two Western officials” said the coup plotters issued the threat to kill Bazoum if ECOWAS troops enter Niger, while speaking to a top U.S. diplomat.

ECOWAS Cautions Russia against Involvement of Wagner Group

ECOWAS yesterday said it will hold Russia responsible if a private military contractor of the Eastern European nation, Wagner Group, gets involved in the crisis in Niger. The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said on a television interview in Abuja.

OBASEKI: MY DEPUTY PLOTTED COUP AGAINST ME, HE’S SO DESPERATE

stakeholders of the party in Benin, Obaseki said Shaibu plotted against him during the race to pick a Speaker for the Edo State House of Assembly.

The governor explains: “During the nomination of the commissioners, about five of us were supposed to look at the list of nominees from the local governments of the state. That morning, I called him (Shaibu) for the meeting, but he didn’t attend. That’s why Itsako does not have a commissioner. I still gave him the respect to provide his nominee when he’s ready.

“I kept quiet and said I thought we were together. But what struck me, and I have never said this to anybody, is that after I proclaimed the House of Assembly and we were now going to elect officers, Shaibu was in

Abuja. He came back that day - I am the chief security officer of this state. I get any information I need. But I have the responsibility to keep quiet and use the information properly.

“My deputy came back and called the leader in APC, telling the leader that during the elections on the next day, particularly election of the speaker of the house of assembly, he has five members who are loyal to him and that he would like the seven members of APC to work with his five members of PDP to produce the next speaker. This information will still be corroborated by somebody else.”

The governor said he then called the PDP members of the House to his house for consultation and Shaibu tried to barge into the meeting and he prevented him from entering.

WITH $17BN NET RESERVES, CBN’S AUDITED ACCOUNT SHOWS $13.8BN EXPOSURE TO JP MORGAN, GOLDMAN SACHS, FX FORWARDS

Morgan and $500 million to Goldman Sachs under a classified securities lending.

This is in addition to a $6.3 billion exposure to foreign currency forwards.

This was contained in the CBN Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2022, which was posted on its website.

This came as the President, Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, commended the present management of the CBN for publishing the financial reports of the bank after so many years.

He said the move will go a long way in boosting the confidence of investors in the Nigerian economy.

According to the financial statement, "The Group entered into a securities lending agreement with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan and, as part of the agreement, the Group pledged its holdings on foreign securities in return for cash.

The securities lending forms part of the CBN’s total external reserves of about N14.3 trillion or $29 billion, using the official exchange rate of N494/$1 as at 2022.

However, the CBN also owes another N3.15 trillion ($6.3 billion) in foreign currency forward which are forex obligations it needs to make to foreign investors.

Other aspects of the external reserves indicated time deposits and money placements of N4.6 trillion, Other foreign securities N5.8 trillion, Current accounts with foreign Banks (GS and JPM) N3.34 trillion, Domiciliary accounts 294.8 billion and Sundry currencies and travellers’ cheques N199.8 billion.

According to the CBN accounts, the total of about N14.4 trillion or $29 billion, as well as the N578.6 billion ($1.1 billion) held in Gold Bullion Reserves brought the grand total to about $30.1 billion.

Nonetheless, with the about $30.1 billion in foreign reserves, the bank's exposures to both JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs may have reduced its net reserve to about $17 billion.

Uwaleke, however, told THISDAY,

"It has brought to the fore the true picture of the country's external reserves being managed by the CBN.

"It is now beyond speculation that much of the reserves are encumbered by Securities lending and derivatives contracts entered into by the CBN.

"Much as these contracts are legitimate, the resulting obligations from them put to question the justification for entering into these contracts in the first place and whether adequate safeguards were put in place at the time of entering into these contracts."

He adds, "Securities lending is the process of loaning securities to another party which effectively transfers ownership to the other party expected to provide collateral for them. In this instance, both JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs were said to have provided cash in return.

"By implication, the current liquid external reserves of about $33 billion does not reflect the true liquidity position of reserves, as a significant proportion has been tied down by these contracts.

"Little wonder the CBN's ability to intervene in the forex market has been hampered.

"Following this disclosure, the current volatility in the forex market may linger for quite some time, except the reserves witness substantial accretion from crude oil sales proceeds."

The CBN had on Thursday, released its audited financial statements for 2016-2022, amid an ongoing investigation of its operations.

The apex bank said the financial statements of the last seven years — posted on its website — had been approved by its board in accordance with the provisions of the CBN Act of 2007. It showed that the CBN recorded a profit of N65.63 billion in 2022 — more than double the figure it reported a year earlier (N31.04 billion).

In the period under review, CBN (the Group) recorded a profit of N103.85 billion. The Group refers

to CBN and its subsidiaries, including the Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Plc (MINT), Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Stabilisation Strategy Limited (NESI SS Ltd), among others.

CBN Introduces Framework for Incountry FX Transfers to Remove Barriers

The CBN yesterday unveiled draft operational rules and regulations for in-country clearing and settlement of foreign currency (FCY) fund transfers among Nigerian banks.

The move seeks to enable faster, cheaper, and more transparent FCY transfers and to create an efficient and safe operation of FCY transfers amongst Nigerian banks, and improve the efficiency of the in-country FCY transfers, leading to greater confidence in the payment system.

The central bank said the settlement of clearing balances shall be accorded the highest priority for settlement under the new regime.

The CBN said the regulation provides measures that would address some of the challenges facing the current system for switching FCY transfers among Nigerian banks including high cost associated with correspondent banking services, delay and inefficiencies with processing foreign remittances for third party including IMTOs.

The bank also said the move was in exercise of the powers conferred on it under the Sections 2(d), 33 (1) (b) and 47(2) of the CBN Act 2007 to promote sound financial system in Nigeria, issue guidelines, facilitate the development of an efficient and effective payments system in Nigeria, and prescribe rules and regulations for the efficient operation of the clearing and settlement system.

The CBN, however, warned participants to adhere strictly to the bank’s policy on dollarisation, as this is mandatory for FCY transfers.

The apex bank further pointed

out that the provisions of all existing guidelines, circulars and directives on the operations of domiciliary account and FCY transactions shall apply to in-country FCY switching service. Under the regulation, if participant does not have sufficient fund in its settlement account during the settlement of net clearing position, the CBN shall have recourse to the bank’s collateral to settle the participant’s clearing debit.

Where a participant neither has sufficient funds nor sufficient collateral the CBN shall act as lender of last resort at a fee plus penalty.

Also, each participant shall open a US Dollar account with CBN for the purpose of settlement of its InCountry FCY funds transfers, and each participant shall be responsible for ensuring that its USD account with CBN is funded, for the purpose of pre-authorised debits and settlement of net debit positions from in-country FCY clearing system among other requirements.

The guidelines read, “A member bank shall be suspended from participation, for persistent failure to settle (three times in a week) its settlement obligations from in-country FCY funds transfers. Warning shall be sent to a participant for each failure.

“Failure to provide the requisite infrastructure to enable electronic exchange of eligible payment instrument. Failure to maintain adequate collateral as prescribed by the CBN, from time to time.

“When the bank is suspended by the Management of the CBN in the interest of the system for any other reason not aforementioned. Every suspension shall last until such a time reinstatement is approved by the CBN.”

Essentially, parties to FCY funds transfer, clearing and settlement in Nigeria shall include but not limited to the CBN, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System PLC (NIBSS), Authorized Dealer Banks, International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), Customers of ADBs and any other institution as may be approved by CBN.

“As far as I am concerned, that was not working in our common interest. Why would the deputy governor seek to have another speakership candidate outside of what the governor wants? Are we working together?

“That was when I knew we had a problem. That the deputy governor has become so desperate to take over that he would do anything, including carrying out a coup against his governor. How can you say you are loyal and you will do such a thing?

“The rest, you observed. He was going round, going to places as if we are not in the same government again. When you ask him about something, he will agree and the next day he will be doing something else.

“His Excellency, Mike Ogadiomhe called for a meeting, he called Senator Aliamekhena to that meeting in his house. I went to that meeting. The deputy said ‘oh sorry, I was just consulting, nothing will happen again.’ He will just keep quiet until it is time. I said the timetable for the election is not even out, why not wait, because there is a lot of work for us to do. Let us not be distracted. But for him, no, he continued.

“I didn’t say a word and I haven’t said a word to him. The next thing I knew, he went to court. He said he was going on holiday and I approved, as usual, for him to go for his annual holiday, and he travelled, he didn’t even tell me he was travelling, and the next thing I knew was that they were serving us summons that he had gone to court; that there is a plan to impeach him. Impeach you? What have you done? If you want to run for the office of the governor, there is nothing wrong, it is your constitutional right to run for the office if you want to.

“However, you’re in the same cabinet with me, please there is a way you can do some things. Even if you are interested, try to show respect to the people. If people see you now even before the time, going around, what do you expect the other people that have interests to do? The natural feeling will be that ‘Governor has said’ and meanwhile, Governor has not said anything. I cannot support such unfairness. Let us have the timetable, let us sit down with our leaders, let us agree how we want to do this thing. Are we going to do from me to you or are we going to let other people participate? Let us agree.

“He says we want to impeach him. I called the Speaker and asked if there was anything like that. Some of you came to Benin that Sunday for a meeting, that was when the Speaker told me that he phoned and said they wanted to impeach him and I asked what did you tell him?

The Speaker said he told him there was nothing of that sort. You know what, I got court summons saying that he wants to get an order stopping us from impeaching him. Since there is no such plan, it doesn’t bother me.

“What was kind of disturbing were the excuses he gave in his petition. This matter is before the court, I don’t want to talk much about it. How can somebody swear to an affidavit, a

public officer, with information that is patently wrong and false, that we stopped him from coming into Exco? Meanwhile, you attended that Exco and you signed. I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed.”

The governor stressed that Shaibu’s plan to become governor of the state had led to his deputy running a parallel government in his administration.

Obaseki said, “The constitution made me the governor of Edo State and it does not give room for a co-governor. My keen interest has been to unify and consolidate our party. That's why I supervised the local government election.

“He (Shaibu) has never come to me to talk about running. He just said he is consulting. He went to Abuja and was boasting that he has connections in Abuja, that he has people in the national assembly, that they are all with the president now, that they will take care of him; that if he cannot get the ticket in PDP, he knows what to do.”

Obaseki said he had repeatedly told Shaibu to keep his governorship ambition in check because there is still a lot of work to be done before next year’s transition.

He said: “After the National Assembly elections, we had a small meeting, and I said look I know the next major election will be the gubernatorial election. I have to choose the person that will succeed me, but it is too early. The things we do now, how we finish well will determine how strong we are to sell the person who will take over. But more importantly, we must solidify our party, because PDP must, by the grace of God, produce the next Governor.

“So, the work we must be doing now is how to consolidate the party, how to reconcile the party and how to make the party one again. That is why I took specific interest in the local government election so that we can consolidate and unify our party.

“So, when all these issues were coming out, in the local government nominations, everywhere I went, there were already camps. ‘Oh, this is for the deputy and this is for the governor.’ I have not finished my term; won’t you allow me to finish?

“Till tomorrow, the deputy governor has never come to meet me one on one to say ‘oga, you know what, I’m thinking of running o. I want to see how I can succeed you when you finish.’ Meanwhile, he said he’s consulting. I sat down and kept quiet. Well, if you think I’m somebody you’ll come and impose your idea on when you finish consulting, I will be watching. He’s been going round doing all sorts.”

The battle between Obaseki and Shaibu assumed a disturbing dimension last week, with Shuaibu heading to court to obtain an injunction against an alleged impeachment plot against him.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the interim injunction issued, ordered Obaseki and others, to halt their alleged bid to impeach Shuaibu over the alleged infractions.

Obasanjo, Obi, Gov Eno, Others Bid Farewell to Mbang

Okon Bassey in Uyo

The former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday said the late Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang, is known for speaking truth to power.

He spoke during the funeral service for Mbang held at His Eminence Mbang Methodist Cathedral, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

Affirming the series of tributes in honour of the late Prelate Emeritus, Obasanjo recalled his days as President and how close he got to be with Mbang then as head of the Methodist Church and Chairman of National President

of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), despite the cleric’s frankness in speaking his mind to power.

He credited the ecumenical centre built during his tenure at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to the then Methodist Prelate and CAN President, whose purposefulness and consistency compelled him to lead a fundraising to build national Christian Worship Centre and the only cathedral with a revolving altar. Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, described the late Prelate as an embodiment of Christian virtues, icon of national unity, love, morality and tolerance.

Seplat: Court Orders Against Orjiako

Won’t Affect Our Operations

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Seplat Energy yesterday said the interim court orders served the company in the bankruptcy action by Access Bank Plc against its former Chairman and Co-founder, Dr. Ambrosie Orjiako, won’t affect its operations.

In a statement signed by its Director, Legal and Company Secretary, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa, Seplat noted that it was neither a judgement debtor under the judgement sought to be enforced nor were there claims against the company in the bankruptcy proceedings.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos, had granted an order freezing the bank accounts and assets of Orjiakor over alleged indebtedness to the bank.

The court also restrained Orjiakor, his agents, servants and others under his authority or any other authority from operating, withdrawing from or otherwise tampering with his funds in any bank or financial institution within Nigeria, pending

the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The order of the court was sequel upon a motion ex parte dated July 12, 2023 filed by Access Bank in charge number FHC/L/ BK/08/2023.

However, Seplat Energy acknowledged that it was in receipt of the ex parte court orders which were granted by the court sitting in Lagos, in the bankruptcy court action against Orjiako.

It recalled that the orders were for the recovery of an outstanding loan amount that formed the judgement delivered by the High Court of the United Kingdom and registered in Nigeria as a judgement of the Federal High Court. The interim orders, it explained restrained Seplat Energy and other companies/ financial institutions from dealing with the shares, investments, bonds, assets and funds belonging to Orjiako pending the hearing and final determination of the bank’s motion for the appointment of a special manager.

Ogun to Obong: Channel Your Complaint on Abeokuta-Ibadan Road to FG

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Government, yesterday, said the Obong of Calabar, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Abasi, has channeled his attack on the deplorable state of the Abeokuta-Ibadan Road at the wrong quarters.

The Obong, who is the Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), had on Thursday lamented the poor state of some roads in the state.

But the state government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Works, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, said the road in question belongs to the federal government.

He said that the Dapo Abiodun administration in Ogun State had been giving quality and adequate attention to all roads in the state, whether federal, state or local. This, he said, had led to the rehabilitation of over 400 roads.

Besides, according to Akinsanya, the contract for the rehabilitation of the road has been awarded to Kopek, which has already started work from the Ibadan end.

He added that the state government started working on the road from Adatan in Abeokuta

The governor, who led dignitaries across the country to bid farewell to the late Prelate, described the deceased as a man of deep faith, who saw the ennobling ideals in other faiths, lived the aspiration of Nigeria and showed himself a great patriot who considered character and principles of those who came in contact with him, over the limiting impulses of geography.

He expressed the deep condolences of the government and people of the state to the family and entire Methodist community, reminiscing the life and times of the departed Prelate Emeritus with glowing tributes.

“We are gathered here to bid farewell to a shepherd who stayed close to his flock even at a point of personal harm, a quintessential son and an ecclesiastical Ambassador of our dear state, the late Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, the first Chairman of the World Methodists Council of African ancestry, an advocate of religious or inter-faith collabora-

tions and tolerance, a proponent of good governance, who was not afraid to speak truth to power, the late Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang, CON.

“Today, Nigeria is a better place because he collaborated and worked with other religious leaders so the rainbow of colours on our national religious firmament would illuminate and beautify our diversity,” Governor Eno stated.

The governor who acknowledged the tremendous support of late Prelate Mbang towards his emergence as governor, said he was a voice of morality and reason, who was the moral force behind the formation of “Fathers in Faith”, a dedicated association for supporting the peace and development in the state, through which he midwifed the enthronement of good governance with Godly values.

He observed that death by its nature is meant to deprive humans of joy and happiness, create a vacuum and inflict on them such

pain and anguish that may be difficult to bear emphasising that Mbang’s contribution to humanity will remain a consolation that he led a worthy life.

He said, “Death cannot kill or erase his huge contributions to the body of Christ. Death cannot kill his love for this nation and especially our state, and our capacity to ARISE and be all that God had intended for us.

Death cannot kill his deep spirit of altruism. Our Prelate will continue to live in our hearts because he was a generational gift and what he represented will forever live in our memories for generations.”

Delivering a homily culled from Ecclesiastes 44:1-15, the General Secretary, World Methodist Council, Bishop Ivan Abraham, said the legacies and adorable exit of the Prelate Emeritus should place on the minds of the living the question of what they would be remembered for upon their exit from earth and what awaits them in eternity, stressing that death is not the end for those that trust

in the Lord, but a transition to be with the creator.

The Paramount Ruler of Eket Local Government Area, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, described late Sunday Mbang as a great example in faith, courage and integrity, as well as a worthy ambassador of the Ekid nation that will be greatly missed, not just by Eket people, but Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and the world body of Christians.

Personalities at the funeral included immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and wife, Dr. Martha Udom Emmanuel, Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, former Akwa Ibom State governor, Arc. Obong Victor Attah, Speaker, State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, former deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, Senator Helen Esuene, Chairman, State Traditional Rulers Council, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, Paramount Ruler of Eket, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, among others.

CALLED TO SERVE…

L-R: Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; State’s Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Victor Emeribe and the new Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Enugu State, Mr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, after the later was sworn into office at the Government House, Enugu... yesterday

but the federal government directed the state government to stop construction at Moore Junction because it asked Kopek to take over the road.

Akinsanya noted that the state government was yet to receive major refund from the federal government on the money expended on federal roads.

He listed some of the roads to include; Ijebu-Ode-Mojoda-Epe, Lafenwa-Rounda (to be extended to Alamala), and Atan-LusadaAgbara road, adding that part of the Sango Ota-Abeokuta Road had been done, especially the Sango Ota area.

The statement reads: “On Thursday, the Obong of Calabar and Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), His Royal Majesty, Edidem Abasi, was reported to have lamented the deplorable condition of roads in Ogun State. Narrating his unpleasant experience on the way to the university to attend some of the activities marking its 30th convocation ceremony, the Obong called on traditional rulers in the state to use their offices to appeal to Governor Dapo Abiodun to pay attention to the roads.

First Lady Receives Rescued Chibok Girl, Rebecca Kabu, At State House

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has received Rebecca Kabu, one of the 277 Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014, who was rescued recently by security agencies in her office at the State House, Abuja.

The First Lady who welcomed Rebecca along with the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, promised to ensure that Rebecca is well taken care of medically and fit to return to school willingly.

Mrs. Tinubu while assuring that the remaining Chibok girls in captivity are not forgotten, appreciated the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other security agencies and those who facilitated Rebecca’s rescue.

She said: “Our dear daughter, Rebecca, I welcome you, I’ve been praying for you all night, it is well with you, what has happened to her is much trauma; words are inadequate for me to describe it.

“Cases of amnesia should

be treated; it is difficult to get by, but since you are still here, God has plans for you. I thank the office of the NSA and NIA for not relenting and everyone that is assisting in her rehabilitation.

“Rebecca will be our first comeback story and returnee, she is our first fruit; she is a case I am quite interested in to see that she can go back to school at her own pace.’’

The First Lady disclosed that her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative, is strongly working on how mature girls who are forced

out of school can return to school for quality education.

She promised that Rebecca will be one of the first recipients of her benevolence.

According to her, the younger ones, if well educated, would be able to fit into the society and inherit the good legacies the older ones are leaving behind.

“Earlier, I talked to the NSA representative about cases of alternative high school where girls like Rebecca can go back and learn at their pace, because education is important for her and others.

Furore as Akure Communities Reject Proposed LCDAs Creation in Ondo

Fidelis David in Akure

There seems to be no end in sight to the crises rocking the proposed creation of 33 Local Councils Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ondo State, as sons and daughters of Akure Kingdom yesterday described the reform as a political exercise aimed at shortchanging the people of Akure.

Recall that on Thursday, some youths from Arogbo-Ijaw area of

Ese- Odo Local Government Area of the state stormed the venue of the public hearing for the LCDAs, faulting the entire process. Other communities in the state had also expressed their displeasure and grievances over the reform.

According to a statement made available to journalists in Akure by the President, General Secretary, and National Organising Secretary of the Akure Youth Coalition, Oluwatuyi

Adekambi, Michael Adeyeye and Tayo Oluyi respectively, the decision of the state government to create only three LCDAs from the current Akure South Local Government Area and only one LCDA from the current Akure North Local Government Area was a political exercise aimed ceding their ancestral lands.

The statement reads: “In every state of the country where LCDAs have been created,

including our neighbouring Ekiti, the state capital gets more than any other local government. Why is that of Ondo State different? Who are those pushing this satanic agenda in the government of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who has been absent from office in recent months? What offense has Akure committed to deserve this kind of insulting treatment from the government?

Tinubu: I Will Leave No Stone Unturned to Ensure Quick Recovery of Nation’s Economy

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that no stone will be left unturned in his administration’s multifarious

efforts to stimulate the economy and make it work for the greatest good of all Nigerians.

The President, according to a release issued by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, gave this

Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Laro Dies in Paris

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Kayode Laro, has reportedly died. According to the statement issued by Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, the Spokesman to the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the governor described the diplomat’s demiseasshocking and devastating.

He prayed to Allah to forgive him and grant him al-jannah Firdaus.

On Friday night, Governor AbdulRazaq said: “The death of the topflight career diplomat was one sad event too many, I urge his family to find

comfort in his legacies as a statesman and his contributions to human capital development in Nigeria and Kwara State.

“On behalf of the government and people of our state, I send my heartfelt commiserations to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the diplomatic community where he was a top player till his death, the Ilorin Emirate as a whole, and his immediate and extended family.”

The governor therefore beseeched Almighty Allah to ease the accounts of the deceased, admit him to Al-jannah Firdaus, and ease the affairs of everyone that inherits his fine legacy.

NAFDAC Warns Nigerians Against Buying Unwholesome Foods, Drugs from ‘Death Merchants’

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sent a strong warning to Nigerians, urging them to desist from patronising “the merchants of death” that sell unwholesome foods and drugs.

The agency is currently engaged in a sensitisation campaign across the nation on the dangers of drug hawking and use of calcium carbide for ripening of fruits.

Speaking at the NAFDAC media sensitisation workshop for South-south zone held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, vehemently condemned the activities of drug hawkers and unscrupulous fruit sellers.

The NAFDAC boss, whose address was presented by the Director, Chemical Evaluation and Research, Dr. Leonard Omokpariola, said that the “hydra-headed problem” posed by drug hawking has been sending people to early graves.

She said that using calcium carbide to ripen bananas releases

chemical substances into the edible, healthy fruit and turns it into a potential health risk and harbinger of death.

Adeyeye described hawking and carbide use as “aberration” in the food supply chain, adding that NAFDAC had been waging war against the menace through raids, intelligence and enforcements.

“Drug hawking is completely illegal. The hawkers are merchants of death,” the NAFDAC DG said, adding that carbide not only renders fruits useless but makes them killers when eaten.

“The fight is not for NAFDAC alone, it is a fight for the nation,” she said, adding that security agencies are expected to join hands with the regulatory agency to save Nigerians from the hands of merchants of death.

Adeyeye also identified the distribution of industrial raw materials as ready food for consumption as another menace posing great danger to the health of Nigerians.

According to her, food raw materials like corn flakes, oats, bulk powdered milk, and bulk beverages, among others, are not meant to be consumed without undergoing a refining process by manufacturers.

pledge yesterday at a meeting held at the State House, Abuja with the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) Professionals Forum led by former Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda.

He said: “This economy must recover for the good and greatest number of Nigerians, and we are seriously committed to seeing

through a change for the better.”

To steadily ensure measured growth and enhanced public enlightenment on policy outcomes, President Tinubu said every effort across sectors will be documented and periodically reviewed for performance verification and public presentation.

“So far, we have taken some baby steps and pushed some ag-

gressive positions,” the President told the APC professionals, who had earlier pledged their support for the reforms.

Earlier in his speech, Mallam Yuguda, while thanking President Tinubu for his bold interventions on the economy, said more than two million people have been registered as professionals in different

FOR EFFECTIVE BORDER CONTROL...

Nume Ekeghe

Yesterday marked a notable upswing for the Naira, as it exhibited a commendable appreciation in both the official Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, as well as the parallel market.

Specifically, the Naira concluded the trading day at an encouraging N740/$1 in the official I&E window, showcasing its strengthened value while in the parallel market, the Naira displayed resilience by appreciating to N930/$1.

Reflecting on the preceding day, Thursday, the Naira experienced a historic pinnacle in the parallel market, reaching an unprecedented high of N950/$1.

Amid Heavy Downpour, Tinubu Attends Wedding Fatiha of Senator Musa’s Daughter

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu defied heavy downpour yesterday afternoon to attend the Juma’at prayer and wedding fatiha of Senator Sani Musa’s daughter at the National Mosque, Abuja.

The marriage of Amina Ahmed Sani, daughter of Senator Ahmed Sani, Yeriman Bakura and groom, Muhammed Sani Bala Abubakar as well as that of Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam and Hauwau were conducted by the Imam of National Mosque, Abuja, before the President and

Vice President Shettima.

Similarly, Vice President Kashim Shettima also yesterday made a request seeking the hands of Alhaji Haruna Bahago’s daughter, Zainab Hanisa Sani in marriage on behalf of Dr. Yerima Hamma Wabi with the sum of N200,000 as dowry which Bahago obliged.

Shettima received the bride from the bride’s family on behalf of the groom, Dr. Yerima Hamma Wabi, while the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Haruna Bahago, represented the bride’s family before the Imam of National

Mosque, President Tinubu and the congregation.

Dignitaries present at the occasion include, the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, past governors of Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, Sani Yerima Bakura of Zamfara, Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State respectively.

Also in attendance were the former Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and renowned business mogul and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

This contrasted with the official window’s value, which remained relatively stable, hovering around N781.

The dynamics of yesterday’s intraday trade highlighted the Naira’s fluctuations. At the commencement of the trading session, the Dollar opened notably strong, reaching as high as N950. However, as the trading hours progressed, the Naira managed to reverse some of its initial losses, gaining N20 in value to ultimately conclude at N930/$1.

Shifting attention to the official I&E window, the Naira embarked on its trading journey at N779/$1. As the day unfolded, it displayed commendable resilience and closed with a substantial gain

fields since 2018 and stood ready to provide structures for mobilisation and sensitisation on government policies.

“Foreign capital is a coward that does not move into unsafe areas, so with your successful interventions so far, we look forward to better security that will attract investors,” the former Bauchi State governor added.

at N740/$1, representing an impressive N39 increase.

Moreover, the official I&E window also witnessed substantial trading activity, with the total trade volume for the day amounting to N164 million.

The President of the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, in an interview with THISDAY had noted that the price hikes had been purely speculative and expects the market to gain confidence in the shortest time.

He said, “People are taking advantage because there is a loss of confidence in the market and working on people’s psychology.”

“Yes, there is a liquidity

issue, anybody that would add value and is a proactive demand should not be swayed by the activities of these speculators. We hope the confidence would continue to come back to the market and we see a fair exchange rate.”

While a parallel market operator, Mr. Yinka noted that there was an influx of trade-offs by people who were speculating. He said: “Most customers that have been buying are those travelling or those that need school fees, but there are some people that all they do is buy, wait and sell. Those people brought in a lot of dollars into the system.”

“We don’t know where it’s headed but we are watching too,” he said.

Four Killed, Seven Injured As Section of Zaria Central Mosque Collapses

Four people have been killed while seven others were injured following the collapse of a section of the Zaria Central Mosque, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The victims were said to be observing the “Asr prayer” around 4p.m. yesterday when the incident occurred.

Confirming the unfortunate incident to journalists in an interview, the Emir of Zazzau (Zaria), Dr. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, said a crack had earlier

been observed in the section of the mosque and arrangements were being made to repair it.

“We had earlier observed a crack on the wall of the mosque yesterday, and were planning to deploy a team of civil engineers to effect repairs, when this unfortunate incident happened,” he said.

The Emir expressed condolences with the family of the deceased and directed worshippers to be praying outside the mosque pending the repairs.

The Emir further directed that the funeral prayer of the

deceased will be observed by 8.30p.m. at the Emir’s palace yesterday.

Also speaking, Mallam Shehu Nagari, who narrowly escaped being killed, said they were in the second “Sujud of Asr Prayer”, when a portion of the mosque collapsed.

He said it collapsed on those seated directly at the section, killing four people while seven others were injured.

Nagari said the collapsed section of the mosque, most of which was built with mud, had existed for over 150 years.

John Shiklam in Kaduna

L-R: SA to the CG on Protocol, Mustapha Ajumobi; Comptroller, Sokoto State Command, Musa Salihu; Comptroller Ilela Border Command, Sokoto, Rabiu Rano and Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Wuraola Adepoju, at the spot where two Immigration personnel were killed last week by bandits at the Ilela border axis, Sokoto State

Energy Transition: Komolafe Seeks Alternative Funding for Hydrocarbon Exploration

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, yesterday advised that if Nigeria has to fully exploit its hydrocarbons, it must seek alternative funding dries up.

A statement by the NUPRC said Komolafe who was speaking at the Energy Year Nigeria 2023 Book Launch and Awards Ceremony in Lagos, also argued that Africa’s industrialisation capacity was weak due to the low midstream derivatives and feedstock for industrial development.

PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS…

Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike

Onyebuchi

Ezigbo in Abuja

Striking resident doctors have suspended their action.

President of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Emeka Orji, said in a message after their emergency meeting that the doctors decided to suspend the strike and to meet again in two weeks to review progress made by the federal government to address their demands.

Orji said, “We just suspended the strike. Work to resume 8a.m. tomorrow. We will review progress made in two weeks.

“The association decided to suspend the strike because of the moves by the federal government to address our demands.

“We also observed that the federal government has approved the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and has started work

Gunmen Kill Two Soldiers, Kidnap Six in Rivers Community

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Gunmen have killed two soldiers and kidnapped six persons in Odual community of Abua/Odual local government area of Rivers State.

THISDAY gathered that the killed soldiers were attached to the ongoing Ekaago-OgbolomaAdada Road project being executed by the state government.

It was gathered that the gunmen killed the army personnel who tried to stop them from kidnapping an expatriate handling the road project last Tuesday.

It was also gathered that the gunmen made away with the rifles of the slain soldiers, kidnapped five workers attached to the road project and a farmer who accosted the hoodlums while returning from the farm.

A source from the community

who pleaded anonymity, said the hoodlums, after taking their captives hostage, shot sporadically, scaring residents away before escaping enroute Esalla, a river in Akani community in Odual, which links to the Sombrero River.

The source revealed that the Army in a reprisal action have made arrests in Emelego and Ogboloma communities, leaving the residents in fear.

“Some hoodlums came to the Ogboloma Road construction site on Tuesday with the intention of kidnapping the white man handling the road. They laid ambush and waited for them to resume duty. So on sighting the army they shot the two army personnel and killed them.

“They also kidnapped the foreman, four other workers and one farmer from Ogboloma community, who was returning from the farm.

on the circular on one-for-one replacement.

“The circular on one-for-one replacement is a very important demand because we believe it would address the severe manpower shortage.

“But from what we have seen, it would take another two weeks

“We had another meeting this evening (yesterday) and our members concluded that rather than waiting for two

weeks for the circular we should suspend the strike especially as we have seen that government has started addressing some of the issues.”

The resident doctors had on July 17 to protest alleged delay by government to look into their demands for improved welfare package, payment of 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) and minimum wage adjustment arrears.

African Voices Changemakers Highlights Music Acts

This week’s edition of the Glo-sponsored African Voices Changemakers is shining the light on two popular South African music acts.

The duo, Wouter KellerAbel Selaocoe, a popular and hugely successful cellist, reel out the trajectory of their experience and success in their classical style of music.

These two and a horde of South African musicians are elevating the classical genre across the continent. Wouter Kellerman, a two-time blends his contemporary sound with a traditional style, while Abel Selaocoe, a cellist with unique improvisational skill, is using classical music to inspire the next generation of performers.

Kellerman, 62, is a 2022 Grammy Award-winning composer. He has also won as many as eight South African Music Awards, and has worked with the Soweto Gospel Choir on Symphonic Soweto – A Tribute to Nelson Mandela.

On his part, Cellist Abel parameters of the cello music instrument. “He moves seamlessly across a plethora of genres and styles, from collaborations with world musicians and beatboxers, to concerto performances and solo classical recitals.”

The programme is scheduled to air this Saturday, August 12, at 12.30p.m. on DSTV channel 401.

There will be repeat broadcasts on Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and at 7.00 p.m.

ICAN President: Youths Now Prefer Careers in Social Media Influencing, Football than Accounting Profession

Dike Onwuamaeze

The President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Innocent Okwuosa, has lamented that youths now prefer careers in social media influencing, music and professional football that promise quicker access to wealth than the accounting profession.

Okwuosa who is the 59th president, expressed this view during his recent courtesy call

on the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, whom he told that one of the challenges facing accounting is how to attract young ones into the profession.

Okwuosa, who was received by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrud, during the visit said: “The youths no longer find accounting profession attractive as professions like football, music, social media influencing and others that will

make them rich overnight.”

He, however, commended Governor Diri for supporting ICAN’s initiative that is enabling youths in Bayelsa State to pursue a career in accounting.

Okwuosa said: “But through the Accounting Technicians Scheme of West Africa (ATSWA) initiative of the institute, the Bayelsa State’s district of ICAN, with the support of Bayelsa State Government, has been able to attract many young

According to him, the global momentum and impact of the energy transition have made it mandatory for players in the oil and gas sector to challenge their thinking and evolve innovative measures to mitigate energy transition.

He stated therefore, that an innovative approach for funding fossil fuel development in the Nigerian upstream had become more compelling now than ever as a mitigation measure against the onslaught of the energy transition.

“Alternative funding mechanism must be sought and pursued of defunding of fossil fuel. Such mechanisms could include pre-

oil for service agreements and prioritisation of gas development being the adopted transition fuel,” he stressed.

Furthermore, he stated that attention must be on ways to increase production at reduced unit cost by leveraging improved drilling techniques, enhancing oil recovery and improving oil recovery methods.

Others, he said, include continuous data gathering and studies to optimise discovery requirements to be pursued to reduce the chances of failure and downtime during drilling.

Komolafe also advocated the adoption of advanced technologies crucial in transforming the upstream sector and improving to government and investors.

“As the world is fast gravitating towards digitisation and automation in all spheres of human endeavours, we must not be left behind. Embracing technologies data analytics and the Internet of Things, will revolutionise our operations, enhance safety, and optimise resource utilisation.

“At the NUPRC, we have continued to be innovative and have demonstrated commitment to digitisation and automation of all our operational and regulatory processes in line with our core values of professionalism, responsiveness, ownership and and optimise processing time cycle in our operations,” he said.

Amotekun Arraigns 29 Suspects for Kidnapping, Rape in Ondo

Fidelis David in Akure

The Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun, has arraigned a total of 29 suspects arrested for alleged kidnapping, rape, illegal in the state.

arraigned for alleged kidnapping while 19 others were also brought before the court for various burglary, rape, stealing, and illegal

The 10 defendants which include Umaru Ibrahim, Ali Muhammad, Umaru Umaru, Abubakar Ali, Isah Jinadu, Ayuba

Matu, Musa Adamu, Abubakar Bello, Isiaku Saliu, and Adamu Abdul, were charged with six counts bordering on conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and

The state prosecutor, O.F Akerodolu, informed the court that the defendants and others between the months of April and June, 2023 between Owo and Akure Road, Ago-Oyinbo in Akure, Igbatoro/Famuwagun Camp, Osi all in Akure council area of the state.

According to him, the defendants kidnapped three persons; Musa Kareem, Odey Regina and Salami Yekini and demanded various ransoms.

Wema Bank, COREN Partner to Achieve SDG 9, Enhance Technology

Wema Bank has partnered the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to promote technology and sustainable industrial growth, thereby achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

first fully digital bank in 2017 - an achievement that forever changed the face and practice of financial services in Nigeria.

people into the accounting profession in Nigeria.”

He said that the state government has provided scholarship to young indigenes of Bayelsa to write the ICAN’s ATSWA examination, which is a middle level accounting qualification for school certificate and Ordinary National Diploma (OND) holders, from where they proceed to the professional examination of the institute.

Speaking at the 31st Engineering Assembly in Abuja sponsored by Wema Bank, the financial institution’s Managing Director, Moruf Oseni, who was represented by his deputy, Wole Akinleye, said Wema Bank’s sponsorship of the event speaks to the resilience, integrity, and innovation that are at the heart of its actions.

He said: “We have learnt that the secret to longevity is to constantly reinvent oneself; as when, against all odds, we launched ALAT, Africa’s

“We acknowledge that no nation can drive and sustain economic development without Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and practice - this is why we happily accepted the invitation to participate in this event as the mandate of COREN resonates deeply with our ethos at Wema Bank.”

Akinleye urged the participants to continue to play their role in the transformation of the society, saying, “Let us carry with us the profound realisation that as engineers, we are not just creators of structures, but architects of hope and guardians of our nation’s welfare.

L-R: Divisional Head, Payment Business, Wema Bank, Damola Bolodeoku; CEO of enza, Hany Fekry and Wema Bank’s Executive Director of Retail and Digital Business, Tunde Mabawonku, at the unveiling of the partnership in Lagos...Thursday.

NUPTIAL KNOTS…

Court Stops AGM of FBN Holdings

Wale Igbintade

There appears to be no end in sight to the troubles facing FBN Holdings Plc, owners of First Bank, as a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday restrained the Holding company from holding its Annual General for August 15, 2023 pending the hearing and determination of the the court by three aggrieved shareholders of the bank.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the order after hearing by Muiz Banire, leading Kunle Adegoke and Seun Onabowu, all counsels for the petitioners/

applicants, in suit number FHC/L/CP/1575/23.

The petitioners are Olojede Adewole Solomon, Adebayo Oluwafemi Abayomi, and Ogundiran Emmanuel Adejare. The court order is dated August 9, 2023.

In the ruling, Justice Oweibo directed FBN Holdings Plc not to hold its scheduled AGM until the issues before the court are resolved.

The order reads, “Upon read

attached, thereto sworn to by Adebayo Oluwafemi Abayomi, Male, ‘Christian, Nigerian, Businessman of 4, Lawani

7 Up Apapa, Lagos State and a written address in support 8th day of August, 2023.

“It is hereby ordered as follows: “An Order of Interim spondent (FBN Holdings Plc), whether directly by itself, or indirectly through its directors, servants, consultants, attorneys, agents, representatives, privies, however so called, persons acting under its instructions and control, from holding, or taking any step to hold, or proceeding with the proposed Annual General Meeting of the on the 15th day of August, 2023

Lagos State Government Commences Regulation of Sanitation Services

Mary Nnah

The need to regulate sanitation given the Sustainable Develop ment Goal 6:2 to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation in the State.

This formed the thrust of the maiden meeting between the Commission and the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers Association of Nigeria (Swadan) the commission to regulate all water and wastewater activities in the public and private sectors of the state.

that stakeholders engagement has become essential to ensure that structures are set, regarding standards, licensing, guidelines, regulatory provisions to achieve citywide Inclusive sanitation.

by virtual means, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already pending before this Honourable Court “And for an order or other orders as this Honourable Court circumstances.”

It would be recalled that Justice Oweibo has in a sister shareholder of FBN, Olusegun Onagoruwa granted an applica tion seeking substituted service on the Group Managing Director (GMD) of FBN Holdings Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, and two other Directors of the bank over against them.

House to Provide Legal Framework to Boost Direct Foreign Investments, Says Kalu

Juliet

The Deputy Speaker of the Hon. Benjamin Kalu, yesterday assured that the parliament will prioritise legislation that will boost direct foreign investments and make Nigeria the best business destination in Africa.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Levinus Nwabug hiogu, Kalu gave the assurance when the Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Hungary, Ambas

sador Gabor Krauss, paid him a courtesy visit.

Kalu also stated that Presi dent Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a robust economic agenda that will reposition Nigeria’s business climate, adding that, “Nigeria is big with regards to playing a major role in the global market and anybody who sees the opportunity now from the market share that is going to spring up from Nigeria.

“I say so because we will

Bandits Kill 5 in Benue Community

Five people were killed yesterday by suspected bandits in Ortese, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

This incident led to a mass protest by women blocking the

The women were seen car rying leaves while chanting sorrowful songs.

According to a resident, five people were killed in separate attacks in two communities in the locality.

The witness said that three persons were killed on Thursday night at Ngban and another two at Nyian.

Confirming the report, the security officer of Guma Local Government, Christopher Waku, said that five people were killed by bandits.

Waku said, “Our women have trooped out to the Makurdi/ Abuja federal highway since 5a.m. today (Friday), you can hear from background how they are singing emotional songs and no vehicle coming from either Abuja or Makurdi can move now.

“The women are protesting the killing of five people yesterday (Thursday) night and this morn ing (Friday).”

He added, “Three people were killed at Ngban yesterday night and two people killed at Nyian this morning, the women have said that they are not going to leave the road until the governor comes and talks to them. I’m right now on the road the women are protesting Fr Hyacinth Alia, to come and address them.

be leveraging the Africa Continental Trade Agreement that we are all signatories to that will be commencing soon. Most companies around the world are seeing beyond their own continents and looking into the continent of Africa. You know if you come to African continent, the biggest market is Nigeria. So anyone who’s going to be strategically positioned Continental Trade Agreement cannot avoid Nigeria.

“So what you’re doing now

is good for your country by to your people to embrace. I want to promise that from this Deputy Speaker, ours is to make sure that we provide the legal framework that will enable foreign direct investments the business environment. All policies that will have investors, we will make sure we champion that through legislative interventions.

Lawmaker Urges FG to Deploy more Security Personnel to Katsina

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The lawmaker representing Musawa/Matazu Federal Con stituency in Katsina State, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently deploy adequate security personnel to Katsina State to curb prevailing security challenges in the state.

The lawmaker, while react ing to a recent protest by his constituents over persistent killings and abduction of farmers in the area, said the deployment of the security operatives to the state would end killings and kidnapping by the hoodlums.

He said the president and the nation’s security chiefs should employ all legitimate and in

novative means to curb the security challenges bedevilling citizens, especially farmers, in the state.

the current strategy for com bating the security challenge is not enough to surmount the challenges, adding that the state are homeless and economically worthless.

that the residents of the state, particularly those in Musawa and Matazu local governments can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed at night nor able to go to their farms and other lawful businesses dur of the nefarious activities of the bandits.

“This partnership is most essential because the dynamics of sewage disposal and treatment have advanced worldwide, Lagos State cannot be left behind, the state the service provider, we regulate operators, regulation is crucial to improve the methods used, we duration, volume evacuated, areas covered and transport for a database such information will upscale actualities to enable us to tives to transform the sector.”

UNIOSUN DVC Calls for Concerted Effort to Mitigate Climate Change, Environmental Degradation

members of SWADAN, the Mrs. Funke Adepoju, emphasised Funmi Ogundare

A Professor of Environmental Sustainability and Deputy Vice Innovations and Partnerships yesterday, called for Nigeria’s climate change and other forms of environmental degradation so as to achieve a healthy and safe environment.

at the inaugural lecture series 014, of the institution which he delivered, themed ‘Saving Humanity and the Planet Earth: Development Trajectory ‘.

the importance of educating the youths and children on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that they are aware of their roles in ad dressing global challenges such as clean water and sanitation, climate action, responsible consumption and production of recycling paper, plastic, glass and aluminium items, among others.

thing is when you educate people, there will be a change in policy in government and people will become aware. When you have more educated people, you can easily begin to turn around your environment.”

Adebola Williams Wraps up 4-cities US Tour with Diaspora-focused Conversations in New York

Media entrepreneur, political consultant, and author, Adebola Williams on Sunday, August 6, 2023 ended his whirlwind US on issues relating to diaspora Africans in New York.

The event, which was an chored by emerging markets Bakre, also featured a panel session and the launch of his book titled, African Power Girls. conversations had in attendance notable members of the diaspora community in America. It fol lows his inspiring engagement in three other major US cities Atlanta, Georgia; and Los Angeles, California.

parts “need to start thinking about your role in building the nations that you are originally from because it is the only place

NGO Trains 100 Women Farmers on Climate-smart Agriculture in Ikorodu

In his remarks, Adebola said Africans in the diaspora and their Black American counter organisation, the International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD), has trained 100 smart agriculture capacity building in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The Programme Manager, Miss Mercy Joshua, said

the training was with the provision of farming tools to strengthen their capacity to access skills, resources and opportunities to address climate challenges. According to her, it will assist in boosting their farm production and enhance food security.

Akoje in Abuja

George Okoh in Makurdi

L-R: Former APC National Women Leader and ministerial nominee, Betta Edu; Miss Zainab Sani Musa and former federal commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons and ministerial nominee, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, during the wedding fathia of Zainab, Daughter of Senator Sani Musa in Abuja...yesterday

ETIM ETIM pays tribute to renowned Journalist Ray Ekpu at 75

late Dele Giwa, Dan Agbese and Yakubu Mohammed to establish Newswatch in 1985.

He was also the President of Commonwealth Journalists Association in the 1990s, and has just been named its President Emeritus in recognition of his contributions to the association. The Nation newspaper of Kenya also honoured Ekpu with Lifetime Achievement Award during its 50th anniversary celebration in 2013. The Department of Mass Communication of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura, Ikot Ekpene, has celebrated him by naming its mass communication department after him. It is now called Ray Ekpu Department of Mass Communication. Ray Ekpu is currently a columnist at The Guardian; The Sun and Daily Independent newspapers.

OI saw Uncle Ray last in March 2021 at a public function in Port Harcourt. He looked radiant and well. It is gratifying that he’s been keeping well since then despite a recent health scare. May Almighty God continue to keep him in good health. Ekpu has had a distinguished career and held almost every conceivable responsibility and position in journalism since his first job as staff writer/reporter in 1974 at the The Nigerian Chronicle. The paper was one of the influential state-owned newspapers in those days that trained some of the best journalists we have today. Others were The Nigerian Observer in Benin; The Renaissance (later renamed Daily Star) in Enugu; The Tide in Port Harcourt; The Statesman in Owerri; The Herald in Ilorin and Daily Sketch in Ibadan. New Nigerian in Kaduna and Daily Times in Lagos, owned by the federal government, circulated nationally. These were all my regular readings every morning as a secondary schoolboy in the 1970s and they shaped my understanding of public affairs and interest in writing. My school library and the public library in Uyo had regular supplies of these newspapers. What are our kids reading now?

In 1977, Ekpu was promoted editor of The Chronicle after passing a competitive examination conducted by the late Prince Tony Momoh who was then the editor of Daily Times. Momoh was brought by the management of Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Chronicle, to help in conducting the selection process. The GM of the newspaper was Chief Efiong Essien, whom I later met at The Guardian when I joined as a reporter in 1988. He was then a member of its Editorial Board. It was from The Chronicle that Ekpu was hired in 1980 to be the editor of Sunday Times, the largest-circulating weekly newspaper in those days. It was a must read for every person in business, government and academia. He joined the Concord Group, owned by the late MKO Abiola, in 1982 as member of the Editorial Board of National Concord, the daily newspaper in the stable. But it was in 1984 when he co-founded Newswatch magazine that the world came to appreciate his quintessence. The first edition of the magazine was published in January 1985.

Born on August 6, 1948, in Ikot Udo Ossiom village in Ukanafun LGA in today’s Akwa Ibom State, Ekpu is a recipient of several honours and awards, including International Editor of the Year (1987); Outstanding Young Person of the World (1988), Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) and Lifetime Achievement Award by Vanguard newspapers. A former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Ekpu had also served as Chairman, Editorial Board, Concord Newspapers before partnering with the

’THE PRACTICE OF JOURNALISM TODAY HAS BEEN IMPROVED BY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY. WITH A SMART PHONE YOU CAN RECORD INTERVIEWS AND PICTURES; YOU CAN MAKE PHONE CALLS AND SEND TEXT MESSAGES… BUT THERE IS THE DOWN SIDE. IT HAS MADE MANY JOURNALISTS LAZY BECAUSE THEY RELY ON UNVERIFIED STORIES IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA

Life gives each person his own lemon. It is up to you to make your own lemonade. Uncle Ray has had his own share of vicissitudes practicing journalism during the dark days of military dictatorships in the country. He was detained six times in different prisons and Newswatch was shut down for over six months by the military junta. But it was the dastardly murder of his business partner and friend, Dele Giwa, through a parcel bomb on Sunday, October 19, 1986, during the IBB regime, that shook Ekpu to the core of his being. It is a shame that the military leaders of the time had not been held to account for the heinous crime.

A grandfather with three children and six grandchildren, Uncle Ray is enjoying retirement in peace and absolute gratitude to God. He spends time reading, writing and enjoying quality time at home. He loves playing with his grandchildren and watching football and boxing as well as listening to music. Ekpu is an avid reader. He enjoys reading all sorts of readable stuffs --- books, magazines, columns in newspapers, including agony columns, especially the Bunmi column in the Vanguard. For him, books are repository of wisdom and knowledge. He told me recently: ‘’I am sure that I have up to 10,000 books and pamphlets. These include three sets of general encyclopaedia; computer science encyclopaedia and encyclopaedia of the oceans; science encyclopaedia; social science encyclopaedia and some rare books’’. In his library also are about 100 pamphlet boxes where all kinds of pamphlets and leaflets are kept as reference materials.

With advanced age, Uncle Ray has modified his lifestyle. He doesn’t drink any longer (cognac was his thing); doesn’t take salt in his food (during the civil war when the commodity was so scarce, he used to walk some 30 kilometers to Ikot Abasi from his village to fetch and evaporate sea water to obtain it) and socializes sparingly (parities were his favourite pastime in those days). But his love for journalism, which he studied at the University of Lagos, is undying.

I am pleased that Uncle Ray is writing his memoir. I love to read memoires and I’m always disappointed when a newsmaker fails to write one. Ekpu has a lot to tell and I can’t wait to read it. As a whet, I asked him to reminisce about journalism of his days and compare it to what we have now. He chuckled gently: ‘’The practice of journalism today has been improved by advanced technology. With a smart phone you can record interviews and pictures; you can make phone calls and send text messages. Materials could be delivered to your office from long distances in no time. Research is just a click away.

Etim is a Journalist

Nigeria’s tertiary education can be transformed if privileged citizens support it, writes Louis Achi

the region in one way or the other as I recently supported insurgency victims with N800 million.”

IDrawing from this philosophy, Prince Arthur Eze, Eze N’Ukpo, Ozo Igbo Ndu, has continuously demonstrated in no small measure that to lift society demands bold, compassionate and direct action. This thinking undergirds his recent intervention by donating N200 million to the Azman University, Kano for the new institution’s development.

Prince Eze, top-notch energy sector player and billionaire who incidentally is the chancellor of the new university opened his purse strings while inaugurating the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of the university in Kano. He lauded the founder and pro-chancellor of the university AbdulManaf Sarina and pledged to continue to support the objectives of the university towards its optimal growth.

Tracking back fond memory lane, Prince Eze recalled how he enjoyed good relationships in Northern Nigeria, especially in Kano, during the tenure of late former Governor Abubakar Rimi when he was accorded free airtime at the only state owned Television station, CTV Kano.

Prince Eze further revealed: “Since then, I developed sound relationship with the North on a quality background with me supporting

According to AbdulManaf Sarina, the appointment of Prince Eze as the Chancellor of the institution was in recognition of his remarkable contributions towards educational development across Nigeria. Empowering millions of Nigerians in diverse impactful interventions and lifting the education sector remain Prince Eze’s forte.

It is indisputable that university education is more than the next level in the learning process. It is a critical component of human development globally. It provides not only the high-level skills necessary for every labour market but also the training essential for teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants, engineers, humanists, entrepreneurs, scientists, social scientists, and a myriad of other personnel which Nigeria and Africa badly need.

It is these trained individuals who develop the capacity and analytical skills that drive local economies, support civil society, teach children, lead effective governments, and make important decisions which affect entire societies.

To date, it’s hardly debatable that Nigeria’s development quandary at this juncture of human history is firmly linked to how cavalierly its leadership has been treating the education of its children. And this has gotten the laser-sharp attention of Prince Eze.

With the 37 newly licensed private universities of which Azman University, Kano is one,

there are now 238 universities in the country, of which 147 are private, 43 federal governmentowned and 48 state government-owned. It’s no secret that there are serious funding challenges facing these critical citadels of learning.

Although there are many universities in the country, they have not substantially filled the void that exists in the nation’s tertiary education some of which are out-dated curriculum; poor funding; decrepit facilities and infrastructure; poorly paid and motivated workforce.

By donating a Princely N200 million for the development of Azman University, Prince Eze speaks to the undeniable necessity of supporting the arena that trains leaders of the future. This gesture ought to be a key footing of all privileged Nigerians. They must not shirk this moral obligation.

Many may not know that Ozo Igbo Ndu read chemical and mechanical engineering but has clearly scored his highest marks in life, in social engineering. This dimension, powered by an enduring passion has seen him light candles in the darkness of human need. Education is certainly a fundamental need of humanity.

The Prince has also demonstrated with his life’s trajectory that faith, business, philanthropy and education fundamentally address transformation of the human condition for good. Four enduring qualities arguably match Prince Eze’s famed billions - simplicity, warmth, philanthropy and wit.

The scope of the vision behind Prince Arthur Eze’s recognition of the importance of education fundamentally aligns with that of South

Africa’s revolutionary first black president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela. Mandela held that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world and no country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.” He further observed that “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

Highly detribalized and a deep man of faith, Prince Eze’s broad-minded style of inclusive politics has seen him play an elder statesman’s role for the common good and sustainable development of Ndigbo and Nigeria as a whole. As a known and tested bridge builder, his relationships are truly national. His famed acts of kindness cut across tribe, tongue and religion. According to Prophet Muhammad SAW, “Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith.” Arthur Eze’s life story is indeed that of a journey of faith.

With his latest intervention in aiding the accelerated development of the new Azman University, Eze N’Ukpo has simply reminded lovers of education and the believers in the imperative of safeguarding the nation’s future competitiveness in an increasingly disruptive global village, to genuinely support the education arena.

In effect, Prince Arthur Eze’s princely tonic for Azman University should inspire and spur further interventions by privileged folks of goodwill.

Achi is a Journalist

Niger: Why Nigeria should Tread with Caution

The maladministration of countries in Africa by their respective national leaders is at the root of the incessant military coups that are taking place on the continent. In Africa, some political leaders had tinkered with their countries’ constitutions to elongate their constitutional terms in looted their countries’ wealth and trampled on the fundamental human rights of their compatriots. So it can be surmised that the political maladministration of African countries by their political leaders is the chief trigger for soldiers’ staging coups on the continent.

Not unexpectedly, the wave of coup d’etat is sweeping through African countries, toppling myopic, profligate, unresponsive, corrupt, and inept democratic governments. So now, military rule, which is regarded as an aberration, is the vogue in Africa, especially in West Africa. Sudan is now synonymous with coup d’etat. And, Guinea, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger republic are under despotic military rule.

The military putsch in Niger republic that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from office happened within the period when President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria was made the chairman of ECOWAS. The coup in Niger will be a litmus test for the leadership ability of President Tinubu, who is the newly-elected chairman of ECOWAS. His actions and inactions will, no doubt, help to determine the political trajectory of Niger republic, an impoverished francophone West African country.

It should be noted that majority of the political leaders of countries that make up ECOWAS had given the coupists an ultimatum to restore Bazoum to power. However, the deadline for them to comply with the directive of the ECOWAS leaders had elapsed, without the coup leaders obeying the order. Rather, Tchiani, the coup leader, and his co-coup plotters have continued to cling to power. They have called the bluff of the ECOWAS leaders’ sabre rattling and threat of brinkmanship.

The Nigerian Senate had rejected President Tinubu’s request for the use of military force to oust the Nigerien coupists from power. And northern

Eradicating Touting at the Airports

senators whose states are contiguous to Niger republic had advised the President not to use military force. Their counsel has added an interesting twist to the Nigerien political conundrum.

Given the fact that Niger republic and Nigeria’s northern states share common boundaries, ethnic and religious bonds, President Tinubu, who is desperate to take military action in Niger republic should tread carefully on the delicate matter. He should resist the urge to take actions regarding the coup in Niger, which will aggravate our own problem of disunity.

As Nigeria is divided along ethnic and religious lines, northern moslems may revolt if Nigeria leads soldiers to Niger to reinstate the deposed President Bazoum. That will compound the parlous security situation in Nigeria, deepen our disunity, thereby putting Nigeria at the grave risk of suffering implosion or disintegration.

Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is determined to rid the airport environment of touts and perpetrators of illegitimate activities. The Joint Monitoring Task Force (JMTF) and the Aviation Security Crime Investigation & Intelligence (AVSEC-CII)

Unit has since the past few weeks conducted raids in this regard. Cable thieves and other miscreants have been apprehended in the course of these raids.

On Friday the 4th of August 2023, the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) JMTF and AVSEC-CII raided the ITZ 1 & 2 landside, the carparks and the airport access roads.

In the course of the raid, a total of 21 persons including touts, illegal foreign exchange dealers, hawkers and scavengers

were arrested. The apprehended suspects have since been transferred to the Nigerian Police Force through the CII for further necessary action. FAAN warns that anyone who has no legitimate business at the airports should please desist from approaching the airports. The safety and security of airport users and the airport environment is of utmost importance and cannot be compromised.

FAAN is committed to her core values of Safety, security and Comfort.

Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Director,

Lost the Plot or Just the Game?

The loss by the American women’s soccer team was unexpected and disappointing for the players, coaches and supporters but it wasn’t the end of the world.

As a coach of numerous school sporting teams, including soccer, my main message was “Do your best, play fair and you can walk off with your head held high.” Winning wasn’t the most important part although it was good.

Ex-President Trump however saw the result as indicating that “The USA is going to Hell!!!” and then included some inappropriate and incorrect comments about President Biden.

There must be better ways of determining a country’s standard including health access, economics, educational outcomes, crime statistics and even as they do in Bhutan, the citizens happiness index. America should focus on the number of innocent people shot rather than the number of goals shot.

Now it’s time to barrack for the Australian Women’s soccer team.

Dennis

Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

Raheem Akingbolu

Johnnie Walker has announced its collaboration with wave-making visual artist Victor Ehikhamenor. The collaboration has seen the production of 2,500 specially designed limited edition bottles of Johnnie Walker Black label aged 12 years. While the Black label is not the premium product from Johnnie Walker, it represents the mid-entry point for achieving the company’s objective which is to introduce a new generation of drinkers to the brand using art as an incentive.

Their target audience are Gen Zs and Millennials; a demographic segment that is on the cusps of taking over. Catching them young would mean a captive audience that would grow with the taste and the brand. And who better to help them achieve this than Victor Ehikhamenor who on a recent Arise TV show tried very hard to downplay his prodigious achievements as one of Nigeria’s most prominent living artists.

His works have been shown at world acclaimed museums, festivals and galleries like Art Basle Hong Kong, Venice Beinalle, the 5th Meditationa Biennale to the 12th Dak’art Biennale and Biennale Jogja XIII as well as at Art X, the Gagosian, Tyburn Gallery, Rele Gallery, Jennings Gallery and South London gallery to name a few.

The collaboration between Victor Ehikhamenor and Johnnie Walker is, therefore, a unique synergy between two globally renowned and well-loved brands with firm connections to the youth market.

As the count down to the formal launch begins, one must consider the question; why do liquor brands love to collaborate with artists? A quick answer would be to consider the Latin expression, in vino veritas which approximates to “in wine is truth” meaning that when alcohol is imbibed the tongue loosens to tell the truth.

But that quote which is credited to Gaius Plinius Secundus better known as Pliny the Elder, a Roman author, naturalist, philosopher, and military commander is not to be taken just

The living memory of the legendary Afro beat icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti was awaken on Sunday evening at Afrika Shrine with a pulsating remembrance Concert proudly sponsored by Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin, a product of Grand Oak.

Fela was the originator of Afrobeat, a music genre that has remained undiminished in the minds and memories of his fans and lovers of his evergreen albums, 26 years after his departure.

In a bid to further solidify the legacies and lofty accomplishments of the late Afrobeat legend in promoting African brand of music, Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin put up a mindblowing concert featuring ecletic performance from different artists, captivating aura and mouthwatering gifts for winners of raffle draw.

Over the years, Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin has been refined to give consumers crisp, smooth Gin feeling crafted for their relaxation. This was evident in the acceptability and enjoyment derived from the Gin at Fela Shrine where lovers of Afrobeat music kept asking for more on Sunday night.

Speaking on the rationale behind the sponsorship of the event, Sinmidele John Ogunwale, Brand Manager, Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin disclosed that Fela is a legend worthy of note that the brand has to appreciate him for the excitement he has brought to the table in regards to Afrobeat music and that is exactly what Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin has brought into his remembrance at 26.

He said, “Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin is itching for creating experience and enjoyment. It is a lovely Gin that people have appreciated over time and we are used to createing experiences, lovely moment and engagement to

on its face value because as John Keats the English poet wrote in his famous poem, “Ode to a Grecian Urn,” truth is not just speech it is beauty – “beauty is truth and truth beauty” he wrote.

Taken together it means that when artists imbibe, they create works of art that are beautiful which is not farfetched when you really look at a bottle of liquor most of which are works of art and which after the content has been consumed are usually converted to vases, lamps, and even framed wall art. But that connection has not always been there. The first time liquor and art collided was in 1985, when the famous

and eccentric Andy Warhol redefined the Absolut vodka brand with a Warholian treatment. It was a branding coup that made the Swedish produced Absolut vodka a staple in the United States where it had struggled for years to make an impact in a market that was dominated by Russian made vodka brands.

From the example of Andy Warhol, one can then surmise that liquor brands are drawn to artists because artists are tastemakers who are fully plugged into the zeitgeist with a finger right on the pulse of the culture.

And that collaboration has extended from virtual artists like Andy Warhol to graffiti inspired pop artists like Keith Haring and Michel Basquiat to Jeff Koons and KAWS.

Liquor brands like Hennessy, Macallan, Dom Perignon and Johnnie Walker have joined the bandwagon, piggybacking on the street cred and pop cultural cachet of artists both celebrated and fledgling. Their marketing pitches have tried, however, not to couch these collaborations in crass commercial terms. The brands have always sought to present these collaborations as aligned to a social and sustainable cause, something bigger than just selling alcohol thus highlighting a deeper brand engagement with and appreciation of cultural and artistic relevance.

Macallan’s Masters of Photography Series, extends the brand’s commitment to quality by partnering with photographers. It was launched with Mario Testino. According to Macallan, “Each of the 1,000 editions comprised a different Mario Testino print capturing The Six Pillars, an exclusive photo-archival booklet featuring a total of 20 images shot by Testino during the process, one bottle of the single malt whisky and six miniatures from each of the selected six casks.”

1800 Tequila promotes the Essential Artists series which allows select artists to produce bespoke bottle designs for the brand. For the Essential series 1800 Tequila says “$1 from every Essential Artists Series 11 bottle sold benefits

Pioneer Works, an artist and scientist-led cultural center in New York dedicated to experimentation and education.”

In the press release announcing their collaboration with Victor Ehikhamenor, Johnnie Walker notes that the artist has used “Air-Ink to produce limited edition Keep Walking Lagos bottles. The bottles feature stunning illustrations using ink from air pollution. This is in line with Johnnie Walker’s sustainability drive that combines art with innovation.”

Air Ink is produced by Graviky Labs, which describes its goal as taking “something as pervasive as air pollution and turn[ing] it into something as common as ink.”

In collaborating with Victor Ehikhamenor and using environmentally sustainable ink by Graviky Labs to produce stunning limited edition bottles which the release says are “inspired by the vibrancy of Lagos and the unbreakable spirit of its inhabitants,” and “embodies the energy that sets Lagos apart and its ability to spur its dwellers to Keep Walking,” Johnnie Walker is elevating a commercial brand extension aimed at Gen Zs and Millennials into an environmental and sustainability cause.

But despite efforts to downplay the commercial angle, there remains the clever marketing strategy behind these collaborations which usually feature bespoke limited edition bottles capped at certain volumes. By producing a specific number of bottles, (2,500 for Johnnie Walker) the brands are instigating what has been described as “manufactured scarcity” a sort of artificial scarcity thus inducing market demand for the ‘art in a bottle”.

As a corollary to the bespoke limited edition bottles and in keeping with the brand’s focus on the vibrancy and energy of Lagos, Victor Ehikhamenor has produced a wall mural on Lagos Island right behind Freedom Park. The mural which features the iconic Johnnie Walker logo with the bold brand promise – Keep Walking - is Diageo’s clever means of adding urban regeneration and beautification to the mix

Johnnie Walker, Victor Ehikhamenor’s Collaboration Regal Deluxe Storms Afrobeat Party

the Afro-fusion and Afro beat of Fela Kuti who has made us come together today and celebrate the ingenuity of African Music.”

Also speaking on the remembrance Concert, Yemi Williams, Head of Operations,Street Media Solution, an Event Agency for Fela Remembrance Concert noted that the motivation in Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin in sponsoring the concert is the spirit of excitement embedded in the gathering.

“Fela brand is synonymous to music culture and Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin is the driving factor of the excitement. Fela’s music is more or less a legendary heartbeat that we feel the brand lifestyle fits into the entire activities of the festival. Being the number one Spirit drink, Nigerians need excitement and Regal provides such excitement likewise. Two great positive energies meet to create more positivity. Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin is a positive brand and Fela is a positive brand. It is positivity all the way.

“The fans should therefore embrace the brand in all totality. Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin is the family, it is the Shrine and the Shrine is the Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin.”

consumers. This has informed the decision to be a part of a big day like this, supporting the Afrobeat party.

“Regal Deluxe London Dry will be forty years old this year and we have always been out there, delighting our consumers in different functions, and engagements. We have been speaking into ‘Lagbo Regal’, one of our indegenous projects which we have run over the years conservatively in big forums that speak into ingenuity and celebrate Afro-fusion and Afro music over time. In the last 40 years, I can tell you that Regal Deluxe London Dry

Gin has been there in the name of ‘Lagbo Regal’ and ‘Regal jolly. These are platforms which we have played actively well in the entertainment Industry and creating excitements around consumers.

“Fela is legendary and it’s worthy of note that we have to appreciate him for what he has brought to the table in regards to Afro-fusion as we may call it in our respective Ligua. It is a joyful moment that never ends . The idea is for people to keep enjoying

While treating the feverish gathering to his pulsating and energetic beat, Made Kuti, the grandson of the Afrobeat maestro thanked the fans, Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin and promised that the family would continue to uphold the legacies of Fela Kuti.

Fondly known as Abami Eda, Fela launched a brand of modern music called Afrobeat which fused African blues, Jazz and funk with traditional Yoruba music. 26 years after his death, the world has continued to celebrate him and appreciate his brand of music.

Regal Deluxe London Dry Gin has therefore proved to be a perfect match to the excitement, rigour, originality and indigenousness provided by Fela’s Afrobeat music.

From left: Gbemileke Lawal, Marketing Manager Fountain Business, Grand Oak; Made Kuti grandson of the legendary late Fela Anikulapo Kuti; Yemi Williams, Head of Operations, Street Media Solutions; and Sinmi John Ogunwale, Brand Manager Regal, Grand Oak Ltd during the Fela remembrance Concert afrobeat party 2023 sponsored by Regal Deluxe held in Lagos

Deconstructing the Niger Republic Calamity

Mohamed Bazoum deposed 18 days ago as President of Niger Republic by soldiers from the Presidential Guard, was exposed from day one when he assumed office in 2021. His ouster on July 26 was an accident waiting to happen. Bazoum, from the Arab minority Ouled Slimane people, is the first Arab president of Niger in the country’s 64 years history as an independent country. Arabs constitute just 0.4 % of the Nigerien population, a small minority within Niger Republic. Ouled Slimane Arabs are originally from the Fezzan region of Libya.

Surprisingly, Mahamadou Issoufou, who led the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism from its foundation in 1990 until his election as president in 2011, anointed minority Bazoum for President in 2021. Issoufou left office in April 2021 by respecting the constitution limiting him to two terms thus leading to the first ever democratic transition of power in Niger to Bazoum, who assumed office in April 2021.

There was a botched coup d’état, just two days before Bazoum assumed office. It was led by soldiers uncomfortable with a President seen as a “foreigner” and coming from a tiny minority. The coup was quashed by General Abdourahamane Tchiani. Yes, the same General Tchiani named the new leader of the country by the junta that removed Bazoum on July 26.

Tchiani was appointed Commander of the Presidential Guard in 2011 by Issoufou. In a vote of confidence, Bazoum kept Tchiani in his strategic post when he became president. That was the biggest mistake by Bazoum. Tchiani has always had his eye on the Nigerien presidency. Bazoum simply kept a hawk in his bedroom. He only realised his folly early in July this year and was planning to reorganise the presidential guards with Tchiani listed for removal. Tchiani saw it coming and did not allow it to happen. Before Bazoum could make the move, Tchiani was faster. He toppled him, thus truncating the constitutional political leadership in the West African country. On July 28, Tchiani announced himself, on live television, as the leader of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland. This was what Tchiani wanted all along. Forget about his story that Bazoum was removed because of growing insecurity and bad governance.

The leaders of ECOWAS are right to demand for the immediate return of constitutional democracy in Niger, to tame the spread of military government in the region. Before Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea had their democratic government derailed by the military. Now, four of the 15 countries in the block are under military rule. ECOWAS leaders are right to demand for the withdrawal of Tchiani and the return of Bazoum as President. This is the global standard.

The era of security men turning their guns against citizens and taking over government from political leaders by force must end in Africa. Power flowing from the barrel of the gun is an aberration in modern societies and Africa can’t be an exception. Power must flow from the people. Security men who

turn their guns (bought for them by the people) on elected leaders of the people must be challenged by all good people. Tchiani and his boys are simply a gang of criminals that must be dealt with.

For me, there is also nothing wrong with approved military intervention in Niger by ECOWAS leaders. This is the main language evil people like Tchiani and his boys understand. So, ECOWAS exploring all measures necessary to restore democratic governance in Niger, including the use of force, is apropos. Nothing should be too much for the defence of democracy. ECOWAS, led by Nigeria, has the capacity to take out the criminal military government in Niger. However, my fear is that they may end up being dragged into a long war because they may need to remain in Niger to protect Bazoum. Of course, there may be terror attacks from Tchiani and his boys after ejecting them because they won’t give up easily. Another big challenge is that Nigeria, with its current economic problems, will have to pick the bulk of the bill for such an operation as was the case in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Well, ECOWAS has already ordered its standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic after its Extraordinary Summit in Abuja on Thursday. This is the way to go. I’m happy that the United States of America has warned the Niger junta that it may be pushed into taking military action if Tchiani did not return the country to constitutional order.

The US Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland, adds: “There is still a lot of motion here on many sides with regard to where the governance situation will go. So, we will be watching that closely and there are a number of regional meetings coming up and consultations with allies and partners that we need to make. We’ll be watching the situation, but we understand our legal responsibilities and I explained those very clearly to the guys (junta) who were responsible for this and that it is not our desire to go there, but they may push us to that point. We asked them to be prudent in that regard and to hear our offer to try to work with them to solve this diplomatically and return to constitutional order.”

The US must team up with ECOWAS forces. It has the capacity and resources

Abubakar Malami and the ICPC Probe

It is heartwarming. I’m talking about the positive response of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to the clamour for the investigation of sleaze and abuse of office allegations against the former Attorney-General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. No doubt, he is one of the Buhari boys that for eight years milked our commonwealth with so much impunity. Malami lived very big while the milking lasted. He also enjoyed acquiring wives, one of which was President Buhari’s daughter.

“Necessary action is being taken on the matter” was the reassuring memo dated July 19, 2023, signed by the Petition Registrar, ICPC, H.S. Folaranmi, on behalf of the agency’s Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye. It was in response to a petition filed by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) accusing Malami of sleaze and high-handedness.

HEDA in the petition, signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, on July 10, said, Malami, on May 2, 2022, “as

widely reported by various news outlets, distributed 30 car gifts worth over N1 billion to his supporters in Kebbi State. The car gifts included 14 Mercedes Benz, eight Prado SUVs, four Toyota Hilux and four Lexus LX.”

HEDA continued: “Two, illegal auctioning of sea vessels (approved by Malami) holding crude oil seized by the federal government, violating Section 31(2) and (4) of the EFCC Act 2004 and assuming the role conferred on the EFCC.”

HEDA also drew attention to “alleged duplicity of payment of $16.9 million fees to two friends as new lawyers for the recovery of the loot traced to late General Sani Abacha, after a Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, hired and fully paid by the previous government, to help in the recovery had completed his brief.”

These are just a few of the sleaze allegations against Malami. The ICPC should dig deeper. Corruption allegations against Malami pour. The only way to reduce corruption is to ensure that culprits are duly punished.

to help the planned military intervention in Niger. The US already has 1200 soldiers on ground in Niamey.

While the military intervention is being perfected, to ensure the return of the democratically elected government in Niger, the agreed political and economic sanctions against Tchiani’s Military government should be passionately implemented. The testicles of Tchiani must be crushed with sanctions. Nigeria has a big role to play in this regard because of its economic relationship with Niger. Already, Nigeria has closed all land borders and cut off electricity supply to Niger Republic. Goods in transit to Niger, especially from Lagos and Eastern sea ports have been stopped. The CBN has been directed to freeze assets of the government of Niger and its enterprises/parastatals in banks. Operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic have been stopped. These are all principled steps. ECOWAS must now mobilise its members and the rest of the world to implement similar sanctions against Niger.

Dialogue and diplomacy with Tchiani can never work. Those arguing for negotiation with him are just being immature. The refusal of Tchiani to meet the General Abdulsalami Abubakar team that went to present ECOWAS’ demands is a validation that Tchiani is not interested in dialogue. Abdulsalami’s team arrived in Niamey, with the aim of establishing a dialogue with the head of the junta for the return to constitutional order. At the end of the day, they were only able to meet with Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesman of the junta. On the same day, the junta threatened that “any aggression or attempted aggression against the State of Niger will see an immediate and unannounced response from the Niger Defence and Security Forces.”

Those who steal power only give it up when they are put in a very tight corner. Tchiani has always been desperate for power and won’t give up easily. Tough sanction can cripple his military government, particularly from Nigeria. Military intervention will get him out instantly and send a message to soldiers across Africa that coups will no longer be tolerated in the continent.

Years of military rule have left this landlocked country in tatters. Col. Seyni Kountché started the madness in 1974 when he removed late President Hamani Diori. Kountché died in office in November 1987. Civilian Presidents have not done better in Niger. Notwithstanding, democracy remains the way forward. Niger is really in a big mess. It covers a massive land area of 490,000 square miles, yet, it is struggling to positively utilise its land resources. Late Muammar Ghadaffi of Libya proved that the desert can be turned into arable land. According to Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report of 2023, Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is concentrated around subsistence agriculture, with some export agriculture in the less arid south, and export of raw materials, including uranium ore. This country is poverty-stricken largely due to endless failed governments and jihadist insurgencies.

On the supply of electricity by Nigeria, honestly, the agreement preventing Niger from erecting a dam on the path of River Niger should be shredded by both countries. Niger should be free to build electricity plans on that river if it so desires. In any case, Nigeria now generates the bulk of its electricity from gas plants.

Restoring democratic rule in Niger is a task that must be done. Forces of good must support moves against Tchiani and his band of terrorists. This is the time for the rest of the world to support ECOWAS’s battle for democracy in the region.

Bazoum

Malami

Africa’s payment cards and digital the 4th edition of its annual ‘Good Life’ promo to appreciate and support its customers.

Launched recently in Lagos in theers and the media, the promo was also considered timely to cushion the economic six- months running promo included cash prize, free fuel, rent support and school fees, among others. Speaking, Executive Vice President

MARKET PLACE with

Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Verve Unveils ‘Good Life’ Promo to Support Customers

& Group Chief Marketing and ComCherry Eromosele reiterated that the promo initiative not only aimed to improve cardholders’ experience across company’s various touchpoints, but to reward their loyalty and improve their living conditions. She said, “This promo holds a special place in our hearts as it allows us to give back to customers who have been the backbone of our success. Beyond providing seamless and secure payment solutions to customers, we are committed to giving succor to cardholders and

Dufil’s Initiative to

Reward ‘Young

Manufacturers of Indomie noodles, Dufil Prima Foods has pledged continued support to heroic children by constantly celebrating them.

Group Public Relations and Events Manager of the company, Mr. Temitope Ashiwaju in a statement announcing the 2023 edition of ‘Indomie Heroes Awards’ remarked that the award is aimed at bringing unsung young heroes to the limelight.

Ashiwaju in the statement also called for entries from qualified children from age 15 below who have demonstrated exceptional bravery and heroic deeds in the physical, social and intellectual category.

He said, “The 2023 edition of the Indomie Heroes Awards will showcase a collection of captivating

Heroes’

and inspiring stories from different states across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Their stories must be true and verifiable, they must be below the age of 15 when the incident occurred and must have occurred within the past six months.”

Continuing, Ashiwaju said true heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.

“They don’t rehearse or plan for it, but they rise to the occasion by answering the call for bravery when needed. As we mark 15th edition this year, we expect to receive entries about real-life heroes across Nigeria who have exhibited acts of heroism in one form or the other and need to be publicly recognized and appreciated. Their stories must be true and verifiable”, he said.

impact the lives of Nigerians positively.”

To qualify for a win, Eromosele advised customers to continue to transact with their verve card on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sale (POS) terminals and online platforms such as Amazon Prime and spotify, amongst others.

Managing Director of Verve International, Vincent Ogbunude explained promo had brought to consumers across

Organisers of Project iCommunity STEAM Competition has splashed N1.95 million on winners of its just concluded contest in Lagos. Project iCommunity STEAM contest is an initiative of Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL in partnership with Nigerian National Petroleum Limited, NNPCL and STEAM Fun Fest to test and equip public school students with critical thinking and problemsolving skills.

The contest which is in partnership with Lagos state had over 500 public school students under Lagos Education District III participating, with Lagos State Senior Model College, Badore emerging overall winner for its exceptionally innovative battery-powered hot water bottle project, winning N1milliion.

Other innovations rewarded in the contest included a wireless CCTV camera by Kuramo

Africa for four years now remained the company’s driving force, motivating it to continually raise the bar. On his part, Group Head, Paytoken and Inclusio, Interswitch Group, Chidike Oluaoha encouraged members of the public willing to partake in the promo to get a verve card from their banks.

“By simply transacting twice weekly with their new cards, they qualify for a chance to win exciting prizes from the impressive array of incredible rewards”, he said.

Senior College High School, Victoria Island which came second and got rewarded with N500, 000 cash prize. King Ado Senior High School came third with Wooden Walking Way project and got a prize of N250, 000 while Girls Senior Academy Lagos Island with its Educational Learning App, and Government Senior College Ikoyi with its solar powered electric bulbs emerged 4th and 5th respectively, both winning N100,000.

Speaking, representative of STEAM Fun Fest, Jadesola Adedeji said the objective of the initiative is to ignite a profound passion for learning, problem-solving, and innovation among young minds in Lagos.

“The inspiration we drew from the students’ enthusiasm has motivated us to strive for more, with the hope of expanding this initiative to schools not only within Lagos but throughout Nigeria,” she said.

FAF Clocks 10, Restates Commitment to Charity

Adewole Foundation, FAF has restated its commitment to building a healthier and empowered communities for the less- privileged.

According to FAF founder, Bayo Adewole, the organisation was founded ten years ago in honour of late Funmi Adewole, a nurse who lived her life championing healthcare accessibility in Africa.

Addressing the press ahead of the foundathe foundation is conceived to sustain the legacy of late Funmi through charitable causes revolving round healthcare, education and social services for the vulnerable.

Hinting at the foundation’s 10th anniversary celebrations, Bayo said plans were in top gear to hold its 10th Annual Medical Mission commencing October 23, promising to be more impactful and memorable.

The founder also took time to recount

New Horizon Tasks Mathematicians on Economic Solutions

Integrated Information Communication Technology firm, New Horizon has challenged mathematicians in the country to find solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic problems.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Tim Akano stated this while being honoured by National Mathematical Centre, NMC for his contributions to STEAM education in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Akano who delivered a paper titled, “The Importance of Mathematics in Solving Socio-Economic and Technological Challenges”, emphasized the problemsolving role of mathematics, urging Nigerian profession- als to take a cue from their contemporaries in developed climes.

The tech expert who was also honoured by the Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State charged NMC to lead in the cause.

“Globally, mathematicians have been deeply involved in solving national problems, from the time of Egyptians who built the pyramid. We can equally harness the discipline to solve the challenges of our time.

“We need to make sure that all students have access to high-quality mathematics education, regardless of their background, and support the development of new mathematics curricula that are relevant to the challenges of 21st century,” he said.

FAF’s achievements in the last one decade, attributing success to support and contributions from partners.

“Since inception, we have been dedicated to providing free medical, eye and dental services, as well as scholarships and cancer awareness campaigns to underprivileged communities.

$10,000 in grants for students’ scholarship, over 30,000 medical, eye and dental examinations. We have also raised over $25,000 for cancer awareness as well as renovation of Olosun primary school in Oyo State and Oregun Correctional areas), amongst others”, Bayo disclosed.

He added that the foundation had in May 2023 commenced a weekly mobile clinic in Ilasan community, Lagos to further ease access to health service and heath sector.

Engineers Urged to Leverage AI for Sector Growth, Creativity

Engineering professionals have been advised to upgrade intelligence integration.

At the Engineering Week lecture organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineering (NSE), Egbin-Ikorodu Branch, Lagos, recently, engineers were also enlightened to disabuse the notion that AI could displace them, but should see the innovation as a blessing.

Speaking on ‘Re-Integration Engineering Systems’, a don at the University of Namibia Science and Technology, Prof. James Katende averred that AI has come to stay, boasting several features to address many engineering challenges.

He said, “AI innovation has the capacity to enhance various design of engineering systems, optimising, taking correct decision and doing proper maintenance”.

The don called for collaboration between engineers and stressing that quality data too was needed for optimal functionality.

On the concern about AI displacing human beings, Katende said that the question is left for individuals to answer, depending on their

In his remark, the Branch Chairman, Sunday Oluwagbenga Akinbode called for early integration of AI into Nigeria’s education system.

‘Project iCommunity’ Splashes N1.95m on Lagos Schools in STEAM Contest

L-R: Keynote Speaker, Mr. Yomi Adebanjo; Vice President, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, President and Chairman of Council, ICSAN, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo and Chairman, Governance Practitioners’ Committee, ICSAN, Mr. Francis Olawale during 2023 Governance Practitioners’ Day in Lagos.... recently

Co-founder of 9ijakids,Titi Adewusi; Joy Emegbara and Odunayo Adewuyi both representatives of Chevron; CEO, Wave 5 Wireless, Wande Adalemo; Former SSA to Lagos State Governor on STEM Education, Dr Adetola Salau; Co- founder, STEM METS, Jadesola Adedeji; Director, Lagos Education District lll, Mrs Abiola Adebola; Founder, Edufun Technik, Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu and CEO of Kucheza,Bukola Akingbade at Project iCommunity STEAM Competition in Lagos... recently

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394

Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

‘Insecure’ Trailer Stirs Interest, Spurs Anticipation

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Ben Nwokike’s directorial debut has stirred a certain interest which has spurred anticipation of the release of his upcoming movie ‘Insecure’.

release and will have a theatrical exhibition. looking forward to it as Nwokike recently Produced by Abdul Tijani-Ahmed for School a devoted wife who helps her husband build life is disrupted by a captivating woman. As she must also confront her own insecurities and embark on a desperate quest for justice. The producer exclusively shared how

fancy. This ultimately made him jump on the project as a producer. “Something exciting

Tijiani-Ahmed said.

loving couple whose world takes a new turn Akpofure) comes into the picture. As the couple’s seemingly admirable relationship in the way of themselves sometimes. Your dad did it… disturbed character. The cast also include and deception.

Damian and Desmond Boj Unveil Debut EP

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Cautiously groomed to do music and toe the path of

name) have carved a niche in the Nigerian music scene. Growing under the tutelage and well guided by their father - a one just may have to listen to this music duo or watch them perform to agree and know more about this fast-rising talents.

regular story of artistes who started singing at church. Rather they started playing the guitar at the age of six and professionally at the age guitarist. music. But most of their songs have reggae to remain in the art world. He is a creative

They have also recorded and released a

them through the songs of music legends New generation artistes who inspire Savage just to mention a few. They have performed at the Festival of Unity organized

Their other performance gigs at Children’s and success that come with being young Showbiz as they push their brand with a to grace the event.

Basketmouth to Host ‘Light, Camera…Naija’

Nollywood Has Some Amazing Unpredictable Story Lines

Christiana Nkemdilim Adelana, better known as Tana Adelana, is best described as a bundle of talent. The award-winning TV presenter, actor, producer, model and entrepreneur peeks through her personality in this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu

You’ve acted as a strict person in a number of movies. Does that bear any semblance to your true personality?

yes. I’ll say I’m principled and I stand for whatever I believe in.

If you had the chance to start all over again, is there anything you out loud).

What is the secret behind your good looks?

The twin artistes also released the cover avoid chemicals as much as I that pays me...

Many have criticised Nollywood movies for being predictable and without suspense. Do you share that view?

Christmas movies are the same thing. It’s not peculiar to Nollyalso have some beautiful movies with amazing unpredictable story lines.

ntertainment streaming announced Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth as the host of its upcoming gala Camera…Naija’. Scheduled to take celebrate Nollywood’s teeming pool of talented creatives whilst spotlighting the exciting state and potential of the industry.

statement described him as a multitalented entertainer whose sterling career includes several production “Basketmouth is most known for his

Naija is set to be a night to rememArguably one of Nigeria’s foremost

‘Basketmouth Uncensored’ has graced major stages locally and internationally. He has performed at some of the Canada.

Ben Nwokike, Efa Iwara and Beverly Naya on set of ‘Insecure’

Damian and Desmond

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Basketmouth

Adelana

The rewards of teachers are no longer in heaven but on earth especially for those who touched lives during their illustrious career. So, it was with pomp and pageantry when Islamic clerics, members of family and old students led by Ansar-Ud-Deen High School Old Students’ Association (AHOSA) trooped out in large number to celebrate one of Nigeria’s renowned educationists and former Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, Alhaji Shukrullah Babatunde Selem a.ka. Bob Selem who turned 90th on Sunday August 6th, 2023. The celebrant who was in high spirit was more than elated as his former students were pouring accolades on a single man who gave their lives a meaning as a teacher and role model. The event which took place at Eko Club, Surulere Lagos paraded dignitaries from all walks of life. Here are a few faces at the event.

Children of the Celebrant: Mr. Dipo Selem, Mrs. Bisola Kadiku, Mr. Kolapo Selem, Mrs. Morenike Umar and Mr. Popoola Kadiku

R-L: Alhaja Taiwo Alapafuja, Mr. Akintunde Taofeek, Mrs. Oyewole Olusegun and Mr. Rasaq Baruwa

R-L: Mr. Tunde Solanke, Mr. Taoheed Yusuf and Mr. Adeoye Adekoya

R-L: Alhaji Abiodun Alim Baruwa (Baale of Baruwa), celebrant, Alhaji Shukrullah Babatunde Selem and Alhaji M. S. Momodu

L-R:  Lagos State Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Thanni, National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik AbdulRahman Ahmad and Chairman, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (Lagos Island Branch), Alhaji Kamarudeen Salami

L-R: Alhaja Idiat Omolara Taiwo, Alhaja Fasasi Olusesi and Alhaja Munirat Thompson

Chairman of the occasion and Chairman Governing Council, Summit University Offa, Kwara State, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti and his wife, Alhaja Adebisi Ebiti

The celebrant, Alhaji Shukrullah Babatunde Selem a.ka. Bob Selem

Bashoroun Alabi McCoy repressing Baba Adinni of Lagos

L-R: Distinguished Ahosite, Snr. Johnson Uranje (71/75 Set), AHOSA National President, Barr. Olatunji Sheriff, Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abdur'Rafiu Adisa Ebiti and former MD LASACO, also an Ahosite, Otunba Segun Balogun (72/76 Set)

L-R: Alhaji Owolabi Bosun Sanni, Prof. Yakubu Mohammed, Dept. of Languages, Lagos State University and Prof. Rafiu Okunleye (representing Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello)

Former Principal Ansar-Ud-Deen High School, Falolu Surulere, Lagos and Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ahosa, Alhaja Wusamot Adedoyin Adegoke, Former Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Prof. Amidu Olalekan Sanni and his wife, Aminat Lawal-Sanni

R-L

Eko Club, Alhaji Razaak Amodu, President of Ahosa Mr. Sheriff Tunji, Esq and Alhaja Abisoye Fagbayi

Members of 69/73 set(chairman's colleagues) L–R: Alhd Waliu Onion, Mr Tunde Onabajo,Mr Charles Ajike, Alhadja Idayat Fgbayi,Alhdji Yussuf Cole, Alhadji Nurudeen Bello

R-L: Alhaji Mufutai Akarigidi and Alhaji Tayo Lawal

President,

Mr. Olanrewaju Olatunbosun and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry (Tertiary Education), Prince Kasali Adeniran

Cross Section of Alasalatu at the event

L-R: Distinguished Member (AHOSA), Alhaja Morayo  Adebanjo (68/72 Set) and Former AHOSA National Vice-President, Alhaji Akeem Abiodun Apatira

L-R: Mr. Emmanuel Balthzai, Alhaji Ajileye (King of Boys) and Alhaji Quadri Gbadamosi

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Exhaust leaks can be the last thing you want to encounter as a driver. They make an annoying noise, affect your vehicle’s performance, can be harmful to the environment, and, in rare situations, can even be dangerous if they are too close to fuel or flammable elements. Luckily, you can find exhaust leaks and fix them yourself. The experts at Performance Muffler offer advice and tips to handle an exhaust leak on your own.

How Does the Exhaust System Work

If you’re looking for a quick refresher on how exhaust systems work, take a glance at some of the other blogs to give you a better understanding of how the exhaust system plays a role in your car’s performance:

What Does A Dual Exhaust System Do?

Do Exhaust Tips Change The Sound Your Vehicle Makes?

Muffler Repair: Everything You Need To Know

Delta Govt Considering Home-made Electric Vehicles, Mulls Partnership With Jet Systems

State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori inspecting Jet Motors electric vehicle in Asaba... recently vehicles, noted that it was a good alternative to petrol combustion engines, especially given the high cost of fuel, the low maintenance cost of the electric vehicle, and its eco-friendly nature.

The Delta State government may soon take the front seat in the move for Nigeria’s shift to e-mobility as it mulls the use of electric vehicles by Jet Systems Automobile Industry Ltd for mass transportation.

the hint on Thursday while playing host to a team from Jet Systems that paid him a visit to showcase the Jet Link and Jet Mover electric vehicles at the Government House, Asaba, the state capital.

The team was led by Chairman of Jet Systems, (COO), Joseph Osanipin.

Governor Oborevwori, who took a drive in the

He stated that the state government and Jet Systems Automobile Industry Ltd would enter into talks towards the possibility of deploying Jet Electric Vehicles in the state for mass transportation purposes.

The talks would also centre around the establishment of solar-powered charging stations on strategic highways within the state to facilitate the charging of the electric vehicles when deployed for operation, he added.

Complimenting the electric vehicles, Oborevwori noted that a team to be headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley

Emu, would be put together to understudy the possibility of the state government helping transporters in the state acquire the eco-friendly electric vehicles for their operations.

to drive electric vehicles and you can see that it’s smooth, noiseless and comfortable, and with the way the price of fuel is going up electric vehicles are better at this time because everybody is trying to move away from fuel to save cost.

“The Electric vehicles (E.V) are cheaper; the only thing is that we are still studying this model and we are coming out with our own decision very shortly, to know whether to go in that direction, especially with the present hike in petrol price.

Test Drive, Provide Funding Options

GAC Motors Nigeria and Cars45 organised a test drive of some of their smooth and exquisite cars recently with a promise totions for interested buyers of their cars.

“It is possible for Nigerians to own brand-new cars using Cars45 competitive funding options. We are moving Nigerians from a space of having to wait for too long to own a new car. Our goal is to ensure that every home in Nigeria has a good car and our partnership with GAC will make sure that it happens,” said the PR and Marketing Head of Jiji Nigeria, Majolie Obaje, during the GAC Motors Nigeria and “Cars45 Test Drive Unlimited,” recently.

According to Obaje, Cars45 wants Nigerians to be able to buy cars with ease, and that GAC has a beautiful range of cars with exquisite technology and Cars45 will ensure that customers have a seamless buying experience.

and high FX rates have increased the prices of imported vehicles such that dealers no longer import new cars as the previous ones sit in their showrooms longer because people are not buying cars.

She said customers that want to upgrade their old GAC cars can as well take the old cars to the over 70 Cars45 inspection centres in Nigeria to evaluate and sell the car to be able to buy a new one.

According to her, “We have also improved the turnaround time for selling used cars in Nigeria. In the past, it took a minimum of six weeks to sell used cars, but it has been brought

down to 24 hours. That is the value that we bring as a brand, and we want people to be She advised Nigerians to take the opportunity provided by GAC which assembles cars locally to own new cars without fear.

The Marketing Manager of GAC Motors, Obong Etim Udoh said the test drive was to enable customers to experience the cars being showcased online on the Cars45 platform.

Udoh said, “GAC wants to ensure that Nigerians have a touch of the innovation that

of cars is made of high-level technology to give Nigerians topmost satisfaction.”

The Sales Manager of GAC Motors, Olawale Akinwade said the buyers can be at ease as the company has a range of cars that are fuel

“GAC cars are usually built with a smaller engine which makes them consume less fuel. The company also has after sales services that ease sourcing of parts and repair of GAC cars in Nigeria,” he said.

How to Find an Exhaust Leak

The first step to solving any problem is identifying it. Exhaust pipes can get hot, so it is smart to check for a leak while the vehicle is cold and has been off for a good amount of time. There is typically a leak in one of three areas:

The mounting surface of the engine

The downpipe/catalytic converter

The manifold itself, which is the cast iron/ stainless steel unit that collects gas from different cylinders and tunnels them through the exhaust pipe, can crack

With these areas in mind, you can knowledgeably start your inspection. First, pop the hood and check the exhaust manifold. You may not be able to see the manifold if it is covered by a heat shield, but you can still listen near the top of the manifold. A leak can make a variety of noises, but it can be audibly enhanced by revving the engine, which will change the frequency of the leak’s noise. So, this can help you distinguish it from any other odd noises, such as an engine knock or lifter noise.

Exhaust Leaks: How to Find and Fix Them GAC Motors, Cars45 Organise

A ticking sound that seems to be lower down the engine, likely indicates the problem is either the flange gasket connecting the manifold or the catalytic converter. When the vehicle is cold, you can put your car on ramps to thoroughly follow and inspect the exhaust system. Feel around the pipes for any air leaking out.

How to Fix an Exhaust Leak

For a leak at the manifold or joints, replacing the failed gasket will seal the leak. Each joint has a replaceable gasket, making for a convenient fix. The only issue might be rusted nuts or bolts, making it slightly difficult to remove. When you fix a leak at a joint, you will want to ensure that the surfaces are clean. Material by an old gasket can accumulate, so a wire brush can be helpful to clean any build up.

If you are replacing a muffler, resonator, or catalytic converter, keep in mind that these items may be welded in place, rather than clamped or bolted down. You will likely need to cut out items with a hack or reciprocating saw. If you ever have any doubt or worry about your process, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Performance Muffler to help assist your exhaust leak fixes.

For any fast and temporary fixes, epoxy bonds and tape do the trick. But you’ll want to clean these surfaces before applying, so they can have an optimal impact. A fix like this may last for a decent amount of time, but remember that it is just a temporary fix for any emergency situation. It’s best to take your vehicle to a professional sooner rather than later.

(PerformanceMuffler)

Delta

L-R: Sales Manager, GAC Motor, Olawale Akinwade; Inspection as a service Manager, Cars45, David Ajuyah Weyinmi; PR and Marketing Head, Jiji Nigeria, Majolie Obaje, Marketing Manager, GAC Motor, Obong Etim Udoh

AUTO WORLD

Toyota, Yutong, Zenith, Fidelity Banks Felicitate Kojo Motors Chairman at 70

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive industry and players in the corporate business world have been sending congratulatory and goodwill messages to Ikenna John Oguegbu, chairman/ chief executive officer of Kojo Motors Limited on his 70th birthday celebration and 45 years of marriage.

On July 22, 2023, many dignitaries from all parts of the country and other parts of the world were at the All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos for the 70th birthday celebration of the Kojo Motors founder and the 45th marriage anniversary celebration with his wife Ifeyinwa Mary Oguegbu.

Among the automotive stakeholders and others present at the occasion were Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), John Momoh, Chairman and Chief Executive of Channels Television, Victor Oguamalam, Managing Director of Globe Motors, including Kojo Motors Limited fellow accredited dealers under Toyota Nigeria Limited, bankers, insurance firms, as well as product and services vendors to Kojo group of companies.

Some corporate organisations and associations sent in birthday wishes and these are: Segofs Energy Group, Metropolitan Motors, the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association, Eddysons Transport Nigeria Limited, Elizade Nigeria Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, Omoregie Motors

Nigeria Limited, O’Bassey Group, Toyota Nigeria Limited and R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc.

Others include the Igbo-Ukwu Anglican Communion, Anochemical Cosmetics Industries Limited, John Holt Plc, Brooks Communications nLimited and De Modern Bus Service.

In their respective congratulatory messages, Toyota Nigeria Limited described Kojo Motors under the celebrant as one of its accomplished dealers and a strong force to be reckoned with in Nigeria’s automotive industry while one of Kojo Motors numerous bankers; Fidelity Bank described Oguegbu’s 70th birthday and 45th year marriage anniversary as a testament to God’s abundant grace and enduring love upon him, as well as strong commitment and dedication between the couple.

Ikenna Oguegbu’s life story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination and pursuit of opportunities in the face of adversity, with an early life that is fraught with challenges.

From a humble beginning as a young orphan, he rose to become a prominent figure in the Nigerian automotive industry and demonstrating that hard work and business integrity that created a pathway to him as a very successful businessman.

Growing up in the midst of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, he found solace and purpose in tracing, engaging what is called ‘ahia attack’, a term used for trading activities carried out during the war.

Driven by the need to survive and overcome his orphaned status and checkered history, he ventured into various trading activities from selling matches, sweets to dealing in agro products and coconuts. The Kojo group founder’s tenacity and ambition led him to

forge partnerships and explore new avenues for growth. From trading in rice and beans, he transitioned into automotive sales business in which the Kojo Motors conglomerate have today expanded to become a household name.

Coscharis Group Appoints Fred Amobi Deputy Group Managing Director

Following the exit of Dr. Okey Nwuke, the board of Coscharis Group has approved the appointment of Mr. Fred Amobi to the position of the Deputy Group Managing 1st August, 2023.

In a Group-wide announcement made by the President of Coscharis Group, Dr Cosmas Maduka, CON, “Fred will in this new role continue to oversee Group functions - Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Strategy, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Legal, Internal Control and Information Technology. He will now additionally oversee subsidiary companies both within and outside Nigeria”.

Amobi joined Coscharis Group in 2016 as Group Executive Director, Operations. Before joining Coscharis Group, he has worked many years in Lafarge in Nigeria,

Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc and Director, Ready Mix operations, Lafarge Africa Plc.

Prior to joining Lafarge, he was the Commercial Director, East / West at Nigeria Bottling Company Plc (a Coca – Cola Hellenic Company) amongst other leadership roles within the Coca – Cola system.

Earlier, he has also held various positions within UAC of Nigeria Plc including Divisional Commercial Director

Unforgiving Road

On Thursday, August 10, 2023, I was elated when my boss, Deputy Corps Marshal Kayode Fanola invited me to a presentation by a team on a passive safety device they claim is sustainable, safe, durable and viable. The presentation anchored by a young man from Chile was equally enthralling.

the United Nations drive for countries to promote forgiven roads as the antidote for stopping fatalities and injuries on our roads. These are roads engineered to tolerate human inadequacies and vulnerabilities.

The concept of forgiving roads which has already taken roots in some developed clime fascinates me. This is because the concept is central to the safe system approach. The logic is that despite known interventions to address rising cases of fatalities globally, human errors are inevitable and should be accommodated through road design.

What this implies is that the road should be designed to allow room for remedying these errors. The road design therefore should aim to limit the severity of a crash to avoid fatalities and injuries. Globally, these deaths and injuries stand at 1.35 million annually, meaning 3700 deaths are recorded daily.

The concept of unforgiving road is encompassing. It is not restricted to just road design but also involves vehicle design. It also includes personal protection devices which was part of the focus of the presentation. Before I continue, please allow factors which is speed.

SAFE DRIVING

Speed remains the number one killer. Speed management is therefore an integral part of a safe system. It therefore requires regulating speed to levels commensurate with the environment. To reduce deaths and injuries according to the concept, the human body tolerance to impact forces is used as a guiding tool.

This explains while speed is regulated. It therefore underscores why the United Nations is spearheading forgiving speed in built up areas. This was mentioned when I dealt with the issue of redressing speed up areas has been reduced to 30km/ph from 50km/ ph although in our clime, I am not sure of States that have taken the appropriate steps to accelerate full implementation.

It is however, exciting to know that the National Council of Works under the Chairmanship of former Housing and Works Minister, Raji Babatunde Fashola adopted this in 2022 during the Council meeting in the concept recommends the design of quick response

(BPP / Kalamazoo) and Finance Director (Spring Waters Nigeria Ltd – a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc).

Fred Amobi is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria. He graduated with a Distinction in Accountancy from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. He also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from ESUT Business School.

He has attended many senior and executive management/leadership programs in many top rated international institutions including Harvard Business School and Management Center Europe. Coscharis group is a wholly owned Nigerian namely Logistics (Coscharis Mobility). Information Technology (Coscharis Technologies). Agro – Allied (Coscharis Farms). Health (Coscharis Medicals). Properties (Coscharis Properties). Food & Beverages (Coscharis Beverages). Automotive (Coscharis Motors Plc) has one of the largest automobile portfolios with exclusive franchises of various globally respected iconic brands in Nigeria like the BMW, MINI, Jaguar LandRover, Ford, Renault and Auto Care/Components (ABRO), respectively and other subsidiaries outside Nigeria.

and evacuation as critical components for road safety.

Uforgiving road is not my focus for this week.

I deliberately chose to refresh our memory on the global strategy to redress rising fatalities. My real focus is to share what I was taught in my training days in road safety. I am talking about the ‘unforgiving road’. The simple truth is that the road we travel daily no matter the clime is extremely patient but never forgiving.

What this means is that no matter your rascalitytions, if caution is not applied, that same road that patiently watches you display your ‘odi-eshi’ attitude will someday end your dreams and aspirations. Let me take you back to the issue of excessive speeding.

Daily, road users are cautioned against speed because of the inherent dangers yet we are ignored. Some would even accuse us of being jobless. Others would brag in the words of my brother, Patrick Adenusi that they drive American spec SUVs with multiple airbags forgetting that the combined airbag and seatbelt saves only when you drive by the rules.

Yet some others would boast of their connections in high places while others would threaten, assault and even shoot you for daring to stop and caution them against bad driving habits. There is still another group that brags in their possession of hidden powers that saves in the event of a crash. All these speed freaking groups forget that behind every death

Before I continue, please allow me to share this material on road safety. It is an old material and also a long read but I assure you that you will

Publication starts by painting the picture of what

we see daily on some roads. According to the publication, worried by the excessive speed by road users, “The determined residents dug holes in the new road to force vehicles to slow down, even as the town was engulfed in teargas fumes.”

It notes that the above story illustrates the serious disconnect between the apparent good intentions of governments and well-meaning donors to provide the resulting carnage due to the reckless neglect of safety in the development and construction of these roads.

The publications further notes that surely every phase of road development could use more accountability to the populations that have to grieve and at times blatant corruption stand in the way of safer roads, donors need to demand results, not just in terms of extended road networks, but reduced road injuries and deaths. That is sustainable development.

The above piece titled, ‘A disconnect between good intentions and reckless neglect’, is culled from the Make Road Safe-A Decade of Action for Road Safety Publication. The feature write up is credited to Dr Olive Kobusingye, an independent consultant for violence and injury prevention.

Also in that same publication, is a piece titled, ‘The world is turning a blind eye’, written by Kevin Watkins, a Senior Research Fellow at the Global Economic Governance Programme, Oxford University. He is a former director of the UN Human Head of Resources for Oxfam, UK.

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

Amobi

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

with

Tribute to Sunday Mbang

John Onaiyekan

It is a great honour for me to be invited to pay tribute to His Eminence Prelate Sunday Mbang, on this formal occasion here in his home environment in the city of Uyo. I take this opportunity to recall and celebrate certain salient points of his life journey at which providence brought our paths to cross.

Starting from the beginning, my first contact with Prelate Mbang was when he landed at the department of religious studies in the University of Ibadan as a young Scripture Scholar, doctorate graduate of the prestigious ivy league Princeton University in the United States. At that time Dr Sunday Mbang found himself in the department of religious studies whose emphasis was on academic and comparative study of the three main religious traditions in Nigeria. Its philosophy was encapsulated in the tittle of the official journal of the department ORITA, a Yoruba word meaning a meeting point on a cross road. This was a reflection of the idea of the founder of the department, the British academic, Rev. Prof Parinder. His interest was rather on the phenomenology of religions, with little attention and interest to faith convictions and commitment, which he suspected to be obstacles to objective professional academic exercise and approach to the study of religions. That was the reigning academic fashion in that era of rabid secularism. It is not surprising that the heads of that department namely; Parinder, followed by Idowu and at the time of the arrival of Dr Mbang, Awolalu, were all specialists in African traditional religion, even though they were all also ordained Christian ministers.

The department had three sections; African traditional religion, Christianity and Islam. The teaching staff was practically all ordained Christian ministers. These included also the teachers of Islam, in a section of Islam effectively boycotted by Muslims, students and teachers alike, who had moved into a later established department of Islamic and Arabic studies.

The Christian section was quite weak, since it was neither a department, less still a faculty, of Christian theology. Landing in this environment, with a fine doctorate in Biblical studies from the prestigious Princeton University, Dr Mbang found himself very much under used, in terms of Biblical scholarship. At that time, I was the rector of SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary Bodija, where I also occupied the Chair of Sacred Scriptures, armed with my own doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the best Pontifical University in Rome. Our first meeting was enough to make us bond together.

We shared interest in high level Biblical studies.

Soon Mbang was withdrawn to serve under Patriarch (Prelate) Prof Idowu at the headquarters of the Methodist Church Nigeria. On my part, I too was withdrawn by the Pope from Bodija Seminary and appointed Bishop in Ilorin. But the bond established grew stronger from academic to pastoral and church leadership.

Our next serious contact was in the context of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (can) in which both of us got involved as young Bishops. He became president of CAN after Archbishop Okogie of Lagos. I served later as his Deputy. We worked very well together to stabilise the turbulent religious environment of those days. Much was also done to streamline the organisation of CAN with a lot of effort to draft a workable Constitution. Many government policies exacerbated the conflict situation between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, making harmonious living together between us challenging. As CAN president, Prelate Mbang brought into play his tremendous attitude of peace building. Even among our different Christian groups, he had to calm frayed nerves every so often.

This was due to the leadership and spirit of peace and harmony of Prelate Mbang. He facilitated a fruitful discussion and decision to reach out to the Muslim leadership in Nigeria for the purpose of creating a forum for dialogue in view of promoting better mutual understanding and reducing inter-religious tensions. He shared this proposal with the then President Olusegun

Obasanjo during a courtesy visit with him at the Presidential Villa. The President jumped on the idea. He facilitated a meeting of the leadership of the CAN with the counterpart of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (SCIA).

The meeting took place at the Sultan Machido’s Palace in Sokoto, where, as if by miracle, a decision was taken to establish the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, NIREC. An inauguration date was promptly chosen for September 29th, an event that was facilitated in the International Conference Centre, Abuja, with the leadership of Prelate Mbang and Sultan Machido and with the President Obasanjo himself presiding over the event. Prof. Yusufu Obaje, who was then State House Chaplain, was given the charge of all the logistics, an assignment he carried out in a most admirable manner.

It was natural that he became the first Coordinator of the Council, until he left office with President Obasanjo. So great was the role of Mr President in the establishment of NIREC that some rumours gained ground that the NIREC was established by government. But it was always understood by all concerned that the Council was a free association of the leadership of our two main religions. Subsequently a constitution was drawn up with the leadership under a co-chairmanship of the CAN President and the Sultan of Sokoto, an arrangement that has continued until now.

Prelate Mbang will forever be remembered as the ideological initiator of the NIREC. When his term ended, there was a peaceful transfer of Presidency to me. Our time together in leadership of CAN was a very exciting and spiritually enriching experience.

Worthy of note is the role of Prelate Mbang in establishing a formal forum of dialogue between Catholics and Methodists in Nigeria. By divine providence, in 1979, the Pope appointed me a member of the international Catholic-Methodist Dialogue Committee, with seven members from each side. We met each year for a week in alternating venues, discussing doctrinal and pastoral issues to bring our communities closer together. It was for me a most significant experience and a good opportunity to get to know more about the Methodist Church. I was the only black person on the committee of 14 high level Church leaders and theologians.

Coming back home, I shared my experience of the International Catholic-Methodist Dialogue Commission with Prelate Mbang. At that time, I myself, providentially, had become President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, (CBCN). We both agreed to replicate here at home the dialogue between our Churches at the global

level. Thus began the bilateral Catholic-Methodist dialogue committee which is still active until now.

The leadership qualities of Prelate Mbang has been appreciated not only at home but globally. His emergence as the President of the World Methodist Council, making him the leader of all Methodists globally, was news of great joy and pride not only for the Methodist Church Nigeria but for all Nigerians, Christians and non-Christians alike. In that capacity, his performance was applauded all over the Methodist world. All this was God’s own doing, a wonder in our eye. It was for me a personal pride when our own Prelate Mbang led a delegation of the Methodist Church to the Vatican and had a well- publicised private audience with the Holy Father, Saint Pope John-Paul II. His visit made a great impression on our Catholic Church leaders in the Vatican. The officials of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, which he visited with his entourage, told me later how impressed they were with my Nigerian brother Church leader. May the Lord be praised.

For about three decades, Prelate Mbang was a national prominent Church man. He was a genuine “man of God’’ in the line of the great prophets of old who spoke in God’s name to both rulers and people of the nation. He proclaimed the truth to all and sundry in clear terms, without fear or favour. He did this with a deep sense of patriotism and a sincere love for the nation. He fully deserved the award of a Commander of the Niger, (CON). His prophetic voice continued to ring out till his last breath. He had an unflinching faith in the destiny of Nigeria as a truly great nation. It must have pained him not to have seen his dreams realised, as he made his final exit from this valley of tears. It is now up to us left behind to sustain his dreams, praying and working that the nation finds its way to the greatness that the Almighty and Merciful God has destined for it.

In the last few months and especially since the highly disputed Presidential elections of last February, the nation has been facing serious challenges and uncertainties about our national cohesion. All eyes are now on the courts to deliver a final, fair and true judgement. This should be as soon as possible, so that the nation may begin to stabilise and move forward.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Esso Properties Boss, Ezenagu Bags Award

The Managing Director cum Chief Executive Officer of Esso Properties Limited, Dr. Smith Ezenagu Limited has bagged yet another award. Ezenagu, who is also the Director of ISMT St. Salomon University, Cotonou, Benin Republic, was presented with an award and instrument of commendation by the All African Students Union last Saturday, August 5, 2023.

While presenting the award to Ezenagu at the company’s head office in Awoyaya, Lagos, the President of the Union, Mr. Osisiogu Osikenyi said Ezenagu was singled out for the award ‘’because of his lofty strides in delivery of the mandate of Esso Properties Limited; contributions to human capital development through the Esso Academy and his love for education and investments visible in the ISMT St. Salomon University.’’ Osikenyi added, “Nigeria alone has over 28 million housing deficit and Esso Properties is mitigating this lacuna by availing home ownership solution to Nigerians at home and Diaspora, which is worthy of commendation.

In essence, Esso Properties Limited under sterling leadership of Dr. Smith Ezenagu has demystified Property solution with the ‘currency of credibility’ which he has

earned over the years by honest dealings and integrity in business.

‘’Moreover, St. Salomon University contributes towards enhancing access to higher

education in Africa by availing more African students’ access. You would agree with me that access is still an issue in a huge population like Nigeria with millions of admission seekers annually.”

While responding at the award presentation which also had the Admissions officer, ISMT St. Salomon University, Mrs. Rita Cholu, Ezenagu said that he was glad that his efforts and contributions towards the development of the housing sector was getting some recognition.

Ezenagu said, “At Esso Properties Limited, we are driven more with passion than profit and we are focused on carving a niche for ourselves as a trusted, reliable and friendly real estate entity, having sufficient general property investment and real estate market experience as well as the requisite knowledge required to undertake property development, with sights on breaking new frontiers in the industry. We are excited that our efforts at making a difference are not in vain.’

“We are also making our mark in the educational sector and we are glad that ISMT St. Salomon University is fast becoming the preferred choice for African students and fulfilling one of its objectives by providing quality education to African students.’’

L-R: Chief Finance Officer, Esso Properties Limited, Chris Ekeoma; President ,All African Students Union (AASU), Osisiogu Osikenyi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Esso Properties Limited, Dr. Smith Ezenagu and Admissions Officer, ISMT St. Salomon University Cotonou, Rita Cholu at the presentation of award and instrument of commendation to Dr. Ezenagu

Justina Uzo

John Cardinal Onaiyekan (CON), Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja delivered this piece during the Celebration of Tributes for Mbang in Uyo on August 9, 2023.

Mbang

POLITY

Protection of Human Rights Needed for Peaceful Society

Barrister Muritala Sambo is the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Social Justice, International Peace and Governance Council of the African Continental Chapter of the United Nations International Peace and Governance Council of Africa, (UNIPGC) Africa. He is also a former Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. In this interview with THISDAY, he discusses current political issues in the country

Are you satisfied with the quality of the screening of ministerial nominees by the Senate?

What option do I have when there is no provision of law on how they should be screened? The major screening of ministerial nominees is conducted by our security apparatus like the Department of State Services (DSS).

The National Assembly screening is a mare pageants parade. This is so because no known law set the template for screening. It is appropriate that there should be a template passed as a law to give a directive to members of the national assembly as to how the screening of ministers is conducted.

Many of those who have been confirmed as ministers are former governors, former ministers and former senators or former House of Representative members, who were actively involved in past administrations that have been adjudged as unsatisfactory. Do you think, they can make any positive impact in Nigeria which currently yearns for good governance?

Appointment of ministers is at the discretion of the President and no known law precludes the President from reappointing former ministers or governors. In our political culture, ministers take their instructions from the President and their existence, performance and relevancy of the ministers is determined by the President who appointed them to the said position. It is too early to castigate the cabinet that has not been given a portfolio, not to talk of commencing work. I think we should give this new government time.

Shouldn’t new and competent people have been given the opportunity to manage the country?

The majority of the ministers appointed by the incum-

bent are very new and have demonstrated excellence in their various spheres of life. Until this administration brings them on board, we would not know what they can offer. The pudding taste is in the eating.

Nigerians are languishing in hardship and poverty. Also, businesses are undergoing hard times because of the removal of subsidies on petrol which has led to high inflation in Nigeria. What measures should the government adopt to alleviate the suffering of the people and

cushion the effect of subsidy removal?

Nothing good comes with ease. Removal of subsidies is tough but is a necessary decision. If we can endure this current hardship, there will be an immeasurable gain for the country and the hardship will naturally melt away. It is important to make this clear that government can do little to alleviate the pains of the people.

Labour unions have been clamouring for palliatives from the government to cushion the effect of the pains consequential to the removal of subsidies. My fair take is that no palliative of government has ever reached the targeted audience since the introduction of the concept. During COVID-19, a lot of money was wasted on palliative which do not reach the target audience. The looted palliative seems to have been the only government palliative that was reported to reach out to the masses. Nigeria has no reliable data system to enhance good planning. Government should promote a good data system to enable sustainable economic planning. Sharing of money is not really a bad idea but it will not reach the target masses.

What should Africans expect to from you from your membership of numerous peace bodies?

My approach to peace is to ensure everyone gets what he deserves in the right measure. Human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms to which every individual is entitled, regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, or any other status. These rights include civil and political rights, such as the rights to life, liberty, and fair trial, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to education, healthcare, and adequate standards of living. Stripping autocrats’ necks of the sweat of the deprived persons he is clothed with is a better strategy to enshrine the institute of peace. Let human rights be protected and social justice upheld, and the environment will be a peaceful one.

Read full interview online - www.thisdaylive.com

FIDELIS ADEWOLE Arbitration Act 2023 will Chart New Course for Lawyers

Fidelis Adewole is the new Managing Partner at G. Elias, a leading Nigerian business law firm founded nearly 30 years ago. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers. He narrates to THISDAY his road to his present position, their corporate social responsibility, and how the legal sector will benefit from the innovative principles of Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 while being able to adapt to changing circumstances

You have recently been appointed Managing Partner at G. Elias. How would you describe the road leading to this new height in your career?

It has been exciting and memorable. I joined the firm immediately after being called to the Bar nearly 20 years ago. Having graduated at the top of my class at the university and passed the qualifying examinations at the Nigerian Law School, I did not know that there was still a lot to learn. G. Elias provided me with the platform to develop and hone my skills as a young lawyer. The work culture at G. Elias is superlative. It is a culture of excellence and professionalism.

This is the reason the firm attracts the best talents in the market. I adapted very quickly to the firm’s culture and learnt the ropes under the tutelage and guidance of my senior partners. My senior partners were and are still very open, willing, and happy to teach. It made the entire work environment very conducive for me to learn, do my work and excel. With this, I was able to rise through the ranks to become a partner and, now, the managing partner of the firm.

Having been with G. Elias for about two decades, with practices covering dispute resolution, corporate, taxation, projects and insolvency and restructuring, what would you say has been the major driving force?

As I mentioned, G. Elias has a strong culture of excellence, work ethic and professionalism without distractions. I will say that our people are the driving force of this unique culture. If I must identify the biggest factor that stands out, I will say it is our people. G. Elias attracts and grooms the best talents in the

market, and we are motivated and dedicated. As professionals who see ourselves as drivers of excellence, we try to go above and beyond the call of duty within the confines of the law to ensure that our work is done to the highest standards and that our clients’ aims are realised. Nothing stands a firm out more than quality work and satisfied clients.

As a law firm that operates in different sectors, what are your commitments and efforts towards ESG, and how does this impact other sectors?

As lawyers, we advise clients in all sectors of the economy on the need for and compliance with applicable ESG requirements. As a forward-looking company, ESG is very important to us, and we are committed to it. The firm has committed huge resources to technology. This has significantly reduced our volumes in the printing of documents and paper wastage. This is one of the small ways we are working to minimise the adverse impact of climate change.

In social responsibility, we render pro bono legal services worth over N100 million in billable hours annually to the less privileged. We have represented in court and got set free over 30 persons who were on “death row” across different states in Nigeria (including Adamawa, Niger, Ondo, Ekiti, and Cross River states).

On governance, we are passionate about internal controls and continual improvement. As far as I know, we are the first toptier law firm to get International Organisation for Standardisation Quality Management System Certification (ISO 9001:2008). We are working on transitioning to more recent ISO certifications.

Nigeria may be the leading arbitration hub in Africa;

Adewole

how true is this, and how does this impact G-Elias and the legal sector?

I believe this is true. Nigeria’s GDP today is over $ 440 billion, the highest in Africa. Thus, investment opportunities abound in Nigeria for both local and foreign investors. Indeed, the rise of investments in Nigeria will increase the need for arbitration to resolve possible disputes. Parties are ordinarily wary of going to Nigerian courts to resolve their disputes mainly because of the delay and inefficiency of the judicial system. Nigeria has over five arbitral institutions and dozens of seasoned arbitrators and arbitration practitioners.

Sambo

POLITY

St. Dominic’s 70 Years of Dedicated Service

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

It’s been seven great decades of dedicated service, collaboration, mission and hard work since the founding of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church Yaba, Lagos State, in line with religious responsibility to humanity. This was echoed last Tuesday during a press conference unveiling the 70th anniversary logo and programmes of the Church event, by Reverend Father. Charles Onwordi, O.P (Order of Preachers), and pastor of the Parish.

The occasion which is already in progress following activation of some the programmes will celebrate the excellence of Dominicans and give back to the society more than before, encompassing scholarships for 70 indigent students. This will be based on certain criteria by the parish to pick the beneficiaries with activities of the programmes culminating in January 2024.

According to Fr. Onwordi, who is the 10th pastor of St. Dominic’s: “As the parish celebrates 70yrs of her existence, one of such prominent things the parish hopes to enact and build on and which is prominent on her to do list is the establishment of a hospital and diagnostic center to meet the needs of the people at this point in time in our history as a nation when qualitative healthcare is not readily available.”

Describing the parish as mini Nigeria, Fr. Onwordi said “St. Dominic’s has arguably been parish to many Catholics spread across many parishes not only in the present day archdiocese of Lagos but outside of Lagos and even beyond the shores of Nigeria. It is a testimony of our country’s unity in diversity as her parishioners are drawn from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.”

Fr. Onwordi took newsmen through the journey of the Church from Chicago to Nigeria and to Yaba. He also related the 70 years journey of the parish since 1954. “For

800 years, the mission of the Order of Preachers (OP) has been to proclaim the gospel to every corner of the world. We do this for one simple reason: that every soul may come to know and love Jesus Christ,” he said.

He added that the parish’s doors are open for partnership with individuals or groups, religious leaning notwithstanding, to touch more lives. He further expressed his wish and hoped that some of the unique ways the parish has served over the years will be resumed with this occasion.

On the significance of the jubilee, Chairman, Anniversary Committee, Chika Aguhasi; cited the “three scores and ten” (meaning 70) in Psalm 90 verse 10, which he said, is synonymous

6 Govs, Banks, Mikano, others for Nigeria SME Awards

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and his counterparts in Gombe, Inuwa Mohammed; Bayelsa, Douye Diri; Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule; Imo- Hope Nzodinma; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun and Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu are set for Nigeria’s foremost private initiative, Nigeria Small Medium Enterprises Summit and Awards in October.

Tagged, “SMESUMA ’23,” the edition which is the sixth in its series, is expected to showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians who have not only created employment but also wealth in the public and private sectors of the economy.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Lagos recently, the convener, Adedayo Olalekan, said the event which had been

endorsed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), would be held in Abuja.

“This year’s edition is totally different. Despite the harsh economic environment occasioned by inflation, the government’s policies, and wars going on around the world, especially in Ukraine, the can-do spirit of Nigerians was all that is needed to carry on. We are not only recognising these shining stars; we are also rewarding their tenacity and perseverance.

“Apart from these individuals, the government, especially at the state level, has also added value and colour to a lot of enterprises in their various states. Also, this year, it’s a win-win for everyone as every winner will empower an SME operator

with completeness. “Essentially, the significance of the 70th anniversary celebration, at 70 you are talking about completion, you are talking about wholeness.

“The parish has attained that age that you can say the age of wholeness. And basically we are celebrating the faithfulness of God in our lives as individuals, as a parish, and as children of God. We are celebrating the strength in our diversity. It’s been 70yrs since we’ve had every Nigeria participate in building this parish. Whatever we have here today in St. Dominic’s was built by Nigerians of all tribes, of all languages. And that’s one great unique thing that we are celebrating.

on the spot.

“Some of the governors that are making sure that there are substantial growth and development of the SMEs in their states are Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Adamawa, Imo and Bayelsa State Governors, and they will all be recognised and rewarded at the event.”

Olalekan noted that the response from participants, including banking, telecoms, automobile, beverages and government establishments that want to showcase their achievements and innovations, has been overwhelming.

“Over the years, the government, particularly at the state level, has come to associate with it as it showcases some of their economic programmes. Private companies, including banks, telecoms and others, see the event as an avenue to showcase their various SME products,” he added.

recently

The groom’s mother, Mrs. Olatunji Victoria; the couple Mr. and Mrs Olamilekan Olatunji and the groom’s father, Mr. Olatunji Taiwo, during their introduction in Ogun State... recently

L- R : Acting Deputy Bursar, Grant, University of Ibadan, Akeem Adeagbo; Deputy Managing Director, Retail North, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu; Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale; Deputy Managing Director, Retail South, Access Bank plc, Chizoma Okoli; and Registrar, University of Ibadan, Ganiyu Saliu during the launch of Access Bank University of Ibadan branch held in UI ....recently

L-R: Chairman, AW Network, Adebola Williams and Deputy Secretary General, United Nations (UN), Ms. Amina Mohammed, during his US book tour in New York …recently

L-R; Deaconess Christiana Oyebade; Prophetess Esther Oyebade; the couple, Oluwafemi and Tolulope Romiluyi, the groom’s mother, Mrs. Kehinde Romiluyi; Pastor Fola Oyebade; Oluwatoba Success, and Chief Oluwatoba Ogunsanmi at the wedding ceremony between Oluwafemi and Tolulope Romiluyi, held at CAC Agbala-Itura, Ibadan....

Fr. Charles Onwordi (middle) with other members of the St. Dominic’s 70th anniversary planning committee

POLITY

Anger in South-east Over Ministerial List

Charles Ajunwa

If you go to the South-east today, the anger and bitterness resulting from the ministerial list is deep and widespread. It’s being discussed in the markets, in the motor parks, in churches, in homes and on the streets.

Even federal lawmakers from the South-east have woken up from sleep. They have joined the call for additional two ministerial slots for the South-east geopolitical zone. Those who vehemently kicked against the 48-man ministerial list, insisted that the South-east geopolitical zone was short-changed. They maintained that having no strong voice from the South-east will hurt Igbos in the immediate time but ultimately President Tinubu in particular and Nigeria in general will bear the consequences. They posit that the worst thing anyone can do to a people is to dehumanise the people with the belief they cannot do anything. Time will tell!

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Dr. Osita Okechukwu, who was on Arise Television didn’t mince words as he called a spade, a spade by clearly putting the records straight.

Okechukwu, who denied absolving Tinubu of any blame on the nomination of five people from the South-east as members of his cabinet, said South-east leaders in the ruling APC should be held responsible as they were only interested in pursuing their personal agenda instead of collective bargaining.

The VON boss said: “I didn’t absolve President Tinubu. The framework of my message is that he should not be blamed too much as regards the South-east. Yes, my people’s grief is well captured. I’m in league with them with the grief that when Tinubu started with 20 Special Assistants and Advisers that we are scanty in that list. No group would be happy about that, and when it came to ministerial nominees that we got, we got only five. And we didn’t get the one spare that is normally given to each geopolitical zone that makes it six. To worsen the matter, we are the only geopolitical zone with five states only which we have agitated all over the years. That is the grief and I didn’t absolve President Tinubu totally.

“What I said is that if there are blame games to be laid, that it should be laid exactly where it lies on the door steps mostly on the so-called new APC leaders who I noticed while negotiations were going on were busy trying to knock off our first-eleven in the various five states. Their reason is that they might pose a danger to their own political career or their kingdom. They made the presentation that Tinubu announced.”

On South-east leaders he said, “Even in the face of the fact that we were happy when our brother the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma got that APC Governors Forum chairman. We thought by presiding over such an important caucus, in fact the foremost power block in any political party in Nigeria is the Governors Forum that as chairman of the Governors Forum that he had a very intimate access to Mr. President. Throughout that period, I didn’t see him in Imo, he had been in Abuja all throughout that period.

“We had expected him to be negotiating for the good of the South-east not for his personal preferences. And the result showed that his preferences and that of Senator Umahi were at play. Umahi behaved as if he was the only qualified person in Ebonyi State. The great Ebonyi State that we know that is constant with all professionals, all capable and competent ladies and gentlemen. He forgot as well that in the Senate that he occupied a very important position in the

Senate leadership. We don’t know how we could replace that because in the wisdom of the Senate they might not use anybody from the South-east to replace him as Deputy Majority Leader. So, we lost that slot.

“For now, it was only about himself. I don’t know how he thought he was the only person who can be minister for Ebonyi State, because I remember the gruesome knockout he did to Mrs. Agumeze who placed herself to become the Senator of that zone and he knocked her out. He knocked his younger brother out only to arrive at the same Senate.

“Instead of meeting President Tinubu, saying ‘we need to improve on the South-east in the next election. If we have to do that, my people say, ‘the rain in the morning will determine how the day will go’. That ‘please, Mr. President leave me out, I’m okay with the Senate.

“So, I thought between Senator Umahi and Governor Uzodinma as leaders of the South-east that they could have been more patriotic, more collective in their reasoning instead of being petty in their negotiation. I remembered vividly how they mangled the structure we built over the years in the APC.”

An APC stalwart, Chief Ogadinma Okonkwo who expressed worry over the quality of the ministerial nominees said, “Many find this strange that in the six geopolitical zones it’s only in the South-east that one man was asked to bring his incompetent friends. The anger over the number and quality of the ministerial nominees from the South-east can be cut with a blunt knife.

“This particular sitting governor is merely trying to manufacture enemies and resentment against President

Tinubu. They did same thing to Buhari and this is why despite all the infrastructures preceding government provided, the average Igboman or child doesn’t want to hear the name- Buhari.

“The same Igbos who this governor is working hard to make President Tinubu hate in the past voted for both Obasanjo and MKO Abiola. So, it’s not true that Igbos cannot love President Tinubu. The President shouldn’t allow this self-acclaimed messiah of Igbos and his friend, a former governor of South-east extraction to destroy the President’s image in the South-east. He should at least appoint two alternative credible voices from the South-east.”

He also wonders why President Tinubu could have ignored founding members of APC like Chief Ikechi Emenike, who is reputed for decency, brilliance and hardwork. According to him, every other zone in the country has original members of APC in President Tinubu’s cabinet except the South-east.

“It’s strange that is only the South-east that doesn’t have a single original APC member accommodated in Tinubu’s cabinet. Every single one of the five nominees presented by Mr. President recently joined from the PDP. Eliminating the voice of the South-east from the topmost decision-making body in the country may not be in the best interest of Nigeria.”

According to him, in the Buhari government, the Southeast zone had a Chris Ngige, former Labour Minister who could hold his own. “This is why President Tinubu will require the voice of quality leaders from the South-east. That is why some people like me and other Igbo leaders want to alert President Tinubu why these so-called Igbo lovers are so zealous in campaign against such alternative voices from the South-east.

“Igbos feel that they are being pushed to the wall and this is dangerous. If President Tinubu feels that Igbos didn’t vote for him, he should also remember that Yorubas didn’t vote for Obasanjo in 1999. Obasanjo didn’t humiliate them neither did he deny them their fair share of ministerial positions.”

Although he insisted that President Tinubu is entitled to savouring all the euphoria of the moment but he was quick to add, “Triumphism without conscience is ultimately pyrrhic. Perhaps Tinubu should be reminded of the evergreen words of Uthman Dan Fodio that ‘conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it’. The truth today is the Tinubu’s open hostility against the South-east is unnecessary and unhealthy. Like most nations or races, Igbos also have long memories.”

According to Okonkwo, those that claim to be Igbo leaders “are charlatans pursuing selfish motives targeted against credible and resourceful Igbo leaders.” He wondered why such people should be tolerated in today’s Nigeria.

“If that is what President Tinubu wants to foist on the South-east, it might ultimately fail. What this calls for is for Asiwaju to demonstrate statesmanship which will reflect his capacity to carry some genuine leaders of this country especially from the South-east along.

Chief Eze Richard, another APC Chieftain warns that “the current government is making the South-east too toxic for APC members”. According to him, “those Igbos who are praising Tinubu’s ministerial list should come to Onitsha, Nnewi, Enugu, Umuahia, Abakaliki or Aba streets and repeat the same praises and see if they will not be stoned.”

A Word of Caution for Niger Republic

Femi Fani-Kayode

I am on record as saying that if Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali or any other country, attacks Nigeria, violates our territorial integrity or attempts to take one inch of our nation we must and will fight them to the last man. I have also said that Nigeria’s defence budget is far higher than all the other 14 countries in West Africa put together and that there is no nation in our sub-region that can defeat us in a military conflict despite our many challenges.

I stand by these words. I am however constrained to add the following as a word of caution to those who seek to “cry havoc and unleash the dogs of war” and as a piece of unsolicited advice to the advocates of military invasion. It would be imprudent and unwise for Nigeria to attempt to clean up France’s mess in Niger Republic.

The French are the most rappacious, greedy, vicious, pervasive, destructive and unrelenting neo-colonial foreign power on the African continent. They have done nothing for Africa other than pillage, rape, undermine, plunder and take advantage of her.

To deploy our military, go to war and allow Nigerian blood to be spilled just to help her to continue to gang rape the Nigeriens and subject them to slavery would be unjust, wicked, shortsighted, stupid and counter-productive.

Worse still it would have implications for the stability of our nation, our entire sub-region and our increasingly fruitful relationship with President Putin and the Russian Federation who are slowly emerging as Africa’s best friend and, together with the Chinese, appear to be the only foreign power that truly seeks to assist and support the growth and development of African countries.

To those who believe that Nigeria ought to continue to be the poodle, local enforcer and hatchet man of the French, the

Europeans, the British and the Americans in our sub-region, I ask the following: who do they think is behind Boko Haram and ISWAP and why did these so-called Western allies refuse to sell us arms to fight those two terrorist organisations until Trump came along? And off course since Trump left, we have been given nothing.

Not one of them truly cares for Nigeria in the way the Chinese or Russians do and to them we are nothing but a source of mineral resources and a local sheriff. They want us to go and fight a war against our African brothers just to further and protect their own economic and regional interests and they want us to throw the West African sub region into a theater for a horrific, brutal and never-ending proxy war between them and Russia which would result in turning the whole of the West and North African sub region into a cauldron of fire.

Worst still they want Northern Nigeria particularly and the entire African Sahel region and all the countries in it to be burnt to ashes and go the way of Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan whilst they sell their arms, test their weapons, pillage our resources, turn our people into homeless destitutes and penniless refugees, destroy our collective future and serve our flesh and blood, on a dark satanic alter to the sinister forces and the blood-lustng vultures and demons that they work for and serve.

We must never allow this to happen and if the truth be told the biggest mistake that ECOWAS made in the first place was to threaten Niger with military action if the coupists refused to step down and restore President Bazoum to power. I say this because once a threat is issued and it is not followed up with action you look weak, ineffectual and pathetic. That is the quandry we are now in and the wisest thing to do at this

point is to step back from the brink and rhetoric of war and engage in diplomacy.

Deploying our troops into our neigbours country in an attempt to effect regime-change on behalf of a bunch of power-obsessed feral psychopaths like the French whose primary dream and fantasy has always been the dismemberment, destabilisation and destruction of Nigeria is asinine and unacceptable. To do the dirty work for a nation that stood on the wrong side during our civil war and that almost pushed us into a war with the Cameroons over the Bakassi Peninsular is deeply insultng to our sensibilities.

I do not support military governments and I cannot abide or stomach the way in which Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened, insulted and made mockery of our nation and people over the last few days but one thing is clear: the military regimes in all of those three countries are wildly popular and the hatred for France in each of them is palpable and irreversible.

Why should we get involved in all this? This is not our fight and if we choose to stand on the side of the French imperialists, neo-colonialists and oppressors against the will of the people of these three sovereign nations it may well result in chaos, mutiny, rebellion and a revolution in our own country. This must be avoided at all costs.

It is time to get sense and sheath our swords. This whole thing is obviously a western conspiracy and trap and we must ensure that our newly-elected President does not fall into it. This is the time for restraint and wise counsel to prevail. This is the time for us to put our national interest before that of any other.

This is the time for us to indulge in some sober reflection and reject any gung-ho and bellicose action that would ultimately result in a reversal of the great strides that we have made as a nation over the last 24 years and the destruction of our great country. A word is enough for the wise.

Tinubu

UEL queues resurface in Abuja as NNPCL increase (increases) pump price”

“Recently, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has (had) estimated….”

“Tinubu forwards ministerial nominees to senate” He did not forward the nominees, but the list/names of nominees to the senate. Next time: nominees’ list or names

“My administration will remain friendly to (with) Nigerians in diaspora”

“Inside Railway: News, Interviews, Analysis (Analyses)”

Wrong: Flash point

Right: Flashpoint (noun)

“NRC defend (defends) sales of tickets with dual rates at one cost to passengers”

“Contractor aligns with FG’s request to import gas powered (gas-powered) locomotive engines”

Going forward, “please note that ‘uplift’ is shorthand for ‘upliftment,’ ‘witch-hunt’ is shorthand for ‘witch-hunting,’ and ‘hive’ is shorthand for ‘beehive.’ Look them up in Desk dictionary, not listed in Pocket dictionary. Cheers!”

My response: Before the SMS came in, Ken Ugbechie had called to inform me that, contrary to my declaration in this column last week, that ‘upliftment’ exists! He referred me to the World Book Dictionary where the word is contained. Stenography is no longer in vogue. Shorthand was popular during Pitman’s era—it is not relevant in this electronic age. So, it cannot be applied. With respect, sir, I vehemently disagree on the grounds that such words belong to morphological history. Because of their obsoleteness arising from archival pedigree, they no longer conform to

the contemporariness of the English language, which is supersonically dynamic. There are so many such outdated entries. The issue is not whether they exist or not, but their currency and relevancy in modern times.

Nominees’ Names, Not ‘Nominees’ “F

The fact that such words exist in one obscure American dictionary or another does not confer correctness or acceptability on them. All the dictionaries and language reference books I have, particularly 2012 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (Advanced New Edition), online Grammarly.com and Dictionary.com, did not list ‘upliftment’!

Issuing from the above, I strongly believe that ‘upliftment’ is not right, anymore. Its continued usage is like saying that everything contained in the first comprehensive dictionary of the English language by Samuel Johnson, published in 1755, is still correct today! In the same breath, if the great lexicographer Noah Webster (1758-1843) had documented ‘upliftment’ in his time, it was the evolutionary and rudimentary period of the English language which explains its acceptability then. To now use it on his authority this time round will amount to lexical retrogression! Such words remind one of Shakespearean and Chaucerian days!

Well-researched reactions are welcome. Egbon mi, ‘uplift’ still stands!

From The Guardian of July 2 comes the first set of gaffes starting from its Front Page: “The Federal High Court, Abuja division (another comma) yesterday ruled that the President of the Federal Republic on (of) Nigeria….”

“The meeting, which took place behind closed-doors (closed doors—no hyphen) or the closed-door meeting….”

“The university teachers said yesterday that they declared the strike to register their

displeasure over (at) Federal Government’s alleged refusal to pay their ‘earn allowance’.” Also, displeasure with someone….

We move from the Front Page to the Editorial: “…on the ground (grounds) that it was foisted on the population by the military.”

“UNIDO partners ministry on investment monitoring (investment-monitoring) platform”

“A multinational company would (will) like to dispose off (of) all vehicles below in her (on its) premises.” No commercialese and language feminization!

On the heels of The Guardian is THISDAY of July 1 which equally goofed right from its Front Page: “…despite letters it received from various subscriber associations (subscriber-associations) calling for additional three months (months’) extension.” Truth & Reason: ‘additional‘ is otiose. By virtue of the ‘extension’ plea, the sentence will do without the word.

“I cannot tell you exactly right now what the cost implication will be because our rules are just reaching its (their) final stage in the SEC.”

“Ernst & Young sensitises operators on (to) FATCA”

“PETRA Coalition presents purpose driven (purpose-driven) leadership….” (Full-page advertisement by PETRA Coalition)

“A part of the departmental (department) store”

Still on THISDAY: “The Commission will continue…and shall (will) continue to impose sanctions (except if the sanctions are curi- ously optional!) for (on) all pre-registered New SIM cards purchased by our monitors.” (Full-page advertisement by the Nigerian Communications Commission) A modification: impose sanctions on networks (not SIM cards!) for all….

“While your emergence as governor of our

They May Soon Start Calling Tinubu ‘Clueless’

Why is anyone with any understanding of the present imperative in the management and deployment of our resources, is now at the point of enlarging the federal cabinet to the staggering sum of 48 people? ! Apparently, ministries have been redesigned, and adjusted; not to reduce the size and cost of governance - No! But to increase the number, and accommodate, arguably, the largest contingent of ministerial appointees since the beginning of the fourth republic. And this is coming from a ‘master strategist’ noted for mastery of effective and proactive management of personnel and monetary matters… in a country hamstrung by many years of clueless and visionless mumbo-jumbo as statecraft.

Those who tagged the administrations of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Bihari as clueless for divergent reasons, largely coloured by partisan interests and frustrations, must be in shock and at a loss for qualifying adjectives on account of some of the actions of this current administration… of course, the word ‘clueless’ will soon start flying and pointing at the direction of the former Lagos State governor, to the chagrin of his ardent supporters.

And as if to cement its newfound medal of cluelessness, the administration created a dramatic denouement to the comedy of bunglings that any skillful student of dramaturgy would be proud of… when a nominee, Maryam ‘Shetty’ Shettima, from Kano State was unceremoniously yanked off the Ministerial List. She only found out about her misfortune while prepping for the ‘Senate Screening’ right inside the National Assembly premises! Sensational. Suspenseful. Dramatic. You would not believe we are talking about a national governance process, which supposedly had gone through exhaustive security, administrative and intellectual inquisition, in those several weeks the nation was kept waiting.

We later found out that the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje was not consulted on Shetty’s nomination, ab initio, and was only tapped when the internet backlash stunned the president to inquire more closely about the lady’s antecedent. According to Ganduje’s confession, the president

did not appear to know how Shetty’s name got on the List!

Shetty was obviously a casualty of Kano power play, as she was promptly replaced by the candidate of Ganduje, who himself was reportedly expunged from the List due to pressure of security red flags. Well, he has since been compensated with the post of the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress. All’s well that ends well.

The media later revealed that Shetty’s replacement, Mariya Mahmoud, a medical doctor and former commissioner in the second tenure of Ganduje, is also a close friend and classmate of Ganduje’s daughter, Amina, at the medical school. And what is more, Mariya and Shetty were mates at junior secondary school and same faculty at Bayero University, Kano.

That is what the street boys call “see finish” - symptomatic of the levity and incoherence floating over the activities and actions of the Tinubu presidency… a sentiment that must be speedily and decisively dealt with to renew hope of those who long for competence, forthrightness and visionary leadership in Nigerian governance space.

Tragi-Comedy: Assumptive Screening of Bloated Ministerial List

Some of our people have a saying:When a thing gets to the level of weeping, we simply resort to laughter. That imagery flashed across our subconscious as we watched some jobless TV station devote tens of hours transmitting live the hollow ritual of the Nigerian Senate screening the bloated list of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees as ministers, without the appropriate offices they are meant to supervise. So viewers were regaled with rhetorical assumptions by so-called experienced senators asking questions like: “if you happen to be appointed as the minister of… In case you become the minister of…”. Why do we prefer darkness to light?

And that is apart from the self-indicting lazy standing rule of the Senate that permits a level of sloppy indolence, whereby some nominees - on account of their past services (mostly as legislators) - are expected to merely deliver a series of coordinated bows, and leave. They are excused from the motions of scrutinising their qualifica-

tions, past performances, etc. It is not as if those taking bows served in their previous positions pro bono, or without some ridiculously hefty severance package. The tragi-comedy was highlighted by the insistence of someone like the former governor of Kaduna State and one time cabinet minister, Nasir El Rufai, a trained quantity surveyor, seemingly begging to be grilled as he was ready to answer any questions (and surely, Nigerians were eager to ask him some cogent questions pertaining to his chaotic eight year tenure in the North Western state). Interestingly, the senators were also begging him to take a bow. By the way, was it not El Rufai we saw in a video which emerged after the initial 26-man list was announced implying that he was too old to be jostling to serve as a federal minister once again? Don’t laugh aloud!

Well, after one week of the well-advertised parody of self-importance, El Rufai was curiously noted among three minister-nominees the Senate refused to confirm… yet!

No More Wars… Thank You, Sirs!

Quite a large cross section of Nigerians have made known their lack of support for any preemptive military action by the ECOWAS “gang” led by Nigeria against our poor landlocked neighbour, the Niger Republic. At the wake of the coup, a series of sanctions was unleashed on the Nigeriens: electricity shutdown (we supply Niger power based on a 1964 UN-backed agreement on mutual management of the tributaries leading to the Kainji Dam); no fly zone, suspension of financial aids, etc. Like trapped mice in a murky maze the coupists shot back: severed ties with France (their mindless taskmaster and former colonial overlord), USA and Nigeria; coveted public support of brother-coupists from Mali and Burkina Faso; resisted pleas from high-powered Nigerian delegation seeking reversal of the successful coup; put the deposed civilian president under house-arrest (we thank God for little mercies, he was not summarily executed).

Consequently, seduced by the anti-US designs of Russia, and the possible backbone of the notorious Wagner Group, the Nigerien militants have dug in, and ignored the hastily declared seven-day ultimatum of the ECOWAS honchos, whereupon hostilities

beloved state in 2007 was taught (thought) to be a miracle….”

Back-page round-up: “…has this year been subjected to one excuse after the other.” Behind the figures: one excuse after another (more than two)

Last week’s edition of this medium terrorized the English language beginning from its Politics Page: “…speaks on his two years on (in) the saddle, zoning and his political ambition for 2027.”

“…said to have rented (rent) the air.” (Sunday Vanguard, June 25)

“…most of our laws are full of ambigu- ity that you need somebody to come and interpret at one time or the other.” No Business English in (formal) journalism: one time or another.

“Divestment by ICOs, no treat (threat) to oil sector”

“An alumnus of the Yaba College of Technol- ogy, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, and Lagos State University, Ojo, from where he holds degrees in Book Publishing and Journalism, respectively….” Yabatech and NIJ have not started awarding degrees yet. So, he holds diplomas in Book Publishing and Journalism and maybe just a degree from LASU! No accentuation, please.

“…Ukeh had worked at Post Express as Metro Editor….” History of the Nigerian Media: The Post Express

The last two offences today are from THE GUARDIAN, June 18: “Former NNPC employee arrested over (for or in connection with) pipeline vandalism” Now the story: “… who was sentenced to five years (years’) imprisonment for pipeline vandalization.” The Metro Section: pipeline vandalism (nothing like ‘vandalization’)!

were meant to start if the coupists did not retreat.

Now, we are in a cul-de-sac - somewhat embarrassing - as Nigeria is expected to uphold the resolutions of ECOWAS; however, Nigerians are in virtual unanimity that we have enough ‘battles’, ‘emergencies’ and ‘wars’ to face in our backyards: stifling economy, Subsidy removals, labour strikes, banditry, sundry security issues, food scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, wobbly education, weak naira - and a a steadily crippling sense of frustrations on a national scale…to add the prospect of committing out soldiers to embark on external aggression, in pursuit of some salutary ideal, against some foreign interlopers, beggars belief.

We sympathise with President Tinubu and his ECOWAS colleagues (the command summit meets a few hours away as this is being written) - but in the wise words of our people: when fire engulfs you and your child, your first action is to put out the fire on your body. So, despite the illustrious goal of reinstating the canons of democratic rule all across West Africa; despite the Nigerien’s resolve to resist sanctions, diplomacy and even threats of military invasion; we cannot assume the generality of Nigeriens are against the coup. We cannot assume the brand of democracy they have been exposed to has not impoverished them and destroyed their lifestyles, all this while.

We must not cry more than the bereaved. Let us find out what the people of Niger want - do they prefer a military interregnum? What hails us may not be their problems. Our disdain for military adventurism is not a universal malaise - perhaps not even regional. Let us tackle our numerous problems, some very endemic and catastrophic, and resist the itch to play the big-brother regional power tug of war.

The listening president should listen to the common desires of the nation…not the breathless whispers of closet war-mongers, unscrupulous profiteers and shadowy hawks.

Wilfred Ndidi Goodbye to King Power Stadium?

In spite of having started Leicester City’s first match in the English Championship last Sunday and scoring in the Foxes EFL Cup win midweek, Super Eagles midfielder,Wilfred Ndidi’s stay in England is just a matter of time.Though his attempt to join former manager, Brendan Rodgers could not materialise due to Glasgow Rangers’inability to meet up Leicester City’s asking price,Turkey seems the next destination as Fernabache and Galatasaray are scrambling for the signature of the former Genk man

Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi was once regarded as a colossus of the Premier League, with so much said about his prowess that Manchester United were in the hunt for him. However, things have fallen apart, and he is no longer the player we know as the 26-year-old defensive midfielder has struggled for form in recent seasons, with injury the bane of his Leicester career.

With the midfield enforcer not happy with life in the English Championship where Leicester now found themselves having been relegated last season, Ndidi might just be seeking succor in Turkey as Fenerbahçe are ready to rival Galatasaray for his signature.

According to Turkish daily newspaper Yeni afak, the Yellow Canaries are in talks with the Leicester City star on the possibility of joining the club.

They have also reportedly submitted an eight million euros plus bonuses bid to Leicester City for his services.

The report also have it that Ndidi has contacted compatriots, Joseph Yobo and Emmanuel Emenike, who represented Fenerbahçe during their playing days, on the prospect of joining the club.

The Turkish outfit want to bolster their midfield with the addition of the Nigerian and Bologna’s Nicolás Domínguez.

The 26-year-old will be joining his international teammate Bright Osayi-Samuel at the Turkish club if the deal goes through.

Ndidi has a year left on his contract with Leicester City and is open to leaving the King Power Stadium for new pastures following the relegation of the Foxes from the Premier League.

The midfield enforcer has also been linked with Galatasaray who see him as an alternative to Tottenham Hotspur’s Tanguy Ndombele, as well as an unnamed team in Saudi Arabia.

Ndidi was in action for Leicester City in their 2-1 victory over Coventry City as the former Premier League champions began life in the Championship at the King Power Stadium last Sunday and was on target in Foxes 2-0 win against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup in their next match on Wednesday.

However, new Foxes manager, Enzo Maresca, says the club is open to selling players desperate to leave the King Power Stadium.

Maresca said, “It is difficult, when the market is open, anything can happen.

“At the moment, seven players had their contracts expired, James Maddison left, and some more players can leave. But at the same time, players can leave, so we can bring in more players.

“The market is open, anything can happen. We can bring in players and we can sell them too. The market is long. There are many weeks so we’ll see.”

Ndidi was linked with exit from the club this summer, after Leicester City were relegated to the Championship, seven years

after they lifted the Premier League.

The former Genk midfielder joined Leicester City in 2017 for £17 million following the departure of Ngolo Kante to Chelsea. Such humongous boots to fill, yet he was unperturbed and did the business for the Foxes. Ndidi might not have reached the heights of the French midfielder Kante in the colours of the Foxes, but he has contributed decently to the achievements made by Leicester City.

According to Transfermarkt, a year ago, Ndidi was the most valuable Nigerian player with €60 million price tag, but his market valuation has since experienced a sharp drop.

The report said Ndidi who was valued at €60m in June 15, 2022, has lost €35m in market value as he is now worth only €20m, about 65 per cent loss in value over a year.

The Leicester midfielder suffered a drop in his transfer market value on four consecutive occasions in September and November 2022 as well as March and June 2023.

His value dropped from €60m to €50m in September, €50m to €40m in November, €40m to €32m in March before the latest Transfer Market update saw him drop down to €20m.

He was named the best tackler in his debut season (2017/18) campaign with 138 tackles and in the process was named as Leicester City’s Young Player of the Year for the season at 21. the importance of the former KAA Genk star could not be overemphasised and almost had no equal in the English top-flight. He was always involved in breaking play of

the opponents and winning the ball back in dangerous areas of the field for his team.

In the 2019/20 season, he shared the best tackler prize with Manchester United’s right-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka. He made 129 successful tackles alongside Wan-Bissaka, and he nearly helped Leicester book a place a Champions League qualification spot that term.

He was indeed proffered as the solution to Man United’s defensive midfield crisis at the time and was also tipped to join Real Madrid, as a substitute to Casemiro.

Meanwhile, with Chelsea’s Cesare Casadei now on a season-long loan to Leicester Ndidi may be struggling for a place with the Italian. Ordinarily, the arrival of a 20-year-old rookie should not be a source of worry for a talented veteran like Ndidi but the times are no longer normal, as the 26-year-old defensive midfielder has struggled for form in recent seasons, with injury the bane of his Leicester career. The arrival of Casadei could pose some nutty problems for Ndidi as Casadei is a versatile midfielder who can play as an attacking midfielder and also in the holding role. The Italian, who captained the Italy Under-20 team to a runners-up position at the World Cup, is also a two-footed player – a quality the Foxes manager would appreciate. While Casadei is good depth for the Foxes and has Championship experience, Ndidi has a battle on his hands and would need to buckle up if he stays.

Wilfred Ndidi not finding playing in the English second tier interesting as witnessed against Coventry City last Sunday

Naija Super 8: Just the Needed Game Changer

Sikiru Abolade

For 10 days last month, the attention of the domestic club football-watching public was fixed on Lagos’ Mobolaji JohnsonArena, venue of the inaugural edition of Naija Super 8, a pre-season tournament. I started following the tournament-on television-from the day the organisers, Flykite Productions, announced it as well as its objective of bringing fans back to stadiums.

It will be dishonest of me to claim I was persuaded that the tournament’s stated objective was realisable. I actually thought it was halfway house between drunken optimism and pompous nonsense. The problems of domestic club football, responsible for the lukewarm attitude to Naija Super 8, are too well known to bear repeating here. I, however, crave your indulgence to state the one that I think has posed-and still does- the biggest obstacle to rekindling fan interest: squalid officiating levels.

Everybody with as much as a passing interest in the domestic game is dissatisfied with refereeing standards, which make for predictable outcomes and deny the fans excitement, with corruption being the prime suspect. I am not brave enough to dismiss suspicions of corruption and I think nobody is. However, there are also factors such as lack of work tools. Tools do not eliminate errors, but they make them less frequent.

A major reason that I think Naija Super 8 succeeded was that it won fan confidence through higher than regular officiating

standards right from its qualifying tournament in Eket, which I watched on television. This is not to say that there were no blemishes, but they were few and far between. In any case, it is almost impossible to eliminate controversies around officiating in a sport that generates wildly differing opinions.

First in Eket and later Lagos, I saw, for the first time in domestic football, referees wearing and using multi-way communication system, which improves evaluation of in-game situations and which I also think will develop refereeing skills. Post-tournament, I also read comments by the organisers hinting at a readiness to, by the next edition of the tournament, bring about the involvement of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which will be a game-changing support tool. VAR, like the multi-way communication device, will also be a first in domestic football.

Through Video Match Officials (VMOs), VAR will provide support for referees in potentially outcome-altering situations like goals/infractions that result in goals, penalty decisions/infractions leading to penalty decisions, direct red card situations and mistaken identity.

The stated desire to introduce VAR speaks to the organisers’ ambition, seriousness and readiness to deal with the dire officiating level, the incubus in the domestic game. Naija Super 8 is a pre-season tournament, not the league. But it has served and seems to be ready to serve more elements that the league structure needs to adopt. VAR will

cost money. Lots of it. But where there is a will, there will be a way. If private organisers of a pre-season tournament think fidelity of officiating decisions is important to fans’ trust and are willing to make an investment in that direction, the administrative architecture of the league can have very few excuses.

Naija Super 8 benefited from top-tier partnership and sponsorship, notably from MultiChoice Nigeria, Hero Lager, MTN, DStv, GOtv, SuperSport, Pepsi, Custodian Assurance and Moniepoint. These corporates, I believe, must have been assured of the fidelity of match outcomes before they provided resources. They do not seem to me like organisations that will lend their names to choreographed outcomes. The more support of this kind the game’s organisers receive-if they are serious-the brighter the chances of domestic football revival.

I gave Naija Super 8 no chance, but I am happy to have been disappointed. Being a pre-season, it provided participating clubs the opportunity to see their new signings in action, put players playing domestically in a bigger shop window and swelled the coffers of participating clubs.

Tournament winners, Sporting Lagos, earned N25million for their triumph in addition to the N3million per match (a total of N12million) earned in the run-in to the final. There is also the not exactly small benefit of an in increased profile, especially with the Naija Super 8 triumph coming shortly

after winning promotion to the elite league division.

Runners-up, Remo Stars, earned N9 million for playing in the final-in addition to the N3 million per match in the run-up to the final. Akwa United and Lobi Stars scooped N12 million for getting to the semi-finals, while the four other clubs-Katsina United, Yobe Desert Stars, Enyimba International and Rivers United-earned N9million each over three games. All the earnings, as stated in the reports around the tournament, were exclusive of transportation, feeding and accommodation in the two cities. They were separately provided for by the organisers.

From the start, I think the organisers snared the fans, offering them the chance to determine a hefty percentage of the participating clubs via public voting. I believe that is a first domestically and made fans see themselves as owners of the tournament. They were kept on with a matrimony between football and entertainment, with the latter yielding 21 musical performances by artistes such as Portable, Seyi Vibe, Bella Shmurda, Daddy Showkey, 9ice and Crayon. Those performances had a role to play. But in the long term, higher officiation standards to build trust will sustain the appetite of the fans. VAR, which the organisers appear minded to introduce, will be a big part of that for the tournament and for domestic football in general.

Abolade writes from Lagos

Rangers Eye First League Title in Six Years

After an underwhelming in last season’s Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, in which they failed to book a place in the Super Six at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, Enugu Rangers is poised to win the league title this season after last winning it in 2017.

Rangers midfielder and club’s new captain, Chukwudi Nwaodu revealed that the team’s target is to win the Nigeria Professional Football League next season.

“Nwaodu was recently appointed captain of the Flying Antelopes, following Uche John’s departure to Rivers United.

The Coal City side last won the NPFL title in 2017, but Nwaodu believes the Flying Antelopes can beat other teams

to the title in the 2023/24 season.

He also encouraged his teammates to brace up for the challenge in order to achieve their collective goal.

“I am sure that with the caliber of players in the team and the pedigree of the coach, we will push for the title next season.

“I also believe we will do well in the Federation Cup.

We have the required quality to win the NPFL title next season.

“All we need do is to prepare ourselves and be positive in achieving the collective goal,” he said.Meanwhile, Rangers head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has called on all stakeholders to support the team ahead of the 2023-24 Nigeria Professional

Football League season.

Ilechukwu made the call during an award ceremony in Enugu.

The former Plateau United tactician assured he would listen to advice from all stakeholders to help the team achieve success.

“I’m calling on all the stakeholders (ex-Rangers Internationals, ex-Super Eagles players) to come out and support the team during the upcoming season.

“I’m a listening coach and I want to achieve success with Rangers this season. It will be a disgrace to have all these ex-players in the state and not achieve success.”

The 2023-24 NPFL season is expected to kick off on Saturday, August 26.

Action between Sporting Lagos and Katsina United during the Naija Super 8

Chelsea Try Liverpool for Size in Season Opener

Two last season’s underperformers, Chelsea and Liverpool will tomorrow go head-to-head in Week 1 of the Premier League at Stamford Bridge in what is expected to be

winless run against Chelsea.

Fresh from lifting another trophy aloft in the Wembley sunshine, Arsenal begin their latest bid for Premier League supremacy at home to Nottingham Forest today.

The Gunners ended their Manchester City hoodoo to win the Community Shield last weekend and are now out for a slice of revenge against the team who officially ended their title dreams last term.

Arsenal exceeded most fans’, pundits’ and journalists’ expectations during a phenomenal 2022-23 campaign, although it still only took a couple of injuries to key cogs for things to go pearshaped, which the Emirates board have sought to rectify with a £200m+ summer spending spree.

Such an outlay should also see the Gunners shut up shop at home more often than they did last term, as their 5-0 demolition job of Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day marked just their fourth Emirates clean sheet in the 2022-23 campaign, although one of the other three did come against their opening-day opponents.

A 5-0 drubbing of Forest in North London soon paled into insignificance when the Gunners travelled to the City Ground in May, as Steve Cooper’s side consigned Arsenal to a second-placed finish while deservedly retaining their Premier League status thanks to one of the most important goals that Taiwo Awoniyi will ever score in his career.

An immediate demotion back down to the Championship was unthinkable for a Forest side who added 25 new faces to their roster throughout the 2022-23 season - some to greater effect than others - and Cooper also brushed aside brief talk of a termination before guiding the Tricky Trees to a second consecutive season of top-flight football.

Forest have since pitted their wits against several continental foes in the build-up to the new campaign, although only two of their seven pre-season fixtures ended with Cooper’s men on the correct end of the scoreline, and they failed to win or indeed score in each of their final four tune-up games.

Following a trio of successive losses to Leeds United, PSV Eindhoven and Rennes, Forest came away from Eintracht Frankfurt’s headquarters with a respectable 0-0 draw to their name, but scoring a mere three goals in their seven warm-up contests might have some alarm bells ringing.

Mauricio Pochettino begins his reign as Chelsea manager with a blockbuster Premier League opener against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

The two English giants will endeavour to put aside their underwhelming top-flight efforts from last season and mount a stronger challenge for a least a top-four finish this time around.

It is fair to say that Chelsea’s first season under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital was eventful, but one that ultimately ended in disastrous fashion as they oversaw the club’s worst top-flight campaign for nearly 30 years.

Despite spending in excess of £600m on new signings across two transfer windows, Chelsea ended the 2022-23 campaign trophyless and failed to qualify for European competition as they languished to a 12th-placed finish in the Premier League, sitting 10 points above the relegation zone and a remarkable 27 points adrift of the top four.

The experiments of Graham Potter and Frank Lampard in the dugout failed to make the desired impact – with the former arguably not given enough time to put his stamp on the club – but there is now plenty of optimism around the appointment of former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is widely regarded as one of the top coaches in world football and who has been lauded for his ability to work with young players.

The Argentine has overseen a mass

exodus of first-team players so far this summer, netting over £200m in the process, while Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Robert Sanchez and Lesley Ugochukwu are among the notable additions, and more are expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea enjoyed an unbeaten preseason and came away from their tour of the USA as champions of the inaugural Premier League Summer Series after accumulating seven points from three games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Fulham to top the six-team table. The Blues then rescued a 1-1 draw in their final warm-up match last week as youngster Mason Burstow netted an 89th-minute equaliser against Borussia Dortmund.

Pochettino, who has only won three of his previous 16 meetings with Liverpool as a manager, is now preparing for a baptism of fire in his first competitive match as Chelsea boss against a Reds side who have drawn each of their last six meetings with the Blues, with each of the last four ending goalless including both Premier League encounters last season – no fixture in English football history has ever finished goalless five times in a row.

Like Chelsea, Liverpool will have to make do without Champions League football this term for the first time since Jurgen Klopp’s maiden campaign in charge nine seasons ago, as they shift their focus to Europa League football after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, four points behind fourth-placed Newcastle.

After taking their hunt for an unprecedented quadruple all the way to the wire in 2021-22, the Reds were unable to mount a serious challenge for any major silverware last season, instead watching their recent foes Manchester City win a historic treble and rivals Manchester United lift the EFL Cup.

Liverpool’s decision to not bolster their squad with new midfielders last season ultimately came back to haunt them, but Klopp has since overseen a significant midfield refresh at Anfield this summer. As many as seven midfielders have departed to date including captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister are two exciting additions, and Moises Caicedo could be another, although the Ecuadorian is said to prefer a move to Chelsea over a switch to Anfield.

While midfield movements are being made behind the scenes, Liverpool experienced mixed fortunes in attack and defence during pre-season, with 19 goals scored and 10 conceded across five friendly fixtures. The Reds posted victories against Karlsruhe, Leicester City and Darmstadt – beating the latter 3-1 on Monday – but a 4-4 draw with Greuther Furth and a 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich suggests that Klopp’s side are yet to get up to full speed.

Liverpool have had few problems making a strong start to life in the Premier League, though, as they have not lost a top-flight opener in any of the last 10 seasons – winning eight and drawing two and a victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday would end their seven-game

Furthermore, no team performed worse on the road than Forest in the 2022-23 Premier League season, as Cooper’s men picked up a paltry eight points on rival territory, and it has been 34 years since the Tricky Trees last managed to sink Arsenal on their own patch, winning 3-1 at Highbury in the 1988-89 First Division, although the Gunners memorably went on to clinch the crown that year.

PREMIER LEAGUE

TODAY

Arsenal v Nott’ham Forest 12:30

Bournemouth v West Ham 15:00

Brighton v Luton Town 15:00

Everton v Fulham 15:00

Sheffield Utd v Crystal Palace 15:00

Newcastle v Aston Villa 17:30

SUNDAY

Brentford v Tottenham 14:00

Chelsea v Liverpool 16:30

MONDAY

Man Utd v Wolvers 20:00

LA LIGA

TODAY Sociedad v Girona 16:00

Las Palmas v Mallorca 18:30

Bilbao v Madrid 20:30

SUNDAY

Celta Vigo v Osasuna 16:00

Villarreal v Real Betis 18:30

Getafe v Barcelona 20:30

MONDAY Cádiz v Alavés 18:30

Atlético v Granada 20:30

a cracker as the two teams hope to return to reckoning this season

Fidelity

Maja Set for West Brom Debut against Swansea Today

According to West Brom’s official website, Super Eagles striker Josh Maja is in contention to make his competitive debut for West Brom when they face Swansea City at The Hawthorns today.

The Baggies confirmed the signing of the Sunderland academy product 10 days ago, snapping him up on a three-year deal following the expiration of his contract at Bordeaux.

Having missed a large chunk

of pre-season preparations, West Brom’s Championship opener against Blackburn Rovers and the Carabao Cup tie with Stoke City came too soon for him.

Prior to Maja’s transfer to West Brom, he did not have pre-season with any club because he had run out of contract at Bordeaux.

West Brom manager Carlos Corberán has called for patience regarding Maja and another new signing Jeremy Sarmiento, and

stressed that the two players are not ready to go the full 90 for now as they are lacking match fitness.

“We need to be patient with them, because it’s not about how many minutes we would like to play them, it’s about how many minutes they can play, to perform and to keep playing in the next games, too,” Corberán said to the official website of West Brom.

“That’s why we need to follow

Brentford Boss Unsure of Nigerian Onyeka’s Fitness

Brentford boss, Thomas Frank has given an injury update ahead of the team’s Premier League opening fixture against Tottenham tomorrow saying Super Eagles midfielder, Frank Onyeka will require further checks ahead of his team’s opening game. The coach of The Hornets, who caused a lot of trouble against big Premier League sides last season, with notable wins against Erik Ten Haag’s Manchester United, and were

the only team in the league to go unbeaten against Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side, Manchester City.

The 49 year old guided his side to a top-ten finish in the English top-flight last season and is set to build on his fortunes, after confirming his talismanic winger, Bryan Mbeumo is back and ready to play against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, meanwhile Super Eagles midfielder, Frank Onyeka is not just ready yet.

Another 10 Months of Non-stop Football Begins on DStv, GOtv

According to West London Sport, the 25-year-old is in the race against time to be fit and will require further checks before he is passed to be match fit. He said;

“Bryan is 100 per cent ready and will start on Sunday. Christian is ready to be involved. Frank will be assessed to see how close he is. Christian is a tiny bit behind the fitness we want to be in, but he’s in a good place.”

‘Joshua One Performance Away from Fury’s Fight’

Frazer Clarke boxed Anthony Joshua as an amateur, sparred with him for years and is now looking to continue his own rise through the professional ranks.

A super-heavyweight Olympic medallist like Joshua before him, Clarke can see the former world champion returning to the top of the sport.

“He’s a performance away from being back in the conversation,” Clarke said of Joshua.

“It’s always been a business, but it’s never been a business like it is now. I think Fury is about the business and he doesn’t even want to risk his ‘0’ [undefeated record],” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m the same as any fan, I want to see the best fight the best. But I know how it works behind the scenes. I hear the conversations and the complications when it comes to making the fights.”

So, what would it take in order to see the best like Joshua, Fury and Usyk face off? More than huge fight purses, Clarke explains.

“I think all the fights we want to see will happen. It just takes really good mediators, promoters and fighters that are ultimately willing to fight for the pride of being the best in the world and not to protect their legacy and their ‘0’.”

Fame Foundation Holds Para Soccer Tourney to Mark Intl Youth Day

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

A non-governmental organisation, Fame Foundation, will organise the Play it Dream it Inclusion Para-soccer Tournament in Kano in partnership with the French Embassy in Nigeria as part of activities marking the International Youth Day 2023.

The event aims to provide a platform for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports, improve physical health, and

increase awareness about the abilities and potential of and increase awareness of the abilities and potential of persons with disabilities in Kano.

The tournament will feature eight professional teams from Kano State and will provide an opportunity for people with disabilities to showcase their skills and abilities on the field.

The Executive Director FAME Foundation, Ms Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, said the event is a means to

inspire every person living with disability.

“We aim to give players a forum to engage with one another and forge a feeling of community while also promoting para-soccer and the difficulties experienced by those living with disabilities” she said.

The Play it Dream it Inclusion Dream Para-soccer tournament holds on August 12 to 13 at the Indoor Hall of the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

Lagos Country Club Inaugurates Committees to Bolster Operations

Lagos Country Club has inaugurated 13 Committees of its Management Council to bolster the operations and propel its activities.

The President of the Club, Mr Seyi Adewunmi, who spoke at the Inauguration, said the committees would be required to articulate new initiatives, ideas and strategies toward the actualisation of the agenda of his tenure and vision of the club.

Adewunmi admonished the 141 members of the committees to deploy their wealth of experience to ensure the realisation of their

terms of reference.

While expressing gratitude to the members for accepting to sacrifice their time and resources to the service of the club, the President, according to a statement by Dr Tunde Bajela, Secretary General of the Lagos Country Club, explained that they were selected on merit and their past services. Mr. Adewunmi Adisa, the Chairman of Disciplinary Committee, who spoke on behalf of the members, pledged to do their level best to uplift the club.

Among the personalities who

The wait for another season of football frenzy is over. This weekend, scintillating football artistry will resume across the major leagues in Europe. And for football-crazy Nigerians, SuperSport will be bringing all the matches live to them wherever they are.

Last weekend, soccer fans were given a dose of what they are in for in the Premier League, when league runners up, Arsenal, took on reigning champions, Manchester City, in the FA Community Shield. The North London side won 4-1 via penalty shootouts after a thrilling 1-1 at full-time.

After losing the league title to Manchester City despite leading for 248 days, the Gunners seem to have tidied the grey areas, having spent a whopping sum of 200 million pounds for the services of three senior players- Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, all of whom put up a decent performance against Man City in the Community Shield win.

As the Premier League kicked off on Friday with the defending champions travelling to newly promoted Burnley, fans are already divided as to where the title would tilt at the end of the season.

Though the Citizens lost their inspirational captain, Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona and Riyad Mahrez to Saudi Arabia, Pep Guardiola’s side has welcomed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and one of the most exciting defenders in the world, Josko Gvardiol, from RB Leipzig. The argument however remains that none of these new signings could be a good replacement to the two departures.

Another team seen as a title contender is the red side of Manchester coached by Erik

Ten Hag. The Red Devils made some decent signings in their attempt to wrestle the title from their ‘noisy neigbours’ with the acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, Mason Mount from Chelsea, goalkeeper, Andre Onana, and defender, John Evans, from Inter Milan and Leicester City respectively.

Newcastle, who will be playing in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years are also leaving no stone unturned, as nine new players arrived St. James’ Park in the summer. Notable among them are Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, Harvey Barnes from Leicester and Chris Wood from Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool have lost Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino to the Saudi Arabian surge. Though Dominik Szoboszlai, who joined from RB Leipzig and World Cup winner, Alexis Mac Allister, from Leicester, are two world-class midfielders, the club’s depth is still questionable.

The Spanish Laliga will still be as competitive as ever, most especially amongst the three top teams-Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletco Madrid. These teams have been able to retain most of the big players and were still able to attract some big guns to their fold.

The White Angels beat other bidders from across Europe to the signature of Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, while Barca snatched Ilkay Gundogan under Guardiloa’s nose. Atletico on the other hand further weakened Leicester City side with the acquisition of Caglar Soyuncu. Bellingham is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world today and Real will be relying a lot on him in their quest to stop Barcelona from

a back-to-back itoe win. However, with Inigo Martinez, Chadi Riad and Julian Araujo now warming up at Camp Nou for the new season, the Madrid teams have to be more consistent to snatch the title from Barca. Meanwhile, Napoli’s resurgence in Italy means Serie A’s more illustrious sides-Juventus and the two Milan sides -AC and Inter, would have to show more grit to be back in reckoning. The two Milan sides surprised bookmakers by going as far as the Champions League semifinals and finals last season. Indeed, the eventual winner, Man City, had to dig deep before edging out Inter in the final.

Interestingly, the three major European competitions’ finals were competed by Italian clubs and they didn’t bow out without a good fight. They would be hoping for another good outing this season. However, when it comes to the continent, the English teams are still highly favoured, considering the strength and competitiveness of the Premier League, while the flair of the Spanish representatives cannot be ignored.

As the new football season begins, fans can enjoy every action of the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and other continental competitions on SuperSport channels, available on DStv and GOtv.

Enjoy scintillating fixtures in the Premier League and La Liga this weekend and other interesting live football matches across Europe this season on DStv Prestige, Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, and GOtv Supa+. Download the MyDStv or MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, renew or upgrade your subscription.

Australia, France Face-off as England Tackles Colombia on GOtv

the President described as eminent and have the pedigree to move the club to the next level include Mr. Segun Shonubi, a former Director, Capacity Building, Certification and Standards of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and Chairman Media and Publicity Committee, Major Gen. Bode Thomas Oginnni (rtd), who chairs the Security and Facility Management Committee, and Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, a market communication expert, who chairs the Brand and Sponsorship Committee.

The second day of quarter-final matches at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup will see co-host Australia take on France, while England lock horns with Colombia. The matches will be broadcast live on GOtv.

Co-host Australia defeated Denmark 2-0 in the Round of 16 courtesy of goals by Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso to book a clash against 2019 host France. Les Bleues qualified for the quarter-finals following a 4-0 victory over Morocco. This

match will air on GOtv SuperSelect 1 (ch 64) at 8am today.

Australian forward Emily van Egmondexpressedhopethatthehome crowd will spur the Matildas to victory over France. “The most enjoyable thing has been walking out on the field and knowingthatyouhavethehomecrowd advantage,” she expressed. “When the whole nation is behind you, it gives you that extra lift when you need it.”

Colombia won a hard fought 1-0 victory over Jamaica to book this tie and will be keen to advance to

the semi-finals at the expense of the Lioness who will be without Chelsea’s forward, Lauren James, after she got a two-match ban for violent conduct against Nigeria’s defender, Michelle Alozie. This match will air on GOtv SuperSelect 1 (ch 64) at 11am today.

The winner of these matches will square up against each other in the semi-final, while Spain and Sweden will clash in the semi-final after they beat their quarter-final opponents.

Josh Maja poses in West Brom dressing room after his unveiling

Goalmouth melee during the Premier League opener between Burnley and Manchester City yesterday

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD

Zamfara APC to Gov Lawal

MIKEOZEKHOME

GUEST COLUMNIST

Justice Nweze and How Society Kills Its Best

It has been a harvest of deaths in the judiciary.

Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, a ranking Justice of the Court of Appeal, died on July 3, 2023. Then Justice Chima Centus Nweze died on Sunday, July 30 2023. The Hon. Justice Kate Abiri, erstwhile Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, who retired only on 13th January 2023, died on 3rd August, 2023. To say I am heart-broken by this harvest of premature deaths is an understatement.

More so for Justice Abiri, who only at 6. 51am on the 3rd, August, 2023, had sent whatsapp messages to me, which was her usual daily morning devotional prayers. She had done this for years. The title of this particular prayer that she posted obviously few hours before the Lord’s call was, “How lovely is your Dwelling place, Lord”. (Thursday, 3rd August, 2023). Did the beautiful and ageless late Justice Abiri foresee her death coming and yearned for my “Lord’s lovely Dwelling place”? I do not know. Or, do you?

Given the human nature of our frail bodies, everyone must experience death. God almighty, from whom every living being and thing springs forth, determines when we must experience death. Death is therefore like the second skin we wear. It follows us everywhere like a shadow in the morning, afternoon and night. Yes, at home, in the market, farm, work place, school, road, river, air- just any and everywhere. It is the surest thing about a man’s sojourn on earth: we must all die. What we do not know is when, where, why and how. And what happens thereafter still lies with God only. This is one of the reasons I do not discredit the dead no matter the occasion. They should be honoured, with their sins forgiven; rendered clean like a tabula rasa; as white as snow.

Late Justice Nweze was a prominent figure in the Nigerian legal system, better known for his deep commitment to justice, impeccable integrity and a brilliant legal mind. Throughout his illustrious career as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, he left an indelible mark on the country’s jurisprudence and stood tall as a beacon of hope for the rule of law. His demise, though a very painful one, is something we have to accept as one of the vicissitudes of life. This piece seeks to extol the virtues of this remarkable Jurist, while also shedding light on the challenges he faced in his pursuit of justice, like his peers.

Born on the 25th of September, 1958, in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria, Justice Nweze’s early life was driven by a passion for knowledge and justice. He was very determined in his pursuit of excellence. He bagged all his degrees – from Bachelors and Masters, to Ph.D – from the same University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was called to the Bar in 1984 (39 years ago). He engaged in private legal practice for ten solid years (1985 – 1995), where he quickly gained reputation for his brilliance, erudition and integrity. His dedication to the legal profession earned him recognition and respect, leading to his appointment as a Judge in the Enugu State Judiciary in 1995. His Lordship also served in various other capacities in extra-judicial vocational activities. A cerebral Author, Nweze wrote many books on advocacy, human rights, Sociology of Law, Judicial Sustainability of Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria, etc. He was very well-read. A deep researcher, Nweze had authorities to support all his verdicts. His scholarly depth and breadth in legal matters were simply ineffable.

On the 15th of February, 2008, His Lordship was elevated to the Court of Appeal, where he continued to distinguish himself as a conscientious Jurist. Nweze reached the pinnacle of his legal and judicial career when he was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the 29th day of October, 2014. From this esteemed position, he contributed significantly to the development and interpretation of Nigerian laws, ensuring justice for all and upholding the principles of the Constitution and constitutional democracy. Nweze broadened

the scope, plenitude, amplitude and landscape of Nigerian legal jurisprudence.

Late Justice Nweze was widely admired for his boldness and unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law. He firmly believed that justice should be blind and applied equally to all, regardless of their station in life, background, wealth, or influence.

Throughout his career, he consistently demonstrated fairness and impartiality in his judgments, earning him the respect of both legal minds and the general public. He is popularly known as the “dissenter” in the Supreme Court, for his many telling dissenting judgements that open up new vistas of law.

In his dissenting judgment in the application for review filed by Emeka Ihedioha and the PDP, one of the most popular of them all, Nweze held that the apex court had the power to revisit or review its decisions. He noted that the bad decision of the Supreme Court in the matter which made a number four candidate to become number one and Governor, will “sooner or later, hunt our electoral jurisprudence”. Though this resonating verdict could not overturn the majority decision of his learned brothers who insisted on the finality of their decisions, history and posterity will continue to remember and judge him fairly for his boldness, passion and courage in taking on all his colleagues, notwithstanding that he was in the minority.

Nweze did not believe that the finality of the Supreme Court should necessarily amount to its infalibility; contrary to the earlier opinion expressed by the apex court in the celebrated case of Adegoke Motors Nig Ltd v. Adesanya (1989) LPELR-94(SC).

It was not all the decisions in every case in which he participated that however went down well with the Nigerian people. In the Ahmad Lawan v. Bashir Machina case (the decision of which I have sine approached the apex court for a kind calm review), some people felt that the learned Justice sacrificed justice on the altar of mere form and technicality. His lead judgment in that 3-2 split decision case, has been widely criticized as a very unfortunate one. Many Nigerians believe that the then Senate President, Lawan, never participated in the APC Senatorial primary for the Yobe North Senatorial District, held on 28th May, 2022, as he had voluntarily withdrawn to participate in the Presidential Primary held on 8th June, 2022, in clear breach of section 82(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022. It is widely believed that Machina had duly and lawfully emerged as the unopposed winner of the primary; while Lawan contested and lost the

presidential ticket to Tinubu.

Indeed, INEC had never supported Lawan on this. Both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal affirmed Machina’s victory. The apex court in a verdict led by Nweze upturned the two lower courts’ decisions on the ground that Machina ought not to have commenced the suit by Originating Summons without leading oral evidence to prove allegations of fraud. Yet, there were no averments bordering on allegations of fraud in the entire affidavit deposed to by Machina. More significantly, the very Pre-Election Practice Direction had prescribed Originating Summons as the only mode to approach the court on matter concerning party primaries. Many could not understand (I am one of them), why a party should be penalised for obeying the law. Many felt the decision was too technical as it dwelt more on form, rather than on substance and justice.

As a ranking member of the Supreme Court, Justice Nweze often faced many complex legal issues that required careful analysis and interpretation. Some cases involved intricate constitutional matters. Striking a balance between different legal principles and competing interests which demanded exceptional legal acumen and judgment, always reared their heads. One of such was the Machina case. The negative reactions generated from this case, appeared to have elicited some coldness towards Justice Nweze, given that Ahmad Lawan never participated in the primary election organized by his party and duly supervised by INEC in that appeal.

Even then, notwithstanding the negative reactions that greeted the judgment in Machina’s case, Justice Nweze’s integrity, brilliance and legal acumen were palpably evident in the eloquence and depth of his judgment. That was how he saw the issues. Nweze simply possessed a keen understanding of the law, which he artfully applied to unravel many complex legal issues. His judgments were often characterized by well-reasoned arguments, meticulous research and a profound knowledge of legal precedents, making them valuable guides for future cases. Nweze’s oratorial prowess and the admissible way and manner with which he simplified complicated legal concepts will be missed by all, especially the legal profession.

That Justice Nweze committed human errors like all of us mortals is to be expected. Afterall, can a man ever attain infallibility? Are we God? No. His lead judgement in the Machina case, I humbly submit therefore, should be seen as one of such mere human mistakes of the head, and not of the heart. May God, forgive him for this only one misstep. Amen.

Thus, integrity remained the cornerstone of Justice Nweze’s entire being. His personal and professional conduct was guided by a strong high moral compass, earning him the trust and admiration of his peers and members of the public alike. His numerous writings and judgements are clear attestation of this inclination. Nweze had a high reputation for honesty and incorruptibility; and served as examples for others in the legal profession and beyond to follow.

One of the most significant challenges faced by Justice Nweze and his colleagues on the Supreme Court Bench is the overwhelming case backlog. Nigeria’s judicial system has long been plagued by inordinate delays, with a backlog of cases piling up over the years. This situation limited the Court’s ability to deliver timely justice. This has led to frustration for litigants seeking timeous resolution of their cases. The Nigerian Supreme Court is unarguably the busiest in the whole wide world, with inconsequential matters from villages meandering and snaking their labyrithine ways to a whole apex court, in Abuja. A decentralization of the court system as operates in America is what we desire. In the USA, each of the 50 states has its own court hierarchy from the lowest court up to the Supreme Court; with the Federal Supreme Court situate in Washington DC reserved for more important national and constitutional issues.

The Nigerian judiciary has, at times, grappled with

numerous allegations of corruption and influencepeddling. While Justice Nweze maintained an impeccable reputation for integrity, these issues within the broader legal spectrum pose a major threat to the administration of justice. The presence of corruption could undermine public perception and trust in the Judiciary; and ultimately erode confidence in the rule of law. Justice, says the Supreme Court, is rooted in confidence. It is obvious that Justice Nweze was not corrupt. His Spartan-like life exemplified this. When I visited the bereaved larger family, including his very wife and children at his Maitama home, Abuja, after his demise, I beheld a surprisingly sparsely furnished nondescript duplex, bereft of any sign of opulence, luxury, gravitas or panache. It is just like any other ordinary duplex built by some low-income workers; or at best, middle level Civil Servants. Is this accommodation for a whole Justice of the Supreme Court (the highest court of the land)? Is that what other Justices of the apex court go through? I shuddered and wondered! Haba! I was and I am still dazed and pained as to why the Judiciary is so marginalized, neglected, ignored and despised. Yet, everyone runs there for succor.

Perhaps, Alexander Hamilton was right afterall in his Federalist paper No. 78 that the Judiciary is the weakest arm of government, for it has neither purse nor sword. Imagine a whole Chief Justice of Nigeria, being ranked number 5 in the official order of precedence, after the President, Vice President, Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Yet, he is the head of one of the three arms of government. This is absurd and shameful. The proper order should simply and commonsensically be President, (Executive, section 5); Senate President (Legislature, section 4); and Chief Justice of Nigeria (Judiciary, section 6), all of the 1999 Constitution, as altered. That was the tripartite division of government functions that Baron de Montesquieu taught us as far back as 1748, in his doctrine of the separation of powers. Imagine the news that Justice Nweze was said to have died after a brief illness occasioned by a surgery in a Nigerian hospital. Such a surgery is usually taken for granted in more advanced countries of the world. Was it due to paucity of funds and impecuniosity that prevented him from seeking better medical attention abroad? I do not know. Or, do you? Justice Nweze’s sad case shows how the Nigerian society kills its best. A great pity indeed.

Late Justice Nweze was an exceptionally outstanding Jurist of impeccable credentials. His legacy continues to inspire the Nigerian legal and non-legal community. His resolute, unflunctuating and untrammeled erudition, deep commitment to justice, exceptional legal acumen, penetrating lucidity and fecundity of mind and thought, and his unwavering integrity and character, have all combined to set a very high standard and benchmark for his peers and future generations yet unborn. Despite the challenges he faced, Justice Nweze remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice, equity, egalitarianism, rule of law, respect for human rights and nation-building. He dutifully upheld the values, virtues and ethos that form the very foundation of a just society. As Nigeria’s legal system continues to evolve, the probity and uprightness exemplified by Justice Nweze will serve as a guiding light for the Judiciary and those who strive for justice in the nation. This is why he will never be forgotten. His noble deeds and pro-masses judgements, driven by his perception of issues from justice to law, rather than from law to justice, has inducted the Honourable Justice Chima Centus Nwezw into the pantheon of Nigerian juristic icons and heroes.

Adieu, milord. Good bye sir. Farewell, cerebral mind who never called me by my name, but by my popular traditional title of “Akpakpa Vighi vighi Edoland) (Generalissimo). May God Almighty forgive you your earthly sins and eternally rest your kind soul in His warm bosom. Amen, amen and amen.

“Instead of appointing a special adviser on security who will be supervising security matters on his behalf, he appointed an SA on finance and other social issues, neglecting the security of life and properties of the citizens” –The Zamfara State chapter of the APC chiding Governor Dauda Lawal over insecurity in the state.

Justice Nweze