SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBMBER 2022

Court Nullifies Oyetola’s Nomination as APC’s Guber Candidate in Osun S’Court ends Edo PDP’s protracted row, dismisses Orbih's suit Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday nullified the nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, as

candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded governorship election in Osun State.

On the same day, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal filed by a faction loyal to a Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dan Orbih, over the authentic delegate’s list for the selection of the party's candidates in the 2023 general election in Edo State.

Justice Nwite nullified the nominations of Oyetola and his

deputy while delivering judgment in the suit filed by the PDP, meaning that they were never candidates in the just concluded governorship election.

The suit marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/468/2022, has former

Acting Chairman of the APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni and four others as defendants.

Justice Nwite in his judgement held that the nomination of Oyetola and his deputy, was

unlawful and unconstitutional because Buni, who submitted their names to INEC, violated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution and Section 82(3) Continued on page 5

FG Banks on TotalEnergies’ New 50,000bpd Asset to Boost Oil Production... Page 14 Saturday 1 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10035

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In Last Independence Day Address, President Bemoans Pains of Nigerians IBB: We will remain an indivisible entity Atiku: This country shall rise again Tinubu: We still have work to do in perfecting Democracy Lawan: Nigerians must remain resolute in the defence of national unity See story on page 5

PRAYING FOR NIGERIA… L-R: His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; HRH, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar at the National Mosque, Abuja for the Independence Day Special Juma'at prayer...yesterday

Aisha Buhari Apologises to Nigerians over Insecurity, Hardship... Page 63

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2022 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE FIVE IN LAST INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS, PRESIDENT BEMOANS PAINS OF NIGERIANS Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna President Muhammadu Buhari, in his last Independence Day nationwide broadcast as President of Nigeria this morning, ahead of his leaving office on May 29, 2023, expressed concern about the pains Nigerians are going through in the wake of security and economic challenges facing the country.

Likewise, former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida; the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu and President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan sent messages of hope to Nigerians on this Independence Day. In the broadcast to mark the 62nd Independence anniversary, Buhari also addressed the eight-month old strike action embarked upon by public universities' lecturers with a plea to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its industrial action.

He further reiterated the commitment of his administration to bequeath a worthy electoral legacy to the nation.

The President declared that he shared the pains Nigerians are going through and assured that their resilience and patience would not be in vain as his government continues to reposition as well as strengthen the security agencies to enable them to deal with all forms of security challenges.

According to him: "At the inception of this administration in 2015, I provided the funding requirements of the security agencies which was also improved in my second tenure in 2019 to enable them to surmount security challenges.

We will continue on this path until our efforts yield the desired results" “As we put in place all measures to ensure that Nigeria takes her place in the Comity of Nations, we recognize the importance of a well-educated populace as a panacea to most of the challenges we face.

"We have, therefore, pursued policies and implemented programmes designed to create a literate and proficient society that ensures that citizens are availed with opportunities for life-long achievements.

"I must confess that I am very pained by the recurring disruption to our tertiary education system and I am using this Independence Day celebration to re-iterate my call on the striking ASUU members to return to the classroom while assuring them that I will deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available. This administration has made appreciable progress in

redressing these issues that have been lingering for over eleven years.”

He also emphasised that he and his cabinet in the last seven years plus have been able to turn Nigeria around for the better.

He said: "I was called to serve, along with my team, I saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria which we have done with the support of Nigerians.

Almighty God and the good people of Nigeria supported us in laying a solid foundation for the Nigeria of our dreams".

The President said: "I address you today, with a deep sense of gratitude to God and a high level of appreciation to all Nigerians whose tremendous goodwill gave me the opportunity to provide leadership for our great country at one of the trying times in her history.

"Conscious that today’s address would be my last on an Independence Day as your President; I speak to the millions of Nigerians, who believed in me, propelled and stood by me in my quest to bequeath a country where all citizens have equal opportunities to achieve their lives desires in a peaceful atmosphere.

"I am honoured to say that my story in the annals of Nigeria’s history is no household secret.

My various attempts, failures and eventual success in being elected as a Democratic President in 2015 was made possible by the majority of Nigerians.

"When you elected me, I readily acknowledged that the tasks before me were daunting but surmountable because of the growing national consensus that our chosen route to national development was democracy.

"This democracy was to be anchored on a clear understanding, application and the principles of separation of powers supported by a reformed public service that is more effective.

"I then pledged to Improve the Economy, Tackle Corruption and Fight Insecurity and this was further strengthened by my commitment to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years as the central plank of my second term in 2019.

"To the Glory of God and His Grace as well as the commitment and passion displayed by many Nigerian supporters, we have made appreciable progress in these areas but not yet at our destination.”

The President said he was mindful of the task before him and his team, and “we took some time in settling down and we re-positioned the Economy by providing strategic interventions in core areas at both the Federal and Sub-National levels.”

He continued: “One of the areas

where we have made significant progress is in the eradication of deeply entrenched corruption that permeates all facets of our national development.

"We strengthened the Institutions for tackling corruption and also cultivated international support, which aided the repatriation of huge sums of money illegally kept outside the country.”

On the challenges facing the country, he said: “Fellow Nigerians, in the past few years we have witnessed and overcome a good number of challenges that would ordinarily have destroyed our Nation. However, the indefatigable spirit of the Nigerian people has ensured that we overcome our challenges.

“It is in this spirit that I call on all of us to individually and collectively bring to the fore in dealing with all our development issues. I was called to serve, along with my team, I saw an opportunity to create a better Nigeria which we have done with the support of Nigerians. Almighty God and the good people of Nigeria supported us in laying a solid foundation for the Nigeria of our dreams.”

IBB: Nigeria will Remain an Indivisible Entity In his own Independence Day message, Babangida expressed hope of Nigeria remaining an indivisible entity.

Babangida who addressed newsmen in Minna, Niger State, called on all Nigerians to work towards the country's unity.

The former military president, who applauded the efforts of successive administrations in keeping the country united, added that he wants the country to remain a strong, prosperous, and united country where peace reigns supreme.

Babangida, who also appealed to youths in the country to desist from the temptation of allowing themselves to be used as thugs by politicians, expressed optimism that the current crisis between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) would be resolved soon.

He said: "Seven years after the independence, we went through a civil war, and came out of it quite successfully in the sense that the country remains one from 1967 to1970, and since then, all efforts, government both civil and the military, were all engaged in trying to keep the country united ,and so far we are still a united country."

Babangida therefore charged the younger generation "to imbibe the culture of knowing more about the historical perspectives of Nigeria and

the efforts of its founding fathers in bringing the country together."

He challenged the youths: “You must know what happened, what roles various people played for Nigeria to come together, that is why one of you was talking about history, once you know the history of the country very well and the efforts of our founding fathers, then you have a roadmap that you have to follow."

The former military President therefore emphasised that his desire is to see Nigeria remain a strong and united country with prosperity and people living in peace with one another.

On the insecurity facing most parts of the country Babangida said the present administration "is willing to bring an end to the insecurity challenges bedeviling parts of the Country" adding that "operations requires both the support of the public and the law enforcement agencies.

"Nigerians must support the law enforcement agencies in fighting insurgency and once this is done the government is willing to fight the insurgency," said IBB. Babangida who commended past and present leaders of the country for the tremendous efforts being made to diversify the economy which he claimed has recorded "some good success" added that "we just have no option but to continue diversifying the economy and making it open."

Atiku: Nigeria Shall Rise again The Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku congratulated Nigerians on the celebration of its 62nd Independence Day anniversary assuring that the nation would rise again.

The former vice president in a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday said that the celebration of Nigeria’s Independence Day is an event that should reawaken Nigeria’s consciousness towards the consolidation of unity amongst the diverse people of the country.

The PDP presidential candidate said that Nigeria had come a long way after our independence 62 years ago, passing through different phases of challenges, noting however, that “the democracy that we have is the requisite antidote to the current challenges that we face.”

The Wazirin Adamawa noted, “Though, Nigeria is beset with challenges that range from inadequacies of our economic plans to cover a large percentage of our people who live below the poverty line; to security skirmishes that daily threaten the safety of

COURT NULLIFIES OYETOLA’S NOMINATION AS APC’S GUBER CANDIDATE IN OSUN of the Electoral Act 2022.

Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, counsel to the PDP, had in the suit dated April 7, urged the court to void the nomination of Governor Oyetola and his deputy as the duly nominated candidates of the APC on the grounds that the action of Buni breached the law.

However, Ogunwumiju's submission was opposed by Oyetola's lawyer, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, SAN, who urged the court to dismiss the suit for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

According to Oyetola's lawyer, the Plaintiff did not have the locus to commence the legal action against the defendants, since it was not a member of the APC and more so, the issue of nomination was an internal matter of political parties.

Oyetola, in addition, argued that the suit was statute-barred, hence the court should dismiss it.

In his judgement, Justice Nwite agreed with the submissions of the Plaintiff’s counsel and declared as null and void, the nomination of Oyetola and Alabi by the APC.

The court also held that Governor Buni acted in contravention of the provision of Section 183 of the Constitution when he held dual executive positions as the Governor of Yobe State and the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of APC. The court held that the steps or decisions taken by Buni, including forwarding the names of Oyetola and Alabi to INEC, amounted to a nullity in law.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had declared the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke, winner of the July 16 governorship election, having scored the highest number of votes cast at the polls.

S’Court Ends Edo PDP Row, Dismisses Dan Orbih's Suit The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed an appeal filed by a faction loyal to a PDP chieftain, Dan Orbih, over the authentic delegates’ list for the selection

of candidates in the 2023 general elections in Edo State.

The apex court in a unanimous decision dismissed the appeal on the grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the appeal.

The Adhoc Delegate Committee members loyal to Orbih, had approached the Supreme Court to set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal against them.

Recall that the appellate court had set aside the decision of the Federal High Court recognising the Adhoc Delegate Committee list of Orbih's faction, on the grounds that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place.

The appellants (Monday Osagie and others) in their appeal, specifically asked the apex court to nullify the decision of the Court of Appeal and restore the judgement of the trial court which recognised them as the authentic Adhoc delegates for the selection of candidates for the National and State House of Assemblies elections slated for next year.

However, in their unanimous

judgement, the apex court dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

The five-man panel, led by Justice Amina Augie, agreed with the decision of the Court of Appeal that courts lacked the powers to interfere in the internal matters of political parties.

The apex court further held that the appellants lacked the legal rights to approach the court over the delegates’ list since they were not aspirants in the forthcoming election.

According to the judgement, only aspirants to an elective office can approach the court to seek redress over any alleged abnormalities or illegality concerning the conduct of a primary election as in the instant case.

"I hold that the Court of Appeal correctly held that the matter is an intra-party affair. It is not justiciable and not within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

"On the whole, the appeal fails and it is accordingly dismissed," Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the judgement held.

lives and property of Nigerians, the root cause of these problem is traceable to the increasing lack of unity amongst us.”

He, however, assured that as one people and under the canopy of one country sharing in one future, “we will surmount our challenges and enthrone the Nigeria of our dreams.”

And as Nigerians go into the general elections next year, Atiku urged all to give the issue of building national unity primary attention.

“Nigerians should elect leaders who are individuals with proven track records of being protagonists of unity and peace.

“I believe that when we fix the issues that continue to compromise our national unity, we would invariably fix issues that upset our peace and security and subsequently create an environment that can encourage economic prosperity", Atiku said.

The presidential flagbearer of the PDP also called on all friends of Nigeria in the international community to continue to have confidence in the country because, “as a people we never give up.”

He further called on all people of faith across the country not to relent in their prayers to God to keep Nigeria as a country of peace and prosperity for the good of all its people.

Tinubu: We Still Have Work to Do in Perfecting Democracy The Presidential candidate of the APC, Tinubu urged Nigerians not to forget the struggles of those who fought for independence and urged all to do more to perfect Nigeria’s democracy.

He said: “In this complex time, it is easy to forget the struggles of those who came before us. Those Nigerian founders and nationalists who devoted themselves to making the dream of an independent and proud Nigeria a reality. But we must not forget. We commemorate this day so that our nation shall forever hold in remembrance those who won our nation’s independence.

“There is no way we can repay them for their patriotism except to remember them and strive to match their love of country and their sacrifice for it. Some gave not only their best years but their very lives so that Nigeria can be born.

Their labour shall never be in vain!

“Indeed, we have come a long way from 1960 when we gained independence. We have walked far since then. Still, the best of our national journey lies before and not behind us. Since 1999, our country has experienced 23 years of uninterrupted democracy.

“While, we have firmly established democracy as our way of governance, we still have work to do in perfecting our form of governance such that government will always and completely be for, of, by and because of the people. That our people live in the dignity afforded by prosperity, justice, freedom and an unyielding belief in our capacity to overcome any obstacle was what compelled our founders to strive for the independence we now enjoy.

“On this Independence Day, let us commit ourselves to Nigeria’s unity as well as to our collective improvement. In unity, we must see each other as brothers and sisters regardless of our ethnic, religious or regional diversity. In seeking national improvement, we must join hands in growing the economy, creating jobs, feeding the hungry, educating our youth, caring for the sick and protecting our people and their way of life from evil and misguided foes who seek to destroy all that is good.

“Today, let us thank President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration for their patriotic efforts in the service of the nation.

We give utmost thanks to the

committed service of the brave members of our armed forces, security and law enforcement agencies some of whom have given their very lives in defence of our freedom against terrorism and violent extremism.

“We thank all who have dedicated their lives to public service and to the belief that this nation can be made great. We thank each and every law-abiding citizen of our great nation who dedicate their lives in the hope that Nigeria will better and more united.

“Today, I speak not of politics but patriotism. The time for politics will come soon enough. But the time for and demand of patriotism never fade. May we all seek the best for Nigeria regardless of partisan affiliation and may we never undermine the national purpose in pursuit of narrow gain.

“My running mate, party and I stand committed to a prosperous, violence-free, and democracy-filled Nigeria. I ask you all to do the same. Only by so doing, shall we honour the sacrifices and devotion of our nation’s founders. In this way, we bring a dependable promise of renewed hope to our quest for national greatness.”

Lawan Urges Nigerians to Remain Resolute The President of the Senate, Lawan urged Nigerians to remain resolute in the defence of national unity and promote fairness, justice and peace.

In his message to Nigerians on the country's 62nd Independence anniversary, Lawan said the National Assembly would "continue to work for good governance and to strengthen our bond as a nation.

He said: "The Almighty God in His infinite wisdom brought us together in our diversities. He has also preserved our Union despite the challenges that we have encountered in nation-building and socio-economic development since our Independence in 1960.

"I salute fellow Nigerians for the resilience of our faith in our country in the face of those challenges.

"This precious faith in Nigeria and the lessons we continue to learn from our errors and triumphs will help us in building the great and prosperous nation that is our desire and destiny.

"On this day as we remember the labour of our heroes past, I urge us as a people to remain resolute in the defence of our unity, the pursuit of national prosperity and the promotion of fairness, justice and peace for the benefit of all our people.

"We have subscribed to democracy as our preferred form of Government. We should therefore nurture it patiently for the development of our country and the good of the present and future generations of our people.

"As we approach another election cycle, I implore our political actors to carefully weigh their words and actions towards ensuring peaceful electioneering as well as free and fair polls, in line with what is clearly emerging as a legacy of this Administration. We should be issue-based in the campaigns and avoid hate speech and violence.

"We are proud that we in the ninth National Assembly have provided the nation with an electoral law that has tremendously strengthened the electoral process.

The law will make our votes count and promote confidence in the credibility of the process and we shall continue to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver credible elections.”

"Our Armed Forces and other security agencies have, in recent times, made encouraging progress in the fight against insecurity in our country. They need the support of us all to sustain the tempo and up the game in their patriotic efforts, until security is restored to all parts of our country."

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

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

NIGERIA @ 62 . . . NIGERIA @ 62 . . . NIGERIA @ 62 . . .

Gbajabiamila Urges Nigerians to Keep Hope Alive Udora Orizu in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi

Gbajabiamila, has rejoiced with Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 62nd independence anniversary.

Obi Bemoans Nigeria’s Development at 62 Emameh Gabriel in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has bemoaned the poor development of Nigeria, saying that 2023 elections will present Nigerians with another opportunity to right the wrongs of bad leadership in the country for many years.

He assured that the future holds hope for the country as he was ready to turn the fortune of the country around if elected president next year.

Obi, who stated this in his Independence Day Message to Nigerians, said that at 62 Nigeria

continues to struggle under the weight of corruption, bad governance, insecurity, worsening economy, abuse of office and all manner of ills.

“After 62 years of independence, we are still experiencing constant collapse of our national grid, as many as seven times in a single year; our universities have been shut for eight months; our inflation rate is at an all time high, as more than half of the population are battling extreme poverty; insecurity and violence are occurring at an alarming rate; oil theft is carried on with impunity and in all fronts - the nation bleeds,” Obi lamented.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement, urged the citizens to keep hope alive, noting that they have a lot to celebrate despite the challenges facing them.

He said as a country, Nigeria has come a long

way and made tremendous progress in the 62 years of her independence and remains a force to reckon with in the comity of nations.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria and Nigerians would

come out stronger in the face of daunting challenges, including insecurity.

While reiterating the need for citizens to continue to remain patriotic and keep hope

alive ahead of the 2023 general elections, Gbajabiamila urged Nigerians to maintain peace, unity, law and order ahead of the country’s polls, maintaining that the country would get it right.

GOOD TO SEE YOU… L-R: The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, with President Muhammadu Buhari, during a visit to the President by Amaechi.... yesterday.

PHOTO GODWIN OMOIGUI

Use 2023 Elections to Redeem Nigeria, Says Mark Ngige Praises Workers Contribution to National Development Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has urged Nigerians to leverage on the 2023 general elections to elect credible leaders that would get the country out of the woods.

Mark, who stated this in a goodwill message to Nigerians to commemorate Nigeria’s 62 years of independence, expressed optimism that despite the myriads of socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation, “the problems are surmountable if we work together.”

“The 2023 elections present another opportunity to take stock of the journey so far with a view to righting the wrongs of the past through the ballot boxes,” he added.

He urged all Nigerians of voting age to participate in the

electoral process believing that with the improved electioneering arrangement, votes will count and results reflect the wishes of the people.

The former Senate helmsman however cautioned desperate political office seekers to avoid resorting to emotional fault-lines like religious or ethnic considerations in order to gain advantage over opponents pointing out that such politicians were liabilities who had nothing to offer.

“We should avoid such mundane issues that tend to be an impediment to our peace and unity. At 62, Nigeria cannot be said to be a toddler anymore.

We must therefore rise above primordial sentiments and live up to our billings as the giant of Africa,” Mark stressed.

Soldiers, Masses, Heroes of Nigeria, Says Kachikwu Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has described the personnel of the Nigerian military and the masses as the heroes of the nation.

He stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday on the occasion of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day celebration.

He said, “As we mark this day, I want us to specially celebrate two groups of people. First are our fallen heroes and those who are in the field defending our freedoms and way of life. For over a decade our nation has been at war and more often than not we forget the heroic sacrifices made daily by our men and women in uniform.

“They wage war that we may have peace. Our troops have defended other nations, maintained the peace in far flung lands and today have the task of defending our land.

“The second group are the Nigerian masses who are suffering in silence. They stay silent so that we may have peace. They suffer untold hardships as our economy gets worse, as job opportunities disappear, as our security situation worsens and as food prices escalate.

“These two sets of people are the true heroes of our nation. They maintain the silence of the grave in the face of hardship.

“For one set it is the demand and dictate of their jobs as soldiers and for the other set it is because they have lost their voices. They have been cowed by an unfair and unjust society. Nobody speaks for them.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has commended Nigerian workers operating under different unions for their immeasurable contributions to the sustenance of Nigeria’s independence.

In a statement by his Media Office in Abuja yesterday, Ngige assured the nation’s workforce that President Muhanmmadu Buhari-led administration will leave no stone unturned in ensuring an improved welfare for all workers, in the face of extant challenges that have eaten into the New National Minimum Wage.

According to the minister,

the federal government is not unmindful of the runaway prices of goods and services and their deleterious consequences on salaries and wages.

“It is another opportunity to reflect on the heroic roles which the Nigerian workforce, operating under different unions played in Nigeria’s independence struggle and the sustenance of that freedom since October 1, 1960.

“Nothing is too much as a compensation, hence, reason the present administration has continued to show unflinching commitment to the improved lots of all workers even in the face of dwindling national earnings. The new national

Dafinone Felicitates Urhobo, Nigerians, Charges them to Remain Steadfast Sylvester Idowu in Warri The All Progressive Congress (APC) Delta Central Senatorial Candidate, Chief Ede Dafinone, has felicitated with the Urhobo nation charging them to remain steadfast and not to despair as things will surely get better.

The APC senatorial candidate, in his 62nd independence anniversary message noted that the celebration provides Urhobos and Nigerians with another opportunity to look inwards and re-evaluate the journey so far as a nation, and then project “into the future on how we can collectively work together to build the nation of our dreams.”

The renowned Chartered Accountant, urged Nigerians irrespective of creed and religion to continue to live together in harmony, love and peace, eschew violence and learn how to tolerate one another as no nation can grow or develop without peace.

Dafinone noted Nigeria has the potential to achieve greatness, saying that the nation’s stable democracy has offered the people the opportunity to harness the country’s abundant resources for the good of all urging the citizens should therefore, take more than a passive interest in governance by electing credible leaders in the 2023 general elections.

“There is no doubt that our democracy has come of age. Today, we have a federal government that is committed to our national rebirth; tackling corruption and rebuilding our infrastructure. This is with a view to building a brighter future for the coming generations.

“As we celebrate this remarkable day, I urge all Delta Central residents to continue to support the APC-led federal government as we work towards restoring the vision of our founding fathers.

minimum wage and its consequential adjustment (wage increase) were implemented in 2019. And despite the economy slipping twice into recession, the President ensured that no federal government employee lost his or her job.

“Even while COVID-19 forced the entire world on bended knees and millions lost their jobs globally, the federal government shielded its workers.

Notwithstanding the two-third federal staff strength at home, in conformity with COVID protocol, salaries were paid as and when due.

“Therefore, the federal government is concerned over the plight of workers, consequent

upon the adverse effects of galloping inflation on salaries and wages. While this gale of inflation is a global phenomenon, and not restricted to Nigeria, we call for further understanding of workers as government plans an appropriate response. President Buhari has never failed Nigerian workers. Not now!,” he added.

On the growing unemployment rate, Ngige said his ministry has established a Labour Market Information System (LMIS) intended to generate, analyse and integrate job-related data from all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, to enable the sector policy makers track labour market indicators and generate employment.

In Spite of Current Challenges, We Have So Much to Celebrate, Says Gov Yahaya Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has said that in spite of all the challenges confronting Nigeria, there is so much to celebrate.

In a message to mark the 62nd Independence of Nigeria and the 26th anniversary of the creation of Gombe State, Governor Inuwa urged the citizenry not to despair, but to keep hope alive in the quest to build a prosperous state and nation “as envisioned by our founding fathers.”

He said though Nigeria is passing through tough times occasioned by insecurity, the socio-economic effect of the war in Ukraine among others, the challenges confronting the nation were not insurmountable, urging the people of Gombe State and Nigerians in general, to rekindle their hopes and renew their commitment and love for the country.

While calling on the people to see the greatness and prospects of

Gombe State and the country as a motivating factor, the governor urged that “as the country celebrates its 62nd independence anniversary, all hands must be on deck to foster unity, peace, security and understanding regardless of our differences.”

In a statement issued by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director General (Press Affairs), Government House, Gombe, Yahaya noted that in spite of all the challenges facing the country right now, there is so much to celebrate, “particularly the fact that we are still together as an entity and hopeful that the lofty height of greatness we covet is still within our reach to accomplish.”

Underscoring the importance attached to the twin celebration, the governor said “for us in Gombe State, it is a double celebration, we are marking the 62nd independence as a nation and the 26th year anniversary of the creation of our drear state.”

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NADECO Demands Federal Constitutional Governance Before Elections

Bennett Oghifo

The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) has said that Nigeria must return to federal constitutional governance before the holding of any election, since it was the foundation on which the nation’s independence was negotiated, but ignored by the

Nigerian State. NADECO, in a statement last night on the state of the nation, to commemorate Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 2022, said “Nigeria’s priority for political stability and equity is a return to federal constitutional governance, not elections.”

They reached this conclusion

Don’t Lose Hope, Help is on the Way, PDP Urges Nigerians Chuks Okocha in Abuja As the nation marks her 62nd independence anniversary, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated Nigerians, urging them not to lose hope in the country as the misrule of the vicious, corrupt and anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC) would soon come to an end.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that “it is regrettable and heartrending that Nigerians are celebrating yet another independence anniversary under palpable bondage and harrowing stranglehold of the suppressive, coldhearted, insensitive

and inhumane APC which relishes in inflicting pain and anguish on the citizens.”

He said that in the last seven years the APC has foisted and supervised a reign of terror and subjected Nigerians to the worst form of suppression that have turned a once cheerful and prosperous nation into the poverty capital and the third worst governed country of the world.

According to the PDP, in the last seven years, the APC has balkanised and dislocated the unity of our country, promoted mutual distrust among the once happy and harmonious people; created a mass of internally displaced persons; the worst since the Civil War in our country.

at their National Steering Committee meetings held between 22 and 25th of September, 2022, where they reviewed the state of the nation since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1999.

The group said it made its demand and “sobering observations after a thorough and exhaustive assessment of the standing of the country.”

It wondered what tangible gains Nigerians have benefitted from all the elections held since 1999.

“Therefore, the current dubious rat race to hold elections in the midst of aggravated

security crises, political instability, unbelievable depth of economic deprivations and misery is a misplaced priority and insensitivity to the popular, nation-wide demand for a return to federal constitutional governance because a sectional agenda is being foisted and programmed to retain its hold on the country at all cost.

“No one is fooled to believe that the election is to consolidate democracy considering how the two main so called parties abandoned rotational presidency agreement for equity, but to further the imposition of ethnic agenda which has

denied Nigeria the chance to provide modern, transparent, people oriented governance and where the popular will of the people is treated withm the highest regard,” the group said.

According to NADECO, “Returning Nigeria to Federal Constitutional Governance is not the end in itself but will provide a legitimate foundation for the construction of all other derivatives that make federalism a necessity for an heterogeneous country.

“The alternative is certainly to be more of the same whereby the manipulated and compromised so called winners will continue

with their provocative corruption of all public institutions to the shame and deprivation of the fundamental rights of the majority of Nigerians. This national structure that is warped, skewed, and lopsided is unsustainable.

They condemned the kind of democracy the country is practicing, “when Presidential Nomination form is sold for N100 million and many states cannot pay N30,000 minimum wage.

Nigerian Universities have been on strike for over six months now, but the unreasonable and provocative take home pay of most political office holders are being regularly paid.”

IG Orders Tight Security Nationwide Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja As the nation celebrates her 62nd independence anniversary, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, yesterday ordered tight security nationwide.

He directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the zonal commands and the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure the deployment of adequate personnel to provide protection for citizens, critical national infrastructures and ensure the success of all activities lined up for today’s independence anniversary.

Astatement by Force Headquarters said the deployment is expected to prevent any untoward situation throughout the period of the celebration and beyond.

“Strategic police managers

comprising Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in all the zonal and state commands and the FCT have been directed to ensure high visibility and confidence boosting patrols around the venues of the celebrations, residential areas and other public places to prevent infiltration by hostile elements and ensure a peaceful celebration,” it said.

The police boss while congratulating President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians at large, on the occasion of the 62nd independence anniversary celebration, pledged the unalloyed loyalty and dedication of the force to safeguard the sovereignty of the country as well as its unflinching commitment to combating crimes and criminality in the country and ensuring the safety of the citizenry.

Emenike: We Must Value our Independence, Promote Peace Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has enjoined Nigerians to cultivate the culture of placing importance on the status of our country as a sovereign nation.

He made the call in his message of goodwill on the occasion of Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary, saying that the present time calls for “absolute patriotism” in order to bring the nation’s economy back on track, overcome insecurity and disunity.

“Our nation is presently passing through a very challenging period in its history and by placing a high premium on its status as an independent sovereign nation we

will be motivated to promote those things that will make our nation great,” he said.

Emenike stated that it would do Nigeria a whole lot of good if its citizens imbibe those values that citizens of great nations have, including patriotism, high productivity, high sense of oneness, and tolerance.

The governorship hopeful specifically urged the people of Abia to keep hope alive and contribute in the ongoing effort by the Abia APC to save the state from bad governance.

He asked his fellow Abians to support the main opposition party in the state with their votes, assuring them that in matter of months new things would start happening in God’s Own State.

HOSTING QUEENS… Mrs. Nike Okundaye, founder, Nike Art Gallery, Lagos (middle), with Ideal Tourism Queens, who recently visited her gallery. She also used the opportunity to introduce her tour guides.

Be Hopeful, Don’t Despair, Gov Abiodun Admonishes As Nigeria marks 62 years of her independence, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has urged Nigerians not to despair and be discouraged by the current socio-economic challenges facing the country, but be hopeful of a better tomorrow.

Abiodun said that Nigeria, like some other nations in the world is facing an economic downturn and bugged down by insecurity, but with resilience and determination, the country will soon surmount the challenges.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, saluted Nigerians for their

perseverance and called for their support as well as cooperation with the government at all levels, especially at this critical period in the country’s polity.

He noted that for Nigeria to survive the civil war and various military incursions, and still stand as one entity, indicates how unique the country is.

He further urged Nigerians to draw their strength from the oneness of the country, trudge on and be optimistic of light at the end of a dark tunnel.

The governor, however, appealed to the citizens to pray and give optimum support to the President

Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government in its bid to take the country to the next level of economic development, security and stability.

He noted that no country has grown and developed without the sacrifices of founding fathers and the citizens, expressing optimism that Nigeria, with all hands on deck, will get to the Promised Land.

While maintaining that Nigerians must not give up on the country, the governor charged the citizens to always demonstrate patriotism and work for unity, peace and progress in Nigeria.

He reassured that his admin-

istration will continue to put in place policies that will engender socio-economic development of the state, which in turn will ensure a prosperous ambience for the people.

He added that as a just and fair administration, developmental projects will continue executed equitably among the three senatorial districts.

The governor emphasised that the welfare, security of lives and property of Ogun people will continue to be at the front burner of his administration, while it will intensify efforts in creating a conducive ambience for investment to thrive in the state.

Peter Mbah Salutes the Resilience, Enterprising Spirit of Enugu Citizens The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has praised the resilience and enterprising spirit of the citizens.

Mbah, who stated this in his message to mark Nigeria’s 62nd

independence anniversary, said Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has left legacies of peace, security and infrastructure in the state.

“We are gladdened by the legacies of peace, security and new infrastructure the people of the state are enjoying today as enabled by

the tireless efforts and commitments of the Ugwuanyi administration.

“Even as we celebrate today, we are committed to giving Ndi Enugu the best leadership through the continuity of good governance and paradigm shift in our pursuit of a new dawn.

“We salute the resilient spirit of our enterprising citizens: men, women, and the youths of our dear state, and we hope to forge a progressive alliance and social contract with them in the next phase of our collective march to greatness,” Mbah said.

Saraki Congratulates Nigerians, Says Future Looks Bright Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has congratulated Nigerians on the 62nd anniversary of the nation’s independence.

He stated that the future looks very bright for the country despite the present situation.

Saraki in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, called on Nigerians

to use the anniversary to reflect on the past achievements of the country, particularly the contributions of the founding fathers towards achieving independence and building a united country.

He added that like a part of the national anthem stated, the present generation of Nigeria should ensure that the labour of the past heroes is not in vain

as everybody should work to realise the lofty heights the founding fathers envisaged for the country.

“Nigeria remains a country which possesses all the necessary factors for achieving greatness. What is important is for the present generation, both the leaders and the followers, to work for the unity of the country

and place the country first before their interests.

“We have all we need for our country to be a global leader and to adequately provide for the welfare of the citizenry.

However, we need everybody to be determined to work towards the realisation of the nation’s manifest destiny as envisaged by our founding fathers and even the rest of the world.

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OCTOBER 1, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

CELEBRATING NIGERIA’S 62ND ANNIVERSARY WITH AKPATASON Chuks Akamadu celebrates Peter Akpatason, a man who embodies simplicity, decency, discipline and love for society

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was a guest on NTA Conversations – a live breakfast programme that runs daily on Africa’s largest television network – on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. For 60 minutes, we tried sharing thoughts on the topic “law and Enforcement”, with emphasis on why the natural inclination of some Nigerians is to breach the law.

Essentially, my thesis had been that the body of laws we have at present as a sovereign nation-state is a subset of our culture; implying therefore that our contempt for statutes, rules and regulations reflects the character of the Nigerian society.

As Nigeria marks her 62nd anniversary as an independent nation, I stand by that position of mine. I actually reckon that it is a concern that deserves to be elevated to the realm of public debate, for the purpose of, as they now say around here, changing the narrative. I recall also that part of my submission had been that no matter the elegance of our anti-corruption laws and the diligence of EFCC operatives and their ICPC counterparts in their shared resolve to rid Nigeria of corruption, unless and until there is a buy-in of a broad spectrum of the Nigerian society in the anti-graft battle, corruption would, for a long time to come, remain one of the defining features of our national existence.

Let’s face it: ours is a society that has come under the vice grip of a contra-culture that crept in on us and shredded our cherished values. Before now, Nigerians had heroes – heroes properly socalled. Their deeds were rightly adjudged to be “heroic”, because they were bold, daring, altruistic and manifestly in public interest.

Such heroes were not only illustrious, but their sterling accomplishments had strong integrity accent.

As an undergraduate at University of Lagos, I had my own heroes whose professional records and public conduct helped to shape my worldview and character. Number one was my late uncle, Chief Bob Ogbuagu. Dee Bob (as was popularly called) was a quintessential nationalist and legendary statesman. I also admired boardroom icons like late Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei and Dr. Christopher Kolade. And as God would have it, my path also crossed, at different times, with that of other heroes of mine including late Chief Debo Akande (SAN), late Prof. Dora Akunyili, Prof. J.I Omoregbe and Prof. Alaba Ogunsanwo.

Those, in my view, were some of the finest portraits of Nigerian patriotism. I also had the honour of working, at different times, with late Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, late Amb. Matthew Mbu and late Chief (Amb) Segun Olusola on Project Nigeria. Today, I can attest that my association with those icons of patriotism and integrity had left me enriched and made me commit afresh to the cause of nation-building.

Unfortunately, I am not sure that Nigeria still has so many of such heroes anymore; and where few exist, I am also not sure that they do have many who consider them to be heroes. It is this dearth of heroes in our clime that has compelled me to celebrate Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary with one of the few surviving heroes known to me.

Providence has always had its own peculiar way of orchestrating events. A friend of mine who works with UNESCO had approached me for a rapporteur job for the Federal House of Representatives House Committee on Civil Society Organizations

and Development Partners. The brief indicated that it was a “Technical Roundtable on Perennial Petroleum Products Scarcity In Nigeria: Causes, Prospects And Sustainable Solution” scheduled for July 19, 2016. I had enthusiastically accepted the offer and did eagerly look forward to attending the engagement.

The Roundtable was a resounding success but fees aside, my priceless take-away from it was the interventions of the committee chairman who spoke extempore. Here was a man who had deep knowledge and understanding of the oil and gas industry dynamics and was desirous of an end to perennial scarcity of petroleum products. He spoke as both an industry player and scholar, providing fresh insights that enlightened key stakeholders immensely. He deserves every commendation.

IT WAS REFRESHING, FOR ME, TO SEE SOMEONE WHO THOUGH WAS ON THE SIDE OF GOVERNMENT SPEAK SO OBJECTIVELY ABOUT SYSTEM FAILURE IN THE AREA OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS’ PERENNIAL SCARCITY. HE HAD PUT THE NATION ABOVE SELF, PARTY AFFILIATION AND SECTIONAL INTEREST. HIS WORDS WERE THAT OF A STATESMAN AND SIMPLY FIT FOR THE MARBLE

I was to later learn that he had previously functioned as a trustee of NUPENG and subsequently served as the union’s national president. To his credit also, he had an unblemished – indeed superlative career - at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for two decades. More than anything else, it was the passion and objectivity with which he made his presentations that stimulated a special interest in me.

It was refreshing, for me, to see someone (an honourable member for that matter) who though was on the side of government speak so objectively about system failure in the area of petroleum products’ perennial scarcity. He had put the nation above self, party affiliation and sectional interest. His words were that of a statesman and simply fit for the marble.

On further enquiry, I learnt that he was actually more of a “comrade” than an “honourable”. Little wonder! Subsequently, we struck friendship and ever since he has consistently proved to be a book in volumes – a book on patriotism and statesmanship. It is therefore little wonder that his people overwhelmingly returned him to the national assembly in 2019.

I am celebrating with him on this auspicious occasion of Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary not because he is a money bag or he occupies a privileged position, but because his public record is inspiring, to say the least; and having known him now from close quarters, I can comfortably say he embodies simplicity, decency, nobility, discipline and love for society. Nigeria needs more of his ilk, if we are truly interested in national healing and transformation. This is because he is a competent, resourceful and conscientious legislator who perfectly balances the duty of law-making with effective representation.

Please, in the spirit of our celebratory season, join me in honouring Hon. Peter Ohiozogie Akpatason mni, current deputy leader of federal house of representatives who hails from Uneme Nekhua, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, for it was not for nothing that his people honoured him with several chieftaincy titles including the Oshuwa of Uneme, the Ilugbekha of Uzairu and the Omonanebia of Ekpesa Land. In this quintessential lawmaker, I see the restoration of our cherished values and find justifiable cause to celebrate Nigeria at 62. Happy independence anniversary!

Akamadu, M.IoD, President, Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths

NIGERIA AT 62: GRIDLOCKS AND THE ILLUSIVE EL- DORADO We need leaders that can alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, writes Bobson Gbinije “It is a Maxim founded on the universal experience of mankind That no Nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its interest” George Washington (1732-1799) Letter to Congress.

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ith peremptory magistracy and awesome gallantry our founding fathers fought with dogged obduracy for the political independence of our glorious country, Nigeria. They clamoured with no-holds-barred, like the Roman hero Horatius, who fought with Spartan intrepidity defending Rome from the Etruscan invaders. Horatius asked like our founding fathers; “And how can a man die better than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his gods”?

Our founding fathers invested their dreams on Nigeria, but whither goeth Nigeria today? After 62 years of political independence Nigeria is still silhouetted in the sordid saga and tapestry of progressivistic labyrinth. We are still rumbling in the cabbage of unthinkable corruption, arrant poverty, HIV –AIDS, Malaria scourge and arrested development. We are submerged in the cocoon of human rights violations including politically motivated assassinations, extra- judicial killings and excessive use of force. The arrest and detention of people for political reasons, restriction on freedom of the press, speech and assembly, prolonged pre-trial detention and aiding and abetting of electoral malpractices still constitute some dark characteristics of our nation.

We are still sunken in blatant illegalities, tragic criminalities, prebendalistic graft and wallowing in unmitigated sleaze.

After 62 years of independence Nigeria still remains shipwrecked in the island of gloom and doom, leadership doppelgangers, political gridlocks, socio-economic cliffhangers, tribal jingoism and utter planlessness. We have no functional hospitals, no roads, no affordable houses, no jobs and no food security, no light, no effective transport system, no water, no affordable education and no road map and viable blue print for strategic repositioning of our country, Nigeria. The statesman, Alfred Rewane captures the scenario thus ‘yesterday, we yearned for a better tomorrow. Today, we mourn the loss of a better yesterday. How sad”?

Whither goeth Nigeria after 62 years of political independence?

The politicians and their military cohorts have completely bastardized our psyche. We are crestfallen and despondent. They have made and continue to make half-hearted efforts aimed at salvaging our prostrate fatherland from the abyss of consummate despair. We have seen endless constitutional reforms, adjustments of economic policies based on the Bretton Woods institution’s conditionalities like FEM, SFEM, Economic Liberalization, Deregulation of the Petroleum Downstream Sector, Operation Feed the Nation (OFN), Green Revolution, school to land project, privatization, liquidity Mop-up, cash squeeze, devaluation, Universal Basic Education scheme, Civil war, Mamser, KAI, war against indiscipline, subsidy removal, industrial revolution, etc. These weird economic, socio-political policies successfully bedraggled and befuddled our nation. It asphyxiated our people and manacled them in the epicenter of parenthetical placidity. After 62years of independence Nigeria is still gallivant-

ing and rigmaroling on an undulating political topography interjected with complex volcanic rocks.

We are steeple chasing on a horrendously deadly political land mines and canons that will explode to consume our country, Nigeria.

We are tired of perambulating in the concentric circles of backwardness, buck-passing and trading of blame. What is the way forward? Hence a chartered member of the Nigerian Institute of Management Chief Lea Aimiuwu once said, “first we blamed the colonial masters, next, military blamed military.

Then politicians blamed military. Now, party blames party, Legislature blames Executive, Executive blames Legislature, Tribe blames tribe, zone blames zone, private sector blames public sector, public sector blames private sector, followers blame leaders, leaders blame followers”. Who blames self? Now we turn around and say “Nigeria has failed us.’ But who makes up Nigeria? Nigeria has not failed, we have failed ourselves! Working together, mission driven, with shared passion and vision-focus NIGERIA SHALL RISE AGAIN. Things work only if we make them work! They work only as we make them work.

So LETS WORK THE WORK!!” This could be a peripheral and simplistic overview of Nigeria’s problems, but it bears a ring of the horizontal and vertical integration which Nigeria needs to move forward as a nation.

It is sacrosanct truism that after 62 years of independence Nigeria needs the implosive surgeonisation of a moral rearmament, ethical revolution, attitudinal re-orientation, leadership altruism, political re-evaluation, policy screening, patriotism and change of psyche with everything

and anything that has to do with Nigeria and Nigerians to enable our country make palpable progress. We must don the toga of true democracy, rule of law, dialogue and constitutionality. We must realize as a nation that our rancid preoccupation with monocausality merely hardens our positions, fossilizes debate and limits the boundaries of intellectual discourse.

Our search for the panacea to our ever illusive EL Dorado will be brought to near fruition, if we adopt a more responsible and constructive focus on: (a) Leadership by example: It is a quintessential fact that good leadership has been the bane of the Nigerian nation. Right from 1962 till date. We need leaders that can carry the vast majority of Nigerians along through policies that will alleviate the agonies and travails of the people.

Nigeria is a nation formed as a result of the agglomeration of different and myriad groups of heterogeneous peoples and the geo-political setting is complex. We need leaders who understand the political calculus inherent in the system. Leaders that can build on this melting-pot foundation by self- abnegation and patriotism.

A leader that understands that Nigeria is a microcosm in a global macrocosm and that Nigeria must hold and take an enviable seat in the comity of nations. A leader that calls the totality of Nigeria his or her main constituency. A detribalized and cosmopolitanised leader. A leader who understands that leadership is all about people’s welfare through committed and honest leadership.

Chief Gbinije of Mandate Against Poverty, writes from Warri

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OCTOBER 1, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The campaigns should be violence-free...

Reflections of the Heathen-master

The Tumours Nigeria Must Expunge

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s terrorism has continued to gain foothold in Nigeria casting vast swaths of the country into the peculiar kind of darkness that only ruthless, lawless non-state actors can brew, some especially lethal lynchpins of terrorism have emerged and in just under a few years have grown so lethal that they hold entire communities to ransom.

These men control enclaves of terror. When they snap their fingers, foot soldiers of death and destruction scurry around to do their bidding. At the behest of such men, many communities have been reduced to ashes; many families have been decimated, and once bubbling economic nerve centers have been reduced to ghost towns.

Because these men and the agents of death they command are nearer to the communities they routinely attack than Nigeria`s security forces who are responsible for repelling and forestalling such attacks, they practically control those communities. They impose taxes that already impoverished communities have no option but to cough out. Their modus operandi has been to run quasi-governments in such terrified communities.

It is stating the obvious to say that the communities that quake at their presence and have to put up with all manner of atrocities so as not to draw their wrath feel abandoned by Nigeria.

For years, some of these men have remained faceless, hiding behind masks and aliases to broadcast their messages of terror. However, as the weaknesses of Nigeria`s fragile counterterrorism efforts have come to be routinely exposed in the last few years, many of these men have grown bolder, putting themselves about, and willing that their names and faces travel just as far as their chilling messages of death and destruction.

On Saturday July 16, 2022, after days during which it was public knowledge that Birnin Yandoto Emirate Council in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State was making elaborate plans to honour Ada Aleru, a well-known bandit warlord with a chieftaincy title, the well-publicized and well-attended occasion came to pass.

Amidst a national outcry against such an honour for someone wanted so badly for massacres in the state and neighbouring Katsina State, the state government suspended the emir of Birnin-Yandoto. Yet, Adamu Aleru is yet to be arrested, prosecuted or incarcerated.

He remains a free man in a state that has not known a moment of respite because of the activities of terrorists in the last few years.

With the way and manner the coronation was planned and publicized the state government and the security agencies

within the state could not have remained ignorant of the occasion. If they were inclined to, they could have swooped and arrested him. But they did not.

Another one of such men all within Zamfara State is Bello Turji, a terrorist who has supposedly repented. A few weeks ago, while he was attending a wedding ceremony in Shinkafi area of the state in company of a bevy of bandits, an air raid conducted by the Nigerian Airforce(NAF) at his camp left many dead. He has since spoken out about his frustrations over the attacks especially given that he has since accepted to abandon banditry with no fresh attacks recorded in the area where he once operated in the last five months.

Some of the men who have been terrorizing innocent communities in Zamfara State may have accepted to abandon banditry and give peace a chance, but who is to account for all their iniquitous crimes and who is to tell that they no longer have a hand in the heinous attacks which continue to convulse vulnerable communities in Zamfara State as well as in neighbouring states? As long as these questions remain unanswered, such men as Aleru and Turji must be considered as tumors to be excised. With them and their armies of extermination out there, peace does not stand a chance.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

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use to listen to family father and not often he sings, until I heard sweet mother...I began to wonder if a philosopher is the full business case and a mathematician, the outline business case of a sovereign contractor finance, that can fund affairs of an ideal state of the nation building-construction… building by the philosopher and construction by the mathematician ceteris paribus, though truth and reconciliation would have to occupy the defining leit motif of any federation…we did not forget that the Yoruba woman is usually homesick and the Fulani will take one, though you keep 99…don’t as well forget that this coming elections is probably the first and last chance since 1970 to lay the ghost of Biafra to rest…

I have a close relative seeking elective office. I said to him, remember that Unwara is temptation, Akpoha is mischief, Amasiri is gossipy, Ozizza

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

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

is sabotage and Ehugbo has no skin pain…don’t throw money in the air, the incumbent is custodian of the mint, the gun and the ballot box…elections, I continued are won or lost from the on-set of consultations…you have social grace but not a popular one, you’ve been class conscious, we are known to say what we mean and you too open eye…people don’t like us, be circumspect...

You see, I continued, few things are sweeter than electioneering campaign, nobody is surprised to see you in their own home, making you feel like a celebrity. At times you play Mother Theresa, making surprise visit to the indigent. I don’t use to have any sense at all, I continued. In 1992, as you’d kindly recall, because somebody I know in Lagos was contesting and I just came back from a multilateral associate experts programme in Poland feeling like an international diplomat, I went and be-decked myself like ichie aro, paid Onye Esefoto and began to post all-over town saying that I too want to go to the federal house of representatives. I should have known I’m supposed to take cover or live up to it when the taxi driver that brought the posters began to tell me how handsome I look in the picture…I was always un-kempt, running errands for mum to shore up my programme… I thought my peers and the elite was aloof, relying much on the blindness of natives and magical sway of the then ward chairman…. my hand-full of disciples was after my puke or defecation for they saw I was pot-bellied, but they never complained about the opprobrium of always beating the house-help for dinner, they must have thought that your true wife is with whom you make up…I was lucky to have lost by a narrow margin at the primaries…

William Eleje-Abili, Lagos

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

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NEWS Aisha Buhari Apologises to Nigerians over Insecurity, Economic Hardship Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

SUPA KOMANDO LAUNCH… L-R: Akhilayel Malgwi, GM (Sales) Seven Up Bottling Company (SBC); Oladotun Kayode (aka Do2tun), Supa Komando Brand Ambassador; Segun Ogunleye, GM (Marketing) SBC; Dominion Izedomen, GM (Planning) SBC and Chiamaka Ezuruike, Head of Activations, SBC, at the Launch of Supa Komando Energy Drink from the stable of Seven Up Bottling Company in Aba...recently

Alleged Vote Buying: Court Set to Hear Nwajiuba’s Suit Seeking Disqualification of Tinubu, Atiku Alex Enumah in Abuja

Education, and a presidential aspirant under the platform Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Fed- of the APC, Chukwuemeka eral High Court in Abuja, has Nwajiuba and a Non GovÀ[HG 2FWREHU IRU KHDULQJ LQ D HUQPHQWDO 2UJDQLVDWLRQ WKH VXLW VHHNLQJ WKH GLVTXDOLÀFDWLRQ Incorporated Trustees of of the presidential candidate of Rights for All International, the All Progressive Congress is accusing Tinubu and the (APC), Bola Tinubu, for alleg- presidential candidate of the edly acting in breach of the Peoples Democratic Party Electoral Act. 9PDP), Atiku Abubakar, of -XVWLFH (NZR À[HG WKH engaging in “massive vote date for hearing shortly after buying” in the two separate he ordered service of all the primary elections that produced relevant court processes as well them as presidential candidates. as hearing notices on all the 7KH SODLQWLͿ LQ WKH defendants in the matter. suit marked FHC/ABJ/ 7KH VXLW ÀOHG E\ WKH LPPHGL- CS/942/2022, stressed that the ate past Minister of State for conduct of the two presidential

candidates seriously marred the primary electoral process because majority of the delegates were bought over with dollars.

Besides Tinubu and Atiku, the APC, PDP, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are other defendants in the suit.

Nwajiuba, who polled only one vote at the primary election that held on June 8, included in his proof of evidence, a video recording showing the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, decrying that delegates at the APC primary sold their votes.

2XWVLGH WKH DOOHJDWLRQ RI YRWH EX\LQJ 3ODLQWLͿV DUH TXHU\LQJ Tinubu’s source of income and KLV HGXFDWLRQDO TXDOLÀFDWLRQV ,Q WKH VXLW ÀOHG E\ WKHLU ODZ\HU 0U 1QDPGL 2NHUH SODLQWLͿV XUJHG WKH FRXUW WR declare that the 3rd defendant (Tinubu), “who had previously VZRUQ DQ D΀GDYLW LQ WKH ,1(& nomination form declaring that he lost his primary and secondary school documents DQG EHQHÀWWHG WKHUHIURP FDQQRW LQ D ODWHU D΀GDYLW GHQ\ DQG abandon same facts deposed LQ WKH SUHYLRXV D΀GDYLW DQG thus falsely contradicting his DFDGHPLF TXDOLÀFDWLRQV µ

Yobe APC to Appeal Court Ruling Recognising Ortom Condemns FG’s Decision to Deny 6WDWH 6HFXULW\ 2XWÀWV $XWRPDWLF 5LÁHV Machina as Yobe North Senatorial Candidate Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Yobe State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided to appeal the Federal High Court ruling recognising Bashir Machina as the APC candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District in the 2023 elections.

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, had in a statement issued Thursday, said he had accepted the judgement and decided against appealing the judgement after due consultations with his political

associates, supporters and well-wishers.

But less than 24 hours after Lawan said he wouldn’t appeal the judgement, APC Chairman in Yobe State, Mr. Mohammed Gadaka, said the party would appeal the judgement.

In a statement issued yesterday, Gadaka insisted that /DZDQ LV WKH ERQDÀGH $3& candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District election, as recognised by the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.

George Okoh in Makurdi Benue State Governor, 6DPXHO 2UWRP KDV FRQGHPQHG the decision of the federal government not to allow the newly formed Community Volunteer Guards in the state and other VWDWH VSRQVRUHG VHFXULW\ RXWÀWV WR EHDU DXWRPDWLF ULÁHV The governor in a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, yesterday, lamented that while the Community Volunteer Guards and Amotekun in the South-west were legally

formed by law, but were denied the right to bear AK-47, those in Katsina State have been allowed to carry such weapons.

He noted that the business of securing the lives and property of the people must be taken seriously by the government, saying it was the reason why his government inaugurated WKH 2SHQ *UD]LQJ 3URKLELWLRQ Law, reactivated the State Community Volunteer Guards Law and domesticated the Peace Commission into law.

The wife of the President Mrs Aisha Buhari has apologised to Nigerians over the HͿHFWV RI HVFDODWLQJ LQVHFXULW\ and economic hardship on them.

She made the atonement \HVWHUGD\ DW WKH QG ,QGHpendence Day Special Jumaat Prayer and Public Lecture with the theme “Shura: The Islamic Foundation of True Democracy”, held at the National Mosque Conference Hall, Abuja.

Mrs Buhari said the combined monster of insecurity and economic hardship across the land in the past seven years had made life unbearable for Nigerians.

She apologized to Nigerians IRU WKH H[FUXFLDWLQJ KDUGVKLS they were facing.

While lauding the military for their gallantry in keeping the country together, the First Lady said the devaluation of the Naira and drop in foreign H[FKDQJH KDG IRLVWHG DGGLtional burden on Nigerians seeking education, health and other activities.

“It is noticeable that our Naira is being evaluated and WKH IRUHLJQ H[FKDQJH UDWH KDV DͿHFWHG RXU HFRQRP\ FDXVLQJ D ORW RI KDUGVKLS DQG GL΀FXOWLHV in terms of education, health and other day-to-day activities of our citizens,” she said.

She called for unity among Nigerians in response to the security challenges, while also commending government for

putting in place palliatives on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and engagement of youth and ZRPHQ WR FXVKLRQ WKH HͿHFWV and provide alternatives.

“I myself through my Aisha Buhari and Future Assured have put in place deliberate HͿRUWV DQG SURJUDPV IRFXVHG on improving the quality of women, youth and children.

7KURXJK WKLV HͿHFW , KDYH HPpowered many communities.

I appreciate all my partners and collaborators, the wives of the governors, the wives of service chiefs, my associates, well-wishers, and international bodies, that is development partners, I thank them all.

“I’m particularly happy that our security agents have stood up to the challenges of security more than ever before. And DW WKH PRPHQW WKHLU HͿRUWV KDYH EHHQ SXVKLQJ WKH HͿHFWV of banditry, kidnapping and many other ills in society. I FRPPHQG WKH HͿRUWV RI RXU gallant security men and women and I want to pray for more successes in their operations,” Mrs Buhari said. $OVR VSHDNLQJ DW WKH QG Independence Day Special Juma’at prayer, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar lll have enjoined leaders at all levels to evaluate democracy by providing good leadership that will ensure the active participation of the citizens in governance.

Buhari was represented by the President of Senate, Ahmed Lawan.

Anonymous Donations to 2023 Campaign Funding Now Unlawful Ahamefula Ogbu Political parties in Nigeria are henceforth mandated to state the source of their campaign funds as it is no more acceptable for donations to parties to be anonymous, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated.

According to INEC Commissioner on Information and Voter (GXFDWLRQ 0U )HVWXV 2NR\H crowdfunding would no longer be allowed as a way of sanitising the electoral process.

Responding to questions durLQJ D WHOHYLVLRQ LQWHUYLHZ 2NR\H said that Diaspora funding and anonymous donations to political parties in the country would no longer be permissible.

“The law is very clear. The law says that no political party is obligated to receive funds from sources it cannot testify to — anonymous sources.

“And the law is very clear that when people donate funds to you (referring to political parties), you should get their names, know their addresses, and so on.

“If you receive funds from a source you cannot identify, you should turn in such funds to the INEC. The law is also clear that every registered political party in Nigeria must and shall maintain proper books of accounts where it will record the sources of funds, PRQH\ UHFHLYHG H[SHQGLWXUH LW has made, and the place where it received such funds from.

Fayemi Promotes Onijan, 39 Report: Abuse of Workers’ Rights Nigerians Decry Unfair Treatment of Nigerian Company, Partner in Liberia Other Obas to Higher Grades Reached Record Highs in 2022 Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

PHHWLQJ RI WKH 6WDWH ([HFXWLYH Council.

To serve as a mark of respect 2PROH VDLG WKH DSSURYDO ZDV and motivation to play more sequel to the recommendations stabilising roles, the Ekiti State of the White Paper of Justice Government has approved the Aladejana Chieftaincy Review upgrade of 40 traditional rulers Commission, 2019 set up by LQFOXGLQJ WKH 2QLMDQ RI ,MDQ (NLWL Governor Kayode Fayemi to in Gbonyin Local Government look into traditional institution.

Area to higher grades.

2PROH OLVWHG WKH 2EDV The Commissioner for Infor- upgraded to Grade A+ as the PDWLRQ +RQ $NLQ 2PROH ZKR $ODUH RI $UH DQG 2QLJHGH RI made this known in a statement Igede both in Irepodun/Ifelodun made available to journalists in Local Government Area of the Ado Ekiti, yesterday, disclosed 6WDWH DV ZHOO DV WKH 2ORGH RI 2GH that the approval was part of the LQ *ER\LQ /*$ DQG 2OXNRUR RI decisions taken at the valedictory Ikoro in Ijero LGA.

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

They are El Salvador in Central America, Niger Republic in The abuse of workers’ West Africa and Saudi Arabia rights reached its highest in the Middle East.

According to the ITUC, the level worldwide in 2022, a new report published by the right to strike is increasingly International Trade Union criminalised globally, stressConfederation (ITUC), the ing that strikes are severely world’s largest trade union restricted or banned in 129 of the 148 countries covered in federation, has revealed.

The ITUC Global Rights the report. ´:RUNHUV H[HUFLVLQJ WKHLU ,QGH[ ZKLFK UDQNHG countries by their respect for right to strike in these nations workers’ rights, revealed that can be dismissed from their only three countries worldwide jobs instantly, and union leaders saw their ratings improve in taking part in the strikes can be prosecuted. the latest ranking.

The Secretary, Nigeria Peace and Security Forum, Mr. Salaudeen Hashim, and the National Coordinator, WKH &RPPXQLW\ 2XWUHDFK for Development and Welfare Advocacy, Mr. Taiwo 2WLWROD\H KDYH GHFULHG DQ unfair treatment meted out to Nigerian businessmen by the Liberia government.

In separate interviews, they stated that it was wrong, untidy and unacceptable, for a Nigerian company, INITS and its partners, EKEMP, a &KLQHVH ÀUP DQG 3DOP ,QVXU-

ance, a Liberian company, that successfully won the right to supply and deliver biometric equipment, software, and materials for the 2023 voter UHJLVWUDWLRQ H[HUFLVH IRU /LEHULD in an international bidding process, to be treated unfairly.

According to them, the National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia after INITS and its partners, EKEMP and Palm Insurance, made an acceptable presentation and defeated other bidders for the project, granted them the right.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

A Word for Army Chief on Turji Bello

L

ast December, a bus loaded with travellers was set on fire by terrorists with gunshots at Gidan Bawa village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State. No fewer than 23 people died in that attack. The terror group that carried out that dastardly act is led

by Muhammad “Turji” Bello. Till date, security agents have not apprehended these murderers. Turji operates brazenly in Sokoto and Zamfara states, killing and kidnapping for money. This outlaw is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent people in the North-west and has been in this bloody business for over six years unhindered.

Turji, a Fulani militia leader, also threatens the Nigerian state with so much impunity. Last week, he was all over excoriating the Nigerian government after security agents bombed some of his hideouts in Zamfara State. Only God knows when the Buhari government struck a peace deal with him. But I clearly heard him expressing dismay and alleging betrayal by security agents and the Nigerian state, following the bombardments.

This bastard also issues press statements and has social media warriors pushing the statements. In this latest one, Turji accused the government of breaking the peace accord they had with him to stop terrorism and to protect the people of Shinkafi axis from any attacks.

He declared: “There have not been any attacks in the last five months since we reached a truce with the government, but now the military has attacked our home. We feel betrayed, especially after the death of vulnerable people in the airstrikes. For the past five months, we didn’t attack or kill anyone around Shinkafi. As a result, farming and other business activities are flourishing without hitches. Apart from my house that they destroyed, many other buildings belonging to innocent citizens in the forest were also affected.”

And wait for it, Turji says he is capable of unleashing fire on security agents and beloved Nigeria, declaring, “Peace is priceless and I am ready to be a peace advocate unless the government wants me to be a warmonger. I am ready for either peace or war. Whatever the government wants, we can give them a multitude.”

That’s the killer called Turji boasting. It is most likely that Turji carried out this threat last Wednesday when Nigerian troops were ambushed in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State. A Major and two soldiers were killed in that attack.

A man that should have been sent to the gallows for numerous killings is threatening everybody. It can only happen in Nigeria. As at press time, this murderer was moving freely around Fakai in Zamfara State.

What is shocking about this Turji saga is that he is enjoying the support of some people in government. The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Hassan Nasiha is one of such people obviously frolicking with Turji. I was Yahaya shocked when a few weeks back, Nasiha Fanda-Haki, Yar Katsina and Karrakkai showed his true colour, by unilaterally communities, all in Bungudu Local declaring Turji “a changed man” that Government Area of Zamfara State. had fully cuddled the state’s peace The Zamfara deputy governor overtures. That’s the deputy governor stated further that Turji had been of a state laundering the infamous Turji meeting with terrorists in 14 LGAs that should be in jail for the murder of the state, as part of efforts to end of hundreds of innocent people. terrorism. He declared: “In the last three Speaking at a conference on security months, there has not been any attack organised by the Students Union of at Magami district as a result of the Medina University, Saudi Arabia, Nasiha, peace initiative with bandits. Everyone claimed that Turji’s repentance had brought knows the notorious bandits’ kingpin, about peace in Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Bello Turji who has operated on that Zurmi LGAs in Zamfara State, adding axis. The state government, through the that the terror kingpin is now killing his peace committee, entered into a peace unrepentant colleagues. deal with the bandits’ leader and he This was at a time killings and agreed to stop the criminality and to kidnappings by Turji and his boys were embrace peace.” ongoing in other parts of Zamfara State Nasiha’s remark at the Saudi Arabia and further in Katsina and Sokoto states. forum on the demands of the Fulani Nasiha cleverly mentioned peace in just militias, gives him out as one of those Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs. backing terrorists. He said: “They (Fulani About that time, terrorists loyal to Turji militias) said Hausas always attacked ambushed and killed three soldiers who and raped their women, killing the were on their way to repel attacks in Fulani on their way to or returning

Magashi Maltreating Military Veterans

Magashi

F

or most of last week, a large number of retired soldiers camped out in the cold for three days in front of the Ministry of Defence, Abuja, protesting years of unpaid entitlements.

Some slept there with their wives and children. There were also widows of late military personnel who died in service; some of them died fighting Boko Haram.

This is clearly not how to treat our retired soldiers; men and women that served this country with their blood. These Military pensioners, under the aegis of the Retired Members of Nigerian Armed Forces (REMENAF) and the Coalition of Concerned Military Veterans (CCMV), staged the third phase of their protests over the non-payment of their Security Debarment Allowance, among others.

Back in January, the retired military men equally picketed the ministries of finance, defence, and the National Assembly, in pursuit of the same demand. Till date, no result. That was why they returned to the Ministry of Defence this week.

As usual, promises were made to them.

Previous promises by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.) fell flat.

One of the retirees noted: “We have had meetings with the Defence Minister, Magashi, but he appears to be headstrong, heartless, and unperturbed concerning the grievances of retired military officers. He never paid nor showed any interest or concern to pay these allowances, especially the Security Debarment Allowance.”

It is a shame that Magashi, also a retired soldier, is maltreating these seniors. He must amend his ways. These military retirees are suffering.

The families of those who died on the

war fronts are carrying a bigger burden.

Perhaps, the story of a young woman, Anna Nanven, whose husband, a Corporal, was killed by Boko Haram in 2015 during an attack on a military barracks in Borno State, will touch the heart of Magashi. Hapless Anna has only received one disbursement since her husband’s demise in 2015.

Life has been miserable for Anna and her children. She laments: “My husband was a young man, a Corporal that was killed by Boko Haram. I now live with his parents, and I bore five kids, three females and two males for him until his demise.

They are now 22, 20, 18, 15, and seven years old. The two eldest, both girls, are done with high school but can’t proceed to the university because I can’t afford their school fees.

“I am pleading that the President, the Minister of Defence, and Nigerian citizens should come to our aid. I and my five children are suffering and living in poverty because I can’t afford starting a business, and I have no job.”

Anna Nanven and her children represent many families of late soldiers whose allowances have not been paid. My dear General Magashi, this is food for thought for you today. You must end the pains of these traumatised people by ensuring they get all their entitlements.

from markets. They equally requested for schools for their kids and other social services including fertilizers and farm inputs.

“They said lack of education would influence a 12-year-old Fulani boy to kill a 70-year-old man using an AK-47 rifle.

The state government has ordered the return of cattle grazing routes, lands, water for livestock and other property seized by Hausas to the herders.”

Nasiha stated that the Fulani militias he met during his kinked peace meetings appealed to the government to consider freeing their youths detained in correctional centres and in police cells.

It won’t be out of place to describe Nasiha as special envoy of the terrorists.

He has obviously taken sides in the dispute between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers in the North-west. When those in government take sides in disputes, the result is unending killings. This is why clashes involving Fulani herders and Hausa farmers have persisted.

At some point last year, Turji was giving conditions to be met by the government before he would end his attacks.

He wrote an open letter to President Buhari; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle and the Emir of Shinkafi, listing five conditions. These include dissolution of vigilante groups in the North-west, a meeting with traditional rulers and religious leaders, and a stop to the “marginalisation” of Fulanis.

Turji wrote: “We’re being killed unnecessarily. We’re being relegated to the background. We should be allowed to return to our houses and live normal lives. We also want to have a meeting with our traditional rulers and religious leaders to iron out issues…We’re just tired of the marginalisation of the Fulanis especially in the markets.”

Turji, the arrowhead of killings and kidnappings in the North-west must be crazy to claim marginalisation of Fulanis.

It is a bizarre justification for his life of crime. The Fulanis are today dominating everybody and everywhere in Nigeria.

Turji stressed his willingness to lay down his arms and embrace peace. This did not happen. The military must go after Turji and his boys with venom because they are still very much on the rampage.

Nine days ago, they attacked a Mosque in Ruwan Jema community, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing 11 people.

A resident of the area, Salisu Ibrahim, said: “They went straight to the community’s central mosque where people had already gathered for prayer and opened fire on the worshippers, killing 11 persons while several others were injured. They also ransacked the community and killed other residents but the numbers have yet to be ascertained. The total number of people killed is not yet certain, except the 11 people killed inside the mosque.”

Another resident of Bukkuyum, Abdullahi Mohammed, said the attack was a reprisal by the terrorists as the community’s local vigilante popularly called Yan Sakai killed two of the terrorists earlier. Earlier on September 2, terrorists loyal to Turji invaded a Mosque in Zugu community, Gummi LG of Zamfara State and abducted dozens of worshippers during Jumaat.

My message to Army Chief, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya today is very simple. You must swiftly take out this blood sucker called Turji and his boys. Other terrorists and their leaders across the country must also be cut to size. Enough of terrorism. The Nigerian Army must assert itself on this.

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SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ayra Starr Tops with ‘Rush’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

fro-pop singer and songwriter, Ayra Starr is doing quiet amazingly well with her latest song ‘Rush’. Like she crooned in the trending song, “Sabi girl no Dey too like talk”, she’s just cool and doing her thing her way and seeing the result speak for itself. The singer released the video to the hit single which currently holds the title of the number one song in the country, as at Monday September 26.

The video directed by TG Omori, has garnered thousands of views on YouTube since it dropped last Tuesday midnight. In the visuals, Ayra combines her appeal while also showcasing other aspects of her artistry including her fashion style and dance moves.

Celebrity dancer Poco Lee who got mentioned in the song makes a special appearance as he joins Ayra in displaying some smooth moves. This appealing track follows her previous release, “Ase.” The Mavin Records “Sabi Girl,” may have the number one song in the country, the singer is out for more as she shares a prophecy for the record. The song had the singer in good spirits as she made a proclamation

SUHGLFWLQJ IXUWKHU VXFFHVV IRU LW 6SHDNLQJ HͿXVLYHO\ LQ D FOLS posted on her Instagram page, Ayra Starr said; “Number 1, number 1 guys, number 1 around the world, “Rush is about to become the biggest song in this world, I know that for sure, I’m speaking it into existence…”

The song “Rush,” released on 19, September 2022 emphasise she is living her life to the fullest without any concerns.

The new track overthrows Asake’s songs that include Joha, Terminator, Organise among others to become number one on Apple Music. Recall that singer Asake debut album “Mr Money With The Vibe” with 12 tracks has been doing very good numbers on streaming platforms as his songs dominated the top the charts on Apple music over the past few weeks.

A laid-back Afro-pop tune with a very catchy chorus, the VLQJOH LV KHU ÀUVW LQ DQG LV DOVR WKH OHDG WR KHU ¶ & Dangerous’ album deluxe, expected to be released on October 14.

In 2021, Ayra Starr, real name Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe made known her entry into the music industry with her smash hit ‘Bloody Samaritan’, which was closely followed by the album ‘19 & Dangerous’. A remix of the ‘Bloody Samaritan’ single featuring American artist and former Destiny’s Child member, Kelly Rowland, dropped days back. With charm and attitude, the 19 year-old singer is one of Nigeria’s most promising new voices.

Ayra Starr

The Long Road to ‘Afrobeats Category’ inThe Grammys Ferdinand Ekechukwu

B

arely a couple of months back, Nigerians on social media had called out the Recording Academy which is responsible for the Grammy Awards (Grammys) over their description of Afrobeats. The Grammys had labeled Afrobeats as a blend of West African and Black American music that became a global pop phenomenon. A number of Nigerians were not having it as it is to them a misrepresentation, and they took to their social media page to react before the Grammys finally made amends.

According to the Recording Academy in a tweet on July 27th, 2022, “Afrobeats is a mesmeric blend of #WestAfrican and Black American music that has quickly become a global pop phenomenon.”

Recall that a detailed Netflix documentary on the origin of Afrobeats titled “Afrobeats Backstory” was recently released as written and told by Africans, mostly Nigerians – Afrobeats lovers and scholars - who partook in the building and spreading of the genre, which negates the Recording Academy’s narrative.

Instructively not long after the post, it caught the attention of lovers of the genre and a number of Nigerian music aficionados who are aware that Afrobeats originated from the country and is believed a spin-off of the music genre – Afrobeat - pioneered by the legendary singer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. A number of them took to the comment section to bash the Grammys for giving Afrobeats credit to Black Americans and other West African countries. Reacting to the backlash, the Recording Academy quickly made amends to their tweet by editing it.

They removed the part of Afrobeats being

Wizkid

a blend by Black Americans and left the part saying it is a West African sound. “Afrobeats is a mesmeric blend of West African music that has quickly become a global pop phenomenon.” While retaining their former tweet instead of deleting it, an act that still pissed off a lot of Africans. Now does the Grammys need an Afrobeats category?

The chant ‘Afrobeats has taken over the world’ has become global anthem.

The call for the recognition of the genre at the Grammy Awards, arguably the biggest platform that awards artistic excellence on a global scale, has become widespread. And Afrobeats - the contemporary African sound which encompasses Afropop, highlife, Afro RnB, Afroswing and lots is at a stage where it is becoming massively accepted by the globe, the sound is traveling across borders to the far ends of the world.

It is of note that many music lovers were left disappointed when Nigerian singer Burna Boy first failed to clinch the award. Burna Boy was nominated for Best World Music Album for his 2019 record African Giant but lost out to Beninese singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo. Same for Wizkid at the last Grammys with his phenomenal and globally acclaimed album ‘Made in Lagos’, which lost to Beninese Angelique Kidjo in the Best Global Music Album category (formerly Best World Music Album), and the album’s hit song Essence, to Pakistani Arooj Aftab in the Best Global Music Performance category.

Not a few influential figures were pissed and disappointed by the loss. Among the lot was supermodel Naomi Campbell who took to Instagram where she criticized and urged the Grammy organisers to reflect on their view of “World Music” and called attention to the lack of recognition for the Afrobeats music genre. The ‘Best World Music Album’ which soon changed to ‘Best Global Music Album’. Now the effort to create a Grammy Award category for Afrobeats is currently in the works.

As confirmed by Harvey Mason Jr., the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Recording Academy. Harvey disclosed this in a recent chat with the media while speaking to the press at the Global Citizens concert in Ghana. Harvey Manson revealed that the academy has kicked off the first process in the long road to adding an Afrobeats category to the Grammys.

He noted that there have been consultations with the significant players of the music genre, indicating the steps to take in having a distinct category at the Grammy Awards. According to Harvey, the academy had a meeting with Afrobeats creatives that includes artists, producers, songwriters, and executives where they talked

about Afrobeats and its many genres.

Fielding questions from journalists, Harvey said; “We just had a meeting literarily about six to seven days ago, with leaders of the Afrobeats community… We had listening session where we heard from Afrobeats creators, we talked about the different subgenres, what are the needs, what are the desires, and my goal is to represent all genres of music including Afrobeats at the Grammys.

“But it has to be done properly. I don’t decide categories. The categories are decided by proposals by members. Members can say ‘Harvey, I want an Afrobeat category,’ they write a proposal for the category they talked about. So that process is started now. We did a listening session last week for the step towards that path.”

He further revealed that the members of the academy will have to submit a proposal for the addition of a new category before deliberations will kick off. However, the listening session with the Afrobeats leaders is the first step. To a critic, this is what it means: the addition of an Afrobeats category to the Grammys will mean that songs that fall under the Afrobeats subgenre will be eligible for nomination.

While the Afrobeats is primarily a description of Nigerian and Ghanaian mainstream music, the West has often muddled it up with any sound coming from Saharan Africa. The implication is that South African genres such as House, Amapiano, and Kwaito might be considered Afrobeats. Similarly, Congolese sounds like the Soukous or the East African Singile might be termed Afrobeats.

It will be up to the Grammys to adequately identify the essential elements that make a song Afrobeats as doing this will be the first step in truly awarding the right songs irrespective of where it’s made.

Kizz Daniel Acquires Dream Home, To Drop New Single Ferdinand Ekechukwu

T

he year 2022 will remain memorable for superstar artiste and songwriter, Kizz Daniel. It was a year the wave making artiste became a father, made a monster hit-song, had the best of tours and now joined the list of celebrities who have splurged millions on properties this year. All thanks to God and his amazing fans.

Following his Afroclassic world tour, and the success of his song ‘Buga’ with Tekno, the pop star has acquired a new mansion in Africa’s mega city, Lagos.

According to the singer, the success of ‘Buga’, which has become a global hit

contributed immensely to this milestone.

The ‘Woju’ crooner shared his good fortune on his Instagram page on Wednesday, September 28. +H VKRZHG RͿ SKRWRV DQG YLGHRV RI the property. In the caption, Kizz revealed that he has always wanted a house beside the water for his wife and kids. Kizz Daniel had on May 1st, announced the birth of his twins as he celebrated his birthday. However, the afro-pop star is yet to disclose the mother of the twin babies.

“What a year! Always wanted a house beside the waters for my wife and kids so, God and the best fabs in the world helped me #Buga. Thank you,” he wrote.

It is beachfront white property built to modern taste in the Lekki area of Lagos.

Many celebrities, as well as fans and

followers, have since taken to social media to congratulate him on his latest feat.

In August, Kizz Daniel was in the news after he was arrested in Tanzania for not appearing at a paid concert he was to headline.

His absence from the concert had sparked outrage, with many of his Tanzanian fans criticising him. He was later released after which he apologised for his action and promised a make-up show. The singer would later perform at the concert as promised.

In addition, the Flyboy Inc boss has released a preview of his upcoming single ‘Cough’ (Odo), revealing that it will be released in October.

He then postponed the release of his ‘RTID’ single, which he had previously shared a snippet of.

Kizz

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Chimamanda Adichie to Receive Harvard University’s Iconic W.E.B Du Bois Medal

A

ward-winning Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will receive Harvard University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal on October 6th, 2022.

This marks another return to Harvard for Chimamanda, who was the Harvard College Class Day Speaker in 2018, and ZDV SUHYLRXVO\ D +DUYDUG 5DGFOLͿH Institute Fellow (2011-2012).

The Hutchins Center for African and African American Research announced in The Harvard Gazette that Chimamanda, alongside six other honourees, will receive the medal as people “who embody the values of commitment and resolve that are fundamental to the Black experience in America”. Other honourees include basketball legend, cultural critic, and activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; and ground-breaking actress Laverne Cox. University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., director of the Hutchins &HQWHU LQ DQ R΀FLDO VWDWHPHQW VDLG this year’s honourees represent

Chimamanda

“unyielding commitment to pushing the boundaries of representation and creating opportunities for advancement and participation for people who have been too often shut out from the great promise of our times.”

Chimamanda has received global recognition for her work, which has been

translated into over thirty languages and won numerous awards and prizes.

She occupies a unique position combining a number of attributes.

The New York Times T Magazine in its 2017 ‘Greats’ issue, described her as ‘one of those rarest of people: a celebrated novelist who has also become a leading public intellectual’.

Chimamanda is also a fashion and beauty icon and continuously promotes Nigerian designers, including through her ‘Wear Nigerian’ initiative. She was selected as the face of beauty brand Boots No7, and has been featured in numerous style publications including Vanity Fair’s ‘International Best-Dressed List’; and on the covers of British Vogue and Marie Claire Brazil amongst others.

Barack Obama called her “one of the world’s great contemporary writers”; and Hillary Clinton has written that “she has the rare ability to sum up even the biggest societal problems swiftly and incisively”.

In 2018, she was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize, named after Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter, given annually

to a writer of “outstanding literary PHULW ZKR VKRZV D ÀHUFH LQWHOOHFWXDO determination.” She chose to share the Pinter prize with imprisoned Saudi lawyer and human rights activist Waleed Abulkhair.

She was named one of Time Maga]LQH·V 0RVW ,QÁXHQWLDO 3HRSOH LQ WKH World in 2015, and Fortune Magazine named her one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2017. In 2018, she received the Global Hope Coalition’s Thought Leadership Award, and the Action Against Hunger Humanitarian Award.

Chimamanda has received 16 honorary doctorate degrees from some of the world’s leading universities; and is a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The W.E.B. Du Bois Medal is the highest honour given by Harvard 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ WKH ÀHOG RI $IULFDQ DQG African American studies. Past recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Muhammad Ali, Steven Spielberg, Ava Duvernay, and Chinua Achebe.

Another Fresh Season of Jenifa’s Dairy Premieres on StarTimes

T

Funke Akindele

o mark Nigeria’s 62nd independence anniversary, StarTimes will premiere season 23 of Jenifa’s Dairy on Saturday, October 1 The comedy series, which airs on ST Nollywood channel at 8:30 pm is one out of several top Nollywood dramas lined up by StarTimes during the independence holiday. Season 23 is exclusive on StarTimes.

Commenting on the development, Lazarus Ibeabuchi, PR Manager, StarTimes

Nigeria, said: “We want families to enjoy a special nighttime ambience at home through our carefully curated programmes, RͿHULQJ QRW RQO\ GHOLFLRXV WUHDWV EXW DOVR deepening family fond moments. So, we have introduced loads of fantastic channels and content.

“The recent season of Jenifa’s Diary is a comedy series to unwind this weekend.

One thing with this series is that the new season comes with a new spice. ST Nollywood is on channel 059 on the antenna & 131 on the StarTimes dish.”

Also, to give families more reason to bond, StarTimes has earmarked over ten hours of back-to-back Nollywood Movies during the Independence holiday period.

From 10 am to 7 pm daily, there is a line-up of exciting movies while the drama series time belt starts at 7 pm to 9 pm.

“So, if you are a fan of Nollywood and on a budget, ST Nollywood channels RͿHU \RX DPD]LQJ FRQWHQW WR ELQJH RQ StarTimes. Aside from this, there are over nine other Nollywood channels on the pay-tv platform,” Lazarus noted.

TRAVEL

Adebayo: How to Attract Tourists to Nigeria Justina Uzo

T

he President and Chief Executive Officer of Gadeshire Travels and Tours Limited, Mr. Olugbenga Adebayo has taken a hard look at the nation’s travel and tourism subsector and concluded that the sector needs appropriate attention as “it has capacity to boost and sustain our challenging economy.”

Adebayo, whose tour firm recently hosted a five-man group of tourists and investors from Malaysia and Indonesia, expressed dissatisfaction with the myriads of challenges facing the travel industry.

He spoke on the many hiccups he encountered in executing the package and therefore called on the Nigerian government to adopt a seamless process from visa procurement and clearing at the airport to make it easier for tourists to visit Nigeria.

“When you are putting together a tour for international tourists, you make arrangement to cover visa processing, visa fees and logistics.

These are the areas we are having challenges.

The experience of our guests in getting visas was harrowing, therefore we still need to visit the visa fees regime; it is not encouraging at all,” he said.

One of the issues Adebayo hammered on is reciprocity in visa fees. The tourism operator said Nigeria needs to revisit this.

He said, “If the United States of America is charging Nigeria $150 (N69, 000), especially for a visitor’s visa, then Nigeria is expected to charge the same fees (uniformity in visa fees). I am sure

if you go to the Malaysian embassy in Nigeria, the visa fee is not more than N20,000. Thus, if a Malaysian is coming to Nigeria and he is spending almost N200,000 for visa procurement, then there is no uniformity at all or reciprocity in that aspect.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs, he said, need to look into this because “if businesses and tour operators are putting resources into marketing and promoting Nigeria and our government is not complementing these efforts, then it is not good enough.”

He continued, “In my organisation, there is a department that is called Visiting-Nigeria which carries out ground handling services for visitors visiting Nigeria for business, tours, trade missions, MICE and others. It is also the department in our organisation with the core responsibility of marketing Nigeria as a preferred destination to

visitors all around the globe.

“We put a lot of resources into marketing some of Nigeria’s destinations that we know are viable.

We also, most times, send our personnel to trade fairs, travel fairs, trade missions, conferences, studies and training abroad to market and promote Nigeria’s destination. But when we put in all these efforts and we don’t see the government playing its part, it is very frustrating.”

On visa issue, he said that is one of the ways that the government can support travel business if it is properly done.

“We are not asking the government not to carry out due diligence, but it should be done in such a way as not to discourage the visitors or make it difficult for them to obtain visas or entry permits into Nigeria. If you make it that difficult, it will affect our businesses, and it will also have an adverse effect on direct foreign investment

Adebayo

(FDI), foreign exchange earnings, job creation and sustainability of all tourism job chains and also on our national brands.

WTD 2022: Onung Urges FG to Rethink Level of Funding forTourism Justina Uzo

N

igeria joined the rest of the world to mark the World Tourism Day (WTD) on Tuesday, September 27, a day set aside to celebrate tourism.

The private sector operators in the country, under the umbrella of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) marked the 2022 World Tourism Day celebrations at the waterfront in Tarkwa Bay beach in Lagos State.

It was also an occasion when FTAN honoured

three leading figures in tourism promotion, including Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa; and Mrs. Margaret Fabiyi.

Speaking on 2022 theme, “Rethinking Tourism”, the President of FTAN, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung called on the federal government to rethink the level of investment and funding for tourism in Nigeria through increased budget allocation.

He also urged the federal government to rethink merging tourism parastatals, but rather to empower them to meet their mandates or better still give

tourism a stand-alone ministry.

FTAN President noted that it was time for Nigeria to have a tourism master plan and rejig its tourism policies, if they exist.

For him, the special Day is a time to come together to celebrate the many and varied accomplishments of the sector.

He said: “Today, we celebrate the resilience and survival of the industry and her investments from the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. Let me also salute the resilience and courage of the tourism communities and sympathize with those who lost their jobs, money, and businesses the world over.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY Kunle Afolayan

I Never Wanted to Live Under My Father’s Shadow; Glad that’s Not Happening Now Famed for his laudable cinematic works with a pedigree so well-established beyond the shores of Nollywood, ace actor and filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan has made a name and an enclave which soon remains a point of reference in the movie industry. Ebullient in his approach, the culturally-endowed Kunle, in this revealing conversation with Ferdinand Ekechukwu, talks explicitly on his forthcoming epic title – Anikulapo - prior to the world premiere recently as he offers a glimpse of his father’s range and family dynasty

A

nikulapo which is your latest work, among a few other movies was expected to screen at the recent film festival in Toronto, that’s the prestigious TIFF, how

was it?

Anikulapo did not screen there.

There was meant to be like an industry screening. But because the time was too short noticed, I decided not to go ahead with the screening. The premiere we are having now (end of September) is the world premiere. And that’s the first time people will see it publicly. It’s going to be at Filmhouse Imax in Lekki.

That’s the first time it will be publicly screen.

What was it like shooting Anikulapo, compared to your other sets in recent times?

Well it’s different because I have never done a period piece of this nature. Of course, ‘October 1’ was a period, ‘Swallow’ was a period, but those were mix of, contemporary and epic setting. But Anikulapo is a full back-in-time-film set in 17 Century. If you say 17 Century in Nigeria, it means you are really going back in time. So, one from production design point of view, because for the first time also, I was completely in charge of production design apart from directing and producing. Meaning that all the aesthetics of the film and the looks and feel, everything you know sort of rest on my shoulders. So, that sort of put a bit of pressure. But because it’s something I have been working on for like six years, a lot of research you know already went into it before we embarked on the post production. So, yeah it was a good experience.

A bit about it on the aspect of culture… what does it mean to you to shoot such epic movie with huge leaning on the Yoruba culture?

Oh, no it means everything to me. It means everything to me because we grew up reading literature books both in English and Yoruba and the Yoruba literature books were quite interesting in the sense that when you read them you could actually picture what the set and all of that would look like. So, working on this and also working with those veteran actors who have been in the scene for over 50, 60 years made it more fun because some of them were my father’s contemporaries and they worked on my father’s films-set back in that time and then working with them 30, 40, 50 years after was such a privilege.

You just mentioned your dad which I was actually going to ask. Can one ever talk about you, your success, without associating you with your

Afolayan

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY I Never Wanted to Live Under My Father’s Shadow; Glad that’s Not Happening Now dad or his works in any ways?

Yeah of course, I think...well I don’t know. But I think at first when I started, of course people would say ‘oh he’s Ade Love’s son’. Now people only refer to that when they want to talk about my history or where I’m from and all of that. People hardly sort of tie my style - the style of my film - to my dad’s film people don’t do that comparison. And maybe it’s because my style is different. And of course, if the international media would talk about my works, they would only refer to the fact that okay maybe those who knew my father or reading from the past publications would get that okay maybe. But a lot of people don’t actually; some people never knew that I’m from that family of filmmaking. But did his name add to my journey so far?

Of course, yes…

You think to some extent your success has not been measured with his name or something like that?

No. he even parted before I started.

My father died in 1996. I made my first film in 2006. I never wanted to leave under my father’s shadow and I’m glad that is not happening. I don’t go somewhere and say ‘attend to me because I’m Ade Love’s son’, no. I think I have built my own name. Again, like I said, my style of filmmaking is completely different from my father’s.

Now the movie is set for official premiere on September 30th, which is your birthday, what’s the significance on the choice of your birthdate for the launch?

Well there’s no significance. The thing was the same thing happened last year if you remember. We officially opened KAP Hub and then also premiered ‘Swallow’ on the 30th of September last year, which was my birthday. And it just so happened that this year I pleaded with Netflix to let us have it released same date. At first, they said ‘oh because of the date and all of that’, but I was surprised when I saw the release date. And also, I’m happy because next day is always public holiday. So, even if we party on the 30th and we don’t go to bed, there’s always holiday the next day.

Is it some form of adaptation?

What’s the inspiration, the backdrop of the story?

It’s not an adaption actually. It was inspired by… I don’t know if you know Ifayemi Elebuibon? He’s a scholar in Yoruba. And I was doing a documentary on the Yoruba heritage and lifestyle. I sat with him for some time and then we were talking and then he was telling me a bit of some of the Odu in Ifa and then he recited this particular Odu in Ifa. And I said to him that ‘sir, this is a film’. What people don’t realise is that Ifa divination is like bible. It has verses and chapters and all. And each of those verses stories on their own you know. It’s like you opening genesis chapter one. By the time you start reading verse 1, 2, 3, you would see it’s like telling a story of either a people or place. So, that was where I got the backdrop of the story from which is the story of this Saro and the Akala bird and the fact that Akala wakes the dead and gives them another chance in the past life.

Previews have mentioned, speak to us explicitly about the casting?

Okay for the casting you know if you are doing like a language film, number one you must be sure that the language is not murdered in any way.

So, no matter how fantastic the actors are, they must also be able to speak the language. It has to be authentic.

So, those were the first thing I looked out for. Now, Kunle Remi, why Kunle Remi? I worked with Kunle Remi on ‘Naija Christmas’ and he did amazingly

Afolayan

well.

When we were doing final casting for ‘Anikulapo’ his picture kept coming to my head one because of his looks we wanted someone who looks charming, who convincingly charms women in the film. The only area we were a bit concern was his Yoruba. And then we put him through coaching and all of that and for me he killed the film. Bimbo Ademoye it was my first time working with her and also because she’s a rising and shining star and her Yoruba is impeccable.

Sola Sobowale, of course she’s a veteran and she killed it. Now Hakeem Kae-Kazeem a lot of people didn’t know he’s a Nigerian. And the role he played I’m not going to reveal yet. But of course, we didn’t have any problem dealing with language and all of that. And then there’s Ogogo, and all the other people, all those veterans. It was all given because they all started with travelling theatre before they then moved to travelling cinema and then television. And I think it would be a blunder

if you do a film set in Oyo Empire 17 century and you don’t have the Oyo Mesi, all the chiefs... That’s actually what informed the cast. Now there are two cast people would find interesting.

My daughter, Eyiyemi featured and then my sister, Moji also featured.

For a very long time anytime I put up Eyiyemi’s picture people would say ‘oh she’s a replica of your sister and all of that’. And in casting you have to be close to reality. And because they both look alike, of course Moji is an actress, and of course Eyiyemi is also a shining star, so I decided to have them play mother and daughter which was so original and it works so well.

The location one may consider as something of interest too. Talk about the choice of location for the movie.

In what ways did it impact on the movie?

Okay now this is the first time we are going to build an entire set from the scratch. The film was shot in Komu/ Igbo-Jaiye in Itesiwaju LGA of Oyo State. We found the place and I decided to build a film village there but starting and test running with ‘Anikulapo’.

So, the film village was built and everything. Right now, as we speak we have like 14 horses, camels, donkeys, a lot of birds, ostrich, but all these started last year November when we decided that we are filming there. So,

we are currently building a 40-room hotel there so that people if people book the place to shoot, they will also have accommodation on ground. The place is a destination already because people come there to see what we do.

And we hope to set another film there very soon.

Is it some sort of partnership or is it just personal/private venture?

No, its private thing no partnership of any sort; it is owned by KAP Group and the place is called KAP Film Village and Resort. It’s another subsidiary of KAP Group and Golden Effects. But again that place is where my mother is from; so I also try to you know to honour my mum.

This is your second of the multititle deal with Netflix. How soon can we expect next one?

Now this very one, like I said, I have been working on for the past six-years.

But of course, the multi-title deal with Netflix is three films, one in a year.

‘Swallow’ is the first one. ‘Anikulapo’ is the second one. Originally, Anikulapo is supposed to be a series. But we decided to do a test run, like a pilot.

We are going to embark on doing the full series afterwards. The third one is meant for next year. But it’s been good experience put together working on the three films.

22

SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY OCTOBER 1, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

24

POLITY Aladesuyi: From Boardroom to the Palace After a year of inactivity due to the passage of the former holder of Onijan stool late Oba Samuel Oyewole Fadahunsi, Ijan Ekiti (Ekiti State) came alive again recently after the pronouncement that another illustrious son of the town, Prince Oyebanji Lawrence Aladesuyi, has been chosen as the next Onijan. Raheem Akingbolu reports

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ince the former Onijan of Ijan-Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Oba Oyewole Fadahunsi, joined his ancestors in September 2021, last year, all the sons and daughters of Ijan and friends of the ancient town had been on the lookout for the lucky Prince who will wear the crown. To this end, all eyes were on the kingmakers and various royal houses, whose responsibility it was to give the community the best of the Princes that will fit the exalted royal stool.

The last occupier of the stool, late Oba Fadahunsi, a charismatic and culture enthusiast came from the United States of America to ascend the throne on September 22, 2002 and ruled for 19 years before his death at age 70. His tenure was a mixed bag of blessings to the community.

Like other towns in Ekiti, for their new king, the Ijan Ekiti people were not only looking for just an educated King but an acceptable leader with track records that would appeal to all. Though subtle, the race was competitive amongst the princes from the different ruling houses, who all paraded robust profiles, laced with impressive experience in private and public service.

According to Kayode Oluwadare, a youth leader from the town, the attributes and quality of Obas in many Ekiti towns, has spurred other communities waiting to select their kings to always look far and further for the best. “As a cosmopolitan society with a history of having the most educated people in the country, it would be an anti-climax for any community to throw up one nonentity or colourless person as a king, especially now that the world is fast changing. With this background, everybody can now understand why Ijan Ekiti has suddenly worn a new look with the emergence of Prince Aladesuyi Adebanji Lawrence, one of our shining stars, as the next Onijan. With him as our king, we are not in doubt that Ijan Ekiti will assume a new height,” Oluwadare said.

Conveying the state government’s approval for the appointment of the new king, the Governor Kayode Fayemi said the state’s executive council

Aladesuyi had approved the appointment of Prince Adebanji Lawrence Aladesuyi as the new Onijan of Ijan-Ekiti.

Prince Aladesuyi was said to be the 1st, male child of Omo-Oba Aladesuyi Joel (Former Olori Odo of Ijan-Ekiti). According to available record sighted by this reporter, Aladesuyi Joel is a direct son of Alabi Fagbamigbe, while Alabi Fagbamigbe is the son of Fatube, a direct son of Ayelugbehin the father of Olajiga, Tinuade and Fatube. Ayelugbehin is a direct son of Oba Afayagbekun A man of many roles and accolades, the new Onijan of Ijan-Ekiti is currently the Country Manager with Cambridge University Press. An astute strategist and lover of community development, he has been at the forefront, in conjunction with other prominent Ijan sons and daughters, especially his late brother, Engr. James Yemi Aladesuyi, to pursue developments in Ogbon-Omo and Ijan-Ekiti as a whole.

The new royal father, graduated from the University of Lagos in 1983 with Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacology and followed it later from

the same university with a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication. In 2001, Prince Aladesuyi was back on campus, this time to arm himself with a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Meanwhile, between 1990 and 1994, the well-traveled Prince acquired certificates in some short courses in management at the University of Jos. As part of his moves to lay a strong foundation for his professional career, Aladesuyi, in October, 1990, attended many management courses at the Farmitalia Training School in Milan. This was followed with African Publishers training in Zimbabwe in August 2003 and Frankfurt Publishing training from 1998 – 2018.

In 2014, this versatile Ekiti prince caused a stir at a global event when he delivered a paper at the International Publishers Association Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Besides, he has been delivering papers at the Sharjah (Dubai) International Conference from 2018 – 2021 every year.

An administrator per excellence, Prince Aladesuyi was appointed Managing Director Literamed Publications Ghana Ltd in 1989 and made a huge success of it having led the leading publications group in Nigeria in similar position. For several years, he has been a familiar face at international conferences in South Africa, Nigeria and the UK. Among other associations and leadership positions occupied, this Ijan Ekiti Prince is a Council Member, Nigeria Publishers Association since 2006 to date, Chair, Anti – Piracy committee, Nigerian Publishers Association and member (Representing Africa), International Publishers Association, Geneva, Switzerland.

At Cambridge University Press, where he currently occupies the position of Country Manager, Aladesuyi has at different times served as Pupil Publishing Editor (Lagos 1985); Representative North East (Jos 1987 –1994), Manager Benin (1995); Publications Officer (FIIRO, Lagos 1996); Publishing Manager – Managing Director (Lagos 2007); Deputy Managing Director, Onitsha 2010 – 2014 and Executive Secretary, NPA, 2014 – 2015.

KWAGA Offers Prayers for Tinubu, Gov Abdulrazaq, others

K

wara Agenda for Asiwaju (KWAGA), one of the recognised support groups by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National body led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, held an interdenominational prayer at the Stella Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, Ilorin, Kwara State on September 24 for APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the three APC senatorial candidates; Senator Oyelola Ashiru (South), Senator Sadiq Umar (North) and Mallam Saliu Mustapha (Central).

According to a statement by KWAGA Media Team, Islamic and Christian clerics also offered prayers for the successful election of Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu; APC House of Representatives candidates - Hon Muktar Shagaya, Hon Yinka Aluko, Hon Tajudeen Abioye, Hon Raheem Tunji Ajuloopin, Hon Omar Bio, and Hon Adamu Saba - and House of Assembly candidates in Kwara State.

Leading the Islamic clerics at the occasion were Sheikh Umar Babatunde Sohibul-Bayan and Imam Abdulazeez Rabiu, the Chief Imam of Ayedun town.

The Christian clerics were led by Pastors Sam Adeboye and David Olakunle.

The State Coordinator of the KWAGA, Hon. Yinka Yusuf Erubu, narrated the peace initiatives, mobilization efforts and campaign drives of the group toward the success of all APC candidates in the 2023 elections.

Present at the occasion were the APC candidate for Kwara State House of Assembly (Ilorin South), Hajia Maryam Yusuf Aladi; Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Women Affairs and Political Affairs, Hajia Aishat Bolanle Ismail Iyalamule and Hon Abuba-

Members of KWAGA and their guests after the prayer session kar Sulaiman Sai Kayi respectively.

Other dignitaries at the occasion were Ilorin south elder, Alhaji Nuru Baba Podo who is the group’s patron; Pa Lasisi Adewuyi Olohunyo, and Professor Najeem Ijaiya, among other party stalwarts and women leaders. Also present at the occasion were KWAGA members from the 16 LGs of the state.

APC candidates represented at the prayer session include Senator Oyelola Ashiru represented by one

of his aides, Mr. Bolaji Raji; Rt Hon Yakubu Danladi Salihu represented by Mallam Saliihu Woru, and Hon Yinka Aluko represented by Mr Galad; Hon. Tajudeen Abioye represented by Bashir Lawal and Hon Adamu Saba represented by Salihu. The highlight of the occasion was the prayer for the hitch-free electioneering campaigns and electoral victories for all APC candidates at different levels and God’s guidance when they eventually won.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

POLITY

APC’s Adamu and the Burden of Leadership Olusegun Adefeko

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hen Senator Abdullahi Adamu emerged as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress during its March 2022 national convention, the party was approaching the lowest point in its eight-year history. From a leadership crisis that lasted almost two years to backlashes from the public for some of its government’s policies, the party had lost substantial ground from the enviable and popular position that saw it win Nigeria’s last two presidential elections.

With the next election less than a year away, the party needed to get the question of its leadership right. It required a leader who could steady its ship, prevent it from disintegrating, and position it for regaining the grounds it had lost.

And that’s what it got in Senator Adamu.

If the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. that “a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a moulder of consensus” are anything to go by, then Adamu’s emergence is one testament to his leadership acumen. Even though he was the last to join the race, declaring his interest barely one month before the convention, he still emerged winner by consensus, with six other contestants yielding ground for him. Perhaps, that demonstrated his wealth of experience as a player in the Nigerian political space.

“A month ago, I didn’t know I would become the Chairman of APC. Here I am today, receiving the instrument and authority from the outgoing chairman. Only God can do this. It is not my wisdom or my charisma. It is not by my personal doing. There may be elements on the way but all these were made possible by the endorsement of Almighty God,” he said at a ceremony marking his official take over of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

Adamu’s foray into politics began four and a half decades earlier when he was elected to the Constituent Assembly that drafted the constitution for Nigeria’s second republic.

One year later, he was a founding member of the National Party of Nigeria, where he became the first secretary-general of the Plateau state secretariat and subsequently its chairman until the 1983 military takeover.

In 1994, the General Sani Abacha regime appointed him to the National Constitutional Conference. One year later, he was named the Minister of State for Works and Housing, a position he occupied until 1997. Adamu was also a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998. On the party’s platform, he ran successfully for the governor of Nasarawa state, becoming the first-ever elected

Adamu governor of the state. He would later become the first person elected by popular mandate to serve twice as governor of Nasarawa state when he won the gubernatorial race again in 2003.

Upon leaving office as governor, he became secretary to the Board of Trustees of the PDP, and he contested and won the Nasarawa West Senatorial election in 2011. He remained in that position till his election as APC’s national chairman.

Adamu’s successes have, however, not been limited to the political realm. He also made giant strides in business, chairing the Board of Directors of Benue Cement Company, Gboko, and also sitting on the board of the Nigerian Television Authority at various times. While he has been at the helm of the party’s machinery for only five months, one can already see evidence of his extensive administrative and executive arsenal at work in the party.

A keenly contested primary election for the party’s presidential slot that many commentators predicted could tear the party apart has come and gone. Still, the party stands. While the elections threw up a fair share of controversies, Adamu has so far succeeded in using his calm demeanor and political wit to steady the party’s ship.

The successful conduct of the party primaries is no mean feat in a volatile political climate where

L-R: Brand Manager, Peak Milk, Lilian Elue; Actress Faithia Williams Balogun; Chef Nicholas Ude and Senior Brand Manager, Peak Milk, Moninnuola Kassim at the launch of Peak Breakfast Café, a nationwide educational and fun campaign on protein breakfast at Mushin Market, in Lagos…..yesterday

cross-carpeting is a regular phenomenon. Even the major opposition party is still struggling to keep its camp from imploding following similar controversies around its presidential primary elections. But just as Adamu predicted during the take-off of his chairmanship, it has not been easy, and it will not get easier anytime soon.

The party may have suffered minimal casualties in its presidential primaries, but it has lost some members to other issues at the state and local levels. According to a national newspaper report, as of June, eight senators, including the senate majority and minority leaders, and 25 lawmakers had defected from the party.

Reacting to the development, Adamu said: “It is an unfortunate development when it happens. But this is a season for all behaviour in the political space.

“No responsible leader would not worry about losing one member, not to talk of two, three. At the moment, we are faced with the stark reality of the problem. But we are committed, with my colleagues in the National Working Committee, to face the problem squarely, to see if the problem is solvable, and solve it by the grace of God.” The party suffered another setback in its build-up to the 2023 general elections when its candidate in the 2022 gubernatorial elections in Osun state, Gboyega Oyetola, lost to his PDP counterpart, Senator Ademola Adeleke. But that was preceded by a victory in Ekiti that ensured that the state would remain under the control of the ruling party until at least 2026.

In July 2022, a national newspaper reported that about 30 cases had been instituted against the APC in the aftermath of primary elections in northwest Nigeria alone. There have been similar developments in other parts of the country.

If nothing else, these developments underscore the need for more concerted efforts to recapture the cohesion within the party’s ranks, which saw it wrestle power from the then ruling party on the first try in 2015.

One can, however, argue that no one within the party is better qualified to help the party reach its immediate and long-term goals than its current chairman. Apart from his impressive CV as a politician, before he was elected the party chairman, Adamu led a nine-member national reconciliation committee whose task was to engage with “identified groups in each state where there are disputes to bring about genuine reconciliation and establish lasting peace and unity in the party.”

Adefeko writes from the FCT, Abuja.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Managing Director, WACOT Rice, Neeraj Kumar; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, and Human Resources Manager, WACOT Rice, Dr. Umar Muhammed during the WACOT Rice Factory tour by the British High Comm issioner in Argungu, Kebbi State recently.

L-R: Head, Brand and Communications, Parallex Bank, Ademola Adeshola; Chairman, STB McCann L -R: Public Relations Manager, Tolaram Group, Omotayo Abiodun; participant, Rebecca Davies; Group, Sir Steve Omojafor; MD/CEO, Femi Bakre; and Relationship Manager, Foluke Abodunrin at the Lush Hair Model, Oluwafemi Fiyinfoluwa; Digital Marketing Manager, Lush Hair, Omoruyi Bello2022 Marketing Edge Summit and Awards where Parallex Bank was recognised as the Most Outstand- Osagie; during the Lush Hair Longest Braids Challenge at Ikeja City Mall in Lagos… yesterday. ing Young Commercial Bank of the year in Lagos ….recently

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

Chair or Preside Over, not ‘Chairman’

T

HE GUARDIAN of September 18 welcomes us to the hall of infamy this week: “The people displaced by the flood apart from being exposed to the inclement weather of mosquito bites resulting into (in) widespread of….”

“The feeling is that many don’t want to be seen to take a position which would be interpreted as confrontational and as such they have resulted (resorted) to lobbying prominent figures outside government to….”

“These 17 luxury cars and SUVs of the late Alhaji Abubakar Audu which will make any Arabian Sheik grin (green or green with envy) are parked in Audu’s GRA Jos adopted home.

“The actual name of the person expected to chairman (chair/preside over) this occasion is….”

Wrong: atimes; right: at times (two words) “Those who have the power to release the suspect but are passing the bulk (buck) to the courts should be informed that it is against the national interest to refuse to release….”

“The former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, explained that it was not the first time that banks would be liquidated and that the history of bank failure in the country dated (dates) back to 1958 or 1959.” Note: dates back to or dates back from is a stock expression.

“In reaction to the leaflets being circulated, the Kano State Commissioner of Police… made a radio and television broadcast telling the people to ignore the leaflets which he described as the handiwork of mischieve (mischief) makers.” Special note: make-believe (not make-belief).

“When the storm rages, men can do nothing about the storm, but when the storm has seized (ceased), its destruction can be redressed.”

Theoretical linguists, curriculum experts and “educationalists” (educationists or educators),

working together or separately, have been busy putting forward suggestions for language education reform. Note especially: “educationalist”, like “unwieldy” or “invitee” or “indisciplined”, is not in any respected dictionary. These comic words were invented by Nigerians.

“Armed robbers again jolted the commercial city of Lagos last week Friday (last Friday/Last Friday week or on Friday, last week).”

“Students write exams half naked (half dressed/half clothed/half covered or half clad, or naked/bare to the waist).”

“But like (as) I said….”

“Funeral obsequies…” Just obsequies “Christian wake keep service” Call to eternal glory: Christian wake—not ‘wake keep service’ or ‘wake keeping’ as commonly and incorrectly used.

Last Monday’s edition of THE NATION almost crippled the English language with the following gaffes: “Iheanacho, former minister released” Without another comma after ‘minister’ it means two persons were involved, which was not the case. “…the need to significantly increase public spending in (on) health and education (educational, preferably) services.”

“Security agencies, commission assure of peaceful, secured polls” Nigerian news: who did they assure on secure—not ‘secured’—polls?

“Hurray!!! (You do not need more than one exclamation mark no matter the depth of excitement!) The chairman of our great party is 77 Birthday (today)” “That will be the icing on the cake and a true deterrence (deterrent) to others who might be planning to replicate the act.”

“As members of the late president’s inner cabinet, they practically dictate (dictated) the pace, pulse and policy direction of government.”

“There are different types of bags in vogue now….” No glamour in this communicative business: ‘vogue’ typifies ‘currency’ (now).

“There are designer branded ones like….” Box bags for all seasons: designer-branded ones….

“Another advantage is the room (roomy) space.”

“Some guys have said that you can (could) find everything in a woman’s bag….”

Lastly from THE NATION ON SUNDAY under review: “Congratulation (Congratulations): My wife, Suzzette, and I most heartily congratulate you for (on/upon) your worthy contributions….”

“Once again, congratulations for (sic) a well deserved (well-deserved) national honour.”

Vanguard Special Report of September 14 fumbled: “Our grouse with (about) the ICJ judgment, GTA” “After two years on (in) the saddle, NFF board gives self pass mark…” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Banner, September 12) “This conclusion was arrived at as history is trying to repeat itself again as it is wont to do….” Delete ‘again’.

“However does the separation of powers that are (is) discernible in government textbooks operate in real life.”

“It will present events in the two chambers, record achievements, gossips and....” ‘Gossip’ is non-count.

“The consensus of opinion in the country today….” I insist on ‘consensus’ (without ‘of opinion’).

“Saturday promises to be a historic day in the annals of the country’s history.” Either: the annals of the country or the country’s history.

The late Mr. Bayo Oguntuase, a popular and respected language activist, believed the extract is correct, but I disagree.

“Except round pegs are put in round holes, the nation will be the looser (loser) for it.”

“Whatever happens, the shooting of the minister from our initial analysis might tempt us to point all the accusing fingers toward the west.” Before the darkness: point the finger at the west.

North vs South: Has Nigerian Media War Ended?

N

ow that the campaigns have begun, it is vital to revisit some of the activities and dynamics that propelled this current Fourth Republic, providing for us unflagging democratic privileges and perquisites since 1999 when the military voluntarily relinquished power to civilian authorities.

Today, as the hustings begin, we believe a journey into the archives, especially concerning the critical roles expected to be played by the Nigerian media in acting as the responsible middle man conveying the aspirations and desires of the electorates towards the ambitions and manifestos of the political class for the benefit of an egalitarian and prosperous society.

Here is a careful rendition of a crossfire between two “aristocrats” of the Nigerian media in the late 1990s which clearly underscores the long-standing and remarkable distortions within the Nigerian media, and its rancorous practitioners.

Join me on this textual excursion via a piece titled, ‘Coomassie, Lagos Commissioner in Crossfire… over role of press, Buhari, Tinubu’: “Words pregnant with delicate barbs were part of the ammunition used in a surprise broadside between Publisher of Kaduna-based Today newspapers, Alhaji Abidina Coomassie and Lagos State Information Commissioner, Dele Alake at a recent forum in Lagos.

Coomassie let loose a tirade against the Western Nigeria press for its alleged complicity during the Governor Bola Tinubu’s certificate scandal while presenting a paper during the 1999 Colloquium/Luncheon of the Yoruba Tennis Club. The conservative journalist-politician whose newspaper

broke the Tinubu scandal was one of the speakers on “The Role of the Press in the Emerging Democracy” alongside Chief Pini Jason (Managing Director of National Examiner) and Dr. Reuben Abati (representing Chairman of the Guardian’s Editorial Board, Dr. G. G. Darah). The club flung its gate open for the forum on Thursday, November 4,1999.

Alhaji Coomassie in a six-page submission read on his behalf

by Hadji Mustafa Isa (Today’s General Editor), dissected the historic and contemporary roles of the Nigerian press, heaping kudos on the revered pioneers of the 140 year-old institution. He however attracted the ire of the day’s Guest of Honour (Mr. Alake) when he rounded up the Lagos-Ibadan media in a round-house kick, indicting them on their treatment of vital national issues and editorial judgement tending towards ethnic biases in political crisis management.

Coomassie boasted: “We in Today Communications Limited believe that we can help in our modest way, the sustenance of democracy in our country, by insisting on the truth and exposing falsehood no matter who is involved. As a practical demonstration of our commitment to this, we did not hesitate to expose (former speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu) Buhari long before others picked up the story. We drew the attention of the public that the governor of Kebbi was a dismissed public officer, and, therefore, was not qualified to hold the office of a governor. We exposed the fact that

the governor of Nasarawa State is an ex-convict, and also that the Governor of Lagos State did not attend some of the schools he claimed to have attended. We did all this, precisely because we strongly believe that democracy cannot endure falsehood.

Probity is extremely important.”

He lampooned the selective reporting of the Western press: “There used to be something golden to the press and that is ‘reporting’. Reporting appears to have died in Nigeria. How can the press explain why it did not report the tragedy of the River Niger floods in Niger State, yet extensively covered the ones in Mexico, Nicaragua, Columbia and the United States.

“Three weeks after the Cable News Network (CNN) and the BBC showed extensive pictures of the damage of the flood ravages in that state that cost hundreds of lives, the Nigerian press is yet to realise the destruction the event has done to our social and economic growth. And that area is part of Nigeria’s food basket.

He took to the cleaners the practice of today’s reportage: “And the press cannot justify its role in a democracy by living solely on speculation and white-washing otherwise villains. We are not accusing ourselves of the avoidable brown envelopes. We only think the press can do better because professional reporting seems to be dying or has died in Nigeria...

“The press cannot reinvent the wheel in Nigeria. Although we now have the benefit of better technology, our professional practice seems to be lacking.

The press should do well to improve its present editing in all ramifications to avoid howlers, absurdity and bad manners. Our language has grown very

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“Osun police impounds N650m worth of cars.”

Get it right: Osun police impound….

“US terrorist suspect to plead innocent” This way: innocence.

“If you have crisis, you will sit down in a roundtable and resolve the difference.” Either a crisis or crises—depending on context—and resolve the differences.

“This, therefore, means that the power and authority of governments become government of all people not just of their party faithfuls (faithful).”

“Communities demand for new council in Yobe” For the last time, ‘demand’ as a verb does not admit ‘for’ except in noun applications.

“If 42 years after the war, there is still what is called abandoned property, and the Igbo is (are) still….”

“The police on September 20 gave details of its preliminary investigations into.…” Newspaper of the Year: their preliminary investigations….

“One had expected the government to find out where the arms and ammunitions Boko Haram members use come from.” Breeding murderers: ‘ammunition’ is non-count.

“Also, corporate bodies and wealthy individuals have been falling over themselves (one another) to host the Paralympians.”

“For this reason, it is an affront on (to) democracy and representative government for the PDP leader to demand dissolution of the senate.…”

“You must have read all manners (manner) of eulogies and tributes.”

“The rumour is still making (doing or going) the rounds, an evidence that the rumour mill is in good and perfectly working condition in our dear country.”

“We probably would have stomached the distasteful script if nobody has (had) thought hired assassins (assassins are usually hired!) should be included in the cast.”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

abusive over the years, especially after the misfortune of June 12, 1993.”

And to rub his message home, he lashed out at the current peculiar political engineering: “I would like to draw attention to a development in our country since the last election.

This is important because it has given the press an added responsibility. One of the conditions for democracy and good governance is the existence of a vibrant opposition. Unfortunately, this is what we are now lacking in Nigeria. The fact that the AD and APP have joined the PDP government led

by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has left our nascent democracy without an opposition party. In principle, it is not wrong to have a government which incorporates the opposition parties.

But, this cannot be justified outside national emergency. What is absurd in our case is that the opposition made up of the APP and AD performed electorally well. The Presidential candidate of the two parties secured 32.22% of the votes. This would have given them a vanguard role in the nurturing of our nascent democracy but they have wasted it. That the importance of opposition in a democracy is not even appreciated by the press can be seen from the way it has been treating minor disagreements between the Presidency and the National Assembly.

And yet what has happened has placed added responsibility on the press, to be vigilant. I hope we shall not fail.”

Of course, the response to Abidina Coomassie’s tirade was swift, comprehensive and well-measured - next time.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

1.10.2022

NEWS

171ST NORTH LONDON DERBY PAGE. 29

Emmanuel Amuneke

Mission to Zambia

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Zanaco FC unveil Emmanuel Amuneke as consultant coach

Emmanuel Amuneke

Mission to Zambia

While many ex-internationals have been challenged to take up coaching jobs at club level and be assessed by their performance rather than lobbying the football federation for jobs in any of the national teams, one former player who has never been shy to take up the challenge is Emmanuel Amuneke. With coaching experience from the U17 and Super Eagles, Sudan, Egypt and Tanzania where he did the unthinkable by qualifying the team for AFCON after 39-year absence, the former FC Barcelona star has now taken his mission to Zambia

F

ormer Super Eagles winger, Emmanuel Amuneke was on Thursday unveiled as consultant coach of Zambia Super League club, Zanaco FC. He was unveiled alongside his assistant, Emeka Amadi, who was a former Nigeria youth

international.

“It is my first time coaching in Zambia. I am bringing my experience to the Zambian League and hoping to pass it on to the coaches here and hoping they grow more than myself.

“I will be happy to see the players that will pass under me to do better. I can guarantee you that we will work hard, at times you will see me play on the field with players so that we can give them confidence and hope they can be better than us coaches. I want to help the players grow,” Amuneke said.

Zanaco last week announced the appointment of Amuneke as the club consultant to assist coach Kelvin Kaindu, while the unveiling took place at the Zanaco Bank headquarters along Cairo Road in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

Zanaco last won the MTN/FAZ Super League Division in 2016 and came second in 2021.

They lost their last league match 1-0 at home on Sunday against Forest Rangers.

Amuneke has indeed vowed to take Zanaco FC to the summit of Zambian football and one cannot really doubt him considering what he did while in Tanzania.

The order was indeed a very tall one when Amuneke accepted to tinker the Taifa Stars of Tanzania whose primary objective was to

hoist its flag at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, after country’s last appearance at the biennial competition was in Nigeria in 1980 in which they failed to qualify from the group stage.

Ranked 140 in the world by FIFA, Tanzania is not a super power when it comes to Africa football and the challenge before Amuneke was how to turn around the fortune of the Taifa Stars and ensure a second AFCON appearance in 39 years.

After his unveiling, an elated Amuneke said he was beginning a new chapter in his career with his appointment as coach of Tanzania.

“This is new page of my career. I am a professional coach who believes any professional should be able to work anywhere. I am happy with the contract and I am ready to give my best as a coach in any place I find myself. It’s a new page, a new environment but the same philosophy of the game,” he had declared after he was announced as coach of the Taifa Stars.

True to type, he did the unthinkable as he made history with Tanzania by guiding the Taifa Stars to their first Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 39 years after they defeated Uganda 3-0 at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam. Amuneke’s charges finished second in group L with eight points, five behind leaders the Cranes of Uganda who have already qualified for Africa’s biggest football showpiece event.

In a chat with THISDAY, former national team goalkeeper, Christian Obi said it was just unfortunate that Nigerian coaches are not given the respect they deserve on the

home front, but optimistic that Amuneke would do well with his new job.

“A prophet is not without honour except in his own country. It is just unfortunate that we don’t appreciate what we have in this country. Nigerian coaches are very good if given the right atmosphere to work and Amuneke is a very good example. He is technically and tactically sound and he is also has his coaching Grade A license,” Obi said.

The 1985 U-20 World Cup bronze winner indeed charged the eggheads of the Nigeria Football Federation to always consider Nigerian coaches first for the national team’s job.

“Its high time the NFF should start reconsidering its stand and attitude towards Nigerian coaches. It should start giving them the respect they deserve. Given the necessary support, Nigerian coaches would take the country’s football to a position of envy,” the former Heartland of Owerri goalkeeper trainer opined.

Obi is indeed optimistic that Amuneke would do well with Zanaco.

“I know Amuneke very well; I have worked with him before. He knew his onions and he would impart his knowledge to the players,” Obi said.

Amuneke was at the 2018 World Cup in Russia as a member of the panel set up by FIFA to shortlist the 2017/2018 season men’s footballers and coaches of the year.

Speaking on his appointment to the FIFA Russia 2018 Technical Study Group, the former Africa Footballer of the Year said then, “This role is a good one for me and Nigeria football as it goes to show that our

football has grown.”

In his playing days, his goals were always crucial and had given Nigeria victory on a number of occasions. From the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, to the Afro-Asian Cup at the National Stadium in 1998 and many others.

Many soccer fans were bemused that dare devil winger was kept on the bench by the Dutch tactician, Clement Westerhof for almost the entire duration of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. But in the final game against a stubborn Zambian side, the former Julius Berger of Lagos player was introduced and he scored the two goals that secured Nigeria’s second Nations Cup victory after winning an earlier one in 1980 on home soil.

An injury forced Amuneke to quit football in 2004, and the former left-winger took to coaching after earning his licence.

He handled both Julius Berger and Ocean Boys before he was drafted as an assistant coach to Manu Garba for the Golden Eaglets’ side that won the 2013 FIFAU-17 World Cup. Two years later, Amuneke guided the cadet team to defend the title in Chile as the head coach, cementing his status as an astute youth coach.

And he successfully made the step up to international football after leading Tanzania to qualify for the 2019 AFCON, the country’s second-ever appearance at the tournament.

Amuneke’s last job before his last appointment was an assistant to Austin Eguavoen during the last qualifying match of the 2022 World Cup against Ghana.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

North London, Manchester Derbies Take Centre Stage in England After several matches were postponed in honour of the demised Queen Elizabeth 11, followed by the international break, the Premier League return this weekend with a cracker.Two of the most popular derbies would be on parade as Arsenal welcome Tottenham in the North London derby today, while the Manchester would be divided on Sunday with City hosting United at the Emirate Stadium Premier League Table Arsenal Man City Tottenham Brighton Man Utd Fulham Chelsea Liverpool Brentford Newcastle Leeds Bournemouth Everton Southampton Aston Villa Crystal Palace Wolves West Ham Nottm Forest Leicester

7 7 7 6 6 7 6 6 7 7 6 7 7 7 7 6 7 7 7 7

10 17 11 6 0 1 -1 9 3 1 0 -13 -1 -4 -4 -2 -4 -6 -11 -12

18 17 17 13 12 11 10 9 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 4 4 1

Premier League TODAY

Arsenal v Bournemouth v Crystal Palace v Fulham v Liverpool v Southampton v West Ham v Arsenal Thomas Partey tries to puntuate Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min when the two sides met in the Premier League last season

T

he Premier League returns following the international break with a blockbuster North London derby at lunchtime today, as Arsenal play host to Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

One week after the women’s teams made history in their North London derby, the men’s crops will battle for supremacy and the chance to sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table.

A total of 47,367 supporters made the journey to the Emirates to watch Arsenal Women thump Tottenham 4-0 during the men’s international break, and if today’s contest is anything as one-sided as the Women’s Super League version, Gooners are in for a treat.

Taking after his namesake Patrick, Arsenal new boy Fabio Vieira scored the pick of the bunch as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners over Brentford on September 18, during which William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus headed home for the dominant Gunners in the first half.

Having successfully avenged their 2-0 loss at the Brentford Community Stadium last year - Arsenal ensured that they would head into the international break one point clear of Spurs and Manchester City in first place.

Ending a four-game run without a clean sheet was also a sight for Mikel Arteta’s sore eyes, as his Arsenal side continue to demonstrate a ruthless streak notably absent in teams gone by, even if their only Big Six clash so far this season ended in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The hosts have also prevailed in each of their last six Premier League matches at

their Emirates headquarters, although they have conceded at least one goal in all of them, and Tottenham’s famed attacking line have more than one incentive to silence the home crowd.

After facing countless calls from Tottenham fans to drop the goalless Son Heung-min to the bench, Antonio Conte’s bold move paid dividends against Leicester City, as the South Korea international ended his profligate streak in some style.

Son was introduced into the match in the 59th minute, and by the 86th minute he was confirmed to be walking home with the match ball, as his 13-minute hat-trick complemented strikes from Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Rodrigo Bentancur in a 6-2 romping.

Conte joked that Son can expect to be benched week in week out if he delivers similar super-sub performances in the future, as Tottenham remain on the coat-tails of Arsenal and reigning champions Man City in third spot prior to the trip across the capital.

The Lilywhites bounced back from their Champions League disappointment at Sporting Lisbon in perfect fashion versus Leicester, but only two of their last seven competitive matches away from home have ended in victory, and the Emirates is not their happiest hunting ground.

A 3-1 Arsenal triumph in this fixture last season means that Spurs have failed to win any of their last 11 North London derbies away from home in the league, but they served their capital counterparts a slice of humble pie with a 3-0 win in May, and Conte’s crop are not the same side that Nuno Espirito Santo led to their demise at the

Emirates last term.

Meanwhile, two bitter rivals with a taste for victories lock horns in Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City play host to Manchester United.

The Red Devils have not been in Premier League action since getting the better of Arsenal 3-1 on September 4, while Pep Guardiola’s side ran out 3-0 winners over Wolverhampton Wanderers before the international break.

Another day, another goal for Erling Braut Haaland. Now sitting on a remarkable 11 for the Premier League season, the 22-year-old scored his side’s second in a comprehensive 3-0 win over Wolves following Jack Grealish’s opener 55 seconds into the contest.

Any hopes of Wolves staging a remarkable comeback were dashed when Nathan Collins received a straight red card for an inexcusably high challenge on Grealish, and a 69th-minute strike from Phil Foden completed the job for the reigning champions.

Guardiola’s side had briefly returned to the top of the pile with that 3-0 success, but Arsenal’s subsequent win by the same scoreline over Brentford meant that the champions went into the international break in second place - one point adrift of the North London club.

At least one of Arsenal or third-placed Tottenham Hotspur will drop points in the North London derby, which could potentially open the door for Man City to reclaim their rightful spot at the top of the pile with a 10th successive home win in all competitions.

It comes as little surprise that Man City are the Premier League’s leading scorers

Sunday Man City Leeds Utd Monday Leicester

Tottenham 12:30 Brentford 15:00 Chelsea 15:00 Newcastle 15:00 Brighton 15:00 Everton 15:00 Wolves 17:30

v v

Man Utd 14:00 Aston Villa 16:30

v

Nottm Forest 20:00

v v v v

Villarreal 13:00 Valladolid 15:15 Atlético 17:30 Barcelona 20:00

v v v v

Valencia 13:00 Real Betis 15:15 Sociedad 17:30 Osasuna 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Cádiz Getafe Sevilla Mallorca SUNDAY

Espanyol Celta Vigo Girona Madrid MONDAY

Vallecano v Elche 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Erling Haaland Aleksandar Mitrovic Harry Kane Ivan Toney Rodrigo Moreno Wilfired Zaha Alexis Mac Allister Gabriel Jesus

CLUB

Man City Fulham Tottenham Brentford Leeds Utd C. Palace Brighton Arsenal

GOALS

11 6 6 5 4 4 4 4

on home turf this season - racking up 14 in just three of such games and conceding a joint-low two - and all seven of their last top-flight wins at home have been accompanied by at least three goals.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Members of the NFF Executive Committee (2022-2026) take their oath of office in Benin City yesterday day night

NFF Election: Gusau Wins, Replaces Pinnick as President Ibrahim Musa Gusau was yesterday in Benin elected as the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The Zamfara-born football administrator defeated nine other contestants to emerge as the successor of Amaju Pinnick.

He gathered 39 out of 40 votes in the re-run election after all the candidates had initially failed to meet the 22 votes requirements.

Gusau had earlier managed 21 votes followed by Seyi Akinwunmi who got 12 and Shehu Dikko with six and one vote for former Super Eagles spokesman, Peterside Idah.

Akinwunmi and Dikko,

however, stepped down from the re-run election except for Idah.

FIFA and CAF Representatives on the ground in Benin City had to consult with the lawbooks to avoid any form of a lacuna.

During the election, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, chairman of Enyimba FC, was voted in as the first vice-president of the NFF. Anyasi-Agwu, who polled 23 votes, defeated Obinna Ogba (8 votes) to replace Seyi Akinwunmi as the number two person in the glass house, while Yusuf ‘Fresh’ Ahmed was elected as chairman of chairmen.

Ahmed secured 37 from 41

votes to become the chairman of chairmen.

There were initial doubts over the election after a federal high court in Abuja ruled for its stoppage following a suit by the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) over unequal representation and voting rights.

But on Thursday, the court of appeal sitting in Abuja vacated the order restraining the conduct of the election.

In Benin, the past board led

by Pinnick served for eight years was dissolved and the accreditation follows before the election.

Finidi George Gives Reason He didn’t Join Real Madrid Nigerian legend Finidi George has given reason why he didn’t join Real Madrid despite attracting interest from the Spanish football heavyweights during his playing days.

Finidi established himself as one of the most exciting young wingers in the world during his days with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam – being a leading figure in a team that won eight major titles, including the 1995 UEFA Champions League title.

George said Madrid were keen to sign him after Ajax’s defeat to Italian football powerhouse Juventus FC in the 1996 UEFA Champions League final, but the

Whites Angels couldn’t afford to purchase him at the time.

“After our Champions League final defeat to Juventus, the coach made it clear that they wanted to sell me and if even I stayed back at Ajax, that I was not going to play,” George said on All Nigerian Soccer.

“At that time, Real Madrid were interested in signing me but as at that time, they didn’t have the kind of money that they have now.”

George ended up joining Madrid’s La Liga rivals, Real Betis in 1996 and he achieved legendary status during

his four-year stint with the club.

“Real Betis then came with a good offer and I had to go.

My stay there was memorable,” the Port Harcourt-born legend, who was an important member of the Nigeria team during the 1990s, appearing in two FIFA World Cups, continued.

“At Real Betis, I scored in the final of the Copa del Rey the following season against Barcelona.

Real Betis were defeated 2-3 by Barcelona after extra time.

“It was a big game. Real Betis did everything we could but it was not possible (to win).

Barcelona had the edge, they had the experience.”

Arsenal, Tottenham Clash, Manchester Derby Live on DStv, GOtv Thrilling matches from the 2022/23 season of the English Premier League, La Liga and Serie A will be broadcast live on SuperSport for DStv and GOtv customers this weekend.

The Premier League will begin with a North London derby between arch-rivals Arsenal and Tottenham today at 12:15pm on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203).

Also today, Liverpool will play host to Brighton & Hove Albion

at 2:45pm on GO Football and SuperSport Premier League (GOtv channel 31 and DStv channel 203).

On Sunday, Manchester City will host Manchester United.

The Red Devils were on a four-game winning streak when they visit the Etihad Stadium. The match will be broadcast on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203) at 1:50pm.

Leeds United will welcome

Aston Villa to Elland Road on GO Football and SuperSport Premier League (GOtv channel 31 and DStv channel 203) at 4:15pm.

In the Italian league, this evening will see two giants, Inter Milan and Roma battle each other for maximum points at the San Siro. The game will be aired live on GO Select 1 and SuperSport Variety 3 (GOtv channel 33 and channel 208) at 4:50pm

Izoje Wins LGAN Southern Zonal Ladies Championship Rita Izoje against all odds emerged ladies gross winner at the LGAN Southern Zonal Ladies Championship held at UBTH Golf Club, Benin City, Edo State.

Izoje from Ibori Golf and Country Club, Asaba, Delta State performed a great comeback to golf activities after many months by beating all other contestants with a gross score of 91 while the duo of Ehis Igbinadolor (97 gross) and Suwadetu Mahmud (98 gross) placed second and third respectively.

The championship organised by LGAN National Vice-President, Southern Zone, Sandra

Monye-Emina featured Edo State Deputy Governor’s wife, Maryam Shaibu at the ceremonial tee-off and also played 18 holes, while LGAN Secretary, Mrs Ruth Iro-Awa represented LGAN President, Princess Juliet Monyei-Inyere at the event.

In the net players category, Igho Ugbegu with a net score of 78 won the event after beating Ogeili Gracili on count-back just as Deborah Emifoniye (80 net) and Ochuko Orogun (83 net) placed third and fourth simultaneously.

Foluso Oboro with 75 net beat

Joy Omorogiuwa (79 net) to win special category (hcp 29-36).

Monica Obaedo won veteran ladies with 83 net just as super veteran award went to Ivie Iyoha with 67 net over 9 holes while Patience Ikwere played 88 net to win the guests award.

Other winners included Osaze Iyare as regular best gross winner with 76 gross.

Orobosa Moses beat O. Aisien on count-back having both played 70 net to win the regular men’s event. AVM Aliyu with 81 net won the veteran men award, as super veteran winner was Sunday Isemede with 80 net.

Participants concentrating on the game

Improving Critical Thinking, Learning Through Chess Ugo Aliogo writes on the efforts of PricewaterhouseCoopers to improve learning and critical thinking through the Chess4Change initiative You will be forgiven if you assume that chess is an elite game simply because some chess pieces have regal names such as the King and the Queen. Within the last decade, the chess culture in Nigeria has been and is still being transformed to challenge the ‘for elites’ assumption. Take PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Nigeria’s Chess4Change initiative, for instance, it is focused on chess in secondary schools, in underserved areas, in Lagos State.

The PwC’s chess initiative started with six secondary schools in 2014. Eight years down the road, 18 schools now participate in the developmental programme.

The schools featured in this year’s edition include those from Bariga, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Orile, among others.

According to PwC, the goal is to use chess in schools to build students’ capacity and improve their academic performance, preparing them for a brighter future. When interviewed, Country Operations Partner, PwC Nigeria, Mr. Pedro Omontuemhen, explained: “We are using chess to challenge these secondary school students. We believe chess can help them improve their academics and critical thinking skills. Research has shown that chess players also demonstrate leadership and creative thinking skills. There are four parts to the Chess4Change programme, including a mentorship session with the students. The students learn from PwC mentors various skills including, but not limited to career. These include time management, planning, setting and achieving goals, etc. Our goal is to build future leaders and chess Grandmasters too.”

The PwC Chess4Change initiative is implemented in collaboration with Media Vision, a leading sports marketing and activations company in Nigeria.

Other stakeholders that help to make it a success include the Lagos State Government, state Ministry of Education, the Lagos Sports Commission, and the Lagos State Chess Association.

The PwC Chess4Change includes coaching sessions, mentorships, mini-challenge series, and a three-day grand slam tournament. Chess clubs are founded and equipped in all participating schools and the students improve their chess skills with the help of professional coaches.

The organisers are constantly evaluating and measuring the programme’s impact. In a study by Media Vision, the grades of the chess students improved significantly over time. Their academic performance year on year improved the most in three subjects: Mathematics, Entrepreneurship and Economics.

Specifically, there was a 71 per cent growth in the number of students that had an increased grade in Mathematics; 75 per cent in Entrepreneurship, and 33 per cent in Economics.

Similarly, the Media Vision study showed that as the students’ grades improved, their leadership skills, selfesteem, and confidence were enhanced. Sixty per cent of the male and 40 per cent of the female chess students now hold leadership positions in their schools.

One of the participating students, Thomas Richard, a student of Wahab Folawiyo Senior High School Osborn, said: “Whenever I remember this, I smile. Two years ago, when I was in SS1, I beat all my opponents, even my seniors. I didn’t progress in the competition, though. But the experience helped me so that I was better prepared for the next edition, of which I came second. I find that chess imitates life. Chess4Change has been motivating, and it has helped improve my chess skills. I also overcame my stage fright because of the programme and the mentors who came to our schools. I learned a lot. Chess has improved my thinking skills and my mind.”

For Okonkwo Francis of Government College Eric Moore, his most memorable Chess4Change moment was when the International

Chessmaster, Femi Balogun, shared his journey to becoming a professional chess player.

He said it inspired him to play more and become a better person in life. The Chess4change initiative has had a very positive impact on the lives of staff, students and the schools.

Speaking on the impact of the game, Principal of Lagos City Senior Secondary School, Mr. Hassan Dauda Abiodun, remarked on the impact on his school: “I want to appreciate PwC for the Chess4Change initiative. Winning the sixth edition of the tournament came with several benefits.

In addition to the prizes, it has brought our school to the limelight in Lagos State.” These testimonials of changed lives resonate with one of the core values at PwC Nigeria, which is to ‘Make a Difference’.

There is a positive difference in the lives of the chess students: from the pep talks at mentoring sessions, learning chess tactics from coaches, travelling to new countries, or being inspired to become better versions of themselves and for some winners, there is the possibility of a professional chess career. One example is Isaac Okeke, a former participant of the initiative who represented Nigeria in the U-16 African Youth Chess Championship held in Namibia in 2019. He emerged as the overall winner of the U-16 category of this Championship.

Another is Godswill Ifeanyichukwu who came second in a Chess4Change grand-slam tournament. Currently, he is a coach of his alma mater, Ireti Senior Grammar School, Ikoyi.

Chess4Change is challenging the stereotype that chess is an elite game. It is changing lives, one chess game at a time and nothing sums it up better than this remark from a Lagos City Senior College Chess Club member.

He said: “Playing chess has impacted my life in many ways.

It improved my thinking skills. It has helped me to find solutions to the challenges I face and made me to never back down from any challenge in my life.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 1, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Mikel Obi Curtain Drawn on an Illustrious Career John Mikel Obi savouring one of his Premier League victories

John Mikel Obi first made headlines for Nigeria at the FIFA U17 World Championship in Finland in 2003. However, it was at the 2005 U20 World Cup in Netherlands that he really launched himself to the world in a competition he was voted the second-best player of the competition. Since then, he had gone on to win 12 trophies for club and country. The Chelsea legend however called it quits on Monday at the age of 35

F

ormer Nigeria international and Chelsea legend, John Mikel Obi on Tuesday announced his retirement from football via his official Instagram page. The news however did not exactly come as a surprise to many as he had not played active football in

nearly a year.

Obi called it a quit to the beautiful game at the age of 35, declaring himself “very satisfied with all I was able to achieve” during 18 years in the game.

The midfielder, who lifted the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, won 89 caps for Nigeria and helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, before retiring from international football in 2019.

The biggest highlights of his career came during 11 trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge, even if it took him until his 185th game for the club to score his first goal.

He made 249 Premier League appearances in all for the London club, adding the Europa League, two Premier Leagues, four FA Cups and two League Cups to the European crown.

“There is a saying that ‘all good things must come to an end’, and for my professional football career, that day is today,” said Mikel on Instagram.

“I look back at the past 20 years of my career, and I must say that I am very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve and more importantly the human it has helped shape.”

Mikel was most recently with Kuwait SC, but left the club last November after just five months.

The midfielder came to international limelight at Norwegian club Lyn Oslo following Man United’s incredible transfer fight with Chelsea for

his signature as a teenager.

One of Premier League football’s most confusing signings saw Mikel initially signing for Manchester United in 2005, a year when he won the Silver Ball at the Under-20 World Cup, before later saying he was pressured to do so - having signed just days after turning 18 against “my own free will”.

He ultimately joined Chelsea the following year, staying until 2017 whereupon he played for Chinese side Tianjin Teda and Turkish club Trabzonspor before spells in the Championship with Middlesbrough and Stoke City.

“All of this would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, managers, clubs, coaches, team-mates and most importantly my ever-loyal fans,” he added.

“You supported me through my highs and lows, even on days that I did not live up to your expectations.

“I say a big thank you.”

When officials misspelt his surname (Michael to Mikel) aged 16 before the 2003 Youth World Championship, it opened the first controversial chapter in the life of John Mikel Obi. The seventh child in a family of eight, he was on the books of Norwegian club Lyn Oslo before the highly-publicised dispute between the Red Devils and the Blues in 2005, with the player skipping training in Norway amidst erroneous reports he had been kidnapped.

His father was kidnapped twice during his career, to Mikel’s immense dismay, but at Chelsea the Nigerian evolved into a holding midfielder of peerless intelligence and insouciance.

He will go down as one of Nigeria’s greatest players, having earned his spot among the country’s most decorated footballers even if he was a polarising figure, equally loved and

criticised by demanding fans from Africa’s most populous nation.

He left his mark at two World Cups, won a Nations Cup, captained his country to an Olympic bronze medal (2016) and performed unforgettably at the Under-20 World Cup in 2005, a stage in his career when he was known as a free-scoring box-to-box midfielder.

For Chelsea fans, they will always have that glorious Champions League final night in 2012, when Mikel was named man of the match.

Since he announced his retirement there had been several reactions from the football world especially former club and international teammates.

Everton manager, Frank Lampard reacting Mikel’s retirement from football in a post via Instagram, he wrote: “Congratulations on your amazing career mate. A pleasure playing next to you and sharing that beautiful 120 minutes in Munich with you.”

Reacting, Chelsea, in a post via its Twitter handle, thanked Mikel Obi for the memories both sides shared at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea tweeted, “Enjoy your retirement, @ Mikel_John_Obi! Thanks for the memories.”

Similarly, the Nigeria Football Federation wrote on Twitter: “Thank you for the memories and goodluck @mikel_john_obi.”

Reacting, UEFA Champions League (UCL) wrote on Twitter: “Happy retirement, John Obi Mikel!.”

Also, former Manchester United striker, Odion Ighalo, wrote on Instagram: “Congrats skippo and good luck.”

On his part, former Chelsea forward, Salomon Kalou, wrote on Instagram: “OGaaaaaaaaaaaa.

I dey miss u Baba Thank u for that wonderful journey. Ps I fancy well well that 1st foto obina.”

OBI’S TITLES 2x World Cup Participant 2018 Nigeria 2014 Nigeria 1x Europa League participant 12/13 Chelsea FC 1x Champions League winner 11/12 Chelsea FC 1x Europa League winner 12/13 Chelsea FC 2x English Champion 2015 Chelsea FC 2010 Chelsea FC 4x English FA Cup winner 2012 Chelsea FC 2010 Chelsea FC 2009 Chelsea FC 2007 Chelsea FC 1x Champions League runner-up 07/08 Chelsea FC 2x English League Cup winner 2015 Chelsea FC 2007 Chelsea FC 1x English League Cup runner-up 07/08 Chelsea FC 1x Africa Cup winner 2013 Nigeria 1x English Super Cup winner 2010 Chelsea FC

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMIFULA OGBU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Bennett Oghifo 07052343083 Email:bennett.oghifo@thisdaylive.com

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Fan Belt Replacement

The new Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV interior

World Premiere of New Mercedes EQE SUV Holds

M

ercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG will unveil the new EQE SUV on the Mercedes me media platform at https://media. mercedes-benz.com/EQE-SUV and other digital channels.

Afterwards, the digital world premiere will be available as video-on-demand. The new EQE SUV is the all-round EV model for both brands, expressed in the world SUHPLHUH ÀOP WKURXJK DQ HQWHUWDLQLQJ alternation between dream scenes and reality. The fourth model of the electric vehicle architecture provides SUV enthusiasts with another entry point into the electric

age, according to the automaker.

The EQE SUV is the multi-purpose variant RI WKH (4( EXVLQHVV VDORRQ ,W RͿHUV D highly versatile interior space equipped with innovative features for comfort and convenience. The modular drivetrain concept facilitates a wide performance spectrum with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

The extensively adaptable interior and the performance-oriented drive concept make the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV the most multi-faceted electric vehicle from Mercedes-AMG. Two powerful electric motors and the fully variable all-wheel drive form the basis for the hallmark AMG dynamic driving experience. The Mercedes-AMG development specialists have also given a host of other parameters

WKHLU RZQ GLVWLQFWLYH ÁDYRXU 7KH\ LQFOXGH the suspension with rear-axle steering as standard, the AMG SOUND EXPERIENCE and the design of both the exterior and interior.

The digital world premiere will be streamed on the Mercedes me media online platform and simultaneously for the public and multipliers on several Mercedes-Benz channels, such as YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter. Media representatives will also be able to access in-depth information and services on Mercedes me media. As well as the original version in English, transcripts will be available in multiple other languages to read and download. A range of press materials such as videos, images and press WH[WV URXQG RͿ WKH FRPSUHKHQVLYH SDFNDJH

All-new Ford F-Series Super Duty Built With Capability, Connectivity, Technology

F

ord, America’s truck leader*, has introduced the all-new 2023 F-Series Super Duty lineup of pickup trucks and chassis cabs.

Redesigned inside and out, every Super Duty is built with unprecedented levels of work capability, ingenious new technology and a suite of cloud-based services for new levels of productivity.

“From F-250 pickup to the F-600 utility truck, Super Duty is the badge America’s hardest-working men and women have come to trust to get the toughest jobs done,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “Super Duty customers are builders – the backbone of our communities and our economy. We poured every ounce of know-how and ingenuity we have into developing the truck of their dreams – smarter, more powerful, full of clever features and technology.”

Ford Super Duty is not only the tool of FKRLFH IRU EXLOGHUV LW SOD\V D VLJQLÀFDQW economic role. Super Duty also is the preferred choice for essential industries with more than 50 percent market share in utility, mining, construction, and emergency response vehicles, according to S&P Global Mobility.

F-Series Super Duty popularity also makes LW D VLJQLÀFDQW HFRQRPLF FRQWULEXWRU WR )RUG Motor Company, generating more revenue than many Fortune 500 companies, including Southwest Airlines, Marriott International or Nordstrom reported for 2021.

The all-new 2023 F-Series Super Duty “Super Duty is a name that is trusted to get the job done, and our customers have helped to make it the most popular commercial truck in America, bar none,” said Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro. “With

state-of-the-art technology, including a 5G modem connected to a powerful ecosystem of productivity-boosting software and services, the all-new Super Duty can seamlessly shift IURP ZRUNKRUVH WR R΀FH RI WKH IXWXUH µ

Are you concerned that your fan belt is on its way to complete disrepair?

Worried that your aging fan belt might be too hard to fix, or that if you drive it longer it might cause your car more trouble?

And are you wondering what the difference is between a fan belt and a serpentine belt? Not to worry, when we say “fan belt” we mean “serpentine belt,” too; the serpentine belt is the longer, post-’80s version of the fan belt, as explained below.

Regardless of what drew you to this article, it’s the right place for you to be if you’re looking to learn about fan belts or serpentine belts because that’s what we’re gonna talk about!

How Can I Tell If My Fan Belt Is Bad? Steering your vehicle becomes a wrestling match.

If steering has become a little more challenging than it used to be, it might be a sign that your fan belt is on its way out. As the fan belt continues to lose its grip and slip, it makes power steering increasingly difficult, as your car misses the help of the water pump, which also has responsibility for driving the power steering belt.

The cabin inside your car develops disco fever. As the belt continues to lose its grip, it will struggle to turn the alternator, especially during a cold start. So you may notice that the lights inside the car, and the headlights, go dim when you start your car or whenever there’s an extra load on your battery.

Your car hits the “snooze” button when you try to start it. As your serpentine belt wears down, it has trouble turning the alternator belt consistently, which can lead to no-start problems. Sometimes it gets so bad that it kills your battery, or causes the car to intermittently fail to start, even when the battery is charged up.

Your vehicle spikes a fever.

As your fan belt or serpentine belt breaks down and frays, it won’t be able to turn the water pump consistently, which slowly defeats the engine’s cooling systems and causes the temperature to rise more than it should. At first, it’ll only be a few degrees and you might just notice offhand that your temp gauge is up a few degrees more than normal. After a while, if the belt lets the water pump slide enough times, the engine will overheat.

Your serpentine belt is impersonating a snake in the grass. If you find your fan belt is no longer attached to your engine or is lying on the ground somewhere, that is definitely a sign that it’s time to replace your fan belt!

Source: AxleAddict

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

AUTO WORLD

BMW, Kith Start Season 2 Collaboration with BMW i4 M50

M

ore than just electrically charged: the BMW i4 M50 (electricity consumption in kWh/100 km: – (NEDC) / 22.5–18.0 (WLTP); electric range (WLTP) in NP ² LV QRW MXVW WKH ÀUVW IXOO\ HOHFWULF M automobile, but also the second BMW M vehicle that New York designer Ronnie Fieg has exclusively designed as part of the collaboration between his brand, Kith, and BMW M GmbH – inside and out.

According to the automaker, Only seven BMW i4 M50 by Kith vehicles will be produced for the public. One of those is the only vehicle within this collaboration being auctioned to a global public audience. To mark the limited edition, Kith is selling a 51-piece collection comprising apparel and accessories, inspired by the colours of the Kith Vitality Green vehicle paint and BMW Individual Caramel Merino vehicle leather in its stores all over the world and online A symbol of the transformation of BMW in the age of electric vehicles. In BMW M’s 50th anniversary year, a historic vehicle is bridging

WKH JDS EHWZHHQ WKH SDVW DQG WKH HOHFWULÀHG present. As a BMW enthusiast, Ronnie Fieg has also transformed a 1972 BMW 1602 into a contemporary electric car. A homage to history: at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, two BMW 1602s, converted into electric cars, were used at various long-distance competitions as accompanying and camera cars by the organisation committee. This was the start of a pioneering, forward-looking evolution RI HOHFWULÀHG YHKLFOHV DW %0: The unique 1972 BMW 1602 Elektro by Ronnie Fieg will be handed over to the designer by the BMW Group. He already owns an impressive collection of BMW vehicles, including a legendary BMW E30 M3 by Kith stemming from Season 1 of the collaboration. His passion for BMW was sparked as a boy by his grandfather; the collaboration with BMW M means this comes full circle for him. Ronnie Fieg founded his Kith label in 2011. The collaboration between the BMW and Kith brands started in 2020 with the design of a BMW M4 Competition Coupé by Ronnie Fieg. The 150 editions of the exclusive BMW M4 Competition × Kith were The BMW i4 M50 sold out in less than 30 minutes.

Toyota to End Vehicle Manufacturing in Russia

T

oyota has decided to end vehicle production at its Saint Petersburg plant in Russia.

On March 4th we had to suspend manufacturing operations at our plant in Saint Petersburg due to the interruption in supply of key materials and parts. Since then, we have been closely monitoring the situation and evaluating the future sustainability of our business in Russia.

During this period we have fully retained our workforce and ensured our facility was ready to re-start production if the circumstances allowed. However, after six months, we have not been able to resume normal activities and see no indication that we can re-start in the future.

The decision to terminate production of Toyota vehicles in Russia is not one that we have taken lightly. Over the last

Toyota Prado assembled in Russia

80 years we have developed our business and our brand with the support of stakeholders around the world. We must now act in a way that allows us to protect the values and principles that our predecessors built up and be FRQÀGHQW WKDW ZH FDQ SDVV WKHP RQ WR the next generation.

We have also determined that our operations in Moscow need to be RSWLPLVHG DQG UHVWUXFWXUHGаZLWK WKH FOHDU REMHFWLYH RI UHWDLQLQJ DQ HͿHFWLYH organisation to continue supporting the retail network in providing ongoing service to existing Toyota and Lexus customers in Russia.

We would like to thank our employees for their hard work and loyalty. In recognition of their valued FRQWULEXWLRQ ZH ZLOO EH RͿHULQJ them assistance for re-employment, re-skilling and well-being, including ÀQDQFLDO VXSSRUW DERYH OHJDO UHTXLUHments.

What is Use of Phone Infraction The addiction is everywhere. Some call it risky. I once called the driving, ‘crazy’. Defaulters, however, call it the vogue. It knows no bounds. Both the young and the old indulge in it. Even the very enlightened and polished do the same. The less privileged have equally joined. You would be surprised to know that all forms of transport operators do the same. From private car owners to commercial drivers. The Okada operators as well as tricyclists are not left out of the ding dong habit that has crippled some and caused the death of others.

Some of my colleagues in uniform are striving to catch up too. Some do it in uniform while the few who lack the guts or like I love saying, who fear God a little, indulge when they are in mufti. Some pious ones are not exempted as I have had cause to bail a few whenever the long arm of the law grabs them. If you think that health professionals who daily attend to victims of road traffic crashes are better off, then you need a rethink.

I recall the case of one who was arrested in Lagos This female health professional, a mother and a wife resorted to curses after her plea for mercy fell on deaf ears. The few decent and responsible road users would argue that they have inbuilt Bluetooth and all sorts of unprintable technology that permits them to break the law of the land and endanger their lives and others despite the strict warnings by the makers of mobile phones against flouting traffic rules. Fathers. Mothers.

Sons and daughters all indulge while those believing God for their personal mobility while still trekking, do it too.

These mannerisms are truly not my real focus for this week. It is the battering, arguments, words trading and unnecessary lies or half-truths that are told sometimes by defaulters that is my worry. A couple of weeks back I treated the same subject with a strong call for tweaking the penalties for such infractions, as well as expanding the scope of technology deployment to address this major road safety risk behavior. I am talking about the penchant by motorists to drive and

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu

amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. use the phone while driving and the arguments and half truths that result when apprehended as well as the near punches that are thrown.

So what really is this infraction that daily creates unnecessary verbal or physical assault on our operatives for merely doing their legitimate assignment as contained in the Federal Road Safety Corps Establishment Act,2007 as well as the National Road Traffic Regulations which has been cited over and over in this column. These two legal documents defines these infractions as well as empower our men,yet, daily they are verbally and physically assaulted for carrying out their legitimate responsibilities to save lives Daily, we educate motorists that the habit or infraction of using the phone while driving include making or receiving calls, as well as using any facility in the phone such as email, text messaging, snapshots, and Google map among others. The essence is to disabuse the minds of those who mischievously argue that the use of a phone while driving simply refers to making or receiving a call while driving without using a hands free. This group would always argue that as at the time they were stopped or pullover by our men, they were not using their phone.Some would confess that they were just holding their phone to confirm calling without answering it Today, the diseased behavior like I once wrote has won converts among all including vulnerable road

users such as pedestrians and motor cyclists which has resulted in avoidable deaths and injuries. I do not know if you followed the celebrated case of a female offender arrested over a year in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for driving and using her Goggle Map. This case went viral as she took her time to berate and insult not just the operatives but the entirety of the Corps for being backward and I guess primitive.

This case was personally handled by the former Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi who used the opportunity to educate the offender and her husband.

Before his intervention, some offenders capitalised on this case to drag the Corps to the mud for insisting as provided by the regulations that should not endanger their lives or those of other road users by engaging in distracted driving.

The rising trend explains why there are calls globally including Nigeria to heighten and strengthen the enforcement on defaulters to cut down the rising spate of avoidable road traffic crashes especially in low and middle income countries which account for a greater portion of global crash index. There are equally series of researches seeking for better answers and feedback such as the one conducted in Spain which I hope to share with you this week if space permits or next week.

For the record again, the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 and the Revised Highway Code lists the use of phone while driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs as traffic offences even though our focus is on what exactly is the use of phone while driving. The Revised Highway Code, warns drivers against driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or harmful substances because they impair vision, judgement, coordination and slows down reaction just like distracted driving or specifically using your phone while driving.

The 2016 National Road Traffic Regulations in section 175(1) notes that,’’ any person, who while driving or attempting to drive or when in charge of a motor vehicle is under the influence of intoxicating drugs or alcohol above the legal limit or to such an extent

as to be incapable of having proper control of such motor vehicle shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction…’’

Nevertheless, despite these provisions and the avalanche of strategies to address this risk behavior in low, middle income countries such as ours as well as developed climes, majority of drivers are unconvinced that indulging in this risk behavior poses dangers until they become direct or indirect victims. Others are also unconvinced that strengthened laws on the use of mobile phones while driving will deter defaulters and ultimately will make the roads safer. Those in this category will go to any length to oppose tougher laws or even stronger enforcement especially in developing climes.

I know that I once took you through the developments in the United Kingdom where a survey was conducted to psyche road users especially drivers behavior. The survey as well as the publications of the findings coincided with a new law on the use of phones while driving. The new law states that almost any use of a handheld phone is punishable with six points and a 200pounds fine which is equivalent to over a hundred thousand Naira depending on the exchange rate in our clime.

This new law, if you reflect, fits perfectly with the definition I stated earlier on in this piece on what the infraction of using the phone while driving truly means. Following this development and explanation given, this new introduction in the United Kingdom ultimately seeks to stop drivers from using their phones to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games.

The new law has closed the lacuna that was created by the old law which merely stated that it was a criminal offence to use a hand-held mobile phone to call or text while driving ,thus leaving a legal lacuna which allowed drivers to escape punishment for other actions such as taking photos. Before now, taking photos while driving was not seen as ‘interactive communication’, and therefore did not fit the previous definition of the offence.

o th a w th th a d a

p th w b w c to o r

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The Saturday Newspaper October 1, 2022

The Labour of Our Heroes Past…

Yemi Adebowale

Prologue

T

he independence festivities were not limited to Lagos, the then capital of Nigeria. Other regions of the country also organised events to usher in Nigeria’s independence. That was on October 1, 1960. Princess Alexandra of Kent, a member of the British royal family, represented Queen Elizabeth ll at the ceremony. There was the inspiring foundation-setting speech of the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in which he expressed his joy and happiness for the newly liberated nation and her people.

The tender Balewa anchored his speech on the preparedness of the new country for the task of nation-building and playing a key role in world affairs: “I shall not belabour the point but it would be unrealistic not to draw attention first to the awe-inspiring task confronting us at the very start of our nationhood. When this day in October 1960 was chosen for our Independence, it seemed that we were destined to move with quiet dignity to our place on the world stage.

“We are called upon immediately to show that our claims to responsible government are well-founded, and having been accepted as an independent state, we must at once play an active part in maintaining the peace of the world and in preserving civilisation. I promise you; we shall not fall for want of determination. And we come to this task better-equipped than many.’’

After Balewa’s speech, the national anthem was sung and the Nigerian flag, designed by Taiwo Akinkunmi was hoisted to replace the British Union Jack. Jaja Wachukwu, Nigeria’s first indigenous Speaker, received the instrument of freedom from Princess Alexandra. Later on that day, the firmament overhead the Tafawa Balewa Square was animated with flamboyant display of firecrackers and shouts of happy independence. Dance troupes and masquerades of different Nigerian ethnic groups displayed their danc-

ing skills and thrilled the audience with gymnastic displays.

That was how Nigeria’s journey into nationhood began amid great expectations. Many worked as patriots without emphasis on differences to see the mission accomplished. These were the heroes of the independence. They fought with all their might to actualize the dream. And on D-Day, Nigerians sang the new National Anthem with great hope and sense of total commitment to a country with potential for greatness.

The Nigerian independence landed. That was 62 years ago. The journey started on a very good note. The politicians were committed, the economy was buoyant and the people patriotic and happy. Then, the politicians started misbehaving. A coup in 1966 punctured the dream and the counter coup in July of the same year jeopadised the unity. It was followed by three years of pointless civil war - brothers killing brothers. Nigeria survived the war of unity.

But the years after have been littered with blood, tears and pain, inflicted by corrupt, inept and morallybankrupt leadership at all levels. Nigeria’s economy is now in a big mess, with unemployment, poverty, hunger and disease dominating, with massive decay of infrastructure.

Agriculture and manufacturing, hitherto the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy are gasping for breath. Terrorism and kidnapping and now the two biggest businesses thriving in Nigeria. Nigeria’s Naira, the symbol of our nationhood is in shreds. So sad! Nigeria is now the poverty capital of the world with over a 100 million people living below poverty. But amid the blood, tears and pain, the masses of the people, the biggest victims of the failed leadership, will still put up a bit of smile on this day, October 1, while still hoping for better days in the years ahead. For these people, the labour of our heroes past must not be in vain.

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Heroes of October 1 F Laurence Ani

or the generation straddling the preand post-civil war years, the story of the struggle for Nigeria’s independence is a compelling history learned and internalized at childhood. Of course, it wasn’t surprising that the leading political figures of that era became exemplars of courage, and would later, in varying degrees, be memorialized in monuments or other national symbols.

With 18 years as the median age in Nigeria, it means that over a third of the country’s estimated 200 hundred million population are persons born after its independence. The country is thus increasingly gripped by the reality that many older nations have had to grapple with: contending with younger generations that may not be particularly enamoured of a past valourized by the older generation.

Indeed, there is a searing irony in the fact that the generation born in pre-independence Nigeria, which constitute the bulk of today’s most influential politicians, cannot honestly be said to embody those values that endeared the country’s founding fathers to the masses and earned them cult-like following.

When people pine for pre-independence style politics, it is not simply a cloying idealizing of “the good old days”. There are truly many proud touchstones associated with Nigeria’s pre-independence politics. It was, after all, an era that saw a Fulani man elected as mayor of Enugu, and when a par ty led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, an Igbo man, ver y nearly secured a majority in the Western Regional Assembly.

As incredulous as it may sound, the first mayor of Enugu was a Fulani man named Umaru Altine and his accession to that office was not a product of affirmative action. Nor was it a quixotic pan-Nigerian decision. He actually won an election, and the fact he did is testament to the cosmopolitan worldview that characterized the countr y ’s politics at the time.

Mallam Altine’s ascendancy is strong proof that one’s tribe and creed scarcely mattered in the political decisions Nigerians made sometime in our histor y especially in the 1950s and early ‘60s. That was some six de cades ago, yet it seems like centuries apar t compared to the Nigerian situation today with all its ethno-religious chasms. Pondering the events that scuttled those halcyon days fills one with a sense of disappointment and memories of what might have been had the noble vir tues of nationhood not succumbed to base instincts.

Besides winning the mayoral contest by a landslide in 1954 Altine also won reelection in 1956, doing so as a member of the NCNC, a nationalist par ty founded by Sir Herber t Macaulay and Dr. Azikiwe, and also as an independent candidate. Azikiwe was the par ty ’s helmsman during Altine’s electoral triumph and it is instructive he gave his suppor t to a “settler” from Sokoto and not to a fellow easterner. That action was emblematic of the broad cultural worldview internalized by that era’s politicians and voters alike.

But it wasn’t just in regard to their broadmindedness that the independence era politicians outshone contemporary Nigerian politicians. The troika of Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Ahmadu Bello (the dominant figures of Eastern Region, Western Region and Northern Region politics) were beacons of selflessness. They understood, quite clearly, that public office essentially meant service to the people. So, they never deployed public resources in a manner that betrayed a desperate search for validation. Embezzling of public funds was mostly an exception rather than the norm. Whatever little income earned was deployed in the interest of the public.

It is instructive that Awolowo established

Awolowo

Azikiwe

Ahmadu Bello

the Western Nigerian Government Broadcasting Corporation (which reputedly birthed Africa’s first indigenous television station) with proceeds from the sale of cocoa. There was, in fact, a footage of his speech formally declaring the station open in 1959 that was emblematic of that era’s politicians’ simplicity. Awolowo’s speech, devoid of the vainglorious waffle typical of latter-day politicians was dignified and straight to the point. Today, the import of the event would be totally muffled by loud drumming and grandiloquence.

Equally significant is the fact that Azikiwe, as premier of the Eastern Region, built the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1955, with proceeds from oil palm. There was no pomp or a whiff of hubris when the institution formally opened at the dawn of independence. Nor did he ever contemplate naming the institution in his honour, as would be the case in today’s politics characterized by unrestrained narcissism. The same could be said of other Independence era politicians regarding the many groundbreaking projects they had conceived.

The altruistic inclination of the independence era politicians is further underlined

by Ahmadu Bello’s decision to remain as premier of Northern Region after his party, the Northern People’s Congress, had won majority seats in the parliament in 1959, passing on that right to his trusted acolyte, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. He was not so much thrilled by the frippery of such exalted office as he was by his resolve to bring the Northern Region to a standard comparable to the Western and Eastern Regions.

It is quite conceivable that the younger generations’ cynical attitude towards Nigeria’s independence heroes is coloured by their perception of contemporary politics, as mostly consisting of self-centered old men with an insatiable sense of entitlement and a chokehold on public office. Forget the elderly sagelike pictures of Azikiwe and fellow nationalists ossified in the public mind, the independence era politicians were young men and women who were just ahead of their time. At independence, Azikiwe was only 56 years old; Awolowo was 51, while Bello had just turned 50. Anthony Enahoro, the man who moved the first motion for Nigeria’s independence - albeit unsuccessfully - was 37; and Remi Fani-Kayode, whose motion would later prove successful, was 39. So, the “youth” were never deemed too young to run in the pre- and independence era Nigeria. Indeed, Balewa became the countr y ’s prime minister at 48.

But even when Nigerians pine for the 1950s and 1960s-style political renaissance today, the shocking levels of descent to sectionalism often makes such seem like hypocritical.

This is evident in the rabid tribal rhetoric spewed daily in the press and social media.

The youth may rail against the identity politics that somewhat confined political par ties to their regional strongholds. But only a few today would truly not be tainted by this albatross: why do we rationalize acts of injustice perpetrated by our kinsmen and yet denounce similar actions when we are at the receiving end?

At the root of this widening national fault lines is a feeling of discontent and alienation fueled mostly by the absence of inclusive ness in governance. Bridging such divide is a necessar y first step to rebuilding trust and national cohesion.

It may be 62 years after independence, but the heightened political consciousness felt across the countr y ahead of next year ’s general elections is redolent of that era’s febrile political climate. The hope is that this new political reawakening among the electorate will instill a sense of propriety in politicians as it was in the independence era.

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Once Secured, Now Unsafe Ahamefula Ogbu

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igeria started as a country on a safe note; so that traversing its length and breadth, one only had to think of the cost implications which comparatively was very affordable. High profile personalities had security officials attached to them as mere status conferrer instead of confidence builders and life savers they have

become now.

Apart from the political upheavals in the Western region arising from elections which later culminated into some level of mayhem with attacks on political opponents, the country was generally peaceful and secure even though the crisis degenerated and formed the nucleus of some later day conflagrations. However, the security of the country was not then in jeopardy.

Some argue that the undiluted value system accounted for the safe situation while some think that divisiveness which has fastened its claws on the country was a contributory factor to the sorry security state of the country. However, immediately after independence, there was peace and tranquility with families holding on to philosophy of good name and neighbourliness, hence the brotherhood slogan which apparently the pressure for independence helped to bond.

Then, one could travel either by air, road or rail to any part of the country either by day or night without any scruples or stroll at any time of the day or night in different cities without thinking of his kidnap value. The waterways were equally safe and the word, piracy wore their reality in novels and films but never in reality around the nation. Then, one could lose his wallet in a rowdy place and have same returned to him with the content intact. Armed robbery was low and far between while anyone caught was publicly disgraced and would be a dent on his family name.

Policing then was better organised while most were armed with batons while their presence was not a common sight.

Soldiers were well respected and had their presence in the barracks. Kidnapping for ransom, bullion van heisting, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism were unheard of. People partied freely without fear.

The Nigerian police and armed forces were better managed that they won laurels and were reference points and on high demand in peace keeping duties and the country supplied the world not less than 100,000 of its men to no fewer than 40 countries in Africa and across the globe It remained so till mid 60s when those Nigeria sent for peace keeping missions completed their rounds and came back with exposures and different ideas. That led some officers to mute the idea of forceful takeover of government and revolutionary ideas and therefore marked the beginning of security sorrows for Nigeria.

The revolutionary ideas said to have gained traction after the Congo interventions soon morphed into a putsch and a counter, then the civil war which accentuated the mass importation of arms and ammunition into the country in a not so controlled manner having there been partial loss of authority. Then the country began to lose it security innocence so that by the time the Nigerian–Biafran war ended, quasi non state actors incubated.

At the end of the war in 1970 the maxim that a man does not go hungry armed with a gun started becoming a reality as arms and ammunition not mopped up from both sides of the conflict found their way into wrong hands and armed robbery and other petty crimes spiked. The war led to a lot of job losses both on the part of the soldiers recruited to boost the war efforts that were offloaded immediately after and on the part of those caught on some sides where they could no longer hold on to their jobs which added to the conflict engendered economic pressures.

It was thereafter that armed robberies spiked but nothing close to the level of insecurity that the country is currently witnessing. It was within that era that highway robbery became common and the likes of Oyenusi, Osunbo, Mighty Joe, Lawrence Anini and Rambo had their days but were eventually caught, tried and executed. Those days of military rule had the luxury of marshal laws which allowed summary trial and execution so that the knowledge that there would be consequences when caught then acted as deterrence of sorts.

Thereafter, pure crime mixed with political thuggery to birth widespread breach of the law, added to popularising secret cults in schools which inured youths from human feelings and took them deeper into crime in the name of peer pressure. However, those vices never assumed the proportion of being security threat to the entire country.

Security breaches of worrying proportion was when the militancy grew wings in the Niger Delta with attendant resort to kidnapping. This made oil workers, especially expatriates which put them in flight and desertion of the Niger Delta

Buhari

Abacha

Most people believed that aside agitation for a fair share of the natural resources in their region, that the other achievement of militancy was that it aided the transfer of power to the South South and therefore taken by other power seekers as a route to power. Politicians started embracing violence as political negotiation tool to attain power and several of such groups prodded by politicians became common place across regions

region. Oil production also suffered as it dropped before the proclamation of the amnesty programme which quieted the region and partially returned peace.

Most people believed that aside agitation for a fair share of the natural resources in their region, that the other achievement of militancy was that it aided the transfer of power to the South South and therefore taken by other power seekers as a route to power. Politicians started embracing violence as political negotiation tool to attain power and several of such groups prodded by politicians became common place across regions.

We were thereafter met with Boko Haram which started as a mere rag tag religious movement which soon transmuted into full time insurgency after their leader was killed. They carried out attacks against civilians and security forces and creating many refugees in the process. Their vengeance on security forces was soon added to attacking churches. This approach made their activities sectarian as Christians claimed they were the targets, They were so successful in their campaign that they started regularly bombing churches and police station, even the police headquarters , United Nations building and Newspaper houses in Abuja under President Goodluck Jonathan. They extended their campaign even to the South when a bomb exploded in Apapa, Lagos. From Borno State where their campaign started, they extended to the North West, and North Central, spreading it its wake, a swelter of tears and blood.

It was on the strength of the level of terrorism that President Muhammad Buhari used security as the pivot of his campaign and added anti-corruption. As soon as he won the election which campaign slogans reeked of threats of violence, he declared that he would only work with those he knows and it did not take long for the worst nepotistic approach to governance to be enthroned and reactions followed from other sections that felt left out. In the East was birthed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which started as a peaceful and unarmed organisation before they created their armed wing, the Eastern Security network which they said its objective was to clear forests in their region from marauding herdsmen.

Meanwhile, the opening of Nigeria’s already porous borders by the government ensured influx of herdsmen from other parts of Africa while officials of and illicit arms while government tongue in cheek without condemning the destruction. The North Central was worst hit as several places in Benue state saw massive killings of indigenous populations while government indulged in platitudes of accommodate your neighbours. Allegations that the invading herdsmen were wiping off indigenous people and taking over such lands were rife and still is and as if to look for solution, government proposed RUGA and other programmes which people feared was a land grabbing scheme.

The killings and kidnappings were soon to reach all nooks and crannies of the country with attendant mass kidnap of school children and demanding ransom in hundreds of millions and nowhere was safe. Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Gombe among others became hotbeds of mass killings and abductions. They started with Chibok school girls and presently, it can happen anywhere in any part of the country. In the Eastern states, several villages were attacked and sacked while in Benue, it became daily routine that the number of killings appeared to be of statistics and no longer human lives. Plateau state was not spared and Nigeria found itself in a state of war whereby soldiers took over the functions of the police which was overwhelmed.

While still battling those, the Islamic State of West African Province announced its presence and occupied swaths of territories so that some places in the North East became inaccessible. While sharing the Sambisa forest with Boko Haram, bandits were freely operating in the North West and making highways unsafe as they serially blocked them and took away passengers into the bush where some are killed and ransom collected from others. The situation got so bad that even the airport in Kaduna State had to be shut when insurgents invaded it. They also bombed an Abuja-Kaduna train and took away passengers some of who are still in their custody.

Meanwhile, terrorists embarked on serial breaking of jail houses and freeing their detained members, making our once very effective military appear helpless before. Until attacks in Abuja and the advance convoy of the President where they also sent message threatening to abduct the Commander in chief, the military appeared helpless but after ambushing and killing Brigade of Guards officers and men, the government woke up and started giving them a fight.

As it stands, the military is giving them a bloodied nose with stats and regions forming their security outfits in the face of failure of federal agents to go it alone though some of the kingpins are still making threats but the level of insecurity continues to be a cause for concern as the nation celebrates its 62 years of independence.

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In Search of Unity Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

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o Nigerian leader thus far has been able to breast the unity tape. Forget all the fine words and promises and boasts, most Nigerian leaders have been victims of false starts, like overzealous athletes.

It takes a holistic understanding of a plural country to forge unity therein. There are so many questions needing urgent answers before we can truly talk of the unity of Nigeria or even the country attaining a measure of nationhood.

The country is celebrating the 62nd anniversary of flag independence but there exists so much work to be done for unity to manifest. As Chinua Achebe said, Nigeria is neither our father nor our mother, but a child who needs to be nurtured and brought up properly.

Nigeria’s first President, albeit ceremonial, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe famously said that the country won her independence in 1960 “on a platter of gold.” But Zik’s great rival, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first Premier of the Western Region, did raise the crucial issue of Nigeria being “a mere geographical expression.”

Against Zik’s charge that the many nationalities of Nigeria should forget their differences to forge ahead, the then Northern Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, countered by asserting that what was needed was for the different nationalities to understand the differences of the diverse peoples. It is amid the cacophony of voices that Nigeria has trudged along over the years without any homogenizing leader actually emerging to lend a measure of direction to the country’s search for unity.

The country courted disaster from the very beginning. The colonizing British masters did not hide the fact that amalgamation was effected to get the Southern “lady of means” as a support valve to the North that had been depleting the resources of Britain. It is against this background of not really growing the talents of the two protectorates that the country was launched forth onto independence, standing on three unsteady and unequal legs. The early politicians simply saw themselves as inheriting the mantle of leadership from the departing erstwhile white masters. Democracy was compromised from the very beginning to ensure a script of hegemony authored in Westminster.

Wole Soyinka wrote his play A Dance of the Forests to mark the independence ceremonies, prophetically listing the war of the tribes as a dark future to behold. Chinua Achebe in his 1966 novel A Man of the People prophesied a gruesome passage of coups and counter-coups.

The five young army majors who idealistically staged the bloody 1966 coup did not reckon with the acidic dimensions of the country’s diabolical geo-politics. The bloodier revenge coup of the selfsame year was forged as a means of secession by the North, with cries of “Araba” renting the air, until the British masters ordered a rethink on the part of the hotheaded lot remorselessly marching to arid extinction. The inheritor Yakubu Gowon’s initial speech that “there is no basis for unity” in Nigeria had to be changed to some patriotic marshmallow.

Of course the civil war supervened, but ages on, no lessons have been learnt. The talk of “No victor, no vanquished” ended up as some comedian’s glib talk. The promise of “Reconciliation-RehabilitationReconstruction” became another military legerdemain worse than a politician’s promise.

The country continues to teeter on the brink of disaster. It has to be admitted that in many accounts Gowon was somewhat a humane, if conniving, war leader, but he was quite naïve in the grave business of building a united country, especially when it is remembered that he told the wide world that Nigeria’s problem was not money but how to spend it!

General Murtala Muhammed who succeeded Gowon had too much baggage in his past to really make the difference. In his haste to clean the Augean Stable, he ended up ruining the civil service, though he must be given a measure of credit for raising Nigeria’s profile in the fight against imperialism.

Gowon

Soyinka

General Olusegun Obasanjo has enjoyed two incarnations as the leader of Nigeria, but even as he did receive worldwide applause for quitting power in aid of the enthronement of democracy during his first coming, the election he organized was fraught with problems in view of the Twelve Two-Third imbroglio that pitched President Shehu Shagari against Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

It was in his second coming, this time as an elected democratic President that Obasanjo upstaged himself with the tragic Third Term caper that made him leave office in a shambles of the ailing President Umaru Musa Ya’Adua.

Every nation in history must confront and master its own road to Damascus. Mighty America, for instance, used to be a fiefdom of Britain. It took the writings of fine minds,

especially Thomas Paine in his pamphlet Commonsense, to challenge Britain’s superintendence over America. This was the intellectual muster needed for the American War of Independence, culminating in the breakthrough of the United States of America by its founding fathers such as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington as opposed to starry-eyed adventurers like Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. It took human gumption to put “United” into the “States” of “America”.

Nigeria is today poised on the threshold of monumental historical contradictions. When, for instance, Sharia was introduced in the course of Obasanjo’s tenure people expected the then president to put a stop on the matter as Nigeria was deemed a secular state constitutionally. Obasanjo dismissed it all as “political Sharia” that would soon peter out. The initial seed planted then grew into the monster called Boko Haram, a terrorist endgame pitted ostensibly on the claim that Western education is bad. Bombings, kidnappings killings assassinations are now daily and nightly rituals of current Nigerian life.

Separatists like the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Southwest self-determination movement of Sunday Igboho are putting up a spirited battle to quit Nigeria for good.

The 2023 presidential election is on the front burner at this time that unity is in short supply in Nigeria. After the tragic death of President Yar’Adua, it took Nigeria almost going to the edge of the cliff for President Goodluck Jonathan to be foisted in power. Jonathan deigned to organize a National Confab in 2014 which he could not implement before his ouster from power in 2015.

The lingering issues of true federalism, fiscal devolution, term limits, inclusivity, power rotation, disunity etc. are still dogging the steps of Nigeria.

Nigerians can only look back in anger to the time when General Ibrahim Babngida annulled the 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola and then cobbled up a so-called Interim National Government (ING) led by the hapless Chief Ernest Shonekan. Of course the embattled Shonekan was kicked aside by General Sani Abacha who plotted to succeed himself as a democratic president before dying quite mysteriously alongside Abiola.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar who took over after Abacha’s death superintended over the militaryto-civil rule election that was grandly tailored to bring the then incarcerated Obasanjo back to power in a manner that the maverick musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti would tag “Army Arrangement.” The khaki-to-agbada deal amounted to Nigeria moving round in circles instead of searching for sincere unity.

Another former military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, is today at the helm of Nigerian affairs as civilian president, and unity is at its greatest peril in the history of the country.

Erstwhile Nigerian patriots are now fleeing Nigeria in droves. The hope is that a sincere leader can still save and restore Nigeria as it happened in Singapore through Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, author of the book From Third World to First – The Singapore Story: 1965-2000.

The Singaporean story is the celebration of genius in leadership such that Lee Kuan Yew, a 1949 First Class graduate of Cambridge University, England left the legacy which made it possible that the third Prime Minister of the country, Lee Hsieng Loong, who was sworn in on August 12, 2004 happened to be a 1974 First Class graduate of the selfsame Cambridge, and his cabinet was made up of: George Yeo – Minister of Foreign Affairs (Cambridge Double First Class in 1976); Lim Hng Kiang – Minister of Trade and Industry (Cambridge First Class with Distinction in 1976); Teo Chee Hean – Minister of Defence (University of Manchester First Class).

Singapore remains a model for countries in dire need of progress with its motto of “Integrity, Service, Excellence.”

One is not arguing that only First Class candidates can rule, but there is the need for fine minds to run a country such that university teachers cannot be on strike for all of seven months and counting!

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22 Years of Uninterrupted Democracy Bennett Oghifo

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his is the first time Nigeria will be enjoying 22 years of unbroken democracy since independence in 1960.

Although the journey is still bumpy, there is hope that it will get better as it progresses.

As things stand, it is beginning to look like most Nigerians have accepted democracy as the best option of governance in the country. Since 1999, there have been successful transitions of power from one administration to another, and successful switch of political parties in the states and at the federal level.

Regardless, the journey of governance in the country has been checkered, complete with violent disruption of democratic rule by the military, after independence on October 1, 1960.

Nigeria first became a republic in 1963, and three years later, the military struck with a bloody coup d’état, leading to a bitter and regrettable civil war in 1967 that claimed the lives of millions of Nigerians, according to a research report published by the University of Central Arkansas, United States of America.

Specifically on October 1, 1960, Nigeria formally got its independence from Britain and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. On this day, the founder of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was appointed as Prime Minister and head of government of the Federation of Nigeria. On November 16, 1960, the leader of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, was appointed as Governor-General, representative of Queen Elizabeth II, (now late) the Nigerian head of state.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria was established on October 1, 1963, with AbubakarTafawa Balewa as Prime Minister (head of government) and Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe as president (head of state).

On December 8, 1964, President Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe dissolved the House of Representatives. Parliamentary elections were held on December 30, 1964 and March 18, 1965, and the NPC won 162 out of 312 seats in the House of Representatives. The National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) won 84 seats in the House of Representatives. The United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) boycotted the parliamentary elections. Regional elections were held on October 11, 1965. Chief Samuel Akintola of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) was re-elected as Prime Minister of the Western Region on October 11, 1965. Not less than 160 civilians and seven government policemen were killed in political violence in the Western Region following the regional elections. Also on January 12, 1966, no less than 20 individuals were killed in political violence in Ilesha.

The events that led to the civil war began when Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was deposed and killed in a military coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna on January 15, 1966. Prime Minister Samuel Akintola of the Western Region and Prime Minister Ahmadu Bello of the Northern Region were also deposed and killed during the military coup on January 15, 1966.

The Supreme Military Council (SMC), headed by General Johnson Aguyi-Ironsi, took control of the government and suspended the constitution on January 16, 1966. Twenty-two individuals were reportedly killed during the military coup.

The Nigerian government abolished the four federal regions on May 24, 1966. Some 115 individuals, mostly ethnic Ibos, were killed in political violence on May 28-June 2, 1966.

Major General Aguyi-Ironsi was deposed and killed in a military coup led by Lt. Colonel Murtala Muhammed on July 29, 1966.

Some 30 individuals were killed in political violence in Lagos on July 29-August 1, 1966, and some 250,000 ethnic Ibos fled from the Northern Region to the Eastern Region following the military coup.

Lt. Colonel Yakuba Gowon was sworn in as the Head of the federal military government following the military coup, and he restored the four federal regions on August 31, 1966. Some 2,000 ethnic Ibos were killed in political violence in the Northern Region from September 29 to October 4, 1966. Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, declared that the region would no longer recognize Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon as head of the federal military government on March 2, 1967. Lt. Colonel Gowon assumed full powers as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and head of the military government on May 27, 1967. Lt. Colonel Gowon proclaimed a state-of-emergency on May 28, 1967. Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, military governor of the Eastern Region, declared the independence of the Republic of Biafra in southern Nigeria on May 30, 1967.

After the civil war, Lt. Colonel Gowon was deposed in a military coup led by General Murtala Mohammed on July 29, 1975. The SMC appointed the 25-member Federal Executive Council (FEC) on August 6, 1975.

General Murtala Mohammed appointed a 50-member committee to draft a new constitution, and the committee convened on October 18, 1975. However, General Mohammed and 24 other military personnel were killed during a military rebellion headed by Lt. Colonel Bukur Suka Dimka on February 13, 1976, and Lt. General Olusegun Obasanjo was appointed as head of the SMC on February 14, 1976. On March 11, 1976, more than 30 soldiers, including Major-General Illya Bisalla and Lt. Colonel Dimka, were executed for their involvement in the military rebellion and assassination of General Mohammed.

Shagari

Abiola The 50-member committee appointed in October 1975 submitted a draft constitution to the SMC on September 14, 1976. The SMC formally established a 230-member Constituent Assembly on August 31, 1977, and the Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on October 6, 1977.

On September 21, 1978, General Obasanjo ended the state-ofemergency and lifted the ban on political parties. On the same day, the Constituent Assembly submitted a draft constitution, which created a presidential system of government in Nigeria.

Three political parties – the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP), and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) – were organised on September 22, 1978. Legislative elections were held on July 14, 1979, and the NPN won 168 out of 449 seats in the House of Representatives.TheUPNwon111seatsintheHouseofRepresentatives.

Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the NPN was elected president with 34 percent of the vote on August 11, 1979, and he was inaugurated as president on October 1, 1979. The new constitution went into effect on October 1, 1979.

President Shagari was re-elected for a second term, with 48 per cent of the vote, on August 6, 1983, and he was inaugurated on October 1, 1983. The NPN won 13 out of 19 state governorships in elections on August 13, 1983. Legislative elections were held on August 20-27, 1983, and the NPN won 60 out of 96 seats in the Senate and 306 out of 450 seats in the House of Representatives. The UPN won 16 seats in the Senate and 51 seats in the House of Representatives.

Muhammadu Buhari’ Coup Again, the military struck and President Alhaji Shagari was deposed in a coup led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983, and the 19-member Supreme Military Council (SMC) headed

by General Buhari took control of the government on January 3, 1984. General Buhari was deposed in a military coup led by Major General Ibrahim Babangida on August 27, 1985.

The 28-member Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) headed by General Babangida took control of the government on August 29, 1985. The government announced the discovery of a plot within the military to overthrow the government on December 20, 1985, and several hundred military personnel were arrested for their involvement in the plot. Thirteen military personnel were convicted and sentenced to death on February 25, 1986. Ten of the military personnel, including Major-General Mamman Vatsa, were executed in Lagos on March 5, 1986.

Political activity Resumes A new constitution went into effect on May 3, 1989, and the ban on political parties was lifted. On October 7, 1989, President Babangida dissolved 13 political parties that had applied for registration since May 1989.

Government troops suppressed a military rebellion led by Major Gideon Orkar on April 22, 1990, resulting in the deaths of some 200 individuals. Forty-two military personnel were executed for their involvement in the military rebellion on July 27, 1990, and 27 individu-

als were executed for their involvement in the military rebellion on September 13, 1990.

Legislative elections were held on July 4, 1992, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won 314 out of 593 seats in the House of Representatives. The National Republican Convention (NRC) won 275 seats in the House of Representatives.

The Transitional Council (TC), a civilian government headed by Ernest Shonekan, replaced the military government on January 4, 1993. Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was elected president with 58 percent of the vote on June 12, 1993.

President Babangida nullified the results of the presidential election on July 4, 1993, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals during rioting in Lagos on July 5, 1993. The European Community (EC) imposed military sanctions (arms embargo) against the government on July 13, 1993.

President Babangida resigned on August 26, 1993, and the Interim National Government (ING) headed by Ernest Shonekan formed a civilian government. General Sani Abacha deposed the civilian government and dissolved the parliament on November 17-18, 1993.

The Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) headed by General Abacha took control of the government on November 24, 1993. Moshood Abiola was arrested and charged with treason on June 23, 1994.

General Abacha lifted the ban on political activity on June 27, 1995.

The military government convicted and executed Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other members of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) on November 10, 1995. The London-based nongovernmental organization Amnesty International condemned the Nigerian government for the executions on November 10, 1995. The European Union (EU) condemned the Nigerian government for the executions on November 10, 1995.

Legislative elections were held on April 25, 1998, and the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) won 229 out of 282 seats in the House of Representatives. The Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) won 39 seats in the House of Representatives. Opposition political parties were banned from participating in the legislative elections and called for a boycott of the legislative elections.

General Sani Abacha died on June 8, 1998, and was replaced by General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Moshood Abiola died in prison on July 7, 1998.

Nigeria’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) requested international monitoring of local, state, and national elections to be held between December 5, 1998 and February 27, 1999. Elections for local councils were held on December 5, 1998, and elections for state governors and assemblies were held on January 9, 1999.

Legislative elections were held on February 20, 1999, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 206 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives. The All People’s Party (APP) won 74 seats in the House of Representatives, and the Alliance for Democracy (AFD) won 68 seats in the House of Representatives.

Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP defeated Olu Falae of the APP by a margin of 63 per cent to 37 per cent to win the presidential election on February 27, 1999.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar signed into law a new constitution on May 5, 1999, and Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated as president on May 29, 1999, and 22 years after, democratic rule has been uninterrupted.

On August 3, 2002, President Olusegun Obasanjo announced a postponement of local elections, which were scheduled for August 10, 2002. The Nigerian House of Representatives demanded the resignation of President Olusegun Obasanjo on August 13, 2002, but the demand was rejected on August 14, 2002.

Legislative elections were held on April 12, 2003, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 76 out of 109 seats in the House of Representatives, and the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) won 27 seats in the House of Representatives. President Olusegun Obasanjo was re-elected with 62 per cent of the vote on April 19, 2003.

President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state-of-emergency in Plateau State on May 18, 2004. Governor Ayo Fayose of the state of Ekiti was impeached on corruption charges by the state assembly on October 16, 2006. On October 19, 2006, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state-of-emergency in Ekiti State after suggesting that the impeachment of Governor Ayo Fayose was“a clear case of usurpation of power” by the state assembly.

Legislative elections were held on April 21, 2007, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 260 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives. The All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) won 62 seats in the House of Representatives. Umaru Yar’Adua of the PDP was elected president with 70 per cent of the vote on April 21, 2007, and he was inaugurated as president on May 29, 2007.

On June 26, 2009, President UmaruYar’Adua announced an amnesty plan for militants fighting against the government in the Niger Delta.

Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan was approved as Acting-President by the National Assembly on February 10, 2010. President Umaru Yar’Adua died of an illness on May 5, 2010, andVice-President Goodluck Johnson was sworn in as Interim President on May 6, 2010.

Legislative elections were held on April 9, 2011, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 199 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) won 69 seats in the House of Representatives.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

COVER

Nigeria @ 62... Nigeria @ 62... Nigeria @ 62...

Casino Club in a Declining Economy Nduka Nwosu argues that the real owners of the Nigerian polity are the people at the helm of affairs with their cronies who, no matter how bad the weather is, will lose nothing. For them there is no declining economy; they are the casino owners of the casino club called Nigeria; head or tail they will always win in this game, this experiment that is 62 years running

I

n the late 1980s, the London based The Economist magazine sang a dirge for the Nigerian economy. In one of its major headlines: “The Party is Over,” it described how Nigeria celebrated its oil wind fall with a huge party, leaving behind a debt overhang with the global policeman the IMF asking the country to restructure itself, part of which was the naira devaluation, the naira that was once stronger than the dollar!

In one of its interesting headlines in the month of May last year: “Nigeria’s Economy is Stuck in a Rut,” the same Economist reminded us that Nigeria’s economic woes also help to explain a vertiginous rise in crime, mass poverty, illiteracy, and disease.

According to Jose Luengo Cabrera of the World Bank, more people were kidnapped in the first four months of 2021 than the whole of 2020. The spate of kidnapping has not abated in 2022 the 62nd birthday of the nation state.

Prices of farm gate products coming to the markets have skyrocketed, no thanks to uncontrollable insecurity and terrorist and herdsmen attack on farmers and their harvests.

After promising and denying he would make one naira equal to one dollar as it was in the early 1980s, Buhari anchored his blueprint of projected achievements while in office on a strong economy, eliminating insecurity in place of a secure business friendly environment that would swing the economy on a positive trend; and the big one, the flawless, corruption free President will wipe away with his big cane, corruption in the system.

It is left for the discerning reader to assess the Buhari Administration and rank its performance on these planks overall. His aides insist Buhari’s performance these past seven years plus is a success story.

Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi alerted Nigerians early in the day on what was going on, warning the President that two exchange rate regimes with very wide differentials would be an easy route to round tripping. two parallel markets not backed by a buoyant foreign reserve, Sanusi warned, would plunge the nation into trouble. The former Emir of Kano advised for a realistic and balanced monetary and fiscal policy.

In a write up for the Financial Times and at other fora, Sanusi repeated the same narrative advising and warning President Muhammadu Buhari on the danger of running a parallel exchange rate regime against a backdrop of declining oil prices, a low foreign exchange reserve and corruption in terms of round tripping. Sanusi warned that those who had made billions through round tripping, and cronyism, were the real problems in a wobbly economy.

Oil theft, a fake allocation known as subsidy through which many have enriched themselves, big government with big spending, over invoicing of contract papers, huge security votes and squandermania of contract and budgetary allocations, are part of our lifestyle as a people.

The President under his watch has seen the naira exchange for the dollar at a rate of N204 in 2015 to N702 in 2022. Under Buhari cronyism and prebendalism have become the norm, an exception to the rule. An Accountant General who cashed out over a N100 billion will soon be another hero in the Island of Robin Hood if his plea bargain sails through.

Since no economy prospers in an insecure environment, is it any wonder oil, our goose that lays the golden eggs, has become an endangered species, looted by ‘Unknown Gunmen’ conspiring with unknown government officials and their foreign mercenaries, these selfsame officials who would hold a press conference and scream “thief, thief,” after each successful mission at sea with their pirates?

Which economy ever succeeds after being bled, the way the Nigerian economy has witnessed since the end of the Civil War? Former Military President Ibrahim Babangida expressed audacious surprise when he said he was wondering why the Nigerian economy had not collapsed despite the buffeting it had experienced while he was in government.

That partly explains why the average person who finds himself in a position of power is advised by his kinsmen to go with a bag, pluck enough fruits when you climb the palm tree for the rainy day because, according to the squirrel, advising her children, when the owner of the palm fruit arrives, you would not have the opportunity to steal what does not belong to you again. Unlike the squirrel and her

Lamido

Babangida

seemingly wise counsel, Nigeria is a captive state belonging to a certain breed of human beings-the politicians who migrate from one party to the other ad infinitum, just to sustain their lifestyles.

Nigeria does not belong to anyone except for those in charge at any given point in time. And the advice: make hay while the sun shines, a declining economy or not, is succinct.

Again, is it any wonder why our President is so much deeply enamoured to Niger Republic, his country of second choice, than Katsina State and the polity as a whole? When priorities such as a road, pipeline and rail networks go to develop a neighbouring country while the dilapidated road networks in the country are daily spilling blood, the consequence would surely be partly found in an economic decline.

Two Nigerian governors taking this matter of

misplaced priority in the art of governance made a comparative analysis on how corruption has been a major reason for the declivity of the Nigerian economy. The first attributed his apparent success in government to a moral responsibility. With his pen, he could have ripped off the state using his security vote as excuse because, there is no limit to what constitutes a security vote.

A Governor with the disposition of an armed robber can at the mention of Jack Robinson, loot the treasure with his gun-his biro, regardless of what public opinion feels and the consequence on the general wellbeing of the people.

The other conjecture are two Governors who receive 10 units each to run their respective state governments but chose to pocket part of the allocation. Governor A pockets two and works with eight whereas Governor B pockets eight and works with two. Either way one has a human face and the other loots without looking back. At the end of the day, both are thieves.

This is the background to a declining economy run by people, who met a system that encourages the looting of our common patrimony.

It is intellectually sound for the CBN to operate the economy with the government on a balance of scale between monetary and fiscal policies. There is always need, to apply threshold equation leading to a single digit inflationary trend that will drive growth. A pent-up demand, we are told, leads to a demand-pull inflation. With headline inflation recorded at 20.5 percent and an interest rate or marginal monetary rate of 15.5 percent, the CBN economists are asking for a tradeoff using monetary and policy tools to produce an efficient benefit to the economy. Economic language on parade in a corrupt country where the known policy tools dance the lady dance! This is good projection in an environment where transparency drives the system. The private sector will suffer somersaults in a government whose policies are fake, are anchored on the principle of the more you look, the less you see. All the factors that lead to a productive export economy are comatose and we import to sustain a foreign lifestyle in declivity.

With a projected four trillion-naira expenditure on oil subsidy, a borrowing binge that currently stands at N42.

84tn ($103.31bn) as of June 30, 2022, robbing Peter to pay Paul, borrowing to settle our debt and pay for nonproductive ventures such as salaries and maintenance of dead refineries, where lies growth that drives the economy?

On discourse is an economy which under Olusegun Obasanjo and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala commanded the respect of the Bretton Woods and Paris clubs that wrote off a substantial portion of our debts, leaving us to settle the rest, a duo that grew our foreign exchange reserves to a substantial level; an economy that was adjudged healthy and leader in Africa under Goodluck Jonathan With a global economic decline that is bound to affect us, Nigeria has never had it so bad. But who is bearing the brunt? Definitely not those who govern us, who have brought this calamity on us.

One had often argued that the average Nigerian psyche is mired in the art of shortchanging each other, in being fast to turnaround one’s destiny. Except for the mugus or the mumus if you are not fast to shortchange the system, too bad.

An intellectual treatise on how to revamp Nigeria’s declining economy is the constant hypocrisy of the drivers of our economy. They are the rats that blow air into your flesh when they take a bite.

Many poured adulations on President Buhari as the champion of due process and transparency. Is APC still mouthing its anti-corruption mantra under a Buhari who then was said to hate the good things of life with a barren, zero account, a Buhari who owns nothing and desires nothing? We have seen enough to know that this jolly ride has been an APC Babylon train, a One Chance bus. Despite being mumu-ed by the cheer leaders of this government, at least it is clear to us that this economy is a casino club where though we keep losing our baits with a powdered smile on our faces, the real winners are the owners of the club and their cronies who make a living by gaming others.

Whether the economy is declining or not, they stand to lose nothing.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

COVER

Nigeria @ 62... Nigeria @ 62... Nigeria @ 62...

Former President Jonathan with Keshi savouring AFCON 2013 trophy

Kanu at Atlanta ‘96

Tobi Amusan

Sports: High and Low Points As Nigeria celebrates her 62nd independence anniversary today, Kunle Adewale chronicles the high and low moments of its sporting history years as a free country

I

f there is one thing that still unites Nigerians, it is sports, breaking the boundaries of ethnicity and religious inclinations. Since the country’s independence in 1960, there have been high and low moments.

Four years after independence, Nigeria launched herself into sports global stage when Nojeem Maiyegun won the bronze medal in boxing at the 1964 Olympic Games inTokyo, Japan, thereby becoming Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist.

Nigeria has since gone to put on some memorable performance at the most celebrated sporting fiesta with the quartet of Innocent Egbunike, Sunday Uti, Moses Ugbisie, and Rotimi Peters winning the bronze in the 4x400m relay event at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Eight years later, Nigeria returned to America and Chioma Ajunwa won Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medal in the long jump, which remains the country’s only individual Olympic gold medal till date.

At the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, hurdler Tobi Amusan set a new world record in the 100m huddle running a time of 12.29 seconds.

However, one sport that has perhaps put Nigeria on the world stage more than any others is boxing.

In 1962, Richard Ihetu, better known as‘DickTiger’ won Nigeria’s first world boxing title, beating Gene Fullmer for the world middleweight title. Then, in 1966, he won the world light heavyweight title by beating Jose Torres of Puerto Rico.

In 2008, Samuel Peters went on to win the WBC heavyweight title after defeating Oleg Maskaev

by TKO. In table tennis, the efforts of players such as Kasali Lasisi, Atanda Musa, Yomi Bankole, are not in vain, while new breed Aruna Quadri continues to keep the flag flying. Earlier this year, Quadri became the first African player to break into world top 10.

Indoor sport was not left out where Nigeria has had breakthrough afterWellington Jighere became the first African player to be was crowned World Scrabble Champion in 2015.

The Guinness Book of Records is not short of Nigerians on its list. In 2015, Blessing Okagbare recorded her name in the famous book of records for appearing in the Diamond League for the most times – 38, competing in the 100m, 200m, and long jump events.

Nigeria has been very successful in football in the last 62 years. The Green Eagles, as the national team was then known, defeated Algeria to win the

Africa Cup of Nations in 1980. It was Nigeria’s first major trophy in football.

The Super Eagles went on to win the 1994 and 2013 African titles after defeating Zambia and Burkina Faso respectively in the finals.

The Golden Eaglets put the country on the global map when it won the maiden FIFA U-16 World Championship held in China in 1985, and had gone to win the competition four more times, making Nigeria the most successful country in the competition.

Nigeria became the first African country to win the Olympic gold in the football event at the 1996 Olympics, beating Argentina 2-0.

Nigeria also recorded some successes at club level. Enyimba FC of Aba won the CAF Champions League in 2003 after the trophy eluded Nigeria for 38 years. IICC Shooting Stars and Enugu Rangers had won the Cup Winners Cup in 1976 and 1977 respectively.

The Super Falcons won the inaugural African Women Championship (AWCON) in 1998, and have gone to win the t Africa women’s tournament a record 11 times.

It’s however not all Eldorado for Nigeria’s sports as the country has witnessed many lows and indeed

some ugly moments.

Nigeria soccer fans would not forget August 12, 1989, in a hurry. Super Eagles midfielder, Samuel Okwaraji slumped and died at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, during a FIFAWorld Cup qualification match against Angola.

On October 29, 1995, Nigeria lost another talented footballer, Amir Angwe who collapsed and died at the Onikan National Stadium during the African Cup Winners semi-final match between Julius Berger and Maxaquene of Mozambique.

FIFA in 1989 banned Nigeria’s youth national teams for fielding over-age players in FIFAorganised tournaments after the birth dates of three players at the 1988 Olympics were different from the ones used by those players at previous tournaments.

In 2019, world football governing body, FIFA, pronounced a life ban former Super Eagles Coach Samson Siasia after its independent ethics committee found the 51-year-old guilty of match-fixing.

The image of the country was battered at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, after 10 of her athletes were declared ineligible by the Athletics Integrity Unit.

Days after, the country’s brightest hope in the women’s 100 metres race, Blessing Okagbare, who had qualified for the semifinals, was handed a suspension for testing positive to Human Growth Hormone substance. She was eventually handed a ban after confirmation of B sample.

Nigeria has the unenviable record of failing to defend the Africa Cup of Nations twice. After winning the biennial competition in 1994, the Super Eagles failed to defend the trophy at South Africa 1996 because of row between the Nigerian government and her South African counterpart.

The country failed to qualify for the 2014 edition of Afcon hosted by Equatorial Guinea after winning the trophy in South Africa in 2013.

When the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar next month, Nigeria’s flag would not be hoisted as the Super Eagles failed to book a place in the global showpiece despite the array of talents at their disposal.

In spite of the low moments in the country’s sport, the achievements are worthy of celebrating as Nigeria marks 62 today.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

PERSPECTIVE Pay TV: Pay Per View, Price Hikes Return to Front Burner The recent public hearing by the Senate ad-hoc Committee investigating pay television price increases and pay per view billing model threw up two issues: widespread indifference to the role of local and global economic dynamics in determining prices as well as misunderstanding of billing models, writes Sani Tureta

A

t about 11.45am on 22 September, the Senate ad-hoc Committee on pay television price hikes kicked off its public hearing into the matter.

The seven-man committee, constituted in March by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, is headed

by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

Members include Senators Lekan Mustapha and Ifeanyi Ubah, Abdu Kwari,. The constitution of the committee was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Patrick Abba Moro and titled “Nigerians dumbfounded, outraged over Pay-TV Tariff Hikes, Demand for Pay-Per-View Subscription Model”.

At the hearing, attended by pay television service providers such as MultiChoice Nigeria, Startimes, OurTV, TStv and MYTV. Also invited and represented were the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, media-focused civil society organizations and members of the public. A curious omission from the line-up of invitees was that of the Ministry of Information, which supervises the broadcast industry.

Moro said the motion was motivated by a deluge of complaints about the fixed monthly billing model used by pay television companies, demand for the adoption of Pay Per View (PPV) subscriptionmodel,whichhehopedwouldlower tariffs. While saying that the committee has no plan to restrict the freedom of pay television operators, the chairman noted that it is concerned that one of the operators, MultiChoice, has increased its tariffs by 55 percent in six years. He blamed the development on the NBC, the regulator of the broadcast industry. ““We need to have price regulation. Price increases need to be regulated. NBC from all intent and purposes are the problem of the country when it comes to pay TV,” he said.

In his presentation, Anete Onyebuchi, NBC’s Deputy Director, Research and Policy at the, who represented the Director-General, said the law establishing the has no provision for price regulation.

“The NBC Act only gives it power to receive, consider and investigate complaints regarding broadcast content. Nowhere in the Act is the NBC given powers to regulate the prices being charged on their services,” Onyebuchi told the committee.

AbubakarLadan,whorepresentedtheMinistry of Communications and Digital Economy, told the committee that the ministry involvement with broadcast operators is limited to the allocation of broadcast frequencies.

Pay television providers and civil society representatives, however, told the committee that the Pay Per View model it desires for adoption is not feasible and is misunderstood.

Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, noted that the PPV model desired by the committee is not feasible and misunderstood.

“It would appear that this problem is because of some confusion in understanding the basic definitions and distinctions between some of the existing operational business models in telecommunications and pay TV broadcasting.

“PPV model allows a subscriber to watch some special one-off events, usually of the high-ticket variety in sports and entertainment, by paying for such events in addition to having an active subscription.

“Pay-As-You-Go, accommodates a metered mode of service, where consumers are billed only for the service they consume and not for

Lai Mohammed

While there remains an acute lack of public understanding of the pay television ecosystem, the result of which is the continued demand for pay per view and low prices, some Nigerians continue to wonder why this should be a preoccupation of the committee at a time the country is buffeted by a myriad of more threatening issues a fixed period.

“The desire by this Committee to adopt PPV is further challenged by the non-existence of any technology that can detect and or determine the viewers are tuned in per time.

“Once it is impossible to have this knowledge, billings based on “per view” become difficult if notalmostimpossible,”Ugbesaidatthehearing.

On tariff increments, the MultiChoice CEO explained that pay television services are very sensitive to price. ”If the subscription fees are either too high or too low, the pay television service will fail. If the subscription fees are too high, the subscribers will unsubscribe, or will not subscribe in the first place, and the business will be unable to gain the critical mass necessary for its survival.

Similarly, if the subscription fees are too low, thebusinesswillbeunabletocoveritsexpenses and will inevitably go insolvent,” he stated.

Ugbe added that MultiChoice’s tariffs are determined by factors such as inflation, increasing input costs, perennially rising costs of technical upgrades, the impact on subscribers and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

“The costs of satellite pay television are massive, ongoing and increase, rather than decrease, with time. Due to the current adverse economic situation, some of these factors which we discuss in detail below have over the years negatively impacted our cost of doing business and have put us under very challengingconditions,”Ugbefurtherexplained.

A former NBC Director-General, Mr. Emeka

Mba, also noted PPV is not the same, and is very different from pay as you go (PAYG). He added that PPV and Pay TV pricing have been the subject of investigations by the National Assembly, the regulatory agencies and courts in the past.

He recalled that in 2015, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, dismissed a suit by two lawyers seeking an order for the reversal of MultiChoice price increase. The applicants, he noted, asked the court to order the NBC to restrain MultiChoice from implementing a scheduled price increase and also implement the pay-per-view, which they thought would enable subscribers to choose the programmes or channels they want and pay as they watch.

“The Court held that the plaintiffs were not under any obligation to continue to subscribe if unsatisfied with MultiChoice subscription pricing. The suit was thereafter struck out for disclosing no reasonable cause of action,” stated Mbah Dr Monday Michaels Ashibogwu, CEO of Billsbox Services, also noted that the assumptions around PPV being better are incorrect and are underpinned by a misunderstanding of the model.

“ThesimpledefinitionofPPVisasystemunder which a viewer is required to pay a certain fee for viewing special programmes such as live events or sports. The programme is broadcast at the same time to everyone subscribing to PPV service.

“PPV means the viewer pays for only what is

watched at a fixed broadcast time. The addition of PPV to a package grants viewers access to programmes on a pay per view basis. In fact, this means that viewers purchase individual programmes they desire to watch on a specific PPV channel. The payment is specifically for a programme, show or event,” said Ashibogwu.

Coordinator, Nigerian Viewers’ Collective, Mr. AnthonyIyare,stressedthatNigeriamustdesist from inflicting further pains on the economy via strangulating the operations of pay television companies by price regulation.

“We are aware that inflation in the country is now over 20 per cent, the highest in 17 years. The content which they offer is bought in dollars and there has been a geometric drop in the value of the naira to the dollar. Government itself has increased the prices for almost all its services.

“The prices of services and consumer goods, including household ones, have risen astronomically and continue to do so in the last three years.

Local and international economic dynamics are responsible,” said Iyare.

He equally noted that Pay TV service providers are not insulated from economic vagaries, adding that even the government has raised the pump price of fuel, while the prices of diesel and aviation have gone through the roof.

Both Dr. Bright Echefu, Chief Executive Officer of TSTV, and Mr. Tunde Aina Chief Operating Officer of Startimes, also stated that PPV is not feasible, but added that their companies have pay per day models.

“Pay per view is not feasible, but we came up with pay per day. We also allow our subscribers to choose the package based on the number of channels they want to watch,” said Echefu.

While the committee is yet to complete its work and disclose recommendations, it is clear from the presentations that pay per view is not what it is thought to be and that pay television companies are also victims of local as well as global economic factors as much as the subscribers.

While there remains an acute lack of public understanding of the pay television ecosystem, the result of which is the continued demand for pay per view and low prices, some Nigerians continue to wonder why this should be a preoccupation of the committee at a time the country is buffeted by a myriad of more threatening issues.

In a piece published by thecable.ng, renowned technology journalist, Okohi Ahie, wrote: “They (the committee) will gather not to discuss some other compelling issues like the ASUU strike for about seven months, the lack of infrastructure, including connecting roads between states and even within states; the failing aviation industry, insecurity, inflation of over 20 per cent, pervasive hopelessness in the land, and, in fact, a general lack of faith in the present administration” Ahie also noted that the broadcast industry has been deregulated by law since 1992 via Decree 38 (now National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11). The law, he argued, does not encourage the regulator to fix prices for broadcast products or programmes but to generally superintend the sector.

“The Act may have contemplated that in a free marketeconomy,pricesarelefttomarketforces, until there is a gradual sedimentation, to the triumph of such forces.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) tribunal supports this view, as it recently reminded some complainants against Multichoice that ‘Nigeria operates a free market economy,” adding that their argument on price regulation lacked merit,” wrote Ahie.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 1, 2022

63

NEWSXTRA Lagos Police Warn against NGX Group Bows to Pressure, Cancels N35bn Capital Raising Exercise Rallying at Lekki Toll Gate Kayode Tokede and up to N15 billion in debt Ahamefula Ogbu Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police has warned it would not allow the convergence of people on Lekki Toll Gate today by those rallying for Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, adding that it would protect the rights of Lagosians from being bridged.

In a statement by Spokesman of the Lagos Police Command, Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, the police said they had to re-emphasise that no rally

would be allowed at Lekki Toll Gate in line with the pronouncement of the court.

The statement threatened to deal with anyone found flouting the order of the court but assured law-abiding citizens would be protected and their movement would not be impeded by anybody.

“It has become imperative to reemphasise that no form of rally whatsoever will be allowed at the Lekki Toll Gate tomorrow, October 1, 2022.

“This emphasis has become necessary to enlighten Nigerians that might be misled into converging on the toll gate.

“A court of competent jurisdiction has ruled that no person is allowed to converge on the Lekki Toll Gate for whatever reason.

“In conformity with its mandate to protect life and property, the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc will leave no stone unturned in ensuring total compliance with the court

order and an emplacement of adequate security in the state.

“While the Command is not averse to the peoples’ right to freedom of assembly and association; and expression, the Command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons, especially under the guise of rally or procession.

The management of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) yesterday canceled the N35 billion capital raising exercise amid pressure from market shareholders.

This was disclosed by the outgoing Chairman, NGX Group, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, at the Group’s 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

The group had proposed that shareholders approve the raising of additional capital of up to N35 billion through a K\EULG RͿHULQJ RI HTXLW\ DQG debt through N20 billion (or its USD equivalent) in equity

(capital raise transaction).

The AGM was held against all odds amid a threat by some shareholders, calling on the management of the Group to stop the controversial N35 billion capital raise for which management was seeking approval.

The outgoing Chairman expressed that the capital raising exercise was suspended after wide consultation with market stakeholders, stating that the reason was for the interest of the capital market.

The capital raising exercise and re-election of the outgoing chairman of the group was part of the resolutions at the AGM.

Nigeria Can become Food Basket of Africa, Says Jangid Salami Adeyinka

ACCEPTED TO SERVE… L-R: Abia APC Chairman, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, Governorship Candidate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, his running mate, Rev. Gloria Akara, during a grand civic reception organised for Emenike by stakeholders of Ohuhu Clan in Umuahia North Local Government Area...yesterday

Traore Sacks Bukina Faso’s Osinbajo: FG to Drive Job Creation, Damiba in Military Coup Economic Growth with Agric Ahamefula Ogbu There has been a forceful change of government in Burkina Faso as Captain Ibrahim Traore announced the ouster of its military leader, Paul Henri Damiba. +HDY\ JXQÀUH ZDV UHSRUWHG around the seat of power of the country yesterday in what appeared to be an uncertain situation before it became clear that there was a change of guards in the country.

While there was massing of armed soldiers along the roads in the country’s capital Ouagadougou, Damiba had through his Facebook page dismissed the putsch “mood swings” for which the people should not panic.

However, the situation became clearer when Traore announced a

change of government and cited failure to deliver on promises as reason for the change of guards.t “Faced with the deteriorating situation, we tried several times to get Damiba to refocus the transition on the security question,” he said.

“Damiba’s actions gradually convinced us that his ambitions were diverting away from what we set out to do. We decided this day to remove Damiba,” he explained in a broadcast.

Traore claimed that Damiba refused to implement proposals to reorganise the army but embraced and kept to methods that engendered failure in previous times and assured that they were now in control to right the wrongs of the ousted leader which include designing a transition programme to designate the new leader as President of the country.

Ayu Returns from Europe Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has returned to the country after a two-week trip to Europe.

In a statement by Simon Imobo-Tswam, Special Adviser to the National Chairman on Media and Communications, said Ayu’s plane touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe

International Airport, Abuja, at about 7p.m yesterday.

Ayu jetted out of the country on September 14.

While he was away, the Deputy Chairman (North), Ambassador Iliya Damagun, acted in his place.

The national chairman also communicated the handover to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Deji Elumoye in Abuja In furtherance of its objectives on job creation and economic development, the federal government has said it would continue to create an enabling environment for more private sector investments in the agriculture sector.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated this yesterday at the inauguration of Pandagric Novum Farms, an integrated feed and food manufacturing company in Panda community, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Signature Agri Investments are major investors in the project.

Urging for more private sector investments in the agriculture sector, the vice president noted

that the project’s commissioning was a foretaste of many possibilities and opportunities for investments, in agriculture and other sectors in the country.

He said: “What you see today FRQÀUPV WKDW WKHUH LV RSSRUWXQLW\ in Nigeria for investments in agriculture. While the government commits to creating an enabling environment, we will look to the private sector for investments to galvanise growth in the sector.

We must indeed work together WR UH GHÀQH DJULFXOWXUH IRU WKH future in Nigeria.”

While extending the warm compliments of President Muhammadu Buhari to the people of the state, Osinbajo said “Mr. President passionately believes in the role of the country’s agriculture sector as a key driver of job creation and economic growth.”

Ohuhu Clan Honours Abia APC Guber Candidate, Emenike Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North Local Government of Abia, yesterday, adopted the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ikechi Emenike, as their sole candidate.

The clan where Emenike hails from and which produced a high performer in the late Premier of the

defunct Eastern Region, late Michael Okpara, expressed their total support for the APC governorship hopeful, saying that he is the best among the contenders.

The homegrown support and solidarity manifested at Umudiawa during a grand civic reception organised for Emenike by Ohuhu stakeholders with the traditional rulers, elders council, women and youth groups in full solidarity.

The General Manager of Lionseal Industries Limited, Mr. Jagdish Jangid, has said that Nigeria can rise to become “the food basket of Africa”.

He said Nigeria has a large portion of unutilised arable land, good tropical weather and fertile land.

“Agriculture is contributing 23 per cent of GDP and government’s drive for economic diversification and import substitution policies boosted private investment and increased the stakeholders’ participation in the entire agric value chain,” Jangid said.

According to him, the main problems faced by Nigerian farmers include high cost of production, low productivity, lack of finance ,

insecurity, poor infrastructure (poor Road connectivity, lack of storage facility ,high cost of transportation and less availability of cold storage facility for perishable goods ).

Jangid said Lionseal is poised to assist Nigerian farmers increase their farm produce through selling the right crops.

He said, “Our company currently operates through its branch offices across different regions in Nigeria. Lionseal is a trusted name in the farming community and quality leader in the crop protection chemicals.

We are highly committed to the quality of products and set the benchmarks with the international standards which are abided by our suppliers who are global leaders in the manufacturing industry with decades of experience.

World Heart Day: Power Oil Urges Use of Pedestrian Bridge In commemoration of the 2022 World Heart Day, Power Oil has engaged over 15,000 people directly across three locations within Lagos State, stressing the need to use pedestrian bridges rather than crossing the express road.

It noted that this is important for their safety and also to promote their heart health.

At the visited locations, Power Oil teams were present at the end of the pedestrian bridges discouraging passersby against the option of crossing the express road, and enlightened them to use the overhead bridge as a safer and healthier alternative.

After a successful completion of the trip to the other end, another brand team members were waiting to receive them with cheers and reward of product sachets for a good job.

Interested pedestrians were further encouraged to burn more calories by engaging in more rigorous work out to win more exciting gift items such as IRRG ÁDVN ZDWHU ERWWOH EUDQGHG jotters and sample products.

There was a workout breakdown FKDW GHWDLOLQJ GLͿHUHQW DFWLYLWLHV and the number of calories it consumes.

According to Ms. Valerie Amakulor, Brand Manager, Power Oil, “The rationale behind this campaign is to educate Nigerian population on the importance of a healthy lifestyle through routines in our daily lives. The

need to create awareness about maintaining a healthy heart can never be overemphasised as cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most common cause of death globally. An estimated number of over 17 million people die from CVD every year. Coronary heart disease or strokes were the major causes of these deaths.

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Northern Christian Elders to APC “We warn APC to stop using monetary incentives to recruit and cause divisions amongst the Christians, especially in the North… APC has resorted to clandestine ways of causing division in the body of Christ” –Northern States Christian Elders Forum warning the ruling APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu against causing division among Christians with money.

JAMESUME GUEST COLUMNIST

Uche Orji: Footprints of Service at NSIA I

n 2012 when the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority was established by former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Uche Orji was 14 years into a successful international banking career when he got a call to apply for the position of Managing Director of the Authority.

Then, he was a Managing Director-level analyst at UBS Securities in New York, United States. Prior to his role at UBS Securities in New York, he already had successful spells at JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs Asset Management in London.

The Authority manages the surplus income derived from the country’s excess oil reserves on behalf of the government to benefit future generations of Nigerians. Like other Sovereign Wealth Funds, the NSIA is organized into a Stabilization Fund and a Future Generations Fund, but it also includes a Nigerian Infrastructure Fund.

Then, the Federal Government under the leadership of former President Jonathan had established the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, which would be managed by the NSIA under the leadership of the Managing Director.

Orji got the job after an extensive recruitment process that lasted about a year. With an eye to make a difference in Nigeria, Orji immediately hit the ground running and his impact at the NSIA has transcended various sectors of the economy.

In terms of impact, the footprints of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) under the guidance and leadership of Orji, is being felt from agriculture, healthcare, road infrastructure to financial servicing, a d technology among others.

These achievements are indelible and they are signposts of a paradigm shift in the perception of the public sector in our clime.

It is an apparent paradox that the establishment of an agency envisioned by the Jonathan administration to manage surplus income derived from excess oil reserves for the benefit of future generations was mired in controversy at inception.

There was an open hostility against the young agency from the executive and legislative branch of government when it commenced operations in 2012. There were indeed speculations as to whether or not it was legal and whether or not it would survive.

But the vast experience of Orji, working for some of the most diverse and complex organisations in the global financial market coupled with his progressive and brilliant mind substantially prepared him for the moment.

Under his leadership, the NSIA has become a highly regarded institution, serving as a vehicle for implementing key infrastructure projects and investing Nigeria’s savings.

He came to the job at NSIA with 14 years of a hugely successful international banking career as an analyst at UBS Securities in New York, United States. At Goldman Sachs Asset Management in London, he managed the global technology sector; he was also a sales analyst, a position which gave him the opportunity to think deeply about sub-segments of the economy.

His sector was ranked number one in Europe and number three in the United States. This was indeed an extraordinary feat considering the fact that in the semi-conductor sector, this does not happen because franchises do not

Orji

travel across countries.

Bearing in mind this seething controversy at the onset of its operations, it was clear to the Managing Director that the survival of NSIA would depend to some extent on its investment performance and its impact.

He was determined that the agency under his guidance would earn both local and global recognition through accountability and transparency and in the process, change the narrative around the public sector in the country.

Ten years at the helm at NSIA, he has transformed the agency into a world class institution, respected at home and abroad.

With the core mandate to manage the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund, government allocated an initial sum of US$1 billion in seed capital in 2013.

Since then, there has been additional fund injection in three tranches of $600 million.

Towards the realisation of its mission of playing a critical and leading role of driving sustained economic development for the benefit of all Nigerians, NSIA for the past decade has funneled its interventions through the Nigerian Infrastructure Fund.

The Fund is focused entirely on domestic investments in critical areas such as power, agriculture, healthcare, motorways, etc.

The investment footprint of NSIA under the leadership of Uche Orji is impressive with the sole aim to build, provide and sustain economic stability for all Nigerians.

The fifteen landmark projects running into trillions of naira are in diverse fields. These include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, AbujaKaduna Road, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road; the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative for the local production of 1million metric tons of blended NPK fertilizer; Project Arena, Multi- Purpose Industrial Platform Project, the Kano Solar Project, NSIA Umuahia Diagnostics Centre, NSIA Kano Diagnostics Centre, the NSIA LUTH Cancer Centre and Infra Credit.

Under the present leadership at NSIA, healthcare is an area of maximum impact. In

the last eighteen months, the LUTH Cancer Centre has had over 200,000 patients’ encounters.

Only recently, the NSIA scaled up its healthcare intervention by signing agreements for the expansion of its Diagnostics and Oncology Expansion Programme.

The Authority through its NSIA Healthcare Development and Investment Company (NHDIC) entered into eight collocation agreements in total.

This will include Lease and Collaboration agreements with five Federal Medical Centres and three State Governments under phase one of the expansion The state governments are Enugu, Kaduna and Kwara states while the selected, medical centres include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi, Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom and University College Hospital Board of Management. Oyo state.

The broader goal of the programme is to establish, in two phases, a portfolio of 23 diagnostic centres, seven catheterization labs and two oncology centres across Nigeria.

Pursuant to these agreements, funds will be deployed to build, equip, maintain, and operate catheterization labs in Kwara, Oyo, Sokoto, Bauchi and Delta states; build, equip, maintain, and operate private modern medical diagnostic centres in Enugu, Kaduna, Kwara, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Sokoto, Bauchi and Delta states; and build, equip, maintain, and operate an oncology Centre for advanced radiotherapy treatment Also, the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) is envisioned to stimulate local production and enable the projected annual savings of $200 million foreign exchange by maximizing local content.

The confidence which President Muhammadu Buhari had in the ability of the NSIA under Orji’s leadership was what made the President to allow the Authority to take charge of the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative.

Since the implementation of the Fertiliser Initiative, Nigeria now has over 60 fertilizer blending plants, creating huge number of jobs for the economy.

It is instructive that through the initiative, about $100m in foreign exchange has been conserved for Nigeria. This is the amount that the country would have spent importing Fertiliser for farmers.

Also, the commissioning of a big agric project by the agency in Nasarawa state is aimed at raising farm yields to about seven tons per hectare as against the present two tons per hectare for the average Nigerian farmer.

The project which is in partnership with Old Mutual and a Dutch Investment Company is focused on ensuring that the nation’s poultry farmers have the highest quality feeds.

The decision of the NSIA to partner with the private sector in investing in agriculture is in line with the food security agenda of the federal government.

Some of the key milestones achieved under this project are: the installation of a 147,000 metric tons per annum capacity poultry feed mill; the installation of 75,000 tons of storage infrastructure in the form of two silos, six bunkers, as well as 35,000 tons of raw material and finished goods storage; the installation of 750ha of center pivot irrigation systems; the

leasing of 3,500 ha of land for the cultivation of maize and soybeans.

There is also the construction of a 1.4 million cubic meter reservoir for water management; and the successful planting of 856ha of maize in the 2021 wet farming season and now, as you may have seen as you arrived, 1,200ha of maize during the 2022 wet farming season.

In addition to these commendable achievements, Pandagric in partnership with NSIA under Orji’s guidance also built bore holes for all six of its neighbouring communities; developed an out-grower scheme, providing inputs and training to over 500 small holder farmers; employs almost 600 direct staff and 2,000 indirect staff, making it the largest contributor of PAYE to Nasarawa State.

As a result of the accountability and transparency threshold put in place by Orji, NSIA has proven itself to be a steady profitable entity. For the past eight years in a row, it has been ranked top quartile by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute in terms of transparency and governance.

At inception, the leadership of the agency had a clear vision and strategy of what the agency wanted to accomplish. Orji believed that the agency would gain credibility by demonstrating the capacity to get things done.

His appointment as MD/CEO of NSIA for second and final five-year term in 2017 was largely seen be industry watchers as endorsement of his work by government.

The exemplary work of Orji at NSIA which has earned the agency local and international respect is the product of a progressive and brilliant mind.

By his training, he had always felt that what is important is the ability to have a small but effective team.

From the onset, he was determined to hire the smartest people around. Today, he has motivated and turned them into champions of his visionary agenda.

The key to the success he achieved at the agency is the fact that he has built a work culture that has no place for the big man.

This has engendered robust debate and the interrogation of ideas within the organisation.

Under his leadership, NSIA is a clear example of a flat structure in action. It is not surprising that NSIA has gained the trust of Nigerians and the respect of players in the global arena through the exceptional performance of Orji.

The high transparency and accountability threshold that he has entrenched and the service delivery and high impact projects have continued to impact the Nigerian economy in a positive manner.

Today, Nigerians perceive the agency as a vehicle for the delivery of key high impact infrastructure projects.

As the curtain falls on a ten-year eventful value loaded tenure, Orji is leaving behind a well -run organisation that he has carefully groomed and positioned to take on the challenges of the present and future.

With limited assets, he has through prudence and profound vision accomplished a lot. He leaves behind an impressive record of service that will remain a reference point and a marker for his successor.

•Ume, the founder of Unubiko Foundation wrote in from Abuja

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