SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2022

IMF: Nigeria's Fiscal Deficit May Widen to 6.2% of GDP in 2022 Wants govt to remove fuel subsidies, tackle oil thieves, reform FX Commends CBN on MPR measures to rein inflation Nume Ekeghe The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit may widen to 6.2 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, as a

result of continuous fuel subsidy.

The fund noted this in its Staff Concluding Statement of the 2022 Article IV Mission on Nigeria released yesterday.

The institution noted that with the increase in Nigeria’s fiscal

deficits and high debt servicing costs, public debts may increase over the medium term.

On the flip side, the IMF commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for tightening the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

and urged it to maintain its stance of further tightening in response to rising inflation.

It also urged the apex bank to allow deposit money banks determine FX buy-sell rates, in collaboration with CBN, which

earlier this year, at the launch of RT200 policy, mentioned its plan to stop selling forex to banks, allowing them to source forex for their customers.

It called for bolder fiscal reforms to create policy space:

“Public finance is under stress with elevated fiscal deficits, high debt servicing costs, and public debt is projected to increase over the medium term. Despite higher Continued on page 5

US Returns Another $20m Abacha Loot to Nigeria...

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Court Acquits Babachir of N544m ‘Grass Cutting’ Scam Charge Bennett Oghifo and Kingsley Nwezeh

STRATEGISING FOR 2023…

L-R: Presidential running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa; former President Goodluck Jonathan and the party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during a visit to Jonathan at his residence in Abuja…Thursday night

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday discharged and acquitted a former Secretary to the Government of the Continued on page 5

INEC Prepares for Probable Presidential Election Runoff, Books Extra 93.5m Ballot Papers Outlines procedures for likely second vote Assures all genuine registered voters will collect PVC Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has decided to print 93.5 million extra ballot papers for possible presidential election runoff, along with the 93.5 million ballot papers needed for the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

The commission also explained that if the presidential runoff election happens, it would be carried out strictly in line with Section 134 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who was represented by the commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Continued on page 5

GLO FESTIVAL OF JOY… L-R: Regional Sales Manager, Globacom, Mr. Kazeem Kaka; winner of a brand-new car, Adedayo Adosun; Glo Business Partner and CEO, Zeph Associates, Mr. Tochukwu Nwosu; at the prize presentation event held for winners in the Glo Festival of Joy promotion in Abuja…yesterday

Atiku, Okowa Meet with Jonathan on ‘How to Reclaim Power from APC’... Page 14

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President Orders Immediate Implementation of Enhanced Pay for Judicial Officers Says it will boost independence of Judiciary Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate implementation of the enhanced salary and welfare scheme for judicial officers nationwide.

This was announced yesterday

at the official handover ceremony of the Nabo Graham-Douglas campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt, to the Council of Legal Education.

Recall that an Industrial Court in Abuja had on July 15, ordered an upward review of judges’ salaries.

COURT ACQUITS BABACHIR OF N544M ‘GRASS CUTTING’ SCAM CHARGE Federation, Babachir Lawal, and five others, from the N544 million contract fraud offences brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a swift reaction, the EFCC said it was dissatisfied with the ruling and would appeal.

Lawal, his younger brother, Hamidu David Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar and Apeh John Monday were arraigned by the anti-graft agency alongside two companies, Rholavision Engineering (fifth defendant) and Josmon Technologies (sixth defendant) on amended 10-count charge, bordering on fraud, diversion of funds and criminal conspiracy to the tune of over N544 million.

One of the charges read, “That you, Engineer Babachir David Lawal, while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd on or about the 22nd August 2016 at Abuja, in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did knowingly hold indirectly private interest in the contract awarded to Josmon Technological Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N258,132,735.99 only by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable

under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

In the course of trial, the EFCC called 11 witnesses to prove its case against the defendants.

The court held that the antigraft agency failed to establish a prima facie case against the Ex-SGF and the co-defendants.

Delivering a ruling on no case submission made by Lawal and others, Justice Charles Agbaza held that no ingredient of any offence was made out by the 11 witnesses who testified for the EFCC. The Judge held that the EFCC did not establish that Lawal was either a member of the Presidential Initiative for the North-East that awarded the contract or a member of the Ministerial Tenders Board that vetted and gave approval to the disputed contract.

Besides, Justice Agbaza held that the EFCC also failed to link Lawal with the Bureau of Public Procurement that issued a certificate of no objection to the contract before it was awarded.

The Judge discharged and acquitted all the defendants in the 10 criminal charges against them for want of evidence to link them with the purported offences.

The EFCC on November 30, 2020 re-arraigned Lawal before Justice Agbaza.

"The EFCC is dissatisfied with the ruling and will review and challenge its validity at the appellate court," the agency said in a statement yesterday.

Represented at the hand-over of the campus by the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, the President said he had directed the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC) and the AGF to promptly commence implementation of the enhanced salary and welfare scheme for judicial officers.

The Judiciary, according to the president, remains a foundation of strength and stability for the country’s democracy.

He added that other measures would be put in place to ensure the independence of the Judiciary.

Buhari described the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, built, furnished and handed over by the Wike's administration as a grand wonder, structured to be self-sustaining.

The President said: "I need not engage in poetic

verbosity to properly describe the grand wonder that is being commissioned today. The icing on the cake is the fact that this edifice and its state-of-the-art facilities are structured to be self-sustaining through associated revenue earners."

President Buhari said he was aware that Governor Nyesom Wike extended development initiatives to the neighbouring Bayelsa State, by executing multi-billion-naira projects that included a 900-bed space hostel and 1,500-capacity auditorium, in the Yenagoa Campus of the Nigerian Law School.

This is in addition to the provision of critical infrastructure support extended to federal courts in Rivers State, over the years, he noted.

"These are indeed pace-setting and unparalleled contributions by a State Government to what is ordinarily under the remit of the

On the monetary stance, it commended CBN’s MPR tightening and also urged it to limit its overdraft to the federal government, as well as its holistic overview on foreign exchange management.

It states: “The mission welcomed measures taken by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to tighten liquidity and curb inflationary pressures through increasing the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by a cumulative 400 basis points and raising the cash reserve ratio (CRR).

However, overall conditions remain accommodative. The MPR is below inflation, and financing provided to the budget and the CBN’s directed lending schemes continue to drive strong monetary expansion.

“Decisive and effective monetary policy tightening is a priority to prevent risks of de-anchoring inflation expectations.

“Given the multiplicity of monetary policy tools, market segmentation, and weak interest rate transmission, the mission recommended the following measures to effectively tighten the monetary policy stance: fully sterilise the impact of CBN’s financing of fiscal deficits on money supply; stand ready to further increase the MPR to send a tightening signal; and continue phasing out CBN’s credit intervention programmes, which expanded rapidly during the pandemic to support the economy.

“The mission welcomed

The Industrial Court’s Judgement On July 15, an Industrial Court in Abuja ordered an upward review of judges’ salaries.

The presiding judge,

Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae said the salaries of judges and justices had remained stagnant for years.

She held that despite the increased workload of judicial officers, they have continued to suffer in penury owing to their “extremely low salaries and allowances,” which the court described as “very embarrassing”.

Consequently, she ordered the federal government to commence a monthly payment of N10 million as salary to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), while that of the President of the Court of Appeal was raised to N9 million.

According to the judge, monthly pay for Supreme Court justices should be N9 million; Court of Appeal justices, chief judges, President of the Industrial Court, grand khadis, and president of customary courts are to earn N8 million, while the salary of other judges was raised to N7 million.

INEC PREPARES FOR PROBABLE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUNOFF, BOOKS EXTRA 93.5M BALLOT PAPERS Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, stated these at an interactive session with the media in Abuja yesterday.

To take care of probable presidential runoff election, Okoye said, in all, 187 million ballot papers would be printed by the Commission.

He said 93.5 million ballot papers will be used on the 25 February 2023 for the presidential election and the remaining 93.5 million ballot papers will be for runoff in a case where there is no clear winner. The National Commissioner argued that the Commission decided to print 187 million ballot papers for the presidential elections, as it would be difficult to engage printers at a short notice and also the issue of logistics.

Okoye said, “As of today, 18 political parties will participate in the 2023 general election and the law has outlined how candidates will emerge and how

a presidential candidate will emerge in Nigeria. Because of the limited time on the Commission and by the law; in case a candidate does not emerge from the first ballot, the Commission prints ballots for run-off elections (second election) when we are printing ballots for the main election.

“This is because the law gives the Commission just 21 days within each to engage in reverse logistics and conduct a run-off election in case there is no winner.

He disclosed further that registered voters in Nigeria now stand at 93.5 million, noting that 9,518,188 new voters were added to the existing register of 84,004,084 voters.

Assuring that the processes and procedures as well as the preparations for the conduct of the 2023 general election were on course, he revealed that out of the 14 items in the INEC’s timetable and schedule

IMF: NIGERIA'S FISCAL DEFICIT MAY WIDEN TO 6.2% OF GDP IN 2022 non-oil revenues relative to 2021, the general government (GG) fiscal deficit is projected to widen to 6.2 per cent of GDP in 2022, mainly due to fuel subsidy costs.

“Without bolder revenue mobilisation efforts, costly fuel subsidies and rising debt servicing costs will keep overall fiscal deficits above 6 per cent of GDP in the medium term raising public debt to about 43 per cent of GDP by 2027.”

“While still deemed sustainable, such a level of debt is projected to take up nearly half of GG revenues in interest payments, making the fiscal position highly vulnerable to real interest rate shocks. It also leaves little fiscal room for vital social spending on education and health, where Nigeria fares poorly compared to peer countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).”

The IMF added that urgent revenue mobilisation and fuel subsidy reforms “are critical to creating a much-needed fiscal space.”

As a near-term priority, the mission highlighted the urgent need to remove fuel subsidies fully and permanently, “which disproportionately benefit the well-off, by mid-2023 as planned.”

Others included an implementation of tax administration reforms, an increase in well-targeted social assistance to mitigate food insecurity and cushion the impact of high inflation and fuel subsidy removal on the poor.

Federal Government.

"Governor Wike’s dedication to these projects is better appreciated from the viewpoint of his being an unrelenting advocate of true federalism in Nigeria."

The President commended Wike, on behalf of the entire Justice family and lovers of Justice in Nigeria for his unifying efforts and commitment to national harmony.

President Buhari reiterated that the ceremony served as an avenue for them to be reminded of the need to promote cooperation and understanding between the federal and state governments in the overall national interest and the welfare of all Nigerians.

progress in the securitisation of the CBN’s existing stock of overdrafts and recommended speedy finalisation. Going forward, it would be important to limit reliance on CBN overdrafts for fiscal financing to the statutory limit of five per cent of previous year’s revenues by pursuing fiscal consolidation, better budgetary planning and resorting to supplementary budgets in case of financing shortfalls.

“The mission also reiterated its previous recommendations to modernise the 2007 CBN ACT to establish price stability as its primary objective. It also recommended enhancing transparency through timely publishing of audited financial statements.”

It added that despite improvement in the current account, the external sector continues to face pressures.

“Rising oil prices drove export revenues in 2022, generating a merchandise trade surplus. The current account is also improving despite higher profit repatriation by foreign companies.

“However, large net private outflows by domestic banks and nonbanks in the form of offshore deposits surpassed net inflows by foreign investors putting downward pressure on gross international reserves.

Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s external position is preliminarily assessed to be moderately weaker than implied by economic fundamentals.”

On FX management, it states: “A unified and market-clearing exchange rate remains critical to enhancing confidence.

Continued FX shortages, a stabilised exchange rate regime, rising inflation, limited debt servicing capacity, and administrative restrictions on current transactions fuel devaluation speculations. These factors hinder much-needed capital inflows, encourage outflows and constrain private sector investment.

“The mission reiterated its past recommendations to move towards a unified and market-clearing exchange rate by dismantling the various exchange rate windows at the CBN, accompanied by clarity on exchange rate policy and supportive fiscal and monetary policies. In the medium term, the CBN should step back from its role as main FX intermediator, limiting interventions to smoothing market volatility and allowing banks to freely determine FX buy-sell rates.”

The fund also called for trade-enabling reforms. It states: “The reopening of land borders earlier this year is a welcome move to facilitate trade. To speed-up compliance with rules on non-tariff barriers agreed under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the mission recommended making operational the already deployed scanners, which would limit tedious physical ports inspection processes and contain customs delays.”

of activities, it has implemented nine and all on schedule.

“We are comfortable with the level of our preparations and as the chairman of the commission has assured the nation, never again will scheduled elections be postponed or rescheduled on account of logistics and logistics challenges.

“If, for example, we are printing 93 million ballot papers for the first presidential election, we will also print 93 million for the run-off election – in case there is no clear winner in the first election.

“If at the end of the day, there is a clear winner in the first election, we will destroy the ballot papers for runoff election’’, Okoye stated.

Explaining the procedures for the runoff election, he said Section 134 of the Nigerian Constitution states that a candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected, where there are more than two candidates for the election, he has the highest number of votes cast at the election. And also, he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He explained further, “In a default of a candidate duly elected in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, there shall be a second election in accordance with subsection (4) of this section at which the only candidate shall be the candidate who scored the highest number of votes at any election held in accordance with the said subsection (2) of this section.

“And one among the remaining candidates who has a majority of votes in the highest number of states; so however that where there are more than one candidates with majority of votes in the highest number of states, the candidate among them with the highest total of votes cast at the election shall be the second candidate for the election.’’

He said that the INEC is mandated to carry out this exercise within seven days, after the first election.

On the Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) collection, the commission said it had worked out, approved, and adopted the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the collection of the PVC. “The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu will in the next few weeks outline the fine details of

the SOP. The commission will ensure the seamless collection of Permanent Voters Cards by all eligible registrants.

“We assure all Nigerians that the PVCs of those that registered between the 15th of January 2022 and July 31st, 2022, will be ready this month and the chairman will give the exact date for collection.

“All those that registered within this period as well as all those that carried out transfer and those that applied for replacement will get their cards.

Nigerians will have sufficient time for PVC collection.

“No Nigerian that validly and genuinely registered will be denied the opportunity of collecting his or her Permanent Voters Card. We plead that Nigerians should not wait till the 11th hour before approaching our local government offices and the wards for PVC collection.’’

Reacting to many complains arising from the display of Voter Registers across the country, the commission said it would continue to be open and transparent in the management and running of the elections.

“The display of the preliminary register of voters for claims and objections at the registration areas end today; and all other activities relating to claims, objections and complaints will be entertained at the various offices of the commission in the 774 Local Government Areas of the Federation and on the Commissions website”, he said He reiterated that the use of the BVAS and IREV were legal requirements, and the commission is irrevocably committed to their use in the 2023 general election.

Assuring that the commission was working hard to deliver free, fair, acceptable, and inclusive election in 2023, Okoye said INEC was working with the various security agencies in election security.

“We are mapping levels of threats and risks and sharing our findings with the various security agencies.

The Commission has received assurances from the various security agencies that Nigeria will be safe for election as measures have been put in place to ensure a free and hitch-free election’’, he added.

The INEC said its allegiance would remain with the people of Nigeria, while seeking the cooperation and partnership of the media in the task of conducting an election that Nigerians will be proud of.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

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NEWS

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

At ITUC Conference, Wabba Canvases Living Wage for Workers Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The president of the International Trade Union Confederation, Nigeria’s Comrade Ayuba Wabba has made a case for countries around the world to implement policies that will regularly put worker’s wage at par with their productive capacity.

He lamented that global increase in labour productivity had not translated to living wages.

Speaking at the ongoing 5th ITUC Congress in Melbourne, Australia, Wabba noted that while the desired wage outcome was living wages, so many countries especially countries of the Global South still struggled to pay minimum wage.

He said: “In order for the future of work we are building to be sustainable, we must pay attention to equality and inclusion. Care work must be paid for.

We must promote equal pay for work of equal value. We must commit to freeing workplaces from sexual harassment and violence.

“And we must remove the barriers to economic and social development which stop progress in so many countries.

From the perspective of my continent, Africa, to realise the SDGs we need a greater inclusion of trade unions in development processes through stronger social dialogue practices and institutions, ensuring workers can contribute to shape policies to fight poverty and inequalities”.

According to Wabba, “the last World Inequality Report, the richest 1% took 38% of all additional wealth accumulated since the mid-1990s, whereas the bottom 50% captured just 2% of it”.

In addition, Wabba said that the poorest half of the world’s population possesses only 2%

of the total wealth, while the richest 10% owns 76%.

“There can never be Social Justice without Social Protection.

75% of workers all over the world are outside the Social Protection net. There is no justification for this as just 0.25% of the global Gross Domestic Product would close the social protection gap,” he said Wabba who is also the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said that inclusive development must be backed by investment, and by changing the rules that dominate the international financial institutions and system to enable countries to achieve equitable and sustainable development.

“I think this perspective from Africa also has global relevance.

Sisters and Brothers, we are battling a debilitating climate

emergency, with extreme weather conditions that have defied thresholds maintained for hundreds of years.

“The scorching heat which rose to unprecedented levels this summer, the flooding of whole regions in Pakistan, Nigeria, Europe, Australia, and many parts of the world in recent years, to the severe drought in East and Central Africa, parts of Asia and to the

recurring rage of wildfires across Europe, South America, and USA, show we live in dire times.

“Despite these existential threats, corporate greed continues to stand in the way of the actualization of the global commitments to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. Fossil capitalism must be stopped in its tracks,” he said.

The labour further said that the processes that were at the heart

of the green economy must respect international labour standards.

“A case in hand is the use of child labour in Congo DRC to mine cobalt which is one of the key raw materials used in the manufacture of lithium batteries. We condemn this modern form of slavery and demand that cobalt produced under barbaric and slavish conditions should be treated as blood diamonds,” he said.

Atiku: I Will Stand With Tiv People as I Did During the Zaki-Biam Pogrom Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar yesterday assured the people of Benue State that he would stand to defend them when elected President in 2023 the same way he stood for the Tiv people during the pogrom at Zaki-Biam, Gbeji and Adoor as Vice President, stressing that his government would be a government of law and order and as a pan-Nigerian.

The former Vice President also stated that he would not only wipe away the tears of Nigerians but also rally the best brains and minds to lead Nigeria to national greatness, adding that he will guarantee religious freedoms absolutely.

Speaking at the 82nd Synod of

the Universal Reformed Christian Church (URCC) aka NKST at Mkar the PDP Presidential candidate further assured that Benue State is his home just like Adamawa despite the challenges of present season of anomie and misunderstanding.

According to the PDP standard bearer, his relationship with the Tiv and friendship with prominent and iconic leaders such as Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Joseph Tarka, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Senator George Akume, Chief Terry Waya, Senator Gabriel Suswam and the prominent roles he has given sons and daughters such as Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, Governor Ortom, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Mrs. Margaret Ichen and Hon. Chille Igbawua in the management of

his election nationally in 2023 goes without saying how much he is at home with the Tiv people.

Atiku Abubakar who was represented by the Director Election of the PDP presidential Campaign Council Professor Iorwuese Hagher and the Deputy Director Elections Management, North, Hon. Chille Igbawua also called on the synod to pray against the evil forces that have held Nigeria captive, bred insecurity, destroyed the nation’s economy and created poverty across Nigeria.

He charged them to equally pray to God to provide healing for the land and to give Nigeria new leases of the nation in 2023 who would rescue Nigeria from plunging into the abyss.

SHOWING LEADERSHIP… L-R: Ugandan Commissioner for Immigration, Maj.Gen. Apollo Kasiita-Gowa Congratulating Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigrations Service, Idris Isah Jere after Nigeria was re-elected for the 4th tenure back to back, to the Board of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO-PKD) in Munyoyo, Uganda

Slams Akeredolu for Commissioning Olaiya Flyover in Osun Police Block Attempted Arson PDP Fidelis David in Akure Publicity Secretary in the state, that Akure is the only state sumptuousness of the meals Kennedy Peretei, slammed the capital in the southwest without from a neighbour’s wife, while Attack at Ekiti Assembly The opposition People’s governor and wondered why single fly over. Osogbo has a his wife is unable to prepare

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Ekiti State Police Command, yesterday, repelled alleged attempt by some hoodlums to burn down Ekiti State House of Assembly complex.

The incident, according to grapevine, happened around 4am yesterday, when the hoodlums were said to have scaled the fence and made spirited efforts to spray a section of the complex with petrol and set it ablaze, thereby creating atmosphere of security breach.

Crisis emanated in the Assembly on Tuesday, following the election of the lawmaker representing Ikole constituency 1, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan, as the Speaker, to replace the late Funminiyi Afuye, who died on October 19, 2022.

In the election conducted during plenary, Aribisogan garnered a total of 15 votes to defeat the lawmaker representing Emure constituency, Hon Olubunmi Adelugba, who scored 10.

Since that day, there had been deep-seated animosity among the

lawmakers, as some of them and powerful leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress were said to be favourably disposed to Adelugba’s speakership.

Sensing danger and ominous signs of security breach, the Police Commissioner, Mr. Morounkeji Adesina, deployed his men to shut down the assembly to ensure safety and security of lives and property.

The staff of the assembly were also chased out in the process to prevent being caught in the web of looming factional crisis.

Speaking on the alleged arson attack in a telephone conversation, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the attempted attack.

Abutu revealed that the hoodlums, numbering 10, carrying two 25 litre kegs of petrol, had allegedly invaded the assembly around 4am and made efforts to set it ablaze.

He said the men and officers of RRS, who were on ground and strategically positioned, repelled them, to and gave the hoodlums a hot chase into the nearby bush.

Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State and the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday traded words over Akeredolu’s inauguration of the iconic Olaiya flyover in Osogbo, Osun State.

Akeredolu had on Thursday inaugurated the flyover and commended his Osun State counterpart, Adeboyega Oyetola, for improving on infrastructural amenities in the state.

The PDP in a statement made available to Journalists by its

Akeredolu would travel all the way to Osogbo to celebrate what he himself is unable to do in Ondo State.

The statement reads: “Perhaps, the event would not have needed any mention, but for the irony and shamelessness associated with it. Even if Akeredolu was invited to the ceremony, he should have declined, if only to save himself from embarrassment.

“It is common knowledge

population of 750,000 (2022) while Akure has 717,000 (2022).

Osun State does not collect as much money as Ondo State from the federation account monthly. Statistics of average monthly allocation to States in 2022 showed that Osun State is number 36 with N1.506b and Ondo state is number 13 with an average of N4.412b monthly.

“It is only a shameless man who celebrates the

meals for him at home. There are several intersections in the city of Akure that can make do with flyovers. The roundabout at NEPA is always chaotic at peak hours. The same with Governor’s Office roundabout connecting the Federal Secretariat and Oda road with heavy vehicular presence among several others. Yet, Akeredolu can travel all the way to Osogbo to celebrate what he himself is unable to do in Ondo State”, the party stressed.

Niger Police Tactical Team Neutralises 7 Bandits Laleye Dipo in Minna The Niger State police Tactical Team in conjunction with men of the local vigilante group last Wednesday neutralised 7 suspected bandits in Kumbashi district of Mariga local government area.

The team also inflicted serious injuries on many others who fled into the forest.

The bandits were said to have been terrorising farmers in the local

government area kidnapping them in addition to dispossessing the villagers of their property and rustling their cattle.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Wasiu Abiodun who confirmed the development in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna on yesterday said the operation carried out by the Tactical Team was based on credible intelligence received from members of the community.

Abiodun however said that during the operation which involved men of the local vigilant group, two of them were injured and were presently receiving treatment at the Kontagora general hospital.

The police also confirmed the arrest of 17 youths popularly referred to as “area boys” who reportedly disturbed public peace in Minna early in the week.

According to the statement,

during the disturbance dangerous weapons were used by the “ area boys” resulting in the death of one Ashiru Tofa.

Abiodun said in the statement that several dangerous weapons, drugs and cigarettes were seized from the suspects.

The police spokesman disclosed that those arrested will soon be charged to court while efforts are being made to apprehend other members of the gang.

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NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

THE 13TH BIENNIAL POLICE GAMES

Uyo 2022 presents a fertile ground for the growth of community policing in Nigeria, reckons Olumuyiwa Adejobi

T

he capital city of Uyo will be abuzz with sporting activities as Nigerian Police officers will once again gather for the Nigeria Police Games. The last National Police Games was held at six venues in Anambra State under former Governor Willie Obiano with tremendous fanfare. People from all works of life graced the colorful event which featured more than two thousand police athletes drawn from each of the country’s 12 zonal commands. It is interesting to note that the current Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, was the Chairman, Organising Committee.

The Nigeria Police Force was and is still a force to be reckoned with in the history of sports in Nigeria and Africa. The Force has done fantastically well, representing the country in local and international sport competitions like football, boxing, athletics, basketball, swimming, etc. The Force has produced great footballers like Julius Aghahowa who began his football career with the famous Police Machines and went on to have a sprawling career playing for football clubs in Europe and America. He was Nigeria’s top goal scorer at the 2002 African Nations Cup, and also represented Nigeria at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

The Force has also produced great athletes like Chioma Ajunwa.

The former DPO of Meiran Police Station in Lagos is now an Assistant Commissioner of Police. She was the first Nigerian to win an Olympic gold in 1996, and the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event, while she was also working as a Nigeria Police Officer. Ajunwa also remains the only woman to compete at both the FIFA Women’s World Cup as a footballer and in the Olympics as a track/field athlete. Away from Julius Aghahowa and Chioma Ajunwa—how many of us still remember Samuel Peter?

Before the emergence of the British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, there was Peter, who held the world spellbound with his dexterity and punching power. Nicknamed ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, he held the WBC Heavyweight title in 2008, when he defeated Oleg Maskaev in sixth rounds. Many will also remember his fierce rivalry with the Klitschko brothers. He was ranked by ‘The Ring’ among ten best heavyweights from 2005 to 2008, reaching his highest ranking of world No.2 in 2007; and by BoxRec as the world’s No. 6 heavyweight at the end of 2004 and 2005; and also as No.5 heavyweight in 2006.

Peter achieved these great boxing feats as a crime buster with the Nigerian Police Force. Just recently, Tunji Disu won silver at the US Judo Championships. Disu is a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Intelligence Response Team. In February this year, Police Constable Mary Yetunde Aina (aka Iron Abbey) won the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International Super Bantamweight title at City Coast Centre in Portslade, East Sussex, London. She defeated Laura Pain of United Kingdom to win the prestigious title.

The list of past and serving Police Officers who have made and are still making the country proud in the world of sports is inexhaustible.

In fact, the history of the Nigerian Women’s Football team would be incomplete without mentioning the crucial roles great police athletes and footballers like Chioma Ajunwa played in establishing the Super Falcons.

Now, back to the 13th edition of the Biennial Nigeria Police

APART FROM FOSTERING THE SPIRIT OF BROTHERHOOD AMONG POLICE OFFICERS, THE GAMES WILL STRENGTHEN THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPACITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS AND BRIDGE THE TRUST GAP BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE POLICED

Games, tagged ‘Uyo 2022’. The momentous event which has its theme ‘Promoting Sporting Excellence Towards Ensuring Fitness for Operational Exigencies and Combat Readiness’ will commence with the opening ceremony on 23rd November at the Nest of Champions International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It will be declared open

by President Muhammadu Buhari. It will also have in attendance top government officials, traditional rulers, drivers of industries, heads of security agencies, key actors from the sports and youth development sectors, civil society organizations, top media personalities, amongst others.

Since the event will be taking place in Akwa Ibom, the chief host will be no other person than Governor Gabriel Udom Emmanuel.

Over 4000 male and female Police athletes drawn from the 36 State Police Commands and the FCT are billed to participate in 31 indoor and outdoor sporting games which will include football, table tennis, athletics, basketball, lawn tennis, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting, cricket, squash, shooting, karate, chess and sundry others.

This year’s National Police Games is unique with the introduction of triathlon sports. Triathlon is an endurance multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running over various distances. This means that, for the first time, Triathlon will be a scoring sport in a competition in Nigeria, thanks to the insight and foresight of the 21st Inspector-General and his management team. The IGP is poised to make changes in Police Sports in Nigeria in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Sustainable Cities and Communities and in building strong institutions that can stand the test of time. According to him, the objective of this year’s Police Games is “to aid in the development of sporting talents that could represent Nigeria on the global stage and to also ensure the physical and mental fitness of officers in furtherance to the performance of their internal security functions.”

The 13th Biennial Police is very important to officers of the Force whose lives revolve around fighting crimes and criminality. The Police Games will offer ample opportunities for the Nigeria Police to open it arms to the public to build trust and enhance confidence. Apart from fostering the spirit of brotherhood among Police Officers, the games will strengthen the physical and mental capacity of the participants and bridge the trust gap between the police and the policed. Uyo 2022 presents a fertile ground for the growth of community policing in Nigeria. It will also shatter gender norm barriers, as female officers will be given equal opportunities like their male counterparts to prove their mettle. The Police will deploy its medical personnel in the course of the games for health facility outreach to people in rural and urban areas in partnership with Akwa Ibom State. We have no iota of doubt that Akwa Ibom State will take advantage of the enormous opportunities the Games provide to project its tourism capabilities and commercial proficiency, in addition to revealing its rich cultural values and hospitality to the nation and the world. It is hoped also that the event will help to productively engage the minds of the youth in the area of sports and also stimulate their interest in policing.

Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, is the Spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force.

WHEN SOLUDO SMELT THE COFFEE…

Muhammad Al-ghazali writes that the Southeast region should get their priorities right for effective engagement at the centre

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f the Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his vociferous supporters who chose to call themselves ‘Obidients’ thought Reno Omokri’s intermittent ‘table-shaking’ take-downs of their principal was sickening, they probably never bargained for in-your-face slam-dunk by the former CBN Governor and incumbent governor of Anambra State Charles Chukwuma Soludo. The article he released recently still continues to reverberate across the land as I write. It was an earthquake. Soludo’s intervention, which followed the torrent of online mauling he received for his candid opinion on the quality of investments Obi claimed to have made during his tenure in office was no ordinary ‘tableshaker’. It also strategically promised to have a sequel I suspect in anticipation of any further reaction from Obi’s camp. It was more of a thinly veiled threat that is not to be taken lightly by Obi and his minders.

Soludo did suggest that he was sitting on a throve of official records, after all, and this is Nigeria. He is not only Igbo and one of the leading elites from the South-East, he also wrote with the insight of an incumbent of a state once governed

by Obi. He’s not your typical rabble-rouser. Only the most dishonest analyst of Southeastern politics within the federation in the past several decades will fault his prognosis on the delimiting flaws in their strategy as Soludo lucidly enumerated.

Indeed, Soludo’s perspective on the subject matter is not rocket science.

It should be in plain sight to any impartial interrogator of the issues he courageously raised.

Contrary to the pedestrian logic of many SouthEastern political leaders and elites, there’s no shortcut to the presidency which remains a game of numbers and strategic alliances. Soon after the conclusion of the 2015 election, I raised virtually the same points in my article and thanks to Soludo I hope the political gladiators can at last smell the

coffee and draw their useful lessons from its rich aroma especially after February 2023. I have taken the liberty to reproduce the same piece below: “2015: WHY THE IGBOS NEED TO RETHINK STRATEGY.” One of the most interesting hypotheses by pundits on the outcome of the 2015 Nigeria general elections concluded at the weekend, was the allusion that the Igbos voted in the manner they did for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, and then in 2015, because of their insatiable need for a foothold in the corridors of power at all times, incredibly rationalized as the case of the goat’s incurable attraction to the man with the palm fronds. I found the hypothesis interesting for two reasons: in the first place, it gives the unfortunate impression that stomach infrastructure is all that matters to the average Igbo man – a view most of my close friends of the same ethnic group like the Southeast spokesman for the triumphant APC, Osita Okechwukwu, will no doubt vehemently contest for justifiable reasons. Secondly, I belong to the ranks of discerning Nigerians who strongly believes that the so-called elections in the SouthSouth and the South-East were a sham.

Therefore, to use the outcome of the same elections as the basis for any form of informed prognosis on why the Igbos chose to vote the way they did in the general elections would be flawed.

It will also confer credibility on the same electoral process that was severally dismissed by local and international observers as fraudulent. Thanks to available statistics, no one can deny that the ratio of the number of votes cast against the list of registered and accredited voters were unreasonably high in both the South-East, and the South-South, compared to the rest of the country, despite the unprecedented violence recorded in both regions.

There can only be three logical explanations for the disparity in voter behaviour in the two regions.

The first plausible explanation is to assume that the voters in the South-East, and the South-South, trooped out in their millions to perform their civic duties out of patriotic zeal for their country, but with the prevalence of MASSOB, MEND and the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, that will obviously be a laughable conclusion. With the widely reported violence marked by assassinations, be-headings, theft of ballot boxes, as well as unbridled assault on polling stations, perhaps the voters in the affected regions also opted to commit mass suicide, but again, that is also highly unlikely even if the high numbers suggested so.

The third and most probable explanation for the incredibly high turnout of voters in the SS and SE – against the current of voter apathy in all the other regions of the country particularly in the Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections – is to arrive at the painful and most realistic conclusion of the three, which is to conclude that the figures were fraudulent. As I write this, there are protests in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Imo and Abia States. The election in Imo was even declared inconclusive by INEC. Local and international observers have also concluded that the elections in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-Rivers were fraught with irregularities. Alex Otti, the gubernatorial candidate of the All-Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in Abia, has appeared on TV to declare that the PDP was hell-bent on snatching victory from him. He has alleged what most discerning observers of the electoral process in the region already know: most of the figures so far declared were padded and inflated by local politicians with the active connivance of security forces and INEC officials. That is hardly a suitable background for the sort of coherent group politics suited for an ethnic group or region intent on avoiding “opposition politics” at the center. With

what I can see going on presently in Igboland, what cannot be denied is the politics of stomach infrastructure at the highest level. It is intended only to nourish the expansive bowels of the rich and affluent. When the likes of Arthur Eze and Emeka Offor romanced Sani Abacha, it was never to bring the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigerian politics, or for the benefit of the entire South-East.

They did so to expand their business empires. If it were not so, \ The Second Niger Bridge would have been concluded a long time ago. And that accounts for their politicians as well. The only telling impact by any Igbo politician in recent times – and one which could have been of immense benefit to the South East if faithfully maintained; occurred when Chief Alex Ekwueme, somehow, convinced his peers to adopt the present six geo-political zones structure which the PDP subsequently adopted for the rotation of political offices especially at the center. But what did the Igbo do next? They contrived to ensure that the same principle was effectively killed when the President Yar’Adua died. I shall return to this point in due course. In the meantime, when I alluded to the naivety of the Igbo in this context, it was mainly to underscore their lack of foresight in the dynamics of Nigerian politics, as well as the undeniable paucity of long-term strategic thinking and planning in the orientation of their critical elite. It was not meant to be a slur. It was an honest observation which I intend to justify in the remainder of this discourse.

I agree completely with the notion that the history of contemporary Nigerian politics has been marked by healthy, and sometimes not so healthy, competition for control of the center among the critical elite spread over the six geo-political zones.

But that is also, sadly, where the comparison ends.

Al-Ghazali writes from Abuja

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NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

A new haven of crimes?

Time for Restraint

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here are those in Nigeria for whom politics is a career, an occupation, being basically the only thing they know and do. Now, whether they do it well or not is a question that is up for debate because the reprehensible brand of politics that works so seamlessly in Nigeria would be found to be irredeemably odious in many other places. This is so because even here at home where it is widely accepted that politics is some sort of war where all is fair, many Nigerians think of politics as a dirty game.

Even before the brutal years of the Abacha dictatorship which gratefully gave way to a democracy that is proving remarkably resilient, Nigeria had tasted what poisonous politics could do. When the 1993 presidential election was inexplicably annulled, not a little bile went up and the stage was seemingly set even then for the kind of politics that is marked by acrimony and rancor.

Since Nigeria`s historic return to democracy in 1999, there have been six general elections. Next year’s elections would mark the seventh such cycle.

Things have steadily improved although a lot of work remains to be done to free the process from many hiccups, many of them unfortunately man-made. For it is human beings that buy and sell votes during elections for example.

As political parties in Nigeria, many of them sheltering some of Nigeria`s most unscrupulous elements, continue to prepare for the election, the task of the Independent National Electoral Commission has been growing increasingly harder.

The Commission long suspected as anything but impartial during elections in Nigeria is being dragged hither and thither by all manner of aspirants into political offices and their supporters.

With each day that breaks and dribbles to dawn, it is becoming even clearer just how harsh the level of scrutiny on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the courts is.

As usual, citing the fact that Nigeria`s constitution allows aggrieved parties access to court, all those who are aggrieved or perceive themselves to be aggrieved by the outcome of the primaries of their political parties have rushed to court

Killing of Alleged Witches in Borno

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he Advocacy for Alleged is shocked by the killing of over 20 women for witchcraft by the Islamic jihadist group, Boko Haram, in Bornu, Northern Nigeria. According to media reports, Boko Haram militants accused these women following the death of the children of their commander, Ali Ngulde. Accusations happen when people attribute misfortunes to occult or supernatural causes or when people are not satisfied with ordinary, natural, or commonsensical explanations of ailments and deaths. The report says that Boko Haram militants abducted about 40 women. They have murdered over 20 for witchcraft.

Boko Haram militants have been waging a vicious campaign to establish an Islamic state. It is widely known that the group targets, attacks, and kills anyone considered an enemy or an opponent to its cause. This case of witch purge brings another worrisome dimension to savage attacks and atrocities of this bloodthirsty group. But this instance of witch bloodletting should not come as a surprise.

Given the ongoing conflicts and insecurity in the region, needless and avoidable deaths of men, women, and children happen, and are expected. People are likely to experience uncanny misfortunes. The Boko Haram campaign has led to a humanitarian crisis in Borno. There is a virtual collapse of the health infrastructure, especially in areas where these militants operate and occupy. People who are sick do not get the required medical assistance that they need. Many are unable to go to hospitals. And if they are lucky to go to hospitals, there are no medicines.

There are no medical personnel to attend T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R to them. This crisis provides a fertile EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE ground for the proliferation of witchcraft DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU fears, suspicions, and anxieties. As in MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO other cases of witch killing, no medical DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI reports confirmed the cause of death of EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN these children.

MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI AfAW notes that existential uncertainTHE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE ties pervade the region. Women who live in these places are vulnerable and likely to suffer witchcraft accusations, persecution, and murder. They are likely T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D to be scapegoated for misfortunes that EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA people encounter. Thus more cases of GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, abduction, attack, or bloodletting linked ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE to witchcraft beliefs are expected. AfAW DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI urges the Nigerian authorities to take SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH measures to protect women, children, and ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI other vulnerable members of the populaCONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI tion from witchcraft accusations, witch DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO persecution, and killing.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Leo Igwe, nskepticleo@yahoo.com

and are rushing to court. Very few of them take into consideration the fact that their grievances are directly resulting from the failure of their own political parties to put their affairs in order.

For many of them, trenchant criticism of the INEC and the courts often without basis is already a favourite tactic which will only be refined as the elections draw closer. For these people, nothing is too sacred. The situation is expected to get worse after the 2023 general elections.

But restraint must be exercised both in words and in action. No matter how grim a picture anyone wants to paint, the fact that democracy in Nigeria has survived till this day means that the institutions that support democracy in Nigeria are growing ever stronger.

If these institutions are allowed to continue to thrive without the undue attention of mischiefmakers and sore losers, it will only augur well for democracy in Nigeria.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

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NEWS US Returns Another $20.6m Abacha Loot to Nigeria The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) said it had transferred $20.6 million to the Nigerian government in accordance with an August 23 agreement between the governments to repatriate assets stolen by late dictator General Sani Abacha and his co-conspirators.

According to a statement published on the DoJ website last Thursday, the repatriation brings the total amount forfeited and returned by the US in this case to approximately $332.4 million.

In 2020, the department repatriated over $311.7 million of the forfeited assets that had been located in the Bailiwick of Jersey.

Last year, the United Kingdom enforced the US judgment against the additional $20.6 million.

In 2014, a judgment was entered in the District of Columbia ordering the forfeiture of approximately $500 million located in accounts around the world, as the result of a civil forfeiture complaint for more than $625 million traceable to

money laundering involving the proceeds of Abacha’s corruption.

The forfeited assets represent corrupt monies laundered during and after the military regime of Abacha, who became Head of State through a military coup on November 17, 1993, and held that position until his death on June 8, 1998.

The complaint filed in the case alleged that Abacha, his son Mohammed, their associate, Abubakar Bagudu, now Kebbi State Governor, and others, embezzled, misappropriated, and extorted billions of dollars from the government coffers and others, and then laundered their criminal proceeds through US financial institutions and transactions.

The statement read, ‘’The United Kingdom’s cooperation in the investigation, restraint, and enforcement of the US judgment, along with the valuable contributions of Nigeria and other law enforcement partners around the world, including the

United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, as well as those of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, have been instrumental to the recovery of these funds. ‘’Under the agreement signed in August, the US agreed to transfer 100 per cent of the net forfeited assets to Nigeria to support three critical infrastructure projects in Nigeria that were previously

authorised by Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) and the Nigerian legislature. ‘’The $20,637,622.27 marks a slight reduction from the $23 million announced in August due primarily to exchange rate fluctuations between British pounds sterling and US dollars.

The funds governed by this agreement will help finance the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan

Expressway, and the Abuja-Kano road – investments that will benefit the citizens.

The department appreciated the extensive assistance provided by the governments of the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Jersey, and France in this investigation.

It added that the case was brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative by a team of dedicated prosecutors in

the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section working in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The US encouraged individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the US to contact federal law enforcement or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov.

2023: Ensure Politicians Play by Rules, Abiodun Charges Police James Sowole in Abeokuta Towards ensuring peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election in the country, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has called on the police authority to engage politicians in the country on the need to play by the rules.

Abiodun who made this call at the Cinema Hall of the June 12 Cultural Center, Abeokuta, venue of a conference for senior police officers in the state, with the theme, “Creating the Enabling Environment for a Free, Fair and Credible 2023 General Elections in Ogun State”, equally emphasised that politicians need to desist from hate speeches capable of heating up the political temperature of the state.

The governor, however, vowed that his administration would deal ruthlessly with any act of thuggery capable of causing insecurity in the state.

He disclosed that he had instructed the police in the state and the Department of State Security (DSS) to be on top of the situation.

“As we approach the 2023 general elections, let me enjoin the police authority in the state to continue to engage politicians on the need to play by the rules, politicians must be warned to desist from hate speeches capable of heating up the polity.

“We will deal ruthlessly with any act of thuggery, I have instructed the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of Security to be on top of the situation. Our state will not be known for thuggery, cultism and all these types of vices,” he said.

While calling on senior officers to come up with modalities and strategies to nip all forms of evil activities in the bud, he noted that youths must be admonished on the need to avoid been used as political thugs.

On the recent fire incident by suspected hoodlums at the Abeokuta South office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Abiodun said that he had mandated the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all those that were responsible for the incident are arrested and brought to book.

Nigeria Re-elected to ICAOPKD Board Nigeria has been re-elected for the fourth consecutive time to the Board of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Public Key Directory (ICAO-PKD).

The ICAO-PKD, is a central repository for exchanging the information required to authenticate electronic Machine Readable Travel Documents (e-MRTDs) such as ePassports, electronic ID cards and Visible Digital Seals.

According to a release by the new Immigrations Spokesman, Tony Akuneme, the election of Nigeria and other countries to the Board, was the highpoint of the 29th ICAO-PKD Board meeting which held in Speke Resort Munyoyo, Uganda, from 16th to 17th of November, 2022.3.

“The Board is the standing body responsible for the ICAO admin-

istration and operation procedures to ensure efficient operation of the PKD, including its financial and contractual management. It as well develops policies.

“ICAO-PKD is made up of 88 member countries, with 15 Board members who serve three years term each. Board members are nominated and voted by PKD participants and are appointed

by ICAO Council in accordance with the provision of the MoU. “Nigeria has over the years been an active participant in the ICAO-PKD Board meetings and has contributed immensely, especially on the issue of electronic Passport control system and border control solution.

Akuneme stated that the Nigerian delegation was led by the Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris.

PLOTTING FOR CONTINUITY...

Enugu State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (2nd left) with the PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Vita Abba (2nd right), the lawmaker representing Nsukka West Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Ugwuerua (right), former member of House of Representatives, Charles Ugwu (middle) and former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dan Shere, during PDP’s Town Hall Meeting in Nsukka East Development Centre ahead of the 2023 polls, yesterday.

Atiku, Okowa Meet with Jonathan on ‘How to Reclaim Power’ from APC’ Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Presidential and vicepresidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja last Thursday night.

Announcing, the meeting, Atiku took to his Facebook, saying, “Last night, I led a delegation alongside my Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on a courtesy

visit to former President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Abuja.”

Also, Okowa, the governor of Delta State, announced the meeting, in a tweet via his verified Twitter handle yesterday.

The PDP vice-presidential candidate also shared photos of the meeting.

According to him, the conversation with Jonathan focused on how to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC

in the 2023 elections.

He tweeted, “Last night, alongside our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji @Atiku Abubakar, we had a great meeting with our former President, H.E. @GEJonathan.

There, we discussed our plans to #RecoverNigeria with His Excellency.”

Earlier, Jonathan had endorsed the candidacy of Atiku and Okowa ahead of the 2023 polls.

Jonathan, during a visit by a

PDP delegation led by Okowa as well as Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, in October, had described Okowa as Nigeria’s incoming Vice President.

The former president stated that he was willing and ready to support and work for the success of the PDP in the 2023 elections, wishing the party members success in all their endeavours.

Raising Okowa’s hand, Jonathan called him “our incoming Vice President.”

EFCC Arrests 18 Suspected “Yahoo- Yahoo Boys” in Ilorin Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), yesterday arrested 18 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital.

They are Adeleye Ayodeji, Muhammed Ayub, Odelade Samuel, Sodiq Olanrewaju, Ola Francis, Adeniyi Damilare, Olalekan Samad, Tunde Ayodele, Zubair

Buhari and Oladosu Naheem.

Others are Olowokere Jamiu, Lawal Usman, Jamiu Abdulrasaq, Lawal Ahmed, Opeyemi Samuel, Alarape Ahmed, Kolawole Daniel and Ganiyu Taofeek.

A statement issued in Ilorin signed by the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-corruption agency, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren and made available to journalists said that,

“the suspects were smoked out of their hideouts at different locations following credible intelligence on the fraudulent activities of the fraudsters in Ilorin and its environs.

“Specifically, they were arrested at Sobi, Akerebiata and Las Vegas Estate, Asa Dam, Ilorin”.

The statement added, “The suspects, who are mostly in their early 20s, include six students of renowned tertiary institutions in the

State, a footballer, Fashion Designer, Bitcoin Dealer, Laundryman and an online gambler among others.

“Upon arrest, five exotic cars, 32 different brands of mobile phones, eight laptops and other incriminating materials were recovered from them”.

The statement therefore said that, the affected suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

Obaseki, Journalists at War over Planned Demolition of Edo NUJ Complex for Museum Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, appears at daggers-drawn with journalists in the state, with his insistence on demolishing the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as part of his private museum The building was built in the early 70s by the administration of the late Military Governor of the defunct Mid-West/Bendel State, Brigadier General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia The press centre building, sitting

on an expanse of land donated to the union by the then Oba of Benin, Akenzua II is situated at No. 1, Reservation Road, later renamed Gabriel Igbinedion Way, in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin.

NUJ press centre in Benin is strategic, as it is the venue for daily distribution of local, regional, national and international newspapers and magazines to vendors and distributors.

The press centre of Edo NUJ also houses the befitting offices

of correspondents’ chapel of the union, lawyers and other professionals.

It was gathered yesterday in Benin that Obaseki wanted to use Edo NUJ’s land to build Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), to house the stolen artifacts being returned to Benin from Europe, to rival the Edo Royal Museum, being built

by Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to house the same artifacts.

The Edo royal museum is located opposite the palace of the Oba of Benin, with major stakeholders in the state and beyond supporting the initiative, which is backed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was also learnt that expatriates that would handle the EMOWAA project were sighted at NUJ’s press centre on Thursday for inspection, and they were accompanied by fully-armed policemen, with the demolition likely to commence this weekend.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

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yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

Nigeria’s Debt and the Courage of Patience Oniha

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igeria is struggling to borrow from international markets because global lenders and investors are shunning countries with “Category B” economic ratings. These are countries with low creditworthiness. Beloved Nigeria is in this club, no thanks to over seven years of binge-borrowing by the Buhari government. International capital markets are no longer fully open to countries like ours. So, Nigeria is experiencing difficulties accessing new foreign loans. This is the truth the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Patience Oniha picked up courage to tell the Buhari government last Monday.

To be honest, I was shocked by Oniha’s decision to speak truth to power. Twice, I have had cause to excoriate this brilliant woman and her debt management office for not being truthful about the Buhari government’s reckless borrowings. But now, she has decided to stand up for what is right. Madam Oniha has decided to be honest no matter whose ox is gored. The borrowings have been endless and needless.

The DMO boss, who was at the House of Representatives’ Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, to defend her agency’s 2023 budget, noted that the federal government had not been able to meet its external borrowing target and was now looking at lenders in the United States and Europe.

She declared, “Where there is an issue is the new external borrowings. What was provided for in the 2022 budget is N2.57 trillion of new external borrowings and this, at the budget exchange rate, is $26 billion. The reality is that if it were before, by now we would have issued Eurobonds to raise the money and we would be in good business. But let us say from the fourth quarter of last year, the international capital markets have not been opened to countries like Nigeria. So, in 2021, there was about $6 billion to raise. We raised $4 billion for that one.

“The international markets are not looking for countries with our ratings - B ratings. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, as you know, turned around things in the world significantly. So, inflation rates are high, interest rates are high and investors are saying there is a lot of uncertainties as to what will happen. There is a threat of recession. So, what they have decided to do is to put their money in the G-7 securities: United States, Germany, France, Japan, and so on. These countries also issue bonds. That is where the investors are putting their money and rates have gone up significantly.”

The Director-General of the DMO avowed that Nigeria must gear up its revenue drive while looking for alternative

Oniha

sources of funds internationally. “We really can’t survive like this,” she stated.

On debt sustainability, the DMO boss stated that the government must pay attention to the percentage of deficit in its annual budgets: “We really need to look at revenues. For debt to be sustainable medium term, you must earn revenues. We should not have a budget of N17 trillion and N10 trillion of deficit, and out of that, there is new borrowing of N8.8 trillion, which is 50 per cent of your budget.”

No doubt, excessive borrowings by the Buhari government have put beloved Nigeria in a mess. This country is already mulling renegotiation of its repayments due to dwindling revenue. Two global economic analysts and ratings bodies, Moody’s and Fitch, recently downgraded Nigeria to Category ‘B’ economy. That is what countries with badly-managed economies get. It is shocking that the Buhari government again reflected ineptitude in the junk submitted as 2023 federal budget on October 7.

The total fiscal operations of the federal government in 2023 is expected to result in a deficit of N10.78 trillion. This represents 4.78 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated GDP and above the three per cent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

Buhari has decided to sink Nigeria into bigger debt with Budget 2023 because the deficit would be financed mainly through borrowings, totaling N8.80 trillion. This same Nigeria is expected to spend N6.31 trillion servicing debt in 2023. The budget has a paltry N5.35 trillion for capital expenditure. The money expected to go into debt servicing is more than what is set aside for capital projects. New borrowings

will be greater than the expected revenue.

What a budget!

Last year, the federal government spent 76 per cent of its revenue on debt servicing. This may jump to 92 per cent this year as predicted by the IMF. Nigeria’s debt-servicing obligation in relation to its revenue is now far above World Bank’s suggested 22.5 per cent for low-income countries like ours.

I’m thoroughly embarrassed by the Buhari government’s thoughtless borrowings. It is heart-wrenching. So sad that total public debt stock, comprising federal, state and local governments, as at December 31, 2021, is N39.556 trillion.

The comparable figure for December 2020 was N32.915 trillion. It is pertinent to note that the federal government is responsible for the bulk of this country’s public debt.

For example, 83.78 per cent of the nation’s debt stock, as at December, 2020, belongs to the federal government.

All we hear today in Nigeria is humongous borrowing figures without commensurate impact on the country; huge borrowings without development.

In practical terms, let’s all look around us; in our homes and those of our neighbours. Of course, we will see an army of unemployed youths. Things have deteriorated in over seven years of the Buhari government, the huge loans notwithstanding.

We have to be honest, maybe few new jobs here and there; but if we are talking about creating a huge number of jobs for our youths with these loans, there is nothing like this. The facts and figures are there.

The last time the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), picked up courage to release figures on unemployment was Q4 of 2020 and it reported that Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose from 27.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 to 33.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, translating to 23.19 million unemployed people.

The Buhari government has piled up harms with wild borrowings. That was why the IMF projected that the federal government may spend 93 per cent of its revenue on the payment of interests incurred on its debts by 2022, adding that a high interest-to-revenue ratio puts the country at fiscal risk.

This government has evidently borrowed beyond its repayment convenience. It admitted this much sometime last year, saying it spent N1.8 trillion on debt servicing from its N1.84 trillion revenues in the first five months of 2021 – January to May. This puts the federal government’s debt-servicing-to-revenue ratio, a key measure of debt sustainability, at 97.8 per cent for the reviewed period. Is this not scandalous?

I can clearly remember the IMF urging the Nigerian government to implement timely fiscal reforms. IMF’s Mission Chief for Nigeria, Ms. Jesmin Rahman, noted

Military Ready to Take Out North-west Terror leaders?

I

t seems the military is finally ready to take out the terror gangs ravaging the North-west. Early this week, it declared wanted no fewer than 19 leaders of the gangs. For years, I persistently rolled out their names (with locations) and challenged the military to take them out for peace to reign in the region. There was no positive response until this week when the military declared blood suckers like Ado Aliero, Kamfanin Daudawa, Ali Kachalla,

Bello Turji, Hallilu Sububu wanted for a long list of killings and kidnapping for ransom. Hundreds of innocent Nigerians are victims of these terrorists.

The military also placed a N5 million bounty on the terrorists and urged the public to provide information that could lead to their arrest. It is good that these criminals have been declared wanted. However, I challenge the military to go beyond this because they know the hideouts of these

criminals. The military should go after them with venom and take them out.

For peace to reign in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states, the military must take out Sani Dangote, Bello Turji, Leko, Dogo Nahali, Hallilu Sububu, Nagona, Nasanda, Isiya Garwa, Ali Kachalla aka Ali Kawaje, Abu Radde, Dan-Da, Mamudu Tainange, Sani Gurgu, Umaru Dan, Nagala, Ado Aliero, Monore, Gwaska Dankarami and Baleri.

during a briefing on Nigeria’s 2021 Article IV Consultation Staff Report that the increase in Nigeria’s public debt had grown rapidly in 10 years and was approaching a time when the country would spend all its income on servicing debts.

Rahman added: “There are a couple of other points that we should remember…

Nigeria’s debt carrying capacity is very low.

For us, revenue levels are low compared to a typical emerging market country that spends less than 10 per cent of revenues on interest payments.”

Even Buhari’s Economic Adviser, Dr. Doyin Salami, agrees that the borrowings of this government are not sustainable.

Salami, in a presentation on “The State of the Economy,” last year, pointed out that the federal government’s expenditure had been on the increase, and at a faster pace than its revenue. He added that public debt had continued to expand on the back of growing fiscal deficit. His alarm came months before that of the IMF. Experts expect the federal government to offset the negative consequences associated with its rising debt profile by cutting unnecessary expenditure from its budget. But this government will not listen. I don’t know of any sane society where the government takes loans for things like railways and airports. That’s what has been happening in Nigeria for a long time now. Investments in areas like these should be private-sector-driven. Government’s role should be to create an enabling environment for the private sector to go in.

Rational governments work to free resources for health, education and other welfare sectors. But in Nigeria, we are persistently busy collecting loans for ventures better handled by the private sector. Some of the weird things Buhari took foreign loans for included a railway running 40 kilometres into Niger Republic, 40 Parboiled Rice Processing Plants and NTA’s modernisation project.

Oniha also talked about the need for the federal government to gear up its revenue drive. The Buhari government must put in place positive measures to grow revenue.

Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government are still stealing trillions of Naira yearly. These agencies can safely fund federal budgets if they meticulously remit revenues.

Unfortunately, the massive corruption, mismanagement and ineptitude in virtually all federal revenue-generating agencies remain unabated under the Buhari government. The likes of Customs, NPA, NNPC, NIMASA, and the Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are feeding fat on this country.

How can estimated federally-collected revenue in 2023 be under a paltry N20 trillion? Customs alone can generate N10 trillion in 2023 if the holes are blocked. Big revenue agencies can double federally-collected revenue within a year and substantially fund budgets at all levels.

This has always been my position.

Despite the huge loans amassed by the Buhari government, this country’s economy is still in shreds and continues to suffer, with no hope in sight. The gloomy news is that under Buhari, and with all the foreign loans, Nigeria surpassed India as the country with the largest number of people living in life-threatening poverty in the world. Regrettably, our President is untroubled and still looking for more foreign loans. This is absurd.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

16

NEWS Delta Terminates 9-year Old UghelliAsaba Road Sector A Contract Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

2023 ON THEIR MINDS… L-R: Presidential running mate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; former President Goodluck Jonathan and the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during a visit to Jonathan at his residence in Abuja…Thursday night

UN Condemns Aid Worker’s Killing in Borno The United Nations has condemned the killing of a humanitarian worker in the Damboa area of Borno State.

A soldier had shot and wounded a United Nations helicopter co-pilot before going on to kill a humanitarian worker last Thursday.

The soldier, it was gathered, killed a fellow soldier at a military base in the state.

Reacting to the development, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, in a statement yesterday, described the incident as sad and disturbing.

He said aid workers in the

region deserved to be treated with respect.

He said, “Yesterday’s killing of a staff member of the humanitarian non-governmental organisation Médecins du Monde in Damboa, Borno State is deeply disturbing and sad.

“On behalf of the United Nations, I convey my heartfelt condolences to the aid worker’s family and to her colleagues. I also wish a speedy recovery to a pilot working with the UN Humanitarian Air Service who was injured in the deplorable attack by an apparently rogue soldier.

“All humanitarian staff working

in North-East Nigeria deserve our fullest respect for their courage and commitment to stay and deliver life-saving assistance to people in need in often difficult and dangerous circumstances.

Humanitarian workers must be protected.”

The Nigerian Army Theatre Command in the North-East expressed regret over the action of the soldier.

A statement by the command’s Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Major Samson Zhakom, disclosed that the shot pilot had been stabilised, adding that a detailed investigation had

commenced into the matter.

The statement partly read, “The Theatre Command regrets to inform the public of a sad occurrence at one of our military bases today.

“The same soldier also killed another soldier and injured the copilot of one of the UN helicopters.

“The injured co-pilot has been stabilised while the corpses of the deceased have been moved to the 7 Division hospital.

“A detailed investigation into the incident and subsequent remedial actions have commenced into the highly regrettable incident. Further details will be provided later.”

Makinde Donated N100m for Renovation of PDP’s PDI, Says Ayu Chuks Okocha in Abuja At last, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu yesterday revealed that it was the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde that donated N100 million used to renovate the party’s Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI).

The leader of the G5 Governors, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had two months ago accused Ayu of fraudulently collecting N100 from a governor, but he did not disclose his name.

But yesterday, during the opening ceremony of the refurbished PDI, which is the intellectual and

training arm of the PDP, Ayu said that the N100 million was given by the Oyo State Governor.

According to Ayu, “But I cannot end this address without acknowledging the special support of party faithful, especially His Excellency, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state. It is largely because of him that we are here today. Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Also, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar commended the Oyo state governor, saying, “Let me also thank the governor of Oyo State who made it possible by way of funding to reactivate this institute. I commend his patriotism and his sense of

intellectual discourse; because the National Democratic Institute was established to promote research, training and other aspects of human development of our party.”

However, Makinde, one of the G5 governors, was absent at the XQYHLOLQJ RI WKH QHZ 3', R΀FH Ayu, who gave a brief history of the PDI, said, “When we founded the PDP, we conceived it to be an organic party that would evolve and always be in sync with the developmental needs of the people.

“The founding fathers of this great Party were visionary patriots who sought to establish and bequeath to this great country

a functional democracy. ´1R VRFLHW\ GHYHORSV E\ ÀDW ,W comes about by the rigorous work of carefully studying situations and analysing them before evolving and implementing sustainable solutions. That was the idea that birthed the PDI on 31st August, 2000.”

He explained that the institute was supposed to be “the Thinktank for the Party, an ideation centre for the rigorous intellectual work of research, socio-economic analysis, policy development, training and capacity building of political actors, and the strengthening of our democratic institutions and culture.”

At Last, NASC Appoints Tambuwal Acting &RXUW )L[HV 1RYHPEHU IRU 'HÀQLWH CNA, to Work With Outgoing Clerk Hearing in PDP Suit Against Lulu-Briggs Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The National Assembly Service Commission has approved the appointment of Mr. Sani Magaji Tambuwal, erstwhile Secretary of Finance and Accounts, as the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly.

This is contained in a statement yesterday by the Chairman, NASC, Ahmed Amshi.

The NASC boss, however, said Tambuwal would work with the outgoing CNA, Olatunde Ojo, who is currently on his three months’ Pre-retirement Leave.

He said the action was to comply with the Authentication Act which stipulates that only the substantive CNA could

transmit the Appropriation Bill, currently being worked on by the National Assembly, to the President.

He said, “The Commission further resolved that the outgoing Clerk to the National Assembly, Arc. Ojo Olatunde Amos continues to work with the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Magaji Tambuwal until his retirement date of 14 February, 2023 in order to ensure the success of the ongoing 2023 Appropriation Bill’s processing that should be transmitted by only the substantive Clerk to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the Authentication Act.”

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

dresses of counsel for PDP and Accord, Pam adjourned the case to a date that would A Federal High Court be communicated to parties sitting in Port Harcourt has in the matter.

Speaking with Journalists À[HG 1RYHPEHU WKLV \HDU IRU GHÀQLWH KHDULQJ LQ D VXLW outside the courtroom, counsel ÀOHG E\ 3HRSOHV 'HPRFUDWLF to Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Abiodun Party (PDP) against Accord Owonikoko (SAN), who also Party’s governorship candidate represented the National in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu Assembly candidates for the Accord explained that the Briggs.

This is coming as the court substantive case in governorunder Justice Stephen Daylop- VKLS SUHHOHFWLRQ ÀOHG E\ 3'3 Pam has reserved judgement on against his client’s nomination the case also brought by Rivers had nothing to do with his PDP against Accord national TXDOLÀFDWLRQ He explained: “Parties have assembly candidates in the state over alleged non-compliance DGRSWHG ÀQDO DGGUHVVHV LQFOXGing the preliminary objection to with electoral guidelines.

After the adoption of ad- the suit. Judgement is reserved.

as the government could not DͿRUG WR EH GUDJJHG EDFN E\ In its avowed determination the slow pace of work.

The contract was awarded by WR ÀQLVK VWURQJ DQG FRPSOHWH ongoing projects before the the administration of Governor expiration of its lifespan, the Emmanuel Uduaghan nine Delta State Government has years ago, in 2013, but the announced the termination of contractor had not lived up the nine-year old contract for to the terms of the contract, ‘Sector A’ of the Ughelli-Asaba the commissioner said.

Aniagwu said, “At today’s dual carriageway, claiming unsatisfactory performance EXCO meeting, we terminated by the contractor handling the contract of Sector A of the Ughelli/Asaba Email (which the project.

This was one of the major is) from Ughelli to Aradhe in decisions at the State Execu- Isoko North Local Government tive Council meeting at the Area.

“The contractor that has been Government House Asaba yesterday, the Commissioner handling that project since for Information, Mr Charles 2013, when it was awarded, Aniagwu, told newsmen shortly has not been performing up to expectation. after the meeting.

“We have not only repudiated The council approved the revocation because the contractor it, we have also approved the had fallen below expectations award of that project to another for the execution of the contract contractor immediately.”

Oyetola: We’ll not Allow Osun Food Support Scheme to Die Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Osun State Government has reiterated commitment to sustaining its social intervention programmes aimed to raise the standard of living of the people, stimulate the economy and to make life meaningful and worthwhile for the generality of the people.

The government noted that it was resolute to continue the programme for the betterment of the people, particularly the most vulnerable, saying nothing would make the lofty initiative to die.

This is even as the garri processors lauded the Oyetola’s social investment programmes, VD\LQJ LW KDV SDUWLFXODUO\ GLJQLÀHG and elevated them to the rank of government contractors’ list through garri production.

Recall that the administration of Governor Oyetola had in April, 2021 inaugurated the monthly distribution of food items to the vulnerable citizens as part RI HͿRUWV WR FXVKLRQ WKH DGYHUVH HͿHFWV RI &29,' DQG PHHW WKH most essential basic food needs RI WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV To this end, 30,000 households

KDYH EHHQ EHQHÀWLQJ GLUHFWO\ IURP the scheme on a monthly basis ZLWK DWWHQGDQW PXOWLSOLHU HͿHFW RQ the socio-economic fortunes and commercial activities of the State. )ODJJLQJ RͿ WKH WK HGLWLRQ yesterday at the multipurpose hall, Local Government Service Commission, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola expressed satisfaction on the huge success the scheme had recorded since its introduction.

Oyetola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, said the positive feedback has been the source of encouragement for the government to continue.

“We thank God that in the last 20 months, this administration has not failed on the promise made to the people of the state. Just like we said a few months ago, we will continue this programme as long as we remain in government and we are glad that this is the 20th edition where over 600,000 households have directly EHQHÀWWHG <RX FDQ LPDJLQH WKH number of persons that make up a household, some are three, four, ÀYH VL[ DQG VR RQ

Buhari to Nigerian Men: Show Good Example During 2023 Poll By Sticking to Electoral Guidelines Deji Elumoye in Abuja

ensuring full participation in the forthcoming elections in President Muhammadu 2023, adhering to regulations Buhari has urged Nigerian men of the Independent National to show good example during Electoral Commission (INEC), the 2023 general elections by and exploring redress in the adhering strictly to electoral courts. guidelines and possibly seek He commended the Local redress in court where neces- Organising Committee of the sary.

IMD for setting an agenda for Felicitating with Nigerian the 2023 elections, and remainmen as the world celebrates ing faithful in sensitising men another International Men’s to be more patriotic, responsive Day (IMD), the President in and inclusive in decision maka release issued yesterday ing, at home and in the public.

On the theme of this year’s by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, also recognised IMD, “Men Leading By ExWKH VWURQJ LQÁXHQWLDO DQG ample”, the president called VLJQLÀFDQW SRVLWLRQ RI ZRPHQ on men to take the front row in building the nation over the in safeguarding and protecting years, with evidence in their national assets and shun acts of violence, like targeting of ULVLQJ SURÀOHV President Buhari specially WKH R΀FHV DQG VWRUHV RI WKH urged men to be guided in electoral body, which only adds protecting and promoting to the cost of governance, and democracy in Nigeria, by projects the country as unstable.

17

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Wizkid Sheds Residues of Ego in New Album Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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fter over a decade of being one of Afrobeats’ go-to hit makers, Wizkid continues to expand his sound with great success. The Nigerian Grammy award-winning global star, real name $\RGHML %DORJXQ UHOHDVHG KLV ÀIWK VWXGLR DOEXP titled “More Love, Less Ego” on 11 November 2022. And the reviews are pouring. The 13-track record sees the 32-year-old continue to exhibit his melodic prowess.

The album follows his previous record-breaking album ‘Made In Lagos’, which give birth to the hit song “Essence” featuring Tems and Canadian singer, Justin Bieber, breaking into Billboard Hot 100 and spending fourteen weeks in the top 10, also been nominated for 64 Grammy Awards in two categories Best Global world Album & Best Performance single.

“More Love, Less Ego” opens with the slow-tempo song, ‘Money & Love’, in which Wizkid sheds the residues of his ego. In the track, he sings about having a pocket full of

money and a heart full of love. The song comes with the usual hip-hop traits as the singer brags about his sexual prowess, the size of his phallus and his region with the ladies. ´(YHU\RQH ÀJKWV ZLWK WKHLU HJR DQG WKDW·V where I’m at,” Wizkid told The Guardian UK recently about the title and his current mindset.

“I’m still trying to shed my ego, like everyone else.” Wizkid released ‘More Love, Less Ego’ with the song “Bad To Me” being the lead single released on 13 September 2022, produced by P2j & Sammy Soso, under the imprint Label, RCA Records & Starboy Entertainment Ltd. Given :L]NLG·V HOHYDWHG VWDWXV LW·V QR VXUSULVH WR ÀQG that ‘More Love, Less Ego’ is stacked with guests.

This album contains tracks with guest appearances from, Skilibeng, Don Toliver, Skepta, Sheansea, Afropop’s rising star Ayra Star, Naira Marley and more and is produced

by P2j, Wizkid, and Sammy Soso. “More Love, Less Ego” has in entirety the following tracks: Money & Love, Balance, Bad To Me, Everyday, 2 Sugar (feat. Ayra Starr), Pressure, Plenty Loving, Deep, Flower Pads, Wow (feat. Skepta & Naira Marley), Special (feat. Don Toliver) and Frames (Who’s Gonna Know).

With several hit projects and awards, the Starboy

has established himself as a household name in the global music industry. The ‘Ojuelegba’ FURRQHU DOUHDG\ KDV WR KLV FUHGLW ÀUVW IRXU VWXGLR albums including ‘Superstar’ (2011), ‘Ayo’ (2014), ‘Sounds From The Other Side’ (2017), and ‘Made In Lagos’ (2020).

Following the release of his 5th album ‘More Love, Less Ego’, Apple Music announced that Wizkid’s live rendition of the album will be available on the platform for 3 days to stream his concert so fans all around the world can join in on enjoying his songs together. Wizkid Apple Music Live started at 9 PM on Monday, 14th November with Producer, artist, and DJ Juls opening for him with an impressive hour-long set that delivered classic music across Africa and beyond.

The Starboy graced the stage an hour later with loud cheers from fans that had come to see him perform songs from his new album.

The performance was a nostalgic exploration of his discography as he rolled back the years and gave the audience a performance of some of his classic songs including ‘Soco’, ‘Caro’, ‘Don’t Dull’, ‘Ojuelegba’ to mention a few.

From ‘More Love, Less Ego’, Wizkid performed ‘Bad To Me’, ‘Money and Love’, and ‘Balance’. He

Wizkid

also brought out Ayra Starr for their collaboration ‘2 Sugar’. Assisted by his disc jockey DJ Tunez, a live band, and backup singers, Wizkid delivered D VWHOODU OLYH UHQGLWLRQ WKDW JDYH WKH VRQJV RͿ his new album a refreshing feel.

The hour-long performance which took place in London was televised across the world with Apple Music subscribers able to watch the show through the App. By Wednesday November 16, KH KHDGOLQHG KLV ÀUVW HYHU VKRZ DW WKH SUHVWLJLRXV Madison Square Garden in New York, and his $SSOH 0XVLF /LYH SHUIRUPDQFH RͿHUHG D JOLPSVH He is getting set for a super-performance at the American Music Awards on Nov. 20, where he is nominated for two awards.

Burna Boy, Tems Celebrate Grammy Nominations Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ems and Burna Boy have been celebrating their nominations at the 65th Grammy awards holding on February 5, 2023 in Los Angeles United States.

The 2023 Grammy nominations were announced last Tuesday. Tems was nominated alongside Future and Drake in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category for the song, “Wait for U”.

The song was also nominated in the Best Rap Song category. Tems also received a nomination for being part of Beyonce’s “Renaissance” album nominated in the Album of the Year category.

Burna Boy and Tems

Burna Boy received two nominations: one for his song “Last Last” in the Best Global

Music Performance category and another for his latest album, “Love, Damini” in the Best Global Music Album category. Angelique Kidjo and Ibrahim Maalouf‘s “Queen of Sheba” is also nominated in the Best Global Music Album category.

The nomination is Burna Boy’s 3rd Grammy nomination for the World Album Category (renamed Global Music Album) following “African Giant” and “Twice As Tall” nominated in 2020 and 2021 respectively. In total, KH KDV UHJLVWHUHG ÀYH QRPLQDWLRQV PDNLQJ the Afro-fusion originator one of the most nominated African acts. His nomination for “Last Last” makes it his second nomination in that category after his contributions to Angelique Kidjo’s 2021 song, “Do Yourself”.

With Angelique Kidjo featuring Ibradhim

Maalouf’s “Queen of Sheba” in the Best Global Music Album category, makes it interestingly a tough call for any other artistes (African or not) nominated in the same category. What is Burna Boy’s chances with “Love, Damini”, which he released via Atlantic Records/Spaceship Collective/Warner Music, in the same category with Kidjo, the Beninese superstar? Well, he would have to wait for the judges.

Meanwhile, at the 2022 MTV European Music Awards held in Dusseldorf, Germany on 13th, November 2022, Burna Boy won the prize for the Best African Act. He was QRPLQDWHG DORQJVLGH $\UD 6WDUU %ODFN 6KHULͿ Tems, Zuchu and Musa Keyz. In another category, Tems lost the Best New Act prize to Seventeen.

Moses Inwang Wraps-Up 52 Africans Get Netflix Scholarships ‘Dead Serious’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

P

Speaking on ‘Dead Serious’, he said, “Its romantic-comedy; it’s typically a comedy but one that is themed around a serious topic, suicide.”

Inwang had earlier giving an insight into WKH ÀOP SURMHFW ZKLFK KH UHYHDOHG LQ DQ exclusive chat with Showbiz, will be released in cinemas Easter 2023, “but could be a late date if we get a deal with the streamers for an original.”

He adds, “Over the past few years, suicide and suicide attempt rates have increased alarmingly as more and more people succumb to depression and other negative ails. So, I thought it was time to whip out a script I conceived and crafted seven years ago that advocates against suicide and depression. $QG QR LW·V QRW D VDG ÀOP DV D PDWWHU RI fact, it’s one packed with a lot of laughs and an important message of hope and perseverance.”

rolific filmmaker, Moses Inwang has wrapped up production of his latest project, ‘Dead Serious’. Inwang has been teasing fans and followers with set pictures and behind the scene footages on Instagram since the shoot commenced. The DZDUG ZLQQLQJ ÀOPPDNHU LQ D UHFHQW SRVW VKDUHG DQQRXQFHG WKDW WKH ÀOP ZDV VXFK D crucial and timely one to undertake, adding that the story is just one of 96 stories in his repertoire.

“And it’s a wrap!” Inwang wrote alongside a picture showing him at location. “Dead 6HULRXV ZDV VXFK D WLPHO\ ÀOP WR XQGHUWDNH DQG ,·P RQO\ JODG , FKRVH WR ÀOP WKLV VWRU\ out of the 96 other ones in my repertoire because it’s such a crucial issue to address”, he said, starring your favourite actors and comedians such as Nkem Owoh, Deyemi Okanlawon, Mr. Funny, Sharon Ooja, and Nasboi.

Others on set of the production include Datwarrigirl, Emem Inwang, Lilian Afegbai, among other stars. ‘Dead Serious’ according to the acclaimed director advocates against suicide and suicidal thoughts, a young man will make several unsuccessful attempts to take his own life after losing the L-R: On set of the movie Dead Serious - Deyemi love of his life just a few days Okanlawon, Moses Inwang and Sharon Ooja to their wedding.

L

eading streaming entertainment platform, Netflix has announced 52 beneficiaries of its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF), for the West and Central African region - Benin Republic, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria. The announcement was made at a stakeholder event, hosted by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in Lagos.

The two-day event, which took place in Lagos engaged policy, regulators and partners on important discussions including Nigerian storytelling as soft power and hard currency; inclusion of women in the creative economy; the need for strengthening Nigeria’s creative pipeline, and Nollywood’s contribution to global perception.

The CESF will provide financial support to its beneficiaries including access to quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines.

The scholarship for SubSaharan students is part of Netflix’s global Creative Equity Fund launched in 2021 which is a dedicated effort to help build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment.

Announcements were made at institutions in Burkina Faso, Bénin, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, following which applications were opened in August, 2022.

The Netflix CESF is intended to provide financial aid in the form of full scholarships at partner higher educational institutions in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana and Gabon to help ambitious

creatives from West and Central African countries obtain official qualifications and training.

The scholarship fund will cover tuition, housing, study materials, and living expenses at selected partner schools where beneficiaries have been accepted to pursue a programme of study in the television and film disciplines in the 2022/2023 academic year.

Through the fund, Netflix supports external organisations committed to creating equitable opportunities in the TV and film industries, as well as bespoke Netflix programmes that help to identify, train and provide job placement for up-and-coming talent globally.

The programme is currently being administered

by Dalberg in partnership with the five institutions of higher learning in the region that will support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from the region.

L-R: Tendeka Matatu, Netflix Director of local language films in Africa; Nicole Emechebe, beneficiary of Netflix scholarship; Adedayo Thomas, Chairman NFVCB; Shola Sanni, Director of Public Policy, SSA Netflix; Alex Eyengbo, beneficiary Netflix scholarshisp; Marie-Jean Berger, Manager of public policy EMEA at Netflix and Ben Amadasun, Director of content, EMEA at Netflix

18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Aimee Alakija Working on a New Song Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ospel artiste Rita Alakija, popularly known as Aimee Alakija is working on a fresh single. Although the award-winning artiste and broadcaster did not disclose much on her upcoming song, “It is still baking! My producer is Olaitan Dada”, she retorted in a chat with Showbiz.

Sharing her thoughts on sundry issues, Aimee Alakija who is also involved in counseling added that “the situation of our world and nation has negatively impacted a lot of people’s mental health.” Continuing, she said she’s being her brother’s keeper in her own little way.”

Aimee Alakija adds: “There is so much need.

Using this media to call on everyone to pull up their sleeves and help those in need. Let XV KHOS YLFWLPV RI ÁRRG GLVDVWHUV LQWHUQDOO\ displaced people and that neighbour right beside you that is hungry.”

In her view, the current economic challenges have cast gloom on virtually all sectors, including gospel music.

Aimee Alakika further explains that “As we are all operating in Nigeria, everything and everyone feels the impact of the prevailing harsh economic climate.

If we use our knowledge of economics DQG IDFWRUV RI SURGXFWLRQ WKH ÀUVW WKLQJ WKDW will come to mind is land which includes core elements like venues, studios, lights, sound, Aimee Alakija and equipment to mention a few. These have become very expensive. production, band rehearsal, producers, sound “Labour would include the following; engineers, songwriters, video producers, and

promoters of the product (before, during and post-promotion). With just a few struggling gospel music labels, the cost of paying for these and more has skyrocketed. Then we come WR FDSLWDO 7KLV LV KDUG WR ÀQG DQG ZLWK WKH naira being devalued, your guess can only be as good as mine.

“Purchasing power; With the average Nigerian struggling with unemployment, high cost of rent, transportation, school fees, medicals, and unpaid salaries, just to mention a few issues, the focus is to struggle to put at least what looks like the semblance of a meal on the table for the family. On the scale of preference, the cost of food is higher than a lot of things now including gospel music.

“The Entrepreneurs, would be the minstrel, organisers of gospel music events etc, who have to come up with new strategies, ideas, and solutions, to be better project managers in order WR RYHUFRPH WKHVH HFRQRPLF FKDOOHQJHV DͿHFWLQJ gospel music in Nigeria. I absolutely believe it is possible to overcome these challenges.”

Naija Star Search Enters Final Stage

T

he last episode of Naija Star Search this week was designed to calm the contestants’ nerves after weeks of battles that narrowed down the contestants’ number from 17 to 5.

The Top 5 contestants performed to the delight of all, putting forward their creative agility.

Skimzo, Eniola, Kachi, GreySky and Melo are the last guys standing, comprising three males DQG WZR IHPDOHV %HIRUH WKH VKRZ·V NLFN RͿ LQ 6HSWHPEHU RQO\ ÀYH ODGLHV PDGH LW WR WKH competition out of seventeen contestants. The judges were bashed for ignoring gender balance. %XW DV WKH VKRZ HQWHUV WKH ÀQDO URXQG WKH ODGLHV have shown that they are amazons.

Eniola, the lady with the big voice, is unGRXEWHGO\ RQH RI WKH ÀQHVW 1DLMD 6WDU 6HDUFK contestants. She always dominates the stage with her presence, voice, and dance steps. She amazes the judges with her hot lyrics and moves, and the audience is thrilled. Her vocal control is second to none. The judges’ remarks on her

performance further boost her morale. They think she’s already a superstar.

GreySky, the lady with Grace, made her way through this round of competition through consistency. She gets better at every performance,

Eniola

a sign of diligence and hard work.

In the last episode, GreySky wowed the judges with her performance, so much so WKDW ,' &DEDVD KDG WR GR D ÀVW EXPS ZLWK Asha Gangali. GreySky is original, and she has progressed tremendously. She can pick up and ÁRZ ZLWK WKH EHDWV HYHQ ZKHQ VKH PLVVHV KHU lyrics. This has been working well for her in the competition.

The judges emphasised that GreySky was in the competition not by mistake, following the circumstances of her emergence as one of the 17 contestants, but because she has what it takes to compete in Naija Star Search.

Kachi, the guitar boy with a calm and ever-smiling demeanour, is deemed one of the contenders for the star prize. Rehearsing with Kachi is always fun as he already knows the rudiments of making good music. He knows how to pick up and drop notes and what it means WR VWD\ RQ NH\ .DFKL YLEHV GLͿHUHQWO\ VWHDG\ on the mic, and his lyrical tone is mesmerising.

Melo is an embodiment of Afrobeats’ talent. His consistency in dropping hits at every performance,

his vocal clarity, and his songwriting skills are top-notch.

Skimzo, with the signature ‘you already know,’ is a special breed of Afrobeats artiste as far as the competition is concerned. He has been consistent in his performances, and the audience is rooting for him because of his style. Skimzo is deep-rooted in street vibes that resonate with Naija’s Afropop PXVLF ORYHUV :KHQ 6NLP]R ÀUHV XS WKH VWDJH everyone goes wild in ecstasy. ,Q WKH QH[W HSLVRGH WKH ÀQDOLVWV IRU WKH ÀQDO show on November 27 will be unveiled.

Naija Star Search is a collaboration between StarTimes Nigeria and Kennis Music toward preserving Afrobeats.

Highlights of the previous episodes are on the Naija Star Search channel on YouTube. The New edition airs every Sunday at 8pm on ST Nollywood Plus, ST Nollywood and ST Yoruba channels on StarTimes, and the StarTimes-ON mobile app.

Winners will get a whopping sum of N10m in cash prizes, a recording contract, and an opportunity to reach the skies.

Bimbo Oshin, Phyna, Others in Ondo for Churchill Foundation

Best Okoduwa Making Waves with ‘Beckma’

Tosin Clegg

Tosin Clegg

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ig Brother Naija winner, Phyna, recently roused students of St. Monica Girls Secondary School, Ondo, Ondo State with words of encouragement. The event was the 2022 edition of Churchill Foundation’s all-city empowerment project which took place in Ondo State, the town of leading entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Olakunle Churchill.

Nollywood actress, Bimbo Oshin along with four of the former BBNaija housemates, presented the Churchill scholarships to 20 students in the all-girls school in the ancient town. Bimbo Oshin encouraged the students to pay attention to their studies and not give up on their goals in life, “You have to make success your goal no matter what you want to do with your life and no doubt being educated will make you go far whichever career you choose,” she admonished.

Among the outlined projects for the annual event was the commissioning of borehole in Phase III, Moferere Market in Ondo Town in the name of Omoniyi Churchill (Olakunle Churchill’s VRQ DV ZHOO DV ÀQDQFLDO DQG ORJLVWLFV VXSSRUW IRU indigent patients at the Mother and Child Unit of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo State.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Rose Churchill, who conceived the idea of visiting and giving back to patients, said she was inspired by seeing the struggles of her mother as a child. Although the idea of giving back came to her before now, she said the context is reinforced now that she is a mother herself. The 2022 edition is a kind of homecoming for Olakunle Churchill with other editions having taken place in other states in the past. In all, he said it is a continuation of the mantra of the Churchill Foundation.

Reacting, Chief Mrs Adeola Anne Akinseloyin, Principal, St. Monica Girls Secondary School, Ondo,

L-R: Bimbo Oshin, Rose and Adekunle Churchill

Ondo State, said, “This is a very laudable initiative, there are many people who have money but are not looking back so to see Bimbo Oshin, other dignitaries as well as Big Brother Naija housemates is laudable.

“Many of our students stay awake to watch Big Brother Naija and to see the housemates is a big deal for them. Such things are necessary to motivate the younger ones because many of them still don’t know what to do with their lives and this visit might be a deciding factor for them so say: I want to be like her, I want to be like him, I will be great in future.

ZDUG ZLQQLQJ ÀOPmaker, Best Okoduwa has taken Nollywood a step higher with” superhero movie titled, “Beckma.” ,QWHUHVWLQJO\ WKH ÁLFN which would soon be released globally, had its Nigerian premiere at the just concluded Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and won the award for Best Nigerian Film at the FRIFF Globe Awards.

According to Okoduwa, the movie resonates with original Nigerian story.

The superhero character is positioned as a justice symbol for abused women in a highly patriarchal society.

The movie’s major plot tackles the problem of child marriage in Nigeria while it subtly glides through other social problems like child exploitation, sexual violence against women, gender bias, female circumcision and education.

Surviving a horrible childhood, Beckma HPHUJHV DV D YLJLODQWH DQG MXVWLFH ÀJXUH

Agnes Obi

for the abused female. Her life and that of everyone she loves would take a drastic turn when NYSC sends her to a western Nigerian village where the culture and tradition unapologetically tramples on the rights of women, endangering the potential and future of young girls. They call her, The Night Watch!

The movie directed by Best Okoduwa and co-produced by Data Phido of ARDA Communications Inc., features top acts like Akin Lewis, Uche Montana, Adedimeji Lateef, Mercy Aigbe, Jide Kosoko, Lord Frank, Annetta Adebusuyi, Agnes Obi, Duke Elvis, Rhoda Inaju among others.

Tony Frank’s Visuals for ‘Enter My Eyes’ is Ready Tosin Clegg Fast-rising Franklin Anthony Ugochuwku, popularly known as Tony Frank is fully poised to assert himself as an artiste to be reckoned with.

Little wonder he is not resting on his music oars, as he is set to release the video for his recent song titled, “Enter My Eyes”, featuring Skales.

The Port-Harcourt born music-maker, who discovered his talent and passion for music at D WHQGHU DJH SURIHVVLRQDOO\ NLFNHG RͿ KLV PXVLF career in 2020, with a smash hit single titled,

´2JDGLQPDµ 'HWHUPLQHG WR ÀQG D FRPIRUWDEOH spot on the music scene, in 2021, Tony Frank again released two singles, ‘One Day’ and ‘What Is Love’.

Since then, he has stopped at nothing in ensuring he etches his name on the sands of time of the Nigerian music industry.

Speaking about working with Skales on his latest music project, he said, “Working with him Tony Frank KDV EHHQ DQ DPD]LQJ H[SHULHQFH +H HͿRUWOHVVO\ jumped on the song within few minutes and came up with his verse because he liked the chorus.” Everyone around me notice that’s only what keeps Recalling how he forayed into music, he said, me good and happy. My dad was a music producer “Music has always been my thing from infancy. in my home town, Omoku in Rivers State.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Abimbola Obafunwa

I Believe So Much in Story Telling Through Dance Abimbola Obafunwa is a creative genius. He is an artistic director, theatre administrator, choreographer, dance artiste and author. Obafunwa has carved a career path through dancing since his university days, and has given dance life and changed lives through dance. Dancing and managing dance competitions professionally for over two decades has had him laced in major corporate dance projects for numerous brands and states in various capacities as director, creative consultant, producer, and passionately overseeing these portfolios as he revealed in this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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father, mother and children involved in the same competition.

Maltina Dance All was and in fact is still the most impactful family reality show till date. It inspired unity in the homes of over 30-40 million Nigerians and Africans worldwide annually.

ow long have you been in this career path professionally?

Approximately 24 years, 1998 till date.

What’s the inspiration behind your career in dance?

I guess my inspiration was the visually appealing nature of dance. From the moment I watched the likes of Michael Jackson as a young child, through the Usher days and all the great legends, I found out that performance is kind of bland without movement. And when movement is introduced, there’s a visual appeal that comes with it through the body expression of music or sound or rhythm. They say “Dance is the language of the gods”. The bodily interpretations of what humans feel, and the visually appeal that comes with that is the most fascinating thing about dance. I believe so much in story telling through dance and the body.

Has dance always been a childhood dream or a path that caught up with you as an adult?

I would not be able to say clearly if I had always wanted to dance from childhood. However, my parents had mentioned WKDW , DOZD\V VWRRG RQ WKH WDEOH WULHG WR GR D ÁLS IURP WKH EHG always dancing. I think it was during my lit days in school that I actually started seeing that there might be something here, and when I got into the university, I eventually joined a group but I started as a solo performer, I went by the name DEGO in the University of Ibadan. After a while of doing solo gigs, I ended up joining Spirit of David in 2000. Spirit of David helped put things in the right perspective. That’s ZKHUH ZH EHJDQ WR OHDUQ WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI GDQFH WKH HͿHFW and the power behind it. Thanks to Segun Lawal and the entire Spirit of David team, it kind of created form, gave us direction and now, I began to see it more as a profession, as something that I could use to change lives.

What challenges have you faced since you began the performing arts and how were you able to handle them?

Regarding performing arts generally, the number one challenge will be acceptance, and the belief from people that this art form has the ability to not only change lives, but also has the ability to empower. That has been our biggest challenge and I think that has been the fear of most Nigerians. Also, you see dance and art as a whole, being misrepresented by people who don’t understand the depth of what they carry.

Sometimes, the media has a way of propagating this, and pushing this narrative stronger than the art forms or the art expressions that actually carry weight. We have been able to survive by being authentic and we have been able to survive by being persistent, by being goal oriented and goal driven.

What other career paths would you have been involved in if you were not doing dance and theatre arts?

If I wasn’t doing dance and theatre arts, I think I would have been in something close to that. I believe that according to T.D Jakes, if God appeared in human form today, he will EH D PRYLH PDNHU RU D ÀOP PDNHU EHFDXVH -HVXV GLG DOO KLV teachings in parables. Visually, he was trying to paint pictures and he was trying to create Visual expressions of the stories he told, and I believe it’s one of the biggest most powerful tools in the world. But the next thing I would probably be GRLQJ ZRXOG EH ÀOP PDNLQJ SURGXFHU ZKLFK , DP VWLOO JRLQJ to do anyway. That is where I am heading to, I think. I have started doing it but that will be another thing to explore.

As director of Corporate Dance World and founder of Dancerapy, give us an insight into dance in Nigeria?

Dance in Nigeria and dance in Africa is literally powerful DQG LQÁXHQWLDO LQ PXVLF 'DQFLQJ LQ PXVLF KDV WDNHQ WKH QDWLRQ E\ VWRUP 'DQFH KDV JUHDWO\ LQÁXHQFHG WKH PRGH of entertainment generally. You literally don’t have a music performance without some element or movement of dance.

Most of the skits now have dancing in them. African dance or afro dance style has gone beyond the shores of Nigeria and you have musicians and artists around the world wanting to jump on our afro beats style. Dance generally has a great LQÁXHQFH DQG KDV JURZQ RYHU WKH \HDUV LQ OLSV DQG ERXQGV and we can only be grateful to God for that. Notice how all social media platforms, Instagram reels, tiktok have dance as its leading entertainment factor. You know that Nigeria

Creatives are fully immersed in their work. How do you balance personal/ family life with work?

You can never really fully balance. However, what I have tried to do over the years is to ensure that everybody has time. When it is time with the family, know that you are with the family. I also take out time to spend with myself, WKHUH·V D SDUW RI P\ R΀FH ZKHUH ZKHQ , FRPH WR ZRUN LQ WKH mornings, I just sit there for an hour or two just spending time with myself. I still have arguments with my wife sometimes, I am at home and it still feels like I’m doing creative work.

Ob Obafunwa baf afun fun unwa wa

I love to swim. I like water a lot. I love to read about people’s lives. I choose what I read like about people’s lives and motivational stuff. I enjoy reading about how people created solutions to problems around the world, reading also about inventions and investors

During your performances, what message do you expect your audience to feel?

Well I need to be sure that at the end of my performance every time, the audience got what they came for. First things ÀUVW ZH GR QRW FUHDWH D SHUIRUPDQFH ZLWKRXW NQRZLQJ ZKR the audience is and what they would be expecting. Sometimes, performances are created to pass a message regardless of the W\SH RI DXGLHQFH $XGLHQFHV FRPH IURP GLͿHUHQW GHPRJUDSK\ some come to be entertained, educated, inspired, motivated etc., you as a creative must be able to deliver whatever it is you know they are there for. What we do apart from spending time creating content or a performance, we spend time on the delivery of that content to ensure that the audience get the message.

How many students have you coached so far and what are the age groups?

I can’t put a number to it because coaching is on various levels. On TV shows and other social media platforms, several individuals have been reached through my tutorship in this country. We have also had several students go through our training programme at The Dance Deal Training Foundation, the institution we set up in 2009, as well as through workshops and seminars done by our Forward Dance Championship programme for schools in Lagos State. If I’m to put a number to that I would say we could have done 10-20,000 of them.

Through the Dance Deal Training Foundation, we have done FHUWLÀFDWLRQ SURJUDPPHV LQ GDQFH LQ WKH ODVW \HDUV For the age groups, anybody can dance. The regular age groups would be between 16 and 35 years. For us, we teach any and everybody, people of various age groups.

What’s the most fun and bad times during your years as a dance genius?

As a dance genius, I would say my most fun moments is at the forefront of this level of entertainment from our musicians doing great things - Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido etc. are when I’m in the studio creating. I love to create, pull up a new move, and create something new. I believe in creativity so much. I am a creative genius. Sad moments Tells us about Dance as a therapy :H VWDUWHG 'DQFHUDS\ LQ D EDODQFH ÀWQHVV SURJUDPPH would probably have to be when I meet someone who does and gave it form in 2013. Dancerapy is derived from two not believe in creativity, dance as a form of expression or words – Dance and Therapy. It has been medically proven when I meet someone who doesn’t know the power they WKDW GDQFH LV WKH VHFRQG PRVW H΀FLHQW WKHUDSHXWLF H[HUFLVH have within their creativity. in the world that you can do to stay healthy and live long.

What project do you have coming up and what are we It has also been proven that dancing can extend your life to expect from it? span by about 20%. Our slogan at Dancerapy is “Live Long, I have one major project and that is the launch of my creative 'DQFH 0RUHµ 7KH KHDOWK EHQHÀWV WKH HPRWLRQDO EHQHÀWV WKH SV\FKRORJLFDO EHQHÀWV DWWDFKHG WR GDQFLQJ \RX ÀQG RXW institute, the Bimbo Obafunwa Creative Institute (BOCI). The that through a one-hour session with Dancerapy, dancing institute is an initiative that is going to help creatives in and having fun helps you burn between 500-600 calories general, business owners and entrepreneurs. The course is basically for everybody out there to realize the power of their depending on your intensity. creativity to identify who they really are, when it comes to how and what to create. The course ultimately is to build Which of your projects stand out for you and why?

Of all the projects that I have had the privilege of being a resource in terms of more income for their area of specialty. part of, my number 1 project will still remain Maltina Dance What are your hobbies?

All. I mean all the projects are great; my time on Celebrity I love to swim. I like water a lot. I love to read about Takes 2 was awesome. My work on Maltina Dance All was people’s lives. I choose what I read like about people’s lives beyond being a dance director. For a period of 10 years, we KDG WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR KHOS UHGHÀQH DQG VKDSH WKH PLQGV DQG PRWLYDWLRQDO VWXͿ , HQMR\ UHDGLQJ DERXW KRZ SHRSOH of Nigerians towards accepting dance as a positive element created solutions to problems around the world, reading also in our entertainment/creative industry. Prior to then, there about inventions and investors. Basically, my hobbies are was a lot of struggle for parents to accept that their children swimming, reading, gaining more knowledge and spending would be professional dancers and be able to survive. I think time with myself. what really broke the ice for parents round the nation was Read full interview online - www.thisdaylive.com the fact that Maltina Dance All was the only show that had

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

TRAVEL AND LEISURE

Sahara Centre’s Panelists Seek Ways to Improve Leisure in Lagos

Justina Uzo

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agos is a destination for business and for leisure. Investors always eye the huge market; the population of Lagos State is said to be over 20 million. Even though the state is easily the entertainment hub of Africa, not a few have faulted the inability of the residents to embrace leisure. The Sahara Centre recently took the bull by the horn by launching the “Lagos Island Project” aimed at understanding residents’ and key stakeholders’ perspectives on recreation, leisure and tourism as well as exploring the spatial structure of recreation, leisure and tourism on Lagos Island, by investigating the relationship between these phenomena.

Personalities who were panelists at the event included the Executive Secretary, Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents Association (VIIRA), Abdul Latif Muse; multi-award-winning theatre practitioner and manager, Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, Ajoke Silva, and the Principal Architect, ARG Studio and Convener, Open House Lagos, Chuka Ihonor. Others were real estate research analyst and Founder, Estate Intel, Dolapo Omidire, and Lead Architect, Freedom Park Lagos, Theo Lawson.

The panel discussion was moderated by the Executive Director of The Sahara Centre, Dr.

Ajoke Silva

Adun Okupe.

With the theme, “Inclusive Planning for Recreation, Leisure and Tourism in Lagos,” the panelists took a hard look at leisure and what to do in order to help communities.

Meanwhile, the pilot study sought to understand the communities in Lagos

and their perspectives on recreation, leisure and tourism.

Key findings and lessons learnt highlighted residents and business owners’ perception of leisure time and relaxation which is confined to the free time available before and after work. Another resident said safe and secure recreational open spaces, parks or playgroups close to their homes would contribute to a strong feeling of community belonging.

Self-employed business owners and craftsmen, it was learnt, were not able to engage in recreational activities for several reasons such as inadequate funds, lack of time, security concerns, lack of awareness and lack of accessibility to the recreational facilities.

While thanking Henrich Boll Foundation for their support of the project’s data collection phase, the Sahara Centre urged spirited individuals and groups for support, emphasizing, “we are open to conducting similar research in other communities in Lagos (apart from Victoria Island) and the country as a whole.

The organisation also said cohesive communities were important for the safety, security and wellbeing of residents, businesses and visitors.

One of the panelists, Silva spoke on how the creative industry could contribute to urban development.

“One of the key things to be done is to have events that include community members and

others outside of the community.

The creative industries can provide content for activities that appeal to different users, old and young, residents and visitors,” she said.

Silva pointed out that the question of space, financing and funding would always come in, saying, “Concessions should be for longer periods of about 30 years to attract investors, and to ensure a place gets established and is not susceptible to the changes of political administrations.”

The VIIRA’s Executive Secretary spoke on the importance of resident associations in building more cohesive communities. “Cohesiveness is a realisation of the components of individuals, business owners and corporate bodies in the society. Residents need to understand that they share common access to facilities, such as the drainage system, transportation system and roads. Resident associations should focus on ensuring that members of the community are not exposed to security threats and also form a strong collective that can reach out to the government on the needs of the community,” he noted.

According to Muse, one key function of resident associations is the ability to self-regulate and self-monitor, although one challenge is for corporate bodies who are part of the community, to see themselves as being responsible for the safety, security and smooth functioning of the community.”

When Lagos Hosted UNWTO Global Conference Justina Uzo

T

he United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili led a significant tourism industry figures from around the world to participate at the UNWTO GlobalConferenceheldinLagos.

First of its kind, the UNWTO’s conference on “Linking Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries,” opened on November 14, 2022 at the newly renovated National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos.

Therewereperformancesbyaculturaltroupe fromKanoandtheLagosStateCouncilforArts and Culture that presented a dance called Eko Special. The audience was thrilled.

It is heartwarming that UNWTO proposed a collaborationbetweentheNigeriafilmindustry known as Nollywood and the Hollywood to improve on Nigeria’s non-oil export.

Pololikashvili, who said he was impressed with Nollywood performance over the years hinted that the proposed collaboration would feature a roadshow using cinemas and the creative industry to export the potential of tourism and African culture.

He said: “We can do a lot of things together, if we can speak on this from Nollywood and Hollywood, and we agree, then our next meeting, we will sign the necessary documents.

“With this, it will be easier to understand one another, I say congratulations to Nigerians, to have succeeded with Nollywood.

“The various presentations have been interesting and amazing and I am happy to have made new friends here in Nigeria.”

Expectedly, Nigeria tourism associations boycotted the conference. The umbrella body of tourism associations, FTAN (the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria) had opposed the ‘Lai Mohammed conference” giving reasons.

The operators complained that “Mohammed is more interested in anything that has the toga of UNWTO on it and not his own country, Nigeria.”

A pocket of tourism operators were in attendance, though. Notwithstanding, participation was very impressive. Delegates from African countries such as Sierra Leona, Tunisia, South Africa, lent their support to Nigeria.

Directors General of the various parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture were in attendance.

The National Institute for Hospitality (NIHOTOUR) spread love at the forum.

Market, Mr. Ikechi Uko received an award for promoting tourism.

Generally, the 3-day global conference, presented an ideal opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s rich tourism and creative industry assets to the world.

Participantswereabletoleveragenetworking opportunities and learned new things as well as shared knowledge.

Pololikashvili, who has been SecretaryGeneral of the UNWTO since January 2018, commended the Nigerian government for making the country a tourism destination now.

For him, Nigeria is home to countless entrepreneurs and lots of enterprises.

HesaidhewasthrilledbytheNationalTroupe’s performance at the event.

Mohammed was thankful for the successful event.

The minister said: “The purpose of this conference is to fast-track our objective of transforming the tourism sector into a L-R: Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dan- preferred sector and the creative industry gote and the UNWTO Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili during the UNWTO Global Confer- into a creative economy. That is the objective ence in Lagos…recently against the background of the government’s intention of supporting and facilitating an Many were obviously surprised when the enabling environment for the true business The training institute was the only parastatal that opened for business vice president sang and danced Kiss Daniels’ growth of tourism and the creative industry.

“The hosting of this conference is a strong alongside embassies and private or- popular song, “Buga.”

TheicingonthecakewastheDinner/Galanight affirmation of Nigeria’s position as a trusted ganisations at the exhibition grounds during the conference. On the ‘Day 2’ of hosted by the Lai Mohammed at Landmark business hub and a safe harbour for capital, talent and intellectual property. In the lead-up the conference, Vice President Yemi Centre, Lekki, Lagos on Tuesday.

It was also an occasion where industry op- to the conference, Nigeria hosted the 2022 Osinbajo graced the conference.

Osinbajo, who represented President erators, who have promoted tourism over the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week in Abuja, from October 24 to October Muhammadu Buhari, gave a nod to the years, were honoured.

The organiser of Akwaaba African Travel 28, 2022.” vibrant Nigerian creative industry.

BASL, NAAPE, Others Commend Dana Air’s Resilience on 14th Anniversary Chinedu Eze

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ana Air has since its resumption on the 9th of November, 2022 continued to garner commendations for its resilience and consistency in Nigeria’s aviation industry in the last 14 years of its commercial operations The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) in a letter signed by its Deputy General Secretary Umoh Ofonime said, ‘’ We write to congratulate your company on your success at the recently concluded NCAA audit. We are sure the exercise has

prepared your airline for a smooth and safe operations.’’

Similarly, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd (BASL), the operators of the main domestic terminal at the Lagos airport,MMA2,duringacongratulatory visit to Dana Air’s operational office at facility led by its Head, Aeronautical & Cargo, Remi Jibodu said, ‘’ We are superexcited that one of our oldest airlines at this terminal is back in the air after a successful audit by the regulator. We are here to congratulate you also on your 14th anniversary celebrations and we believe your restart of operation will change the market dynamics.’’

The Chief Operating Officer of Dana

Air, Ememobong Ettete, while appreciating the team from MMA2 during the visit, assured the airline’s guests that Dana Air has indeed changed the market dynamics and would continue to offer safe, reliable and trail-blazing services to the flying public.

Commenting further, Emem said, ‘’Our on time performance is top notch, we are offering gifts to our loyal guests on board to celebrate them for believing in us and there is still more to be announced soon.”

Having flown over nine million passengers in 14 years of its commercial operations in Nigeria, Dana Air is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with a varied fleet of 9 aircraft and daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Owerri.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

PEOPLE Tiya Akpana

Sip and Shop is the New Fashion Sense Tiya Akpana’s new sensation in fashion exhibition is taking Lekki with a bang next weekend, typical of New York’s Boogie Woogie rhythm and blues, rock, and roll. The fashion show titled: ‘Sip & Shop: the after party,’ combines music provided by DJ Shegsy with dance for the old school. Nduka Nwosu reports

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ashionista Tiya Akpana easily passes for a self-taught student of Haute Coutre going by a few things she has done in that territory in recent times, and very successfully too.

Next weekend, she showcases her wares in a clothing exhibition, titled: ‘Sip and Shop & the After Party,’ by her Tuviya Signature at the Glee Hotel Victoria Island Lagos.

According to her, there are over 200 designs that will be on display.

“This collection took about a year to build it up; the idea is to make this exhibition an annual event until I am well grounded. I want it to be an event that people look forward to experience.

“I am incredibly positive about the fashion show; I feel this could be an annual. I have no idea where this is going, but I believe I am moving in the right direction.”

Who is Tiya Akpana? The name evokes a poetic resonance like Gabriel Okara’s Ode to River Nun or Leopold Sedar Senghor’s ‘I will Declaim Your Name,’ Naette. The Kalabari, Abonenma daughter reveals her first name at birth was Boma to which her parents’ friend, on beholding her for the first time objected and named her Tiya or Precious, a rare, uncommon gift from God. Tiya has lived up to that name, a multi-talented being with the hand of gold. First, she arrived as the fifth and last child of the Akpanas with a big umbrella shielding her. She had the privilege of doing her primary school education at the British oriented Saviour’s School. At the Federal Government College Warri where her late elder brother was the Senior Prefect at the time of her admission, she focused on her studies and hardly took advantage of big brother protection among her set. At 10 she was one of three students named the youngest in the school. She went ahead to study Philosophy at the University of Lagos and was deeply impressed by the works of Heraclitus, Rene Descartes, and Pythagoras. She took interest in the philosophy of religion, jurisprudence, and psychology but the interesting aspect was in her ability to view issues from different angles with different results in the study of Dialectics.

Akpana lost her beloved brother last October when she was getting ready to introduce something new to the market. She was devastated, having lost her mother in 2019. She went on a retreat to heal and return to her familiar environment.

Akpana neither studied design, fine arts nor sculpting as an aside, and so is not Influenced by the dialectics of designing or back home by the plastocasts of say a Bruce Onobrakpeya and the ABU Zaria radicals, the Nsukka Uli School of Artists.

Who then are her role models in the global school of ideas in designing where you have modern artists and designers of the West, hugely influenced by the Impressionist and Renaissance schools, who early in the day were attracted to Cubism and the Avant Garde movements? Akpana seems to be the product of intuition and picks up what appeals to her off curve. No study or situation is arduous to the point she cannot face and solve it like an interesting mathematical problem. Her response: “I am very dynamic. I can just decide to do something new. I have made slippers with my own hands; I can decide to do something new if I think it is good. It was my birthday in 2009. I was selling gold at that time. I saw someone wearing an Etubo with studs, the type that my father used to wear. I enquired from him where he bought it.

He said some lady sold it to him. Why didn’t you buy from me, I asked. He asked me: “Do you have some? Then bring one to me. I need it.”

That encounter with a potential customer opened a flood gate of patronage. “I went to Dubai, did four studs with my little savings; the customer was impressed with the designs. He took one, another person took one. The studs were pure gold. He said get Iwoko,” another brand of native dress. Another person wanted one stud or Etubo while I was delivering his. I delivered; I was making good sales.

“I asked my brother Daemi, an Honourable member of the House of Representatives, to introduce his colleagues in the House from Rivers and Bayelsa to me and my brand, which he did.

There was a market I was looking at. He asked me to come to Abuja. I did. That was the beginning of her ideal market, a steady stream of supplies to the Honourable members. The timing was good though it could have happened much earlier, she confessed, because Jonathan lost the election; many honourable members of the House who contested the election lost,” and that market was closed but it was the high point of her business in the iwoko and etubo stud designs.

Akpana also ventured into the furniture business and exhibition. I put my products on Facebook and other social media apps; for the furniture exhibition; we were at Chief Collins at Lekki Phase One. I may not have oversold the furnitures during the exhibition, but it was something to talk about. and the response was satisfying. Dubai remained the destination. Why not a Nigerian market? She is asked: “It s all about knowing where to go to, getting a creative furniture maker who cares about his finishings, not one that cuts corners and forces a badly finished product on you. Nigerian furniture makers are unwilling to accept they should work and rework on a product until it is right.

Akpana ventured into the wig business importing from China. “I went to Alibaba; got a manufacturer I was dealing with and later directly. I have my own brand of wigs called Mabel Kay,” a derivation of her mother’s name. At a point, the market became saturated, and she went into other things.

In her process of self-discovery, Akpana lost her mother in 2019 after nearly three years of illness. “My mother was ill and came to stay with me. For the period of two and half years, or nearly three years, I had nothing doing than caring for her until she passed on in 2019.

When she passed on. I brought out the sewing machine in the house to learn how to sew as therapy to get over the experience of losing a most beloved mother. I was to have my exhibition last year when I lost my elder brother Soibi, the Head Boy at FGC Warri. I could not do anything but here I am now.

I do not know how prepared I am. I am taking a leap of faith to just go ahead and do it with 40 design types and 250 made wears.”

Akpana recollects her early days learning how to sew was primarily for healing after her mother’s demise, but it became a business at some point.

Ak Akpana

She explains: “When I started sewing, it was not something I could do for too long. I can sew, but it is not something I enjoy doing. I prefer the design, not to cut and sew. I hardly start sewing and complete it. Therefore, I employ tailors.”

Her argument for modelling and exhibitions: “Rather than hang the wears for people to admire, why not have models wear them and display what these design types look like?” She insists there is beauty in simplicity and for this exhibition, there would be some spices and catwalks. There will be music and dancing for the old school,” she informs her anticipated audience, with DJ Shegsy ruling the air waves.

She explains further her philosophical mindset to designs: “I like simple things that challenge your thought processes. I do not like things that are overly complicated. For the exhibition, I will have things for men like my Etubo native dress and Ankara trousers. I still do my bits and pieces such as digital assets, crypto coins and the like.

I can sit here for 24 hours, and your money, your investment is doing its work while I sit back watching my phone; I do not do speculative trading; I buy low, when the price goes high, I sell. I just need to watch my phone and see what is going on in the market.

“So, moving around and having something to do, that is why this clothes thing comes to complement me. I need to get up and go to the tailor in Yaba, go to the tailor in Obalende. I need to have that balance. To raise such a collection, I do not think it is a two, three months affair. I have spent time in doing this; tailors in Nigeria are like every other worker in the country. I have even had a tailor telling me that my taste is extremely high when I pointed out he used black thread instead of orange. Why didn’t you use orange? If you wantthe thread, I can buy it for you rather than tell me

Akpana is picking her designer’s art after a long journey RI GLVFRYHU\ +HU ODWH EURWKHU 6RLEL DQ RII WKH FXUYH ÀQH DUWLVW PXVW KDYH LQÁXHQFHG KHU MXVW E\ DGPLULQJ DQG observing his works. Deep down, like Giano Versaci and Saab, she is naturally endowed with talent as a naturally born designer, socialite, and businesswoman

my taste is too high, I added. That is the reason I feel the need to go into these things to address these imperfections because when you walk into a shop in the UK where measurements were not taken before the clothes were cut and sewn, they fit in very well whatever the size.

“Here in Nigeria, measurements are made in between your arm pits, inside your neck and between your thighs, yet the cloth or dress would be adjusted ten times. They are not patient; they do not learn the work properly; most of them do not go to fashion schools; they refuse to cut with patterns; they use their heads to cut. If you notice what the tailor is measuring for a customer, he does it without writing and when you query why, you will be assured he will remember. That is where the mistakes and carelessness begin; they are just lazy.

There is also the: you can manage it mentality and there is nothing wrong with it. I want to take out that; why must someone manage a badly finished job, why can this product not be as good as the shop where a finished product is sold outside our shores in Britain for instance.

“That is another challenge for me, and I am trying to get there; its exceedingly difficult but I am trying to get there; I end up correcting them, adjusting one thing four, five times until you get what you want; it is difficult.

“I have had to condemn a lot of clothes and materials, converting the waste and recovering some useful materials in the process to recreate an existing concept.”

Who among these top global icons drives Akpana’s creative afflatus? Donatella, Gianni Versace, Tom Ford, Christian Dior Coco Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Raph Lauren? Surprisingly, Elie Saab the Lebanese fashion designer is the global fashion icon on her radar. Saab does not come in the top 10 bracket of fashion designers recognised worldwide and reproduced above. Does Akpana have any commonality flowing in her with Saab? Maybe; just maybe. Listen to a report on Saab from Vogue: “Apart from a single year spent at a fashion school in Paris, Saab is self-taught like Akpana.

Akpana is picking her designer’s art after a long journey of discovery. Her late brother Soibi, an off the curve fine artist, must have influenced her just by admiring and observing his works. Deep down, like Giano Versaci and Saab, she is naturally endowed with talent as a naturally born designer, socialite, and businesswoman.

Read full interview online - www.thisdaylive.com

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Last Week Friday’ Incorrect

“A

RMED 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).”

“I stood up, took another coin out of my pocket and put it near my half–empty (half–full) beer glass.” Special note: in editorial English, we say or write: half clothed/half covered/ half-dressed/half clad (‘clad’ is obsolete as a participle) naked or bare to the waist or clothed from the waist down or naked/bare, or fully dressed: half-full (not half-empty); semi-literate/ half or sub-literate/half lettered (not semi illiterate); half sighted (not half blind); half alive (not half dead); employment problem or unemployment (not unemployment problem).

Unlike other intellectual leaders of Nigerian progressive movement, such as Professors Ikenna Nzimiro, Eskor Toyo, Akin Oyebode, G.G. Darah, Doctors Edwin Madunagu, Ola Oni, Segun Osoba, O. Onoge, Bala Usman, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye is not an “academician” (academic) in a formal sense. Special note: ‘an academician’ is not synonymous with ‘an academic’ just as ‘presently’ is not synonymous with ‘at present.’ ‘Presently’ always means SOON and ‘at present’ always means NOW. Another note: an academician is somebody who works in or is a member of an academy—for instance, the Nigerian Defence Academy, the French Academy or the Russian Academy. It does not mean the same thing as a university don/guru/intellectual or scholar—such a person is called an academic. Its plural is academics.

The PUNCH of November 9 blundered: “Police deploys (deploy) 19,000 officers for games” Next on the itinerary is Rutam House. THE Guardian of November 7 from its window to the

inside pages misprinted both editorial and advertorial entries to the point that this columnist lost count: “Let it be a time to re-examine our consciences and tell ourselves (one another) the truth.”

“Between 180,000 to 200,000 barrels of crude oil….” The worsening crude oil theft: Between…and—not ‘to.’

“How skill acquisition, entrepreneurship impacts (impact on/upon) national development” “Poor budget implementation: A drawback on (of/to) national development” “Notice of court ordered meeting of FCMB PLC. (This full stop is useless here)” And this: court-ordered meeting….

Still on THE GUARDIAN: “Non DStv (NonDStv) subscribers get 3 months (months’) free subscription with every devices (device) purchased.” Which agency wrote this poor copy?

“In our pursuit of better ways to make our renown (renowned) products available to more Nigerians….” (Half-page advertisement by CWAY Food and Beverages Limited) ‘Renown’ is a noun—it is its adjectival form that is required here. An example: Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has won international renown as a prudent leader.

“Public analysts to begin post market (post-market) surveillance” “Samsung Smart Care: Africa’s first 24 month (24-month) warranty” ROSABEL Leo Burnet take note. “Minister decries Nigerians (Nigerians’) low participation in ICT” “APC’s dangerous precedence” (THISDAY, November 3) For the editor’s attention: precedent.

From the archives because of its contemporariness: “The family of…announces with deep sorrow but gratitude to Almighty God the death of our son…following a ghastly road accident….”

My sympathies quite all right, but the English language cannot die: a fatal (not ghastly) vehicular accident. And for the second time round, ‘sorrow

but gratitude to Almighty God’ cannot—and will never as long as there are seed time and harvest time—co-function in any circumstance.

What is amiss with our spirituality? Our God does not inhabit in sorrowful environments.

So, as His children, let us give thanks to Him in all situations. He knows best why tragedies befall us. Even in the face of fatalities, write obituaries or related issues with cheerfulness/ joy/happiness/satisfaction/angelic punctuation/ heavenly intervention…and (not but) gratitude to God, we….Sounds eschatological? Reactions are welcome to this lexico-spiritual intellectualization of Christianity. I insist that this is a contradictory and blasphemous obituary!

Latest reaction to the above entry from Mr. Eniola Bello, the Managing Director of ThisDay Newspapers: “Deep sorrow and gratitude… may appear contradictory but I see no reason why they cannot co-function. You cannot take language use from its cultural and religious environment. The contentious phrase has nothing to do with where God inhabits. It is more about the impact of a tragedy and the acceptance of the unchangeable. Where on earth will anybody announce the death of a loved one with joy? The sorrow is for the loss; the gratitude for the life lived and in keeping with God’s commandment to give thanks in good or bad times. There is no reason why both cannot go together. I say it’s paradoxical.” Dear reader, you are welcome to the debate!

“Adamawa PDP support (supports) dissolution of exco” “Is it odd when a lady ties the nuptial with a younger dude?” Digest: nuptial (adjective); nuptials (noun) which applies here.

“Fast food donates relief materials to Bayelsa Flood victims” Impossible! Get it right: Fast food company/outlet/centre/enterprise/organization/establishment/institution donates….

“Armed robbery: How equipped is (are) the Nigeria Police?”

2023 Interrogatories: Their Battle with Corruption

C

orruption…perhaps the most abused word in Nigeria….yet the most discountenanced despite its pernicious and devastating effects on the lives and futures of our people. Understandably, not all the presidential contestants are fond of dwelling on this red-herring issue, for obvious reasons - whether real or imagined. Part of which explains why there is not enough data or comments made by two of the leading combatants - the same who have been struggling through the years to fend off toga of alleged corrupt practices which their traducers have been slinging at them.

If you dig slightly deep enough as a supporter or an antagonist of any one of the candidates, youwillseesomegraymatterdisturbingenough to throw at all the three - with varying degrees of splash and gore.

So what does Atiku Abubakar offer us on the matter of corruption, based on what is in the cyberspace that is attributed directly to him? Not much…but a fairly long anecdote shared by The Punch of 16 October, 2022 makes an interesting reading: “The issue of corruptionismulti-dimensional.Whenwecame into office (1999) we had evidence from the investigative bodies of the list of people who stole money and where the money had been kept. So I went to Mr President and I said if we say we are going to prosecute all these people, we will spend the next 10 years until we leave office, we will not be able to jail them, we will not get the money.

“So, he said, ‘what do you propose?’ Then I proposed we set up a panel, to call each and everyone of them confidentially. Then he set up a panel, he made me the chairman, (and) made the attorney general a member.

“We started calling them one by one, and say we have evidence you have stolen money and this is where the money is, return the money and we give you two or five per cent and within a few months we collected $2.8bn.

“Since then no government has been able to recover stolen money and some of the people

that recovered (sic) money have even returnedtoNigeria,contestedelections, theywereintheNationalAssembly,they are governors and so on and so forth.

“This is one way you can deal with corruption. Another way you can deal with corruption is to make sure that the loopholes that allow public officers to be corrupt are blocked; the loopholes that are in our systems should not allow public officers to steal money. You cannot sit down as head of state and you don’t know what your ministers are doing, what your directors are doing, you don’t know what anybody is doing, it’s not possible. Anyway, not with Atiku, maybe with somebody else.”

Would you mind having someone who knows where all the corpses are buried as your president? A strand of narrative the Abubakar strategy team should work on and through.

Currently being buffeted on all sides with sundry allegations of matters clearly unpresidential in nature, Bola Ahmed Tinubu battles on. His take on handlingcorruptionissomehowcouched in “politicine” (important sounding cliches which are shop worn). If Atiku was frugal with promises, Tinubu appears even more taciturn, preferring abstracts to brass tacks. Read his lips: “We will continue the work of the current administration in reforming the civil service to fight corruption, reduce bureaucracy, streamline agencies and decrease inefficiency and waste.” (Daily Post - 21 October, 2022) He then nimbles across a field of banana peels with uncommon flourish: “It is a consensus among our citizens that the socio-economic challenges we are facedwithasacountryaredeeplyrooted inthemenaceofcorruption…Weshould not, and we will not give up in the effort to rid our country of this menace. My administration will support the existing anti-corruptioninstitutionsandaddress

underlying issues that make corruption thrive.”

(PremiumTimes, 28 October, 2022). And thus ends the soliloquies of Brother Tinubu.

Like a pantomime conductor adept at stroking the ensemble into alternate levels of exultation, Peter Obi finds the next octave that whips citizens who have been malnourished by corruption into frenzy. Here is one of his recent tweets (14 November, 2022): “To have corruption eat so deeply into the fabric of our public life, such that over 80% of our common wealth is devoured by a small minority, while most of our people are left to scrounge and scavenge for a living is totally unacceptable.”

And during a weekend in Oxford University (as reported by BusinessDay of 8 October, 2022), Obi chimed: “...it is no secret that corruption has been endemic and one of the biggest obstacles to our economic progress in Nigeria.

Wearenotproudofthis,andmyadministration, when we come in, will tackle this challenge head on. We will have zero tolerance for corruption.

You can expect a sledgehammer approach.”

Impassioned by what his admirers believe is a deep-seated angst against the sustained failure and criminal ineptitude of the Nigerian political class, Obi sinks his teeth deep into the malaise of corruption. Here is more: “We will have zero tolerance for corruption; block leakages and cut the cost of governance.

Our total commitment to transparency and accountability in government business is the only credible way to achieve limited to zero corruption.” (See The Independent - 14 November, 2022) Then he pulls out his favourite calling card, like a premier league player showboating at the tail end of a good team outing. The Sun of 26 April, 2022 quotes him - while a PDP aspirant one month before he switched to Labour Party: “Fighting corruption is easy. If you, the principal, are not stealing, your wife is not stealing, your family is not stealing, you will reduce corruption by 70 per cent.

“Let people come and show you where Anambra money is missing. I couldn’t have left over N75 billion when I can steal it. I told my family that they should not come. No piece of

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“The fast growing (fast-growing) food organization also appealed to….”

Going back to yesteryear: “Aborted Arik Air crash, NCAA assures Nigerians of safety” I hope some journalists would not write themselves into trouble: the crash was averted, not aborted!

Except if there was a plan (conception) to crash a plane belonging to Arik Air which was later aborted—a most unlikely development!

“Energy: PHCN launches energy saving bulbs” Is this ignorance or carelessness? Energy-saving bulbs Wrong: I am yet to see the man; Right: I have yet to see the man. “Followership” (Followers); “Till now” (Up until now); “Vandalization” (Vandalism)—this paragraph was contributed by 08055216398.

“Non oil exporters task govt on favourable policies” Communication is serious business: Non-oil exporters….

“Stakeholders call for integrated policy in aviation the sector” Just yank away the article (the).

Finally from Nigerian Pilot under our purview: “Four die as shopping mall collapse (collapses)” This is hoping that the Nigerian Pilot does not crash-land at the rate it is going!

“We most certainly have not heard the last about the governor’s convoy crash and the woes and blood it left in (on) its trail.” “…the huge confidence reposed on (in) them by the populace.”

“They are the products of what some people did or did not do over a period of time but whose climatic effect culminated into (in a) catastrophe.”

“But, while the former governor may have been a rebel among the army of Jonathan’s political faithfuls.…” Sylva—a rebel without a strategy: political faithful (not faithfuls).

“He stuck to his gun (guns) and propped himself up as one of the candidates in the election.”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08033622806- (SMS Only)

land was given to anybody. You have Innoson motors today because I supported him. I went to his company and I paid for 1,000 vehicles all front (sic).”

One is not sure though if this rhetoric can be repeated today with equal casualness. But Obi is not spent…here is more, as captured by TheCable of 6 October, 2022: “The policies required to fight corruption already exist; it is the political will to implement them that has been lacking. My governance modalities have always been forward looking and will remain so.

“We will negotiate the return of our stolen national wealth from the custodial countries.

There are two elements of subsidy - the corruption component and the real subsidy component. The oil subsidy arrangement as it stands is fraught with criminality.

“It is unacceptable. For the corruption, we will deal with decisively, which will reduce the subsidy cost by over 50%. There will be weighted measures and counter-balance policies and programmes to cushion the impact of the removal of oil subsidy, if and when it is removed.

“The difference is that now, only some sacred and self-entitled few benefit from the oil subsidy. That narrative will change.

We will support local refining for domestic use and priced strictly in Naira. Starting with all government vehicles, we will transition to gas powered cars.”

The problem here is this: who is the least conflicted by the bogey of corruption allegations swirling around their characters to make lofty promises of anti corruption devices work?

And who is most chuffed to prove naysayers wrong? As we often say, the answer is in the winds of 2023.

GLOBAL SOCCER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Osayi-Samuel celebrating one of his three goals this season

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Finally, A Super Eagle Though he was born in Nigeria but moved to England at nine; playing for Nigeria has always been his dream as he is also qualified to represent England by naturalisation. After waiting endlessly for a call-up from the country of his parents, his hope started blanking. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s patience eventually paid off after he was invited for the Super Eagles friendly against Portugal

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right Osayi-Samuel’s form had not gone unnoticed by the egg heads of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and expectation of a Super Eagles’ call-upwashighduringtheNigeria’s failed World Cup campaign but it was not to be. The Okija-born player’s direction was eventually looked at for the friendly against Portugal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday.

The 24-year-old could not hide his excitement at first national team call-up, and he has expressed readiness to add his quota to make the team stronger.

“I’m delighted to be here,” Osayi-Samuel told NFF TV. “I’ve always said that I’ve always wanted to play for my country so I’m happy to have gotten the opportunity to show what I’m all about.

“I want to do my best, show what I’m capable of, bring my quality into the team and make the team stronger.”

The Okija-born defender has spent a huge chunk of his life abroad, but he is enthusiastic about playing for Nigeria Osayi-Samuel was born in Nigeria, but he left the country when he was nine years old.

The 24-year-old versatile player had stints at Blackpool and Queen Park Rangers before joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 2021.

The Okija-born star has made waves in Turkey since his move. Osayi-Samuel has registered three goals and nine assists in 83 appearances, and he has been a stalwart at right-back.

In fact, the former QPR man’s value has

risen from a paltry €500,000 to €9million in almost two years.

Osayi-Samuel’s brilliance did not go unnoticed, as he was rewarded with a maiden call-up to the Super Eagles ahead of the international friendly game against Portugal.

The 24-year-old has revealed how Jose Peseiro persuaded him to play for Nigeria.

“I’m delighted to be here, I’ve always said I would like to play for my country and I’m happy to get the opportunity to show what I’m all about,” he said on NFF TV. “My invitation to the Super Eagles, I knew about it like a month or two months ago, the coach (Jose Peseiro) called my coach because they knew each other and said he wants to know if I’m interested to play for Nigeria.

“And by the time he asked me I already knew my answer, I’m Nigerian and I’m proud being a Nigerian when the opportunity came to play for the country I’m in.

Osayi-Samuel started his professional career with Blackpool in 2015. He also played for Queens Park Rangers in England before joining Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Lig in 2021.

The versatile full-back who can also play as a midfielder has made 21 appearances for Fenerbahçe in all competitions this season.

Osayi-Samuel left English football to join Turkish side Fenerbahce in 2021 for just €560,000.

That move has yielded results for the rightfooted midfielder-turn-defender, as he has grown in leaps and bounds since he moved to the Super Lig. In his two-year stay in Turkey, OsayiSamuel has played 82 games for Fenerbahce,

scoring two goals and nicking three assists.

His value has risen astronomically in the last two years from just over €500,000 to €9million as per transfermarkt.

Osayi-Samuel started his career as a midfielder but at Fenerbahce, he usually features as a right-back or a right wing-back.

The former QPR man is endowed with pace, hitting peak speeds of 29km/h.

Osayi-Samuel also has quick feet and great ball control.

He has excelled this season, and the interest from big clubs in England hasn’t gone away.

Premier League sides remain keen, and The Athletic understands that although the plan is for him to stay in Turkey this year, a move is certainly possible if the right offer arrives in the summer. If that doesn’t happen, it would be a surprise if he was still there at the end of next season.

His excellent form might not be a shock to anyone who watched him in England but it might be more of a surprise to learn he has turned himself into one of the Super Lig’s leading right-backs.

A winger by trade, Osayi-Samuel broadly played in his natural position last season, but when Vitor Pereira arrived last summer, the Portuguese manager switched formation to a rough 3-4-3 and needed a right wing-back.

“That’s not usually my position,” OsayiSamuel says. “I’ve been an out-and-out winger. He wanted me to come back as a full-back when we didn’t have the ball. He started teaching me the basics of defending, and from there I started playing as a wingback.”

“There are times when I’m dropping back

and I can see the wingers have chances to score, and I’m like, ‘I want to be there’. But I still enjoy it. I’m still learning every day.

“There are obviously places where I have to think a bit more about what I’m doing. I still try to be the same — I try to be confident on the ball, and sometimes I do take risks.

Sometimes I try things I’m not supposed to, and if it comes off then nobody complains but if it doesn’t… well, that’s the job of a footballer — it’s about taking risks.”

“I always think if you can play in different positions it shows how versatile you are.

I don’t have any complaints playing fullback.”

For now, though, improvement is the goal.

Improvement, and winning Fenerbahce’s first championship since 2014. That might not sound like a massive barren spell, but it’s their longest gap without a title since the Super Lig was formed in 1959.

“The biggest thing to achieve here is winning a title. The atmosphere and the fans have been great so far, but I know if we were to win a title it would be 10 times this. This club never forgets players who come here and work hard for the shirt, so to be part of that would be a great achievement.”

Osayi-Samuel was the only shinning light in Nigeria’s 4-0 drubbing by Portugal on Thursday night and even gave the penalty that could have brought the Super Eagles back into the game, with scores at 2-0 then but Emmanuel Dennis missed the spot kick.

With the kind of performance, the 24-yearold put up against Portugal his future with the three-time African champions is almost guaranteed.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . . Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . . Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . . Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . .

Mbappe, Messi, Neymar, De Bruyne Set to Liven up Qatar With the 2022 World Cup set to kick off tomorrow, the planet’s greatest players are already warming up to sparkle in Qatar. The big names will no doubt draw the attention of a huge worldwide audience as some legends of the game make their final bow and hand over to the new breed of talent at the 22nd World Cup. Below is a parade of stars to watch out for

Pedri

Lionel Messi

Mbappe

Opening Fixtures NOV. Qatar v NOV. Senegal v USA v NOV. Argentina v Mexico v Denmark v France v NOV. Germany v Spain v Morocco v Belgium v NOV. Switzerland v Brazil v Uruguay v Portugal v NOV. Qatar v Netherlands v Wales v England v NOV. Poland v Argentina v Tunisia v France v

20-11 Ecuador 21-11 Netherlands Wales 22-11 S’Arabia Poland Tunisia Australia 23-11 Japan Costa Rica Croatia Canada 24-11 Cameroon Serbia South Korea Ghana 25-11 Senegal Ecuador Iran USA 26-11 S’Arabia Mexico Australia Denmark

GROUP STAGE TABLES Group A Team Qatar Ecuador Senegal Netherlands

P W D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group B Team England Iran USA Wales

P W D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group C Kevin De Bruyne

Bellingham

Pedri

KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRANCE)

PEDRI (SPAIN) The Barcelona midfielder may still only be 19 but he has already been hailed a generational talent and his club manager Xavi describes him as a “superlative footballer”.

The Spain team he is playing in is not at the same level as the one his mentor pulled the strings in but that will not faze Pedri, who was named Young Player of Euro 2020 last year.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI (POLAND) Lewandowski has long been the world’s premier number nine and his move to Barcelona in the twilight of his career has far from dulled his instincts.

The difficulty for him - and Poland - is harnessing his talent to that of his international team-mates to be more effective in tournament football.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE (BELGIUM) The Manchester City playmaker is the kingpin of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ but this too could be the last time for him to deliver with this group.

De Bruyne has been immaculate and inspirational for his club for several seasons, who have benefited hugely from his passing ability and vision, and having helped Belgium to third in 2018 he will be key to them going further.

FRANCK KESSIE (IVORY COAST) Franck Kessie is an Ivorian player. He plays for both Ivory Coast and Spanish La Liga Club. Kessie is a native of Ouragahio.

In 2010 he started playing for Stella Club d’Adjamé where he joined the youth division. Kessie also participated in FIFA under 17 World Cup in the year 2013. He also played in the Toulson Tournament in 2015 representing Ivory Coast.

JOSHUA KIMMICH (GERMANY) The Bayern Munich midfielder has proved his versatility at the highest level, filling in at right-back when required, but his real talent is centrally where he dictates the play, sets the tempo and organises the team.

Inspired by former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, the 27-year-old’s progressive passing is a significant component in Germany’s tactics.

THOMAS PARTEY (GHANA) Thomas Partey is a football player from Ghana. He plays for both Ghana and Arsenal as a midfield. He started his professional career in 2013. In 2018 he won the UEFA Super Cup. In 2020, he also became one of the most expensive players in Ghana when he joined Arsenal at a whopping amount of €50 million.

JUDE BELLINGHAM (ENGLAND) Already touted as the most sought-after midfielder of next summer’s transfer window - Real Madrid and Liverpool have been heavily linked - Bellingham has shown in a number of performances for his club (Borussia Dortmund) and country this season that he has all the attributes to be able to slot into an elite side.

The nature of England’s tactics means there will be a huge emphasis on Bellingham as the midfield creator.

ACHRAF HAKIMI (MOROCCO) Professional footballer, Hakimi, who was born in Spain to Moroccan parents, has represented his country at various levels. He made his international debut at the age of 17 in the year 2016. He had also earned a spot on the under 20 national youth team. He was also selected for the Moroccan team competing in the 2019 and 2021 African cup and also FIFA 2018 World Cup. He is an amazing defender and has been one of the best players for French teams.

T

he 23-year-old is one of the favourites - if not the favourite - to win the Golden Boot as he seeks to enhance his position as football’s latest poster boy having been named best young player in Russia four years ago.

The Paris St Germain forward is averaging a goal every other game for France and will spearhead the 2018 winners’ defence of their title having been prolific for the French team this season.

LIONEL MESSI (ARGENTINA) It appears the world has been waiting for Lionel Messi to really light up a tournament and deliver on the biggest stage from the moment he made his debut in 2006.

Now at the age of 35 this looks likely to be his last hurrah with Argentina and while his career appears to be winding down at PSG he is still capable of brilliance.

NEYMAR (BRAZIL) Another player who carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders at the age of 30; this also appears to be prime time for the forward.

The Brazilian missed their semi-final in his homeland in 2014 through injury and was eliminated in the last eight four years ago so will feel he has unfinished business despite six goals in 10 World Cup appearances.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK (HOLLAND) Amazingly the Holland captain is playing in his first major tournament, having missed Euro 2020 through injury and the previous World Cup due to his country’s failure to qualify.

Van Dijk’s leadership and defensive capabilities make the Dutch more resilient and provide security for the more attacking players.

Team Argentina S’Arabia Mexico Poland

P W D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group D Team France Australia Denmark Tunisia

P W D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group E Team Spain Costa Rica Germany Japan

P W D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group F Team Belgium Canada Morocco Croatia

P W D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group G Team P W D Brazil 0 0 0 Serbia 0 0 0 Switzerland 0 0 0 Cameroon 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group H Team Portugal Ghana Uruguay S’Korea

P W D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L GD Pts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

L-R: Ex Nigerian international, Mutiu Adepoju; Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku; Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Special Duties, Mobolaji Ogunlende; Senior Brand Manager, Life Continental Lager Beer, Aishat Anaekwe; ex-International, Julius Aghahowa; Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lagers, NB, Ita Bassey; NFF Media Officer, Ademola Olajire

Nigerian Breweries Supports National Teams with Goldberg, Life Nigerian Breweries Plc once again deepened its long-standing partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday, November 17, 2022, with the announcement of Goldberg Premium Lager Beer and Life Continental Lager Beer, as “The Official Beer of the Super Eagles.”

The announcement comes as the brewing giant reaffirmed its commitment to refreshing football fans and providing world-class football experiences.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mobolaji Ogunlende commended Nigerian Breweries for their continuous commitment to the beautiful game of football especially locally and at the grassroots level.

“It is commendable that Nigerian Breweries is dedicated not just at the international scene but also show great commitment and support to repositioning football at the local level.

“It is no surprise that this time, they are entering the space with two iconic brands,” he said.

“Nigerian Breweries has chosen to deepen their love for the game as well as the Super Eagles at a time when we are all dedicated to the mission of repositioning our national teams for local and global excellence while building a sustainable football culture for the country,” Hon. Mobolaji added.

“Goldberg and Life lager beers are set to transform the football experience in Nigeria,” said Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lagers, Nigerian Breweries, Ita Bassey. “This announcement today will extend beyond the game. It allows us to strengthen our bond with consumers and football fans through our shared values. These two brands share values with the game of football and its fans; values such as teamwork, hard work, perseverance, and progress.

“With these two brands, we have the unique opportunity to engage and excite Nigerians using various football assets. It also demonstrates our continued commitment to football in Nigeria at all levels, especially grass root and community football,

as well as our support for the communities in which we operate,” Ita Bassey said.

Also commenting, Senior Brand Manager, Life Continental Lager Beer, Aishat Anaekwe, said “We are very excited about the partnership between Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). With this partnership we hope to continue celebrating the true Nigerian spirit fuelled by our shared values of brotherhood, culture and progress”.

On his part, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg Olaoluwa Babalola, assured that Goldberg would continue to live up to its ethos of celebrating hard work and enjoyment.

“We are proud of our partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). We will continue to push the enjoyment of the beautiful game of football across all levels and will give our fans and consumers the platform and avenue to share their passion for the game as they enjoy football with a cold bottle or can of Goldberg lager beer,” Olaoluwa remarked.

Winners Emerge in Gino LCC Tennis Championship Destiny Da-Silva, Deji Oguntoye, Nimota Omope and Peter Mgbeahuru were among the big winners as the 2022 Gino Lagos Country Club Tennis came to an exciting end at the weekend.

Competing for the top prize with his nearest rival Idemudia Ujiagbe in the newly-created Men’s A+ category, Da-Silva was clinical in his approach winning in straight sets of 6-3, 6-4.

In the Men’s A, Oguntoye edged Victor Ogbeide 6-7, 6-4, 2-2 (rtd) as Deji Oshikoya defeated Sunny Igboanugo for

the Men’s B title.

In the women’s singles, Omope defeated Eniola DeleOshiga while Mgbeahuru fend off the challenge of Samuel Ojo to clinch the Veterans’ version.

Idemudia paired his junior sibling Ehi to win the Men’s doubles crown by defeating Jide Feso and Charles Aghadiuno just as Omope partners Ngufan Ujoh to rule the women’s doubles.

Brand Manager Gino, Foluke Femisanda expressed delight at the tournament promising that GB Foods, the parent company

of Gino, is committed to enhance friendship and promote unity through sponsorship of the programme.

Tennis Section Chairman, Babatunde Fashanu (SAN) thanked the sponsors for their commitment.

“Featuring seven categories in the very first edition speaks volume of Gino’s commitment to this tournament. The tennis section of the Lagos Country Club is grateful to have you on board as one of the sponsors of our events,” Fashanu stated.

20 Teams Set for Legacy Volleyball Championship in Lagos The Legacy Volleyball Championship scheduled to hold from 18th-24th, November 2022, will feature 20 teams in both male and female categories.

The 6th edition of the event will parade nothing less than 20 teams in the men’s and women’s events jostling for the coveted prizes at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Volleyball Court and National Stadium, Indoor Sports Hall, Surulere, Lagos.

Among the participating teams in the male category are: Legacy-Lagos; Lekki-Lagos; Logistic-Lagos; Strike Force-Lagos; Offey-Ondo; Ajase-Ipo- Kwara; Komo -Ibadan; Olalomi-Kwara; Nile- Abuja; Kwara United-Kwara and Offa -Kwara.

Legacy-Lagos; Lekki -Lagos; Elite- Lagos; Voltron - Lagos; Logistic - Lagos; Strike Force- Lagos; Dynamic-

Abuja; Golden- Anambra and Offa from Kwara State are the teams in the female event.

A million naira has been earmarked for the winners in different categories while the first and second runners-up will go home with 500,000 and 300,000 respectively.

Prizes also await Best Spiker, Most Valuable Player and bestbehaved team in the event spanning for 7-day.

Man Utd Explore Legal Action to Force Ronaldo ‘s Exit Manchester United are exploring their legal options as they look to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at the club.

It is accepted at United that Ronaldo cannot play for manager Erik ten Hag again following his fierce criticism of the Dutchman in his TalkTV interview.

He has just over seven months remaining on his

£500,000-a-week contract.

United could terminate the Portuguese forward’s contract, which would leave him free to sign for another club when the transfer window opens in January.

It is understood they are loath to offer the 37-year-old any kind of pay-off given how strongly they feel about the situation.

The club want the matter

dealt with quickly to avoid it spilling over into the second half of the season.

In his interview, Ronaldo said he felt “betrayed by the club” and stated he had “no respect” for Ten Hag, adding he felt he was being forced out of the club.

United responded on Friday with a statement to say they have “initiated appropriate steps” in response.

The duo of Nigerian descent, Jamal Musiala and Karim Adeyemi would be starring for Germany in Qatar

Players of Nigerian Descent Set to Light up the World Cup in Qatar When the 2022 World Cup kicks off in Qatar on tomorrow, Nigeria’s flag will not be hoisted in the Asian country, but several Nigerian names will be on parade at the Mundial in the colours of other competing Nations. Interestingly too, MultiChoice has finalised plans to ensure that viewers can watch all the 64 matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup live and in high definition on both DStv and GOtv. Not only will they be able to watch all the matches, for the first time, MultiChoice will be broadcasting the matches in local languages such as Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and pidgin English Nigeria soccer fans were hoping for a fourth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and when the Super Eagles drew the Black Stars of Ghana in the first leg of the last qualifier match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi, hope of a Mundial appearance had reached its crescendo but it was not to be as the Ghanaians had other ideas.

The Black Stars marshalled

by Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey pulled a 1-1 draw in the second leg encounter at the National Stadium, Abuja, to qualify on goal aggregate to end the Super Eagles dream of joining the Qatar party.

Most Nigerians may not yet have felt the impact of not qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, until when the world football showpiece kicks off at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, on tomorrow.

Nigerians can however take consolation in the fact that several players of Nigerian descent will be on parade when the Mundial begins.

As the Three Lions of England would be hoping to better their semi-final feat at the last edition of the Mundial in Russia four years ago, one of the players they will be counting on is Bukayo Saka. The 21-year-old, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, was eligible to play for the Super Eagles but chose the Three Lions instead.

He has since made 22 appearances for Gareth Southgate’s side, scoring four goals in the process since making his debut in 2020. He scored thrice during the qualification to Qatar. Under Mikel Arteta’s tutelage, the Arsenal youngster burst onto the scene two seasons ago and has grown to be one of the Gunners’ key players. He is expected to extend his fine form at Arsenal to the national team aiming to go further than their semi-final finish four years ago.

Another player with Nigerian roots that will be starring in Qatar is Manuel Akanji, who will be

flying the flag of Switzerland. The 27-year-old was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland, to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother, but has chosen to represent the Red Crosses.

The Manchester City defender is not a stranger to the world’s biggest football competition as he was in Russia four years ago.

He has represented the European country 42 times. Akanji was heavily touted to represent Nigeria before pitching his tent with his the country of his birth.

Aside from Akanji, the Swiss national team will be represented at the World Cup by another player of Nigerian descent. Like Akanji, Noah Okafor was born to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother. The Binningen-born 22-year-old forward represented Switzerland at every youth level before making his senior debut in 2019.

Another country that would be parading two players of Nigerian descent is Germany with Jamal Musiala and Karim Adeyemi in their fold.

Musiala was born to a BritishNigerian father in Stuttgart and has a German mother. He moved to England at seven and has featured for the English U-17 side but also made the decision to play for his mother’s nation at the senior level instead of Nigeria.

One-time Nigeria manager, Gernot Rohr had attempted to convince the 19-year-old to play for the Super Eagles in 2020, but Musiala turned down his offer, choosing the Mannschaft instead. He made his debut for the Europeans in March 2021 and has since then played 16 more games for the side with one goal to his credit. Hansi Flick will be banking on the youth sensation to help the Germans win their first World Cup after 2014.

Just like Musiala, the German team will be fielding 20-year-old Adeyemi after Flick listed him in the squad for the quadrennial competition. Adeyemi was born to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother in the German city of Munich. Having played

for the European nation at all age-grade levels, he made his senior team debut in a World Cup qualification against Armenia on September 5, 2021.

The forward, who plays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, joined the German side in May 2022. Before then, the striker scored 19 times for Red Bull Salzburg in the 2021-2022 campaign. Since switching to Germany, he has played four times for the side.

Two players with Nigerian roots- Ike Ugbo and Samuel Adekugbe made the cut for the Canadian national team.

Ugbo, who plays for Ligue 1 team Troyes was born in London to Nigerian parents but the family moved to Canada when he was around five. The 24-year-old forward was eligible to represent the three nations, but he committed his future to Canada.

The former Chelsea youth player then made his debut for the North Americans in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica on November 12. Overall, he has played eight times for the Reds since then.

Adekugbe was born in England to Nigerian parents and the 27-year-old defender’s family later moved to Canada and the player who features for Turkish Super Lig club Hatayspor is on the plane to the Middle East nation hoping to make an impact with Canada.

Interestingly, these players of Nigerian descent are no strangers to soccer loving Nigerians courtesy of MultiChoice that has been consistently airing live matches of the 2022/23 season to the homes of viewers. Nigerians have had the rare opportunity of watching their Super Eagles stars taking Europe by storm every week courtesy of MultiChoice.

In Italy, where Victor Osimhen has been soldiering Napoli’s quest for a first Scudetto in 42 years, Ademola Lookman on his part has scored in three consecutive Serie A matches for Atalanta in their pursuit for a Champions League spot.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Ike Ugbo Dumps Nigeria for Canada Ike Ugbo

While Super Eagles players would be watching the World Cup outside Qatar, Ike Ugbo would be putting on the colours of Canada despite earlier declaring his intentions to star for Nigeria. He however gives reasons for making a U-turn

I

ke Ugbo recently revealed the reason he chose to commit his international career to Canada ahead of Nigeria, saying he felt unwanted by Nigeria as neither the NFF nor erstwhile senior national head Coach, Gernot Rohr reached out to him.

Ugbo had played for the England’s U17 in 2020 and had begun the process of switching eligibility to Nigeria.

In late 2020, Ugbo started the process of filing a one-time change of association from England to Nigeria which was necessary as he previously played competitive matches for England U17 national team.

He publicly stated that he would represent the Super Eagles and the chance to play at the 2022 World Cup was one of the driving factors.

In addition, Ugbo felt more connected to Nigeria than France and England because many of his friends are Nigerians and the rest have African background.

The Troyes striker revealed that, although he did not grow up in the West African country, he always felt a strong attachment to his Nigerian roots.

‘So it was easier for me to choose Nigeria, even when I did not have my childhood or any significant experience in Nigeria,’ Ugbo explained.

However, the Chelsea academy graduate did not feel wanted and the whole eligibility process was hindered because neither the NFF nor then Super Eagles head Coach, Gernot Rohr reached out.

However, what is uttermost in Ugbo’s mind now is how to do well at the World Cup with Canada.

The time on the clock was creeping into the wee morning hours where he was in Belgium,

but after what Ugbo had just witnessed on TV, he couldn’t sit still.

At BMO Field in Toronto, the Canada men’s team had just come back to beat Panama 4-1 on the sixth matchday of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with an entertaining, fullthrottle approach. Qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1986 began to look like a possibility.

With the sun starting to appear, Ugbo, 24, decided he wanted in on the experience. He fired off a text message to Canada centre-back Doneil Henry – five years Ugbo’s senior, but a familiar face because the two had grown up five minutes apart in Brampton, Ontario.

Ugbo asked Henry how he could get involved in the Canada team. A talented product of the Chelsea academy, Ugbo had bounced around on loan deals, leading to questions about his long-term potential.

Henry posed a question of his own in response to Ugbo’s text: Do you have the right mentality to play on this team?

Ugbo insisted he did, so Henry passed the message over to Canada head coach John Herdman.

Herdman had inquired about Ugbo’s availability to play for Canada early in his tenure as head coach, but was told by Chelsea staff that Ugbo was only interested in representing England after playing for several of their youth national teams.

Still, Ugbo remained eligible to play for Canada. And as a vital forward in an attackminded Canada squad, the World Cup could finally be the time for the AC Troyes man, long considered an outsider in Chelsea’s ranks and whose career has taken winding turns, to deliver on years of promise, and carve out a place for himself.

Born in London, Ugbo moved to Canada with his mother and sisters while still in

preschool. His father remained in the UK to work, but traveled between the two countries often. When his father was with him, he would regale his son with stories of the Nigeria team at the 1994 World Cup, who topped their group.

“When I look back, I can see how much growth Canada has had, and how far Canada has come to where we are today,” said Ugbo.

Ugbo’s goal-scoring put him on the radar of multiple national teams. In September 2021, as Ugbo was beginning to find the back of the net with Genk on a new permanent deal in the Belgian first division, he publicly stated that he would represent Nigeria. The chance to play in the 2022 World Cup was a driving factor.

Quietly, Ugbo still hesitated with his decision. He says now that he never heard from then-Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr throughout the process.

“And,” he added, “I never grew up in Nigeria, either.”

His first conversation with Herdman in October 2021 changed everything. “(Herdman) knew about me from when I was at Chelsea,” Ugbo said. “He knew exactly what I was going through. He spoke to me about the ambitions of Canada and what he’s trying to do and what he’d already done. Already I could see, without him telling me, the direction Canada was going in.”

“He adapted well, right when he came on the team,” said fellow Canada forward Lucas Cavallini. “(Ugbo) always finds himself in the right situations,” said Canada teammate Jonathan David. “When his back is against the goal, he’s very good at holding the ball up, twist-

ing, turning in and finding his way out.”

Ugbo’s next step will be taking on more of a prominent role in the Canada team and extinguishing that outsider tag once and for all.

“I think that can only be established through performance,” Herdman told The Athletic. “(He) would probably walk into another position on the field, but in that forward line with Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies, Cyle Larin, Junior Hoilett and Tajon Buchanan, that’s a tough group to break. So with Ike, it’s about a massive season for Troyes.”

Then there is the matter of tactical flexibility, something Herdman demanded of the 10 forwards he invited to Canada’s September camp. Could Ugbo adapt to a new role, as opposed to a typical goal-front poacher for Canada? Will that be the final step to him earning a start at the World Cup? Ugbo sincerely hopes so.

“The performances in your club team, especially for me, it’s just about goals and assists, making sure I’m performing on a regular basis, no matter the team,” said Ugbo.

He spoke in a more serious tone, before his child-like smile appeared again.

After bouncing around for most of his career, ahead of the World Cup, he’s finally found where he can have the most important impact of his career to date.

“I feel this (Canada’s national team) is where I belong.”

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 ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK 5 Common Signs Your Fuel Pump is Failing Your car’s engine needs a regular stream of fuel to keep it humming along. The fuel pump is a device that moves fuel from your tank to the engine, supplying the fuel at a constant pressure to ensure that your engine runs smoothly.

Depending on the age of your vehicle, you may have either a mechanical or an electronic fuel pump, and, if you’re attentive, you can catch the symptoms of a failing fuel pump and have it repaired or replaced before it leaves you stranded on the side of the road.

2023 Ford Ranger

Coscharis Motors Tickles Ford Customers with Black Friday Deals

F

rontline Nigerian automobile dealership and sole authorized dealer of Ford vehicles in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors Plc, has launched a promo aimed at tickling her existing Ford customers and getting them excited this black Friday season.

The promo titled “Black Friday @ CoscharLV)RUGµ RͿHUV DOO H[LVWLQJ )RUG FXVWRPHUV RͿ OLVWHG VHUYLFH SDUWV DQG ODERXU DW all Coscharis and Quick Lane service centers nationwide.

The Black Friday @ CoscharisFord promo RͿHUV GLVFRXQW RQ VHOHFW )RUG VHUYLFH parts including Poly Filter, Brake Pads, Oil Filter, Air Filter and labour. The promo is open to all Ford customers in Nigeria and it runs from the 15th to the 30th of November, 2022.

2ͿHU LV DYDLODEOH DW DQ\ &RVFKDULV 0RWRUV or Quick Lane service centers, nationwide. $QQRXQFLQJ WKH RͿHU WKH *HQHUDO 0DQDJHU Marketing and Corporate Communications,

Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde said, “Black Friday heralds the Yuletide season, which is a period of traveling for many Nigerians. We are therefore using the occasion of this Black Friday # &RVFKDULV)RUG RͿHU WR GHOLJKW DQG encourage our Ford customers to put their vehicles in good shape before WKH <XOHWLGH WULSV :LWK WKLV RͿHU RXU customers stand to enjoy 20% discount on select service parts as well as 20% discount on labour when they drive their Ford vehicles into any Coscharis service center nationwide for service.”

Commenting on the announcement of the promo, the Executive Director, After-Sales & Special Duties at Coscharis Group, Cosmas Junior Maduka said, “At Coscharis Motors, we believe in delivering value to our customers. It is their trust and loyalty that is sustaining our business, so we are constantly looking for improved

ways to delight them the more. This Black Friday @ CoscharisFord promo is one of the ways we are delivering value to them, by absorbing part of their automobile service costs this season.”

Cosmas Junior Maduka laid emphasis on the fact that the company is ready to accommodate every single Ford customer that is willing to take advantage of the promo. According to him, “with well trained technicians, many of ZKRP DUH )RUG FHUWLÀHG WR KDQGOH YHKLFOHV workshops that are equipped with modern OEM recommended equipments and use of only Ford approved original spare parts for your vehicles.”

7R FODLP WKLV RͿHU FXVWRPHUV DUH WR visit the Coscharis Group website at www. coscharisgroup.net or any Coscharis Motors VRFLDO PHGLD KDQGOH WR ÀOO DQ RQOLQH IRUP and get a promo voucher. The voucher will then be presented at any Coscharis or Quick Lane service center nationwide WR FODLP WKH RͿHU

Yutong CNG Bus Guarantees Return on Investment, Says Kojo Motors

W

ith the pump price of diesel hitting the roof top and cost of petrol creating deep holes in the balance sheet of transport operators and logistics providers, Kojo Motors, owners of Yutong range of buses has said it is providing cost effective alternatives to the motoring public with the planned introduction and exhibition of Yutong passenger buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) at the ongoing Abuja Motorfair holding inside the International Conference Centre annex, Abuja.

The CNG is a natural gas under pressure that remains clear, odourless and non-corrosive.

Although vehicles can use natural gas as either a liquid or a gas, most vehicles use the gaseous form, compressed to about 218 kg/cm2. CNG can be used as an alternative to conventional petrol and diesel fuels.

According to the manufacturers of Yutong, the 10 meter CNG inter- and intra-city compressed natural gas commercial passenger bus is coming into the Nigerian market with numerous advantages.

CNG is about 50 per cent cheaper than petrol.

Under test conditions (no congestion, good road condition). Without air conditioning, when the speed is 24km/h, the 100km gas consumption is 41 cubic meters. At 32 kilometers per hour, the gas consumption per 100 kilometers is 31 cubic meters.

“With air conditioning on, gas consumption increases by 10%. This is experimental data, specific gas consumption will be affected by road conditions, congestion, driver’s driving habits and so on, we do not promise gas consumption,” the company said.

In December 2020, the federal government rolled out its National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), which involves the conversion of fuel-powered cars and generators from petrol to gas.

Symptoms of a Failing Fuel Pump Although mechanical and electronic pumps fail for different reasons, the symptoms of failure are similar for both types of pumps. If you notice any of the common symptoms of fuel pump failure while you’re driving, you may need to have your fuel pump inspected and replaced.

1. You Might be Experiencing Fuel Pump Failure if Your Car Jerks or Sputters at High Speeds If you’re driving at freeway speeds and notice your engine sputter or jerk, you may have a failing fuel pump. This problem is caused when the fuel pump can’t deliver a smooth flow of fuel to the engine; periodically, your engine receives only air when it was expecting to receive fuel. This interruption in fuel flow causes your engine to skip several power strokes, forcing the engine to sputter and jerk. In the early stages of failure, this sputtering may only last for a minute or so before the engine returns to normal operation. Some drivers may confuse this sign with the effects of dirty gas, but modern fuel standards make a failing fuel pump more likely.

2. Your Fuel Pump Might Be Failing if You Lose Power When Accelerating If you notice that your car often loses power when you try to accelerate from a stop, your fuel pump may be in trouble. Accelerating requires more fuel, forcing your fuel pump to work harder. If your pump is failing, it may not be able to keep up with this increased demand, starving your engine of fuel as it tries to accelerate.

(Source: The Proctor Dealerships)

Yutong Bus The programme, which is expected to deliver at least one million vehicle conversions by the end of 2021 aligns with the government’s plan to make gas the first-choice source for cheaper and cleaner energy.

The need to switch from petrol to gas was necessitated by the deregulation of petrol by the government, which has led to increment in the domestic pump prices in recent times.

Recall that, the president at the 2021 Africa regional heads of government commonwealth roundtable chaired by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, reminded the world of Nigeria’s plan to replace petrol with CNG. While reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to a just transmission to net zero-emission, President Buhari who was represented by the vice president,

What is a Fuel Pump and What Does It Do? Mechanical pumps run off of the motion of the engine; a diaphragm mounted to the outside of the fuel tank expands and contracts, creating a low-pressure system that forces the fuel out of the tank and into the engine.

Electronic pumps are typically located inside of the fuel tank and use electromagnetic motors to force fuel to the engine at high pressure.

Mechanical pumps are usually found in cars that use carburetors, and electronic pumps are usually used with fuel injection systems.

Since mechanical pumps are driven directly by the motion of the engine and contain few moving parts, they tend to be reliable and relatively easy to diagnose and fix. Most problems with mechanical pumps occur when the diaphragm is damaged in some way, throwing the pressure system off balance. Electronic pumps are typically linked to electronic control systems and contain multiple moving parts; because of this increased complexity, these types of pumps are more prone to failure. Any one of several different parts can malfunction and lead to fuel pump problems.

Osibanjo, said, “We also have our Natural Gas Expansion Programme. This is where we are using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in order to replace the use of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol), and this is going on now, we are actually trying to fit and retrofit existing petrol stations so that the use of cleaner fossil fuels will replace it.”

Furthermore, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) (former Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) is encouraging Nigerians to embrace the use of CNG in their automobiles as an alternative to petrol.

NUPRC (DPR) said the use of CNG, which is cheaper, safer, environment-friendly and in abundance in the country, would reduce the dependency on petrol.

22nd Abuja International Motor Fair Begins Next Week The 22nd Abuja Motor Fair will begin on Monday next week and will close on November 26.

According to the Chairman, organising committee of the fair, Ifeanyi Agwu said it is an opportunity to see the latest automobile brands, quality spare parts and accessories.

It will take place at the Exhibition Pavilion next to the International Conference Centre, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Mercedes-Benz Presents Sporty, Elegant, more Capacity Roof Boxes

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hether it’s luggage, skis, diving equipment or camping gear - thanks to the two new, elegant Mercedes-Benz roof boxes, everything can be stowed safely and conveniently. The roof box in high-gloss black can be opened from both sides and is available in two sizes with a capacity of 430 or 590 litres, and is very easy to fit thanks to its integrated fastening system. It is coordinated with the vehicle design and compatible with all Mercedes-Benz roof rails.

High-quality finish, new functions The Mercedes-Benz roof box impresses with its organic, aerodynamic shape, elegantly sporty proportions and clear lines. New compared to the preceding models: a chrome-plated 3D Mercedes-Benz star at the front and rear emphasises the brand affiliation. The closure and high-quality gas-pressure struts also allow the lid to be opened and closed easily on both sides.

Firmly mounted for safe stowage Thanks to the integrated fastening system, the roof box can be easily and directly mounted and fixed

The-new Mercedes-Benz roof boxes

to the roof rails without using adapters. The 1-lock system with triple locking on both sides ensures safe stowage. In addition, three straps inside the roof box serve to optimally secure the contents.

Quality made in Germany The material of the roof box is UV-resistant and colour-fast, even in the event of stone impact. It is also particularly durable and resilient. As with all Mercedes-Benz vehicles and accessory products, safety is the top priority for the roof box. It meets both the legal safety requirements and the comparatively stricter Mercedes-Benz standards.

The roof box is available in two sizes: Roof box M weighs 24 kilograms and has a capacity of 430 litres, while Roof box XL weighs 28 kilograms and has a capacity of 590 litres. Both variants are available exclusively from Mercedes-Benz.

Technical data: Dimensions: Roof box M 192 x 103 x 39 mm / Roof box XL 236 x 103 x 43 mm; Weight: Roof box M: 24 kilograms, roof box XL: 28 kilograms; Capacity: Roof box M: 430 litres, Roof box XL 590 litres; Maximum load capacity: 75 kg; Opening: on both sides; Installation: Comfort slide fastening.

BMW to Produce More Electric Cars by 2024

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he recent production of the fully-electric BMW iX1* in Regensburg illustrates the pace with which the BMW Group is ramping up electromobility.

According to a statement by the automaker, “As announced almost two years ago, all German plants can now produce electric cars. The smallest model among the BMW Sports Activity Vehicles will boost the volume RI HOHFWULF YHKLFOHV 0LODQ 1HGHOMNRYLþ PHPEHU RI WKH Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production, already announced the next milestone at the start of production: “We are delivering the goods. By 2024, at least one in three BMWs coming out of our Bavarian plants will be an electric car.” Further proof, then, that the BMW *URXS LV V\VWHPDWLFDOO\ LPSOHPHQWLQJ LWV HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ strategy, relying on speed and short distances. The high-voltage battery in the BMW iX1* also comes from

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oday, I hope to draw the curtain on my focus on the 20 years of seat belt enforcement. But just as I was contemplating on this second part, David, my course mate paid me an unscheduled visit and gave the Corps thumbs up for the culture shock that has come to stay.

Despite his appeasing thumbs up for the Federal Road Safety Corps for this feat, I equally shared with him my personal reservations on the need to rejig seatbelt enforcement.

As I told you last week, the success owes a lot to the media support which led to the rush for seat belt purchase in the market by those whose cars lacked this life saving facility. So within a short while of the decisive enforcement on the use of front occupant seat belts nationwide, about 90 per cent compliance level was recorded all over the country which erased earlier fears expressed by leadership prior to the commencement of enforcement.

I remember vividly that when we were about to start, the United Kingdom had run and enforced the seat belt campaign for over 22 years with a report showing that millions of pounds was voted and was still being voted to raise the level of consciousness and achieve a greater level of impact. In contrast, we barely managed with meagre resources single-handedly provided by Boboye Oyeyemi at the initial time. Till date, despite support provided solely by the government, as well as a select few road safety players, we need increased funds, as well as partnership to drive and sustain the tempo of the campaign.

Twenty years down the line, there is the need to take another look at the issue of seat belt usage in the county to suit the evolving time and minimise fatalities. Although the novel initiative remains a key success story for the Corps, the pace of adoption for other users has been epileptic all because of what an observer called the absence of sustained enforcement and re-enforced awareness.

Regensburg.

Bavarian Minister of Transport Christian Bernreiter: “Bavaria is Germany’s number-one state for cars and has a long tradition of building vehicles. However, that success doesn’t just lie in the achievements of the past, but also in research, development and innovation. The BMW iX1* and its high-voltage battery underline that BMW can master the future. That this fully-electric FDU ZLOO FRPH RͿ WKH SURGXFWLRQ OLQH LQ 5HJHQVEXUJ also represents a strong commitment to Bavaria as a car-building location.”

The start of production for the new BMW iX1* means BMW Group Plant Regensburg is now manufacturing all drive technologies on a single line as part of its ÁH[LEOH SURGXFWLRQ SURFHVV ² IRU FRPEXVWLRQ HQJLQH plug-in hybrid and fully-electric models. According to Carsten Regent, head of BMW Group Plant Regensburg: ´7KH HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ DQG WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ RI WKH SODQW gives me optimism for the future.

The fully-electric BMW iX1*

20 Years of Seat Belt Enforcement (II) SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

We therefore acknowledge that there are gaps WR DGGUHVV WR ÀUP WKH QRYHOW\ )LUVW LV WKH IDFW that we are yet to navigate to the enforcement of the usage by front seat passengers. Secondly, the preponderance of the category/type of commercial vehicles numbering about 4,867,217 which mostly serve the transportation needs in the absence of DQ HͿHFWLYH LQWHUPRGDO V\VWHP DV ZHOO DV HͿHFWLYH mass transit system is a challenge.

Thirdly, despite the World Health Organisation’s DODUP WKDW URDG WUD΀F LQMXULHV DUH D OHDGLQJ FDXVH of death for children and young adults aged 5 to 29 years, we are yet to frontally address this. Records show that globally around 186,300 FKLOGUHQ XQGHU \HDUV GLH IURP URDG WUD΀F crashes annually. Yet child safety seat, sometimes called infant safety seat, child restraint system, child seat, baby seat, car seat or a booster designed VSHFLÀFDOO\ WR SURWHFW FKLOGUHQ IURP LQMXU\ RU GHDWK during collisions is yet to be enforced although there have been a couple of campaigns such as the joint campaign with the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Mobil Oil. Based on these, I do believe that the time to do a post mortem on the impact is now so as WR XS WKH DQWH LQ RUGHU WR ÀUP XS VWUDWHJLHV WR redress crash trends. For reminders, the seat belt FDPSDLJQ IRU D VLJQLÀFDQW QXPEHU RI XVHUV GLG QRW DQG VWLOO GRHV QRW UHTXLUH EX\LQJ RU À[LQJ

anything in the vehicles. Therefore it did not SODFH DQ\ ÀQDQFLDO EXUGHQ RQ HLWKHU WKH YHKLFOH owner or the passengers. All that the Corps asked was for occupants to strap themselves while in PRWLRQ DV FRQWDLQHG LQ WKH 1DWLRQDO 5RDG 7UD΀F Regulations.

But while we consider tinkering with this thought, it is interesting to bring you up to speed with developments in the United Kingdom where despite the level of success recorded and the amount invested in raising the level of awareness, government is being urged to reinforce seat belt messages, as well as introduce penalty points to drive compliance rate.

Interestingly, seat belt usage by seating position in the United Kingdom will marvel you. For starters, driver usage is ranked 97 per cent while front seat passenger stands at 96 per cent. Rear seat passenger ranking is 92 per cent. Yet, there DUH VWLOO FRQFHUQV RQ WKH QHHG WR VWLͿHQ SHQDOWLHV for defaulters borne out of the results of an observation survey, carried out in the autumn RI ZKLFK IRXQG RXW WKDW PRUH WKDQ ÀYH per cent of drivers were not wearing seat belts in all vehicle types.

7KH ÀJXUH IRU IURQW VHDW SDVVHQJHUV LV DOPRVW similar as it found out that non-compliance rates rose to more than eight percent among rear seat passengers. Despite this lamentations, seat belt wearing is high as estimates in 2021 stands at 94. 8 per cent for drivers, 94.6 for front seat passengers and 91.5 for rear seat passengers.

Among car drivers, the compliance rates were slightly greater at 97.2 per cent for drivers, 96.8 per cent for front seat passengers and 92.2 per cent for rear seat passengers.

However, with data showing that 23 per cent of car occupant fatalities in 2020 were not wearing a seatbelt, the Department for Transport says those who do not wear a seatbelt are ‘disproportionately likely to be killed in road collisions’. This underscores my call for a post mortem since seatbelts are probably the single

biggest life-saving device ever introduced into vehicles and therefore requires a reinforcement of the messages while enforcement must be stepped up.

The current spate of crashes, as well as the type of vehicles being used for commercial transportations raises fundamental issues and the need to roll out new awareness campaign VWUDWHJLHV DV ZHOO DV LQFUHDVHG ÀQHV UHJLPHV ZKLFK I focused on a couple of weeks ago. Truth is that seat belts have been adjudged to be the most HͿHFWLYH WUD΀F VDIHW\ GHYLFH IRU WKH SUHYHQWLRQ of death and injury in the event of a crash.

Wearing a seat belt can reduce risk of crash injuries by 50 per cent, according to the Global National Safety Council, especially in the face of rising in-vehicle technology advancements with high-tech distractions and the need to put in place machinery to ensure that in the event of a crash, minimum level of injuries and fatalities are recorded. That is the all-encompassing mandate. ,Q FRQFOXVLRQ DOWKRXJK D VLJQLÀFDQW QXPEHU of drivers and front seat passengers now wear seatbelts, sustaining the level of compliance requires a tougher penalty as further improvement holds the key to crash reduction in the face of rising crashes at night, as well as rising head-on collisions. We must accept the fact that the seat belt enforcement was ground-breaking as a strategy in preventing death and injury on our roads and should be seen as a priority to government, drivers and as a public health issue.

We can pop the Champagne but truth be told, WKH FXUUHQW SLWWDQFH FDOOHG ÀQHV IRU GHIDXOWHUV does not emphasise the seriousness of the risk of not complying. Seatbelts are vital when a crash RFFXUV 1HZ WHFKQRORJ\ RͿHUV WKH SURVSHFWV RI avoiding many crashes. Before we adopt these new technologies, we need to seek public buy-in which requires mere strapping and not spending any cash to stay alive. To all those who played vital roles, I say please the time to return to the trenches is now.

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Kuda Expands, Enters UK Market 1LJHULDQ ÀQWHFK FRPSDQ\ .XGD KDV announced the launch its service in the 8QLWHG .LQJGRP IROORZLQJ DQ LQYHVWPHQW of $90 million. .XGD VDLG WKH PRYH ZDV SDUW RI LWV PDMRU global expansion drive.

6SHFLÀFDOO\ &(2 DQG FR IRXQGHU .XGD Babs Ogundeyi said the move will enable 8. EDVHG 1LJHULDQV WDFNOH KLJK UHPLWWDQFH costs on large transfers that presently average at 8 percent, against the three percent target of Sustainable Development Goal, SDG. 7KH ÀUP H[SODLQHG WKDW LW LV HQWHULQJ WKH 8. HQYLURQPHQW YLD LWV 8. EDVHG

VXEVLGLDU\ ² .XGD (0, /LPLWHG WR FKDUJH D ÁDW IHH RI ZLWK D WUDQVIHU OLPLW RI

2JXQGH\L VDLG ´$IULFDQV LQ WKH 8. are faced with barrier after barrier when LW FRPHV WR ÀQDQFLDO VHUYLFHV ² IURP FKDOlenges setting up accounts to prohibitive and inconsistent fees on meaningful transfers.

They are forced to limit each transfer to a few hundred pounds to avoid losing money or face escalating exchange rates with bigger transfers.

“Technology means the world is getting smaller but the incredible transformation in

ÀQDQFLDO VHUYLFHV KDVQ·W EHHQ LQFOXVLYH .XGD is changing that – initially for Nigerians, WKHQ DOO $IULFDQV LQ WKH 8. DQG DFURVV the globe.” +H DGGHG ´:LWK RYHU ELOOLRQ VHQW IURP WKH 8. WR 1LJHULD HYHU\ \HDU ZH

DUH VHW WR VDYH 8. 1LJHULDQV PLOOLRQV RI pounds.”

Ogundeyi informed that the business is WDNLQJ RͿ ZLWK 8. WR 1LJHULD UHPLWWDQFH with plans underway to extend same service to other African countries.

Cadbury Empower 9000 Kids Via Bournvita Boot Camp Initiative Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Mondelez International, has unveiled outstanding participants of the yearly Tech Boot Camp since inception at a media parley held at the company’s head office in Lagos last week.

Bournvita has trained over 1,200 children since inception of the boot camp in 2019 in line with its social mission of improving literacy by preparing kids to lead with digital skills. The initiative is consistent with the brand’s efforts in collaborating with parents to help their children pursue their dreams.

One of the highlights at the event was the presentation of gift items to participants of previous and current editions of the Tech Boot Camp that had taken a step further to develop platforms that are useful in their everyday lives - Damilare Akinwoya from the 2019 edition; David Ibekwe, from the 2020 edition; Jemimah Emoedume, from the 2021 edition and Ovie Luther-Abegunde from the 2022 edition Addressing guests at the event, the Managing Director, Cadbury West Africa, Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, said: “The relevance of STEM in today’s world cannot be overestimated. Technology, as you know, has become a key driver for the fourth industrial revolution sweeping across the world. We want to encourage our children to learn the skills needed to be relevant in this modern technological era while they are still young. Our curriculum is intensive

enough to meet real life needs and many of our graduates have proceeded to build problem solving robots, drones, and apps. Some have even won tech competitions in Nigeria and beyond.”

Since its inception, the boot camp has provided a platform for Nigerian students, between ages 9 and 16, to study and develop skills in areas like artificial intelligence, gaming, robotics, and coding, among others, as they fulfil their STEM aspirations.

Of the 8,466 entries received for the 2022 edition, 534 applicants were selected for the Bournvita Tech Bootcamp - a 44% increase on last year’s 370 participants Commenting on the brand’s role in providing everyday nourishment for children and contributing to their growth, Category Manager, Cocoa beverages & Biscuit, Cadbury West Africa, Mr. Tolulope Olaoye, said, “We believe that, not only should Bournvita give young people the vitamins and minerals needed, we must also see to their mental and physical vitality, which the tech bootcamp offers.

Since we commenced this initiative in 2019, we have trained over 9,000 kids - 1,200 kids directly at the bootcamp and the others through our partnership with Codingal. We wanted to ensure that the 8,466 kids not shortlisted from the entries this year still got equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century. We remain committed to nurturing and producing the next tech experts in the country and hope that the next edition gets even better.”

Dufil Donates Items to Visually Impaired 0DNHUV RI ,QGRPLH 1RRGOHV 'XÀO KDV UHDFKHG out to the visually impaired in Lagos as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, obligations.

7KH ÀUP JDYH RXW OHDUQLQJ LWHPV VXFK DV laptop, scanners, mobility cane guide, printers as well as cartons of Indomie noodles to pupils of Nigeria Society of the Blind Lagos.

Group Corporate Communications and Event 0DQDJHU RI 'XÀO 3ULPD )RRGV 3OF 0U 7RSH Ashiwaju explained that the gesture aimed to UHOLHYH DQG HPSRZHU WKH EHQHÀFLDULHV ZKR DUH underprivileged and most times, hard to reach.

Donating the items, Ashiwaju averred that giving to the needy was part of the organisation’s DNA.

He said, “Our environment is not favorable for people with sight, not to talk of the visually impaired. We saw the need to contribute our quota to ensuring that the visually impaired people have access to quality education and equal rights as other citizens in the country.

“We strongly support sustainable CSR initiatives, particularly those that focus on education since we think that teaching and empowering our children now will lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow.”

Responding, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Society for the blind, Mayowa Oke stated that donated items will enhance independence of the Blind, as he also promised judicious use of them.

Firm Restates Commitment to SDGs, Receives Entries for World Prize T4 Education has affirmed its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, as it declared open the World’s Best School Prizes for 2023.

The contest is an initiative of T4 Education, in collaboration with Accenture and American Express.

Founder of T4 Education, Vikas Pota stated that the initiative is aimed at enhancing the realisation of SDG 4- quality education, which had been disrupted by COVID-19.

He said, “The World’s Best School Prizes were founded as a grassroots solution to help build the systemic change needed. The prizes give inspirational schools a global platform, allow

them to share their best practices, and help others replicate their innovative ideas.”

According to him, the prizes are in five categories namely: Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives.

“We founded this initiative to create conversations that lead to lasting change. Conversations between educators learning from one another’s vital solutions, and conversations in the halls and corridors of power where leaders must sit up and listen to those on the frontlines.

Pota urged Nigerians to apply for the prize which once had Nigerian school among its top ten finalists.

L-R: Director, Flour Mills Nigeria, Sadiq Usman; Deputy Representative, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Rushman Murtaza; National Coordinator, Multidimensional Poverty Index, Sola Afolayan; StatisticianGeneral of the Federation, Semiu Adeniran; and National Coordinator, Core Working Group on Human Capital Development, Yosola Akinbi, at an interactive panel on ‘Multidimensional Poverty’ organised by the High-Level Forum on SDGs on the sidelines of Nigerian Economic Summit 28 (NES 28) in Abuja…recently

L-R: General Secretary, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Ilupeju/Gbagada and District Society (ICANIGDS), Samuel Abey; CFO, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Abayomi Ogunwo; Chairman, ICAN-IGDS, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun; Vice Chairman, ICAN-IGDS, Kolawole Bisiriyu and SWAN Coordinator IGDS, Mrs. Adedoyin Odutola during ICAN-IGDS courtesy visit to Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos....recently

FIRS Opens New Tax Offices The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced the opening of 25 new satellite tax offices across the country.

The service made the announcement in a statement signed by its Special Assistant On Media and Communication to the Chairman, Oluwatobi Wojuola.

FIRS noted that the move was towards realising its revenue target of N10.1 trillion for 2022.

“These new tax offices would help bring many taxpayers into the tax net, help filling of companies income tax, and value added tax as

well as monitor compliance with other taxes,” it noted.

Speaking at the launch of Epe office, Group lead, General Tax Operations Group at FIRS, .DELU $EED VWDWHG WKDW WKH RIILFHV DUH H[SHFWHG to spearhead tax collection activities in the area.

He urged members of staff take the assignment very seriously, and work to bring more persons into the tax net.

Remarking, Tax Controller at FIRS, Chinedu Adirije pledged to work towards realising the objectives of the system to boost Nigeria’s revenue base.

Wabi Announces Discount Sales at Boku Shopping Festival Electronic commerce ecosystem, Wabi has UHD΀UPHG FRPPLWPHQW WR LWV UHWDLO SDUWQHUV while launching discount sales at its maiden shopping festival campaign.

The campaign, branded ‘Boku’, aimed to VXSSRUW UHWDLOHUV WR PLWLJDWH WKH HͿHFWV RI current economic situation and grow their businesses.

Country Manager of Wabi Nigeria, Omolara Adagunodo disclosed that retailers will have the opportunity to enjoy discount sales across GLͿHUHQW UDQJH RI SURGXFWV RQ :DEL E SODWIRUP between November 18th to 30th, 2022.

She explained that the festival was in partnership with top international and local FMCG brands to support local businesses.

She said, “The current economic situation in the country is one of the motivations behind the campaign to support the Wabi2b retail partners. We understand the current economic situation and as always, we are committed to help our retail partners stock up their stores at the best prices.

“Boku Festival is a way to show our retail

partners and distributors all the opportunities and power that e-commerce brings.

We have a responsibility to support retailers including small store owners with such great deals and discounts, whilst their purchasing process is seamless so that they can increase their revenue and become competitive in a digital era.”

While she urged participation, she added, “Our goal is to continue empowering millions of people especially women, who made up majority of our retail partners. This is what we set to achieve and we are excited to have partnered with top FMCG brands and distributors in all our locations across the country.”

Wabi has continued to lead the Nigerian e-commerce space with the launch of Wabi2b in Nigeria to digitise existing traditional trade channels and empower women.

Wabi2b is a marketplace that enables wholesalers and distributors in the FMCG space to sell products directly to retailers and traditional stores.

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

POLITY

Ogun 2023: Time Running Out for Opposition Femi Ogbonnikan

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he resolution of the protracted bickering within the opposition camp, nay the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, appears to be taking forever. Since the conduct of the parallel governorship primaries of the two rival factions, every of its footstep towards the preparation for the 2023 general elections has been dogged by post-election trauma. So much so that the energies and time which should have been ordinarily invested in the electioneering are now being dissipated on an endless search for peace.

Trauma in whatever form can, indeed, be a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.

Yes, time, they say, is a healer of wounds. But sometimes, when a wound takes too long to heal, it turns into a gargantuan purulent sore. And when that happens, not only will the patient suffer the suffocating stench of it, but also the immediate people around. The PDP as a leading opposition party in Ogun State has had more than its fair share of the post-primary crisis and the resultant trauma of an unending litigation battles.

Like the proverbial bird that perches on the line, neither the candidates nor the stakeholders have known peace since the party took itself out for a macabre dance. Being unable to put its house in order, it has run into a deep hitch in its journey to the 2023 general election. It has boxed itself to a tight corner. Now, finding a way out of the box has become a daunting task, as all efforts made so far to reconcile the warring factions have largely met a brick wall. None of the parties involved in the disputed kangaroo selection process is ready to let go. Each faction involved in the prolonged dispute is poised for a showdown. It is simply a fight to the finish.

While the contention rages, other serious contenders in the governorship race have since moved ahead with their campaign activities. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state in particular is steadily progressing with its campaign train, mobilizing supporters across the local government areas. This past week, Governor Dapo Abiodun, took Abeokuta by storm, demonstrating the strength of the APC as an unbeatable party by organizing a mega walk rally for Tinubu/ Shettima presidential ticket. Hundreds of thousands of the party’s supporters thronged M.K.O Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, where the rally started and moved through Naiwa-ru-deen road down to the Iyana-Mortuary to express their support for the presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,and Governor Dapo Abiodun for re-election.

Abiodun What is more? He (Abiodun) seized the opportunity of the occasion to remind the party faithful to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to be eligible to perform their civic duties during the 2023 general elections.

“I want to thank you all for coming out in large numbers to show your support for our party’s presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and myself. I want to urge those of us who have not collected our voter’s cards to do so because, without it, you cannot vote during the elections next year”, he admonished his teeming supporters.

Elated by the tumultuous crowd, Abiodun noted that the large turnout was a testimony that the party enjoys wider acceptability across the state.

That was a wake-up call for the opposition. But up till now, they are yet to realise that time is no longer on their side. They are already on injury time. But again, what can they do without peace?

What are they going to present to the electorate when there is no justice? Justice is the foundation for enduring peace.

As far as APC performance in Ogun State is concerned, this election has been won by it. And there are many indices to back up this conclusion.

One, there is no viable opposition that can outwit the strength of the APC with the sterling performance of the present administration of Governor Abiodun. In the last three and a half years of his

assumption of office, he has raised the bar of good governance in the state. Among other things, his achievements in the areas of the quality network of road infrastructures, human capital development, conducive business environment, revenue generation, investment promotion and agro-allied industries, healthcare delivery services, and overall welfare of the citizens remain a standing signature of his performance.

Secondly, by way of a direct consequence of his developmental agenda, there is a widespread acceptance of his candidature for a second term across the three senatorial districts of the state. In doing so, he has successfully warmed his way into the hearts of the good people of Ogun State through his just, fair, inclusive and participatory governance style as well as even development policy down to the grassroots.

More importantly, he has a vision for the future.

A man without a vision is like a ship without a direction. Since Governor Abiodun came into the saddle, he has never relented in his efforts to turn the state into an investment destination of choice.

This commitment lies behind his aggressive drive for infrastructure projects which have transformed the entire landscape of the state.

These and many more are some of the intimidating performance credentials his government has to present to the electorate as APC pushes ahead with its electrifying campaign train across the nooks and crannies of the state.

Already, some weak voices of opposition are already confused as to how to start their campaigns and what to present to the public. But they are quick to find an easy out by accusing the governor of stifling the opposition. For want of evidence, they said the state government prevented the Council of Awori Obas, led by the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege from receiving the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Biyi Otegbeye.

The problem with some of our state actors is that they think they can win elections on the pages of newspapers or social media platforms. Just as the PDP is currently doing, dissipating its useful energies and time on trouble-shooting, ADC is also here focusing its effort on looking for a scape goat, knowing-fully well that this election is not sure for its candidate. A candid advice: Opposition should stop chasing shadow and go back to the drawing board to re-strategise so that this election can be truly competitive. Victory can only be sweet if an election is keen and competitive. For now, Abiodun is a lone racer. Others are pretenders. Unfortunately, time is fast running out.

- Ogbonnikan wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital

Enugu East Communities Root for More Infrastructure, Declare Support for Mbah Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

M

embers of the different communities in Enugu East Local Government Area have appealed to the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Peter Mbah, to consider building more infrastructure and maintaining the existing ones in the council area.

This was even as they declared support for his gubernatorial ambition, assuring him of victory in the general election.

They set the agenda for Mbah, yesterday, during town hall meetings at Enugu East Central and Enugu East Development Centres where individuals and communities interacted with the gubernatorial candidate on their peculiar needs and expectations.

Bemoaning the state of infrastructure in the area, a PDP House of Assembly candidate for Enugu East Urban constituency, Hon. Obinna Ogbu, called on Mbah to construct a new bridge that would link up the State Housing axis and Thinkers Corner, and another bridge that would connect Ugbo-Odogwu and Harmony Estate to decongest the major ease traffic movements in the area.

On his part, Member representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji commended the initiative of the town hall meetings, saying Mbah had taken the right step to ensuring that everybody’s voice counted in the coming dispensation.

He also added: “The PDP has done well for us here, right from Chimaroke’s administration in 1999. Nike has benefited immensely from PDP government in Enugu State. So, we have decided that we are with you and we are going to vote for you”.

The lawmaker, however, said more still needed to be done

in terms of constructing roads and other socio-economic amenities to encourage more investments.

Corroborating the above, a former senator that represented the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, called for the construction of new hospitals in the communities making up the two development centres to enable their women and children have access to quality health facilities.

He further called for provision of water and construction of Obinagu – Liberty road to help their traders move their produce to the market.

In their separate speeches, former PDP governorship aspirant, Pastor Beloved Dan-Anike, Prof. Ameachi Ngwu, and Lady Caroline Ogbu, who spoke for the women, lamented that only 3 out of the 24 communities in the council area, had access road.

Expressing worry over the deplorable state of their health care facilities, the speakers, while commending Governor Ugwuanyi for his develop strides despite paucity of finds since 2015, disclosed that Nike had about 10 hectares of land donated to the government to build a special hospital for women and children, and urged Mbah to seize the opportunity the land afforded to give them a state-of-the-art hospital when elected.

While also appealing to the governorship hopeful, the vice chairman of the Abakpa Market Association, Christian Eze, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu of Ibagwa-Nike kingdom, Mrs. Andy Ndife, among other speakers, called for the establishment of industries that would empower the youth, reduce unemployment, encourage quality and robust education, and resolve the growing insecurity in the area.

Reacting to the demands made by the development centres, Mbah assured that all the concerns and issues raised by them were captured in his manifesto, saying they should

consider them done.

He reiterated his commitment to launch an industrial revolution in the state through his well-thought-out development plan that would move the state economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

Insisting that his development economic plans were comprehensive and all-inclusive, Mbah promised unprecedented development in the state.

“Our plan is to grow this economy in a proportion not witnessed before in the history of the our state. We will launch quantum leap and exponential growth. Over the years , we have been growing incrementally, but we have plan to grow exponentially through disruptive innovation.

“We have several solutions to the challenges facing us.

The manifesto presented by us contained our solutions to these challenges,” he said.

Harping on his resolve to create more jobs for the youth, Mbah maintained that the construction of 10,000 kilometers road and establishment of industries through private-sector driven economy would turn the youth into productive and meaningful asset.

While assuring that water scarcity would be a thing of the past in the state, the industrialist stressed that the challenges leading to low water supply had been identified and would be resolved once he comes to office.

He promised that the existing cottage hospitals would be upgraded to General Hospitals, with community health workers that would make sure health centres are functional 24 hours.

Speaking further, Mbah promised to end brain drain among the youth population, particularly in the health sector, by providing incentive that would discourage migration from the state, adding that N100 billion intervention fund would be made available to farmers, traders and youth in addition to vocational skills.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

POLITY

Gateway Region Emerges Winner at 2022 Adron Games

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ateway Region has emerged winners of 2022 Adron Games which took place at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos from Thursday, November 10 to Saturday 12, 2022, carting home six gold medals, three silver and three bronze medals, after sterling performances in a series of track and field events.

In what could easily have passed as a Corporate Olympic Games, the regions of the real estate company, Adron Homes and Properties Limited in the country converged in Lagos for the games, and were engaged in different sporting events to mark the 6th edition of the annual games.

The six regions of Adron Homes - Eko (Lagos Island), Capital (Lagos Mainland), Northern, Gateway (Ogun), Oyo, Living Fountain (Osun & Ekiti) as well as Head Office, Directorate of Construction Estate Properties and Acquisition - participated in the wide variety of games which included Aerobics, athletics, men and women soccer, volleyball, cycling, shot put and basketball. Indoor games included snooker, table tennis, chess and scrabble while the more fun games like sack race, egg and spoon race, 3-legged race and tug of war Executive Director’s races.

Capital came second while Head Office took 3rd position.

They were followed by Living Fountain, Northern, Eko, Oyo and Construction.

Speaking at the opening of the games, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Adetola EmmanuelKing pointed out the importance of sports within the corporate world saying it was the key to building a better future.

According to him, “The importance of Sports is universally upheld. It is the key to building a better future, hence its relevance even within the corporate space cannot be overemphasized. We often take sports and leisure for granted.

Yet millions of people around the world do not have access to sports, or are actively denied their right to participate. We all admire the athletes and achievements on display during every global sporting event.”

Speaking further on the rationale behind the games, EmmanuelKing averred, “The 2022 Adron Games is even more pertinent in this period of when there is an increasing global focus on mental health wellbeing, our Adron Games aimed at the promotion of physical fitness and indeed mental wellbeing could not have come at a better time”.

Usually, a big and inspirational part of the event each year, different sports icons in the country are honored by the GMD/ CEO of Adron Homes in recognition of their contribution to the sporting glory of the nation, who can also serve as role models influencing good and healthy living by encouraging sporting exercises in the corporate world as a win-win strategy for ultimate effective productivity. The Ambassadors of 2022 Adron Games, Daniel Amokachi, Tijani Babangida and Chioma Ajunwa were present throughout the 3-day games.

A football match between Ex Super Eagles Internationals and Adron Contractors which ended in a one-all draw saw

L-R: 2022 Adron Games Ambassadors, Daniel Amokachi and Chioma Ajunwa; Executive Director, Finance, Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Olori Aderonke Emmanuel King; Kaffy; Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adron Homes, Dr. Adetola Emmanuel King and Tijani Babangida at the closing ceremony of the Games.

Daniel Amokachi re-enact his goal- scoring dance which sent the spectators in a cheering frenzy. Among the ex-Nigerian internationals apart from Dan Amokachi and Tijani Babangida were Victor Aghali, Willie Opara, Wasiu Ipaye, among a few others.

Speaking on the effect of the games, Babangida said, “It’s a laudable concept and the GMD/CEO is trying to make his workers wake up to the importance of sports to health and productivity. So, he does this mini-festival to bring all his workers together each year for bonding; some are runners, some footballers, cyclers and so on which is very good.”

There was also another exhibition match between Lotus Bank who are one of the partners of the games and Adron All Stars.

Of the value they bring to the games, Amokachi said, “Well, it is also an opportunity for many people who have been seeing us from afar to get to meet us and it has some measure of value because when you talk about sports, you always need an icon around at least to speak.”

Ex Nigeria track and field queen Ajunwa was full praise for the Adron Homes CEO for such rare passion in

adding value to lives.

“Honestly, I thought it was just workers coming together just to keep fit but I’m speechless because even some states cannot do what an individual is doing. Look at what happened today; some boys danced, school children danced and he gave them plots of land. If our sports administrators had this kind of passion, I tell you Nigeria would always be the country to beat.

“He’s the sort of person we need in the sports ministry, you can see the passion; a person who wants to improve, who wants to give so that lives can be transformed. It’s not because he has too much. I must say I am deeply touched because that is what sports is all about.”

The games ended in a crescendo with the GMD/CEO taking to the dance floor with his ever-supportive better half, Olori Aderonke EmmanuelKing as well as other acts and final games, dancing competition and raffle draw to which medals and several other awards including cash and lands were doled out to various winners by sports celebrities, Ajunwa, Amokachi, Babangida as well as other Executive Directors , Oluwakemi Olaniyan and Barrister Ademola Koko and the GMD/CEO, who also gave the vote of thanks to mark the end of the games.

L-R: Principal Consultant, Sirocco Production, Deji Shobowale; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola; Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture Ms. Abisola Olusanya: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Olatokunbo Emokpae and Project Director, Sirocco Production, during Lagos Food Festival Media parley in Lagos ….. yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Program Manager, Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, Chikezie Ekechukwu; Corporate Affairs and Community Partnerships Manager (East & Central) Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Ifeoma Okoye.; Representative of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edo State, Rev. S. A. Obakpolor; , Benin Plant Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Irene Ugwoke; and Digital Customer & Customer Platform Lead, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Maxwell Odigie, at the closing ceremony of #NBCEmpowerHer, a women empowerment initiative funded by NBC under its 1 million euros donation to support social impact programs in Nigeria, held in Benin, Edo State...recently.

L-R: General Manager Human Resources/Admin Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Hassan Salisu; Executive Secretary National Sugar Development Council Mr. Zach Adedeji; Mr. Chris Mbamalu of National Sugar Development Council and Group Managing Director/CE of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc Ravindra Singhvi during the monitoring and evaluation tour of Dangote Sugar Refinery Apapa Lagos by the Executive Secretary of Sugar Council and his team in Lagos….yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: DCO Utako Division Abuja, Balakeri Yakubu; Access Bank Closa Agent, Clement Ifeanacho; Regional Sales Manager, Abuja 2 Access Bank Plc, Kingsley Ikuwaguy; Assistant Sales Manager Abuja/Niger/Kogi, Nonso Onwuanibe; and Team Lead Agency Banking North, Access Bank Plc, Gideon Aliyu during the handing over of Solar Fibre Glass POS Boot to Access Closa agents in Abuja …..recently

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

PERSPECTIVE Power and Politics of the Written Word: The Legend of Chinua Achebe Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

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hinua Achebe lived in glory as the one-man institution who conqueredtheworldforMother Africa, and the great Kenyan novelist, Ngugi wa Thiongo, put it in these words: “Achebe bestrides generations and geographies. Every country in Africa claims him as their own.”

On November 16, 1930, Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born to a teacher-cum-evangelist father of the Anglican Communion in the town of Nnobi, near his hometown of Ogidi, in present-day Anambra State.

Achebe was a child prodigy who was nicknamed “Dictionary” early in life because of his encyclopaedic knowledge. He set excellent records in primary school and at the famous Government College, Umuahia where the school put up his plaque for coming first in a countrywide examination. He was admitted intothethenUniversityCollege,Ibadantostudy Medicine but changed over to the liberal arts, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Achebe entered into the world of broadcasting, and rose quickly to become the Director of External Broadcasting in pre-war Nigeria.

He got married to Christie Chinwe Okoli, and the marriage got blessed with four children – Chinelo, Ike, Chidi and Nwando.

After the war, Achebe changed over to the academia, teaching at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

At barely 28 years of age, Chinua Achebe published the novel Things Fall Apart in 1958, and the book that has only 50,380 words has proven to be the single most important piece of literature out of Africa. The 50th anniversary of the 200-odd page novel in 2008 was celebrated all over the world with festivals, readings, symposia, concerts etc. The novel which has been likened to epic Greek tragedy has been translated to some 60 languages, and has sold over 20 million copies.

It is taught not just in literature classes but in history and anthropology departments in colleges and universities all over the world.

The archetypal theme of the meeting of the white world and the black race makes Things Fall Apart an epochal event in the annals of world literature. Things Fall Apart tells the deceptively simple story of Okonkwo, a strong man whose life is dominated by the fear of failure as per his music-playing father, Unoka.

As a teenager, Okonkwo brought honour to his village by throwing the hitherto unbeatable Amalinze the Cat in a wrestling match.

His fame spread through the nine villages of Umuofia and beyond like harmattan bushfire, but he remained troubled that his father Unoka was a debtor and a failure. As if to compound matters, Okonkwo notices weakness in his own son Nwoye, and he comes to the sad conclusion that raging fire only ends up as impotent ash.

Against the warning of an elder, he kills the ill-fated child Ikemefuna who had been given over to the people of Umuofia as ransom, a child who called him “father”. An accidental gunshot that kills a fellow villager at a wake leads to Okonkwo being exiled from Umuofia for seven years.

When he comes back from exile he discovers that the Christian missionaries have literally overrun the land, and even his son Nwoye had joined them.

In raging anger, after a devious incarceration, Okonkwo cuts off the head of the white man’s messenger but the people of Umuofia would not follow him to war. He hangs himself on a tree and ends up being buried by the strangers he had spent his life fighting.

Things Fall Apart works at several levels, and can be read at any age from 10 to 100. As a child, one can enjoy the incidents such as the match with Amalinze the Cat, Unoka’s dismissal of his creditor, the killing of Ikemefuna, Okonkwo’s attempted shooting of one of his wives, the visitation of the masked spirits etc.

Later in life, the many ironies in the book come

Achebe

At barely 28 years of age, Chinua Achebe published the novel Things Fall Apart in 1958, and the book that has only 50,380 words has proven to be the single most important piece of literature out of Africa. The 50th anniversary of the 200-odd page novel in 2008 was celebrated all over the world with festivals, readings, symposia, concerts etc. The novel which has been likened to epic Greek tragedy has been translated to some 60 languages, and has sold over 20 million copies into play such as the joke on the District Commissioner thinking that Okonkwo’s story can only end up as a paragraph in his planned book, The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger, withoutknowingthatoneChinuaAchebe had taken the thunder from him by giving Okonkwo an entire book in which the story is narrated from inside!

It is not for nothing that Achebe is celebratedasthefatherofAfricanliterature because he changed the perspective of world literature from the gaudy picture of Africa painted by Europeans such as Joyce Cary to the authentic telling of the story by the Africans.

Unlike earlier African writers like Guinea’s Camara Laye, author of The African Child, who painted a romantic picture of the continent, Achebe was relentlessly objective in his narration, telling it as it is, warts and all.

It is because of the remarkable success

of Things Fall Apart that the publishers, Heinemann UK, launched the phenomenal African Writers Series (AWS) in 1962 with the novel as the first title.

For many years, Achebe served as a nonremunerated Editorial Adviser of the series in which the majority of African writers got their breakthrough in publishing.

Things Fall Apart reputedly accounted for 80 percent of the entire revenue of the AWS. Achebe’s most famous novel somewhat dwarfed his other novels such as No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966) and Anthills of the Savannah (1987).

In 1975, Chinua Achebe gave his famous controversial lecture, “An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad’s Heart of Darkness” that put the issue of racism on the front burner via Joseph Conrad.

The last book of Achebe was There Was a Country – A Personal History of Biafra, which sounds as if it is the epitaph of the country

as Nigerians always exclaim in despair: There was a country!

Achebe won the Man Booker International Prize for his lifetime achievement in fiction writing, beating a formidable shortlist that included Philip Roth, Salman Rushdie, V.S. Naipaul etc.

He equally won, as the first African, the American National Arts Club Medal of Honour for Literature in November 2007.

Things Fall Apart has earned its uncommon distinction as a modern classic, and was in 1992 adoptedintotheesteemedEveryman’sLibrary of world classics.

The Igbo world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries which Achebe depicted in Things Fall Apart has become the global picture of Africa writ large.

At the end of the 20th century, the book that gave the world a new English language was voted as Africa’s “novel of the century”.

Beyond his novels, essays and poetry as in Beware Soul Brother, Achebe always tells truth to power. Achebe wrote in his last novel, Anthills of the Savannah, that what survives after the epic battle is the story. A man of inimitable principle, Achebe rejected the award of the high national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in October, 2004 by writing back to the government thus: “I write this letter with a very heavy heart. For some time now, I have watched events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay. I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connectioninhighplaces,seemsdeterminedto turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom. I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency.” He damned the then President Olusegun Obasanjo by stressing: “Nigeria under your watch is too dangerous “ for silence.” Achebe also rejected the award when it was re-offered in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan.

His 1983 classic book The Trouble with Nigeria began with these famous words: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrongwiththeNigerianlandorclimateorwater or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”

According to Achebe, “Nigeria is neither my mother nor my father. Nigeria is a child. Gifted, enormously talented, prodigiously endowed and incredibly wayward.”

As a true “man of the people”, unlike Chief M.A Nanga of A Man of the People, Achebe served meritoriously as the President-General of his Ogiditownunion,andwastheVice-Chairmanof AminuKano’stalakawaparty,People’sredemption Party (PRP), in the Second Republic. He was the founder of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

Chinua Achebe died at exactly 11:51pm (US time), that is 4.51am (Nigerian time), on Thursday, March 21 at the Harvard University Teaching Hospital, Massachusetts, USA, aged 82.

The then American President Barack Obama paid Chinua Achebe deserving tribute thusly: “A revolutionary author, educator, and cultural ambassador, Chinua shattered the conventions of literature and shaped the collective identity of Nigerians throughout the world.

With a dream of taking on misperceptions of his homeland, he gave voice to perspectives that cultivated understanding and drew our world closer together. His legacy will endure in the hearts of all whose lives he touched with the everlasting power of his art.”

This was a Keynote Address presented at the2022ChinuaAchebeLiteraryFestivaland Memorial Lecture, Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Prof Kenneth Dike Central ELibrary, Awka, Anambra State.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

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EVENTS AFRIMA, CANEX WKND Announce All-Star Line Up for Closing Concert Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

ll is set for Creative Africa Nexus, CANEX WKND 2022, coming up from 25th to 27th November, 2022, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as creatives, investors, industry leaders, creative industry businesses and government representatives, gather for a 3-day event with a strong focus on sharing skills and best practice from sectors across Africa’s creative and cultural industries.

More than simply a business-to-business conference aimed at Africa and the diaspora’s booming creative sector, CANEX WKND is also a celebration of the creative talent that is taking the world by storm. The CANEX WKND is an initiative of the African Export-Import bank (AFREXIM), which has been a key player in developing the African creative industry.

According to the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank), Professor Benedict Oramah, “The CANEX WKND presents an opportunity to unlock the best of Africa.”

He also emphasized the value of CANEX WKND as a goldmine for Africa’s untapped talents, citing the depth of insight and opportunities to be shared at the free-to-attend event.

In addition to a high-profile fashion show, film screening and a range of live performances, CANEX WKND will close with a multi-artist concert that features some of the best talent from Africa and beyond.

In proud partnership with The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, on Sunday 27 September, CANEX WKND is proud to present a concert featuring: Yemi Alade,

Mrs. Kanayo Awani is the Managing Director, Intra-African Trade Initiative in Afreximbank

Yemi Alade

Singer (Nigeria); Josey (Côte d’Ivoire); Nandy (Tanzania); Nadia Nakai (South Africa); Suspect 95 (Cote d’Ivoire); Didi B (Côte d’Ivoire); DJ Mohgreen (Morocco/ France) and Julian Marley (USA).

This line-up, especially curated by AFRIMA and CANEX WKND aims to showcase the diversity of talent from across the content, and with an important nod to the diaspora.

Artists representing the various regions of Africa will bring their star talent and energy to the closing event of what promises to be an historic event for Africa’s creative sector.

CANEX and AFRIMA are aligned as platforms with the mission to promote, develop, and celebrate African talent. As Africa’s leading music awards event, AFRIMA has developed a strong reputation based on its

key values of Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency.

According to the Executive Producer/ Presdient, AFRIMA, Mr Mike Dada, the partnership with CANEX WKND is a great move to consolidate efforts in developing Africa’s creative economy.

“Having seen that AFREXIM’s vision for CANEX WKND aligns significantly with our primary objectives of stimulating the creative economy, and developing it for the future generations, we are very excited to partner on this. We are happy about the fact that this will also help further promote African talents to an international audience, and give them more access to career-lifting opportunities. This is the beginning of more great collaborations for the growth of the African creative space.”

CANEX WKND is free to attend for all delegates who will be able to attend all the key event sessions including a range of intensive masterclasses commencing on Thursday 24 November, the main plenary sessions that will include experts such as; Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya (Nigeria); Didier Drogba, Retired Professional Footballer (Côte d’Ivoire) Alex Okosi, Managing Director of EMEA Emerging Markets at YouTube (Nigeria); Elvis Adidiema, Director, Sony Music for French-speaking Africa (Congo); Abdul-Karim Abdullah, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Culture Management Group (CMG) and Afrochella Festival (Ghana); Magali Ohouens, Modern Art Specialist & Exhibition Coordinator at Cécile Fakhoury Gallery (Côte d’Ivoire); Armando Cabral, Founder and Creative Director, Armando Cabral (Portugal); and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author (Nigeria) amongst others.

Randle, Soga to Speak at Rotary Club of Ikeja’s Foundation Dinner

F

amed Chartered Accountant, Bashorun Jaiye Randle and Past District Governor, Rotary International District 9110 Deinde Soga will be speaking at this year’s Rotary Club of Ikeja’s Foundation Fundraising Dinner.

According to a press release signed by the club’s Public Image Director, Rotarian Segun Adebowale, the dinner will take place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA on Monday, November 21, 2022.

The release added that the dinner which will be hosted by famed industrialist and Past President of the club, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye CON, OFR, will also have the Doyen of District 9110, Past District Governor, Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi, MON, as the Father

of the Day and the District Governor, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson will also grace the event.

Speaking on the event, the Foundation Director of the club, Rotarian Samson Agbato, PhD said the club settled for the twoaccomplishedguestspeakersbecause of their achievements in their different fields and involvement in philanthropy.

Agbato added: ‘’Bashorun Randle is an accomplished chartered Accountant, a one-time President of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN).

He was Chairman KPMG West Africa and Africa at one time or the other. We chose him because he is actively involved in philanthropy. The choice of PDG Soga was based on the fact that he was District

Governor pf RI District 9110 in the year 2010-2011. He was also District Foundation Committee Chair (2017-2020), and current Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator. ‘’Our target for this year Foundation Fundraising Dinner is to raise the sum of $100,000.

The reason is that Rotary Foundation transforms gifts into projects that change lives close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, the Foundation benefits from a global network of Rotary members who invest their time and expertise to ensure that projects are high-impact and sustainable and meet the most pressing needs of the communities they serve. ‘’ While commenting on the dinner, the

Imaginative President of the club, Sola Akinsiku described both speakers as ‘’gentlemen of impeccable integrity who also commit to giving and serving humanity.’’

Akinsiku added, ‘’The main reason for the dinner is to host individuals that we have invited to donate towards the Foundation. It is intended to create a platform to enlighten the audience about the importance of supporting humanity, meeting the needs of the needy. ‘’We plan to raise minimum of $100,000. We believe this will ultimately enhance our financial capacity to execute landmark projects that will more reasonably meet the needs of our communities. The primary essence is to enable us increase our capacity to execute projects that will directly impact on the communities positively.’’

Oil Surveillance Coy Distributes Relief Materials to Victims in Bayelsa, Imo, Rivers Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

P

ipeline surveillance company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) as parts of its social responsibility yesterday began the distribution food and non food items to various communities affected by flood in Rivers State, Bayelsa and Imo state.

The Chief Executive Officer/Corporate Managing Director, Mr Osahon Okubo, who led the first phase of distribution of materials in Ohoada West Local Government Areas of Rivers, Emuoha and Abua Odual LGAs, said it’s was part of company’s effort to support flood victims.

Over 23 communities from the three states are expected to benefit from the relief materials distribution. Among items distributed are bags of rice, indomie noddles, garri, salt, Maggi, vegetable oil, foot wears, clothes.

Represented by Admiral Akinjide Akinrinnade

(Rtd) the Project Lead for PINL, said the company has been a key partner in the fight against pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

He said: “The Federal Government also recently assigned us the responsibility of providing surveillance and maintenance of the Trans Niger Pipeline due to our track record of excellent service delivery.

“As a socially responsible company, we are not insensitive to the plight of our partners who have been rendered homeless, besides losing human lives as a result of the ravaging flood.

“We can only be happy if our host communities are happy since we are in business to achieve a mutually beneficial goal.

“Suffice to say that we are partners in progress to sustain production of crude oil which remains the major source of revenue to governments at all levels as well as save the communities from environmental pollution arising from the activities of illegal crude oil refiners.

“Wehavethereforecometosympathisewithyou

today for your losses due to the natural disaster and also show care by providing a token of support in form of food items and other essentials to mitigate the impact of the flood on the people.

“Our action is further informed by our social obligation (as good corporate citizen) to support efforts of government in providing solutions to current multifaceted socio-economic challenges in the midst of dwindling revenue.

“We wish to use this opportunity to assure you traditional rulers, Chiefs, CDC, Youth and women leaders of our determination to carry everyone along as we continue to discharge our corporate social responsibilities with utmost fidelity, transparency and accountability.

“On behalf of PINL, we thank you for the unflinching support and cooperation you have accorded the company since inception of the project.

“We also pray that God will grant you the strength to speedily recover from the physical and psychological trauma occasioned by the flood,” he said.

On his part, Mr Daddy Green, a community leader, commended PINL, for the donation of food and non food items to the host communities of pipeline infrastructure.

He said no company have ever shown such gesture to them before now, urging other oil firms to emulate the goodwill of PINL to host community,nottoforgetthemintheirtryingtimes.

Receiving the items on behalf of Ahoada, Chief Stephenson Ikah, said his heart is feel with joy, as they have done what Napoleon cannot do.

He said if other companies are behaving the way PINL, had behaved their will not be any problem, as there pipeline are safe and secured, there will not be sabotage.

King Christian Amadi, the Paramount Ruler of Rumuekpe, in Emuoha, said this is the first time he is seeing such from indigenous oil firm.

He said that the community has been very peaceful since they had crisis in 2011, that the company should also remember their youths for employment opportunities.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

NEWS

Oshiomhole: PDP’s Crisis Signpost to APC’s Victory in 2023 Deji Elumoye in Abuja Former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has declared that the current crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a clear indication of outright victory for APC in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

According to him, APC is far ahead of the opposition parties in the race to retain the Presidency in next year’s poll.

Oshiomhole, who spoke with newsmen yesterday after a meet-

ing with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, cited the recurring crisis within the PDP, as an indication towards victory for the APC. The former governor of Edo State, while stressing that apart from the fact that the PDP has made fundamental errors, also pointed at the clear development agenda so far marshalled to various stakeholder groups by APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as another indicator to the party’s superior winning advantages.

According to him, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar, had depleted the opposition party’s chances by offending some of those who ought to be major backers of his campaign, citing the scenario with the G-5 Governors.

He also pointed out what he described as a divisive campaign strategy of the PDP, at a time that the country needed all leaders to pursue national cohesion.

The former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said PDP was now whittled in influence as it was now left with seven governors running the campaigns with the party’s candidate.

His words: “You now have the G-5 Governors who said the understanding we reached in Asaba, voluntarily, both

by PDP and APC governors, they stand by that agreement, namely that leaders must have character and that if you are not yet President and you are not obeying agreement, and Nigerians are talking of national unity you disobeyed the provision of your party constitution, which talks about rotation in order to service that unity and you can go to some parts of the country and say don’t vote for Igbo, don’t vote for Yoruba.

Ugwuanyi Moves to Clear Promotion Backlogs for Civil Servants In furtherance of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi recently granted approval to the Enugu State Civil Service Commission (ESCSC) to conduct promotion H[HUFLVH IRU HOLJLEOH VWDͿ DFURVV WKH state’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The promotion exercise was LQ IXOÀOOPHQW RI *RYHUQRU Ugwuanyi’s earlier promise to clear all backlogs of promotions for civil servants in the state.

Consequently, over 3,000 state civil servants last weekend converged on the Government Secondary School (GSS), Enugu,

for their 2021/2022 promotion examination.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the ESCSC, Mr. Robinson Odo, said, “The agenda for the 2021/2022 promotion is to ensure that members of VWDͿ ZKR VFDOH WKURXJK LQ WKH exercise are promoted without delay to enable them celebrate the upcoming yuletide as promoted R΀FHUV µ Odo explained that “the just concluded promotion examination was in written form, and HQFRPSDVVHG VWDͿ RQ VDODU\ grade levels 07 and above, whose briefs had earlier been UHFHLYHG E\ WKH FRPPLVVLRQ µ

Glo Has Given Meaning to My Dream, Says Car Winner

AGAINST DRUG ABUSE… L-R: Publisher/Editor, Realnews, Maureen Chigbo; Chairperson/Group Managing Director, Futureview Financial Services Limited, Mrs Elizabeth Ngozi Ebi; Guest Lecturer/Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa; Director General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM), Dr. Dokun Adedeji and former Chairman and Head, Department of Mass Communications, University of Lagos, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye at the 10th Anniversary Lecture on “Drug Abuse among Youths in Africa: Implication for Nigerian Economy and 2023 Elections” in Lagos… Thursday.

PHOTO: Abiodun Ajala

SSAUTHRIAL Calls for Implementation of 2021 Promotion Exercise Funmi Ogundare

7KH 6HQLRU 6WDͿ $VVRFLDWLRQ RI Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (SSAUTHRIAL) has called for the full implementation of 2021 promotion exercise conducted by the former Chairman of its Governing Board, Alhaji Ibrahim

Gwarzo.

However, the exercise was suspended due to a series of petitions raised against it to the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, in which issues about irregularities in the institute’s nominal role were raised.

The Chairman of the association, Togunde Mumeen in a telephone interview with

THISDAY, said the promotion has already been budgeted for in 2022 personnel budget, adding that if it is not implemented either this month or in December, the money will be returned to the treasury.

He wondered why the HQWLUH VWDͿ RI WKH LQVWLWXWH were stagnated, saying that a former Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu had

D VSHFLDO LQWHUHVW LQ WKH DͿDLUV RI FIIRO because of its former acting Director General (DG) Chima Igwe who is currently facing trial for DOOHJHG FHUWLÀFDWH IRUJHU\ Igwe was appointed the acting DG of the institute on 13 May, 2019, and demoted to research R΀FHU LQ )HEUXDU\ DIWHU IDLOLQJ WR SUHVHQW KLV 3K' FHUWLÀFDWH more than 17 years after claiming to have bagged the degree.

2EL &XEDQD 5HIXWHV $OOHJHG 5RDG 7UDͿF NIGCOMSAT to Boost 5G Deployment in Nigeria with Satellite Technology Violations Contract with Anambra Udora Orizu in Abuja

messages circulating on GLͿHUHQW VRFLDO PHGLD SODWBusinessman Obinna forms claiming that I, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana) and the as Obi Cubana, has refuted Cubana Group of Companies claims that the Cubana Group have been contracted by the of Companies have been Anambra State Government to contracted by the Anambra FROOHFW UHYHQXHV IRU URDG WUD΀F State Government to collect violations, on its behalf. This UHYHQXHV IRU URDG WUD΀F story is false and fabricated by mischief makers. violations, on its behalf.

“I emphatically state that In a statement yesterday, the entrepreneur described neither I, Obinna Iyiegbu the allegation as false and (Obi Cubana) nor the Cubana fabricated by mischief makers. Group of Companies or any While noting that he has company I am interested in or no intention of bidding for related to, has ever expressed or accepting any contract to interest in, bidded for, accollect revenue or apprehend cepted or has any intention URDG WUD΀F YLRODWRUV KH XUJHG of bidding for or accepting all those spreading the mali- any contract to collect revenue cious information to cease or RU DSSUHKHQG URDG WUD΀F he may be compelled to take violators from Anambra State Government or any legal action. whatsoever.

The statement reads, “My government attention has been drawn to We have no such interest various audio and written DQG QHYHU ZLOO µ

Emma Okonji

surance in Lagos on Thursday, during a stakeholders’ engageThe Nigerian Commu- ment forum, with the theme: nications Satellite Limited ‘NIGCOMSAT: The Roadmap (NIGCOMSAT) has assured for Enhanced Service Delivery.’

Managing Director of Nigerians of a faster, wider coverage, and better deploy- NIGCOMSAT, Dr. Abimbola ment of 5G network across Alale said Nigeria has comthe country in 2023, when it menced the bidding process will launch Nigeria’s second for the handling of the second satellite and that the process satellite into space.

The second satellite, known would soon be concluded to as NigComSat 2, is expected get the right satellite company to be launched in 2023, fol- that would build and launch lowing the near expiration of Nigeria’s second satellite. .

According to her, the the lifespan of NigComSat1-R that was launched into space stakeholders’ forum will help NIGCOMSAT to get in 2011.

NigComSat1-R, which has a feedback from stakeholders, lifespan of 15 years, is currently while seeking collaboration.

“As players within the being used by NIGCOMSAT WR RͿHU FRPPXQLFDWLRQ industry, we are bound by services to customers within common goals and interests. and outside Nigeria, and it is We must therefore view the gradually coming to the end stakeholders’ meeting as critical WR WKH LQGXVWU\·V JURZWK µ $ODOH of its lifespan.

NIGCOMSAT gave the as- said.

Forty two year-old Adeosun Adedayo has become a proud owner of a brand new Kia car in the ongoing Globacom Festival of Joy promo.

For the Kuje-based Automobile (QJLQHHU LW ZDV D ÀWWLQJ IXOÀOPHQW of his cherished dream of owning a brand new car. “I never had a premonition of this coming at this time, even though I opted to participate in the promo. Dr Mike Adenuga and Globacom have proven to be real ‘talk and do masters’ who have changed my life. Nothing compares to a EUDQG QHZ FDU µ KH FRQIHVVHG It was after he was sure of the veracity of the calls to him from Glo informing him of the car prize that the father of two started screaming in excitement.

The sentiment was the same for Aruwa Samuel, a policeman with the FCT Command of Nigerian Police, who took home a sewing PDFKLQH D EHÀWWLQJ JLIW WR KLV ZLIH who, incidentally, is a tailor with only one sewing machine. He thanked Globacom for making it possible for him to win the prize.

The winners of Rechargeable Fans chorused the importance of the fans in the approaching heat period. One of them, Tamar Yahaya, an Entrepreneur from

Kaduna, declared that Globacom “has solved the problem of coping with heat, especially at night when I desire sound sleep and there is poor supply of power. Now, VOHHS FDQ EH IXQ DJDLQ IRU PH µ VKH D΀UPHG Earlier in an address on behalf of the company, the Regional Manager in charge of Abuja and Nassarawa, Mr Kemi Kaka, disclosed that Globacom has “always introduced several promotional activities and have always brought joy to our ever loyal subscribers by delivering their prizes to them.

“Two days ago, we began the process of presenting prizes to winners of the Festival of Joy SURPRWLRQ 7KH ÀUVW KRXVH winner, Ibrahim Akindele, who is a student of Ekiti State University, took possession of a three-bedroom house in Ibadan.

Just yesterday, several subscribers who also emerged winners in the Ibadan area also went home with their prizes, including a brand new car, power generators, sewing PDFKLQHV DQG UHFKDUJHDEOH IDQVµ he disclosed, while promising the people of Abuja and environs that the houses and other prizes would come their way if they continue to recharge.

Nigerian Taofeek Baderu Emerges 2022 ABSA L’Atelier Winner Charles Ajunwa Taofeek Baderu, a multimedia artist known for his everevolving style with a specialty in sculpture and textile, has emerged the 2022 winner of the prestigious ABSA L’Atelier art competition.

Baderu is a graduate of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta and later Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State where he subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree and Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Fine and Applied Arts, majoring in Textile Design.

The ABSA L’Atelier art competition is one of the prestigious art competitions in Africa, hosted annually by ABSA in collaboration with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA).

The competition features artists between the ages of 21 and 40 and has been in existence for 36 years.

In a statement, Managing Director, ABSA Securities RepUHVHQWDWLYH R΀FH LQ 1LJHULD Mr. Bamidele Sadiq Abu, said that each year dynamic, inspiring and young visual artists from across Africa are DͿRUGHG WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR develop their talents abroad through the ABSA L’Atelier competition.

He said the prize package for the ABSA L’Atelier Ambassadors include; a month-long mentorship programme with a mentor of their choice (guidance from ABSA & SANAVA), 10 masterclasses discussing relevant topics with SURIHVVLRQDOV LQ WKH ÀHOG D laptop containing Microsoft R΀FH NLW D JURXS H[KLELWLRQ the opportunity for a solo exhibition within the next ÀYH \HDUV LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK ABSA, in the ABSA gallery.

“Additionally, the comSHWLWLRQ RͿHUV WKHP WKH platform to explore themes and contemporary issues that will bring their possibilities WR OLIH µ KH VDLG

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 19, 2022

46

NEWSXTRA

FUNCTIONAL ALUMNI… L-R: Social Secretary, Great Landers 87 Alumni Association (GLA87AA), Mr. Olumide Bodede; Vice President, GLA87AA, Engr. Gbovo Bello-Osagie; President, GLA87AA, Mr. Abiona Babarinde; Head of Senior School, Maryland Secondary School, Ikeja, Mr. Akinmayowa Atoki; General Secretary, GLA87AA, Mrs. Folashade Taiwo, at the thanksgiving service by GLA87AA of Maryland Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos to celebrate their 35 years’ anniversary from their secondary school… recently

FOR FAIR COMPETITION… L-R: CEO Absa Nigeria, Sadiq Abu; Chairman, Absa Nigeria, Adedotun Sulaiman; 2022 Absa L’Atelier Ambassador Taofeek Badru; Head of Investment Banking, Absa Nigeria Adebayo Adeyemi at the ABSA L’Atelier competition in Lagos on Tuesday

2023: Omo-Agege, Delta Govt in Fierce War of Words Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

quarters that that the state APC was too divided to Barely three months to the organise a successful camcommencement of the 2023 paign that would break general election in Nigeria, PDP’s stranglehold on the Peoples Democratic Delta or enable him realise Party (PDP) led Delta State his gubernatorial ambition Government has continued to next year.

He said that the PDP in trade words with members of the other parties, particularly the state that was far more the governorship candidate of divided than the APC in the the All Progressives Congress state, saying that imposition (APC), Senator Ovie Omo- of candidates, particularly the Agege who has questioned the governorship, was at the root FKRLFH RI 6KHULͿ 2ERUHYZRUL of the crisis now rocking the PDP. as the PDP candidate.

The APC candidate, who Unveiling his manifesto at a press conference in Asaba is also the Deputy President ZKLOH ÁDJJLQJ RͿ KLV FDP- of the Senate, alleged that paign, Senator Omo-Agege the PDP Delta State had debunked claims in certain broken up into two distinct

groups, which he termed, The Intellectual Group and The Agbero Group”, led by former governor James Ibori and Governor Okowa, respectively.

He claimed that about 70 per cent of the intellectuals in the state PDP had formed themselves into the intellectual group headed by Ibori as a result of disagreement over the FKRLFH RI +RQ 6KHULͿ 2ERUevwori as the governorship candidate, which he claimed Governor Okowa was trying to use to secure a “third term” through the backdoor.

While insisting that the PDP candidate, as Speaker of the state legislature, was a stooge of the governor who

Nigeria Tech. Company Announces Afro-Caribbean Expansion Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A Nigerian technological company, Wennovation Hub, has announced its expansion into the Afro-Caribbean corridor.

7KH ÀUP ZKLFK ZDV Nigeria’s pioneer innovation accelerator, said the WehubBarbados would be the hub’s ÀUVW ORFDWLRQ RXWVLGH $IULFD DQG was part of its “Global Scale” strategy.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Executive Partner of LoftyInc Group, Michael Oluwagbemi noted that the Caribbean economy amidst other countries in the Americas was favourable to startups because major regulatory adjustments had been implemented to attract increased trade and business activity into the global tourism hotbed.

He said some of these reforms that have made it easier to start a business in the region include business registrations, enforcing contracts, and paying taxes.

Oluwagbemi stressed that the We-hub Barbados would aim to continue its impact by implementing founder catalyst programs and providing startup support services such as Market Entry and Consulting Services for African and Caribbean

Startups looking to expand operations across the Atlantic.

He added that the Hub would also provide Training and Investment Readiness Programs to Barbados-based start-ups, businesses, and governments in a bid to assist the development of their tech ecosystems in ways that would improve the cross-business opportunities for Caribbean startups entering the African market and lead an innovationdriven post-covid recovery.

Oluwagbemi said it would also partner with corporate institutions in the co-creation and execution of bespoke programs in social impact sectors.

He said: “We are on a bold mission to creatively invest in ideas, empower entrepreneurs, and enable digital innovation for emerging economies and we have done this over the last 11 years.

“With globalisation gradually breaking barriers and speeding up economic integration, we believe now is the right time WR VFDOH RXU HͿRUWV JOREDOO\ WR deliver value and champion the interconnectivity of markets and economies and this is the ÀUVW VWHS LQ WKDW GLUHFWLRQµ Also, the Managing Director of Antrilis, Andrew Payne said his company was open to enabling and collaborating

with mission-focused organisations like Wennovation and the LoftyInc group.

According to him, we look forward to unlocking the HFRQRPLF EHQHÀWV SRZHUHG by collaborations such as this”.

Deltans could not entrust the government of the state, stressing that he represents the rescuer the people needed at this point in time to deliver a transparent and accountable government.

Omo-Agege, who reiterated that he had no regrets about the role he played as a member of a group of national lawmakers that stalled the impeachment move against President Muhammadu Buhari, Iambasted his PDP counterpart for claiming to be

the longest-serving speaker in the Delta State House of Assembly.

He challenged Oborevwori to point to any visible project he had attracted to his Okpe community or Delta central senatorial district since he became speaker by the grace of the governor, saying he would perform woefully if elected governor.

While unfolding to journalists his 60-page Manifesto, summarised in the acronym ‘EDGE’, which he said was

designed to “build a new Delta”, the APC candidate said it was unacceptable that Delta State currently occupied the second place in the list of indebtedness among the 36 states of the federation despite the huge revenue accruals, alleging that Governor Okowa had worsened matters by pumping billions of naira belonging to Delta State into the PDP presidential campaign in order to achieve his vice-presidential ambition.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

47

SPORTS XTRA

OkochaVoted Best World Cup Dribbler Since 1966

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ccordingto a survey carried out by O p t a , former Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha, tops the list of most dribbles in a single FIFA World Cup game since 1966.

The survey shows that the former Paris Saint Germaine midfielder made a total of 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 1994 World Cup in the USA totaling 83 per cent.

Brazil’s Jairzinho and England’s Paul Gascoigne are tied in second place on the list with 13 dribbles respectively.

Jairzinho recorded his feat against Uruguay at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico while Gazza was outstanding with his skills against Cameroon at the World Cup hosted by Italy in 1990.

Italy’s Sandro Mazzola is fourth on the list. The legendary former Inter striker made 12 successful dribbles against Poland at the 1974 edition of the tournament in Germany averaging 75 per cent.

Okocha got past an Italian opponent at the 1994 World Cup in Italy

During his playing career, Mazzola won four Serie A titles in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971, two European Cups in 1964 and 1965 and two Intercontinental Cups in 1964 and 1965.

German winger, Reinhard Libuda, is ranked fifth on the list after recording 12 successful take-on during Germany’s clash with Bulgaria at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

The trio of Eusebio, Johan Cruyff and late Diego Maradona also recorded 12

dribbles in a World Cup game.

Cruyff had 12 successful dribbles against Sweden at the 1974 edition of the tournament in Germany while Maradona recorded the same number of dribbles against England at the 1986 edition just as Eusebio did against Hungary at the 1966 edition.

The quartet of Jean Tigana, Maradona, Jose Valencia, Lionel Messi also made 11 successful dribbles in a World Cup

game according to Opta.

Tigana at the 1982 World against Austria recorded 11 dribbles while at the same tournament, Maradona also totaled 11 take-ons in their clash with Austria.

Jose Valencia also had 11 dribbles vs Hungary at the 1978 edition just as Lionel Messi against Mexico at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Eden Hazard had 10 successful dribbles in two games at the 2018 World Cup against Brazil and France.

Qatar 2022: Alcohol Sales Banned at World Cup Alcohol will not be sold to fans at the World Cup’s eight stadiums in Qatar after Fifa changed its policy two days before the start of the tournament.

Alcohol was set to be served “in select areas within stadiums”, despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.

Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament will still be able to purchase alcohol.

The World Cup starts on Sunday when Qatar play Ecuador.

Budweiser, a major sponsor of Fifa, is owned by beer

maker AB InBev and had exclusive rights to sell beer at the World Cup. “Following discussions between host country authorities and Fifa, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the Fifa fan festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s Fifa World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters,” said a statement from world football’s governing body.

“There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums.

“Host country authorities and Fifa will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans.

“The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022.”

Budweiser posted a message on Twitter yesterday saying, “Well, this is awkward” before the post was later deleted.

An AB InBev spokesper-

son said that they could not proceed with “some of the planned stadium activations” because of “circumstances beyond our control”.

The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) criticised the timing of the decision to ban the sale of beer for most fans.

“Some fans like a beer at a game and some don’t, but the real issue is the last minute U-turn which speaks to a wider problem - the total lack of communication and clarity from the organising committee towards supporters,” said an FSA spokesperson.

No Restrictions to Female Referees in Qatar Female referees will not be stopped from officiating World Cup matches involving conservative nations such as Iran, Saudi Arabia or Qatar because of cultural or religious sensitivities.

This year’s tournament marks the first time female referees have officiated at a men’s World Cup. But women’s rights are heavily restricted in some World Cup nations.

Rwanda’s Salima Mukansanga, Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita and Frenchwoman Stephanie Frappart have been appointed.

Referees chief Pierluigi Collina emphasised they had been selected because

they are match officials and “not because they are women”.

“It [the presence of female referees] is something new, it’s something that attracts attention, it attracts interest,” said Collina, who is chairman of the Fifa Referees Committee.

“For us, they are referees, they are match officials.

This is the message I gave them. ‘You are here not because you are women, you are here because you are Fifa match officials’.

“All match officials can be appointed for all matches. If there are restrictions, because there

are restrictions, they are restrictions concerning their role here.

“We have some restrictions due to neutrality, for instance. But they are here Fifa World Cup 2022 match officials and they are ready to officiate any kind of match, depending on their performances, depending on our thoughts.”

In additions to Mukansanga, Yoshimi and Frappart, three female assistant referees have also been selected for the World Cup. “We are here because we deserve to be here. Back at our confederation, or back at home it is another

level, so this is the biggest level of football,” said Mukansanga.

“So being here means we deserve to be here, it’s not a change or because we are women.”

“We are in the hands of Fifa so they will make the appointment. I am not afraid of anything,” added Frappart.

“We know there is a lot of expectation, we know that more and more games is important, but we also have experience in our competition. I made a lot of games with high importance, so with all this experience we will be ready for the matches.”

Kolo Toure Close to Becoming Next Wigan Athletic Manager Former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is close to becoming the new Wigan Athletic manager.

Toure, 41, who is currently a Leicester City first-team coach, has held talks with the Championship side and has impressed the owners enough for them to offer him the job.

Wigan, who have been searching for a new boss since sacking Leam Richardson last Thursday, are expected to announce their new manager over the weekend.

Toure’s brother Yaya was also considered for

the role but he will be staying in his current job at Tottenham where he is part of the academy coaching staff.

Former Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure, who retired at the end of the 2016/17 season at Celtic, took up a coaching role at the Scottish Premiership side in September 2017.

Toure then followed Brendan Rodgers to Leicester in February 2019 when the Northern Irishman took over as Foxes manager.

But Toure now looks set to take up his first management role at Wigan, who are currently in the Championship relegation zone in 22nd.

Djokovic Maintain Winning Run in ATP Finals Novak Djokovic maintained his winning run at the ATP Finals with victory over Daniil Medvedev in Turin.

Djokovic had already secured top spot in the Red Group but had to battle to earn a 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-2) victory in three hours 11 minutes.

Medvedev led 5-4 and was serving for the match in the decider before Djokovic recovered to take the set to a tie-break.

“It’s a huge relief,” Djokovic told Amazon Prime Video.

“Daniil and I had some battles in the past and I knew coming into the match today it’s going to be his last match of the season, and he is definitely not going to want to finish the season with a loss.

“I started off very well, had my chances early in the second. He just played very well in those decisive moments.

I didn’t feel physically so well in the third set to be honest, I struggled a lot staying physically there.

“I’m really proud of being able to find that last drop of energy and necessary focus in order to come back into the match.

“This match against

one of the greatest rivals I have today was very important, regardless of the fact I’d qualified already and I really wanted to win.”

Djokovic will face American Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals on Saturday, while Medvedev goes out having lost all three group matches.

Russia’s Andrey Rublev completes the last-four line-up in the men’s singles after coming from behind to beat Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 3-6 6-3 6-2.

Rublev qualifies for the semi-final as the Red Group runner-up and will face Norway’s Casper Ruud.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Neal Skupski qualified for the men’s doubles final alongside Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof after results elsewhere.

Green Group winners Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic maintained their winning run to beat Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4).

The result meant Skupski and Koolhof, who beat Ivan Dodig and Austin Krajicek 7-5 4-6 10-6 earlier on Friday, will face Britain’s Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram in the semifinals.

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev

Saturday, November 19, 2022

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MISSILE

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to Separatists “Secession is never an option. Everybody is thinking of being large or big.

Nigeria today is a large area of about 200 million people. Whatever you’re doing, if you’re a businessman, then you have a market for 200 million people. Why do you want to break it and go to a smaller place?”

–Chairman, Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Worldwide), Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu chiding those demanding for Nigeria’s break up.

IKECHUKWUEZE GUEST COLUMNIST

Jonathan: Quintessential African Statesman at 65

T

omorrow, Sunday, November 20, 2022, former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will turn 65. You would expect that on a day like this, Dr. Jonathan would be at a big party in a swanky location, popping the choicest champagne and clinking gold-trimmed glasses while throating cheers with his family, friends and numerous well-wishers, to celebrate this significant milestone.

There, spirited prayers and encomiums would deservedly be poured out freely, in adulation and appreciation of his very considerable achievements.

Such would have been the choice of many who have attained his level of prominence, class and power. But President Jonathan usually would do it his way, without the usual spectacle and fanfare. For him, it is always one of two things: he would either be in his country home in Otuoke, a tranquil community in the wetlands of Bayelsa state surrounded by family and few friends or spend the day in an unsung but unpretentious grind, doing stuff that would benefit the rest of humanity. This year he has chosen the later.

Before the day brightens tomorrow, Dr. Jonathan would have been airborne, well out of our shores, on his way to Abidjan where he is billed to chair a sub-regional meeting of statesmen and senior citizens who will be brainstorming on the challenging socio-political environment and leadership question in West Africa.

He will be spending the day with fellow West African former Presidents and other distinguished leaders who are members of the West African Elders Forum, a project of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. Since leaving office in 2015, Dr. Jonathan has transferred his enormous goodwill and efforts at transforming the lives of the people to the works of the Foundation, a pro-peace and good governance initiative which he conceived and dedicated to preserving and upholding democratic principles, for the peace and prosperity of African nations.

Since he left office on May 29, 2015, Jonathan has remained an international hot property and foremost go-to personality on the global engagements list. Since then, he has won numerous awards, spoken at many A-list international events, led election observer missions to many countries and currently heads peace missions to many countries on the continent.

President Jonathan is one politician whose genial humanity has always guided him to toe the path of altriusm and do good. The few remaining clan of his detractors may openly hold a contrary view but they know deep in their hearts that President Jonathan’s five years in office and all that he achieved truly reflected his amazing persona; a selfless approach to governance, drive to fix a broken nation and passion to improve the lives of the people.

Jonathan picked up a nation in need of stability, and, to prepare it for progress, he first laid the foundation for love, peace, unity and national cohesion before establishing standard democratic values for which he received commendation from the United Nations (UN). It is against this background that he introduced a Transformation Agenda with which he repositioned Nigeria for unprecedented economic growth. Under Jonathan Nigeria became the largest economy in

Jonathan

Africa with a GDP of over half a trillion dollars, attracted the highest foreign direct investment (FDIs) in Africa and kept inflationary pressure at single digit.

The Transformation Agenda of his administration was truly designed to reposition Nigeria for greatness. You could gauge his true intentions from the choice of his team members. Driven only by the desire for results, Jonathan assembled worldbeaters with proven capacity and competence, to head different ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) of government. Most of the people he recruited as ministers got there on the strength of their personal records of achievement, some of whom he never previously met. They included Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Dr Olusegun Aganga, Dr Omobola Johnson, and Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

In his determination to get the best hands from all over the country, the President went beyond convention and devised a more practically-oriented headhunting strategy. For some categories of professionals, he directly recruited them without recourse to referrals, after spotting them himself and covertly following their work and performance. Dr. Sam Amadi, a renowned scholar and associate professor of law, who headed Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was one of such. The president first spotted ‘the young man’ on television, and quietly checked him out by following his contributions and perspectives on national issues.

Satisfied with his performance, he subsequently got the appropriate agencies to check his records, before making the move to bring him on board.

At the end of the day, his strategy of engaging the best hands, pursuing people-oriented policies and strengthening government institutions paid off with marked improvement in the lives of the people.

Some of his soar-away achievements included improved roads and rail infrastructure, revamping of the social sectors and increased agricultural

production, which improved the nation’s rating in food security and lifted many out of poverty by reducing hunger. By building 165 almajiri schools, establishing 12 additional federal universities and three specialized universities, and introducing the Presidential Special Scholarship for Innovation and Development (PRESSID), the Jonathan administration aimed to expand access to education, and improve the nation’s technological know-how.

One very significant achievement worth singling out was the Nigerian content Act which Dr. Jonathan signed into law in 2010 to boost the hold and proficiency of Nigerians in the nation’s oil and gas sector. Otherwise known as the local content policy, the measure designed to address the challenge of insufficient value addition in the extractive industry has greatly facilitated the development of indigenous capacity and capability, especially in the oil and gas sub-sector.

The success Dr. Jonathan is recording today in promoting peace and deepening democracy in many African nations, is simply a continuation of the giant strides he made while in office. As President, he worked assiduously with his fellow Heads of State in the ECOWAS sub-region to resolve socio-political crises in many countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso and Togo. Under him Nigeria was nominated twice in five years to serve in the United Nations Security Council, a feat hardly achieved by non-permanent members of the Security Council.

Five years ago, when Dr. Jonathan turned 60 I had described him as a true democrat and selfless leader whose life casts on the public space a bright ray of light that illuminates the dark recesses of the nation’s murky and divisive politicking. I wrote then that the “echoes of the now iconic aphorism ‘my political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian’, backed by a rare courage in statesmanship has become the clarion call for responsible citizenship and patriotism in Africa.”

Perhaps, that call rings louder now that our politicking has become more tenuous, bogged down by unprecedented friction, bigotry and prebendalism in politicking.

When in 2015 Nigerians demanded and got a change of government, Dr. Jonathan easily reached out to his successor to congratulate him, wholeheartedly thanked Nigerians for the opportunity to serve them and gladly moved on without a whiff of grudge and bitterness in his heart.

Not a man to take refuge in extended inertia, Dr. Jonathan had four months after leaving office dispatched letters to friends and close associates including Nigeria’s former heads of state, African leaders, foreign missions in Nigeria as well as other international figures announcing his decision to return to work. In the letter, he had said: “On Friday, 29th May, 2015; I completed my term of office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and successfully handed over government to President Muhammadu Buhari.

I immediately proceeded on a long-deserved break; I have enjoyed a delightful time with my family and close friends. Now, well rested, I am back to work; to continue to serve and dedicate my life towards promoting peace and

prosperity for all.”

Since then, the former President has not relented, applying himself to a more nuanced call of service. He has even done more now to promote democracy, peace and good governance across West Africa than ever before, with a zeal, pace and scope yet to be matched by any other former leader.

His hands are indeed full. Dr. Jonathan is the Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Convener of the West African Elders Forum, Chairman of ECOWAS Council of the Wise, Chairperson of the African Chapter of the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) as well as ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali.

In 2021, he was invited by the Government and people of The Gambia to help the country galvanize a consensus on the draft of a proposed new constitution, especially after the process got stalled in The Gambian parliament.

Similarly, in the same year, he was invited by the President of the Republic of South Sudan to help the country provide a direction for the implementation of a peace process signed by all the factions to bring stability to the young central African nation. Former President Jonathan has continued to apply himself to these and other assignments including routinely leading international observer missions to observe elections in many African countries.

Ditto for many of his former ministers and appointees who today are at the commanding heights of global agencies across the world, either occupying key professorial chairs at Ivy League institutions or heading many organization like the World Trade Organisations, the African Development Bank, the Global Alliance for Affordable Internet, while another is currently Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank Group.

At the beginning of the Buhari administration, opinions were divided within members of the government on President Jonathan’s performance and his place in history. However, today, in the twilight of the Buhari administration there seems to be unanimity of thought and opinion on Jonathan’s considerable performance and significant achievement in office.

Even those who despised, demonised and derided Jonathan and his ministers are now singing his praise for his good works, rare display of patriotism, selflessness and love for country. Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari, supported by senior members of his government, in an elaborate ceremony at the State House, conferred awards of excellence on Jonathan and many of his former ministers.

For whatever it is worth, such endorsement from a succeeding administration to its predecessor, both rooted in different political parties and orientation, bears a far-reaching symbolism. It will encourage President Jonathan to continue with his good works for his country and humanity. With that and many other awards and recognitions coming his way, President Jonathan is, at 65, further energized to continue his crusade for peace, democracy and good governance in Africa.

•Eze is Special Adviser on Media/Communications to H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

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