DILIP KUMAR: the INDIAN LEGEND Rajendra Aneja Pays Tribute to Dilip Kumar, a Self-Taught Artist Who Moved Generations with His Silence Or a Simple Gaze

CBN Restricts Sugar Importation to Dangote, BUA, FMN Says the three fi rms have made reasonable progress in backward integration Obinna Chima by Dangote Sugar Refi nery this in a circular dated July which was posted on the that the three companies had under the National Sugar Plc, Golden Sugar Company, 16, titled: “Sugar Importation regulator’s website yesterday. made reasonable progress in Development Council The Central Bank of Nigeria owned by Flour Mills of in Nigeria,” signed by the The CBN hinged its achieving backward integration established the Nigerian Sugar (CBN) yesterday stated that Nigeria Plc and BUA Sugar Director, Trade and Exchange reason for selecting the in the sector. Master Plan to encourage and sugar importation in the Refi nery Limited. Department, CBN, Dr. aforementioned sugar It explained: “The Federal country can only be done The central bank disclosed Ozoemena Nnaji, a copy of manufacturers on the fact Government of Nigeria Continued on page 5

Court Discharges, Acquits Ex-NBA President, Usoro of N1.4bn Fraud… Page 6

Saturday 17 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9595

www.thisdaylive.com T N250 R U N T H & R E ASO Anambra Election: INEC Excludes Soludo, Ozigbo, APGA Kicks Soludo: I'll still contest and win overwhelmingly Chuks Okocha and Commission, (INEC), yesterday (PDP) from the unveiled list of the INEC decision, alleging the party”, even as Soludo to win overwhelmingly. Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja dropped Prof. Chukwuma candidates for the November that the commission was boasted that despite not A Court in Abuja Soludo of the All Progressives 6 Governorship Election in substituting its duly elected being listed by INEC, he yesterday had issued an Citing obedience to court Grand Alliance (APGA), and Anambra State. governorship candidate with was sure of taking part in order mandating INEC not rulings, the Independent Valentine Ozigbo of the Meanwhile, APGA, in that of an “impostor, who the governorship contest in National Electoral Peoples Democratic Party a swift reaction, protested is desperate to embarrass the state, and that he stands Continued on page 5 House Adopts E-Transmission of Results ‘Where Practicable’, Opposition Walks Out Elumelu: Process, a sham, House leadership prevented INEC from addressing lawmakers NCC: Nigeria lacks adequate network coverage for seamless electronic transmission of results Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, amid a walkout staged by opposition members, with the controversial Clause 52(2) intact, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “may transmit results of the election through electronic means where and when practicable”. The Senate passed same bill on Thursday but added that the “Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) must certify that national coverage is adequate and secure, while the national assembly must approve,” before INEC can adopt E-transmission of results. Yesterday, when the clause- GOODNIGHT EMILY AIG-IMOUKHUEDE... by-clause consideration of the bill was being done, the L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Son of departed and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; his wife Mrs. Ofovwe Aig- Imoukhuede; and daughter of departed, Dr. Mrs. Erekpitan Ola-Adisa, at the funeral service in honour of Pastor (Mrs.) Emily Okhenren Aig-Imoukhuede held Continued on page 5 at Our Saviour’s Church in Lagos... yesterday mubo peters 2 SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾˜ ͹Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹ 5 PAGE FIVE Tears, As General Ahmed Killed Along Lokoja-Abuja Road is Buried Lucky Irabor, Farouk Yahaya grieve, say Nigeria lost a gallant officer Kingsley NwezehÓØÌßÔË was a former Army Provost payment of his entitlements. He commended President Nigerian Army, a serving one. A statement issued by Marshal and Director, Veteran "The army will do the Muhammadu Buhari for his “So, it is not just about the the Director Army Public The Chief of Defence Staff, Affairs of the army. needful and do what is in support to the armed forces Nigerian Army or the Armed Relations, Brigadier-General Gen. Lucky Irabor and other "It's indeed a very sad our provisions. Chief of and thanked the service Forces, but it is about the Onyema Nwachukwu, said service chiefs, senior military incident given the circumstances Administration, look into it chiefs and the police chief nation and I can tell you, no a delegation from the Army officers, and family members of its occurrence but we cannot and do the needful. for attending the burial. stone will be left unturned Headquarters, led by the Chief attended the burial ceremony question God. "Under my command, we The traditional 21-gun salute in finding those who had a of Policy and Plans (Army) of Major General Husseini "It is God that calls us when will improve on entitlements was rendered while the flag hand in his murder. The killers Maj. Gen. Anthony Omozoje Ahmed, who was killed by He wants. We will all go there for those who paid the and other insignia of military would be tracked, arrested, and had visited the widow and gunmen along Lokoja-Abuja only Him that knows when. supreme price," he said. service were handed over to be brought to justice," he said. other members of the bereaved Road on his way to Abuja. Ahmed is gone, we will all go The army chief called for the wife, who was stricken General Ahmed was shot family. The burial was conducted there," the Army Chief said. prayers and urged family with grief. dead on Thursday evening by It said members of the in a solemn atmosphere at He recalled that the late members to pray for the repose Meanwhile, in his reaction to gunmen, who opened fire on Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Lungi Barracks Cemetery in Ahmed was a team player. of the soul of the departed. the death of the army general, his vehicle killing him instantly. Association (NAOWA), led by Abuja, amid tears by family "He is our colleague and "I urge people and family former Spokesman of the A source said the general the Deputy National President, members, colleagues, and we have been together for members to pray for him. It Nigerian Army, Brigadier- was on his way to Abuja from Mrs. Stella Omozoje, also others, who thronged the a long time," he said, and is now time to settle all the General S.K. Usman (rtd), said Okene when he ran into the visited the family to condole cemetery. condoled with the Nigerian quarrels. the military would apprehend gunmen. with them. Speaking at the burial, Army and the family of the "Continue to pray for him the killers of the late senior “They opened fire on his The late Ahmed was, in Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. departed general. and us in the army," he said, officer. vehicle, he died. The driver a recent shake-up in the Faruk Yahaya lamented and The Army Chief directed while pledging to ensure the “It is not just the Nigerian pretended to be dead from army, appointed a Director, described as very sad, the the administration directorate payment of his entitlements Army, this is somebody that the wound he sustained,” an Veteran Affairs at the army death of General Ahmed, who of the army to facilitate the and support his family. was a Major General in the informant said. headquarters. HOUSE ADOPTS E-TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS ‘WHERE PRACTICABLE’, OPPOSITION WALKS OUT deputy speaker, Idris Wase, if a motion of rescission on engaging in physical combat. whether this is his usual polling units in 2018. the opposition lawmakers who presided over the sitting, it was moved. person because, in our He said that means NCC showed that they were skipped clause 52, and said Elumelu argued that there Elumelu: Process, a opinion, he was telling lies. did not have coverage for disappointed in the action it would be revisited after was no need for rescission, Sham And because he was telling only 8,000 polling units. of Wase. all other clauses had been since the clause had not been lies, I brought up an Act that He added, "That for me He further clarified that considered. ruled on. Addressing journalists, gives room for funds to be presupposes over 90 per cent the issue of electronic After the clauses of the However, Wase said the alongside other opposition made available for places not coverage. Two, the reference transmission of results has bill were considered, Ndudi decision on clause 52 had lawmakers after staging a served by the USPF. And he that he made about 2G and nothing to do with opposition Elumelu, Minority Leader of already been taken. walkout, Elumelu stated agreed 100 per cent that I 3G, each of these frequencies lawmakers because Hon. the house, raised a point of At this point, the minority categorically that the man was correct. can transfer data. It is very James Faleke of the APC order that clause 52 of the bill caucus protested and walked that spoke on behalf of the Adding his voice, Deputy clear. So what we are doing also brought an amendment which stipulates the method out of the chamber. NCC told lies. Minority Leader, Toby essentially is the rule of in agreement that results of transmission of result be The bill should have been He stated: "I am happy Okechuckwu said statistically, men and not the rule of should be manually and considered. passed on Thursday but for that you are asking this according to NCC reports, our rules." electronically transmitted. But Wase, said the clause the rowdy session which NCC had coverage for 109,000 Elumelu pointed out question and that informs Continued on page 14 could only be reconsidered, later led to some lawmakers why I stood up to ask him polling units out of 119,000 that the walkout staged by ANAMBRA ELECTION: INEC EXCLUDES SOLUDO, OZIGBO, APGA KICKS to publish the name of anyone November election. Overwhelmingly was broadcast live on national of judicial orders to impose to INEC on July 2, and was as the candidate of PDP for The suit dated July 6, television networks as part of themselves on the people as duly acknowledged. November 6 Anambra State 2021, and filed the same day In a press statement made deepening the democratic their rulers, not leaders.” He expressed dismay that governorship election. by counsel to the plaintiff, available to THISDAY in process in Nigeria. INEC “is giving credence to This order came as a shock Okoro Nkemakolam, is further Awka by Soludo Campaign "Our team of dedicated and APGA Kicks some persons, alien to APGA, to Ozigbo’s camp, after it was seeking an order restraining Organisation and signed competent legal experts has who had gone to procure a reported the previous day that Soludo from parading himself by Soludo's media aide, studied the judgment and judgement from a Jigawa court the restraining order from as the validly or duly elected Joe Anatune, he urges his confident of overturning Addressing a press conference to drop our Governorship the state high court Awka, candidate of the party for the supporters not to despair over it effortlessly. The party is at the party's national candidate.” which had earlier stopped the said election. the exclusion of his name on at liberty to nominate the headquarters in Abuja Oye said that “there is publication of Ozigbo’s name Listed as defendants in the the INEC list, urging them to rightful candidate so long yesterday, APGA’s National subsisting order of the Federal as the candidate of PDP was pre-election suit, are APGA, have faith. as due process is followed. Chairman, Chief Victor Oye High Court in Awka directing not renewed by Justice Obiorah Prof Charles Soludo and INEC. Part of the statement read: Soludo’s nomination followed said that some impostors have INEC to maintain the status Nwabunike after it elapsed. While urging the court to "Our millions of supporters in due process religiously." conspired to cause confusion quo and receive the particulars Sources hinted that Ozigbo’s invalidate and set aside the Anambra State and elsewhere Soludo said, "Millions of Ndi in APGA and embarass its of Prof. Soludo and his camp is tensed, given the fact entire primary election of the in the world are advised not to Anambra are understandably leadership using INEC. deputy, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim that he was the one who went party held on June 23, the be dispirited by the publication. shocked that there are still He said: "There are feelers submitted by his leadership to court seeking an order to plaintiff is equally seeking an Professor Chukwuma Charles desperate politicians in from INEC that one Jude Okeke and publish the same.” compel INEC not to tamper order of injunction restraining Soludo will participate in the the state who want to re- and his co-travellers want to The list of candidates with his name which was INEC, listed as 3rd defendant, governorship election as the enact the years, which the infiltrate INEC to publish an cleared for the Anambra already submitted to INEC from accepting the name of APGA candidate. locusts consumed. They are aspirant's name that did not Governorship poll consists on June 2, by the PDP. or recognising Prof Soludo "His nomination was strictly determined to go to any and make it through to the primary of those for Accord’s Ekene Ozigbo also asked the court in line with the Electoral Law of APGA and to announce him Nwankwo, Action Alliance’s (the 2nd Defendant), as the every length to acquire power Doreen Ifeoma Maduka Arisa, to grant an order that INEC candidate of APGA (the 1st and INEC guidelines. INEC for its own sake. as the governorship candidate of APGA.” African Action Congress’Obi should publish his name and defendant), for the Anambra observed the APGA Congress "We thought that the state Sylvester Chukwudozie, not that of any other candidate. State gubernatorial election on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, had passed the stage where Oye said that after its African Democratic Congress’ And that PDP should not scheduled to hold on November where he was nominated after some of its politicians were primary election was Akachukwu Sullivan Mwakpo, tamper with his name which 6, 2021. winning 93.4 per cent of the moving from one end of the concluded, the party Action Democratic Party’s Prince was submitted to INEC on valid votes cast in a free, fair country to the other in the submitted the particulars of Ume-Ezeoke Afam Luke Douglas June 2. Soludo: I Will Win and transparent manner which dead of the night in search the governorship candidate and All Peoples Congress’ But the court turned against Emmanuel Andy Uba. him and rather refused to grant CBN RESTRICTS SUGAR IMPORTATION TO DANGOTE, BUA, FMN The list also includes his main reliefs and went those of the All Progressive incentivise sugar refining including the three listed production of sugar, to bring about 250,000 hectares Grand Alliance’s Chukwuma ahead to block INEC from Michael Umeoji, Allied People’s publishing the name of any companies in their Backward above for the importation enable the country attain of land into sugarcane Integration Programme (BIP) of sugar,” without its prior self-sufficiency; stem the cultivation, over the next Movement’s Eze Robinson candidate of the PDP, pending Chukwuka, Action Peoples the hearing and determination for local sugar production. or express approval. tide of unbridled importation; 10 years. The bulk of this Party’s Azubuike Philip of the motion. “Accordingly, the It reiterated that it create huge number of job investment is expected to Echetebu, Boot Party’s Chika Soludo’s travails may underlisted three companies, is charged with the opportunities and contribute come from private investors. Jerry Okeke, Labour Party’s not be unconnected with who have made reasonable mandate of monitoring to the production of ethanol The justification for the Agbasimalo Obiora Emmanuel the controversy trailing his progress in achieving the implementation of and generation of electricity. sugar sector road map, among and New Nigeria Peoples Party’s nomination as the flag bearer backward integration in the the backward integration Additionally, the plan other factors, stemmed from Ohajimkpo Leonard Emeka. sector, shall only be allowed programmes of all the estimates that demand for the huge amount the country Also on the list are National of APGA, which resulted into Rescue Movement’s Adaobi a lawsuit filed before the Abuja to import sugar into the companies in the sector. sugar would have reached was spending annually on country.” Nigeria's National Sugar the 1.7 million metric sugar importation; that Uchenna Okpeke, Peoples division of the Federal High Democratic Party was nil, Court. In view of the foregoing, Master Plan (NSMP) was tonnes (MMT) mark by significant investments had Peoples Redemption Party In the originating summons, the central bank stressed that designed to attract over $1 2020. Therefore, in order been made in developing has Nnamdi Nwawuo, Social a chieftain of the party, Okoye authorised dealers “shall not billion annually in local and to achieve this, the NSMP sugar refineries, all of Democratic Party-Ekelem Nwabuogo, is seeking an order open Form ‘M’ or, access foreign direct investments and estimates that the country which were then relying on Edward Arinze, Young of court setting aside the election foreign exchange in the create an estimated 107,000 would need to establish imported raw sugar; and poor Progressive Party, Ifeanyi Ubah Nigerian foreign exchange jobs over the first ten years. some 28 sugar factories complementary investments and Zenith Labour Party has and nomination of Soludo as Ugwoji Martin Uchenna. the party’s candidate for the market for any company, Its aim is to raise local of varying capacities and in sugarcane plantations. 6 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹

News Editor Ahamefula Ogbu NEWS sms only) Email 08116759810 ( [email protected] Court Discharges, Acquits Ex-NBA President, Usoro of N1.4bn Fraud

Davidson Iriekpen two witnesses and closed its were described in the charge the alleged crime. sum they reasonably ought to join him at the Election Tribunal case because, according to him, as being at large. Thus, Udom was excluded have known formed part of the where his victory was being A Federal High Court sitting it knew it didn’t have any case But on July 17, 2020 the Court from the proceedings. proceeds of an unlawful activity. challenged in 2015. in Lagos yesterday discharged against the defendants. of Appeal sitting in Lagos struck In what was left of the charge, In his testimony before the The EFCC witness also testi- and acquitted the immediate past He prayed the court to allow out four of the 10-count N1.4 Usoro was alleged to have court, an EFCC investigating fied the sum of N1.4 billion legal President of the Nigerian Bar the no-case submission. billion money laundering charge conspired to convert the sum officer Abdulrahman Arabo said fee paid to the SANs was drawn Association (NBA), Mr. Paul But the prosecution opposed which particularly alluded to of N1.4 billion, property of Akwa that Udom hired Usoro who, from the treasury of the Akwa Usoro, SAN, of the N1.4billion his prayer and prayed the court the governor’s involvement in Ibom State Government, which in turn, invited other SANs to Ibom State’s account. fraud charge filed against him to dismiss the no-case submission, by the Economic and Financial citing the “overwhelming evi- Crimes Commission (EFCC). dence” it said it had adduced and Delivering ruling on Usoro’s exhibits admitted in evidence. no-case submission, Justice It also asked the court to Rilwan Aikawa, held that the order the defendant to enter counts against him were defective his defence. as they did not disclose offences The agency had arraigned known to both Lagos and Akwa Usoro on December 18, 2018 Ibom State. before Justice Muslim Hassan Justice Aikawa held that on a 10-count charge. He pleaded the anti-graft agency failed to not guilty to all the counts. establish any prima facie case The case was later transferred, against Usoro that would warrant and the lawyer was subsequently him to enter a defence. re-arraigned before Justice Ai- He noted that the penal code, kawa on a charge marked under which the NBA chieftain FHC/418c/18, which alleged was charged, was not applicable that he committed the offence to Southern states, for example on May 14, 2016. Lagos and Akwa-Ibom, which Also mentioned in the charge, were said to be the locations of was the Governor of Akwa Ibom the alleged offences. State, Emmanuel Udom, who “On the whole, I hold that was described as being “currently the prosecution has failed to constitutionally immune from establish any prima facie case. prosecution”. DEEPENING DEMOCRACY. . . “Accordingly, the defendant Others are Akwa Ibom Com- is hereby discharged and acquit- missioner for Finance, Nsikan L-R: President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Dr. Ahmed Al-Jawaran; Nigeria’s representative at the Int’l Parliament for Tolerance and ted,” Justice Aikawa held. Nkan; Accountant-General Peace, IPTP, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; President of the National Parliament of Montenegro, Aleksa Becic; and Speaker of IPTP/Columbia’s representative, Margarita Restrepo, during the consummation of an MoU between the Nigerian National Assembly and the IPTP in Podgorica, Montenegro...yesterday The defendant had on of Akwa Ibom State, Mfon February 25, 2021 filed no-case Udomah; the Akwa Ibom submission where his counsel, Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Effiong O. Effiong (SAN), submit- Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe. ted that the EFCC called only The aforementioned names Cosgrove, Benue Govt Set to Construct 1.29-Hectare Abuja Estate in Abuja Emmanuel Addeh with the emergence of Cosgrove, was represented by the Chief assets. which he described as a reliable Technical Officer of the company, “This sprawling estate will PIB: APC Reps Okay 3% Equity Cosgrove, a real estate investor, the state decided to Engineer Baba Kalli, pointed out sit on a 1.29 hectare land here company in collaboration partner to build an estate in that the real estate develop- in Mabushi district of the FCT Fund for Host Communities in with the Benue Investment the Federal Capital Territory ment and general construction and will be home to about 36 and Property Company Limited (FCT), noting that with project, company, has always focused state-of-the-art smart homes. Absence of Minority Members (BIPC), owned by the state the reliability of the company on pioneering the integration “Every real estate investor government, has conducted has been fully established. of technology and automation knows that the key to the the official ground-breaking The governor noted that in real estate development in value of any asset is that axiom It’s a nullity, says caucus ceremony of the 1.29-hectare having looked at the design , Nigeria. , location, location and location. smart estate in Mabushi, Abuja. it was obvious that the rush to He emphasised that the Which is why we have the space Speaking at the event, buy off the structures would partnership is the first that and its proximity to strategic Adedayo Akinwale and Udora have been done. Governor of Benue state, Dr. begin soon, stressing that he had truly captures the Benue state locations within and around the Orizu in Abuja The Speaker while saying that Samuel Ortom, lauded the been assured that construction government’s goal through FCT, close to the airport, close the PIB would not suffer the professionalism and creativity of work would start immediately. the BIPC to boost economic to many shopping malls, Members of the House of same fate it had been suffering Cosgrove, noting that the state “The execution of the project development in the state by recreational centres, just to Representatives from the rul- for the past 20 years assured that would have probably sold the will be actualised within promoting, managing and name a few. ing All Progressives Congress if there was any need in future, empty land without the input schedule and I would like to investing in projects which “Now, some of the fea- (APC), yesterday in the absence they could amend whatever of the company. express the gratitude of the maximise stakeholders value. tures that home owners will of their opposition counterparts, there was to amend. Ortom, who was represented Benue state government to He underscored the need enjoy in this estate which passed the controversial three Gbajabiamila said, “Before by his Deputy, Mr Benson Cosgrove investment and to say to incorporate innovation in form part of our offerings, per cent equity shares for the oil he lays, I will like to lay the Abonu, explained that the that as a government, we are modern buildings, stressing include the fibre-to-home , producing communities in the background for this laying of process started a few years going to do everything possible that Cosgrove remains one of supported by full fibre optic Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). the PIB so that we will all be ago when a presentation was to support the company to bring the few companies integrating cabling, automatic number Recall that lawmakers from on the same page and under- made to the executive council, this project to realisation,” he vast technology and automation plate recognition at the gate and the Niger Delta region protested stand what has happened; so where it was suggested that said. in construction which enhances Cosgrove is the first company to the percentage, insisting on five that this House would not be the property should be sold off. In his remarks, Chairman of user experience in the built-up offer this technology in Nigeria,” per cent for host communities, accused of doing anything However, he stressed that Cosgrove, Umar Abdullahi, who space and creates high yield he stated. which led to its postponement outside our rules. Thursday, on Thursday. there was an issue on PIB At the yesterday special and in the wisdom of the session, the APC lawmakers leadership, suspended the PDP Accuses APC of Murdering Democracy, Threatens Legal Action suddenly moved the motion laying of the report; asked after the opposition lawmakers the chairman to go back and Urges Buhari not to assent the electoral bill staged a walkout to brief the meet the Senate committee in Abuja press on their disagreement and let them go and review Chuks Okocha Reacting to what happened in the National Assembly yesterday in amending the Electoral Act is with the non-inclusion of the the position. Unfortunately, the National Assembly yesterday and today. For us in PDP, today deliberate as they never wanted electronic transmission of election by the time they got to the The National Chairman of and Thursday over the partial is a Black Friday for democracy. from inception to do anything results in the electoral amend- Senate committee, the Senate the Peoples Democratic Party passage of the electronic transfer “It’s an established fact in all that will deepen democracy in ment bill. Speaking on the issue had already made a decision; (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, of election results. democracies world-wide that a our country.” before the report was laid by they had already laid the has accused the All Progressives The national chairman of PDP free, fair and credible election is He explained further, “This is the Committee Chairman, the report and adopted it. Congress (APC) of murdering asked,“How a representative the tripod of any democracy. notwithstanding that the party Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila “There is nothing else we democracy and democratic of the people enjoying their The action of APC in swaying is a huge beneficiary of Electoral who explained that the House could have done. Our House processes in the country. mandate blatantly turned their their members against elec- Reform carried out by the PDP had suspended the laying of the Rule now says that is what we He said that his party would back on them and toed the line tronic transmission of election administration. report; so that the chairman of have to look at. When they take legal action to address the of a political party interest that results clearly undermines and “We therefore unequivo- the PIB ad-hoc committee could have agreed, which they have passage of the electoral bill that is clearly against the people.” shows in unmistaken terms cally condemn and reject the go back and meet the Senate and there is nobody to talk to it described as a scam. Secondus said that “By the that APC is not ready to face amendment of Electoral Act committee and let them review anymore, we have to come back Addressing a press conference choice of the All Progressives the Nigerian electorates,” the as passed by the National the position on the three per and lay our own report, and the yesterday, Secondus also called Congress, APC, to put party national chairman of PDP Assembly and urge President cent equity, regrets that by the House will determine whether on President Muhammadu interest before National interest, stated. Muhammadu Buhari to fulfil time they got to the Senate, the we are adopting or agreeing Buhari to save democracy in they have vividly murdered According to Secondus, his anti-corruption crusade and committee had already made a to that report. Otherwise, PIB Nigeria by not signing the bill democracy by the actions of their “It also shows that the dilly- see this as corruption and the decision and nothing else could will be handing inordinately.” into law. members in the two chambers of dallying of APC all the while big scam.” SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY 7 8 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹ NEWS Decision on Electronic Transmission of Results Unconstitutional, Says Former INEC Director Festus Akanbi same that gave power to INEC. You do not take yours and trying Former Director of Voter to take the power given to INEC. Education of the Independent “The power to superintend National Electoral Commission and conduct and supervise (INEC), Mr. Oluwole Osaze elections rests with INEC on Uzzi, yesterday described the Section 78 of the 1999 Con- decision of the Senate to deny the stitution as amended and it is Independent National Electoral very clear on that point, and Commission (INEC) the power you are subjecting this power to transmit results of elections to the power not known to the electronically as unconstitutional. constitution, a statutory body; Speaking on an Arise TV in that sense, an inferior body. programme, Uzzi described the In the hierarchy, of course, the lawmakers’ action as sinister, and constitution is superior, and to unconstitutional, saying the posi- amend the power of INEC, you tion of the Senate on the issue of will have to go back to conduct transmission of results was capable amendment of the constitution,” of whittling down the power of he said. GOODNIGHT GENERAL AHMED… INEC. Saying there was more to L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Farouk Yahaya and the Chief of Army Policy and Plans, Major General Anthony “INEC is a constitutional body the Senate decision to give Omozoje; during the burial of Major General Husseini Ahmed, at Lungi Barracks Cemetery, Abuja…yesterday. established by Section 153 of the NIigerian Communications constitution. The National Assembly Commission (NCC) and the is equally established by the same National Assembly the power constitution. It’s the same instru- to determine the use of electronic FCT Confirms 54 Cholera Deaths, Flags off Community Sensitisation ment that establishes the National transmission of election results, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja positive for cholera on rapid havioural changes and improved cases in both secondary and Assembly that establishes INEC. Uzzi said, “They want to tamper diagnostic test. sanitation and quick access to primary healthcare facilities of The constitution that gave power with the power donated to INEC The Federal Capital Territory She revealed that the outbreak treatment are essential. Protect the FCT amongst others. to the National Assembly is the by the constitution. Administration (FCTA) has had affected over 120 communi- your water source from con- In his remarks, the FCTA confirmed that 54 deaths out ties across the six area councils. tamination, boil your water Permanent Secretary, Mr. of 604 suspected cases of cholera The Abuja Municipal Area before drinking with a clean cup, Olusade Adesola, who was Don’t Return Looted Artefacts have been recorded in the six Council (AMAC) has the cooperate with health officials represented by the Acting Secretary, FCT Area Councils. highest cases followed by who will come to teach you FCT Health and Human Services to Oba, Say Descendants of Bini FCT Minister of State, Dr. Gwagalada and Bwari area home treatment of water for Secretariat, Dr. Mohamed Kawu, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, confirmed councils respectively. domestic use and drinking,” said the Secretariat was working Bronze Casters the figures when she flagged The minister listed some of the she said. with development partners and off community sensitisation on affected communities to include She revealed that the FCT in collaboration with the six area Bennett Oghifo Owina, who “were the ancestral cholera and other severe acute Gwagwalada, Zuba, Shenagu, Administration had taken several councils to curb the spread. producers of all Benin Bronzes diarrhea diseases outbreaks in Katse 1 and 2, Tunga Gaya, measures to stop further spread He, however, commended The descendants of Bini were our fathers and owners of the nation’s capital. Chitumu, Yimi, Ikwa, Tunga- of the disease as well as provide the FCT Minister of State for her bronze casters have appealed over 75 per cent of the looted The minister expressed Maje, Anagada, among others. adequate care to those affected. leadership role and how to move to the federal government not Benin artefacts. concerns over the increasing She, however, advocated for The measures according to board room resolutions to the field, to release the looted artefacts “During the infamous Brit- number of suspected cases good personal hygiene as well her, include formation of Cholera stressing that her roles in successful from Germany to the Oba of ish expedition of 1897, Benin during the flag off ceremony as proper disposal of sewage Emergency Operation Centre, community sensitisation and mo- Benin, claiming that thousands treasures that were soft targets held at the palace of Agora of and refuse, good hand washing appointment of Incidence Man- bilisation in maternal, newborn of Bronzes and Ivories were for looting of artefacts were Zuba. practices and consumption of ager and other relevant medical and child health care, Universal looted from their ancestral Igun, Igbesamwan and Owina She said that since May 2021, safe water as means of curbing personnel along with stakehold- Health Coverage activities, wild shrines in their quarters at Igun, quarters, because, these were the FCT had recorded a total of further spread of the disease in ers from the FCT Water Board polio virus eradication and the Igbesamwan and Owina, just the production or factory bases 604 suspected cases of cholera the territory. and RUWASA, prepositioning ongoing COVID-19 preparedness outside the ancient palace. of the artefacts. in the six area councils with 54 “In addition, community of drugs and consumables for and response in the FCT were Their appeal is contained “Our forebears traded on deaths recorded and nine cases engagements for positive be- the free treatment of all identified appreciated by residents. in a letter to the Minister of them as their core means of Information and Culture, Lai livelihood from generations Mohammed, signed by Erahuyi to generations. It is absolute Ikpeazu: I’ll Remain, Build My Cathedral in PDP Isokponwu, President – Europe; falsehood to continually reel in and Adolor Oviasu-Oreoghene, out contrived rhetoric to deny Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo Jubril, during the inauguration his continued membership of governor of Abia would make President – America on the the ancestral makers of the ×ßËÒÓË of phase one of Umuobiakwa PDP, stated that it was “the last him become a bishop without platform of Igun-Igbesamwan- artefacts, and we appeal to the - Owo-Ahiafor ring road in word” from him about a cathedral because majority of Owina Descendants Cul- Honourable Minister, that this The Governor of Abia State, Obingwa local government. his speculated defec- his people are in PDP and he tural Movement of Europe injustice must stop forthwith.” Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has finally Speculations have been rife tion plan. He gave two must stay with them. and America. They stated that all the foreclosed his defection, assuring that Ikpeazu was among the reasons why he would “How can I be in another They claimed that ever before artefacts looted from the that he would remain with his governors bidding their time not dump PDP, saying, party while my people are in the Portuguese explorers and palace under the reign of Oba people and “build my cathedral to cross over to the ruling All “my people are in PDP” another party. I will remain Christian missionaries sojourned Ovoranmwen were gifted to in the PDP”. Progressives Congress(APC) and “there is nothing I and build my cathedral to Benin Kingdom, the Bronze preceding Obas of Benin before He made the declaration in following the gale of high profile want in another party where my people are,” he Smiths of Igun, Igbesamwan and Oba Ovoramwen. the presence of thousands of his defections that has hit PDP. that is not in PDP”. said, adding that he would kinsmen and the PDP Board But the Abia governor, who He said that abandoning the not allow his personal interest of Trustees (BoT) members led acknowledged the speculations former ruling party in Nigeria to becloud the collective interest FG Approves N6.25bn to Start by the chairman, Senator Wali that had been swirling around on which platform he became of his people. Cattle Ranching in Katsina

Air Force Trains 60 Pilots, Engineers, Others to Handle Super Tucano Fighter Jets Deji Elumoye in Abuja ration of Zobe Regional The Nigerian Air Force said about 60 NAF personnel, frogged through five countries NAF in recent times. He said Water scheme, which was yesterday that 60 personnel comprising pilots, engineers, including Canada, Greenland, the efforts made so far were The federal government completed after 29 years of including pilots, engineers and technicians, and other specialists, Iceland, Spain and Algeria before expected to place the service in has approved N6.25 billion commencement in 1992, the technicians were trained on the have completed their training arriving their final destination a dominant position to deliver to kick start cattle ranching in Governor appreciated Presi- use of the A29 Super Tucano on the aircraft in the USA”, a in Nigeria towards the end of on its constitutional role more the country with Katsina dent Muhamadu Buhari for fighter jets which departed NAF statement said. July 2021”, it said. effectively, especially in the light State serving as the pilot consistently driving people United States for Nigeria on The air force had said Thurs- He also explained that on of NAF’s involvement in several scheme. oriented development Wednesday. day that the long awaited first the return path, the aircraft are internal security operations Presidential spokesman, projects, with the release This comes as the Chief of the batch of six A29 Super Tucano expected to refuel and wait for across the country. Garba Shehu, in a release of N5 billion to the state Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Ola- aircraft were on their way to a clement weather as they pass “While encouraging the yesterday, stated that to start the ranches. dayo Amao, yesterday winged Nigeria. through those countries. newly winged pilots, the already, N5 billion had His words: “Mr. President another set of six helicopter The fighter jets, it said, were Speaking during the winging CAS urged them not to rest been released to Katsina has graciously approved the pilots, who recently completed expected to fly through five ceremony of the new set of on their oars as the feat they State government for the sum of N6.25 billion for ranch their basic flying training at countries, notably, Canada, pilots, in Abuja, Air Marshal have achieved also comes take-off of the project. development purposes in Draken Helicopter Academy Spain, Greenland, Iceland and Amao reiterated the importance with a burden of responsibil- Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State. Part out of in the United Kingdom. Algeria before arriving Nigeria. of the human factor as the most ity as so much is expected Katsina State was quoted to this amount, N5 billion is It said the personnel compris- Spokesman of the Air Force, critical airpower component of them. He also advised them have made this disclosure already in the account of ing pilots, engineers, technicians Air Commodore Edward that must be enhanced and to continue to give their best in Dustin-ma, Katsina the state government and and other specialists had Gabkwet, told THISDAY that sustained for effective and to the service and the nation State yesterday said the within few weeks you will completed training on the use jet fighters would not fly through efficient performance. especially in the light of NAF’s state would lead the way see advertisement calling of the aircraft in United States. the Atlantic Ocean route meant This, he said, gave reason involvement in several internal in setting up ranches in for interested companies “On the A-29 Super Tucano for bigger aircraft. for the increase in manpower security operations across the Nigeria. and consultants that will aircraft, the CAS stated that “The six aircraft will be leap- development witnessed in the country. Speaking at the inaugu- participate in construction.” SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY 9 10 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 17,2021 NEWS Anti-media Bills Seek to Whittle Down Free Speech, Say Igbo Journalists Ahamefula Ogbu with stake holders. “The NBC (Amendment) Bill A group of veteran journalists of intends to add “all online media” to Igbo extraction under the auspices the list currently under the control of Onu Igbo have expressed con- of the subsisting Act. In other cern with the bills sponsored by words, the government, through Olusegun Olubunmi, a member the NBC, wants to censor online representing Ogo Oluwa/Surulere media contents the same way it federal constituency of Oyo State currently censors radio and TV seeking to whittle down the power stations across the country. Given the of free expression as constitutionally way the NBC has recently exercised guaranteed. its powers arbitrarily against stations A statement by the group regret- which broadcast contents that are ted that the national Broadcasting construed to embarrass the govern- Commission Amendment Bill and ment, this is clearly an attempt to the Press Council Bill though make Aso Rock the Editor-in-Chief stepped down sought to control and Publisher of all online content broadcast, online and hard copy creators in Nigeria. publications in the country which “The NPC (Amendment) Bill would serve to bridge free speech. is even much more invasive. CHANGE OF BATON … “Our attention has been drawn to Taken together, the proposals the obnoxious bills before the House seek among others, to: (A). Put all L-R: Representative of Chairman of the occasion,Dr. Fred Odutola; wife of the new CIPM president, Mrs. Omolara Mojeed; President,CIPM,Mr. Olusegun Mojeed; of Representatives which seek to board memberships and operational past president,CIPM,Mr. Victor Eburajolo; and another past president,CIPM,Dr. Oladimeji Alo, during the investiture of 20th president of CIPM held in Lagos... amend the Nigeria Press Council control mechanisms at the NPC recently SUNDAY ADIGUN (NPC) and National Broadcasting firmly under the control of the Commission (NBC) Acts. The President of the Federal Republic Bills, sponsored by Honourable of Nigeria through the Minister of Olusegun Odebunmi, member Information. (B). Give the Council Heavy Rain Wreaks Havoc in Lagos representing Ogo Oluwa/Surulere power to license and revoke licenses Bennett Oghifo Federal Constituency of Oyo State, for media practice in Nigeria with Law School was on standstill due flooded and vehicles and othe pos- the leadership of the governor Mr. understandably raised eyebrows the approval of the Minister of to the flash floods. Slow movement sessions outside were either half Babajide Sanwo-Olu prepared for within media circles and among Information. (C). Transfer some of Heavy rainfall, accompanied at Ozumba Mbadiwe (Law School or completely submerged, causing the weather event, saying “we’ve persons of goodwill across Nigeria the collective powers of the Board by strong wind yesterday caused Area) as a result of the downpour. untold anguish among those affected. done clearing the drainage and and beyond. The bills were subse- to the portfolio of the Executive a building under construction in The flood also worsened the city’s reconstructed some of the drainages quently reportedly stepped down Secretary of NPC who will be Lagos Island to collapse and capsized The authority said, “Movement usual bad traffic. that were broken and we put a lot to allow for further engagements appointed by government. (D). a boat travelling from Falomo to linking Oluwaga is slow opposite However, the Director General of of things in place to ensure proper Badagry in the afternoon. PHCN installation inwards Church Lagos State Emergency Management chanelisation of water flow and with The storm water also caused Roundabout as a result of flash flood. Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Obafemi that in place, 90 per cent of Lagos NBC Bars TV, Radio Stations from flooding of most parts of Lagos, Oju-Odo is almost overflowing the Oke-Osanyintolu told THISDAY experience what we call flash flood particularly areas like Banana Island bridge. Ekoro is very heavy due to last night there were no cases of and I’m sure by tomorrow when Naming Victims of Terrorist Attacks and Park View Estate, and environs flash floods and the return journey school children being washed into the sun comes up everywhere will in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and coming from Abule-Egba. drains or canals or the Lagoon by be dry.” Festus Akanbi Reviews and Current Affairs Pro- Ajah, as well as Apapa, Ikeja and “Due to flooding and construction storm water. He said apart from the flood issue, grammes: A Need For Caution’, was other areas, fueling rumours of at Alapere inwards Ogudu Car According to Oke-Osanyintolu, two other events occurred as a result The National Broadcasting signed by the Director, Broadcast possible casualty among school Wash, (there is) traffic backwards “There was nothing like that, though of the heavy rain and strong wind. Commission has barred television Monitoring, Francisca Aiyetan, on children returning from school on to Toll-gate, Emergency and beyond. there was a lot of flood which was “A boat capsized; a boat that was and radio stations in Nigeria from behalf of the new Director-General foot in the prolonged rain. Also movement from Olopomeji and not really flood per se, just flash moving from Falomo to Badagry divulging “details” of the activities of the Commission, Balarabe Ilelah. The Lagos State Traffic Man- Gbagada Bridge inwards Car Wash, flood. Looking at the metropolitan capsized around 2:46 PM. of bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers The letter reads, “Headlines agement Authority (LASTMA) Ifako, Ogudu, Alapere, Apostolic and cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, “LASEMA, in collaboration with in their reports. of most Newspapers daily are confirmed this development about Church, Ojota Bridge, Motorway-7up you’ll agree with me that Lagos LAGFERRY and Marine Police, was NBC, in a statement specifically replete with security topics. While flooding in Lagos Mainland and to Toll Gate is very busy.” only has flash floods.” able to rescue all of them. There directed radio and television stations bringing information on security Island, saying, Akin Adesola inwards Most homes in these areas were He said the government under was no mortality and no casualties. not to “glamourise the nefarious to the doorsteps of Nigerians is activities of insurgents” during their a necessity, there is a need for daily newspaper reviews. caution as too many details may Many of the broadcast stations have an adverse implication on the Industrial Court Stops El-Rufai’s Food, Commodity Prices Moderation in the country make newspaper efforts of our security officials who headlines review parts of their daily are duty-bound to deal with the Investigation of Kaduna NLC Strike SloZs InÁation to 1 programmes. insurgency. Bennett Oghifo in Abuja However, according to a letter “The Commission, therefore, to mediate in the dispute James Emejo compared to 22.28 per cent in dated July 7, 2021, issued to televi- enjoins broadcasters to collaborate between labour and the May, implying that food prices sion and radio stations, the regulator with the government in dealing The National Industrial Kaduna State Government.” The Consumer Price Index continued to rise in the review called for “caution” by broadcasters with the security challenges by; Court in Abuja, under trial Obviously dissatisÀed, (CPI) which measures inflation period but at a slightly slower while reporting security challenges “Not glamourising the nefarious judge, Honourable Justice Governor el-Rufai soon - the rate of change in the speed compared to the previous in the country. activities of insurgents, terrorists, Osatohanmwen Ayodele went ahead to institute the increase in prices - dropped to month. The letter titled, ‘Newspaper kidnappers, bandits, etc. Obaseki-Osaghae yesterday seven-member Judicial Com- 17.75 per cent (year-on-year) in It pointed out that the rise in restrained a Judicial Com- mission, headed by Justice June compared to17.93 per cent in the food index was caused by mission of Inquiry set up by Ishaq Bello with 14 terms the preceding month, the National increases in prices of bread and House Concurs with Senate, Okays FG’s Governor Nasir el-Rufai of of reference, which among Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated cereals, potatoes, yam and other Kaduna State from investi- others is to “determine the yesterday. tubers, milk, cheese and eggs, fish, bn, Е0m E[ternal Borrowing Plan gating the Àve-day warning legality of the strike and any The NBS pointed out that the soft drinks, vegetables, oils and Udora Orizu in Abuja strike by the Nigeria Labour breach of the relevant laws on 0.18 per cent difference indicated fats and meat. Loans and Debt Management. Congress NLC and its a΀li- trade disputes and essential that prices continued to rise in June Core inflation, which excludes Presenting the report, the ate unions in Kaduna State services.” but at a slightly slower increase the prices of volatile agricultural The House of Representatives Committee Chairman, Hon. to protest the disengagement Regardless, Honourable than it did in May. produce also slowed to 13.09 per yesterday, approved President Ahmed Dayyabu Safana of civil servants by the state Justice Obaseki-Osaghae It is however, the third con- cent in June, down by 0.06 Muhammadu Buhari’s request explained that the terms and government. yesterday stopped the com- secutive months of decline in the per cent compared with 13.15 for ongoing external loans to the conditions of the loan from The strike, which crippled mission of inquiry “from headline index. per cent in May. tune of $8,325,526,537 (USD) and the funding agencies would activities in the state, was enquiring into, deliberating The NBS stated that the modera- The core index recorded the €490,000,000 (Euros) under the be forwarded to the National eventually suspended at upon, investigating, procuring tion in prices were recorded in all highest increases of garments, 2018-2020 External Borrowing Assembly prior to the execution the instance of the federal evidence, whether by compel- the parameters that determine the passenger travel by air and by (Rolling) Plan. of same for concurrence and government that oͿered to ling the attendance before headline index. road, motor cars and vehicle spare The approval followed the proper documentation. mediate, according to the it (by issuance of witness According to the CPI report for parts, shoes and other footwear, consideration and adoption of According to the lawmaker, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, summon (es) or warrant June which was released by the pharmaceutical products, medical the interim report on the 2018- the funding agencies are: World “to honour the invitation (s) of arrest or howsoever statistical agency, food inflation services, hairdressing salons and 2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) Bank – $796,000,000; China of the federal government members of the 1st claimant.” slowed to 21.83 per cent in June personal grooming establishments . Plan by the Committee on Aids, Exim Bank – $2,901,026,509; Industrial Commercial Bank of China – $2,484,555,304; Onung Emerges New FTAN President, Takes Charge African Development Bank – $104,200,000; Africa Growing Justina Uzo part of the new era was to move 2021 FTAN AGM in Abuja last at Rockview Hotel (Royale) Abuja. taken over the mantle of leadership Together Fund – $20,000,000; domestic tourism to a new level. week. Onung, who will be at the helm after the sudden death of FTAN French Development Agency The new President of the FTAN, which is the umbrella Onung, who is Chairman, of affairs of FTAN in the next President, Alhaji Rabo Saleh earlier – €240,000,000; European In- Federation of Tourism Associations association of the organised private Remlords Tours and Car Hire two years, had unveiled a 7-point this year. He is coming with a wealth vestment Bank – €250,000,000; of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem sector tourism i.e. association for Services, had a landslide victory growth agenda for the private sector of experience as he is the former European ECA/KfW/IPEX/AFC Onung has restated his commitment hotels, tour operators, boat operators, with 71 votes over his challenger, tourism. president of Nigerian Association – $1,959,744,724; and International to raise the stake in the tourism travel agents and other tourism Otunba Ayodele Olumoko, who He was the acting president of of Tour Operators (NATOP) and a Fund For Agricultural Develop- industry in the country, saying that businesses, held its elections during got 22 votes, at the elections held FTAN before the election, having member of its Board of Trustees. ment (IFAD) – $60,000,000. SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY 11 12 JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER COMMENTARY DILIP KUMAR: THE INDIAN LEGEND Rajendra Aneja pays tribute to Dilip Kumar, a self-taught artist who moved generations with his silence or a simple gaze

evika Rani, the leading movie star of India in the young boys wooed girls. 1940s, was impressed with the young, reticent seller Dilip Kumar was honoured well. He received the Dadasa- in a fruit shop. His deep penetrating eyes, his ability heb Phalke Award, the highest film award from the Govern- to deliver lines extolling the virtue of his fruits and ment of India. He also received the Padma Vibhushan, a Dthe sincerity in his voice, were intoxicating. She invited him to prestigious civilian award from the Indian Government. The visit her Bombay Talkies studio. The studio gave the fruit seller Pakistan Government awarded him the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, a hero’s role in a ﬁlm in 1944. Though the ﬁlm “Jwar Bhata” did their highest civilian award. Moreover, he received eight not do well, Dilip Kumar gradually became the most respected prestigious Filmfare Awards as the Best Actor in various and loved actors in the subcontinent. films. He was honoured with CNN-IBN’s Lifetime Achieve- Even when Dilip Kumar became a star and was adulated, ment Award and also appointed the Sheriff of Bombay city. he continued to refine his acting skills. When actors become When British India was partitioned, Dilip Kumar (earlier stars, many of them stop acting. They rely on style, clichés named Mohammad Yusuf Khan) chose to stay on in India. and mannerisms. Dilip Kumar was a self-taught method ac- His films however, were admired in the entire region. Raj tor. He studied human beings around him and incorporated Kapoor was Dilip Kumar’s childhood friend and lived in the their nuances in his acting. He is perhaps the only actor in same neighbourhood, in Peshawar, Pakistan. Their childhood India or even in the world, who taught method acting to homes are being renovated and converted to museums by himself. Dilip Kumar did not attend the acting academy of the Government of Pakistan. Fantastic gesture. Perhaps, art Lee Strasberg to polish his method acting skills. He simply and music will bring India and Pakistan together and the delved deep into his personal experiences and nuanced them prickly border problems can be resolved amicably. on the screen. None of the actors or stars in India from 1950 In early 2003, I made a list of people who had impacted onwards till now, could parallel his mastery of the art. me through my childhood and whom I should try to meet. Dilip Kumar could use sheer silence, to act or convey a Dilip Kumar was on my list, since his films had moved point. For instance, in an acting class at Whistling Woods, me massively, in my youth. However, the people I had Mumbai, I learnt how Dilip Kumar emoted scenes with approached for assistance to meet him, told me that the actor silence. In the scene, Dilip Kumar is sitting smoking and was unwell. So, my wish remained unfulfilled. a person comes and tells him that his mother has passed Dilip Kumar continued to be dignified, perpetually polite away. Dilip Kumar sat motionless. He was absolutely still. and involved with social work, even at the peak of his The cigarette in his fingers, continued to burn. Only when fame. In 1995, when he was the Chairman of the National the cigarette was almost finished and it burnt his finger, Association of the Blind, he attended a meeting in the home did he return to reality and utter the word, “Ma” (mother). of one of the members. He enjoyed the “batata-wadas” Through this silent shot, without uttering a word, he emoted (Indian snack). When he learnt that the young daughter how the horrendous news of the death of a mother, can just of the hostess had made them, he complimented her, “My freeze a person. doctors do not permit me to have this snack. However, you Dilip Kumar polished his histrionic skills to a level that have made it so well, I have had four pieces.” The daughter he could play tragic, comedy and romantic roles. He was Meera, did not know who Dilip Kumar was. When she went unparalleled in his portrayals. No other actor could replace down to see him off to his car, she was stunned to see the or imitate him. He could play the role of an impoverished watchmen and by-standers staring or smiling at him. Much illiterate villager. He could also get into the skin of a mill later, she realised who Dilip Kumar was. Now, 26 years later, or factory worker. He could also excel as a swashbuckling, she yet cherishes Dilip Kumar’s compliment. urbane gentleman. In his acting career of 50 years, Dilip Though Dilip Kumar had stopped acting in the last Kumar performed in 65 movies like “Mela’, “Andaz”, many years due to ill health, he continued to be loved and “Devdas”, “Naya Daur”, “Mughal-E-Azam”, “Ram aur admired in India, Pakistan and many other countries. He Shyam”, “Shakti”, etc. He was always scintillating. His passed away on 7 July 2021 at the age of 99, as a colossus movies, are an academy of acting lessons. legend. He was cared for very deeply, by his wife Mrs. Saira Through many of his films, Dilip Kumar embodied the Banu. Her loss is mountainous. India joins her in mourning idea of a free, modern and secular India. During the years the passing away of a self-taught artist, who could move 1947 to 1964, when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime generations to tears or laughter, with the twitch of an eyelid, Minister of India, the country was earnestly trying to tread EVEN WHEN DILIP KUMAR BECAME A STAR AND his silent acting or a simple gaze. He will always be an a balanced route between capitalism and socialism, heavy WAS ADULATED, HE CONTINUED TO REFINE HIS inspiration. industry and small-scale units. India also aimed to empower ACTING SKILLS. WHEN ACTORS BECOME STARS, Aneja was the Managing Director of Unilever the villagers and workers. These goals were the themes of MANY OF THEM STOP ACTING. THEY RELY ON STYLE, Tanzania. He has studied acting at Kemsley’s “Desert many of the movies of that era, starring Dilip Kumar and CLICHÉS AND MANNERISMS. DILIP KUMAR WAS A Monologues, Dubai”, Kher’s academy “Action Prepares” his two colleagues Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. The three SELF-TAUGHT METHOD ACTOR. HE STUDIED HUMAN and Ghai’s “Whistling Woods International”. He has of them ruled hearts for many decades in the country. They BEINGS AROUND HIM AND INCORPORATED THEIR also performed at the Dubai International Fine Arts influenced fashion, apparel designs, hairstyles and even how NUANCES IN HIS ACTING Festival.

COVID-19 AND MISPLACED AGGRESSION ON STUDENTS

The closure of University of Lagos is regrettable, writes Victor C. Ariole

niversity of Lagos, a great brand, no doubt as per Nigerian Institution of Management’s be seen, no sooner it was over than Covid-19 came launched Unilag to a greater world acclaim. the nation’s pride, just ended its 51st award, one had come to understand the intrica- exerting its own aggression on the students. The Again, the fear of federal government intervening convocation which was earlier postponed cies of being a mere administrator and being a expectation would have been a great construction to close the school could have been the fear of the due to some internal imbroglio. That 2019 thorough manager. The former could be assumed of isolation center befitting of grand brand. University Management for closing it. Uconvocation that took place July 5 - 8, 2021 saw the a reactive leader while the latter could be assumed And isolation center is also part of Engineering, Nigerian has over 150 universities and they are university graduating no fewer than 15,000 students a proactive leader with great respect for making Biomedical and Construction Science practicals all running physically as it is known that weak with 148 Ph.Ds. A great feat, indeed. It also attracted profit and being cost effective. occasioned by Covid-19. infrastructure like electricity supply and internet rich and royal Nigerians who donated generously Even when the federal government had tran- One really feels for the students and lecturers access make on-line teaching and learning less cost to the cause of making Unilag greater. And as the sited from centralized operation of the universities who had to breach, again, the process of “knowl- effective than physical presence. No matter how University Vice Chancellor put it, the convocation by making university councils responsible, it had edge manufacturing and processing”, leaving much money is made available like the announce- was captioned, “A Breath of Fresh Air”. However, failed to understand the inherent value of that the “machines” to go dormant or stale. Unilag ment of N200 million by the Honourary Doctor of no sooner it ended than the toll of “delta variant” transition which is more, essentially, management is a great machine/mould/engine for producing Causa award laureate – Kessington Adebutu, alias Covid-19 aggression visited the school, warranting intended than mere administration intended. quality human beings, of course. Baba Ijebu – for the provision of internet facility, sending home the students and closing the In deed two vice chancellors come to mind in Again, like one wrote on Oran-Algeria and electricity could be a great hindrance and it is not university that had already suffered over 20 months exemplifying that – Obe and Omotola. the management of Pest/Epidemic, from Albert Unilag alone suffering it, the whole Nigeria is retardation like an incarcerated adult imprisoned In effect closing a university for the fear of Camus’ perspective, a great citadel of learning suffering it. for the misdemeanor of an unknown offender. federal government intervening to do that smacks like Unilag could have isolated itself from the rest Physical presence still remains cost effective, Breathing a fresh air had turned soar to Unilag of panic management as against cost effective of Lagos for a great study on the third wave of and Covid-19 aggression ought to have gone with students including the lecturers who are in majority management; just as the federal government the pandemic. In deed it would have engendered the presence of the great people who graced the suffering, currently, from salary amputation as they had refused to close its airports or even monitor a great profit for Unilag as other universities in 2019 convocation ceremony of Unilag instead of await fair hearing from the Accountant General of effectively those who come into Nigeria, as most Nigeria could have benefited from such experience misdirecting its effects on the poor students and the Federation. of them are said to be untraceable after leaving to learn further about the Covid-19 pandemic. their lecturers. Like the Igbo adage goes – dog Hence a great brand, Unilag, making both the the airport. And contact tracing is one of the great After all, a university is a place where research eat shit and goat bears the pain with decayed students and lecturers cry for all their efforts in research inventions created by Covid-19. activities are carried out in knowing how new dentition. We pray for palliatives from government sustaining the brand. Most of the people who came for the Unilag phenomena or expected abnormal occurrences or from among the great donors who graced In Nigeria as observed for a long time, the first convocation are respected people and could be could favour or create problems for humanity and the convocation ceremony, to alleviate the pains lesson a Vice Chancellor learns is never to allow said to be abroad minded or great travellers as how they could be handled. of these students who are almost turned, now, the federal government to be the one closing well as quite royal in their regalia and bestow- Unilag prides itself of attracting great research to unsettled refugees; especially those residing the university he/she is either managing or ment, including the graduating students them- grants and it is not doubted at all. It could have outside Lagos; and, for no fewer than 40,000 administering. The emphasis on “managing” or selves, that the euphoria of grandeur, pervading added to its greatness, and more grants could students, N50,000 palliative to each of them could “administering” is not vague. Being a Chartered the whole atmosphere, made many unmindful of have flowed. be greatly appreciated. Administrator as per Nigerian Institute of Covid-19 dangers. Yes! isolating Unilag for the accidental wave Ariole is a Professor of French and Franco- Administration’s award and a Chartered Manager The enjoyment was exhilarating; and as it could of the “delta variant” of Covid-19 could have phone Studies, University of Lagos JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER 13 INSIGHT

Do we laugh or cry?

The Insecurity and Crisis that 2023 Elections Provoke The National Assembly: A Mockery of Democracy? nsecurity and political crisis have beneﬁciaries and sponsors. For the political to have it. Insecurity is a good campaign material for those who seek political class, it is fair game to exploit and deploy every instrument in the combat points from tragedies. We cannot palliate the fact that the APC used the gain, the National Assembly has repository for provincial ends. The enormity of insecurity and crisis in Nigeria security crisis under President Jonathan against him in 2015. That is Nigeria’s demonstrated that it is not learning from does not happen without some partisan instigators. Our ruinous politics is at ‘’dog-eat-dog’’ brand of politics – of blood and bones. the past. Being the pillar of democracy, Ithe heart of many of our problems. In April, the federal government announced that it arrested 400 business- it seems not to know its strengths. It is The insecurity we are experiencing now is exploitable ammunition for the men financing insurgents and bandits in an operation coordinated by the unfortunateA that the members of these hallowed 2023 political contests. So, why will those stoking the fire stop? The pattern Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), chambers continue to toy with our nascent of banditry in the north-west and the attacks in the lower Niger area lately the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Central Bank of democracy. shows a ‘’mighty hand’’ working the marionettes. Nigeria (CBN). Nineteen bureaux de change used to finance and launder The leadership of the National Assembly since the Although these security threats have been immanent, the dimension they money for brigands were reportedly uncovered. Fourth Assembly, particularly this Ninth Assembly, has assumed after 2019 suggests the extraordinary. But we cannot also explain Lai Mohammed, minister of Information, said in a press conference weeks failed the country. They have helped the executive to away the inability of the leadership to take on these menaces head-on in the ago, that the government has identified highly-placed persons sponsoring go away with maladministration. The root of our snail’s early days. Thank goodness it is rising to the occasion now. secessionists in the country. Taking the word of the government for what it pace of growth as a country can be largely linked to the Bandits initially went for pupils from ‘’noiseless’’ schools as items for is, where there is smoke, there is fire. It is left for the government to bring to ineffectiveness of the National Assembly. ransom. But they soon abandoned that taste for pupils in Christian schools – reckoning the ‘’big masquerades’’ behind Nigeria’s many security troubles. This Ninth Assembly is sliding into the trench its where their agency can be well noised. On July 5, they attacked Living Faith Those amassing armadas -- on both sides of the political divide – to wage predecessors fell into. The two major bills that would School owned by Bishop David Oyedepo in Kaduna – but were unsuccessful. an Armageddon over the 2023 elections should think Nigeria first. The blood have revolutionised the political and economic fortunes The same day, they blitzed Bethel Baptist School, Kaduna, kidnapping 121 of any Nigerian is too precious to be spilled on the slab of political ambition. of our country are yet again being rolled in the muddy pupils. And the assault on citizens in the north is not letting up. Whatever mutilation that is inflicted on the polity will take many years to water of politics and selfishness. Personal and political Word has not been heard of the Islamiyya pupils kidnapped from their heal. The next president may spend his entire term addressing that problem party interests have beclouded the understanding of madras at Tegina in Niger state since May. No alarm. No concern. No just as President Buhari has been bogged down by the security challenges those that should put the country on the pedestal of outrage, perhaps because of their social footing? Some other pupils from carried over from the Jonathan administration. development. ‘’unsexy’’ schools have been kidnapped in the north but without alarm owing The agitations here and there all have a common denominator in Buhari. The Electoral Act and the Petroleum Industry Bill are to the lack of sentimental value to the abduction, I suppose. The president appears to be the quarry in all of these. By the time he leaves two key legislations which if meritoriously passed will There was effusive public indignation against the string of abductions office in 2023, these perturbations will likely self-extinguish. put the country in her rightful place. First, the Electoral involving the Kankara schoolboys, Kagara boys and Janegbe girls. But it ap- But what happens after 2023? Whatever seed we sow now, we shall reap; Act, if electronic transmission of results is legalized, pears society moved on and became accustomed to the customary nobbling. long after this administration. We should not cut off the nose to spite our face. it will raise the bar of fairness and credibility of our Now, bandits have changed strategy going for the ‘’great prize’’. Fredrick ‘Mr OneNigeria’ Nwabufo, [email protected] elections. Thus, the people will consolidate their place as I believe they know the sentimental value of their new preference. They the giver and taker of political power. Only those with know abducting pupils from Christian schools will provoke the prerequisite qualities and the people’s choice reactions and deepen the religious tension and recrimina- will hold public offices. tions in the country. The sheer industry deployed for this For the Petroleum Industry Bill, our oil wealth, purpose by the freebooters validates this view. The political THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER which for decades, has been mismanaged, if ap- bent in this is obvious. EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE propriately passed, will spread the wealth of these DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI I read Bishop Matthew Kukah’s monologue at MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO resources and fast-track national development. A the United States Congress Commission and I was DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE situation where an oil producing country cannot uncomfortable. How did the venerable Bishop go from CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI boast of refined products and other bye products ‘’peace campaigner’’ to doomster? The danger of a solitary EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN will be greatly checked. MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE narrative hedged around conspiracy theories is that it In situations like these, one would agree with creates disaffection and suspicion among citizens. And those who seek the deletion of the Senate from you need citizens’ support to effectively tackle bandits and the National Assembly. The constitutionality and insurgents. maturity with which the House of Representatives When respected Nigerians reinforce conspiracy theories, THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED leadership is employing in handling these critical though unintended, it unsettles an already inflamed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA national issues are commendable. system. The solitary narrative of Christians being perse- GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, Either the Senate or the House of Representa- ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI cuted in Nigeria does not tell the complete story. Muslims, DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE tives, your membership of the ninth National Christians, the young and the old have all been victims of DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI Assembly will be written in gold if electronic insurgents and bandits. These outlaws are at war with all SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH transmission of results is emphatically stated in the Nigerians except themselves. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI reviewed Electoral Act. And if the states/regions It is obvious the Bishop is distressed by Nigeria’s CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI that produce this crude oil are duly compensated security challenges – and rightly so. He is concerned like DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO for the environmental degradation this oil wealth HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA the rest of us. Kukah unarguably has inexhaustible passion brings to them. for Nigeria. TO SEND EMAIL: ﬁrst [email protected] Adewale Qudus Lawal, Lagos Really, those who want power in 2023 will do anything 14 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 17,2021 NEWS Buba Marwa Appoints Sarat Braimah, FG, States , LGs Share N733.095bn June Allocation NIWA Lagos Boss, as NDLEA in Abuja Charles Ajunwa Ndubuisi Francis able revenue. N161.100 billion. This was lower than the must be fought by well-meaning This comprised distributable The sum of N51.470 billion N181.078 billion available in citizens. The Federation Accounts statutory revenue of N585.752 was shared to the relevant the month of May by N26.613 Sarat Lara Braimah, Lagos According to General Marwa, Allocation Committee (FAAC) billion; distributable Value states as 13 per cent derivation billion. Area Manager of National Braimah was expected to syner- yesterday shared N733.095 Added Tax (VAT) revenue of revenue. The sum of N4.634 billion Inland Waterways Authority gise and collaborate with NDLEA billion as revenue for June to N143.652 billion and Exchange The distributable statutory allocation to the North East (NIWA) has been appointed in propagating the war against the federal, states and local Gain of N3.691 billion. revenue of N585.752 billion Development Commission as Ambassador of War Against drug abuse and illicit tra΀cking governments councils. In June 2021, the sum of was available for the month. (NEDC) and N6.179 billion Drug Abuse, by the Chairman, through her o΀cial and private This is N127.137 billion more N87.469 billion was the total From this, the federal govern- cost of revenue collection was National Drug Law Enforcement engagement as responsible and than the N605.958 billion shared deductions for cost of collection, ment received N281.624 billion, deducted from the gross Value Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier top notch o΀cer of government. in the preceding month of May, statutory transfers and refunds. states received N142.843 billion Added Tax (VAT) revenue of General, Buba Marwa (Rtd). Presenting the o΀cial letter 2021. The balance in the Excess Crude and the local government N 154.465 billion, resulting in At the o΀cial letter of appoint- of appointment and decorative The three tiers of government Account (ECA) was $60.853 councils received N110.126 the distributable VAT revenue ment presentation held at NIWA pin to Ambassador Braimah, shared a total of N640.3 bil- million. billion. of N143.652 billion. Lagos o΀ce at CMS, Marina, the the Assistant Director, Seaport lion for the month of January, The communiqup conÀrmed The sum of N51.159 billion From the N143.652 billion, NDLEA boss stated that Braimah Operations, Mr. Ekundayo N640 billion for February and that from the total distributable was given to the relevant the federal government was so appointed in tandem Williams, said that NIWA Area N681.330 billion in March, 2021. revenue of N733.095 billion, the states as 13 per cent derivation received N21.548 billion, the with President Muhammadu Manager has shown noticeable A communique released last federal government received revenue. In the month of state governments received Buhari’s inaugural address, commitment in assisting NDLEA night after a virtual FAAC’s N304.952 billion; states received June 2021, the gross revenue N71.826 billion and the local commemorating the 2O21 in the discharge of its duties in meeting for July 2021 showed a N215.572 billion while local available from the Value Added government councils got N50. United Nations International Lagos, hence her nomination N733.095 billion total distribut- government councils got Tax (VAT) was N154.465 billion. 278 billion. Day Against Drug Abuse and and appointment by Gen. Buba Illicit Tra΀cking, a war which Marwa. Runsewe Commends Gov Oyetola for Approving Adire Osun Day Charles Ajunwa “The cultural Adire fabric revolution started with Ogun The Director General of State, and Osun State gover- National Council for Arts and nor has taken it further to a Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun refreshing dimension, factoring Runsewe, has commended international leverage and mak- Osun State Governor, Gboyega ing it a citizens project which Oyetola, for the reawakening is commendable, deserving our of cultural fashion in the state, support and encouragement,” saying he deserves national he further explained, calling accolades. on other state governors in the Governor Oyetola has made country to pay more attention it compulsory for all public and to the cultural tourism and civil servants to wear the Osun indigenous economy in order State variant of local Adire fabric to create jobs for young persons, known as “Adire Eleko” to particularly women in the rural TALKING LAW … work on August 27, as a way areas. of reviving the dying cultural Osun State noted for its iconic L-R: Founding partner, Banwo and Ighodalo, Asue Ighodalo; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Ayuli Jemide; Attorney fashion of the people noted for cultural festival, Osun Oshogbo, General/Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata; and founding their artistic and cultural tourism is home to Adire variant, “Adire partner/of counsel, Aluko and Oyebode, Gbenga Oyebode, at the 15th NBA-SBL annual business law conference in Lagos… yesterday endowments. Eleko” endemic to the state, also Otunba Runsewe who is also noted culturally as “Ilu Aro” the President, Africa region of (Home of Dye). Former Delta Acting Governor Buried Amid Eulogies the World Craft Council (WCC), Governor Oyetola who spoke in Asaba stated that the declaration of through the Secretary to the Omon-Julius Onabu Speaking at the funeral for The governor, however, said their trust in God and avoid August 27 as Adire Osun Day State Government (SSG), Wole the late Sam Obi, Governor that it was a thing of joy that the anything capable of causing by Governor Oyetola, resonates Oyebamiji at the Osun Fashion The remains of the former Ifeanyi Okowa expressed sad- deceased had laudable records division. with the vision and aspirations of Week held in Oshogbo, the state Speaker, Delta State House of ness at the death of the politician of achievement in addition to He recalled his long relation- the federal government to grow capital, restated the commitment Assembly and ex-acting governor and founder of Oracle of God being a Christian minister. ship with Sam Obi, dating and focus on indigenous cultural of the government to diversify of the state, Hon. Sam Obi, were Christian ministry, describing The governor condoled with back to his time as councilor tourism engagements, adding and prioritise the culture tourism yesterday committed to mother former Delta House speaker as the wife, children and family and council chairman in Ika that time has come for Nigerians endowments to gain the youths earth at Ute-Okpu, his hometown a focused and courageous man members on the demise of the North-East Local Government, to embrace our indigenous and through job openings. in Ika North-East Local Govern- who contributed immensely to former Acting Governor of the saying that their relationship did traditional “wear, eat and speak” ment Area of the state. development of the state. state, and advised them to put not wane until his demise. ways of life.

House Adopts E-Transmission of Results ‘Where Practicable’, Opposition Walks Out Cont’d from Pg 5

He said, “The Nigerian people to be seen to be biased and that Hon. Aisha Dukku, while brieÀng or broadband. Now transmission to cover 8,000 polling units. So voted us to represent their inter- was why they deprived INEC of journalists said the House in its of results does not have to be by there is no excuse for them to est. And in this electoral Act, we coming. In the NCC itself also, wisdom accepted the recom- broadband. I am surprised that say that we cannot deploy or started very well, when it got to they asked the Executive Vice mendation of the committee somebody who is supposed to be transmit results electronically. clause 52 (2), which talks about the Chairman not to show up and without alteration. a professional in the NCC does And I challenge the EVC of electronic transmission of results, thereby he resulted in asking She stated: “What happened not know that diͿerence. NCC to a public debate. I will we could not agree as to the mode somebody in the capacity of a yesterday led to the adjournment “This USSD function just uses personally be there to provide of accepting, whether to go for director to show up. Even the of the House to today and by the GSM network. That is all that technical explanation and proof electronic transmission or not. In Director himself couldn’t even the ruling of yesterday. NCC we need. Like text messages that of what I am saying.” that process, the Deputy Minority substantiate issues.” was invited because they have is all that is required to transmit NCC: 3G Network, a Necessity Leader moved for an amendment. Elumelu said it was because the technical knowledge to inform results. We do not need internet for E-transmission of Results Avail- In his amendment, he posited Wase refused to allow them to us so that we make decisions with service and we have more than able in Only 50% of Polling Units that amendment should read that move for recission on Clause an informed mind. The experts 90 per cent coverage of that. At the resumed sitting yes- the next election should be by 52(2) that forced them to walkout. came and enlightened us. What “And what the leader was say- terday, the NCC honoured the electronic transmission of results “We have no other choice than NCC conÀrmed is that we have ing about the USPF is something summons of the House to explain and eventually the chairman sitting to say that we cannot be part of 50 per cent coverage and we have that this House has to investigate. the practicability of electronic (Deputy Speaker Wase) refused that fake process where they’re 2G/3G and that’s not enough to In 2006, the Universal Service transmission of results. to listen to the amendment. depriving Nigerians of their right transmit results. This is from NCC. Provision Fund (USFP) started Speaking on behalf of the NCC “The Speaker tried to intervene for their results to be counted ac- We cannot aͿord to disenfranchise to collect 2.5 per cent of the proÀt team, the Executive Commissioner, and when we could not reach an curately. Because e-transmission an eligible voter because each vote after tax of the telecoms operators Technical Services, Engr. Ubale agreement we had to adjourn and will guard against rigging and must count.” to date. And their function is to Maska said Nigeria does not have a decision was reached by the votes can count. But what they’ve On his part, Hon. Mark Gbil- be able to provide coverage in an adequate network covering the House that we should invite the done is to discountenance our lah said that, as an expert in the underserved and unserved areas 119,000 polling units across the INEC and NCC to talk about their agitations that let there be transpar- industry, transmission of results of this country. country to enable the seamless ability to ensure that our results ency in the next conduct of our does not have to be by broadband. “Nigerians need to know what electronic transmission of election are transmitted electronically all elections,” he said. He stated: “Let me, Àrst of has the USPF been doing? If in results. over the country. Elumeku said whatever they all, clarify that point further as 2018, only 8,000 per cent units He added that in all the polling “But to our greatest surprise, did was a nullity, while insisting a professional in the industry. were not covered, by now obvi- units studied in 2018, only about upon resumption this morning we that they would continue their First and foremost, when you ously the telecoms operators on 50% had 2G and 3G networks, found out that INEC was asked agitation when they resume from talk about 3G and 2G and LTE, their own have covered it and stressing that the 4G network to stay back. We tried to inquire their annual recess. which he failed to mention, these if they say the operators have only exists where there is the why, and they told us that it’s Also, the Chairman of the are technologies that have to do not covered it, USPF has enough 3G network, therefore making because they do not want INEC House Committee on INEC, with transmission by the Internet funds. Six months is all it takes the coverage inadequate. THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 15

08054699539 Nigeria’s Untenable Rising Debt Profile

or most of this week, I spent quality gave Nigeria loans for. If they truly love Nigeria time scrutinising the statistics of the as they claim, they will cuddle it. Debt Management Office (DMO) on What the Buhari government has been doing in the last What should be done now, at least to reduce Nigeria’s liability portfolio in the last six years, with its incompetent economists, is reckless this loan repayment mess? For me, all forms of six years. I wanted a clear picture of foreign loans should be prohibited. We should F all mount pressure on the National Assembly how the accumulation progressed borrowing, and has evidently borrowed beyond its repayment dangerously. According to the DMO, Nigeria’s to henceforth, reject any loan request from the total debt as of June 30, 2015 stood at N12.12 convenience. This is why the federal government is in a mess federal and state government. So, how will the trillion. So, when Muhammadu Buhari took with debt servicing. It recently admitted this much, saying it Buhari government cover budget deficits and over as President, this country’s debt portfolio fund projects if foreign loans are stopped? It’s was N12.12 trillion. By December 31, 2020, the spent N1.8 trillion on debt servicing from its N1.84 trillion very simple. This government can increase its country’s debt portfolio had risen to N32.92 revenues in the ﬁrst ﬁve months of 2021 – January to May. revenue by genuinely tackling diversions of trillion. The most recent statistics from the DMO, revenues and corruption in revenue-generating covering the first quarter of 2021, showed that This puts the federal government’s debt-to-revenue ratio, a agencies. This is the way forward. the debt portfolio had increased to N33.10 trillion. Ministries, Departments and Agencies of The depressing fact is that most of this key measure of debt sustainability, at 97.8 per cent for this the federal government steal trillions of Naira country’s debts were incurred by the federal reviewed period. Is this not scandalous? yearly. These agencies can safely fund federal government within the last six years. When budgets if they meticulously remit this money. Nigeria’s debt portfolio was N32.92 trillion in The situation at the Department of Petroleum for the same period. Meaning that for every infrastructure like railway and airports. I don’t Resources (DPR), as reflected in its recent December, 2020, federal government’s share was a know of any sane society where government total of N26.91 trillion, leaving a balance of N6.01 N100 generated, N89 was expended on debt presentation to the Senate’s Joint Committee on servicing. This puts Nigeria’s debt-to-revenue still puts money into things like railway and Finance and Planning, represents the corruption, trillion to sub-national governments - mainly, the airports. Investments in areas like this should be 36 state governments and the Federal Capital ratio, at 89 per cent for those 11 months; a far mismanagement and ineptitude in virtually all cry from the World Bank’s suggested 22.5 per private-sector-driven. Government’s role should federal revenue-generating agencies. Territory. The implication of this is that 83.78 per be to create an enabling environment for the cent of the nation’s debt stock, as at December, cent for low-income countries like Nigeria. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is another The huge amount expended on debt servicing, private sector to go in. Rational governments culprit when it comes to diversion and stealing 2020, belongs to the federal government, with work to free resources for health, education and the sub-national governments accounting for leaves the Buhari government with a little amount of revenues due to the federal government. The to spend on infrastructure. Besides, it has to take other welfare sectors. But in Nigeria, we are NCS has the capacity to contribute N5 trillion 16.22 per cent. This comes with huge repayment busy diverting our limited resources and loans commitments for the federal government and more loans and print money to fund personnel annually to the federation account. This can cost, pensions and capital expenditure. Printed to areas better handled by the private sector. be achieved if collection of Customs duties is our sub-national governments. That was why the then Chairman, Senate What the Buhari government has been doing money is also part of any government’s debt privatised. Clearly, this country has no business component. The manner the Central Bank of Committee on Debts, Shehu Sani, remarked taking loans to fund its budget if the revenue- in the last six years, with its incompetent econo- that if Nigeria must borrow, it must borrow mists, is reckless borrowing, and has evidently Nigeria has been printing money in the last six generating MDAs are well managed. With a good years and giving it to the federal government responsibly. He added: “If we must bequeath government, the corruption, mismanagement borrowed beyond its repayment convenience. This to the future generation a pile of debt, it must is why the federal government is in a mess with is dizzying. It has risen intensely from N2.2 and ineptitude will be tamed, and these agencies trillion printed in 2016, to an estimated N10 be justified with commensurate infrastructural will provide enough funds for government. debt servicing. It recently admitted this much, proof of the value of the debt. The payment plan saying it spent N1.8 trillion on debt servicing trillion at the end of 2020. The other day, the Speaker, House of Rep- The Buhari government persistently justifies its of this debt will undoubtedly last the length resentatives, Femi Gbajabiamila vowed that the from its N1.84 trillion revenues in the first five of our lifetime and possibly beyond. We must months of 2021 – January to May. This puts binge-borrowing, saying it is aimed at addressing House of Representatives would stop MDAs from Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit. Unfortunately, leave behind a legacy that will appease and diverting revenues they are supposed to remit to the federal government’s debt-to-revenue ratio, answer the questions the next generation of a key measure of debt sustainability, at 97.8 this federal government has under-performed the Federation Account. Gbajabiamila also agreed in the area of infrastructure, considering the Nigerians will ask.” that the failings of the revenue-generating agencies per cent for this reviewed period. Is this not Many will agree that the projects this govern- scandalous? In 2016, the federal government’s huge loans obtained. I can safely say that the pushed the federal government into seeking so-called investment in infrastructure by the ment and previous Nigerian governments have loans to finance infrastructural development. debt service to revenue was only 44.6 per cent. been funding with loans should be private-sector- But by 2020, debt service to revenue had grown Buhari government in the last six years have Nothing happened thereafter. Gbajabiamila and failed to impact on the economy of this country. driven. The list include several railway projects, his cohorts were just showboating. to around 84.8 per cent. This is why 33 per one of them going 40 kilometres into Niger cent of this current budget 2021 is set aside The so-called investment in infrastructure has No doubt, accumulated debt is hindering failed to yield economic growth. It has failed to Republic; ICT Infrastructure Backbone Project; Nigeria’s development, especially when most for debt servicing. As more debts mature for Airport Terminal Expansion Project (Abuja, Kano, payments, the pressure on revenue rises. In the yield jobs for our growing army of unemployed of the revenue generated is used to service youths. This is why Nigeria’s unemployment Lagos and Port Harcourt); Zungeru Hydroelectric debt. That was why Obasanjo did everything 2019 budget, over N2.1 trillion was set aside Power Project; 40 Parboiled Rice Processing for debt servicing. In the 2020 budget, N2.45 rate is now 33.1 per cent and that was why humanly possible for Nigeria to exit all its debts. this country’s economy fell into recession twice. Plants; Mambilla Power project; and NTA’s And Nigeria did. The most depressing aspect of trillion was set aside for debt servicing. That modernisation project. was almost 25 per cent of the budget size. No Of course, most of the lawmakers approving binge-borrowing by the Buhari government is the loans won’t ask critical questions before A modern government should be seen that the President is unperturbed about Nigeria’s country can attain development with this kind promoting Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) of humongous debt settlements. doing so. They are largely rubber stamp legisla- unsustainable debt profile. Buhari is unperturbed tors. The few lawmakers challenging Buhari’s models for projects, using local and international that he has mortgaged the future of this country Talking further in practical terms, the federal companies. The Chinese government should government expended N3.10 trillion on debt binge-borrowing lack the numbers to stop the with debts. If we are not careful, as more debts garbage. have been approached for a BOT agreement mature, Nigeria may be plunged into insolvency servicing within 11 months (January-November) for the railway, power and airport projects they 2020, out of its N3.48 trillion retained revenue For me, there is no sense borrowing to fund by the huge repayment obligations. Is this the change Nigerians voted for? I don’t think so APC’s N37bn Campaign Fund for States 545 Killed in 6 came directly from the headquarters of Months in Kaduna by One of the positives from the squabbles the party and that was what everyone in the Kwara State chapter of the All followed.” Progressives Congress (APC) was the How did the APC, a party that per- Bandits exposé on the huge amount the party sistently talks about change, raise the sent to state chapters to finance the 2019 N37 billion sent to the state chapters 545 people were killed by bandits in general election. N1billion. Yes, that’s how for the 2019 election? Clearly, not from Kaduna State in the first six onthsm of this much each state got from the party’s its members. Some federal government year. 323 people were killed in the first headquarters in Abuja. This translates into departments and agencies are culpable. quarter while 222 people were killed in N37 billion for the 36 states and Abuja. the second quarter of 2021. I am talking They pumped money into the party’s about human beings here, not animals. The figures of money spent directly by campaign. The APC visibly dipped its the party’s headquarters for the election is This is the level Nigeria has degenerated in hands into public treasury to fund elections the last six years. Kaduna State is indeed still not available. It will be earth-shaking in 2019. This was the same crime the when exposed. The former Vice Chairman a killing field. In this same Kaduna State, APC accused the PDP of perpetrating 1723 people were abducted within the (North Central) of the party, Suleiman in 2015 when the party disbursed N450 Wambai, recently confirmed the amount first six months of this year and ransom million to each state. When the APC took running into billions of Naira paid. Yet, sent to the states for the 2019 elections over power at the centre, it hounded the and gave an insight into how Kwara’s we say we have a government in this PDP leaders that took delivery of the country. Where is the government in the N1 billion was disbursed. N450 million. The EFCC still has many real sense of it? What we have in Nigeria Wambai spoke following allegations by of the PDP guys in court for the money today is a federal government that can’t the factional Kwara State’s APC Chairman, described as public fund. protect its citizens. This is the tragedy of Bashir Bolarinwa, that the N1 billion was the Nigerian nation. The state governors Buni Now, under an APC government, the given to the Governor, Abdulrahman disbursement to each state for the 2019 have also failed woefully to protect citizens. Abdulrazaq, for his campaign. in other states, took delivery of the said election jumped to N1 billion. We are Governor Nasir El-rufai is a big disaster Wambai said: “That particular money indeed in an era of change. One thing in this direction. This governor has never (N1 billion) came with a specific template funds but that was all. Its disbursement been there for anybody in this state. He followed a template that the party had is certain: The APC will not remain in of distribution and various stakeholders, government at the centre for ever. The enjoys showboating and persistently spins including national officers, were involved earlier approved. The money we sent was rubbish, without offering relief to victims to cover logistics for elections and as I party will also, one day, account for this in its disbursement. The candidate, (Ab- huge campaign fund. of unending killings and kidnappings in dulrahman Abdulrazaq) like his colleagues said, the template for its disbursement his state. 16 SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾APRIL 24, 2011 3

Nike Davies-Okundaye I Never Knew I Would Get to 70 Years… My Mother Died Before Clocking 30 Years 18 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 PLUS I Never Knew I Would Get to 70 Years… My Mother Died Before Clocking 30 Years

Nike Davies-Okudaye is an indigene of Ogidi, Kogi State, who spent her early years in Oshogbo, Osun State. She is internationally known for her arts, love for Batik, and Adire-making. Davies- Okudaye is an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, who also empowers women by teaching them how to make Adire fabrics. Mama Nike is the Managing Director/CEO of the Nike Centre for Art and Culture, Oshogbo where training is offered free of charge to all Nigerians. She is also the CEO of Nike Art Gallery Lekki, Lagos. Mama Nike speaks with Azuka Ogujiuba about turning 70, the women exhibition that took place at her gallery on international women’s day, and her relationship with the Oba of Elegushi Kingdom where her gallery is located

talks, which can be used to communicate with people in those days. I love Adire because it is the heritage pattern, cultural textile and also it is something from our youth that everybody has.

We know you had a special exhibition for young women artists this year in your gallery to celebrate Women’s international day, tell us about it? Well, I want to tell you this year is Choose to Challenge ... I was so happy about the title of the IWD programme here. When you look at the challenge people have, I was happy to see the younger people who are going through the same thing our mothers have passed through because young women are now raising their babies. They don’t think because they raise babies, they will sit back and be a housewife. They are working, painting and doing all sorts of work. And an artist also comes to show their voice “My work is my voice.” That is why they had the exhibition this year.

Who hosted the Exhibition? Female Artist Association of Nigeria (FEAN). They have 3000-4000 members. Their president is Chinze and the South-west region is headed by Chinyere.

What advice do you have for a woman who is being maltreated by her husband because of her rising proﬁle? I’ll say such a woman should have patience and focus on what makes her happy. Once you have patience, there is nothing you can’t overcome. Most of all, education has helped many of our women. Some of them have doctorate degrees, while their husbands have bachelor’s degrees and they still give the respect they deserve but won’t give up on their careers. You should have patience and focus on what makes you happy. If you are a lawyer and art is your line, do the lawyer for the money and art for the passion. And in the case of domestic violence, the woman has a voice, her work is her voice. You can afford to put something on the table, leave! We don’t want to see them die ... they are our daughters.

Recently the president of Tanzania died and the vice was a woman, do you see that happening in Nigeria soon? Well, soon. Soon, it is going to happen. When you talk about 54 countries, Nigeria is the giant ... So why not us?

Let us go back to art which we know you for. For so many years, this has been your life. If you didn’t have this opportunity, what else would you have done? Maybe I could have been a Nun. Because of my life before art, I am a fifth-generation artist. I started when I was six years old with my great-grandmother. If I were not an artist, I would have become a Nun. If I got a good education, I would have been a Rev. Sister Davies-Okundaye because I always like to teach or maybe a teacher. The first choice after art is a Nun How do you feel turning 70 years? Is there something you wish you had So far, I thank God, I don’t have any regret but because I like to work with the community done before now? I only think when I see people speaking good and give a part of my talent. feel very excited because I never knew I Yes. Looking back, what I think I should English, I always wish I had that education, would get to70, my mother died before have done that I haven’t done is to build a which I don’t have but I will make sure my This gallery has been on for how many she was 30. For me reaching 70 is a school. I have a centre but I have to build it children have good education. years? great achievement in my life. I thank like a school where people will be getting I moved to this gallery in 2008 and I got all the organisers who make it possible certificates. It will be like academia, which I Why do you love Adire fabrics so much? my first gallery in 1967, in Osogbo ... My for me to celebrate my birthday, I am don’t have, that is what I am still looking to do. It is because it is the original textile from bedroom used to be my first gallery where soI happy to reach 70 years. Do you have any regret in life so far? our country and also it is the only textile that I displayed my artwork... Life is art. THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 19 PLUS When I See People Speaking Good English, I Always Wish I Had Education

Nike, standing with the statue of Wole Soyinka

Growing up as a young lady, which took us to galleries, universitiesr, Art and the way forward? everything can change for you. The second artist inspired you? Craft centres and I chose the gallery, because The way forward is for our government day after I had my baby, I had to go for a The artist that inspired me in Osogbo was I called my bedroom the Africa Art Shop No to help us to build National Gallery for con- labourer’s job to feed my baby but now art Susan Wenger. She was a white woman who 1. I taught the other wives of my husband temporary artists so that artists will have a is sustaining me. came to our country to learn Adire... She was a Art and once we’re done, we hang it up in place of their own. Our government has to painter from Australia and she came to Nigeria my room. Art shouldn’t be sold on the floor, support the artists in a big way by creating Since I’ve known you all my life, I’ve to learn Adire in Ede. She was here before I was it should be displayed on the wall. The day museums. We don’t even have enough not seen you wear something different born. She was here in 1950 and I was born in I opened this gallery was my happiest day. room to put the Art and artists are creating from Adire, can you be caught wearing 1951. My aunt brought me to Osogbo, I was That way many voices would be heard. Their something new everyday. They should something that is not Adire? an apprentice to her. Like in those days when work is their voice ... give us a place to showcase our works. In Maybe when going out with the Kabiyesi knowledge was passed from one generation South Africa, there is a gallery association or Oba Elegushi. I always find it difficult unto the other. So I was taken to Mama Susan The FEAN; I’ll like to know more about sponsored by the government. Every year, because there is no white Adire. So, when- and I could barely speak English but she told the exhibition they give grant to support the upcoming ever I travel with the Ooni, I’m the only one me to speak Yoruba because she understood artists by paying for all their artworks. I wearing Adire. So to avoid that, most times Yoruba. She spoke to me and encouraged me The FEAN is basically to support women will like the Nigerian government to give I wear my white and throw my indigo on to learn. She put me through and I also learned ... Men are not supposed to exhibit but they us this type of opportunity of building my shoulder. I think it is my way of life. The the art by myself. do come to support female artists... I am the more galleries and buying the art to put Adire is a color of love, love for husband, for Godmother of all the female artists exhibiting. in museum and in government offices. your country. I just enjoy wearing wearable How does it feel knowing Nike Art I’m giving an avenue to promote female artists art. It is something you made; you will enjoy Gallery is the centre of attraction when and showcase their talents. When you’re not busy, what is your looking at it. it comes to art in Nigeria? vacation lifestyle like? It is a lot of hard work. When I leave here, How do you feel seeing these young You know what Yoruba say “Ojo iku, What is your view about Oba Elegushi I’ll have my three hours at night to work on ladies following their passion? lojo isimi”. The day you die is the day and his wife towards the artistic world? my bead-works and during the day , I work First, I want to thank their parents for sup- you rest. My past one month in Houston They are the only ones that gave us the two hours on my water colour ... It is a lot of porting them because many parents do not has been dedicated to work. I created a art market; Elegushi Art market. He is an hard work and I still have to make sure there want to hear anything short of the white collar new design made with “Gold Leaf” and art lover and he even gave me a Chieftaincy is food for my husband. What makes Nike job we are all familiar with. They think art is it is going to be in my next exhibition. title: Yeye Honor of Ikate land. He also gave Art Gallery popular is that we share with the something that doesn’t bring money on time. So, it is hard to stay somewhere and his children the opportunity to learn Adire. younger generation. The younger generation Art is not just a subject or profession, it is the say I want to chill out. You know artists He is one of our biggest supporters. has the voice and what I’m doing doesn’t way of life and it exists literally everywhere. It die with brush in their hands. I love what carry only older artists. I carry younger and is the bedrock of every profession and creativity I’m doing and that’s my vacation lifestyle. What is your greatest fear is life? older artists along. I want them to feel that is in everybody. This is what relaxes me, especially at night. To be afraid? I don’t know. I am not afraid they have a place ... When I went to the US of death because I know something must kill in 1964, 10 of us were selected in Africa and The art industry in Nigeria is commend- How did your background shape your a man. What I tell people to overcome fear I was the only female. We were told to bring able, what do you think is lacking in the life ? is to plant a seed, water it and you’ll reap it. back something to benefit our people. They industry right now and what should be ‘Na suffer head.’ I know with hard work, What you plant, you will reap. I fear only God. 20 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY17, 2021

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: [email protected] SHOWBIZFLAIR Sound Sultan Goes Down Fighting Ferdinand Ekechukwu

ne of my earli- est memo- ries of seeing artiste Sound Sultan perform was sometime“O in 2003/2004 when I actually ended up missing a test in school because I wanted to watch him perform at the French Cultural Center. Then his smash hit Mathematics was ruling the airwaves. We ended up becoming very good friends, neighbours to an extent here in Lagos, attended you know family events with each other, worked out at the same gym for about 2/3 years. So he is a very dear friend of mine. And it’s very, very disheartening to hear what has happened to him. “It’s pretty heartbreaking and once again our condolences to his family, his friends, (and) his loved ones who are definitely going through a hard time at this moment. I dare you to go anywhere and find out anything negative about Sound Sultan. You know we always say nice things when people pass away. But this time everything being said about him is beyond the truth. An absolutely amazing human being, nice guy, warm soul, and we just wish his soul continue to rest in peace.” This is just one of the many heartfelt tributes to Nigerian music legend, ̸linrewij~ Fjsist, popular- ly known as Sound Sultan who gave up the ghost in the US last Sunday after a hard fight with cancer. As noted by the bearer, Ebuka Obi- Uchendu, who also happens to be in the entertainment industry, Sound Sultan was a great guy just as cor- roborated by many of his colleagues and friends. Fans from different spheres of life also took to various social media platform to pay their final respect. Sound Sultan From high places including Nige- ria’s presidency and the US consul- Music. Under Kennis Music, Sound (2012), Out of The Box (2016), and though you likely had your own ate, extolled his exemplary life and Sultan made four studio albums. 8th Wondah (2020). Sound Sultan shortcomings as a human being. I virtues, describing the late singer as When his contract with the label starred in films like ‘The Washer- know of none, still. You lived sim- a good ambassador to youths. As expired in 2007, he partnered Dare man’ (2018), Head Gone (2014), ply and respectably as an ideal man a celebrated rapper, singer, song- ‘Baba Dee’ Fasasi, his elder brother, ‘Campus Queen’ (2004) and a web should. writer, actor, he lived an exemplary to start Naija Ninjas, which served series by comedian Basketmouth “And even in the face of death, life, achieved several milestones in as the parent company to a record titled ‘Papa Benji’ (2020). In a Febru- you carried yourself with dignity his career, and contributed greatly label, production outfit, and cloth- ary 2021 interview, he spoke of some and with grace. I first met you on to the development of the Nigerian ing line. A family man to the core, of his projects in the works includ- TV in my early teens, back when music and entertainment industry Sound Sultan in 2009 married ing music compilations and sitcoms. you began your career with comedy through his artistic genius, creativ- Chichi Morah who later converted An ardent fan of basketball even skits. You blossomed into a house- ity, and talent, which has inspired to Islam and changed her name to before he became a music star con- hold name in the music industry many young Nigerians in the Farida Fasasi. They had three chil- tributed to the development of the and created memorable songs with industry. dren together. Five years after their sport in Nigeria. It is not surprising messages that reminded us all of The late Sound Sultan was reputed marriage, Sound Sultan shut down Nigeria’s male basketball team, our need to build a better Nigeria. for using his music to speak against speculation that he compelled his D’Tigers before their game against Just as you were a good ambassador poverty, corruption, bad governance wife to convert to Islam. Australia last Wednesday, while for Nigeria, you also carried the and societal ills in Nigeria. At 44, He said she converted on her own going into the Arena, the players same zeal to basketball, a sport you the age he passed on, not a few of accord because she was in love with wore their customised shirts with were so passionate about, ultimately Nigeria’s political class can be said the religion. “No one forces anyone print of Sound Sultan face to pay bringing us to meet during our time to have impacted lives as Sound to do a religion. It just happened tribute. The teams also observed a at the Lagos Islanders and the Lagos Sultan. He was regarded as one of that she married me and she re- moment of silent before their game City Stars organizations. the pacesetters of modern music in ally…really was in love with the to honour the music legend and “You lived some of your dreams Nigeria. religion herself,” he said. The music lover of Basketball. and I believe they were to your A 1999 graduate of Lagos State legend worked in different music No post other than Adekunle heart’s fulfillment. You built a University where he obtained a genres; from R&B to afrobeats, Binuyo’s comes handy: “However good family and I have no doubt degree in geography and regional soul, and fuji music. Under Naija much we desire it, nature doesn’t your seeds will carry on with the planning, his showbiz career kicked Ninjas, he released several albums always grant us that which we good name you left behind. Rest in ~n ̸linrewijعgb̹ظ̤ ,off in the early ’90s when he hosted and signed artistes like Karma Da mortals regard to be longevity. But eternal peace shows to raise money for studio Rapper, Young GreyC, Shawn, and the legacies we create will always Fjsist. Hopefully, we’ll meet sessions. By 1999, he had won Blacka. In 2012, Sound Sultan was count for something and more. Your again someday if there’s life after multiple talent shows. In 2000, made a UN ambassador for peace on life was a beautiful one as it was a death. May God give your wife, he released his breakthrough hit account of his exemplary lifestyle. remarkable one, too. your children, and the rest of your ‘Mathematics’ — a song on which In total, eight studio albums You made your mark, you influ- extended family the strength to bear he used BODMAS to advocate a new were credited to him, including enced and impacted many more; your departure from this beautiful approach to governance in Africa. Kpseeeeew (2001), Textbook (2004), thankfully, all your deeds were done world. May Almighty God bless After independently releasing other Naija 007 (2007), Back to The Future genuinely and for positive effect. your beautiful soul. Good night, The singles, the musician joined Kennis (2010), Me, My Mouth, and Eye No one ever spoke ill of you, even Sound Sultan. Ó dì.” THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY17, 2021 21 SHOWBIZFLAIR Theresa Edem Isemin My Career Has Been a Long Journey, Filled with Ups and Downs Award winning actress Theresa Edem Isemin has always treasured acting from time being part of her childhood and had wanted to be in the entertainment, specifically, the movie industry. Greater success beckoned on her career after appearing on Tinsel, an Africa Magic original show, and has since gone on to star in several films and TV series, including My Village People which is her most recent. Reserved and very passionate about acting, Theresa literally lives and breathes acting. The mother and movie star shares more about her profession and persona in this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu

rom being a member of the drama club in primary school movies, songs, books... I think life as a whole to being a member of the drama inspires me because there’s so much to learn department in church and from everything around me. Ànally ending up on the big screen, how would you describe What has the experience been like since this journey? venturing into acting and to what extent has It’s been a long journey, Àlled with ups and it a;ected your lifestyle? downs,F wins and losses, but I thank God for The experience has been good so far, and I’m where I am today. still learning and growing. God and my family keep me grounded, for that I’m thankful. Aside acting are there other careers/interests In what ways do you think budding actors you would have loved to explore? And if you can leverage on available opportunities to them weren’t an actress, speciÀcally what would on social media and other avenues? you have become? Social media is a great tool and I think every Apart from acting, I’m exploring other aspects actor, budding or veteran, should take advantage of the arts such as edutainment, Àlm production, of it. etc. When I was much younger, I wanted to be a pilot, but art is my Àrst love so I’m happy In general, what do you think is lacking in this won out. Nollywood and how would you love to see it addressed? Can you tell us a about your background, I’d like to see more big and corporate investors growing up as a child and a fond memory come into Nollywood to help the industry grow. you hold? I grew up in a loving and fun family. My parents There’s this notion that showbiz is no place always encouraged me to follow my dreams for decent women who want to build a home and work hard to achieve them. My fondest and family. In your assessment, what do you childhood memory is putting on a cultural think as a married woman? dance show for my family during Christmas. That’s a myopic, archaic, misogynistic, patriarchal, and sexist, not to mention utterly You have featured in quite a good number ridiculous notion. of movies since you emerged in Nollywood, which one of these movies readily comes to Theresa Edem Isemin Has your status as a wife and mother impacted your mind and why? on the roles you take up and in what ways? ‘My Village People,’ because it’s my most journey. learnt everything there is to know about this I take up characters that speak to me and recent Àlm and I feel that my craft has been art because the day I stop learning is the day challenge me as an actor. more reÀned over time. So, this is like, Theresa Would you consider going behind the scenes I stop growing. Edem-Isemin 3.0… sometime in the future, say directing? Who is Theresa Edem? Tell us your likes You once spoke of taking up some roles in Yes, deÀnitely, in the not so far future. What are the things that you treasure most and dislikes your hobbies turn on, turn o;s the past that you wish you hadn’t. Could it be in life? phobia, your favourite food, favourite colour, as a result of the character or the lines, which You are your own biggest critic. Is there God, family, true friendship, loyalty, integ- and things like that... is more challenging for you between getting anything about your creative process that rity... Need I go on? I’m me. I love love and hate hate. My hobbies into character and getting your lines? often challenges you at the moment and you are whatever I’m doing when I’m bored. Hahahaha. Well, yes, there are some roles I wish it is better than it is? What excites you most as an artiste and what My favourite food is whatever I’m eating at wish I hadn’t taken and it deÀnitely had nothing inspires you? the moment. My favourite colour is whatever to do with getting my lines. I’m still grateful I am my own biggest critic, true, that’s why Making great art excites me. Many things inspires me at the moment. I don’t really have for every experience because it’s all part of my I constantly work on improving my craft. I inspire me: God is my number one, observ- any favourites, weird right? My phobia is feeling pray I never get to the point where I feel I’ve ing human behaviours and interactions, great trapped. Agbani Horsfall’s ‘Holy Spirit’ is Ready Abuja-based gospel artiste, Agbani Horsfall, Rivers State, disclosed that she hopes to release through their songs. is set to virtually launch her new song, Holy more singles and next year, she will launch her She also noted that it gives people to uphold Spirit, on Sunday, July 25. The multi-talented second album. Talking about one of her songs, a balance between their career, faith, family and artiste disclosed that the virtual launch is an Ahurum-gi-nanya, she says it is about the Holy daily lives as the role of gospel artistes is to uplift opportunity for her fans to ‘Meet and Greet’ Spirit, her love for God and the way He loves and encourage believers to preach the gospel with her. According to her, “The way I feel every and has blessed her. of Christ through the instrumentality of music. time I want to release a new song is by spending And thanks to her friend based in United Agbani further stated that the messages in her more time in my prayer room, seeking God to Kingdom, Ezzine, who helped translate the song songs had always been about salvation and Love. move mightily as the world hears this song for her. She adds that she doesn’t copy other “Most importantly love is the bedrock of living. and allowing His presence be felt. Let lives be people’s songs because she won’t encourage My music exhibits the deep love and aͿection changed and Let God alone take the glory.” plagiarism. All her songs have always been her I have for God who remains steadfast to us. She recalls that last year, she released her work, her thought and creativity and mostly “I always express it in my music and also virtual debut album, ‘Spirit of The Living God’ inspired by the Holy Spirit. She thanks God be a medium through which God speaks to with tracks like King of Kings, Belongs to You, for that because it is neither by my power nor people. There’s too much noise in the world Kiniyanabo, Love of My Life, Belema (Love), by might alone. Speaking further she believes about vulgar things, all mostly expressed in Same God, and Celebrate with various genres the role of a gospel artiste is to provide a way music and dance. If the things of God should of music. Horsfall, who hails from Buguma in for people to maintain balance in their lives be heard, music ministers need to do more.” Agbani 22 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021 MILESTONE Peter Obi at 60: A Retrospect Valentine Obienyem he was fully prepared, understanding what his mission is. Because of the unusual zeal with which he faced politics, pundits have e can hardly forget those that play critical often asked why he went into it. He has answered this question roles in our lives. As a young Seminarian severally by recalling his encounter at Kellog Business School. That in 1988, Rev. Fr. Dr. Collins Okeke as day, the lecture was on the World Economy and the lecturer ended our Auxiliary (then a Seminarian), came up not mentioning Africa but rather insisted there is nothing like bubbling with philosophy, being a fresh African Economy. Obi, moved by the zeal of an African patriot graduate of philosophy at the time. He whose identity was under attack, wanted to know why Africa is intelligent and everybody knows that. was not mentioned. The lecturer after a debate with Obi on the He has a peculiar predilection to imparting knowledge on people. subject - having observed his perceptive, penetrating, retentive, and WAs one desirous of acquiring knowledge, I carried a note pad logical mind not common among African businessman - advised and biro always to catch ideas that are in constant Áight. My old, him to return to Africa and contribute in creating public wealth secondary school notes are full of what I then considered words and the emancipation of Africans. of wisdom from the likes of Msgr Sylvester Mgbemful, Fr. Collins Returning and confronted by the degeneration in the society as OKeke, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye, Fr. Ekwenibe, among others. amply demonstrated by the menace of criminals and the use of I even jotted some of their English expressions that caught my Bakassi boys to kill with the clear conscience of nature, he resolved fancy. They also contain Áashes from renowned philosophers to help in the ennobling of the society. Thus, he entered politics and authors. and through it has been pushing for the enthronement of the good I can still recall by heart some of the expressions I garnered from with adamantine consistency. Fr. Collins. Shall we sample him? Speaking on man, Collins would What is he in politics? I think he has remained a contradiction always say that “Man is both a dynamic and historical being, he mirroring the controversy in the society or what, in Marxian retrospects into the past, projects into the future so as to make a lexicon we can refer to as contradiction inherent in the society. better present”. From him we also heard that “Man is a being While the elite see him as a stumbling block, the masses see him of unÀnished and unreÀned nature, whose most excruciating as one of their last hope in Nigeria. Various estimates of him are problem is himself. He spends his time in the world trying to directly proportional to what he did as the Governor of Anambra reconcile the irreconcilable, striving to make a nature which has State at a relatively young age. Added to his natural intelligence been mercilessly immersed in disequilibrium to be at equipoise”. and wisdom, the o΀ce, guided by executive responsibility and He also told us that “Man is a spatio-temporal being and a constant experience moulded him into deeper maturity and judgement. slave to imperfection”. Collins would deÀne freedom contrary to He respected the elite but skilfully blocked revenue leakages that how we then understood it as “what deÀnes man’s place in the Obi often found their way into their pockets. He thus had money to hierarchy of material being”. It is also “the ability to control the turn the State around and left over 75 billion Naira in the coͿers soul from the pangs of irrational desires”. when his tenure ended. He did this after clearing all the debt owed But what is the connection of Mr. Peter Obi to the young Collins making money. In primary school, he sold kerosene. In secondary contractors, pensioners, compensation for land acquired by the of the 1980s who was, among others, displaying his philosophical school, he sold eggs and had commercial taxis plying for him. State, etc. He did this because of his quiet, staid character, his modest erudition? Is this piece on Obi or “Romanticisation On Collins As an undergraduate, he was already engaged in international simplicity that eliminated waste and his tested honesty that won Okeke?” Looking at the wise and philosophical expressions from business, travelling to London every two weeks and buying brand him the sobriquet of “the just’ among his EXCO members. the cornucopia of Collin’s mind, one would see that he was perhaps new vehicles for personal use. All in all, he lived the life that at The irony of today is the debate on how much the incumbent representing the very life of the Àrst two-term Governor of Anambra each level of his development transcended all expectations. He Governor, Willie Obiano will leave. This argument is valid among State and the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the PDP in the 2019 did not remain becalmed in any stage of life. those who believe the impossibility of mindless squander of such elections, Mr. Peter Obi who turned 60 years today. Sometimes we enquire into the workings of people’s minds amount of money in less than eight years without any corresponding Those of us who have followed his life closely for some two not by the battles they fought and lions they killed, but through development to show for it. These people may not be aware that decades now understand that the man is one in a million. Whenever acts that sometimes appear insigniÀcant as will be told about Obi. the same man they are waiting to tell us about his own savings the occasion calls, we look back at the lives of such men because Once upon a time, his cousin was wedding and had to borrow has been owing gratuities to pensioners since 2017, is indebted understanding their lives would help us model ours as people the three exclusive vehicles he used from Obi, including the one to contractors to the tune of more than 100 billion Naira and, to conscious of the present. Peter Obi is a man who has demonstrated used by the newly-wedded. As they were going to the Hall for add salt to injury, has plunged the State into over 200 billion Naira freedom from various chains that hinder the growth and develop- reception, some of his friends passing by saw him Áagging down debt. Is he not deterred by the condemnation that awaits people ment of man: wealth, “pangs of irrational desires,” immorality, a taxi that would take him to the venue and decided to pick him, like him at the tribunal of posterity? spiritual lethargy, corruption, pride, among others. How do we but he declined because there was no room left in their car and he It was the same squalid elite that ignited the Àre that led to the deÀne this man fully? Though he remains a slave, like all of us, would rather continue with his taxi business than inconvenient protest against Peter Obi’s nomination as the running mate to to imperfections, a look at his life will reveal a lot of lessons that if them. When they could not persuade him to manage with them, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku in the 2019 Presidential election. To show imbibed, will contribute its quota in guiding the world immersed one of the girls in the car advised they should ignore him as one you how deeply he is loved, the people ignored the elite and voted in “disequilibrium to be at equipoise”. How best do we do this? ready to remain Àxed in his poverty. for him en masse. Because of his factor, Anambra State gave the As an experiment in perspective, let us see him through all the When they left, the other boys explained to her that the three PDP the highest number of votes in that election. phases of his development, noting his likes and dislikes and even vehicles used for the wedding were his. The young girl, unknown As a politician Obi has done very well. He has shown that one odd quirks. to others, smoked out his hotel room, visited him incognito and can be in politics without doing grievous damage to himself. As Peter Obi, the Titan, was born placid on the 19th of July, 1961 at became his friend. The rest, as is said, is history. the Governor of Anambra State he was in charge in every sense. the Holy Rosary Hospital & Maternity, Waterside-Onitsha. Besides His academic life was intricately woven around his business He knew the balances of the State by heart at all times. He was their eldest brother that was born in Lagos and the youngest, a activities such that after graduation and national youth service, it orderly: the unity and hierarchy of his desires for the State imposed peripatetic son born in Obe Maternity, Agulu during the civil war was a seamless transition into a fully-Áedged business life. While a clarifying and direct order upon his ideas, actions, policies and when Onitsha was under siege, all other sibling of his were born others were learning the wisdom of pleasure, he was engrossed in government. He required the truth about the health of the State, in the same hospital. At the time of his birth, his father was already the pleasure of wisdom, which he employed successfully in all that went the extra mile to discover those truths himself and insisted a rich man - owner of Ideal Soul Super-Market, the biggest in the he did. Thus, one of his colleagues, Chief Okey Ezibe described on being guided by them. then Eastern Nigeria; while his mother - a matron of feminine him with awe: “In my business life I am yet to see a businessman Obi admiringly refused to sell his conscience by doing what most tenderness - was already running what was called “Domestic like Mr. Peter Obi. One can entrust his entire fortune into his hands other politicians do. During his contrived impeachment in 2006, Centre”, where would-be-married men send their would-be and go home and sleep soundly”. When I asked Chief Emma many suggestions came from anonymous groups that wanted wives for training in acts of domestic economy and matrimonial Bishop Okonkwo about Obi’s character, he laughed loudly and to be empowered to bring down the State House of Assembly peace that at that time usually guaranteed happy marriage and burst with compliments: “Val, I give you any amount of credit building while the members were sitting, to smite their families fulÀlled homes. While undergoing pupilage, they learnt diverse you need in business simply because Obi requested that. If those as a prelude to them of what would happen to them, but Obi, like arts: weaving, clothe-making and baking. It was an attractive of us that know him can trust the person he recommended, that President Jonathan would not stand the sight of a soul being lost alternative to the formal education of girls at that time. Part of shows you that he is Trust himself”. because of politics, did not play ball. the major curriculum was ways of ensuring peace in the home What are the secrets of building the type of trust Obi has built He was at last impeached! One of the unsympathetic politicians and the Matron’s favourite admonition to young ladies was that over the years? I once referred to him in terms quite Confucian; described his impeachment as borne out of the “foolishness of God gave us two ears to hear more and speak less - a veiled lesson “the Higher Man”. Recall that when Tsze-Loo asked Confucius, acting like a governor in Plato’s Republic instead of our own cor- for those who, by reckless exercise of the franchise of the tongue, “what constitutes the Higher man?”, he replied, “the cultivation rupt society”. But out of the ashes of that impeachment and other always got themselves into trouble. of himself with reverential care”. Obi has cultivated himself along indignities he suͿered stem his memorable accomplishments as One of the acts Áowing from Peter Obi’s retrospect into his life the lines of virtues that describing him is sometimes annoying the Àrst Nigerian - besides coming into o΀ce through the courts - to is the construction of the ultra-modern maternity building at the because of few allowances for the frailty of man. His mother shall return from impeachment and cause the change of the electoral hospital of his birth. That singular act has deep signiÀcance that partly be blamed for this inclination to sanctity. To the question of time-table in Nigeria. Indeed, while most men see politics as a transcends the mere erection of a building. Mr. Peter Obi in his transparency in dealing with people, he would always recall the trade few like Obi see it as a noble profession. As summed up by usually-measured speech and placid wisdom once conÀded in Àve words to him by his mother when he was leaving Onitsha John Buchman, “public life is regarded as the crown of a career, me that the act was a way of showing appreciation to one of the to Lagos. Let his mother speak directly: ‘My son, when you get and to young men it is the worthiest ambition. Politics is still the institutions that played a critical role in his life, by ensuring his safe to Lagos, I want you to abide by Àve canons, namely: do not greatest and the most honourable adventure”. ingress into the world. This informs his championing of adoption steal, do not envy anybody of his success, if somebody gives How do we assess Mr. Peter Obi as a philosopher? Has philosophy, of schools, rendering help to schools that trained us as part of you something to keep return it intact upon request, let prayer the course he graduated with second classhonours in the univer- giving back to the society. He has vastly expanded this very advice be your watchword and keep the 10 commandments as if your sity, helped him in his successes in life? A true philosopher is one, through his school apostolate. life depended on them. academic or not, who has so trained himself to reÁective thinking, Growing up, Obi had the temperament of young ones the world Like life itself, business has not been all rosy. He has lost bil- and who is so emancipated inwardly from external inÁuences, over. Like others, he engaged in child-hood pranks, made friends, lions of Naira as when his almost 200 containers were seized and who can stand up free -- to doubt, to question, to inquire, to attended and danced at parties and also discovered the charms of by NAFDAC. By the time they were released, the goods were think, to gather knowledge and spread it. You could see while the women. Did he go further than this? What do you want to read already expired. He invested billions of Naira in Mobitel and the course was attractive to him. His project was entitled Steve Biko’s from me? All I can inform you now is that he also experienced the empire came crumbling. When his successes are placed side by Concept of Freedom in South-Africa. In the fore-front of the Black sexual and psychological transformation biology calls puberty side with his failures, we can say that he is a predominantly a Consciousness Movement that fought against Apartheid, Biko in his growth process, a time most youngsters have few moral successful businessman. Emphasising the loss recorded is a way advocated the concept of changing the black man’s existential restraints upon desire. But his friends still testify that he gives to of telling those in business that whatever man does has its ugly situation by Àrst of all changing his mind to think positively at all friendship the tenderness and solicitude that most men give to love. sides. It is defeatist to think of suicide whenever we are buͿeted times. Such a thought process caught Obi’s fancy such that when During holidays and intervals in his studies he did not spend by the challenges of life. Bias, considered as one of the wise men he became the Governor of Anambra State, one of his cardinal in play or idleness, as other children do. Even when he attended of Greece tells us that “the most unfortunate of men is he who strategies of changing the State was by changing the psyche of parties he did not lose himself in such epicurean indulgence for has not learned how to bear misfortune”. the people, and it worked. he took time to experiment with one trade or the other. For reign- As a businessman, Peter Obi was happy with himself and never ing fashions, he got the local artists to replicate them for sale and thought about joining politics. However, when he came into politics Obienyem, Media Aide to Peter Obi, wrote from Awka. THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 17, 2021 23 MILESTONE The Amazon from Ikorodu @ 70 Festus Akanbi writes on the milestones of Nigeria’s billionaire industrialist and former world’s richest black woman, Chief (Mrs) Folorunsho Alakija, who clocked 70 years last Thursday

n a society accustomed to male increased to 50 percent, thus setting the dominance of power and politi- stage for an epic legal battle that spanned cal leadership, it has been argued 12 years. that the prevailing system in the She kept Àghting till she won. In her country appeared to be wired word, “We felt like it was unfair. We had to whittle down the chance of taken the sole risk and invested everything Nigerian women to easily clinch we had in the business. It had become a top political positions and corporate family business. We spent six years as a leadership.I family to ensure this worked out and now For instance, while there is no clear-cut that it was bearing fruit. rule that forbids women from aspiring into They just stepped in and took away any position in Nigeria, there seems to be everything we had struggled and worked a conspiracy to conÀne female politicians extremely hard for. I said to myself, to certain electoral o΀ces. ‘Folorunsho Alakija does not give up, However, what looks like a jinx in the my husband does not give up and my political arena has on many occasions been children do not give up.” At the end of broken in the corporate world, where some the day, the Alakijas prevailed. women rose from dints of hard work to Folorunsho Alakija, who became the reach the commanding heights of their Chancellor of Osun State University on careers. Some of them did not miss the March 9, 2016, is a devout Christian with opportunity presented to them by govern- an evangelical calling. Since giving her life ment policies to launch themselves into to Christ in 1991, she preaches the gospel global acclaim. ceaselessly to anyone that cares to listen It is in this category that the 70- year-old even in the marketplace. Also, she and Vice Chairperson of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian her husband started a house fellowship oil exploration company with a stake in which is now a ministry; Rose of Sharon Agbami OilÀeld, Chief Mrs. Folorunsho Glorious Ministry International. Alakija belongs. She also has a majority stake in Day- Famously remembered as the richest Spring Property Development Company. black woman, according to the ranking by Forbes in 2020, Mrs. Alakija has continued Giving Back to Society to shine brilliantly in the male-dominated Folorunsho Alakija gives back to society oil industry. through her foundation, the Rose of Sharon This businesswoman and philanthropist Foundation. The foundation empowers is involved in the fashion, oil, real estate, widows and orphans through scholarships and printing industries. She is the group and business grants. She is the primary managing director of The Rose of Sharon sponsor of the Agbami Medical and Engi- Group, which consists of The Rose of Sharon neering Scholarship Scheme which records Prints & Promotions Limited and Digital over 1000 beneÀciaries annually. Reality Prints Limited. In 2014, she donated a huge amount of However, just like a popular Yoruba money towards the completion of a 350- proverb, “Owo Eko ni won nwo, won o seat lecture theatre building in Ibrahim wo iya Eko” (people are easily attracted Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State. by the a΁uence of Lagosians without tak- And, the building was named after her in ing note of suͿerings in Lagos), Alakija appreciation of her philanthropic gesture. born to the family of Chief L. A. Ogbara of She also donated a skills acquisition center Ikorodu, Lagos State indeed made serious to Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), sacriÀces to earn the enviable position she a higher educational institution located currently occupies. in Lagos. Childhood Honours As the eighth child of her father and her Folorunsho Alakija holds six honorary mother’s second child, Folorunsho was degrees and a fellowship at Yaba College raised in a Muslim polygamous home and of Technology. She became the Àrst fe- she was surrounded by 52 siblings and male Chancellor at Osun State University seven stepmothers. and Nigeria’s Àrst female chancellor on Back in the days, late Chief Ogbara and March 9, 2016. She is one of the Lagos his wives were involved in the textile in- Folorunsho Alakija Business School alumni and a member dustry. Folorunsho was said to have cut of the Commonwealth and Investment her teeth as a fashion promoter, working Council Advisory Board. She is on the in her mother’s fashion shop. This was From Banking to Fashion Alakija joined a fashion design competition. Advisory board of the Center for African where and when her love for fashion took Her career started in 1974, when she Her designs were so unique and creative Studies, Harvard. oͿ. At a young age, she could combine worked as an executive secretary at Sijuade that she won the contest and instantly In 2014 and 2015, she was on Forbes’ list colours excellently and creatively design Enterprises, Lagos, Nigeria shortly after became a sensation. Folorunsho Alakija of Most Powerful Women in the World. In fabrics of any type. completing a Secretarial Course at Pitman’s built a fortune from designing and making the July 2013 inauguration of the National Growing up in an entrepreneurial home Central College London. She moved to the high-end clothes for wealthy and successful Heritage Council and Endowment for the informed Folorunsho Alakija’s character. former First National Bank of Chicago, women in society. One of her clients was Arts, Folorunsho Alakija was appointed Learning from her parents, she grew up to which later became FinBank now acquired the former Àrst lady, Maryam Babangida. vice-chairman of the committee. manage a business and make it successful by FCMB (First City Monument Bank) as She later became the national president She was appointed as the Vice-Chairman through great work ethics. Folorunsho and the Executive Secretary to the Managing and lifelong trustee of the Fashion Design- of Heritage Council and Endowment for her siblings were taught to open up the Director. ers Association of Nigeria (FADAN). the Arts inaugurated on July 1, 2013. Also, shops early, handle customers properly, She became the new Head of the Corpo- she serves as matron to Africa’s Young and also manage the business’ Ànances. rate AͿairs Department of the International Making Gold out of Oil Block Entrepreneurs. One interesting piece of information Merchant Bank of Nigeria (formerly First It could be said that her breakthrough, Recognised as one of the champions about Folorunsho Alakija’s march to the National Bank of Chicago) and later on however, came in May 1993, when she of African Entrepreneurship, she was billionaire club was her dream of becom- became the O΀ce Assistant to the Treasury applied for an oil prospecting license named Chief Matron of Africa’s Young ing a lawyer, which was truncated by Department. (OPL). Eventually a license to explore for Entrepreneurs (AYE) NGO. She is an ac- her father’s reluctance to fund such an Shortly after her career in the banking oil on a 617,000-acre block—now referred claimed public speaker, a writer, and has academic programme because it was not world, which lasted for 12 years, Folo- to as OPL 216—was granted to Alakija’s also authored several inspirational books. the trend to commit resources to female’s runsho Alakija took up a new challenge company, Famfa Limited. The block is Some of the books she authored in- university education at that time. to study fashion design at The American approximately 350 kilometres (220 miles) clude, “Alone with God” -a free daily Born on July 15, 1951, she attended College in London and the Central School southeast of Lagos and 110 kilometres (70 devotional guide published annually her nursery education at Our Ladies of of Fashion. miles) oͿshore of Nigeria in the Agbami to help the spiritual growth of believers Apostles, Lagos from 1955 to 1958. At the After her return to Nigeria, she started Field of the central Niger Delta. daily; “University of Marriage” – Your age of seven, Folorunsho Alakija travelled her Àrst fashion label known as Supreme In September 1996, Folorunsho Alakija Textbook for a successful Marriage, writ- to the United Kingdom to continue her Stitches, which was later renamed The entered into a joint venture agreement ten to help married couples bring back primary education at Dinorben School for Rose of Sharon House of Fashion in 1996. with Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited spark to their marriages and “Growing Girls in Hafodunos Hall in Llangernyw, That enterprise was unlike any other (a wholly owned subsidiary of Texaco) with the Hand that Gives the Rose”, the Wales between 1959 and 1963. tailoring business. It was the start of a and appointed the company as a technical autobiography of Folorunsho Alakija. On the completion of her primary educa- mega fashion brand that ladies in Nigeria adviser for the exploration of the licence, The book captured how she was able to tion, Folorunsho attended “Muslim High and across Africa would strive to wear. transferring 40 per cent of her 100 percent succeed notwithstanding her large family School” in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. She recognised the need for a fashionable, stake to Star Deep. background, among others. She then returned to England for her yet, wholly Nigerian/African look and In the ensuing struggle for the control Folorunsho married Modupe Alakija, secretarial studies at Pitman’s Central took full advantage of the opportunity. of the oil block, the Nigerian government a lawyer in November 1976 and they are College, London. Just as the business started, Folorunsho snatched a 40% stake, which was later blessed with four sons and grandchildren. 24 ˜ ˾ JULY 17, 2021 MEDIAGAFFES EXPRESSION BY EBERE You Had Better…Not ‘You Better’ WABARA ROM JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq fiercely resisted.” Why the discord? regards their qualifications…. [email protected], 08055001948 Oloyede, comes this introduction: “As a new democracy, there was (were) bound to “The nation has (had) in the past pardoned “Individual institutions can decide on be problems.” and forgiven it’s (sic) past leaders and citizens who who to admit or not based on age, “In the course of the crisis, Awo and some of his committed one offence or the other (or another).” suburb of Lagos, were razed down.…” No word abuse: (needless comma) or any other criteria lieutenants were arrested and charged for (with)….” “Such citizens had since been integrated back simply razed (not razed down). Discard the contrary (criterion).” Singular: criterion; plural: “The ethnic colouration of the coup led to a (reintegrated) into the system.” views by some registers! Fcriteria. counter coup (a hyphen) in July 1966.” Spell-check: “A recent summit in Kaduna on education in the Yet another headline gaffe: “Restrictions on “Why did 4 (four, professionally and coloration. northern states provided the appropriate forum to inter-bank foreign exchange trading is (are) killing the methodically) women (a comma) dressed in white “Have the previous exercises impacted meaning- revisit, once again….” ‘Revisit’ cannot co-function with market.” (another comma) walked (walk) around where T.B. fully on the lives (life) of the average Nigerian?” ‘again’. “Gone are the days when government can “Armed robbers now have good company–street Joshua is (was) laid…?” “This could not have been possible if they had (could) go it alone.” thugs and unofficial vigilante groups.” Democracy as a “Assailant, vigilante member die in gun duel” Get been outrightly liquidated.” ‘Outrightly’ is a Nigerian “Infact (In fact) every loving parents....” Parentage: disincentive: vigilance group. it right: vigilance member. Alternatively: Assailant, creation! The right word ‘outright’ functions as an either every loving parent or all loving parents “PDP points accusing fingers at INEC….” People in vigilante die in gun duel. adverb and an adjective. Therefore, it does not “In the agricultural sector, the two countries can the news: Buhari points the finger. No obtuse addition. “Woman arrested with AK-47, 148 live ammuni- require any inflexion. In other words: This could learn a lot from one another (each other).” “Nigeria is at a crossroad” Fixed expression: at a/the tions” The last word in the extract is uncountable. The not have been possible if they had been liquidated “Soldiers take over troubled spots” Let peace reign: crossroads. Old English (Anglo-Saxon) period is gone! outright. Even at that, ‘liquidation’ does not need any trouble spots. “Stationeries badly needed by.…” ‘Stationery’ is “This will remove the possibility of passing the bulk qualification because of its causative finality. So, if they “Post election violence spreads” Towards a better life non-count. (buck)” No pedestrian English. had been liquidated. for the people: Post-election violence…. “But what appears criminal is the desire of these “The organized private sector took the bull by the ‘Reopening’ abhors hyphenation. It is not “…lost his life in a ghastly auto crash in Greece.” It offsprings of.…” ‘Offspring’ does not take any inflection. horn recently….” For a better society: take the bull by automatic that any word with a prefix must go with a was a fatal (not ghastly) accident. ”…the process of economic integration from which the horns. hyphen, except where there is a vowel replication. For “President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, will emerge an economic block (bloc).…” “Britain handed over the reigns of power to the instance: re-entry, but readmit, readjust, etcetera. expressed sadness over the sporadic violent protest “There is a tussle going on between these two politicians.” Modern English: reins of government. “Legislators, oil chiefs parley on industry enhancing (protests)….” (would it have been three?) arms of government.” “One even wonders why government did not issues” Imagine the classical excellence a hyphen “Police arrest four over Maiduguri explosion” Do “Nigerian leaders and politicians have continued to adopt that method from the onset (outset).” between ‘industry’ and ‘enhancing’ would have we arrest the entire editorial team for (not over) lexical adopt and acquiesce to (in).…” “This is true given the restricted and guarded conferred on the headline. recklessness? “Globacom sets (set) to rule domestic market” comments from those who have been priviledged to “I said these are (were) beggars and I told my wife I “Bribery enthrones mediocrity and crucify merit.” The “I have been briefed that the wrangling among the view the clips.” Spellings count: privileged. better (I had better) get money ready for them.” Tabernacle of bribery crucifies merit. leaders of PDP are (is) over.” “Government needs to put (get) its acts together “…the grassroots population of our people will “Gang up against Buhari will fail” Phrasal verb: gang “Now that the Police has (have) taken over the and prosecute the kidnappers.” My own comment: get remain the lifewire of the UBE scheme.” Adult literacy: up; noun: gang-up (which applies here). supervision of the….” its act (not acts) together. livewire. “We were treated to another similar incidence.…” “…and ensure it does not reoccur again.” ‘Reoccur “Vigilante group accused of murder“…Get it right: “The remains of the Ovie, sources in the town All newspapers should know the difference between again’? Run for cover, my dear reader! Just recur. Recur, vigilance group. revealed, was (were) later tied….” ‘incidence’ and ‘incident’ (which applies here). recurrence, recurrent. Occur, occurred, occurrence. “Apart from all these, the debt recovery (a hyphen “And just last Friday, it was reported that the police “Although the governor’s last minute romance “Lack of incentives anger (angers) local manufactur- confirms class) level of the banks have not been any has (had) arrested the APC governorship candidate….” with the main opposition party is held against him.…” ers” “They provide temporary relief.” ‘Temporary relief’? issue of interest to NDIC.” Question CBN has to answer, “The meetings were about some developments Saturday People: last-minute (take note of the hyphen) I strongly object to that clumsy expression because debt recovery has (not have). alright....” ‘Alright’ (non-standard) is unacceptable for ‘all romance there is no permanence in ‘relief’. “It is believed in some quarters that the Nigerian right’ in formal settings. “Thus, a core investor…with regards to optimal use “The patients pay for each act of ‘healing’ through Police has….” THE NATION: the Nigerian Police have. “My suggestion, therefore, is that our National of the machinery.…” Either: as regards or with regard their noses.” Get it right: they pay through the nose. “And the leaders, being new on the saddle of Assembly members should tow (toe) the line of to…. “At the launching programme (launch) in Abuja.…” political leadership (another comma) were.…” The reason.” “In the heydays of the goggled General when fuel “A cursory look at the figures show (shows) that.…” challenges of good grammar: in the saddle. ”…especially those public officers who remain was often unavailable…” Stranglehold of oil workers: “The end point is that people wait for between “Efforts by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and suspect with regards (regard) to their qualifications heyday (uncountable). three to five hours to pay in their drafts.” English his group to remove Akintola from office was (were) and credibility to hold public offices” Alternatively, as “Last year, many houses of the Igbo in Ajegunle, a without tears: between three and five. Weaponising Banditry: Of Irresponsibility COUNTERPOINT FEMI and Insensitivity (3) AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON ast week’s edition of this column provoked some inter- Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam. The huge Asian country [email protected] 08182223348 - (SMS Only) est, presumably because of the gravity of the situation, also shares maritime borders with Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and the seeming confusion of our security managers Malaysia, among others. on the best methods in dealing with acts of banditry. In As for us, you will not be surprised to hear that our borders are fails to materialise, it’s not because the vision is wrong or wooly- a media advocacy group, a senior colleague advised a some of the most porous in the world. Pastoralists, nomadic robbers, headed, but some of the strategies and posturings of the main younger associate who believed, on reading a media- pirates, smugglers, and all sorts of vermin crawl across our borders campaigners were destined to detract and stigmatise the vision! Lspecific extract from the piece, that the government without requisite documentation; complete their sundry businesses, My open-letter counsel: Sit down with other kinsmen and should be blamed for most of the malfeasance. The and disappear into thin air. And we continue to gnash our teeth; women, of differing political and religious persuasions, who are not ‘senior man’ admonished him to read the full article, and see that and you wonder why banditry continues to loom and doom. less ethnic than you; spread a well articulated message and agenda, ‘blames’ went round different areas of our national lives. I chuckled For every confiscation of a truck laden with innocent looking and let your goals and vision be crystal clear; develop incremental in silence as I would rather those pointers were seen as ‘candid goods, but in fact concealing dangerous weapons, or some other approaches and multi-level interfaces with other significant nationali- observations’, especially after we had laid the foundation in an evil contrabands, you have to live with the urgent fear that a dozen ties and political institutions; mobilise across political party lines, earlier article (‘How We Weaponise Banditry’). other trucks have escaped the attention of our security forces. Then, and sub-ethnic divisions; avoid indiscriminate abuses and curses In this third part, we hope to close this ‘observatory tower’ with you wonder why light weapons and other instruments of destruc- on perceived opposers and those you consider are lukewarm to few pointers that show actions and practices that invariably add tion find easy access into our urban centres, and hinterlands. your cause; stop yelling your disaffection with monarchs and vested to the emulsifying agents producing and promoting banditry and We have been told, and it is easy to accept, that much of the interests, and quit threatening mayhem against your unsupportive other criminal activities in Nigeria. Then, in the next and final part, set banditry, cattle rustling, and forest based kidnappings ravaging us kins, and others who do not speak your language nor have forth a slew of suggestions - as if the appropriate authorities do not are perpetrated by foreigners. The level of bestiality and savagery sympathies for your dream nation, in public arenas. Stop anything know the proper things to do - that may galvanise our redemption, lends itself to the belief that these accursed individuals harbour suggestive of grandstanding, and bereft of rigorous thinking and and possibly save the beleaguered citizens of this country from some sort of virulent disdain, searing hatred and unimaginable planning. needless terror amidst the deadly antics of coronavirus, the natural cold-bloodedness towards their Nigerian victims. The injustices and brutalities in this vast country are there for all painful consequences of a primitive political culture, and dire Yet, time and time again, the vermin get away with their villainy... to see and feel; they are alarmingly recurring and are quite troubling economic conditions. because the signals from above betray a level of docility and puerile to any sane minds; the seeming complicity, obvious insensitivity and One of the chief contributors to insecurity is our ongoing dance hand-wringing that tells the criminals “it’s time to parry”! But the perceived rigidity of current power-wielders are daily becoming with madness of tribal politics. In situations where criminality and body language of powers-that-be reads both ways, with different evident and unambiguous. Yes, all that may be true, and even illegality have been identified, our security forces are stymied by the interpretations. To the citizens who have been touched by the devil’s more so, we must nonetheless seek to reduce the tension obnoxious need to check up the chain of command if they should fork wielded by these violent gangs, the government can never be (allow those gifted in diplomacy and peacekeeping to lead do the rightful thing: collate information, prevent perpetration, a dependable partner in keeping them safe, protected, and well. that aspect); we must protect our people (you know how investigate allegations, arrest perpetrators, persecute according to One of the reasons people like Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu to disarm and dismiss irritants and criminals without using available facts and confessions. But we play politics with disaster, and found resonance with a large number of their peoples: especially the arms - ask the people of Oke-Owa, in Ondo State); develop later wring our fingers wondering why God has been very indiffer- young, the violated and the incensed. a thick skin to doubters and mockers (somewhere ahead ent to our plight. Political leaders with one eye on block voting and However, to the criminals born or bred in a favoured section you may need even today’s enemies to join forces with you future campaigns, subvert the course of justice, and permit chronic of the country, negotiations and recriminations are sufficient, and against clay-footed Goliaths); develop multi-level blocs of sociopaths to walk into the forests, swaggering with bloodied pride officially recommended. Amnesty and psychological intimidation engagements with different layers of constitutional institu- at their invincibility, ostensibly because they are from one tribe or the are proven counter-measures to posturings of headstrong political tions (no country exists or restructures without some form of other. And you wonder why criminals are so brazen, daring, and are leaders. Did you watch a viral video where a notorious Zamfara institutional framework and support). multiplying faster than cockroaches in an abandoned whorehouse. bandit was boasting how he killed some Nigerian and Nigerien Let your people dredge more surefooted strategies and ap- We are a large country with borders with a handful of other soldiers, and his audience were laughing at his bombast - including proaches - and let the ‘warriors’ calm down, and receive wise countries roundabout. But there are many countries larger than us, a police officer?! (See online Punch newspaper of June 27, 2021 - it counsels: if a struggle is for a righteous cause, the destination more populous than us, and even with more fractious cleavages ran shamelessly for almost five minutes). Does any factor weaponise is a fait accompli. Don’t destroy the China shop in the hope of and turbulent histories...yet, they identify the sanctity of their the bandits more pungently and ingloriously than such official building a new shop somewhere else later... only God knows sovereignty, and keep a very keen eye on their borders. Let’s put it in irresponsibility, insensitivity, and plain cowardice? tomorrow, and the baggage therein. As your people would say: context: China is bordered by 14 countries of diverse sizes, cultures All The Noise About ‘Yoruba Nation’ many ways lead to a market. So re-strategize, dialogue, and and political persuasions, including: Afghanistan, India, North Korea, Weeks ago, I suggested to some friends that if the ‘Yoruba Nation’ mobilise. Change is inevitable. SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY 25 26 SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾APRIL 24, 2011 3 GLOBAL NEWS

SOCCER OLYMPICS OF UNCERTAINTY

A WEEKLY PULL-OUT 17.07.2021 PAGE. 29

Kelechi Nwakali Premier League Dream Ruined 28 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 GLOBAL SOCCER

Kelechi Nwakali tries to get the better of an opponent sign on the dotted line if The Azulgranas were not demoted to the second-tier at the end of last season. The 23-year-old has ambitions to rep- Kelechi Nwakali resent the Super Eagles at next year’s World Cup and is aware that he must be playing for a top-flight European club to be considered for selection by manager Premier League Dream Ruined Gernot Rohr. Nwakali departed Arsenal in the When Leeds United showed interest in bringing Kelechi Nwakali to Elland Road summer of 2019 without playing a single game for the first team because ahead of the coming season, he felt his dream of playing in the Premier League had he couldn’t sort out his papers. Nwakali has just one year left on his come to fruition at last after his move to Arsenal did not bring about the desired result. contract at the Spanish second division side. However, Sociedad Deportiva Huesca has declared that the Nigerian youngster is not Allwell, the elder brother of Nigerian for sale and told him to return to the club for pre-season camping attacking midfielder once claimed that other nations had approached the player elechi Nwakali’s dream adding the Nigerian youth international the club. over a possible switch of international of playing in the Premier to their squad. In his short career, Nwakali spent time allegiance. League will have to cool But Huesca, with a desire to return to with MVV Maastricht (twice), VVV Venlo Nwakali famously led Nigeria’s U-17 off this summer as Span- La Liga straight after suffering relegation and FC Porto B. He has racked up a total team, the Golden Eaglets, to their age- ish side, Sociedad De- last term, have no intention of allowing of 80 career appearances so far. But his group World Cup title in 2015 and won portiva Huesca decides Nwakali to depart anytime soon. future at Arsenal looks bleak. the Golden Ball for the tournament’s toK hold on to their rough diamond for The Aragon-based side indeed insists Born on June 5, 1998, Nwakali started best player. a while longer. that they have not received any formal his career at the Diamond Football Acad- Despite his success at the junior The Spanish side have decided that bid for the 23-year-old and are reportedly emy and after his performances at 2015 levels, the 22-year-old has played the young Nigerian youngster is not not willing to negotiate even if any club FIFA U-17 World Cup, in which he won only once for the senior national team, for sale and are looking to make the is ready to pay the player’s €15 million the Golden Ball Award. scoring in a ‘B Team’ friendly against Nigerian midfielder a core part of their release clause. Nwakali would jump at another Atletico Madrid in Uyo in 2018. first-team squad this season. Nwakali returned to Huesca’s pre- chance to return to England and im- Allwell explained that his brother Nwakali has not had the best of times season camp on Monday and he is press after failing to make his mark has Nigeria in his heart, but will con- since leaving Arsenal. He did not play expected to join team training should at Arsenal during a three-year stay. sider all offers put to him by other a single match for the first team for his Coronavirus tests come out negative. Nwakali moved to Huesca but failed nations. Huesca in 2019. He could become a pivotal part of to secure a regular first-team spot Kelechi however released a statement The former Golden Eaglets hero only Ignacio Ambríz’s first-team squad this before he went on loan to Alcorcon, denying plans to switch international featured sparingly for the Oscenses in season as they seek a return to La Liga. where he showed his quality once allegiances away from Nigeria. the first half of last season as the side The midfielder burst into the lime- again. “It is always an honour to wear the struggled for survival in the Spanish light in the 2015 U-17 World Cup where His performances in the Segunda green of Nigeria and it is my dream to La Liga. helped Nigeria win the title, scooping Division have reportedly caught the continue to do so. I categorically deny But a switch to lower league side the Golden Ball Award of the tournament attention of Leeds, who are badly in these reports and will continue to work Alcorcon changed the fortunes for in the process. need of another central midfielder this hard until I am called upon. the dynamic midfielder as he showed Besides representing Nigeria at summer. “I am hugely proud to have represented glimpses of the quality that made Arsenal the U-17 level, he has also played SD Huesca were delighted with the Nigeria at various levels and am grateful sign him straight after the 2015 FIFA for the U-20 side and currently has progress made by the Nigerian youngster to have had these opportunities in my U-17 World Cup. one cap for the Super Eagles. during his loan spell at Alcorcón and have career thus far. Nwakali’s excellent performances The one-capped Nigerian interna- attempted to fend off interest shown in “I have never considered playing for indeed attracted Premier League side, tional never played a senior game for the versatile midfielder by offering him another nation and continuing to play Leeds United and Championship club the Gunners, but had some first-team a new contract. for Nigeria at international level remains Bournemouth with the two teams keen on action during loan spells away from Nwakali would not have wasted time to my priority and my dream.” THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 29 GLOBAL SOCCER TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS . . . TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS . . . TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS . . . Tokyo 2020: An Olympics of Uncertainty With less than a week to the Tokyo Olympics, uncertainties rent the air as Covid-19 raises its ugly head

Some Japanese campaigning for the cancelation of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.jpg

A Nigerian delegate to the Olympics be- weightlifter. Reuters was not immediately came the first visitor to the Tokyo Games able to reach the Ugandan delegation for to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19, comment. broadcaster TV Asahi said yesterday, as Although a state of emergency has been Japan battles to stem rising local infections clamped on Tokyo for the pandemic, most a week before the event. measures to limit its spread are voluntary The individual, a non-athlete in his 60s, and many say they have grown weary of tested positive on Thursday evening at them. the airport with mild symptoms but was Organisers have promised that the hospitalised because of age and pre- Games, postponed from last year because existing conditions, the broadcaster said, of the pandemic, will be “safe and secure.” without giving details. They have imposed strict testing and On Friday, the Australian Olympic limits on delegates’ activities to try Committee said that tennis player Alex to soothe the concern of the Japanese de Minaur, ranked 15th in the world, had public, many of whom wanted the Games tested positive prior to his departure for canceled or postponed again. the Games, becoming the latest athlete to International Olympic Committee have the virus shatter his Olympics dream. President Thomas Bach said on Thursday “We’re very disappointed for Alex,” there was “zero” risk of Games partici- Australia’s chef de mission, Ian Chester- pants infecting Japanese with COVID-19, man, told reporters. as infections hit a six-month high in the “He said that he’s shattered, not being host city. able to come … but he has sent his very However, Japanese Olympic gold best wishes for the rest of the team.” medalist turned chief of the Japan Sports De Minaur returned two positive tests Agency, Koji Murofushi, told Reuters Olympics President Thomas Bach insists the game would go on as scheduled in Spain before he was due to fly to Japan, yesterday that organisers needed flexibil- David Hughes, the AOC’s chief medical ity and swift decision-making in reacting Games in person, it would depend on the worried about contagion. officer, told a news conference. to the spread. trend in infections. Although Japan has escaped the ex- Another Olympic dream crushed was “It’s possible that even after the Olym- Japan’s top medical adviser, Shigeru plosive outbreaks of other nations, it has that of U.S. basketball star Bradley Beal, pics start, there will be situations where Omi, told reporters that it was unlikely more than 820,000 cases and about 15,000 after USA Basketball said on Thursday the we’ll need to add measures to prevent that the number of daily coronavirus deaths. Host city Tokyo had 1,308 new Washington Wizards star would miss the the spread of infections – and if that’s the infection cases would fall in a short span cases on Thursday and another 1,271 on Games after entering coronavirus proto- case, we have to be flexible enough to act of time to levels that justify holding the yesterday. cols at a training camp in Las Vegas. swiftly,” said Murofushi, 46, a gold and Games with spectators. The city’s monitoring committee has The coronavirus has infected several bronze medalist in the hammer throw. Yesterday, Bach visited Hiroshima, the warned that if the pace of contagion athletes and others involved with the Most venues are to have no spectators, first city to suffer an atomic bombing, picked up as people move around and Games, which start on July 23, even as with officials urging the public to stay to deliver what organisers have called a new infectious variants spread, the infections spread in Tokyo and experts home and watch on television, depriving message of peace on the first day of an seven-day moving average could nearly warn worse may lie ahead. Yesterday, top Japan of its hopes of pomp and spectacle “Olympic Truce,” an ancient tradition to double to 2,406 in four weeks. That would government spokesman Katsunobu Kato, at the Games. cease hostilities during the Games. approach the highest level yet seen in the told a news conference that a Ugandan Bach had suggested to Prime Minister Bach laid a wreath at the Hiroshima pandemic. athlete had gone missing, with police and Yoshihide Suga that if the virus situation Peace Memorial Park cenotaph and Japan’s fitful vaccination campaign the team’s host city, Izumisano in western improved spectators could be let into called the Games a “beacon of hope” for a has also sparked frustration among the Japan, mounting a search. stadiums, media said. peaceful future. local authorities handling most of it. Izumisano city authorities identified the Asked about the report, Tokyo Gover- But the visit has proved controversial, Momentum gained after a slow start was missing athlete as Julius Ssekitoleko, 20, nor Yuriko Koike told reporters that while with some critics charging the IOC with soon blunted by supply shortages and just and public broadcaster NHK said he was a many hoped children at least could see the using it as a publicity stunt and others 31 per cent of people have had at least one dose. 30 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 GLOBAL SOCCER

Wilder and Fury Participants poses at the closure of Oyeghe’s Lady Captain’s Day Golf Tourney Anyanacho Calls for Focused Taekwondo Board Oyeghe’s Lady Captain’s Day Golf Femi Solaja the Binga-led board, the sport changed in the sport. In fact, she has witnessed several successes blames the Binga-led board for With less than three months especially in terms of athletes her inability to compete at the Tournament Ends with Flourish to the elective congress of all ranking, grading, and organisa- Olympic qualifiers. Her words: The one-day Oyeghe’s Lady Captain’s Day Golf Tournament ended in style as sports federations as stipulated tion of tournaments. “I cannot imagine myself not the duo of Emmanuel Usoh and Mrs. Suwadeetu Mahmud emerged champions. by the Sports Ministry, one “I want to tell you that so going to the qualifiers and The golf tournament hosted by Princess Oyèghè Oyarekhua, the immediate of Nigeria’s medal hope at much has changed under the finally miss out on the Olym- past Lady Captain of Benin Club Golf Section at the golf course, Benin City, this month Olympic Games, Binga-led board especially pic Games in Tokyo. It is just Edo State attracted top golfers across the country. Elizabeth Anyanacho, hoped when it comes to the ranking frustrating that a lot of athletes Even in the rainy month of July, the heavens favoured the tournament with for a game changer for the next system, selection of athletes have been discouraged with a lovely weather. board of the Taekwondo Fed- for major competitions as the way things are being run Some of the golfers that participated at the event included the Deputy Gov- eration of Nigeria. well as Kukkiwon Grading in the federation. For me, the ernor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu and his wife, Maryann, Secretary to Edo State Ahead of the election, some system. Prior to the outgoing last four years have not been Government Osarodion Ogie, past captains among others. notable stakeholders have board, we had no ranking as good and it is painful that I can- At the end of the event Usoh (hcp.28) played a net score of 71 to emerge thrown their hat into the ring athletes are selected randomly not compete at the Olympic winner in the men’s category, while John Omonofe (hcp.14) was first and willing to lead the next to represent the country. But Games,” a visibly frustrated runner-up with 72 net just as Victor Oriasotie (hcp.8) recorded 73 board. now every athlete knows his or Otunadinma said. net to place second runner-up after beating General Oscar Iyare on But for Anyanacho who is her rating and this is the basis However, Vivian Ndu, count back. aiming to repeat Chika Chuk- of athletes’ selection for major three-time national champion, In the same vein, top rated Osazee Iyare (hcp.3) won the best gross wumerije’s medal winning feat tournaments. The Kukkiwon believes that the Binga-led trophy having played the lowest gross of 75 thus settled for 72 net at 13 years ago at the Olympics, is grading system has really board has handled the sport the end of the event. leading other young Taekwon- improved unlike in the past with transparency and ac- Similarly, Mahmud (hcp.19), former Lady Captain and gold medal- doists to set the tone over the where things were not done countability which was lack- ist at the 20th National Sports Festival held in Benin City last April fortune in the country. properly,” Nwosu said. ing before the board came on continued her form finishing with 72 net. However, this long hiatus She added: “The coaching board. “Now athletes know About 130 golfers teed-off at the one day golf tournament that indicated for Nigeria in the sport has set system has also improved as that if you work hard you the closing of Oyarekhua captainship in the ladies division BCGS. tongues wagging over the for- more coaches are well updated can make the national team. I In her speech, Oyarekhua SAId: “There is time for everything, and that this tunes of the sport in the country. on the latest rules in the sport. I like their transparency when is the ideal time to host my sports loving golfing friends and family to another While some taekwondists are must also commend the efforts it comes to athletes’ selection historic Lady Captain’s Day in the club. of the view that the out-going of the Technical Director, Chika to major tournaments. Things And she says “This is the Day the Lord has made. We rejoice and we are Margaret Binga-led board of Chukwumerije, who has been have really changed for the glad in it”! Nigeria Taekwondo Federation working hard to make certain better as some of us outside has performed well in office, changes in the interest of the Lagos and Abuja now have the others argue to the contrary. athletes.” chance to make the national The 2019 African Games But unlike Nwosu, 2019 team because everything is gold medalist, Chinazum African Games bronze medal- now based on merit,” Ndu Paxful Donates to Nigerian Basketball in Olympic Push Nwosu believes that under ist, Uzuamaka Otunadinma said. believes nothing seems to have Paxful announced that it would be donat- organisation devoted to creating equitable ing to the Friends of Nigerian Basketball opportunity by providing clean water, access ri- Foundation (FONB), a non-profit corporation to quality education, sustainable farming, ze Babyface Blows Hot Ahead of WBO Title Fight with a mission to amplify and support the and humanitarian support—all powered ot Nigeria’s Rilwan ‘Babyface’ centre in Kiev yesterday ahead best from me and I hope to take global sport of basketball at all levels of by cryptocurrencies. he Babatunde, the current WBF of the bout which holds today, the belt home after the fight on engagement and competition. Additionally, The Nigeria men’s national basketball of Intercontinental Welterweight Babyface was optimistic that the Saturday. Paxful’s Co-Founders Ray Youssef and Artur team is led by Head Coach Mike Brown, je champion, is all tuned up for fight will be a walk-over for him. ‘I also want to thank my Schaback will give a personal donation to associate head coach for the Golden State y- his fight against Dymtro ‘I am happy for this great management team Flykite the FONB. Warriors. The D’Tigers are currently ranked ni- Mytrofanov of Ukraine. opportunity to come all the way Productions for the support and The donation will directly support 1st in Africa and 22nd in the world by the or, Babyface is challenging the to Ukraine to ply my trade. As encouragement. I promise not to the D’Tigers, the Nigeria men’s national FIBA World Ranking and they are showing je Ukrainian champion for the for my opponent, I am not afraid let them down’ he concluded. basketball team during their Olympic run great promise during the Las Vegas, Nevada he WBO Oriental Middleweight of him. I know he is good but The Nigerian champion in Tokyo, Japan later this month. Paxful exhibition games this week--beating both title. I will show him what Boxing weighed 69.1kg while his op- will be donating on behalf of the Built the men’s national teams for the United Speaking at the weigh-in is all about. ponent clocked in at 69.5kg at With Bitcoin Foundation, a humanitarian States and Argentina. ceremony at the Klitschko Expo ‘Nigerians should expect the the ceremony. Chinese Community’s Wushu Kungfu Competition Open in Lagos Wilder’s Camp Backs American to Regain Title from Fury Deontay Wilder’s team ‘defi- “I definitely believe that you an opportunity to hit him. The first edition of Nigeria Chinese Federation from both China and nitely believe’ he will regain the Deontay is going to win his title “It is our job to take advantage Wushu Stage Performance Champion- Nigeria will be the competition judges. WBC heavyweight title with a back by knocking out Tyson of those opportunities. I believe ship, the Kung-fu event, will begin The winner of the competition will crushing knockout of Tyson Fury Fury,” Finkel told Sky Sports. Deontay will, and I believe he will with open registration on Monday take home N1 million while first in their rescheduled trilogy fight. Wilder has revamped his knock Fury out in the trilogy.” July 19,2021, on its website: http:// runner up will take home N700 ,000 Wilder vs Fury 3 has received training team with the addition Anthony Joshua wants to face ncwspc-ng.com/ and N500,000 will be for the second a new date of October 9 in of Malik Scott, who has taken the winner of Fury vs Wilder 3, if The event which is organised runner up. The prizes are same for Las Vegas after a Covid-19 a lead role in overseeing tactics, he retains his WBA, WBO and IBF by the Wushu Development senior and junior categories. outbreak in the British star’s and recently told Sky Sports how titles in a fight against Oleksandr Association of Nigeria and Participants according to the chair- training camp caused the he identified vulnerabilities in Fury. Usyk, which is expected to be held Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria, man Huaxing Arts Troupe, Dr Eric postponement of this month’s “They both have the power to at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on is supported by Nigerian Wushu Ni, is open to all eligible age . “To fight. hurt each other,” said Scott. “The September 25. Kung Fu Federation and Con- take part in the competition which is The American was stopped difference is that Deontay has the Joshua has told Sky Sports: “I sulate General of the People’s free, all you need to do is to visit the by Fury in the seventh round power to knock you out. will fight them all. Wilder is just Republic of China in Lagos. website and download the free form, of their WBC title fight in “Fury is undefeated but is vulner- another one in the pecking order, The competition is open in senior thereafter, do a two minutes video February 2020, but co-manager able. That won’t make sense to no problem.” and junior categories, both male and of your Wushu Kungfu performance Shelly Finkel expects Wilder most humans. Wilder’s team remain open to female, ranging from ages seven and and summit to mail address provided to avenge this loss with an “He is an unbeaten fighter discussing an undisputed world above. on the website and you good to go,” emphatic victory. but is very beatable. He gives title fight against Joshua. Known practitioners in the Wushu he stated. THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 31 GLOBAL SOCCER

Ahmed Musa and his second wife Juliet Ejue Ahmed Musa with his third wife Mariam Ahmed Musa with Jamila when the going was good

forward’s chances of joining the relegation-threatened Baggies. Musa had been without a club since he left Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in October, but he is Ahmed Musa keen on a return to England. West Brom, aiming to avoid relegation just 12 months after sealing promotion, were looking at the Nigerian to help sharpen a blunt attack that has been strug- Scores Goal No 3 gling to make much of an impact in the top-flight. It appeared a match made in heaven. He may have failed in his quest at securing a club in mainstream Europe But the former Leicester City attacker had delays in receiving since leaving Saudi Arabia club-Al Nassr, marrying a third wife however was his UK visa, which was requested by West Brom. something that was easily achieved by Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa And there appears to be no improvement in the situation n the last nine years, Super rested for allegedly beating his “He is a devout Muslim and a as Musa did not arrive at the Eagles Captain Ahmed wife in their home in England responsible husband and instead Hawthorns, where he was Musa has played for six while he was still with Premier of keeping mistresses he chose expected to have his medicals different club and in the League side, Leicester City. to legally marry a new wife as and put pen to a six-month same number of years he Family sources revealed then permitted by his religion. contract. had been able to tie the that the former CSKA Moscow “His own family members and West Brom manager, Sam Al- nuptialI vow with three different forward and his estranged wife, even his mother endorsed his lardyce, had revealed that Musa women. Jamila, mutually parted ways plans and there is no going back. and his representatives had failed Though securing a move to following irreconcilable differ- “Ahmed’s mother was in the to show up to the Baggies’ Walsall Europe has not been easy for the ences. UK a couple of times to speak training ground since the initial Kano-born player, getting a third The source said the decision with Jamila to accept his son’s contact and offer was made. wife however comes handy, was reached by the two parties decision but she declined.” “He hasn’t arrived yet. We ascribing to speculation in some after efforts to reconcile them Regarding his arrest by the UK are still waiting so I don’t know quarters that the former VVV failed. police, the source confirmed that what the situation is,” Sam Venlo attacker prioritise a third The source added that the Musa had altercations with his Allardyce had confirmed at his marriage to moving to Europe. player’s decision to marry a wife but never beat her. press conference. Musa took a second wife dur- second wife was permitted by Is- The source said the last heated “We have been waiting for two ing a private ceremony recently, lam but was vehemently rejected argument was after Jamila weeks now. making it his third marriage by Jamila. queried Musa for posting the “I’m not totally up to speed in nine years having ended his “Ahmed loves his wife and picture of the new lady on his with the situation because it’s relationship with his first wife, would have loved to keep the Instagram page and called her not been my main focus.” Jamila in 2017 to marry Juliet union especially for the sake of ‘my queen’. Ejue the same year. The 28-year- their two children. Musa then went on to old has always maintained that “He did everything to make marry Juliet Ejue, who allegedly he does not regret his first mar- Jamila see reason with him but brought to end his first marriage GLOBAL SOCCER riage as he stated that the second the woman rejected all over- in wedding ceremony in Abuja one would be happier and long- tures. as his divorced wife, Jamila was ASSISTANT EDITOR lasting. “Several family members since back in Kano, with their The Kano Pillars star, who mediated in the crisis but the two children. THISDAY ON SATURDAY welcomed a baby boy named two parties were not ready to The Super Eagles captain EDITOR Ahmed Musa Jr. in 2020 with shift positions. joined Nigeria Professional Juliet, took to his Instagram to “They constantly had alterca- Football League side, Kano Pil- celebrate their wedding anniver- tions and it was affecting them. lars after his anticipated move to sary last month. “A lot of things have been last season’s relegated Premier THISDAY NEWSPAPERS

Musa wrote: “Days have said about Ahmed on this mat- League side-West Brom failed EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN turned to months, and months ter which is not correct, he is during the winter transfer. into years, and if I had to choose a gentleman and this issue is Hours before the close of again, it would be you. On this constantly affecting him even the Premier League January MANAGING DIRECTOR special day, our anniversary, I his career. transfer window, West Brom want to thank you for choosing “The wife insisted she could have confirmed that the club DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR to be on this journey with me.” not cope with another woman does not know the whereabouts In 2017, Musa divorced his but Musa was adamant about of Ahmed Musa, placing a sig- wife Jamila, after he was ar- going ahead with it. nificant doubt on the Nigerian 32 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ ͹Ϳ, 2021 33 34 SATURDAY JULY 17, 2021 • THISDAY THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY17, 2021 35 IMAGES

It was a moment of joy for the families of Mr. Tunde Mac-Alabi and Chief Ede Osayande when Mr. Kolawole Mac-Alalbi took former Miss Ekinadese Osayande to the altar at the Church Iof the Assumption Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos with reception at The Coliseum, lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Here are some of the personalities that attended the occasion.

Photographs: Abayomi Akinyele

Groom, Kolawole Mac-Alabi and his wife, Ekinadese

L-R: Wife of the Nigerian Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo Osibajo, groom’s parents, Mrs. Olubukola Mac-Alabi and her husband, Tunde Bride’s father, Chief Ede Osayande (left) and Mrs Precious Osayande

L-R Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila_ his wife, Salamatu_ and Director General, Federal Budget Oﬃce, Mr. Ben Nwabueze Professor Adekukoyi, his wife, Fola and Dr. Wale Babalakin

AVM Ladi Smith and wife, Funke Mrs Foluke Alakija (l) and Mobola Durosinmi-Etti

Dr Toyin and Dr Layi Fatona Mr Taiwo Griselda and wife, Abu 36 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾JULY 17, 2021 POLITY Obinna Uzoh I Have Been Vindicated in Ifeanyi Ubah’s Case against Me

On January 2020, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, nullified the election of Ifeanyi Ubah as the senator representing Anambra South and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Dr. Obinna Uzoh, the candidate of the PDP that came second in the election. The court ruled that having established that there were discrepancies in the certificate presented by Ubah and the fact that he did not emerge the candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) from a primary election, his victory was null and void. The court then ordered that Uzoh, a legal practitioner, politician, and philanthropist, who had got an earlier court judgment pronouncing him as the authentic candidate of the PDP, should be sworn in as senator representing Anambra South. Ubah had appealed the case and the Court of Appeal gave him victory, ruling that the High Court did not have jurisdiction to have entertained the case. The Supreme Court also affirmed the judgment based on not having jurisdiction to entertain the case. However, there was a twist in the case thereafter, as Uzoh was accused of falsifying court documents in his suit against Ubah. He was detained and put to trial before Justice Okon Abang. The case was later reassigned to Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja, who last Tuesday discharged and acquitted Uzoh of the forgery allegation. In this interview with select journalists including Olaoluwakitan Babatunde, Uzoh spoke, for the first time, on the matter and his ordeal

Last Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja I set out to create. Before this case, a lot of those who like discharged the case of forgery instituted against you to play the role of godfathers in Anambra State and some as fallout of your suit against Ifeanyi Ubah. What is others parading fake certificates were getting ready to the genesis of the case? vie for the office of governor. They could have emerged hat court case came as a result of our allegation as candidates for the November 6 governorship election. of forgery against Ubah for which we got a But with this awareness, they saw that they couldn’t make judgement at the FCT High Court, Abuja. We progress and therefore withdrew and decided to back some believed we were right to have started the case other qualified people. in Abuja relying on Zayyad Ibrahim v APC Tand 2 others (unreported) SC/420/2019 and Has Ubah made effort to apologise to you for what a plethora of other authorities because all the is looking like defamation? certified documents we got were obtained from INEC’s I am yet to get a call or an apology from him. I am not headquarters in Abuja. INEC office in Awka, Anambra State expecting anything from him. That’s what you get in said that the documents were domiciled in Abuja. Also, the politics. Some people have asked me whether I will file for a YPP headquarters is in Abuja, and PDP headquarters is also defamation suit with huge damages and perhaps have him in Abuja. Nothing was connecting Anambra in the matter. punished. Some people have also said that vengeance is of However, the Supreme Court panel, said no, that the matter the Lord’s. These are all the things I will reflect on before I should have originated in Anambra. Well, we congratulated decide the way forward. For now, I’m contented with the Ubah because the Supreme Court had ruled. liberation I’m bringing to my people. However, the only court that treated the substance of the case, which was a forgery of a certificate, was the FCT High As it is today, the political parties have all held their Court and it acknowledged that the documents presented primaries to elect candidates for the November 6 by Ubah were forged because there were different fonts, governorship election. This means you are completely logo, serial numbers. out of the process. What will be your next line of Accusing me of forging documents to obtain my action? judgment was an after-thought. They were looking for I am a firm believer in God. I’m not a quitter. Perhaps, something to dent my image instead of addressing the they thought they can keep me out of it, but if it is God’s certificate case against him. Well, I have been vindicated. will, it will still come to fruition. It is not yet over. Politics is The court discharged and acquitted me. No doubt realising like a game of football; until you hear the final whistle, the that he had no strong case against me, Ubah, the nominal Uzoh game is not yet over. We are studying the developments complainant, through his counsel came back to say he to see how we can get involved. Perhaps, before the end of was withdrawing the matter relying on Section 355 of the My son, who was one of those who represented me in this July, we will come out with a position on whether I will Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, was in court and contest for the governorship of Anambra State or support The judge, relying on Section 355 of the ACJA, discharged some people with policemen waylaid him, saying they somebody. The parties have had their primaries; we are and acquitted me. were looking for Dr. Obinna Uzoh and insisted that he went studying the outcome; some of the parties are already in with them to the police headquarters. He agreed. His driver court, so we are studying the process, to see how we will get From what you said, it means the Appeal Court and drove him to the police headquarters. He was not whisked involved. Supreme Court ruled only on jurisdiction and not on away. He got there and told them that he is a lawyer and that The church seems to play a big role in Anambra State the substance of the case of certiﬁcate forgery against he was sure they were looking for me, his father. He told politics. We have seen many candidates emerge using the Senator Ubah. Why would they do that? them that if they wanted to serve him, they should do so sentiment of the church. What are your expectations in this You cannot question my noble lords of the Court of Ap- in his office and if they wanted to serve me, his father, they particular election, where many of the candidates are of the peal and Supreme Court. In law, if you don’t have jurisdic- should do so in my office. In the end, their boss told them to Catholic faith? tion they will not look at the substance of the case, but we let my son go. The Church has always played a role in Anambra politics, felt that we had jurisdiction because all our documents There were also reports that some judicial officers were but as time goes on, we will see how it goes. By the time the came from the INEC headquarters in Abuja. There was a sacked for compiling a fraudulent case file. This is untrue. list of final candidates is presented to the Anambra people, plethora of Supreme Court judgements which my counsel No judicial officer has been sacked on account of this case. they will make their choice. A lot of things will come into quoted to show that we had jurisdiction, but the judges of A lot of unprintable things were said about me, my son, my play, including background and antecedents. Religion the Supreme Court disagreed, and in law, if you don’t have lawyers, etc that were targeted at smearing my image. But could be a major factor. It is a known fact that we have a jurisdiction, my noble lords will not entertain the substance people refused to believe these things because they know huge percentage of people of the Catholic faith in Anambra of the case. my pedigree and standing in society. There was no need to State; we will see how it goes. For me, my philanthropy cuts The judgement of the FCT High Court Sen Ubah’s docu- join issues with them, being disciplined lawyers. across boundaries. ments were forged has not been upturned, in the true sense For me, when I got into politics, I was ready for anything. of it; but what we were looking at then was a pre-election People warned me to be careful, that my political opponents What is your advice to the people of Anambra in matter. could frame me for a crime. Well, that is not why we should exercising their franchise? run away from politics. We should get in and do our best. Our people must take a look at what is happening in What were your travails during the period the case All good men and women cannot run away from politics. politics. Politics determines a lot of things - how business against you lasted? We understand that your son, Back to the question; I waited for them to serve me or is done, education, and many more. The people must take who is a lawyer, was whisked away from the court invite me to the police station, but they didn’t. I went to the advantage of the ongoing continuous voter registration by over it? office of the Inspector General of Police. They came and said INEC to get their voters cards. By the time the final names If you are a good man like me and get into they had declared me wanted. These are people who never of candidates are released it will behove them to decide politics, you will be ready for any challenge. invited me by whatever means. They detained me and later who to vote for. They should look at the antecedents. They Challenge is one of the elements of growth and took me to court. should ask these questions: What has that candidate been success. The police invited my son and he went What would you say you have gained from all the doing? What has he done with the little he has to help the there. A lot of propaganda and falsehood were trouble? people? You have to trust somebody with a bigger office if going around but I refused to say anything. My I have gained resilience and great experience. However, you see what he has done with the little office. We should, son did not say anything too. We are lawyers and society has gained more. Now, it will be difficult for people as one of our surviving nationalists, Chief Mbazuluike when a matter is in court, you cannot say anything on it as with questionable certificates to go for elective offices at Amaechi, said, look at the antecedents of the candidates this will be sub judice. whatever level. I am happy that I achieved the awareness rather than leaning towards political parties. THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾JULY 17, 2021 37 POLITY Ethnic Character of Nigerian Insecurity Sola Ebiseni grounds of retaliation or reprisals by farmers who reacted terror and disturbing the peace under the guise of protecting to the destruction of their farms by the herders. The farmers fellow kinsmen” and whose seditious utterances and antics, igerians are so divided under the Buhari made up of several ethnic groups are advised by the federal which he is known to have publicly expressed, have over- administration that several strange things are government to accept the reality by seeking peace with the time morphed into very hateful and vile laden speeches”. happening. Significantly, it has succeeded in attacking and untouchable herders and make their lands It is thus clear that Igboho was targeted to be eliminated shattering and scattering the myth of one available in ransom for their lives. and now declared wanted for not making himself available north which Sir Ahmadu Bello and the found- For instance, Nassir El-Rufai, former Minister of the to be killed on account of his speeches in support of his Ning members of his school of thought, both in Federal Capital Territory and now Governor of Kaduna kinsmen which speeches are only declared by Garba as politics and the academia, have managed with State is so Fulacentric that, in an unsolicited tweet in 2012, seditious and hateful for being against the heinous crimes such dexterity that the average southerner would pass off all he warned that “anyone, soldier or not, that kills the Fulani, of Shehu’s cousins - local and foreign - who, for all intents northerners with a generic name of Hausa. The pandering to takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes”. and purposes, are the only persons permitted by the federal Fulani supremacy by the Buhari Government have lifted the This notion that a Fulani is untouchable, even by a soldier, government, to carry sophisticated weapons, and kill veil from the artificial tribe called Hausa/Fulani created to was given official imprimatur when, barely a year of his without questioning. give the Hausa elite a false equal sense of belonging only in becoming Governor of Kaduna State. Nasir shocked the To protect the sacred cows, they must have statutory right the governance of Nigeria nation when he disclosed barefacedly, in a press Conference, of occupancy of land larger than owned by the ancestral In an article titled “The Truth about Katsina, Zamfara widely reported on December 3rd, 2016, that he paid Fulani inhabitants and fully developed with schools, water supply, Killings published in This Day of 22nd February 2020, the herdsmen, who came from several countries, to stop them health centres, housing estates and such infrastructural author Yemi Adebowale did an in depth analysis of the from such permissive vengeful killings of people of southern facilities to the envy of the less privileged indigenes. ethnic character of the insecurity in northern Nigeria, which Kaduna. Nigerians are blackmailed to stop mentioning the ethnic provides well informed insights into the situation which has El-Rufai claimed: “So many of these people were killed, identity of the killer herdsmen. In the remotest crannies of engulfed the whole country today. According to the author, cattle lost and they organised themselves and came back the country, the farmers, kidnapped travellers, abducted “the unending killings in Katsina and Zamfara states by to revenge. We took certain steps. We got a group of people students and their parents mince no words about the ethnic so-called bandits will persist for a very long time if political that were going round trying to trace some of these people in identities of the armed criminal gangs. The negotiator and leaders and security agents continue to act in support of the Cameroon, Niger republic and so on to tell them that there is cleric do not hide the tribe of the boys on behalf of whom he warring factions. This is the crux of the matter.” a new governor who is Fulani like them and has no problem negotiates for ransom and for whom he cajoles government He went on: “What is happening in Katsina, Zamfara paying compensations for lives lost and he is begging them for rehabilitation. The scores of defenceless peasant farmers and to some extent, Sokoto, (now engulfing Kaduna, Kebbi, to stop killing. In most of the communities, once that appeal massacred in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara Niger states) is war between Fulani herders and Hausa was made to them, they said they have forgiven. There is last Thursday in reprisal for the alleged killing of two mem- farmers, over grazing land. The bandits are Fulani militias. one or two that asked for monetary compensation. They bers of a bandit group are not of the same tribe with their They fight for the herders that want unfettered access to said they have forgiven the death of human beings, but want assailants. In all cases of massacres by the armed herdsmen farm lands. Herders often call the militias when they suffer compensation for cattle. We said no problem, and we paid and their military wing, Nigerian security forces have been casualties. The Hausa farmers also have their militias called some. As recently as two weeks ago, the team went to Niger helpless, not because the bandits are invincible but they are Yan Sakai. They retaliate for Hausa farmers when their farm republic to attend one Fulani gathering that they hold every deterred by official complicity or body language. lands are destroyed and farmers killed. It is one big mess year with a message from me.” compounded by politicians and security agents that have However, rather than being placated, the militiamen The way forward refused to act dispassionately. This is why hundreds of lives were emboldened by such assured official ethnic protection The first step forward is for Nigeria to accept the fact that have been consumed by this disaster in these states, in the unleashing terror not only on the people of Kaduna but now animal husbandry and nomadism are only occupational last five years or thereabout.” rendered the whole of the North West in particular and Ni- matters and not a culture peculiar to any tribe. It has been Shedding more lights on what now is responsible for the geria ungovernable. The Federal Government, in words and there before Abraham, the progenitor of shepherds and our escalation of the crisis, the writer said. “The states mentioned body language, have not helped matters in the impression two dominant Christian and Islamic religions. Most of those hitherto experienced very tiny crisis between the herders that the Fulani enjoys a soft spot in the heart of government tribes have jettisoned the primitive and ultra-hazardous and farmers, prior to Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence no matter the severity of his conduct while members of other mode of breeding animals. It is cruel for the federal govern- as President. But immediately he became President, the ethnic nationalities are made to face the horrors of arrest, ment and of states of origin of those herders to consign those Fulani herders were emboldened, because ‘our brother is being declared terrorist, or killed by agents of the federal citizens to such horrendous state of living on the excuse of now in charge,’ and the drive for unencumbered access to government for the slightest conceivable misdemeanour. cultural preference. farm lands assumed a frightening dimension. Of course, Commending the DSS for the unwarranted attacks and security agents also became lackadaisical when called upon killings at the residence of Sunday Igboho, Garba Shehu, the t4PMB&CJTFOJJT4FDSFUBSZ(FOFSBM "GFOJGFSF to respond to attacks by Fulani militias” unrepentant champion of Fulani ethnic interest and spokes- The writer cited several instances where the powers that person for President Buhari, said Igboho was “ a militant Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com be have justified massacres by the Fulani militias on the ethnic secessionist, who has also been conducting acts of Making Ogun Haven for Lives, Property Femi Ezekiel House of Assembly for the re-establishment of a Ogun State Police Command, at a brief ceremony, for renewed and vibrant Ogun State Security Trust Fund effective policing of the state. o society thrives without security. Statutorily, (OGSTF); subsequent launch of the first leg of the It is significant to state that these vehicles and fighting the first responsibility of any government is launch which raked in well over N1 billion; the initial equipment will enable the Command to effectively to secure lives and property of its citizens. procurement of 200 patrol vehicles, 250 powered-bikes, cover every nook and cranny of the state and also No wonder, the idea of the government as safety-crash helmets, bullet-proof vests; and other respond to distress calls faster. By introduction, the a protector, requires taxes to fund, train, and kits, within a jiffy, speak volume of the premium the OGSTF is designed principally to provide a clear Nequip its security agencies. administration has placed in the protection of lives and vehicle needed for the realisation of an enduring Globally, the concept of funding to property in the state. private-public approach to the resource problems provide for adequate security, be it in the advanced or Corporate organisations like Dangote and others of security in Ogun State. In short, the law provides the developing world, has varied over time. that have seen the good spirit behind the laudable for the structure, funding, decision-making, and The sophistry in various forms of crime requires the initiative have keyed into the lofty projects with accountability mechanisms of the Fund. The deployment of modern fighting equipment. Unlike in donations of additional patrol vehicles. monies and assets of the Fund comprise voluntary the recent past when the government alone bore the Similarly, the recent outbreak of clashes between donations by the state government, the Organised burdens of fighting crimes, the upsurge resulting from herders and farmers in the Yewa axis (Ogun West Private Sector (OPS), the informal business sector, the deployment of high-tech machines by criminals has district), which was swiftly brought under control, and private citizens. called for collective efforts from both individuals and demonstrated the government’s commitment to With a safer Ogun, the state would continue corporate organisations to join forces. investing in the security of its citizens. Through to attract bigger commerce and more local and This development brings us back to the concept of the Joint Security Intervention Squad (JSIS), which foreign investment. This would create more job op- community policing, whereby individuals, corporate comprises the personnel of the army, police, and local portunities for the people and generate more taxes organisations, and governments, be it at the federal or vigilante, that were deployed to some parts of the for the government to improve the infrastructure in state level, come together to fight the monster headlong. Yewa axis in response to spontaneous attacks from various sectors. The Ogun State Police Command However, boiling down the scenario, Ogun State is not the criminal herders on the inhabitants, the govern- has been a major beneficiary of donations of this an exception in the task of funding the security agencies, ment was able to procure additional patrol vehicles to security equipment by the OGSTF and the state in response to fighting violent crimes. its fleet in tackling headlong the security challenges government. With this commitment to rid the Ogun State has proximity to Lagos, the fifth largest at the time, to the barest minimum. Also, shortly after state of the unwholesome activities of the criminal economy in entire Africa, and this gives it a comparative the inauguration of the Southwest security outfit, elements, it is sure that the administration is on its advantage over others, to exploit the ample opportuni- code-named “Amotekun”, the state government way to creating a 24-7 economy that is in the best interest ties (push and pull factors) provided to its greatest bought additional patrol vehicles, numbering well of all and sundry. Given the encouraging partnership benefits. over 50, to complement the duties of the police in and support of well-meaning citizens and corporate The facts and statistical data about Ogun State are some remotest parts of the state. organisations, it is evident that the administration is on quite compelling. As an acknowledged hub of invest- Not left out, the prompt payment of monthly al- course to making the state a haven only for law-abiding ment destination in the country, it is a quintessential lowances and floating of a life insurance policy for the citizens. melting pot, sought after by potential investors who are personnel are other motivating factors. The government Security is everybody’s business. Effective security willing to open shops and visit the state, virtually daily. is fortifying the State Police Command and other sister thrives in collaboration between the public and the And this development makes it easily a thriving ground agencies in the fight against violent crimes. security agencies. for all shades of crimes. In response to the expected As if undone with the rare gesture on June 11, 2021, To whom much is given, much is expected. Law threats to the security of lives and property, one is the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, ably assisted by enforcement officers are never ‘off duty. They are compelled to reflect on the bold initiatives Governor the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Usman dedicated public servants who have sworn to protect Abiodun took, shortly after he assumed the mantle of Alkali Baba, officially handed over additional 55 patrol the public at any time and place. leadership in the state on May 29, 2019. vehicles, 200 bullet-proof vests, crash helmets, commu- The speedy passage of a bill into law by the State nication gadgets, and other kits to the personnel of the rEzekiel wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State 38 THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾ JULY 17, 2021 POLITY Aliyu Muktar Betara Touching the Lives of His People

Ibrahim Ahmad the three local government areas. He facilitated the construction of major roads network in Biu and another three linking villages onsidering the level of devastation insurgency has within the constituency. He built a mini stadium in Shani District. brought to the North East, especially Borno State, there He upgraded Biu Emirate to a modern palace, built Islamic is no doubt that it would take decades of rehabilitation schools, and renovated mosques in Biu. for the region to return to its former self. The war, He has so far provided scholarship for over 3,000 students, over the years, has brought untold pain, anguish and within and outside the country. Betara built skill acquisition starvation to families in the region. But there are many centres in each of the three local government areas. The centres Cpeople in leadership positions working to reduce have since graduated over 500 apprentices who have also become poverty in Borno State. One of them is Honourable employers of labour, thereby generating wealth and adding value Aliyu Muktar Betara, the Biu-born lawmaker, who currently represents to the society. Biu, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, Shani Federal Constituency of the state. At a point, he was donating a trailer load of motorcycles to his Though he is hardly in the news as a member of the National constituency every quarter. He stopped when it was banned as a Assembly, yet his contributions are the most impactful on the people means of transportation because of the insurgency. in the state. He does not and has never craved publicity like an average He promptly replaced it with tricycles, and would distribute politician in Nigeria. Betara wants to go unnoticed, doing his work and more than 500 units soon. affecting lives. Through him, over 3,000 job opportunities have been given, not He has been representing his constituency for the past 14 years and only within his constituency, but also to people of Borno State still counting. Despite his popularity in his constituency, the state, and extraction. among his colleagues at the National Assembly, Betara isn’t on the Given all the aforementioned, you would think his pages of Nigerian newspapers or his face shown on the screens of name and picture should be everywhere in the media, but television programmes and shows. Betara would rather remain in the shadow, doing what Interestingly, Betara, at the outset, was never interested in politics but Betara he knows best- solving problems, including helping the for the insistence and push from beneficiaries of his benevolence. needy. They believed that given his philanthropic activities as a private required of the course. He sought the assistance of the state scholarship Born on November 22nd, 1966, Betara is an indigene of citizen, if given the support, he would represent them well at the centre. board, which unfortunately had exhausted the entries for that session. Wuyo in Biu Township. That was how Betara became a politician and ended up at the National Betara got wind of it, called Abubakar and took over the payment of He attended Biu Central Primary School, Borno State, Assembly. Since then, the people of Biu, Bayo, Kwaya Kusar, Shani fees. She is presently studying medicine at Ahmadu Bello University, at obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He then have never regretted having him as their representative. the expense of Betara. proceeded to Biu Central Junior Day Secondary School, Recently, a stranger approached Betara in one of his numerous Another beneficiary of his kindness was Ali Bukar, 36, who presently Biu, and Government Technical Secondary School. visits to his constituency, who made case for a friend, whose wife had a works with one of the banks in Maiduguri. He graduated in 2013. He Before he rounded off his secondary education, Betara kidney-related disease and who desperately needed a transplant. met Betara by happenstance. He explained his joblessness even after knew what he wanted. He wanted to go into business. He wanted The transplant was to be carried out in India. Betara asked for the graduating. He sent his particulars to him as requested. Two and half to be a successful businessman. It is no surprise that he read Business particulars of the said lady. A month later, the lady, Hajia Fatima, and months later, he was employed as a cashier. Administration, both for his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and her husband travelled to India for treatment, all expense paid by Over 8,000 grinding machines and more than 15,000 sewing Higher National Diploma (HND), all from Ramat Polytechnic, Borno Betara. There are numerous such medical interventions, both within machines have been distributed to empower his constituent. More State. Indeed, he became what he dreamt about a successful business- the country and outside our shores, which Betara has had to undertake than 10 fully equipped ambulances have been donated to the three man. Success, they say, comes with its responsibilities. Betara’s regularly. local government areas that make up his constituency and the state kind-heartedness would not allow him to see people in need and There was also a case of Mallam Alkali Abubakar, a peasant farmer government. look the other way. in Biu with five children. His daughter, Sadaatu, 19, wanted to study He built and donated more than 20 well-equipped health care medicine. Abubakar, unfortunately, could not afford the expenses centres. He donated more than 600 solar-powered street lights to Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com PHOTO NEWS

L-R: CEO, Eﬀyzzie Music Ltd, Mr. Taiye Aliyu; Lush Hair Brand Ambassador/Musical Artiste, Yemi Alade; Head of Partnership/Event, Lush Hair, Folasade Oluwafemi; and Digital Marketing Manager, Lush Hair, Omoruyi Bello-Osagie, during the signing of Yemi Alade as Lush Hair brand Ambassador in Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN L-R: Group Head, Media and Technical, Trinity House, Mr. Robert Omole; Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Olajide Ighodalo; and Head, Welcome and Hospitality, Trinity House, Grace Ikani, at the church 11th year anniversary press conference, held at the Church Auditorium in Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Director, Lagos State Library Board, Mr. Amao Oyadipe; representative of the Executive Sec- retary, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs. Tinuola Idowu; Special Adviser Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adeniram Kasali; Senior Special Assistant on Tertiary Institutions and Students Relations, Mr. Sanya Olu Omotayo; and Director, Agency for Mass Education, Mrs. Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, at the 3-day Ca- L-R: The Paramount Ruler of Epe Division; Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun; Executive Direc- pacity Building Retreat organised by the oﬃce of the Special Adviser on Education in Epe, Lagos tor of BOSKOH, Mrs. Nike Osa; Olisa of Epe Land; Chief Waheed Korede Alaolu; and Dental Super- ...recently ETOP UKUTT visor BOSKOH, Dr. Ademola Gureje, at the BOSKOH medical outreach in Epe ...recently THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER˾JULY 17, 2021 39 POLITY A.A. RANO, ‘Petrol Kings’ and Unsubstantiated Reportage Chidiebere Nwobodo subsequently created a glut in the Limited as a potential suspect in the injurious to the image of corporate market. While in the middle of the cross-border petrol smuggling. This organizations. Such prejudiced s a media enthusiast, story, I was starting to feel a sense of is very unfortunate and disgustingly stories as this, can be seen as a I read newspapers relief with the development. At least, misleading. premeditated attempt by a media religiously daily, from the monstrous menace of petrol Come to think of it. A.A RANO platform to gaslight a Company online to hardcopy to smuggling would soon become Nigeria Limited does not have for onward persecution and public keep myself updated on history. “less than 100 filling stations” as opprobrium, especially in a nation the latest developments In the foregoing context, I was the vile propaganda inferred. The where fake news travel faster than Aacross board. On 5th of already commending the reporter of petrol retailing Company has over the speed of light. My consolation July, 2021, during my such an “investigative” story and his 120 active filling stations across the is that lifespan of a propaganda is routine media review, I stumbled on corresponding courage, until putrid country. This is not even the catch. shorter than falsehood. a lead story published in one of the of innuendoes, prejudices and biases Capacity of a company in this type I am still flabbergasted that a newspapers with the title: “Market of which instigated the story in the of business is not measured only by newspaper could extrapolate and glut as EFCC goes after petrol first place, began to ooze out of the number of filling stations across insinuate that A.A RANO Nigeria kings”. My curiosity was aroused the malicious publication as I read the country, but, also the number of Limited could engage in cross- and I began reading the “exclusive further. In one of the paragraphs, the pumps per filling station jux- border smuggling just because it story”. story stated: taposed with the capacity of its “lifted Nigeria’s highest petrol of The publication dwelled on how “For instance, in the month of May, tank farm, haulage strength and 169.7 million litres” in the month of market glut had emerged in the sup- A.A RANO Nigeria Limited with network of distribution. May, 2021. It is on record that this ply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), less than 100 filling stations lifted Any discerning Nigeria will Company is one of the petrol major as a result of EFCC’s onslaught Nigeria’s highest petrol of 169.7 agree with my line of thought. marketers that sell cheapest in the against smugglers under “Opera- million litres, while Total Nigeria Some marketers have four-to-six country. tion White”. Knowing the negative Plc, the only international oil in pumps per filling station, while I remember when price of petrol impact of petrol smuggling across Nigeria’s downstream sector with some like A.A RANO Nigeria was first increased to N162 per liter, Nigerian borders by suspected un- an extensive distribution network of Limited, have more than twenty- A.A RANO Nigeria Limited was scrupulous dealers and how it has over 570 service stations nationwide, five to thirty pumps per filling selling at N160 per liter even when raised the nation’s daily consump- lifted 17.2 million litres of petrol.” station. If you put these facts into some marketers were exploiting tion of petrol to a staggering 103 By making this unprofessional proper perceptive, it is like hav- the masses by selling as high as million liters, in the month of May, cum unsubstantiated comparison ing five-in-one filling stations; N180 per liter. Occasionally, A.A according to NNPC report, with its between A.A RANO Nigeria Limited multiply by over 120 filling sta- RANO Nigeria Limited still opens attendant hike on subsidy, to N210 and Total Nigeria Plc, especially tions. So, you can see how flawed its filling stations to give out free billion monthly, my interest in the as related to the quantity of petrol and illogical it is to draw hasty petrol to motorists and some newspaper story became keen. lifted from the depot within the conclusion on the comparison of its committed customers. A The story stated explicitly that period under review vis-a-vis num- made between A.A RANO Nige- Company that is this patriotic EFCC had already “quizzed” some bers of filling stations run by these ria Limited and Total Nigeria Plc. and philanthropic, what then of the suspected smugglers, and the companies, the report inadvertently It is like comparing apples with will be the motivation to engage fear of the anti-corruption agency insinuated that A.A RANO Nigeria oranges. in smuggling? this is the million- had sent jitters down the spine of Limited might be lifting quantity Newspapers are free to do their dollar question. these alleged smugglers, of which of petrol its filling stations would investigative reports and run their made the rate of smuggling of petrol not accommodate, thereby surrepti- exclusive stories without being t$IJEJFCFSF/XPCPEPXSPUFJO across the borders to nosedive and tiously roping in A.A RANO Nigeria biased, malicious, inciting and GSPN"CVKBWJBDIJEJFCFSFOXP- CPEP!ZBIPPDPN Honour for Jasper F. Jumbo Sam Ekpe compatriots in the struggle have Following deliberations at the dential Adversory Committee in since passed to the great beyond. Conference, the Willins Commis- Dodan Barracks over Chief Biriye e that humbles When one hears or reads about sion was set up in 1958 to address and his team, Jasper Jumbo formed himself shall be the mind boggling figures alleged the case of the Niger Delta minori- the National Association for Min- exalted and whoever to have been looted in the NDDC ties of Nigeria. This gave rise to eral Producing Areas Development exalts himself shall by public officers, instead of being the establishment of the Niger Commission (NAMPAD), and for be abased - Holy used for the public good, one won- Delta Development Board (NDDB) over seven years (7) carried the Bible: Matthew 23 vs ders if the spirit of the deceased soon after, which though under- Niger Delta struggle on his head. H12. This assertion of founding fathers of the NDDC will funded, coordinated economic As National Co-ordinator and later our lord Jesus Christ not recoil in their graves. Apart activities in the Niger-Delta Area National Chairman of NAMPAD, has been made manifest in many from the tokenism of naming the until the outbreak of the Nigerian Jasper Jumbo in 1986 led a few instances and circumstances all rented Headquarters Building Civil War in 1967. Niger Delta personalities to for- over the world. In the gospel of St. of the NDDC on the Governor I was a witness to the historic mally negotiate with the Federal Luke 10 vs 7 we are also advised Peter Odili, after the demise of role Jasper F Jumbo played in the Government to establish another that the labourer is worthy of his late sage Chief Harold Dappa Niger Delta struggle while serving Commission for the Develop- hire. These attestations confirm Biriye, no other form of National as the Public Relations Officer to ment of the Niger Delta as well the fact that at a stage in one’s recognition has being accorded the late Dr. K.O Mbadiwe, then as the Ecological Fund Com- life, one’s sacrifice for his people these Founding Fathers of the Special Adviser to President Shehu mission, since the NDDB had or nation should be recognized two Development Agencies of the Shagari on National Assembly become moribund. This led to and appreciated, hence the unique Niger Delta Region – OMPADEC Matters in the 1980s. Jasper Jumbo the establishment of OMPADEC refrain that the labours of our and the NDDC. is patriotism and compilations in 1992 by the President Ibrahim heroes past shall not be in vain in This writer feels deeply con- endeared him to Dr. Mbadiwe. He Babangida Administration our national anthem. cerned about the unfortunate worked with us in our office in after the Armed Forces Ruling As the nation discusses the full developments in the NDDC as State House Marina, Lagos and on Council cleared his confidential import of the Petroleum Industry the development agency has been many occasions sought support blueprint and later NDDC by Bill now due for passage at the bitten by the bug of corruption, for his well researched solution President Obasanjo in 1999. National Assembly, we should not cronyism, financial scandals, to the Niger-Delta problem from One sees no reason why such do so without placing on record abandoned projects and all other various political heavy weights icons of the Niger-Delta struggle the contributions of Nigerian negative tales. of the period. Dr. Mbadiwe like Prof. Jasper Jumbo and his heroes who contributed their intel- Having personally observed with gave Jasper F. Jumbo a letter of other colleagues who saw it all lect, time and personal resources, keen interest and admiration, from introduction to the late Dr. Pius from inception till date should not and endured sleepless nights to close quarters at the early stages of Okigbo, the then Chairman of the be involved in nurturing the baby ensure the formation of the vari- the struggle, the intrigues the ac- Federal Committee for the Review they gave birth to and see it grow ous development agencies in the tivities and the eventual success of Revenue Allocation to maturity. Niger-Delta region, for without that gave birth to the predecessor Dr. Okigbo’s appreciation of At this period, our dear Presi- their effort, the present stage of organizations of the NDDC and the Jasper Jumbo’s confidential sub- dent Buhari is searching for most development of the region, unsat- eventual establishment of the body mission and positive response was effective and efficient strategy isfactory as it is, has been a great in 1999 I feel very sad that this the main reason behind the alloca- to develop the goose that lays leap forward from the sorry state worthwhile dream of great patriots tion of 1.5 % of Nigeria’s Federal the Golden eggs, without our of affairs in the area in the past. has been allowed to degenerate Revenue to her Mineral Producing endless tales of corruption and One such patriot, with national- into disrepute many keen observ- Areas scandals, shouldn’t Prof Jasper istic fervor who devoted much of ers feel that it is still not late to turn During the Military Regime, Jumbo, a tried and tested admin- his over 70 years of life to ensure the tide of the organization into Chief Dappa Biriye floated the istrator and the visioner of the that the people of the Niger-Delta hope and prosperity. AMPARS: Association of Mineral Commission be invited to clear enjoy the benefits of their God- The struggle for the emancipa- Producing Areas of Rivers State the Augean stable and give the given natural resources is Chief tion of the grossly marginalized and wanted the Mineral Producing Development Agency an entirely Jasper F. Jumbo. and under developed Riverine Areas Fund used for a Mineral Ar- new lease of life Chief Jasper Jumbo is one of the communities of Nigeria was eas Bank for Niger-Delta and com- I so summit. great heroes of the struggle for initiated by the late Chief Harold mie Tax for Niger-Delta Monarchs. Niger-Delta development whom Dappa Biriye who made a case However, Jasper Jumbo disagreed t&LQFJTBO"CVKBCBTFE it has pleased the Almighty God for a better deal for the area at the with him on principle and after his .FEJB 13$POTVMUBOUBOE to keep alive today. Many of his Lancaster Conference in 1957. written validation by the Presi- $PNNFOUBUPSPO1VCMJD"GGBJST

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DELE MOMODU [email protected] Time to Encourage Southern Governors ellow Nigerians, let me make a quick the country and commends security operatives Yemi Osinbajo, for example, has virtually confession. If you had asked me some for their relentless efforts in restoring security become a punchbag of some youths on social ten years ago about the issue of zoning and safety and commiserates with families media because of his unswerving loyalty to in Nigerian politics, I would have told and loved ones of those who have fallen in the President, even in the face of daunting you pronto that it is not necessary. The the line of duty; challenges. I personally see nothing wrong in reasonF was simple and straightforward. I didn’t b) Re-emphasised the need for State Police; this approach. He is part of a Team and as a man care where the Presidents and others came from c) Resolved that if for any reason security of integrity he cannot openly disavow the team as long as they are visionary, competent, fair to institutions need to undertake an operation leader even if privately he voices his concerns all, and so on. Sadly, even at that, Nigerians don’t in any State, the Chief Security Offi cer of the and shares his dissatisfaction and disaffection really expect too much from their leaders. They State must be duly informed; with the direction of the team. Those who know just want most Nigerians to be provided with d) The forum frowns at selective criminal the Vice President well appreciate that he is a the basic necessities of life at a cost affordable to administration of Justice and resolved that loyal and faithful person. He is however not a even the poorest people. They want good medical arrests should be made within the ambit of stupid or witless person either. He has a strong facilities, basic education, stable and constant the Law and fundamental human rights; will and presence of character. Similarly, Asiwaju electricity, potable water and good roads. That is e) Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is being savagely attacked not too much to ask any government or leader 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open for bringing Buhari back to power. He had his in this 21st century. Notwithstanding this short grazing law in all member States; and reasons then, and they seemed sound at the time. and eminently achievable bucket list, our leaders f) Resolved that Funds deducted from the If Buhari has been transformed into some sort have woefully failed to meet these lowliest of Federation Account for the Nigeria Police of monster today, it is certainly not Tinubu’s aspirations of their people. It was mainly for this Security Trust Fund should be distributed doing. Members of the National Assembly reason that I felt merit was to be preferred to among the States and Federal Government and even Ministers have not been spared at sectional, tribal or ethnic sentiments in the choice to combat security challenges. all. Royal fathers are also under attack. How of a veritable, reliable and dutiful, fair-minded 4. Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law: can the President be seen to be marginalizing leader for our great country. Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu a) The Forum commends the National Assembly the South while over pampering members of Ethnicity was not a big issue in 2015 when If the President did not believe our warnings for the progress made in the passage of the his own tribe is the question on every tongue? many voters in Southwest supported Major and admonition before now, I hope he would PIB; The situation of Governors who are supporting General Muhammadu Buhari against a Southern seriously consider the recent stance of the Southern b) The Forum rejects the proposed 3% and Buhari in the South is much worse. They have President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, a minority in governors, most recently articulated in their latest support the 5% share of the oil revenue to become the butts of jokes amongst their people Nigerian parlance. Many people felt that they meeting in Ikeja, Lagos State, and turn back the host community as recommended by who see them as being too squeamishly docile to were tired of the reckless profl igacy and incredible from this disastrous and perilous journey. If it the House of Representatives; protect their people. It is for this reason that the corruption that pervaded the land under the was a journey which he was undertaking with c) The forum also rejects the proposed 30% Southern Governors appear to have decided to Jonathan administration, and it seemed nobody a few cronies and lackeys, we would not be share of profi t for the exploration of oil and take a stand and demonstrate that insisting on could be worse. We just wanted to try someone bothered or concerned at all. That would be gas in the basins; fairness and justice does not equate to perfi dy else, who incidentally had been packaged in their folly. However, we will not allow him to d) However, the forum rejects the ownership or treachery. a grandiloquent manner by many frustrated blindly lead us to doomsday and doom for our structure of the proposed Nigeria National I know of so many people who were vehemently people, including myself. country because that is where we are inexorably Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). opposed to the agitation of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu If you had asked me before 2015 if I would headed. The Southern Governors have seen the The Forum disagrees that the company be and Chief Sunday Igboho Adeyemo but who ever think of tolerating those who are now handwriting on the wall. They have risen in vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but have suddenly become their fans. Some are campaigning or agitating for Biafra or Yoruba unison to demand that the brakes be applied, if should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign saying Kanu would not have jumped bail if Nation, my answer would also have been a they have not totally failed, as now seems to be Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers his life was not threatened by the overzealous resounding No. Anyone who knows me well the case. Some of these Governors, mercifully, are of Government have stakes in that vehicle. military that unlawfully invaded his homestead would readily attest to the fact that I’m completely members of the ruling party, APC defectors and 5. In order to consolidate our democracy and and wasted many lives in cold blood. The jury detribalised. I do not care where you come from, all. A good number of them support President strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern is still out about the legality or otherwise of his your religion or political affi liation. Does this Buhari fanatically and unrepentantly. That is their Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the forced return to Nigeria, but what is clear is mean I have suddenly changed and now love choice. Have they had enough? Must they be Electronic transmission of the election result that his cult and legendary status has increased my country less? The answer again is No. pushed to this wall and indeed, into this inelastic from the electoral act; and also rejects the stratospherically! Had the government followed I love my country dearly. Otherwise, I will wall? If they can append their signatures to the confi rmation of exclusive jurisdiction in the normal process of rule of Law, the matter not be working so hard to raise money and end communique issued at the end of their Lagos pre-election matters on the Federal High would have been sorted and settled. Same goes up distributing it to the needy from all States meeting, the President should no longer be under Court. for Sunday Igboho who has never been seen of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. It any illusion that things are all right as they stand 6. The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as with fi rearms and who is doing no more than means I still have my love for humanity intact. now. The President must take heed. Things are its permanent secretariat and appreciated the seeking protection for his people. But for God, However, I can no longer, in good conscience, dire, and especially so, if his acolytes are willing Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful he may have died two weeks ago during the disparage those who have lost faith in the to break ranks in order to let him know that hosting of this meeting while commending dastardly, illegal attack on his home by those entity called Nigeria. I believe that they now the end is nigh, and they do not want to be him for his good work in the State. who used the guise of being law enforcement have good reason to be greatly disillusioned partakers of the evil that will overcome the land It is the President who has made it practically agents to carry out their cowardly, nefarious about the continued unity and affi liation for this if action is not taken soon. The communique is necessary for the Southern Governors to insist activities. commonwealth of nationalities called Nigeria Our worth reproducing here. on Zoning and Rotation for the Presidency. This Why is the Federal Government going all dear beloved country has changed so drastically was a tacit understanding by all concerned. out to annihilate these two men without going in the last six years. Even if we’ve always had Southern Governors’ Communiqué That it has become something to be openly after the bandits and terrorists assaulting and our ethnic and religious tension in Nigeria, stated and established in a Communique such attacking the length and breadth of our country President Buhari’s government has raised it to The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the as this tells us that nothing is well with the with the same velocity and ferocity? intolerable levels, even for unionists like me. The meeting held on Monday, 5th July, 2021 reviewed present state of the Union. I am beginning I believe the inherent injustice of the treatment truth is that it has never been so bad in terms the situation in the Country and focused on to tilt heavily towards such zoning if only meted to these two freedom fi ghters compared of ethnic discontent, even fury in the country. the current security situation, constitutional because I believe it is a probable panacea to the marauders from the North is what has This has been buoyed by the unending spate amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). to dousing the tremendous tensions and now emboldened the Governors to react like of insecurity in the country which has become Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed fear which now pervades the country. I am freeborn men. No one likes to be called or treated hostage to terrorists and bandits. The lines between on the following: inclined to believe, as some do, that this is as a slave. insecurity and sectional and tribal interests and 1. Re-affi rmed their commitment to the unity the only way to restore parity and fairness in The meeting of the Southern Governors, confl icts have become so blurred that they have of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, the polity between the North and South, even and the fi ghting words and belligerent tone practically fused and morphed into one. The justice, progress, and peaceful co-existence if it is only in the short term. As our youths of their communique, is a serious warning sole reason for this is the manner in which the between and amongst its people. develop and progress, I have no doubt that to an overbearing presidency, and a usually President has been handling the crisis, both of 2. The Forum reiterates its commitment to the they will extricate themselves from the pitfalls condescending North that the much-touted confi dence in his administration and of fairness politics of equity, fairness and unanimously and morass of depression and disaster that restructuring has come on its own and has in the distribution of the nation’s resources across agrees that the Presidency of Nigeria be rotated we their parents and grandfathers have led come with full force. If the North reacts with all regions and sections. And every effort on the between Southern and Northern Nigeria and them into and jeopardised their future with. the usual braggadocio, it may lose many key parts of like-minded nationalists, including myself, resolved that the next president of Nigeria To be very honest, the President has not allies and thus shoot itself in the foot. to appeal to Buhari to calm down, reassess and should emerge from the Southern Region. been very fair to his cult of supporters in the revaluate his strategy and change our speed 3. Security: South. He has seriously turned them into an NOTE: This piece continues in the online towards perdition has failed so far. a) The Forum reviewed the security situation in endangered species. The Vice President, Professor edition on www.thisdaylive.com Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . 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