Jonathan meets his Uniport classmates forty years after - Daily ...

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state (middle) Presenting cash support of N10m to the family of those who lost their lives, during the boat misharp supported by the Emir of Bichi Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero (right) and SSG Alhaji UsmanAlhaji (left), at Bagwai in Bichi LGA of Kano state yesterday.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 4

Jibrin’s guber campaign office burnt down in Kano

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2023: I will not impose my successor on Rivers – Wike

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WE FOCUS THE NATION www.dailyfocusnewsng.comVol. 1. No. 58: FrIday December 3, 2021 N200

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Jonathan meets his Uniport classmates forty years after

Aisha Buhari canvasses special courts to handle SGBV cases

Former president Good luck Ebele Jonathan made a history when he recently met with his university of Portharcourt classmates forty after graduation forty years ago.

It was an excitement moment

for Mr Jonathan.It was a delight to reconnect

with my school mates from the University of port Harcourt forty years after graduation at the ongoing unique Uniport class of 1981 Reunion in

Yenagoa Bayelsa state.Today was an eventful day

as we visited notable sites in Batelsa like the first oil well in Olaibiri,Ogba LGA Bayelsa state the oil and gas park, a visit to our former lecturer Prof.

E J Alagoa, the pioneer Dean of Humanity at the University of port Harcourt before proceeding to the palace of Kng A J Turner at Opume in Ogbia Kingdom for lunch and cultural fiesta

FULL STORY ON PAGE 10

The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has advocated for the setting up of special courts to handle cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.

The first lady made the appeal during the 2nd Annual Conference of Nigerian Governors Wives Forum (NGWF), on Thursday in Abuja.

The conference has as its theme, `Sustaining Action of the State of Emergency Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence’.

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Justice Nyako rules in favour of Kanu order

DSS to give him maximum

comfortPAGE 2 PAGE 5

AITEO Spill, The

Worst In My

Lifetime – Gov Diri

DAILY FOCUS

Kaduna SUBEB to dismiss 233 teachers for forgery – Official

Excitement as Chelsea star, Lukaku finally meets his look-alike, Stormzy at Wizkid’s concert

FULL STORY ON PAGE 21FULL STORY ON PAGE 8

Dokpesi, Atiku campaign

train meets Governor

Ortom

Ayade Mourns

Former Senate President, Dr

Wayas

By VITALIS UGOH, Cross River

Cross River state gov-ernor, Professor Ben Ayade has lamented the passing of Second Republic Senate Presi-dent, Dr Joseph Wayas, describing his death as a monumental loss to Cross River State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Dr Wayas died in the early hours of Tuesday

in a London hospital.This is contained in a

statement signed by his Special Adviser on Me-dia and Publicity, Chris-tian Ita.

,Ayade said Dr Wayas left indelible footprints on the sands of time.

“As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. Dr Wayas’ demise is in-deed a monumental

loss to our dear state and Nigeria”, Ayade was quoted as saying in the statement.

According to the gov-ernor, “ as Senate Presi-dent, Dr Wayas contrib-uted to the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic ethos through his ro-bust and vibrant leader-ship of the upper legis-lative chamber.

“And since his retire-ment from active poli-tics, the former Senate

President had been playing a fatherly and stabilising role in the politics and affairs of our state.”

He condoled with Dr Wayas’ family, assuring them that his demise is a collective loss and the pains a shared one.

“We are with you in this moment of grief. We have you in our hearts and prayers,” the government assured the deceased family.

National Health Insur-ance Scheme (NHIS) in Ogun has called on the Na-tional Assembly to enact law that will make it man-datory for all Nigerians to enroll for the scheme.

The NHIS Coordinator, Mr Sanmi Adeniji, stat-ed this at a stakeholders’ workshop, organised by the scheme on Thursday in Abeokuta.

He said that every cit-izen must be covered by NHIS, if the country must achieve the universal health coverage by 2030.

According to Adeniji, NHIS has suffered a ma-jor setback because many states have yet to show commitment to it, thus making affordable health care services inaccessible to millions of Nigerians, especially those living in rural communities.

He said that the meet-ing was organised to re-solve the challenges being experienced by Health Management Organisa-tions (HMOs), health care providers, enrollees and other stakeholders in the scheme.

Adeniji stressed the need for every Nigerian, irrespective of social class or income, to have access to basic health care service at little or no cost.

He said that not making NHIS compulsory for all Nigerians had remained

one of the things that had prevented the scheme from achieving its man-date.

The NHIS coordinator called for support from state governments and the private sector to enable Ni-geria achieve the universal health coverage.

“The goal of NHIS pres-ently is to achieve the universal health coverage so that everyone will be able to have access to ba-sic health services without financial burden in their pockets.

“Making NHIS manda-tory for all Nigerians is key to achieving the universal health coverage.

“The mandate given to us by the Federal govern-ment is to achieve uni-versal health coverage by 2030, and we have devel-oped a 10-year strategic plan to help us achieve that.

“Part of our strategy is to duplicate our roles and efforts at the state and lo-cal government levels so that it will go to the grass-roots level.

“Nobody should be left behind. Everyone should be carried along. In fact, people in the hinterlands need the service more than those of us in the city.

“In the hinterlands, peo-ple still die because they have no access to common malaria drugs,” he added.

Ayade Mourns Former Senate President, Dr Wayas NHIS Coordinator Seeks Law To Make Health Insurance Mandatory For Nigerians

World AIDS Day: C/River State Govt Partner UNICAL to End HIV Scourge

Ace comedian Godwin Komone a.k.a Gordons (second left); Regional Sales Coordinator, Globacom, Mr. Akeem Yusuf (Fourth left); Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola (middle), another Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade (second right) with winners of Globacom’s Joy Unlimited Extravaganza Promo at the presentation event in Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday.

By VITALIS UGOH, Cross River

The Cross River State Government has said that it is determined to end the scourge of HIV epidemic by 2030, in line with the Joint United Nation Programme on HIV/AIDS vision.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu restat-ed the state’s commitment at a walk to commemorate the 2021 World AIDS day, with the theme “End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemic”, held at University of Calabar.

She said Government at all levels, partners and com-munities have major roles to play in the elimination of the epidemic in the state. Accord-ing to her the State decided to mark this year event in UNICAL which is a Commu-nity comprising of people from different spheres of life who comes with a motive of

achieving Academic excel-lence.

“2021 World AIDS day re-mind us of an opportunity to harness the power of people and communities in a bid to control the spread of the HIV virus as it remains the only way to ensure that ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 in Nigeria is possible”, Edu said.

Edu said the state in time past had the second highest HIV prevalence in the coun-try but the state has reduced to 1.7. “it is still a source of concern to the State govern-ment who has vowed to bring it down to 0.001% preva-lence”.

She added that for the state in achieving the viral suppression of HIV, it has adopted a strategy what she called 90-90-90 strategy to control the HIV transmis-sion in the state. Also she emphasized on prevention of

mother to child transmission bringing transmission to zero and achieving epidemic control. She congratulated the VC of Unical for the New HIV youth friendly center.

The Chief Host and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Flor-ence Banku Obi said the insti-tution have intensify efforts geared at continually placing people and community first through raising awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention, not-ing that discrimination and ensuring gap between peo-ple who have access to HIV services and people who are being left behind is reduced.

She further disclosed that both staff and students are to be involved in HIV and AIDS activities in the institutions through implicit activities such as orientation of new students to increase aware-ness of HIV in the institu-tions.

Obi noted that the Uni-versity Community will scale up testing, counseling and awareness campaign among staff and students in a bid to tackle the scourge in the Uni-versity.

Director General of Cross River State Agency for Con-trol of AIDS (SACA), Dr Etch-eri Ansa said that the state government was doing ev-erything humanly possible to eliminate the scourge of the epidemic through the Federal government by supporting all the agencies of government on the downward of the AIDS prevalence in the state.

Other dignitaries were house committee chairman on Health Hon Ekpo Ekpo Bassey DG Primary Health-care, CMAC UCTH, partners like FHI360 JEPHIGO UN-FPA UNHCR HEARTLAND ALLIANCE AHF CCRN NMWAN, Rotarian Lions amongst others

Friday, December 3, 2021www.dailyfocusnewsng.comDAILY FOCUS

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The revelation by Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) last week that the federal government has lost N557 billion between 2013 and 2017 to infractions relating to award of contracts, unremitted advances to staff, contract

inflation, among others, is not only deplorable but is also condemnable. The lead Researcher, Mr Osonuga Adedeji, made the revelation

during PLSI’s 5th anniversary and launch of research themed: Achieving Accountability and Development in Nigeria”.

According to him, the federal government lost N17 billion to unretired advances granted to staff, N26 billion was also lost due to abandonment of contracts or projects.

He explained that N17. 4 billion was lost due to non-remittance of taxes, while a whooping N188. 6 billion was loss due to the non-collection of arrears of taxes by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS). He further said that the loss of revenue due to non-remittance of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to Consolidated Revenue Fund stands at N157 billion.

He said about N51.3 billion was also said to be lost due to payment vouchers not presented for audit, over-payment of salaries and allowances, virement without approvals, irregular payment, diversion of grants, among other. The report further covered how government lost funds due to inflation of contracts, unauthorised variations, among others. The lead researcher, however, observed the contravention of provisions of Financial Regulations (2009) by some MDAs including misappropriation and misapplication of funds and also virement of funds without approvals by the National Assembly.

The Executive Director, PLSI, Olusegun Elemo, during his remarks noted that many of the infractions deny the ordinary Nigerian access to key services that should improve the quality of lives that could have translated to development.

Elemo explained that the aim of the report was to examine compliance of federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government with Public Procurement act, Financial Regulations and other relevant laws over a five-year period to ascertain the level of waste and inefficiency in the utilisation of public funds and consequent impact on Nigeria’s development

It is quite unfortunate that corruption has remained an endemic issue in Africa’s largest economy, harming its public finances, deterring business investment, exasperating inequality, reducing the standard of living, and weakening the social contract between the government and its people.

In a recent report on the Impact of Corruption in Nigeria’s economy PricewaterhouseCoopers warned that corruption could cost Nigeria up to 37% of GDP by 2030, or around $1,000 per person, if not

urgently addressed. The report found that corruption has a dynamic impact, which is felt the most by poorer households and smaller firms in Nigeria.

Corruption has been described as an “existential threat” to Nigeria and “the single greatest obstacle preventing Nigeria from achieving its enormous potential.” Matthew Page, who developed a taxonomy of corruption in Nigeria, described the country as one of the world’s most complex corruption environments and has identified 500 distinct types of corruption that occur in the country..

Having campaigned in 2015 as an anti-corruption crusader, Buhari, nicknamed Mai Gaskiya or Mr Honesty, is still seen by many to have impeccable personal integrity and still puts anti-corruption at the forefront of his agenda. “A policy programme that does not have fighting corruption at its core is destined to fail,” Buhari said. “The battle against graft must be the base on which we secure the country, build our economy, provide decent infrastructure and educate the next generation.” But after six years of Buhari’s agenda, Nigeria still remains highly corrupt.

Although, the Buhari administration has made progress on its war on corruption having successfully prosecuted and convicted some high profile individuals including five former governors, corruption seems to have remained unabated. The government has also formulated and implemented some policy reforms in its bid to tame the corruption monster.

These policies include: the Single Treasury Account (TSA) in which government oversees a single bank account for all revenue; a biometric identification system in banks to trace clients and transfers of funds; the Whistle Blower policy by which more than $370 million and $2.9 billion embezzled assets have been returned as well as the establishment of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, which recovered over $550 million by removing ghost workers from the public payroll.

These are, no doubt, laudable initiatives in the war against corruption, which is one of the tripod on which the Buhari administration is anchored. The other two are the fight against insecurity and the revamping of the nation’s comatose economy through diversification from oil dependency. But, clearly, corruption is fighting back so fiercely that it has rendered prostrate government’s efforts to tame it.

It, therefore, behooves on President Buhari to devise more ingenious and pragmatic strategies and policies as well as strengthen existing ones in order to kill corruption. As the president noted, “If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria”; this must not be allowed to happen.

Nigeria’s loss of N557bn to contract inflation

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DAILY FOCUS

The First Lady, Hajiya Ai-sha Buhari, has advocated for the setting up of special courts to handle cases of Sexual and Gender Based Vi-olence (SGBV) in the coun-try.

The first lady made the appeal during the 2nd An-nual Conference of Nigeri-an Governors Wives Forum (NGWF), on Thursday in Abuja.

The conference has as its theme, `Sustaining Action of the State of Emergency Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence’.

According to her, the spe-cial courts will ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

She expressed concern over the continuous rise in SGBV cases and said it was imperative to scale up multi-dimensional ap-proaches and strategies to combat all forms of GBV.

She attributed the perva-sive rise in the cases across the country to cultural norms and beliefs that en-couraged physical, sexual, psychological and economic violence, impunity and lack of justice, among others.

“There is need for every State in Nigeria to domes-ticate the VAPP Act, even though it is encouraging to note that at least 30 States have signed the VAPP.

“There is need to encour-age the remaining six states to do so as soon as possible, because the lives of women and children continue to be at risk.

“Efforts need to be ramped up to provide adequate shel-ter and care for victims of GBV and every state should have a shelter, ideally every local government or at least

Senatorial district should have one.

“ It is also very important to have Sexual Assault Re-ferral Centers or Safe Spaces where victims can receive the required immediate and long-term support

“We need special courts where applicable, for speedy and effective handling of rape and GBV cases,’’ she said.

Mrs Buhari said that the Girl-Child in Nigeria would continue to be a victim of exploitation and missed op-portunities, if nothing was done to remove the obsta-cles they face in getting de-cent education.

She said that state gov-ernments and donor com-munities needed to ensure adequate funding for GBV interventions.

“Without this, the lofty laws we are trying to put in place will not be implement-ed; we all have a role to play in ensuring that we address this menace.‘’

Dr Kayode Fayemi, Chair-man, Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Ek-iti State, said that a national secretariat for the Gover-nors Wives Forum would be established soon in Abuja.

He said that the Gover-nors Forum had provided funding support for the 16 days of activism against gen-der based violence.

Fayemi said line minis-tries, not just Ministry of Women Affairs, should be fully involved in the cam-paign to end SGBV in the country.

“The budgetary allocation to fight Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) will reflect in relevant minis-

tries. All will not be lumped up in the Ministry of Wom-en Affairs.

“Governors are resolutely committed to what the gov-ernors’ wives forum is doing.

“It makes economic, po-litical and common sense to line up behind you in order to be able to deliver all the promises that have been made to the people.

“I have secured the com-mitment of my brothers and the institutional set up, which is your national sec-retariat, has been agreed. Provide us with the needed details and we will set the ball rolling” he said.

Fayemi said that the 36 states governors were com-mitted to ending gender based violence, as 31 states, including the FCT, had do-mesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

Minister of Women Af-fairs, Pauline Tallen said that the ministry would continue to provide enabling environ-ment to empower every sur-vivor of SGBV while working to curb it.

Tallen said that over 5000 reports of SGBV was record-ed from April 2020 till date in just six states.

She said that the ministry was taking necessary steps in collaboration with oth-er stakeholders to expedite action on pending cases to-wards getting justice for sur-vivors.

She said that the minis-try, through collaborative efforts, was able to create 30 operational Sexual Assault Referral Centres across 17 states and established sex offenders registers to deter perpetuators.

Tallen said that 33 states had signed the VAPP Act while 29 states had domes-ticated the Child Rights Act.

The minister appealed to the governors wives to ensure that all states were brought on-board.

She also urged the gover-nors wives to support more women in governance and politics, in order to increase inclusivity.

The NGWF Chairperson, Bisi Fayemi, said that since the last conference of the forum, there had been some achievements in terms of advocacy to expedite action for the passage of the VAPP law.

“As at November 2021, 31 states including the FCT have passed the VAPP law, this is an indication that the local advocacy of governors wives has been effective.

“There are several other states where their legisla-tion is at advanced stag-es and we are assured that more states will join over the coming months.

“There was the implemen-tation of NGWF GBV Miti-gation Action Plan, increase in number of sexual assault referral centres, as well as shelter for women and girls.

“Provision of empow-erment opportunities for women in grassroots, ca-pacity building, production of SGBV resource manual, establishment of GBV sur-vivors fund that enables governors wives respond to GBV cases, among others.’’

She said that the theme for 2021, ‘Orange the World: End violence against women now’, emphasised the urgen-cy required to end gender based violence.

South-East Governors Say Killings in Region Beyond IPOB


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Governors of the South-east region yes-terday the insecurity in their states have gone be-yond activities linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

According to a state-ment from Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and Chairman of the South-east Governors Forum, after a virtual meeting with his col-leagues yesterday.

While warning crimi-nals to desist from hid-ing under the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to perpetrate attacks, the governors urged youths to be more productive.

“We warn all criminals who have styled them-selves as IPOB/ESN to kill our people to imme-diately stop,” the state-ment reads.

“We are aware that the insecurity and killings in South East have gone beyond IPOB/ESN as any criminal finds it easy to hide under such a name to commit crimes. We are determined to do ev-erything to protect the lives and properties of our people.

“Our youths are ad-vised to leverage on the

various empowerment and agricultural pro-grammes by our Gover-nors to better their lives.”

The governors also promised to investigate the recent beheading of two policemen said to have taken place in the South-east.

“We condemn in strong terms the video clip and write-up we saw in some social and print media where two police-men were said to have been killed and their heads cut-off by youths who styled themselves as members of IPOB/ESN,” they said.

“We have resolved among ourselves to work with security agencies to determine the authentic-ity of this video/report and if found to be true, to apprehend the perpetra-tors by all possible means to face the law.

“We are aware of simi-lar videos in the past and which when subjected to forensic review were found out to have hap-pened outside Nigeria.

“We assure Nigerians, especially the Police com-munity, that we will not rest until we have done justice to this matter.”

Lagos Governor Baba-jide Sanwo-Olu has re-ceived an assurance from students of the Lagos State University (LASU) to join him on a peace walk in December.

They spoke on Thurs-day after the Governor commissioned the new-ly built students arcade LASU main campus in Ojo.

The LASU students Arcade is the largest Stu-dent Union Building in

any Nigerian tertiary in-stitution.

Sanwo-Olu, while re-acting to the recent find-ings of the #EndSARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate cas-es of police brutality in the State as well as the tragic shooting of pro-testers at the Lekki toll gate on the 20th of Oc-tober, 2020, had invited key campaigners to join him on a peace walk for some time in December.

Aisha Buhari Canvasses Special Courts To Handle SGBV Cases

We’ll Walk With You For Peace, LASU Students Assure Sanwo-Olu

Aiteo’s Engineers and technicians on ground in Santa Barbara working round the clock in the ongoing efforts to cap SBAR Well One.

By Seyi TAYESE, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Gov-ernor, Senator Douye Diri, who returned from visiting the oil spill site in Nembe Local Govern-ment Area of the state on Wednesday, has de-scribed it as the worst he had seen in his life-time.

The OML 29 Well 1 platform, which is op-erated by Nigeria’s larg-est indigenous oil firm, Aiteo Exploration and Production Company Limited, has been spill-ing crude unabated into the Santa Barbara River for about one month.

An estimated two mil-lion barrels of crude has reportedly been spilled into the river, polluting the flora and fauna of the area.

Governor Diri said the continuous spillage has further endangered the lives of people of Nembe, Bayelsa and in-deed the Niger Delta.

The governor who ex-pressed shock over the quantity of crude that has been spilled into the environment, called

on the Federal Govern-ment and operators of the oil field to immedi-ately take action to stop it.

According to him, the prolonged oil spill into the water and air had an immediate and long term effect on the health of the inhabi-tants.

While assuring the people that appropriate measures would be tak-en to seek redress, he noted that the quest by oil firms to make money would not be at the ex-pense of the lives of the people.

Describing fishing as the source of livelihood of the people of the area, Senator Diri not-ed that just as there are grazing routes, Bayelsa State has fishing routes and must be protected.

He expressed empa-thy with the Nembe people, whom he said have lost their means of livelihood due to the spill while appreciating them for their peaceful disposition.

His words: “Today happens to be a very

dark day for me. What we have seen, I believe, is worse than what hap-pened in the Gulf of Mexico. In all my life, I have not seen such mag-nitude of oil spillage.

“Our people are en-dangered. Our people’s source of livelihood is endangered. I em-pathise and sympathise with the people of Nem-be on behalf of the gov-ernment and people of Bayelsa State.

“I like to give you hope that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you. Your govern-ment will activate every constitutional means to arrest and redress this magnitude of oil spill.

“I therefore call on the Federal Government, the operators of the oil field, NNPC and AIT-EO to immediately look for a superior technical know-how to contain and stop the spread of the oil.

“For Bayelsa, the only thing we know how to do best is fishing. Today, our own fishing route is endangered. I equal-ly call on the Federal

Government to imme-diately react and ensure that our fishing route is safe.”

The Bayelsa helms-man also decried the exclusion of indigenes of host communities in the running of the oil industry, saying that if indigenes were part of the operations of the oil field, they would have looked for ways to ad-dress the problem.

To ameliorate the suf-fering of the people, the governor has directed the State Emergency Management Agency and Ministry of Health to immediately provide relief materials and healthcare services to the people.

Earlier, the chairman of Nembe Local Gov-ernment Area, Hon. West Alalibo, and mem-ber representing Nembe Constituency 2 in the State House of Assem-bly, Edward Brigidi, ap-preciated the governor for embarking on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the site.

They revealed that the spill has caused water

and environmental pol-lution, which is hazard-ous to the health of the people.

Also speaking, chair-man of Nembe Council of Chiefs, Chief Ekpe-leyai Oruwari, appealed to government and the operators of the oil well to stop the oil from spilling into their envi-ronment.

Chief Oruwari stated that the spill has pol-luted their environment leading to a damage of their source of water and means of livelihood, adding that the people’s lives are in danger due to the polluted air.

He appealed for the provision of relief mate-rials to ameliorate their plight.

The governor was accompanied by law-makers, including the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Represen-tatives, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Speaker of the Bayel-sa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and top government func-tionaries on the visit.

Abdulsalami Calls For Review Of Fire Service Operational Code


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Former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdul-salami (rtd), on Thursday urged town planners to always provide wide ac-cess roads in markets to provide easy passage for responders during fire or any disaster.

Abdulsalami gave the advice on Thursday in Minna when the Control-ler General (CG) of Federal Fire Service (FFS), Dr Li-man Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit.

He also said that the fire service should review its policy and fire safety stan-dard document to include mandatory provision of good roads in markets and its environs.

“I think in your docu-ment you should see how the legislators will make it mandatory for town plan-ners to plan a layout for ac-cess to fire scenes,” he said.

The News Agency of Ni-geria (NAN) reports that the CG was in Minna for a three-day conference on the review of standard operation code and other laws guiding the fire ser-vice.

The former Head of State applauded the fed-eral fire service on it’s plan to acquire a firefighting helicopter.

“It is not an easy task considering the finances of the country, but you have been able to sell your idea to the appropriate authorities and it only means you are putting in lots of efforts.

“I am also aware of your trips to inspect some or-dered equipments,” he added, and hailed the CG for the tremendous suc-cesses recorded so far un-der his tenure, which had earned recognition for the service.

“Before your emergence as FFS CG not much was known about the activi-ties of the service and not much attention was given to it at the state and FG level,” he noted.

NAN reports that the CG also paid a courtesy visit to former President, Ibrahim Babangida, during which Babangida congratulated the FFS boss for building a “stronger institution”.

AITEO Spill, The Worst In My Lifetime - Gov Diri

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Sokoto State Gov-ernor Aminu Tambuwal and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the opening ceremony of the meeting of the Nation-al Executive Council of the Nigerian Medical Association in Sokoto, Thursday

Court Remands Businessman For Alleged Abduction Of TeenagerA businessman, Kelly

Udi, 33, was on Thursday remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre by an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court for abducting a 14-year-old student in Lagos.

The businessman is also accused of defiling and en-

slaving the victim in Port Harcourt.

Udi, of No. 106, Bonny St., Port Harcourt, faces a three-count charge of ab-duction from custody of parents, defilement of a child and human traffick-ing.

The News Agency of Ni-

geria (NAN) reports that Justice Abiola Soladoye or-dered Udi’s remand follow-ing his not guilty plea to the charge brought against him by Lagos State Government.

According to the state counsel, Mrs Olufunke Ade-goke, the defendant abduct-ed the teenager at 10.a.m.

on June 26, 2019 at Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.

“He unlawfully abducted the minor (name withheld) who he had just met in Lagos, and took her to Port Har-court.

“Sometime on June 28 and June 29, 2019, at Bonny in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,

the defendant had unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor.

“At 3p.m. on June 29, 2019, at Bonny in Port Har-court, Rivers State, he gave the teenager to a woman for servitude for the sum of N8,000 per month,” she said.

Kano Govt Unveils Standardised Premarital HIV/AIDS Certificate

Sen Daduut Empowers 200 Youths, Women With Agric Skills, Equipment

Electoral Bill: Reps Invite INEC Chairman Over Cost Implication Of Direct Primaries

Sen. Nora Dadu’ut (APC/Plateau South) has empowered 200 youths and women in her sena-torial district with agri-cultural skills, equipment and cash to enable them to become self reliant.

Dadu’ut at the launch-ing of the empwement programme in Shendam on Thursday said that the beneficiaries were trained on skills and knowledge of growing yams, guinea corn, groundnuts and oth-er crops widely cultivated in the area.

The lammaker who was

represented by her legis-lative aide, Mrs Rufina Gurumyen, said that the gesture would boost food production and economic sustainability in Plateau South.

She said that farming was a strategic and eco-nomic approach toward ensuring food security.

She said that the train-ing was also to ensure youths and women of the senatorial district were self-employed through productive skills.

“I believe in sustain-able empowerment rather

than consumables em-powerment, and that in-forms the reason why I am empowering and orga-nizing this training for my constituents.

“Food as we know, is the most important basic human need apart from clothing and shelter.

“This is the reason why food production is being encouraged by the Federal Government and by the Gov. Simon Lalong admin-istration.

“It is in line with the governor’s yearning for improved food produc-

tion and his zeal to make Plateau a fulfilled land of green revolution,” she said.

Dadu’ut stated that she was pleased to see one of her dreams being realized.

She pointed out that at the end of the three day training, the beneficiaries would not go away empty handed.

According to her, the participants will be pre-sented with Knapsack sprayers and other agri-cultural kits as well as cap-ital to enable them to start their farming activities.

The house of repre-sentatives has invited Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the In-dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Yakubu is expected to brief the house com-mittees on INEC and appropriations on the cost implication of the electoral body supervis-ing direct primaries of political parties in the country.

The lower legislative chamber passed the res-

olution during plenary session on Thursday after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Leke Abejide, a law-maker from Kogi state.

In November, the national assembly ap-proved the conference committee report on the electoral bill and subsequently transmit-ted the legislation to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

Among the key amendments in the bill

is the approval of elec-tronic transmission of election results and di-rect primaries for all po-litical parties.

However, the decision to adopt direct primary for political parties has elicited strong opposi-tion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Some stakeholders have also raised con-cerns about the cost implication of direct

primaries.Leading the debate on

the floor of the house on Thursday, Abejide said despite the perceived cost implication of the direct primary, the bill is important for the im-provement of Nigeria’s electoral process.

He said there is a need for the INEC chairman to tell the lawmakers what it will cost the elec-toral body to supervise primaries of political parties so that the com-mission’s budget may be

increased if necessary.“The bill is very criti-

cal to the sustainability of our democracy as the aspect of direct prima-ries will open up the political space for the youth and largely the members of all political parties to participate in all electoral processes starting from the pri-maries of the general election,” he said.

Abejide said the bene-fit of the bill outweighs the cost implication of conducting direct pri-

mary.“It is pertinent to

give opportunity to the INEC chairman to inter-face with both commit-tees of INEC and appro-priation in order for the nation to know what it will cost the country through INEC, in order to put to rest the in-sinuations of different figures flying around that is so humongous to undertake direct pri-maries, which may not be correct after all,” he added.

Kano State Govern-ment on Thursday un-veiled the standardised premarital HIV/AIDS screening certificate to further stem spread of the scourge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that wife of the state governor, Dr Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, un-veiled the certificate at the Government House, Kano.

Ganduje said that all new couples would be required to obtain the valid certificate, and ad-vised the couples to go for HIV screening before marriage.

In his remarks, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, the state Commissioner for Health, said the state government had adopt-ed proactive measures to curtail HIV/AIDS trans-mission in the state.

According to him, about 35,000 people living with HIV/AIDS are currently receiving treatment in the state, adding that efforts had been intensified to en-courage voluntary pre-marital screening.

Also speaking, Dr Sa-biu Shanono, Executive Director, Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), said the state had recorded suc-cesses in the campaign against mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

He said that the state had scaled up coun-selling and premarital

screening, saying that the state government had accorded premium to the health sector.

Also, Mr Musa Ali-Kachako, (APC – Takai State Consti-tyency), expressed the commitment of the legislature to enact a law on premarital HIV/AIDS screening in the state.

On her part, Mrs Kalthum Kassim, in a paper presented on Is-lamic Perspective of Pre-marital Health Screen-ing, said the aim was to curtail the spread of dis-eases among the people.

Kassim, who is also the deputy command-er of the Hisbah Board, said, “the Prophet of Islam had in the past, ordered his disciples to check on the health of women and theirs be-fore marriage.”

She said that the Kano Hisbah Board had adopted the compulso-ry premarital screening for its mass wedding programmes.

She, therefore, ad-monished the people to go for voluntary pre-marital screening for the betterment of the society.

NAN also reports that Ganduje distributed ec-nonomic strengthening equipment to 200 HIV positive living persons at the event.

The items included sewing and grinding machines, make up kits among others. (NAN)


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Speaker, House of the Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila(3rd right), District Head of Birnin kudu Local Government, Jigawa state, Alhaji Garba Hassan Jibrin(3rd left), Rep. Aliyu Dau’ Magaji(2nd right)and others during a “ thank you visit “ to the Speaker over the approval of Federal College of Education Birnin Kudu, LGA of Jigawa State at the National Assembly Abuja, yesterday.

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NEITI Sets Up Committee To Probe Oil, Gas Contracts

Tallen Hails Gender Mainstreaming In Military, Others Security Services

VSF Supports Families Of 100 District Heads Killed By Insurgents In Borno

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has set up a Joint Inter-Agen-cy Committee on the public disclosure of the contents of oil, gas, and mining contracts in the country.

It said the joint com-mittee was selected from relevant government agencies with direct re-sponsibilities on manag-ing Nigeria’s interests in various funding arrange-ments in the sector gov-erned by contractual ob-

The Minister Of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tal-len, has commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), Police and other security agencies for their commitment to gender mainstreaming in defence and security sector.

Tallen gave the commen-dation at the 2nd Annual Security Sector Forum on Women, Peace and Securi-ty in Nigeria, organised in collaboration with Defence Headquarters on Thursday, in Abuja.

The theme of the event: “Mainstreaming Gender in National Early Warning Systems and Security Chal-lenge”.

She said the UN Secu-rity Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security Agenda

and similar conventions championed by the UN, African Union, ECOWAS Commission and Nigerian government had recorded successes.

According to her, the UNSCR 1325 was unani-mously passed by the Se-curity Council on Oct. 31, 2000 as the first of several Resolutions on “Women, Peace and Security” (WPS).

The minister said the resolution, with its four pillars of prevention, par-ticipation, protection and peace building and recov-ery, had become the fo-cal point for galvanizing worldwide efforts to deal with the many challenges that women faced in situa-tions of conflict.

She said the first fo-rum led to the launch of

the gender policy for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and upgrading the position of the Gender Advisor to a Directorate cadre in the military.

“We were hoping that the Chief of Defence Staff as our true HeforShe Champion would have el-evated the present senior officer occupying that of-fice to a Major General as an icing on the cake for Ni-gerian women.

“At least, this will leave a legacy for this administra-tion and encourage more women in the military to aspire, knowing fully well that such a seat is the ex-clusive preserve of the women.

“I am confident that even before the end of this event; the CDS can still

raise the bar for women in the military,” she said.

According to her, the contributions of the Ni-geria Army, the Navy and the Air-Force through the concerted efforts of all the Security Chiefs in ending insurgency and emerging crimes across the country cannot be over empha-sised.

“In the same vein, the Nigeria Police Force has also shown commitment more than ever before in the appointment of a Gender Advisor and is con-cluding the process of re-viewing the Nigeria Police Gender Policy.

“It would be recalled that the Nigeria Policy was the first to develop its Gender Policy in 2012,” she said.

Tallen also commended

DSS for the pro-women policies it embarked upon such as training and de-ployment of an all-female squad in the fight against insurgency and other sur-veillance and information gathering operation to tackle crimes.

She said that NSCDC had also introduced of gen-der sensitive programmes to provide targeted protec-tion services for women, children and girls who are victims of human traffick-ing and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

“We are also happy to note that the NDLEA has also joined in the campaign to mainstream women in the core decision making positions and appointing them as zonal leaders of the agency.


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ligations.Executive Secretary of

the agency, Dr Orji Og-bonnaya Orji made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the contracts to be disclosed include the terms and conditions set out in the contracts for exploration and exploitation of Nige-ria’s oil and gas assets un-der the Joint Operating Agreements, Production Sharing Contracts, Ser-vice Contracts, and Sole- Risk Contracts.

“The agencies include; the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Pe-troleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd. Other mem-bers are the Nigeria Up-stream Petroleum Regu-latory Commission and the Mining Cadastral Of-fice. NEITI is expected to serve as the secretariat,” he said.

In addition, he said the committee would devel-op a National Roadmap and a Work-plan for the

implementation of con-tract disclosure in the oil, gas, and mining indus-tries.

He further disclosed that effective January 2022, the country would assume leadership of the global Contract Trans-parency Network com-prising of 20 member countries.

The global Contract Transparency Network to be Chaired by the Execu-tive Secretary of NEITI, on behalf of Nigeria is comprised of the follow-

ing countries; Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Ar-menia, Cameroun, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Malawi, Guinea, Mongolia, Mo-zambique, Myanmar, Senegal, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo, Zambia, and Tanzania.

Orji whose tenure as the Chair of the network would last for four years will be taking over from Alexandria Walls of Mex-ico who has led the global body from inception in 2018.

The Victims Support Fund (VSF), has pre-sented starter-packs to 52 out-of-school youths related to 100 District Heads killed by Boko Ha-ram in Borno.

The VSF Chairman, Gen. T.Y Danjuma, made the presentation in Maiduguri on Thursday.

Danjuma, who was represented by the Ex-ecutive Director of VSF, Prof. Nana Tanko, said the beneficiaries were trained in various skills ranging from carpentry, masonry, tailoring and shoe making.

“The training of the out-of-school school youth in vocational skills and the donation of starter-packs is to ensure their employability and to support them towards setting up income gener-ating activities.

“The initial support to the families of the de-ceased District Heads included the provision of educational materi-als, and the provision of requisite inputs for in-come-generating activi-ties to 1000 households heads including widows of the deceased, ” he said.

He reiterated the com-mitment of the fund in managing its resources in providing succour to vic-tims of terrorism.

Danjuma said VSF in-terventions in Borno covers infrastructural de-velopment, women em-powerment, health care, education, peace building and research.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, represented by Commissioner for Spe-cial Duties, Alhaji Kabir Wanori, lauded VSF for its sustain intervention in Borno, and urged ben-eficiaries to make maxi-mum use of the opportu-nity.

“Borno government have acknowledged with appreciation the huge livelihood and education-al support to the families of 100 District Heads who were brutally mur-dered by Boko Haram in-surgents in line of duty to their fatherland.

Plateau State Executive Council in session at the New Government House Rayfield Jos


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Three drivers on Thursday appeared be-fore an Ikeja Magis-trates’ Court in Lagos, charged with beating a police officer.

The defendants – Isia-ka Toheeb, 24; Saheed Nureni, 29; and Taoheed Adeniyi, 27 – are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and assault

The prosecutor, Insp Mojirade Edeme, told the court that the de-fendants and others at large committed the offences on Oct. 26 at Mile 2, Apapa, Lagos State.

She said that the de-fendants unlawfully assaulted Insp Egwum Sunday while he was performing his lawful duty.

“The defendants en-gaged in a fight, stab-bing one another with dangerous weapons.

“When the com-plainant stormed the scene, the defendants and the others resisted arrest and descended on him through beat-ing.

“The defendants were apprehended while oth-ers escaped,” the prose-cutor said.

The alleged offences contravened Sections 174 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 174 pre-scribes three years’ jail term for assaulting a police officer while Sec-tion 411 provides for two years’ imprison-ment for conspiracy.

Following the defen-dants’ not guilty plea, the Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Dirisu, released them on bail in the sum of N200,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

She said that the sure-ties should be gainfully employed and show ev-idence of two years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.

The magistrate ad-journed the case until Dec 28 for further hear-ing.

2023: I Will Not Impose My Successor On Rivers -Wike

The campaign office of Sen. Barau Jibrin, a governorship hopeful and an arch-opponent of Governor Abdulla-hi Ganduje, has been burnt to ashes in Kano on Wednesday night.

Reports say over one thousand hoodlums attacked the campaign office located around Maiduguri Road and owned by Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, a former Labour and Productiv-ity Minister, setting it ablaze before pro-ceeding to Gyadi Gyadi

Quarters, where the Ahmadu Zago factional All Progressives Con-gress (APC) chairman confirmed by the Abu-ja High Court was set to open his state party secretariat.

Senator Jibrin, who is away in Abuja was said to have cried out that, “they have burnt down my campaign of-fice, what sort of poli-tics is this, that a whole campaign office could be burnt down”.

The State Police Commissioner, Ismaila

Dikko, confirmed the incident, saying his me have taken over the area for assessment.

“We are already in control of the situation, and my men have ful-ly taken over the place investigating what hap-pened”, the police chief explained.

Politics in Kano is getting hotter especial-ly after the declaration of an Abuja High Court annulling the elections of the Governor’s APC leadership under Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas.

On Tuesday, men of the state revenue office locked up the office of the lawyer of the House of Representatives member, Shaaban Ibra-him Sharada, Barrister Ibrahim Jimoh SAN, who secured victory against the state in the APC Congresses crises.

They accused the owners of the six-sto-rey building housing Jimoh’s office of not settling N3 billion ten-ement rent, a reason they said they pad-locked the place.

The Kaduna State Uni-versal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) says it will sack 233 primary school teachers for al-legedly presenting fake certificates.

The Executive Chair-man of the Board, Mr Tijjani Abdullahi, who made this known at a news conference on Thursday in Kaduna, said that the measure was to ensure standard in public basic schools.

Abdullahi said that the board had in April began certificate verification exercise as part of its responsibility to ensure that all teachers possess the qualifications they presented during recruit-ment.

He said the board had so far verified 451 certif-icates by contacting 13 awarding institutions, nine of which had re-sponded.

He said that the re-sponses showed that 233 teachers presented fake certificates.

The chairman also re-vealed that one of the institutions had dis-owned 212 teachers who claimed to have obtained their certificates from the institution.

According to him, the board will dismiss the 233 teachers with fake certificates, adding that their files would be for-warded to the Ministry of Justice for prosecu-tion.

“For transparency, the names of the 233 teach-ers found to have pre-sented fake certificates will be uploaded on the website of the Kaduna State Government on Thursday Dec. 2.

“The major objective of this exercise is to ensure that all our teachers have the requisite credentials that constitute the basic qualifications for em-ployment as teachers.

“The board will contin-ue to check the integrity of the certificates pre-sented by teachers to en-sure that this critical pro-fession is not devalued by impostors,” he said.

Abdullahi further dis-closed that the board would conduct compe-

tency test for primary school teachers as part of continued assessment of the capacity of teachers for better service deliv-ery.

He said that the com-petency test would be followed with series of training programmes for the teachers, beginning with 12,254 teachers in Jan. 2022.

“We have already signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Teach-ers Institute, the Col-lege of Education, Gidan Waya, and the Federal College of Education, Zaria, to conduct the training exercise,” he said. (NAN) (www.nan-news.ng)

3 Drivers Docked For Allegedly Beating Up Inspector Gov. Nyesom Wike

of Rivers on Thursday said he would not im-pose any governorship aspirant of his choice on the people of Riv-ers come 2023.

Wike gave the assur-ance in a statement issued by Mr Kelvin Ebiri, his Special As-sistant on Media, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that the leadership of the party would meet to decide who to support at the appropriate time.

Wike however said that he is obliged to ensure that Peo-ples Democratic Part (PDP) wins the 2023 governorship election in Rivers.

“One mistake I will not make is to impose somebody. From my experience as a stu-dent of history, reality has shown that it is difficult for you to say Joseph is the man I can trust.

”Until you give somebody power and money, that is only when you will know whether that person is trustworthy or not,” he said.

Wike stated that God would not allow someone who will de-stroy all the remark-able progress the state had made over the years to be the next governor.

”God will ensure that it is only someone who is courageous, firm and ready to protect the interest of Rivers that will succeed me.

“Rivers is a state that so many people have interest in. It is a state that you have to put your feet on the ground. It is a state that you have to an-noy a lot of Nigerians and a lot of Nigerians will hate you.

“But what is im-portant is for you to know is what is good for your people and stand for your people. Do not allow personal interest to sway you against the interest of your people,” Wike stated.

Jibrin’s Guber Campaign Office Burnt Down In Kano

Kaduna SUBEB To Dismiss 233 Teachers For Forgery – Official

. Former deputy Speaker, of the House of Representatives, Hon Yussuff Suleman Lasun flanked by supporters after obtaining his Osun state governorship nomination and expression of interest forms at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday

Friday, December 3, 2021www.dailyfocusnewsng.comDAILY FOCUS 9

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Obaseki, Tambuwal, Wike, Edochie grace Ikpeazu’s son wedding

Jonathan Meets His Uniport Classmates Forty Years After

Civil Defence, Hunters Arrest Six Kidnappers In Kogi

Dokpesi, Atiku Campaign Train Meets Governor Ortom

NSCDC Recovers 33 Guns, Other Items From Criminal Hideout In Imo

Justice Nyako Rules In Favour Of Kanu Order DSS To Give Him Maximum Comfort

Abia State Governor son, Jachimike Victor Ikpeazu ties the knot with Thilma Chidinma Onwueyi as husband and wife where many dignitaries from all walks of life grace the occasion.

The colourful ceremo-ny took place at Interna-tional Conference Cen-ter, Umuahia Sunday Nov. 28-2021.

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari in his congratulatory mes-sage to the couple, said, that successfully mar-riages hinged on strong family values and char-acter, adding that when family values are prop-erly enshrined,there would be stability in other activities in the society including peace-

Former president Good luck Ebele Jonathan made a history when he recently met with his university of Portharcourt classmates forty after graduation forty years ago.

It was an excitement mo-ment for Mr Jonathan.

It was a delight to recon-nect with my school mates from the University of port Harcourt forty years after graduation at the ongoing unique Uniport class of 1981 Reunion in Yenagoa Bayelsa state.

Today was an eventful day as we visited notable sites in Batelsa like the first

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSC-DC), has recovered 33 for-eign made, semi-automatic guns and 15 gun cleaning kits from a criminal hide-out in Imo.

Mr Michael Ogar, the NSCDC Commandant in Imo disclosed this while ad-dressing newsmen in Ow-erri on Thursday.

Ogar listed the items to include; 26 double barrel guns, five pump actions,

two sniper rifles and 15 sets of gun cleaning kits.

The commandant said that his officers, acting on credible intelligence on the location of criminals, were able to lay ambush for a few days before invading the hideout and recovering the items.

He noted that although the location of the weap-ons was different from the criminals’ area of opera-tion, the Command was

closely collaborating with other security agencies to track them down, as no ar-rests have been made so far.

Ogar also said that in-vestigation was ongoing to unravel the suppliers of the weapons with a view to arresting and prosecuting them.

He assured Imo residents and indigenes intending to return home for the yule-tide of the Command’s commitment to a hitch-free

celebrations.“Acting on reliable tip-

off, we laid ambush and after a few days, we were able to recover these items somewhere around Ower-ri that we cannot disclose now as a result of ongoing investigation.

“Illicit possession of fire-arm is directly related to criminality and that is why we are investigating so as to unravel the suppliers of these items.

“We remain committed to ensuring a hitch-free celebrations this yuletide and we assure Imo sons and daughters who will be returning that Imo is safe,’’ he said.

He called on residents to help the Command overcome the challenge of access to information by providing it with necessary information on the move-ment and activities of crim-inals.

Prior to January 19, 2022, when the Leader of Indigenous People of Bi-afra, Nnamdi Kanu is ex-pected to appear in court for the continuation of his trial, on Thursday the 02-12- 2021, for bridge of time filled by Kanu’s council Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who wants the court to consider the time fixed for the continuation of hearing which was slated for 19th and 20th Janu-ary 2022.

First Ejiofor laid some prayers to the court that the detention Authority should treat his client in a convenient facility, that he is kept in a tiny place, he has not been eating well and he has been wearing one cloth since his detention.

Ejiafor further said that “Our client is a Jew, he is not allowed to prac-tice his Jewish faith”.

Justice Nyako re-sponded that “DSS cus-tody is not a five star ho-tel. Unless I am given an evidence about what you are saying”.

“File an Affidavit of facts to that effect.

“Mr Ejiofor be serious in this matter. He is in a detention facility, there are certain things that are not allowed there. I have visited detention facility in the US and UK” Nyako said.

Mr Ejiofor also wanted the court to hear his ap-plication challenging the competency of the seven count terrorism charges filled against his client.

But Councel to FG Mr Labaran objected, adding he argued that the busi-ness of the day was for the court to hear Ejiofor’s application for abrigde-ment of time only.

In her ruling, the judge ordered the DSS to allow Kanu have a change of clothes.

She also rules that Kanu be given medical attention.

In her third ruling, Justice Nyako ordered the DSS to allow Kanu to practise his faith.

The three ruling of Jus-tice Nyako favour Kanu.


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Media guru High Chief Raymond Dokpesi be-lieves to be the arrow head staring the campaign train of former Vice president, PDP Chieftain and former tpresidential candidate in the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar to Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom

Dokpesi the chairman of Daar communications, met with Ortom behind closed doors at govern-ment house Makurdi

The Daar communica-tions chairman urged PDP

supporters in the state to unanimously support the candidate that has the ca-pacity to rescue Nigeria from the prevailing so-cio-economic crisis and restored the country on the path of develop-ment

Dokpesi further said “Nigeria under the watch of A PC has satis-fied all the requirements of a failed state”

He therefore advice the party supporters to choose the right candi-date comes 2021

The operatives of Nige-rian Security and Civil De-fence Corps known as NSC-DC in collaboration with Hunters has succeeded in arresting six suspected kid-nappers that are terroriz-

ing logical residentsSullaiman Mafara the

Commandant of the NSC-DC said the arrested sus-pects have been terrorizing inhabitants of Oshoko-shoko, Obajana and Akpata

communities along Kabba road, while parading the suspects.

Sulaiman further said the suspects mainly teen-agers of between 15 and 20 years are Fulani from Kat-

sina and Niger state.He further said his men

succeeded in apprehending the suspects when com-plaints were lodged by the victims family.

Mascara revealed that

one Mrs Rebecca Simon was abducted on the 20th of February 2021 and a ransom of 200000 Naira was paid by her husband before she regained her freedom.

ful coexistence. He encouraged the new-ly wed to pray, and do things together. He also wished them the best in their union. President

message was delivered by minister of state for mines and steel Devel-opment, Dr. Uche Ogah who represented the president.

Aisha Buhari the Ni-gerian first lady and wife of the president, congratulated the cou-ple and assured them that marriage is blissful

and an avenue to ex-press love.

First lady was repre-sented by the wife of Ebonyi State Governor Mrs Rachael Umahi.

The father of the groom and Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said he was overwhelmed by the presence of dignitaries and thanked them for coming. He also remind-ed the couple that the presence of numerous witnesses should inspire them to make a success marriage.

Former Senate presi-dent Anyim pius Anyim, and many more Gov-ernors and their wifes attended the occasion. Top government offi-cials, captains of indus-try, political leaders also grace the occasion.

oil well in Olaibiri,Ogba LGA Bayelsa state the oil and gas park, a visit to our former lecturer Prof. E J Alagoa, the pioneer Dean of Humanity at the Univer-

sity of port Harcourt before proceeding to the palace of Kng A J Turner at Opume in Ogbia Kingdom for lunch and cultural fiesta

11Friday, December 3, 2021www.dailyfocusnewsng.comDAILY FOCUS


Politics12

No room for opposition within to ruin APC – Factional CECPC

From left: Minister of State for FCT Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, FCT Minister Muhammad Musa Bello, Senator representing FCT Philip Aduda and FCT All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Abdulmalik Usman during the swearing-in of political appointees in Abuja Wednesday Photo: Ayuba

The factional Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused some leaders of the party to be members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The committee also said they were masquerading as members of the ruling APC and hell-bent to ruin the party, saying that the new convention panel would not in any way allow before, during and after its scheduled convention on February 26, 2022.

The Progressives Youth Movement

(PYM) Monday inaugurated a new CECPC in Abuja, and ‘sacked’ the Buni-led committee, insisting that they did so in line with the guidelines of the party’s constitution.

But Buni’s committee fired back immediately, saying that the youth were not known to the party and as such they were impostors.

Reacting to Buni’s committee, the Chairman of the new CECPC, Prince Mustapha Audu, in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, said the youth are card-carrying members of the party and sacrificed for it.

“Unfortunately, we’ve read all the reports that Senator John Akpanudoedehe released about PYM and the new caretaker committee. It is quite unfortunate that a leader like that will be assassinating our characters, and will be making false allegations against us.

“All of us who are members of PYM, these are our APC membership cards (displaying party cards). We are all APC members that have been through the entire process. We’ve sacrificed for the party, we’ve given so much but it is

quite unfortunate this narrative is coming out.

“This is always what happens when somebody says the truth, when somebody says there is something wrong in our dear party, those who are creating those issues are the ones blackmailing us, and in all honesty, some of these people are PDP members,” Audu said.

He added, “Senator Akpanudoedehe who made these allegations against young people that have given so much, we were in the APC long before he came to the party. He was a Senator in the PDP

Coalition of Kwara All Progressives Young Stakeholders (CKAYS) Thursday, said the intervention of the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the crisis rocking the state’s chapter of the party was a wise decision.

The coalition, an umbrella body of all youths groups and associations in the state, affirmed that Tinubu has every justification to intervene in the crisis because he is a known national leader of APC in the country.

The group was reacting to the recent attack on the personalities of the state

governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Tinubu by another group named Kwara for Kwara Movement (K4K).

K4K, had at a press conference in Ilorin, claimed that the move by Tinubu to intervene in the Kwara APC crisis was borne out of personal political agenda of 2023.

Addressing a crowded press conference in Ilorin, Kwara North leader of CKAYS, Ahmed Mohammed said that “we are not giving up on reconciliation. So we are calling on Asiwaju Tinubu to do more. He is always welcome in Kwara

state. “He is a known leader of APC in

Nigeria and he is no less recognised in the state.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a national figure beyond the shores of Kwara politics and we see no crime in his contributions to ensure peace reign in Kwara politics.

“From all indications and deductions from Kwara for Kwara Movement, the whole exercise is a most ingenious strategy and tactic preparation for 2023. However, we are aware that opposition parties are

always at work.”Describing Governor AbdulRazaq’s

administration as “the most performing administration” since the creation of Kwara state, the group urged the governor not to be distracted by the activities of the unknown and faceless group, Mohammed added that “the movement’s vituperation were to cause blemish and turn the hands of progress back, by some disgruntled elements bent on discrediting the most performing administration since the creation of the state.”

The Appeal panel setup by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) sent to Zamfara state has finally affirmed 36 newly elected state executives of the party in the state.

Speaking during the affirming at the Zamfara state secretariat of the APC, the chairman of the appeal committee of the

aftermath of the congress Adama Ali Kumo tasked new executives on unity and progress of the party and that of the state.

According to him, no meaningful development could be achieved among political party members where disunity is the order of the day.

He also tasked them to carry

everyone along and shun any act capable of causing disunity and injustice among members and supporters of the party.

Kumo further pointed out that his committee would file its reports to the national headquarters of the party on Friday.

“Although we have not received

any complaint from anybody within our stay in Zamfara state over the just concluded wards, local governments and state congresses of the APC, we have officially and finally affirmed the 36 newly elected executives of the party under the leadership of Alhaji Tukur Danfulani and 35 others”, Kumo added.

Kwara APC crisis: Youth coalition welcomes Tinubu’s intervention

APC appeal c’ttee affirms Zamfara new executives

Plateau state chapter of Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s), refusal to conduct bye-election into the vacant seat of Bassa/Jos North federal constituency, was to allow the All Progressives Congress (APC), put its house in order.

The IPAC chairman, Honourable Dogara Ishaq, made the allegation in a press release Thursday, in Jos.

“Whereas; the seat became vacant resulting from the death of Hon. Haruna Maitala, whose death occured on 2 April, 2021, and the House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, couldn’t declare the seat vacant un until 7 months after,” he said.

According to Dogara, the expectation was that if INEC received the letter of declaration from the Speaker, a date would have been fixed; “but till now nothing has been done.”

“It is eight months now, that Bassa/Jos North constituency, is shortchanged; in the first instance, the House Reps Speaker delayed the process and now INEC has followed, perhaps given the APC the opportunity to put itself in order before fixing the date for the bye-election,” he alleged.

The IPAC chairman said it was their coviction that INEC has compromised its neutrality by deciding to allow the APC to settle its internal problems of who or how its candidate will emerge.

“From the actions or inactions of INEC, we felt that it has decided to openly take side with the ruling APC, whose house is in tango over who becomes its candidates or from which Local Government Area, would the candidate emerge, before fixing the date for the bye-election,” he alleged.

Bassa/Jos North by-election: INEC has compromised, IPAC alleges

and a Minister of State FCT under the same PDP. Two different PDP administrations.

“So, how can he know the people who are APC members. We’ve worked hard for this party, we’ve sacrificed for this party, we’ve dedicated ourselves! The PDP has done their own convention, therefore we are the laughing stock of the nation. We, the young people, don’t have anywhere else to go.

“All we’re saying is that we want the right things to be done. We want our APC convention done, we want quality leaders, we want youthful inclusion, and we want to be part of the process, what’s wrong with that?”


news extrawww.dailyfocusnewsng.comDAILY FOCUS

news extra 13

Cross River mourns as ex-Senate president, Wayas, dies at 80

APC stakeholders reject expulsion of acclaimed factional leader, AuduGovernor Ben Ayade of Cross

River state, Thursday, expressed sadness over the death of the Second Republic Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas, who died in the early hours of Tuesday at a London hospital at the age of 80.

He described the death as ‘a monumental loss’ to Cross River

state in particular and to Nigeria in general.

He was Nigeria’s Senate President in the Second Republic between 1979 and 1983.

Governor Ayade’s special adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Christian Ita, said in a statement that the governor described Wayas as

a man who left indelible footprints on the sands of time.

“As a state, Cross River is in pains as we mourn the passing of our illustrious son. He was a rare gem. The demise of Dr Wayas is indeed a monumental loss to our dear state and Nigeria.

“As Senate President, Dr Wayas

contributed to the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic ethos through his robust and vibrant leadership.

“Since his retirement from active politics, the former senate president had been playing a fatherly and stabilising role in the politics and affairs of our state,” the statement read.

By Adeola TukuruAbuja

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the umbrella of Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CDD) among others have calledPresident Mohammadu Buhari toassent to the Electoral Bill 2021which is in congruence with thewill and aspirations of the Nigerianpeople.

The groups said the president should honour his commitment to bequeath to Nigerians an electoral system that guarantees the conduct

of credible, inclusive and peaceful elections.

While briefing newsmen in Abuja, the executive director of Yiaga Africa , Samson Itodo, said further amendments to the Electoral Bill 2021 by the National Assembly should be undertaken in the next electoral cycle based on real and perceived lacuna identified in the implementation of the current Bill.

He said the presidency on 19th November 2021 acknowledged the receipt of the Electoral Bill 2021 from the National Assembly for presidential assent.

He stated further that the bill contains specific provisions that are directed at enhancing the quality and credibility of elections and address certain lacunas in the existing electoral legal framework.

Also, the executive director, International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade stated that such provisions in the bill include: legal backing for the use of electoral technologies for the purpose of voter accreditation and electronic transmission of election results; extension of restrictive timelines for electoral activities, concise definition of over voting and the conferment of

legal authority on INEC to review questionable election results.

He said the undersigned Civil Society Organizations welcome the decision of the president to invite the comment of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government on the bill.

He said in this regard, the input from the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Finance and the Inspector General of the Police are probably the most crucial.

Also, the executive director of Center for Citizens With Disabilities, Daniel Anyaele, said the timely assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 will facilitate early preparations and efficient election administration of the 2023 General Election, which is just 443 days away.

“It must be emphasised that the successful conduct of any election is predicated on the certainty and clarity of the election legal framework, amongst other factors.

“This is to preclude any legal uncertainties that may occasion manipulation and subversion of the

From left: Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values Odebunmi Olusegun Dokun, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, representative of the Akwa Ibom state deputy governor, Aniekan Umanah; and a member of the committee, Babangida Ibrahim; during the opening ceremony of a two-day national conference on information in Abuja Thursday

Yiaga Africa, IPC, CDD others urge Buhari to assent to Electoral Bill 2021

The All progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders have rejected the decision to expel the acclaimed factional leader of the party, Prince Mustapha Audu, from the ruling party.

The APC stakeholders also known as the APC Rebirth Group led by Aliyu Audu in a statement Thursday in Abuja, said the decision to expel Audu was tantamount to punishing “alleged Illegality with another Illegality”, adding that the fact that Prince Audu expressed a contrary opinion or embark on activities that are seen to be against the current leadership of the party does not warrant his being denied his rights as a full-fledged member of the party.

The Stakeholders accused the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee of instigating the expulsion of Prince Audu from the party through his ward in Ogbonicha, Kogi state.

Arguing that the party lacks the moral latitude to expel Prince Audu from the party, the group frowned at the decision by the department of state security services (DSS) to grill Prince Audu over the activities of his factional group.

The Stakeholders noted: “For the leadership of the APC to take this position against a group it has interfaced with at various times, so much as disowning their leader, Prince Mustapha Audu who was recently a governorship aspirant under the platform of the party, one only imagines how seriously those superintending over the affairs of the party takes their responsibility.

“At what point did Prince Audu ceased to be a member of the APC? Could this be before he paid the sum of N22.5 million to the coffers of the party to contest the governorship primaries of the APC in Kogi State, or after he decided to speak against the continuous stay in office of the CECPC or their refusal to conduct the national convention of the party, especially within the time frame given to her?

“We feel that even if the party would impose any disciplinary action on Prince Audu, the constitution of the party must be followed to the latter by adhering to laid down rules and procedures prescribed for the discipline of party members, including being given the fair chance to defend himself, and not the arbitrary and unconstitutional action of the CECPC and the ward chairman acting on their behalf.”

Ensure stronger security in your database, SERVICOM urges NPCThe National Coordinator/CEO SERVICOM, Office Presidency Mrs. Nnenna Akajemel, has urged the National Population Commission (NPC) to tighten security when carrying out its duties, especially in the area of its database to improve service delivery.

She stated this Thursday in Abuja during the presentation of SERVICOM Compliance Evaluation (SCE) reports of Civic Registration and Vital Statistics Department, to headquarters and 8 other selected NPC state offices.

She said all information gathered in the course of their evaluation rated all the offices including the headquarters poorly, except for Adamawa state which was ranked ‘fair’ with the highest point at 40.0%.

She tressed the weaknesses of the findings of all the evaluated states, Akajemeli stated the need to provide a record of complaints over centralisation of activities at the headquarters, adding that it should be spread across other states to make the work easier and faster.

She added that lack of system and internet, collection of multiple data from different points, lack of mobility, low birth and death registration amongst many others is not good enough.

“Civic registration is not fully digitalised in Nigeria. Most of the data gathered are still in analogue form and paper-based summary of records are transferred from local government areas to states. This doesn’t give reliable, timely data and may not lost in transit. And also, there is low public awareness

on the importance of birth and death registration, especially in the rural areas, and as such, available data on birth registration is still at 43%, while that of death registration still stands at 10%.

“This lack of vital statistics makes it difficult for the country to have timely reliable data for national planning, security and economic development. You will have to note that, there is no mechanism in place to streamline multiple collections of birth certificates by applicants and this affects the accuracy of the data collected.


business14

Nigerian banks’ asset quality remain resilient, Moody affirms

UBA Group wins ‘African Bank of the Year’ awardBanks take action against FX offenders, release names, BVNsSome Nigerian banks have publicized the names and Bank Verification Numbers of over 1,000 customers who purchased dollars from them using fake visas and other deceptions.

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in July instructed Deposit Money Banks (DMB) to publish names and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) of customers who violated its Personal and Business Travel Allowance rules.

PTA/BTA is a foreign currency product that ensures customers who are traveling out of the country on personal or business trips have access to foreign currency at approved CBN rates.

The rates from the banks could be as low as N412/$ compared to N560/$ at the black market.

To stop Nigerians from cheating the system, CBN instructed that customers must return the purchased PTA/BTA within two weeks, if travel plans were canceled or risk getting their names, accounts blacklisted, and details published.

The domestic equity market yesterday sustained bearish run as Nigerian Exchange (NGX) declined by 215.18 basis points to close at 42247.98 points from 42463.16 points reported on Wednesday. Investors negative sentiment on UPDC persist yesterday, leading to another loss of 9.09 per cent on the share price.

Market capitalisation of listed equities also depreciated further by N113 billion or 0.51 per cent to N22.044 trillion from N22.157 trillion reported the previous day. Investors traded 324.019 million shares valued at N5.294 billion in 4706 deals against 335.480 million shares valued at N4.552 billion in 3891 deals.

A review of the investment showed that Meyer Paint led gainers table during the day, appreciating by 10.00 per cent to N0.02, NEM Insurance followed with a gain of 7.33 per cent t0 N0.14, Royal Exchange gained 5.88 per cent to N0.03, Japaul Gold and Ventures increased by 4.76 per cent to N0.01.

On the contrary, BOC Gas topped losers chart, dropping by 10 per cent to N9.45, UDPC trailed with a loss of 9.09 per cent to N0.90, Trans Express fell by 8.99 per cent to N0.81, Living Trust Mortgage Bank dipped by 8.33 per cent to N0.88, Mansard Insurance dropped by 7.89 per cent to N2.10.

From left: Nigerian Ambassador to Germany Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs Senator Ita Enang, Nigerian Ambassador to Greece Opunimi Akinkugbe, Director General Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Bashir Jamoh, Minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Acting Managing Director Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello-Koko and a dignitary during the 2021 Greek-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce & Technology (GNCCT) and Investment Summit in Athens recently

Global rating agency, Moody’s Investor Service has highlighted the improving asset quality and resilient profitability of nine Nigerian banks, and also affirmed B2 long-term local and foreign currency deposit ratings as well as senior unsecured ratings.

The rating agency listed the banks as: Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, and Union Bank of Nigeria plc, Fidelity

Bank plc, FCMB Limited and Sterling Bank Plc.

At the same time, the rating agency changed the outlook on all the banks’ long-term deposit ratings to stable from negative.

The rating action reflects the banks’ financial profiles which have been generally resilient to the difficult operating environment in Nigeria. On average, the Nigerian banks’ asset quality has remained resilient and banks’ pre-provision profitability is recovering to pre-

pandemic levels while their capital and funding positions, particularly in local currency, have remained solid.

The affirmation of the deposit ratings for the nine banks reflects Moody’s expectation that Nigerian banks’ solvency will remain at adequate levels over the next 12-18 months, supported by resilient profitability, while asset quality towards the large energy sector will benefit from the current high oil prices.

all came out top as the best banks in their respective countries.

In 2020, six of its subsidiaries in Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Zambia were winners of the Best Bank award. This year, the UBA Group is breaking a record with its exceptional wins as African Bank of the Year and Bank of the year in 13 countries. The total 14 awards makes it the first time ever in the history of the almost 100 years of The banker, that any banking group will be clinching as many as 14 wins in a single year.

At the Virtual award ceremony which was held on December 1st 2021, the Middle East and Africa Editor for The Banker, John Everington, explained at the event that a rigorous and highly analytical process is made annually to reach the decision for each Bank of the Year

award and the institution’s reputation for independence, authority and integrity is thoroughly applied to each submission.

“While several African banks impressed the judges this year, there was no doubt as to the worthiest recipient of the Bank of the Year for Africa - UBA Group - a clear winner across a wide range of criteria. UBA has performed impressively across its footprint with a strong financial performance across most of its markets,” Everington said.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Uzoka, who expressed delight over the recognition from The Banker stated “Like I always say, at UBA, we must be doing something right. Winning 14 total awards in13 subsidiaries and the Bank of the Year on the African continent is a big achievement.’

COREN begins 2nd evaluators' training for Outcome-Based Education

The training which took place at the Nile University, Abuja, had participants drawn from the universities across the country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the programme, the President of COREN, Engr Ali A. Rabiu, said the workshop wasorganized to train and equip

programme evaluators of the OBE who would form COREN database for accreditation of engineering programmes.

Rabiu noted that every aspect of the accreditation process had been streamlined to enhance the credibility of the evaluation.

He said:"In Nigeria,

In order to produce graduates with the required skills to excel in the workplace Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), commenced the training programme for evaluators for the Outcome Based Education (OBE) system in Nigeria.

accreditation is necessary for recognition of programmes and registration of engineering graduates as professional engineers. The goal of the workshop is to train and equip programme evaluators of OBE who will form COREN database for accreditation of engineering programmes.

In its determination to ensure even development of the Nigerian transport sector, the federal government has opened fresh discussions with leading businesses in Greece on how to bring in Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) in the transport and allied sectors of the economy.

A delegation of Chief Executives of agencies under the Ministry of Transportation led by the Minister, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi met with leading Greek businesses at the 2021 Greek-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce & Technology (GNCCT) and Investment Summit, held in Athens.

The two days event which took place between November 29th and 30th focused on discovering high net worth investments in maritime transport, aquaculture, circular economy, education and manufacturing.

Also, our correspondent gathered that the Athens investment summit called for increased collaboration between Greece and Nigerian businesses, including relaxation of travel and trade restrictions.

An electronic statement by the Assistant General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mr. Ibrahim Nasiru disclosed that the Nigerian Ambassador to Greece, Opunimi Akinkugbe and country's Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar were among the eminent persons at the summit.

Africa’s global bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc yet again, reaffirms its leadership position across Africa, as the bank has been globally recognised as the African Bank of the year 2021 by the Banker Magazine, a leading global finance news publication published by the Financial Times of London.

UBA’s solid financial performance, its excellent service delivery to customers and its continuous role of facilitating rapid economic growth across the African continent were some of the reasons that led to the bank being named best bank in 12 of its African subsidiaries and in Nigeria. UBA Nigeria Plc, UBA Benin, UBA Burkina Faso, UBA Cameroon, UBA Chad, UBA Congo Brazzaville, UBA Cote D’Ivoire, UBA Gabon, UBA Guinea, UBA Liberia, UBA Senegal, UBA Sierra Leone and UBA Zambia

Equity market sustains bearish run, sheds N113bn

FG woos Greek investors into transport sector

“

“

Our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial development amongst youths is mainly the driving force behind our support of the National Company of the Year (NCOY) and Africa Company of the Year (ACOY) competitions in past 11 years


feature15

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has sustained its leadership position in driving the youth development in the country. Apart from its FutureFast programme targeted at the youths to ensure fulfilling careers, the bank has, in the last 11 years, partnered Junior Achievement Nigeria to host its annual event, the National Company of the Year competition (NCOY).

‘Discovering youth’s potentials, talents through JAN’

Banking Lagos & West First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Chidimma Juliana Okparah, Project Management Consultant (PMIEF); Sheila Ojei, Head of Communications Jobberman; Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative and Simbo Olatoregun, Policy Programs Manager for Facebook in Africa. Also in attendance was Lagos state Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo as a special guest.

The set criteria Announcing the criteria for this year’s

NCOY competition, the lead judge, Mrs Adigun, said these came in three categories.

The first category, she said, includes looking at Annual reports submitted by the students Team company, project management tools utilised, implementation of digital marketing, company financial report to ensure continuity and operations of the company

The second category involved short video presentation by each team company and slide presentation to see relevant contents and structure of presentation.

And lastly, the third criteria include interviews and physical interaction with each company team, centring on the uniqueness and features of their products.

While urging participants to be more courageous in whatever they are doing, she stressed the need for all the teams to keep improving in their great work as next year’s competition starts today.

The lead judge also advised them to be committed even if they did not win or will be handing over to another team in their various schools.

She expressed the need for JAN to engage with all the participating schools during the competition for possible support towards better performance in future.

NCOY winners At the end of the contest, Ikeretara

Company from Secondary school Etoi, Uyo was declared winner following its outstanding performance during all her presentations.

The first runner up also went to Sonic Informatics from Heritage Global Academy

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion services provider has remained in the forefront of driving youth development and

career building in the country.The bank initiated FutureFast programme

to ensure the nation’s youth are financially independent through fulfilling careers and right financial knowledge.

To achieve this, First Bank partners Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to implement FutureFast programme built around career counselling, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

In the last 11 years, the bank, through its partnership with JAN, has hosted its annual flagship event- the National Company of the Year Competition (NCOY)- which convenes winners of the JA Company Regional Competitions across Nigeria to compete for the National Company of the Year Award.

This year’s event which held over the weekend virtually (through zoom meeting) brought together very brilliant and outstanding ‘Students business teams’ across the country to compete for prizes and opportunity for the winner to represent the country at the national competition-JA Africa Company of the year competition (ACOY)

Participating schools This year’s competition with the theme “

Innovation with Grit” created opportunity for 12 teams from 12 different schools to present their innovations to a team of five guests judges. Schools represented at the competition were The Seer company from Alvana High School; Sonic Informatics company from Heritage Global Academy; Nexus Queens company from Queens School; JA Stars from Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN); Amazing Amazon Students from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Abaji; KereTerra Company from Secondary School Etoi, Uyo and The Exploit thinkers from Taidob College.

Others were Mystic Global Company from Rosa Mystica High School, Agulu; PetraMech Tech from Petra Schools; The Amazing Inventors from Government Secondary School Tudun Wada; Blue crystal company from Methodist Girls school and the Artisans from Igbobi College Lagos

Other Awards At the NCOY 2021, awards were

also presented to different categories of individuals/group who have performed extremely well in supporting the programme. The awards included Junior Achievement school of the year, JAN teacher of the year and JAN Volunteer of the year. Also on the list was the most innovating company award.

Other programmesThe 2021 National Company of the Year

Program also featured SPARK Competition. SPARK, as an initiative of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, is an acronym for Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness. SPARK reiterates the bank’s commitment to institutionalise kindness in Nigeria by encouraging and amplifying a culture of kindness.

The SPARK competition featured 15 finalist schools across Nigeria, whose CSR projects aligned with the bank’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability pillars of Education, Welfare and Health, Financial inclusion and Responsible Lending and Procurement.

Judges at the event Judges at the programme include:

Oludolapo Adigun, Group Head, Retail

have come together and jointly develop and own important career life skill, such as critical thinking, creativity in product development and more importantly their team work.”

“In Nigeria today, this set of youths participating in the programme are important if we are to reduce the high rate of youth unemployment and create a meaningful career and business opportunities for the youths,” the CBN boss said.

Mrs Ahmad further said: “The skills learnt at the programme will help to actively contribute to economic growth of our country as entrepreneur by employing other youths to work with you or as great leader, developing appropriate policy to support the economic growth.”

On the high rate of poverty among the populace, the CBN deputy governor said 200 million youths globally live on less than one dollar per day while over 100 million youths are illiterate with no access to education.

According to her, “the youth development index report from Common Wealth showed that youth involvement in healthcare in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) has been on the steady rise since 2010, youths underemployment persist, an access to education and professional training has remained constant while youths participation in the government has been on the decline.”

Notwithstanding the challenges, Ahmad said “technology has opened up another opportunity and possibility for the Nigerian youths to thrive,” urging youths to think of what contribution they would make to the world and search about making it.

FBN on JAN’s impactIn another remarks, Group Head

Marketing & Corporate Communications First Bank, Folake Ani-Mumuney said: “FirstBank’s partnership under its Future First initiative with JA Nigeria Company programme has positively impacted over 100,000 people in different locations across the country in preparing and teaching them how to generate wealth, effectively manage it and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace.

“Our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial development amongst youths is mainly the driving force behind our support of the National Company of the Year (NCOY) and Africa Company of the Year (ACOY) competitions in past 11 years”.

On this year’s edition of the competition, she said 12 schools that made it to national company level had done great thing to themselves and the school.

Mrs Ani-Mumuney also said there was need for participants to continue to be great and remain creative to enable them perform wonderfully well in other future competitions.

Also speaking, Executive Director JAN Foluso Gbadamosi said: “The National Company of the Year Company competition provides our students with a platform to show how innovative they are while displaying their dexterity and grit especially as it relates to creating sustainable business solutions to problems in their immediate community.

“The students have learned critical skills during the implementation of the Company Programme and we are proud to celebrate them as they compete in the National competition. I would like to specially appreciate FirstBank Nigeria for their continued support and belief in the boundless potential of young Nigerians.”

Analysts are of the view that this initiative by the FBN is not only timely, particularly at this time of growing unemployment among youths, but will also go a long way in taking away the youths from criminality and build in them a sense of being responsible citizens.

while the Exploit Thinkers from Taidob College emerged second runner up.

The JAN Teacher of the year went to Mr Subair from Queen School Ibadan, JAN Volunteer of the year won by Kehinde Oluwabunmi also from Queens college Ibadan which also emerged JAN school of the year.

Under CRS category award, Kereterra company from Secondary School Etoi, Uyo was declared winner while Sonic Informatics from Heritage Global Academy received the most innovating company award.

Comments from speakers In her remarks, Deputy Governor

Financial System Stability (FSS) Central Bank of Nigeria, Aishah Ahmad, said “the competition offers an opportunity to honour young talent contribution to building solid foundation for their future and ultimately enhancing economic growth and development for our country.” She expressed satisfaction with the “dedication and commitment from all the competing companies and group who


interview16

Archbishop David Irefin is a disciple of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu and international chairman, Christ Missionary Crusade Fellowship for the Brotherhood of Cross and Star. The Professor of Economics says until Nigerians begin to imbibe the teachings of Olumba Olumba, the country would continue to meander in confusion.

Foundational falsehood is genesis of Nigeria’s problem – Archbishop Irefin

the promised comforter by our Lord Jesus Christ has to step in to unite, discipline and redeem man from damnation and destruction.

Leader Olumba Olumba Obu says when we come together, everything would be bound into one and there would be peace, love, mercy, wealth, knowledge, power and co-operation. There would be everything and nothing would be lacking. The words of God contain in the everlasting gospel are empowered by the Holy Spirit that would change man, gives man peace, heals man’s infirmities. Above all, the everlasting gospel gives the ability to regard every person as one. Unlike other teachings, the teachings and practices in the everlasting gospel would reprove, rebuke and exhort with long suffering, meekness, patience, love and peace. The words of God contained in the everlasting gospel reveals man as the temple of God and has to keep himself holy. Nigerians and by extension the whole world is experiencing suffering, hardship, hopelessness, racial discrimination, calamities, diseases, death and confusion because human family lacks the Holy Spirit. However, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu in the everlasting gospel maintains that the moment the Holy Spirit enters into a person, the person would automatically be transformed and changed to the standard expected of him by God.

Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba or Igbo. We are just the same people; so, where there is segregation, discrimination and hatred as it is now in Nigeria, God would never allow good things to happen there. The falsehood of the foundation of Nigeria is the genesis of our suffering, otherwise we have enough human and natural resources to make all of us live a comfortable life in this country.

What is your advice to Nigerians?

My advice to Nigerians is that they should let go of pride and arrogance and come in humility to His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, the King of kings and Lord of lords who has the key to peace, prosperity and eternal life. When Nigerians accept and key into the teachings and practices of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu as contained in the everlasting gospel, they shall be filled with love, peace, oneness, joy, mercy, tolerance, endurance, prosperity and rapid sustainable economic development. However, any further delay by the political class, traditional rulers and religious leaders to recognise and surrender to His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu who was ordained by God the Father to rule both heaven and earth, it would lead to more sufferings, hopelessness, confusion and death. This is because His Holiness Olumba Olubma Obu is the only one that has the blue print for the transformation and development of Nigeria. His teachings and practices as contained in the everlasting gospel is the only source to unite all the nationalities, ethnicities and religions in Nigeria.

There are perceptions that your worship centres are often sited in the bush from human habitation? What is the significance?

It is not true because even in Lokoja here, our bethel is directly opposite the federal university Lokoja Adankolo campus, can someone refers to that place as bush? Again in Lagos, our locations can be found in Ikeja, Sululere can such places be regarded as bush? In Port-Harcourt, it is situated at the GRA. In Abuja, if you go to Kubwa, Mpape, Karu we have our bethels there. So, Brotherhood of Cross and Star has nothing to do with bush; it is just an imagination of the people who are ignorant about us. In London, Manchester, USA, Atlanta, Germany and other foreign countries, Brotherhood is there inside cities. Brotherhood of the Cross and Star has a humble beginning to fulfil what is written that it would start like a mustard seed and eventually dominate the world. Thus, a humble beginning should not be confused with bush.

Most often, people have this perception that Olumba Olumba Obu and the institution he represents are so supernatural. What do you have to say?

You know ignorance is a big problem here. It is a fact that our leader, Olumba Olumba Obu is the founder, builder and sustainer of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, the new Kingdom of God now on earth. The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is not a church, religious movement or any organisation; rather, it is the new Kingdom of God that God Himself promised thousands of years ago. If you go to the book of Daniel Chapter 2 verse 44, God revealed it to Nebuchadnezar that at the end of time, He would come to the world by Himself to set up a kingdom and this kingdom would break up all other kingdoms and remain forever. That kingdom is Brotherhood of the Cross and Star. Everyone whether as Christian, Muslim, traditionalist, Buddhist and free thinkers are Brotherhood. This kingdom means love and everything created by God put together and Christ is the Head in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. In the recent past, not much has been heard about the Brotherhood anymore. Is there any problem?

There is no problem. Leader Olumba Olumba Obu is the most widely spoken about. It is only in Nigeria that they are trying to cover up what Leader Olumba Olumba Obu has come to do. Even different religious movements have been working against the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, but in reality, there is nothing more potent, most spoken of like the Brotherhood of Cross and Star. Unfortunately, the media has not been enlightening people about the activities of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, most especially, the press has failed to inform the world about his works.That is why Leader Olumba Olumba Obu has sent us out to educate the press about his teachings and practices so that the press inturn would begin to enlighten and educate the human family. The press has a lot to tell the world about the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in this era. In view of the ups and down in the political and economic life of the country, what do you think should be the role of the Brotherhood apart from prayer?

It is an undeniable fact that all over the world, people are stealing, fighting, quarrelling, deceiving, hating, killing, discriminating, kidnapping and other vices. God knew before now that the world at this time would be filled with vengeance, hatred, division, racism, discrimination, insecurity, wars, wickedness and other vices and that world religions and other organisation would fail man. Rather than the existing scriptures to solve human problems, they become the sources of problems and hardship. After this woeful performance by the various religions, political systems and other human organisations, the Holy Spirit,

Thus, all the evil practices and vices such as discrimination, killings, hate, fighting, wars and other vices which currently plague humanity shall be discarded. In the everlasting gospel, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu emphasizes that only when man separates himself from God that problems, hardship, suffering confusion and even death overtake him. If you look at Nigeria and the entire world critically, you would see that the foundation of Nigeria was laid on sand. No love with hatred and cheating all over. The north, for instance, claim to have the population and they must rule while the South-south claim that they control the economy of the country and the Soth-west believes they have the knowledge to rule the country. So, the foundation of Nigeria right from the onset is fake and cannot bring anything good for the people and the country. Imagine during elections, some would say the Christians have the votes while others claim the Muslims have the votes. How can you build a house that is so divided among it selves? That is why we are suffering in Nigeria and by extension the entire world. However, the good news is that Leader Olumba Olumba Obu has come with the everlasting gospel that contains teachings and practices which is based on love for one another. This indicates that everybody is the same and no discrimination. Nothing like


feature17

Mustapha

Assessing impact of PTF interventions on health sector

of the PTF had improved quality of care and response in the public hospitals, the situation is far from ideal.

This may have prompted President Buhari to raise the Health Sector Reform Committee for the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform Programme for Nigeria.

The Chairman, Ministerial Expert Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Response, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, while commending the PTF, said that the task force input in the heath sector could be described as a temporary blessing that may become a long-term blight, if not built upon.

“Our response to COVID-19 outbreak has shown again, that we are a nation that makes weapons of war at the battle front, a nation that pours icing on a rotten cake, pouring a rain of money on a flooded and floundered health system,” he said.

Tomori noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in the health system.

He said that as usual, the government had thrown a lot of money at the problem, mostly, ineffectively used, leading to an uncoordinated and hardly effective solution.

“We often forget that money alone cannot solve all problems. The motive behind, and the character in spending the money, define the success of the input.

“It is not throwing money into a problem; it’s how we use that money. As a result of

Nigerians are the losers, as many countries will stop accepting results from our labs,” he reasoned.

“Our response to the COVID-19 outbreak should have been an opportunity to address other healthcare related issues, but we missed the boat,” he further noted.

Health Economist, Dr Abigail Banji, thinks that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need for health care reforms that promote universal access to affordable care in Nigeria.

Banji predicts that health care in the country will face incredible challenges in the coming years, given the way the country’s healthcare system was unravelling in the time of crisis, leaving millions of Nigerians vulnerable.

She is advocating a swift, coordinated political action to ensure access to affordable care for all even as she noted that overall, the PTF has responded to COVID-19 swiftly.

“At the start of the outbreak, the PTF worked with technology and the media to promote accurate information. It coined the phrase `infodemic’ to describe the rapid spread of misinformation about the new virus.

“Beyond pandemics, the work of promoting science-based policy, strengthening health systems and expanding access to care is not glamorous.

“But it is vital. The country’s record on COVID -19 is still far from perfect, the possibility of a pandemic on such a scale is still possible.

“It is an illness caused by a pathogen never seen before in humans that would cause the next pandemic and wreak havoc. Is Nigeria now prepared for the next pandemic? This is what the PSC should strongly look into,” she advised.

The health economist stressed that the country may need to investigate outbreaks more independently and to establish a system so that it can issue warnings about public-health emergencies earlier, rather than waiting for the international health organisations.

“A year ago, the risks of a weak health system in the country was hard to calculate. Today, the costs of failure are measured in trillions of naira and the loss so far of over 2,500 lives to COVID-19. Our policies on health care, both during this pandemic and in the future, should reflect this reality, and we should not let the lessons of this crisis pass us by,” she added.

But Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the WHO representative in Nigeria, described the PTF as a game changer in the fight against the pandemic in the country. “The fact is that Nigeria was among the first to confirm the coronavirus case in the region, the PTF played a role in curtailing the magnitude of the pandemic in the country.

“The PTF was a platform to discuss health across sectors and not just health as an issue for one ministry, Ministry of Health. We have several ministries playing a part, this was what helped the country,” he explained.

“The PTF was able to engage the CACOVID, and the non-state actors to take action. So, this has given an opportunity for a deeper reflection in the way things were being done.

“I could see a huge difference in the way the states for example were managing outbreak and other emergencies. So, I think it’s a direct impact of high level leadership, because everything starts with a political commitment and the PTF has greater political commitment that was strong,” he noted.

Mulombo said that through the PTF, the country’s laboratory capacity were developed, which makes the country better prepared ahead of any emerging disease. NAN

Some health experts argued that the COVID-19 pandemic has rewritten some public health rules in Nigeria. They opined that the country’s health

facilities and medical equipment especially in the rural areas were not adequate to curtail the spread of the virus.

They recalled that the country had battled several outbreaks including Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera, monkey pox, among others.

They also noted that spending on the country health security has not matched its policies.

After the outbreak of the pandemic, several measures were put in place, including the setting up of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, on March 9, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The PTF, headed by Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was mandated to provide overall policy direction, guidance and continuous support to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The PTF was also saddled with the responsibility to provide policy direction to ministries and government agencies involved in response activities to enable them devise and implement a National Response Strategy.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a great challenge because Nigeria has very few molecular laboratories to conduct tests.

To redress the situation, the PTF embarked on massive establishment of laboratories for testing and commenced the use of GeneXpert across the country to scale-up testing.

Before the pandemic, the country had just five molecular laboratories that could scale for a virus like COVID-19.

But as a result of the pandemic, 140 new laboratories were built and inaugurated across the country, as at July 2021.

Now every state has at least one public health laboratory with molecular testing capacity.

Before the first confirmed case in Nigeria, the country had started preparation with support from international donors. The PTF started working with states and hospitals to map out and establish isolation and treatment centres for the management of the virus.

In addition, health workers were trained on case management, infection prevention control, surveillance, risk communication and other areas of epidemic preparedness and response.

Through the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), each state was to receive a 30-bed ICU centre for critical care. President Buhari also approved the construction of one oxygen plant in each state of the federation and the FCT.

In March 2021, the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) was rebranded to enable it push further coordination of the vaccine rollout, deployment and administration, while a private sector supported transition consultant sustains the multi-sectoral relations and policy guidance.

The PSC said that acquisition of sufficient doses would enable the country vaccinate 70 per cent of its population, that process is still in progress.

However, some health experts say irrespective of the interventions, health care service delivery in the country is still poor and remains a huge source of concern.

They noted that while the interventions

the COVID-19 pandemic, more money were channelled into the health sector through different routes – more labs are now in place, a few additional isolation wards here and there etc.

“In 2020, when COVID-19 arrived, Nigeria could only boast of two or three labs with capability and capacity for COVID-19 diagnosis, but now we have 140 labs distributed all over our 36 states, plus the FCT,” he added.

He, however, questioned how effectively the labs were used. “Only 13 or fewer states testing and reporting results, regularly and timely. One wonders why we even bothered to set up those labs, if they end up being useless and incapable of performing the assignments of intended purpose.

` What were the real motives for setting up those labs – opportunity for dubious contracts or phony procurement?

“Another issue is the quality and reliability of the results from some of the labs. Currently, we receive a lot of reports of tests done on Nigerians who travelled abroad. They leave Nigeria with negative COVID-19 results and overnight on arrival at their destinations outside Nigeria, the results done on those same Nigerians turn out positive,” he noted.

Tomori wondered if there is a problem with the labs, or the quality control and monitoring systems were incapacitated, and unable to detect fake results at the ports of departure.

“Whatever the reason, Nigeria and


politics18

How I ‘ll move APC forward as national chairman – Mustapha

Mallam Saliu Mustapha, a frontline national chairmanship aspirant of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), in this interactive session with newsmen, speaks on his plans for the party, his relationship with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq of Kwara state and how APC should consider him for the exalted seat.

What would you bring on board if you become the next national chairman of APC?

I am bringing a lot on board. One, I’m bringing goodwill, experience, youthfulness not with exuberance but with experience. First and foremost, I want to see a party that promotes equity, fairness and justice. It is when you have a party of that sort that you are able to allow popular candidates to emerge. When popular candidates emerge based on their merit, then you don’t suffer the fear of election rigging. It is when you bring unpopular candidate on board, then you start thinking of how to go and rig the general election. And when you rig the general election with bad products, the end result is bad governance or bad representation. So, I want to bring on board a party that will promote internal discipline, that will be held to account for their manifesto and their promises where you will have fairness, equity and justice so that we all can sit back at home and enjoy the dividends of democracy. And I want to also be able to bridge the gap.

What stands you out among other aspirants?

Like I earlier said, I believe I have the experience. I believe age is on my side. More importantly, I believe I have the goodwill and the administrative skills. Political party administration is not an executive administrative work. As a political party administrator, the most important thing is for you to be able to accommodate everybody, for you to be able to give the listening ears and to be able to tampee justice because you must have at the back of your mind. That being a chairman of a party is not where it ends. The most important thing is for your party to be victorious and for you to deliver the dividends or the promises of your manifesto. So, like I said, I want to come on board to do things differently. Yes, APC has done well, but I believe there is room for improvement. And one of the reasons why I’ve called you people here is not just for questions and answers is for us to partner, for us to see ourselves as stakeholders in this. You must not be a card-carrying member for you to get involved because we all operate from the same market forces. I count myself as one of you. So, if you are on this other side and trying to enlighten and to direct the people on what is wrong and right, I found myself on this other side to help, to serve

as that messenger. So, one of my main reason of calling you people here is like I said to form that bond of partnership so that you can always advice, guide and also let me know where where getting it wrong. So, these are part of the things I ought to bring on board. I don’t want to be a chairman that when it’s time, I will say go and deal with the Director of Publicity or Publicity Secretary. No, I want to be a Chairman that we can interact because you (journalists) see better than some of us. So these are some of the things that I want to bring on board, to do things differently.

What are your plans to keep APC as one family?

Part of these qualities I have told you, even this interaction with you, these are part of the things that I think I will do if I become Chairman. Such that APC will not be a cabal to itself. It will be an open book. And when you have an open book, then there is no room for a lot of dissenting minds or voices. So there is a lot I will do to keep APC as one. My goodwill, my experience, my way of administration, which will be teamwork. This idea one man show does not go well. That is why, I always tell people sometimes, a political party administrator is somebody who gives people the listening ear but an executive governor, they tell him what he wants to hear. But the chairman of a party, you must listen to what people want to say and I believe I have this in me.

Earler this week, a group within the party declared parallel leadership and some others have called for the Caretaker Committee to be dissolved or to continue in office, what is your take?

For me, these are internal issues of my party. We have our party mechanism on how some of these things will be addressed and I think the party Constitution is there, it’s very clear. The Caretaker Committee is an Extraordinary Convention Caretaker Committee. So we must not forget, the work is still in progress. They are not there to remain there forever. They are doing their work. So we must support and see that we bring it to a successful ending. It is not time for us to say

this person is right, this person is wrong. It was because something went wrong, that was why they came on board. So it is not time to start pushing blame again. What we should do is to look for solutions so that we bring this thing to a successful end in a very successful convention.

Could you talk about your relationship with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state?

I share a very cordial relationship with Governor Abdulrazag in the sense that if you could cast your mind back, I was also an aspirant for the governorship seat of Kwara. Due to some irregularities in the party, then I was disqualified. I did not go to court because I felt we were one and the same. I was looking at the bigger goal; if I had gone to court, I think my own case was more serious than that of Zamfara or Rivers states. And we would have had another Zamfara or Rivers in Kwara. It was based on our friendship and understanding that made me not to go to court, and we still share the same as I’m talking to you.

If you were there during my turbaning recently, he (Governor) was not only there in person but he excorted me throughout the traditional rite of how my traditional leader turbaned me.

And during the recent state congress, infact, he (governor) picked me up in my house, we drove down together to the congress. He is also one of those canvassing for me because it is an advantage for the state to have a National Chairman in me. And if you don’t know, we have come a long way with him. When I was Deputy National Chairman in CPC, he was my Gubernatorial candidate in CPC then. So, we have a lot of history together, positive one for that matter.

There is currently no love lost between Governor Abdulrahman and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. What have you done in trying to reconcile these APC leaders in Kwara state?

From your records, you notice that the recognized body in Kwara is the one headed by the

governor. Of course, we don’t have to be a divided house. It’s work in progress. I am doing all I can and I think it will be a litmus test for me if I become the chairman of APC to make sure I bring an end to this differences in the state because all hands need to be on deck. It’s not about pushing the blame on this person or that person. The most important thing is we came out, we canvassed for the peoples’ vote and your support. It is time for us to give them the dividends of that democracy. So, for me there is room for improvement and there is enough to go round in terms of participation. One of my major responsibilities will be as Chairman to make sure my state which is the Harmony State, also comes out united and strong as an APC family. So, leave that to me when I get there, I’m sure my goodwill I enjoy from both sides will also come to fore by then to see that I bring everybody on board and we try and accommodate one another.

How come some chieftains of APC are so quiet about the happening in the party?

We are not quiet. Sometimes, we don’t believe we must wash our dirty linens in public. For some of us that struggled hard to bring this merger, it’s not in our character for us to throw the baby away with the water bath. There are so many party mechanisms on how to resolve internal problems. We must exhaust every possible option because we have the opposition out there, waiting to take any opportunity. So, we are not quiet we are strategizing and we’re also reconciling our differences. There is no perfection, there is nobody that is perfect in life. As human beings, we even have our little shortcomings. So as a political party where you have strange fellows come together, it’s about managing everybody’s opinions or ideas or ideals. The most important thing is let us subject ourselves to the rules and norms of the party and adhere to the party manifesto that we preach, we promised the people. So we are not quiet, we are working and that is why you can see, as we speak now we’re waiting for the date which I told you is work in progress.

What is your take on direct or indirect primaries controversy?

Some of these things I believe should be the strategy of a party on how to win its elections. So I might not want to tell you where I stand on that publicly here, because for me as a party, we must always look at what will favour us, how do we come out victorious.

Do you know the date for the national convention?

There is a timeline that has been given in February. Now, they are working out the details and in working out the details they will arrive at the actual date and possibly arrive at some zoning formula in order to reduce the acrimony. So it is a work in progress, we will get there. The most important thing is for us to come out victorious as a united family so as to be able to forge ahead for the general election.

Gbajabiamila

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Friday, December 3, 2021


opinion20

By Adémólá ÒrúnBon

Nigerians mark the 61st independence anniversary of their beloved country last Friday, few will disagree that, amidst the myriad of unnerving socio-economic and security challenges facing the nation, Nigeria remains a great country still waiting to happen. October 1, therefore, signals another opportunity to ponder on the state of the nation and the failure of leadership which has largely defined the country’s misfortune. To that extent, no patriotic Nigerian can pretend to be satisfied with the development and progress of this country 61 years after independence. Yet, it is not misguided optimism to argue that the nation’s best days are still ahead.

Nigeria remains a country of diverse nationalities, cultures, religions and values, and has defied all doomsday predictions to remain a united nation. This is enough reason for self-congratulation and hope of a better future. On balance, however, there is little to celebrate about Nigeria at 61. As the depressing indices show in areas such as security of life and property, food production, industrial output, quality of education and healthcare, economic diversification and productivity, there is indeed cause for worry. Not only do Nigerians eat the bread they do not produce, wear clothes they do not weave, and drink wine imported from other countries, they now import almost everything, including toothpicks.

Nigerians today read books, quote facts and figures about their country from foreign sources and parrot models of development designed by outsiders with vested interests. Sixty one years after independence, many are even wanting to blame the present parlous state of the country on British colonialists who left over five decades ago. At 61, Nigeria has much catch-up to do. And let no one be deluded that 61 years is a short time in the life of a country. The Nigerian economy is in dire straits with the potential to get worse if sound political and economic judgment is not brought to bear on the affairs of state.

Nigeria still a crawling baby at 61It is indeed tragic that the Nigerian economy

officially registered its first recession in more than two decades. The National Bureau of Statistics released a raft of official data on GDP, inflation, unemployment, and capital formation, which along with the CBN manufacturing performance index, show a terrible economic downturn. With foreign reserves depleted significantly, exchange rate rose up to unexpected, and oil prices unstable, the impact is only better imagined if all the fundamentals are not mustered to manage this situation. This is why Buhari must now articulate a grand vision for the nation, and re-direct Nigerians towards actualizing the vision. Given the terrible scenario playing out in the country, manifested in mass poverty, high corruption in government, gross official recklessness and near zero governance, it is no surprise that the Nigerian ship of state is rudderless and adrift. There is hardly any aspect of governance that cannot be faulted for corruption and incompetence.

As the nation marks 61 years of self-government, it is not too late for Nigerians leaders to change and make democracy work for the people. Too much pain has been inflicted on Nigerians and now is the time for Nigerian leaders to focus more on the Nigerian promise – notably what is standing in the way of realizing that promise. At independence in 1960, there was a groundswell of euphoria and hope in the Nigerian project. It is sobering that, 61 years later, the anticipated gains of nationhood envisaged by the founding fathers are still being awaited. Not a few have marveled at the exemplary character of Nigeria’s founding fathers: the simplicity of Tafawa Balewa, the selflessness of Ahmadu Bello, the nationalism of Nnamdi Azikiwe and the enduring vision of Obafemi Awolowo, all of which tower above their personal ambitions. Despite the sense of foreboding that the new multi-ethnic nation was unworkable, Nigerians envisioned a great and bountiful country.

Today, Nigeria is so greatly afflicted that some wonder at her prospects. The trouble with Nigeria, noted famed author and intellectual icon, Chinua

Achebe, is a failure of leadership. This failure has resulted in shattered hopes, broken promises, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled aspirations. A nation, it has been said, rises or falls on the quality of its leadership. Nigeria is a terrible victim of the poverty of good leadership, but most destructively, political leadership. Good leaders must show strength of conviction and character. What poor leadership in Nigeria has done is to create 200 to 250 million passive citizens who have no voice.

Every citizen must therefore share the blame, one way or the other, for the Nigerian condition. There has never been a shortage of speeches by Nigerian leaders in favor of good intentions to govern in the best interest of the country and its people. Over the years, Nigerians have heard, to the point of being deafened, that the government is committed to promoting good governance. The inaugural addresses of elected leaders and military coup plotters reveal uncanny similarities in promises. Yet, as the quality of successive leadership deteriorated, Nigeria has regressed in terms of the truly important yardsticks for measuring the progress of nations. All these notwithstanding, it is pointless to look back with regret and anger at lost opportunities.

If Nigeria gets its leadership right, gets its act together, this can be as great and live-able a country as any on earth. There is, of course, a time and season for everything. So, a change was inevitable. The election of President Buhari, largely on the strength of his integrity, indicated a yearning by the people for a good leader they can trust to serve in the best interest of Nigeria. But over six years after taking oath of office twice, Nigerians are still waiting for the change promised by the APC. From his appointments into high public office, Buhari has demonstrated an uncanny addiction to primordial sentiments. This indeed, is unfortunate, for a man who pledged in his inaugural, that he belonged to nobody and he belonged to everybody. Buhari needs to understand that leadership is not about ethnic domination or a selfish power equation;

it is rather a disposition of moral strength and sacrifice to genuinely carry out a mission for the common good.

Since the return to democracy in 1999 the political class has shown impetuous and irresponsible behavior at the expense of the people. The looting and the waste going on in Nigeria in the name of governance has no parallel anywhere else and is responsible for breeding an angry and alienated citizenry who see no dividend in this democracy. On all accounts, Nigeria at 61 is yet to fulfill her destiny. The current structure of Nigeria today, which is anything but federal, holds down the country, stunts its growth, truncates its progress and actually threatens its unity.

This falsehood must be corrected as soon as possible to liberate the nation’s full potential. The starting point towards the actualization of a Nigeria of our dreams is the implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, not in any way a perfect document, but certainly one good enough to take off from. These proposals for a new Nigeria are daunting. To chart a course of progress, Nigeria needs big dreamers and even bigger dreams, leaders who would do things the unusual way. It is not too late to rescue Nigeria from the brink. Exemplary leadership is imperative at all levels to realize the dreams of the founding fathers who toiled for Nigeria’s statehood. Nigeria must demonstrate its coveted state of independence by beginning a new chapter, and the time to do so is now.

As the nation gets set for her 61st independence anniversary, questions and more questions have cropped up. Has the country come of age? Is there a need for celebration? Are there hopes of better tomorrow? So as the 61st anniversary begins, Nigerians look forward to the actualization of the dreams and visions packaged by the founding fathers of this country. They also look forward to seeing a realistic improvement on the inherent inadequacies that have stood in the way of attaining peace, harmony, tranquility, progress and unity, in the first instance, and the accomplishments of all the tasks that will make room for true attainment of a Nigerian nation.

Òrúnbon writes from Federal Housing Estate, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun state via: [email protected], or 08034493944 and 08029301122

Memo to late presidents of NigeriaBy ABBA dukAwA

I am not sure how to address the late presidents of Nigeria as the formal courtesy of your excellency is of no use to them since they are in eternity. However, this open memo has become necessary to intimate you on the state of the nation after 61 years of statehood. I am having an imaginary conversation with late Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,

Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, General Murtala Mohammed, Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, General Sani Abacha, Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Shehu Shagari, all of blessed memory.

For your information, your dreams for born and unborn citizens to have a united and peaceful country with full potential of being among the leading developing nations, categorically, these dreams have been shattered. You left this world with unaccomplished dreams for citizens to have a country that they can call theirs.

Unfortunately, today citizens in the country are divided and their living standard is moving from bad to worse. Three square meals are beyond the reach of millions of home. At 61, citizens don’t have security because the country is facing great challenge of insecurity.

It is dispiriting to tell you that Mr

President comparison of the challenges and sufferings being faced by Nigerians under the present administration to the agony of the civil war, underscores the horrible situation in the country today. I know both Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Major General Aguiyi Ironsi did not witness the ugly images of the killings, lawlessness, violence, human rights violations, poverty, hunger, starvation and other horrible situations as also witnessed during civil war.

You will be shocked to know that in self glorifying statements, the present administration boastfully claimed that NO government since 1999 has done what they have done in six years to put Nigeria back on track. Really, the Muhammadu Buhari government has recorded relative success, especially, in infrastructure but it has underperformed in the management of the economy, security, education, and health.

Your excellencies, this administration’s anti-corruption campaign has not fared any better than its predecessors. Nigeria has more poor people now than before, now the country is more indebted than before the administration has mortgaged the future of the born and unborn citizens with debt skyrocketed to N33.107 trillion (about $87.239 billion) as at March 31,

2021, according to the Debt Management Office, DMO. Governance continues to be dogged by inefficiency and waste.

Nigerians recall that all the previous loans had not led to Nigeria’s economic growth except hardship due to lack of sound economic policies. In spite of these mountainous debts, the present administration is seeking another approval for additional borrowing of more than $4 billion from international lenders for infrastructure projects for 2018-2021 medium term (rolling) external borrowing plan.

It is disheartening to let know you that we had a great opportunity for the country to regain its lost glory when we had a change of government in 2015 with unwavering hope that the administration will set an agenda for national rebirth and put the economy on reset. But in the past six years, the administration has failed to create the basis for improved economic prosperity because of absence of economists in the cabinet.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial policies are also killing the country’s economy. The naira has continued to suffer devaluation against the US dollar and other African countries’ currencies. Kai, Ghanaian and Nigerien currencies are doing better in the international

market than the naira in the last six years.The greatest of all these disappointments

which have shaped our country in the last six decades, almost every sector in the country is decaying due to the lack of political will of successive leaders.

At 61, Nigeria is still battling with poor economic policies, poor leadership, nepotism and mismanagement of resources. The country you left behind is not the Nigeria you wished your successors and the citizens to have. Your successors have not done the right thing in building a country with strong economy like our contemporary nations that are in the league of developing nations.

Your excellency, citizens are regretting to say that our yesterday as a nation was better than our today. There are no indices to show that citizens’ tomorrow will be better. The leaders are placing the country on the path of bankruptcy. People are not happy with the way things are, where our perceived Lion King is encircled by jackals and hyenas and even rodents who are having a field day.

I know this information might distract your peaceful rest in eternity.

Continue to rest in peace

Dukawa writes via [email protected]

Excitement as Chelsea star, Lukaku finally meets his look-alike, Stormzy at Wizkid’s concert

Officially Taken: Kannywood Actress Maryam Waziri Finally Weds Former Super Eagles Star Tijani Babangida


art & life 21

Popular Kannywood actress, Maryam Waziri has officially wedded ex-Super Eagles star, Tijani Babangi-da The movie star took to social media to share the good news of her nuptials after saying she was officially taken Videos from Maryam and Tijani’s wedding ceremony made the rounds online as fans celebrated with them Your support matters. Sustain inde-pendent journalism in Nigeria – con-tribute to Legit.ng. Top Kannywood actress, Maryam Waziri and former Super Eagles player, Tijani Babangi-da, appear to have found love in each other’s arms. The celebrity couple re-cently tied the knot to the joy of their numerous fans on social media.

According to reports, their wedding ceremony took place on Friday, No-vember 26, in Kaltungo, Gombe state.

Maryam also took to her Instagram page to share the good news of her nuptials with the former footballer.

The Kannywood actress posted a video of herself looking beautiful in her bridal attire as she showed off her nicely done henna for the ceremony and danced for the camera. Maryam in her caption prayed for God’s pro-tection and noted that she was offi-cially taken.

She wrote: “May Allah protect me from any undertaker dat will take me from my taker ….officially taken ♀️.”

Tijani Babangida on the other hand also posted videos from the wedding occasion on his page.

Ryback has said that he would agree to return to WWE, but only if Vince McMahon was no longer working for the company.

There have been rumours of WWE being sold by Vince Mc-Mahon, and Ryback has sug-gested that this could tempt him back to the company.

Ryback said on his own show, entitled ‘The Ryback Show’, that he’d be “very interested” in re-turning to WWE, but only if “Vince McMahon is out of there”.

Ryback noted that it would be “beneficial” for his brand if he were to return to WWE, consid-ering that’s where fans are most familiar with his work:

As noted, many people have speculated that WWE has re-

leased so many wrestlers over the last 18 months because the company is preparing for a sale.

However, it’s important to note that no reputable sources are reporting that Vince McMa-hon is preparing to sell WWE, and the rumours of a sale are down to just fan speculation at this stage.

Ryback left WWE in the sum-mer of 2016, and it’s safe to say that the former Intercontinental Champion did not depart the company five years ago on the best of terms.

For more on what the future may hold for Ryback, and a po-tential return to WWE, make sure you stay tuned to GiveMe-Sport.

Vince McMahon: Ryback says he will rejoin WWE but only on one condition

It was an excitement moment as Football Legend and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaka met his looks alike Brit-ish Rapper, Stormzy af-ter several years of hear-ing the story of their looks alike.

They met at the musi-cal concert performing by Nigerian Afro beats star Wizkid.

Wizkid’s made in La-gos tour was performs

at the 02 Arena London. The two super stars met face to face for the first time. It happen after Wizkid performance where both Lukaka and Stormy rushed to con-gratulats the musical icon, where both of them come in contact with each other.

They hugged each oth-er joyfully, meeting each other for the first time


22 sportsCrystal Palace Interested In Signing Joe Aribo Thirty Players Resume Camping Ahead of

Africa Men Handball Championship

Technical adviser of the Se-nior Men National Handball Team, Coach Rafiu Salami

have invited KS Vive Kielce player Faruk Yusuf, Israel based Obinna Annih and twenty eight other play-ers for intensive camping ahead of the 2022 African Men’s Handball Championship holding in Moroc-co.

The 30 players arrived Abuja for camping on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 after the executive board of the Handball Federation of Ni-geria approved the list of players for preparation for the of the Na-tion’s Cup that is in its 25th edi-tion.

Several players, who participat-ed at the just concluded Prudent Energy Handball Premier League were invited for camping after Coach Rafiu watched them in the league.

Some of the players include Goalkeeper Sanni Bature and his Kano Pillars teammates, Stephen

Sesugh and Chris Ogedengbe, Confluence Stars duo of Anthony Agada and Cameroon-born Mi-chael John, Sokoto Rima’s Abbas Mohammed to mention a few.

Also included are foreign based players led by Obinna Annih and Kielce Vive of Poland sensation Fa-ruk Yusuf.

Coach Rafiu Salami will be as-sisted by league winning Kano Pillars gaffer, Coach Solomon Yola and goalkeeper trainer Coach Se-gun Tunji.

Nigeria has participated in eleven editions of the Africa Men Handball Nations with their best outing recorded in the 1998 edi-tion held in South Africa wherein they finished 4th after losing to Egypt 35-26.

The Africa Men Handball Cham-pionship, which will commence from January 13 to 23 2022, is the African qualifying tournament for the 2023 World Men’s Handball Championship in Poland and Swe-

Nigeria’s Rivers United FC have revealed in a statement that they have been receiv-

ing many threats from Al Masry fans ahead of their clash in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Al Masry suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria’s Rivers United at the Eny-imba International Stadium in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup playoffs.

Al Masry vice president Mohamed El-Kholy revealed after the game that they would be filing a complaint against The Pride of Rivers for the poor treatment they received during their stay in Nigeria.

As they prepare to travel to Egypt to face the Port Said giants this Sunday, 5 December, Rivers United revealed in an official statement that many of the club’s delegation were denied visas in an attempt to desta-bilize the team before the encounter.

Attached to the statement is also a number of pictures of death threats from the Al Masry fans on social media, with pictures of weap-ons such as knives and machetes.

Additionally, they claim that they were informed that Covid-19 tests will be manipulated in order to

The Hornets matched the European champions wit for wit for most of their

midweek clash before the Blues edged the win late on

Nigerian forward Emmanuel Dennis scored his sixth Premier League of the season, but it did not help Watford avoid falling to a 1-2 defeat to Chelsea at the Vicarage Road on Wednesday evening.

Mason Mount put the Blues ahead with half an hour on the clock after a delightful team move that saw Alonso dispossess Dennis, race forward to meet Ru-diger’s pass, square for Havertz, who then squared for Mount to apply the decisive finish.

It was a blow to Dennis, who had been lively in the opening stages. The Nigerian forward’s trickery had drawn Niguel Saul into picking up the game’s first yellow card within the first 15 minutes of the encounter.

To his credit, he did not let that setback weigh him down, and it

was only fair that he pulled Wat-ford back on levelled terms short-ly before the halftime break.

The Hornets pushed forward on the break and had Chelsea’s defenders outnumbered. Den-nis sprinted down the right flank with the ball, got the better of Ru-diger before he passed a low shot into the net, straight past Mendy and into the corner.

That brilliantly taken goal was Dennis’ sixth goal in only his debut campaign in the English Premier League, and his eleventh goal contribution (including five assists) in just 13 appearances for the Hornets.

The 24-year-old shows that he thrives in the big games, as he has now hit the target consecu-tively against Manchester United, Leicester City, and Chelsea in the last eleven days.

Dennis thus becomes the first Watford player to score in three Premier League games in a row since Hornets’ fans favourite Troy Deeney almost five years ago.

further weaken the team.As a result, Rivers United have de-

cided to contact the Confederation of African Football and the Foreign Affairs Commission and the Nige-rian Embassy in Egypt to inform them of the situation.

Full statement:“Egyptian Em-bassy deny Rivers United visas, as Al Masry continue threats.

“In what is fast unfolding as yet another ugly chapter in African football as Rivers United has decried the antics of Egyptian side Al Masry ahead of this weekend’s CAF TotalE-nergies play-off return leg clash in Alexandria.

Rivers United Receive Death Threats, Denied Visas Ahead Of Al Masry Clash Dennis Matches Watford Legend’s

Record With Strike Against Chelsea“The Pride of Rivers raced to a 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba and know a draw or victory will be good enough to progress into the group phase of the competition.

“Ahead of this weekend’s encoun-ter, Rivers United has uncovered plots by Al Masry to unsettle the team, speaking on the progress of preparation, Media Officer of Rivers United, Charles Mayuku, revealed that some members of Rivers United contingent for the tie have been denied entry visa into Egypt by the Egyptian Embassy, including two journalists.”

Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace are keeping a keen eye on Rangers star Joe Aribo who

is also drawing inter- e s t

from other EPL clubs.According to the Daily Mail,

Premier League side Crystal Pal-ace are targeting Rangers star Joe Aribo.

The 25-year-old joined the Scottish Premier League cham-pions from Charlton Atheltic in 2019. He emerged as a key player for the Ibrox based outfit and took his game to the next level under former manager Steven Gerrard.

Aribo has around 18 months left on his current deal, and this

has given interested parties some ammo to use in

negotiations. Having found the net 21 times and has assisted 18 more in just 116 ap-pearances, Aribo has made a name for him-self in the Scottish Pre-miership.

Despite Gerrard leaving the Ibrox for pastures new, Aribo has continued to im-press under new boss Giovanni Van Bronck-horst. The Nigerian was named the man of the match in Sunday’ 3-1 win at Livingston. He scored an excellent goal on the night and appeared to have con-vinced his new man-ager that he should play a more advanced

role in the attack.While Rangers would loathe

losing a player of his ability, Ari-bo is not short of options. Apart from Palace, Brentford and Wat-ford are also seeking his services. Aribo has certainly learned from one of the best midfielders of his generation in Steven Gerard at the Ibrox. Whether another leg-end, Patrick Vieira, will deliver more lessons at Selhurst Park re-mains to be seen.

This summer, Palace have made some wise investments, signing Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Will Hughes, Odsonne Edouard, and Joachim Andersen. While it does give Vieira a talented young core to work with, he may need a new midfielder next summer.

This is because one of Palace’s top performers, Conor Gallagher, is on loan from Chelsea and still harbours hope of making it at Stamford Bridge. His seemingly imminent departure could leave a huge void in the Eagles squad that the opposition can exploit. Palace have shown excellent potential this season and could develop into a formidable side with the right investments.

Aribo’s ability to dribble and make key passes and an eye for tackle makes him an all-rounder for Rangers in the middle of the park. The foundation he provides aids players ahead of him to make an impact. And Palace could cer-tainly do with just that.

Dennis


23sportswe focus the nationDAILY FOCUSGovernor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Wednesday inspected the ongoing comprehensive overhaul of the pitch of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, a project to bring the stadium at par with international standard.

Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration recently awarded contract for the upgrade of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium’s pitch with the installation of state-of-the-art turf in line with the requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Licensing Regulation on sports infrastructure and facilities.

Speaking during the inspection, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe, who led Gov. Ugwuanyi to the site, disclosed that the discarded turf was installed 12 years ago, precisely in 2009 and has not been changed since then until the current intervention by the present administration in Enugu state.

Hon. Nzekwe pointed out that, although the state government had been maintaining the pitch and other infrastructure at the Stadium, prior to commencement of the upgrade, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration decided to install a new pitch as part of its concerted efforts at upgrading the stadium to international standard.

The Sports Commissioner added that there had been a yearly routine maintenance of the turf and other sports facilities in the stadium since the inception of the present administration, commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for his commitment to youth empowerment and sports development in the state.

Plans have been concluded to honour the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu by the Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria at its 2021 Award Night ceremony.

The Award of Excellence for Accelerated Sports Development will be conferred on Sanwo-Olu for his immense contribution to sports development in the state since he took over as the Executive Governor of Lagos state in 2019.

Making this announcement as part of activities marking the 2021 Bet9ja Lagos SWAN Week holding between Friday, 3rd of December and Friday, 10th of December, the Lagos State SWAN Chairman, Debo Oshundun said, “Without doubt, since Mr Governor took over the reins of governance in Lagos State, the state has witnessed an unprecedented and accelerated growth with special focus on sports development”.

Others to be honoured include the Lagos State Sports Commission as well as Chairman of Bet9ja (leading Sports Betting Company in Nigeria), Otunba Kunle Soname who also doubles as Remo Stars Football Club owner.

“Otunba Kunle Soname is a huge investor in Nigerian sports who has continued to hugely invest in the industry".

Ugwuanyi inspects Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium pitch

Sanwo-Olu, Soname, LSSC to bag Lagos SWAN highest honour

AFCON: NFF submits S/Eagles 40-man list to CAF The Nigeria Football Federation have submitted a 40-man provisional list of the Super Eagles for the African Cup of Nations to the Confederation of Africaine Football ahead of the kickoff of the tournament in Cameroon.

The list our correspondent was reliably informed was drawn up by the embattled Super Eagles gaffer Gernot Rohr who submitted the list to the NFF for vetting and input before it was forwarded to CAF as parts of its preparation for the

African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Cameroon next month.

The tournament which kicks off on January 9 will see the creme-de-la-creme of African players converge in Cameroon for a month-long football fiesta.

The Super Eagles are not left out with players jostling for a place in the team. Gernot Rohr has to be careful in his selection process, as the team is still in need of an identity.

With CAF allowing for squad size increase to 28, it makes the job of

player selection for coaches easier. The list is still going to be prune

down.The move is to allow for contingencies that may come about by COVID-19.

Questions have arisen over the future of Rohr. The German tactician has seen calls for his resignation rising in crescendo in the past couple of weeks with no one sure of whether he will be in the dugout for the Super Eagles when the African Cup of Nations commences in January.

The German is, however, not

relaxing and has continued his work.In continuing with his duties,

Rohr has released a 40-man provisional list to CAF.

Amid the calls for his contract to be terminated, former Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso manager remains committed to his job and is not distracted by the campaign against him.

In a recent interview, Rohr confirmed that he had sent the list to CAF as required and was going ahead with his plan to lead the Super Eagles in Cameroon. The German tactician also revealed that he was undeterred in his quest to help the team land its fourth continental trophy.

Ovie Ejaria, Lookman Ademola and Victor Moses are some of the players believed to be on the list.

Emmanuel Dennis, who has taken the Premier League by storm this season, is on the Super Eagles provisional squad for the 2021 AFCON submitted by coach Gernot Rohr.

Dennis last featured for the Eagles in Sierra Leone

November 2020 in an AFCON qualifier.

However, he has since been overlooked by the Super Eagles amid talks of “discipline problems”, which were clearly evident in his last season with Belgian champions Club

Brugge.On the strength of his five

goals and five assists and in the absence of injured Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, the lively Dennis now looks set for a recall to the Eagles at the AFCON in January in Cameroon.

…AFCON: Dennis stage comeback to S/Eagles

Watford, Brentford join Aribo chase

Premier League clubs Watford and Brentford have joined the list of clubs interested in Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo.

Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace have been reported to have keen interest in the Nigeria international.

Watford and Brentford, according to dialymail are now among the clubs tracking the 25–yea-old.

Aribo joined Rangers in 2019 from Charlton and has flourished north of the border making 116 appearances, scoring 21 times and setting

up 18 further goals.Aribo flourished under

former manager Steven Gerrard and was a key figure in Rangers’ first top-flight title success in 10 years last season.

The midfielder has continued to shine in the early days of Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox rein, being named man of the match in Sunday’ 3-1 win at Livingston.

He has 18 months left on his contract with the Scottish Premiership champions.

In what is fast unfolding as yet another ugly chapter in African football as Rivers United has decried the antics of Egyptian side Al Masry ahead of this weekend’s CAF TotalEnergies play-off return leg clash in Alexandria.

The Pride of Rivers raced to a 2-1 victory in the first leg at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba and know a draw or victory will be good enough to progress into the group phase of the competition.

Ahead of this weekend’s encounter, Rivers United has uncovered plots by Al Masry to unsettle the team, speaking on the progress of preparation, Media Officer of Rivers United, Charles Mayuku, revealed that some members of Rivers United contingent for the tie have been denied entry visa into Egypt by the Egyptian Embassy, including two journalists.

In addition, Al Masry football club in various official social media posts and their corresponding fans’ comments have threatened to hurt members of Rivers United during their visit. Threat statements like “we will kill you,” “welcome to hell,” and photos of knives, machetes, and flares dominated comments below Al Masry’s official post.

To rub salt to wound, Rivers United has also gotten wind that Covid19 test manipulations will also be employed to further weaken the resolve of the team.

To this effect, Rivers United has drawn the attention of Africa’s football governing body, CAF in writing, through the Nigeria Football Federation, the Foreign Affairs Commission, as well the Nigerian Embassy in Egypt to this unsavoury and barbaric scheme.

Egyptian Embassy refuses Rivers United visas, Al Masry continue threats

Seun Kuti: Music, Politics And Fela’s LegacyMany questions arise on the

death of an influential and famous person, and diverse matters come to play. People ask, “Who will succeed the Great?” “Will their names live on?” “Should we not immortalise them?” “What will happen to all they have laboured for and all they have built?” When famed Nigerian musician, philosopher, and activist, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, died on August 2, 1997, people worldwide knew that they had been dealt a huge blow. Abami Eda, the enigmatic music maker, was gone! So, the questions began: What will happen to the Kalakuta Republic? Will the Afrika Shrine survive? What would become of Afrobeat? Was that the end of activism-based music in Nigeria? How will the Kuti name, which people had come to find as a synonym for activism, live on? Fela did bear many children, but the question was: Which of his children would fully step into his shoes? Will we have a Fela incarnate?

Undoubtedly, Fela was a man of the people. He made beautiful music, controlled an attention-grabbing band, sold albums, won people’s hearts, had his philosophical views that not only helped shape people’s perceptions of the Fela name but also reinforced belief in his enigmatic personality. Fela was an outspoken political activist. He criticised governments and motivated Nigerians for demanding accountability of their leaders, so much that his mother was injured by soldiers who threw her down from the window of a storey-building. Though Fela won respect and recognition of the West through his music, he heavily criticised the West for its pretences and hypocrisy. He never ceased to show at all instances that he was an African man to the core – and a proud one at that.

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a musician who captivated his listeners with his songs, instruments, and lifestyle. He was a pop icon, a musician whom many sought to emulate and tailor their lifestyles after. There are tales of people who named their houses Kalakuta Republic – after Fela’s famous republic. This shows a level of connection deeper than that of the musician and his listeners. And so, it is understandable that at his death, it felt as though a void had been created in everyone’s heart. People could not reconcile their existence with a no-Fela future. However, Fela’s children had

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Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was a musician who captivated his listeners with his songs, instruments, and lifestyle. He was a pop icon, a musician whom many sought to emulate and tailor their lifestyles after. There are tales of people who named their houses Kalakuta Republic – after Fela’s famous republic. This shows a level of connection deeper than that of the musician and his listeners.

activism, similar philosophical and sociological views, the radical and non-conforming nature, and many more.

The story and life of Seun Kuti is yet another proof that age does not determine one’s success and influence in life. Seun is Fela’s youngest son, yet he is the one who reminds us of the Afrobeat legend the most. At the death of Fela in 1997, the responsibility of managing the Egypt 80 band rested on the shoulders of Seun Kuti and some others. What an excellent task it must have been to have a 14-year-old lead a band that had gained international recognition during the lifetime of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Seun must have been faced with aggravated expectations from the fans and loyalists of his legendary father. Beyond that, there would have been critics and naysayers who would have thought it impossible to have a 14-year-old lead a band as grandiose as Fela’s. But Seun Kuti rose and looked naysayers in the face; he took up the challenge and has since led his father’s band, now his band.

Seun has dedicated his life to upholding the multi-faceted Fela legacy and extending the tentacles of these legacies. He and the Egypt 80 band have released four studio albums. These albums include Think Africa (Na Oil), an Extended Play work that was produced in 2007, and which features tracks such as “Think Africa (radio edit)”, “Think Africa (bonus beats)”, “Think Africa 12 inch (long version)”, “Na Oil (radio edit)”, “Na Oil (bonus beats)”, and “Na Oil (12 inch)”. In 2008, Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80 band released an album titled Many Things. This album has seven songs: “Think Africa“, “Don’t Give That Shit to Me“, “Many Things“, “Fire Dance“, “Mosquito Song“, “Na Oil“, and “African Problems“.

In 2011, Seun and the band worked on another album titled, From Africa With Fury: Rise. Seun’s third album boasts of tracks such as “African Soldier”, “You Can Run“, “Mr. Big Thief“, “Rise“, “Slave Masters“, “For Them Eye“, “The Good Leaf“, and “Giant of Africa“. A Long Way to the Beginning was released in 2014. The album comprises amazing and powerful songs such as “IMF“, “African Airways“, “Higher Consciousness“, “Ohun Aiye“, “Kalakuta Boy“, “African Smoke“, and “Black Woman“. Black Woman, Seun’s next studio, was released in 2016. This is a special EP, as all

the songs are remixes of two songs from the preceding album, Black Woman and Kalakuta Boy. The songs on this EP include “Black Woman (Krazy Baldhead Remix)“, “Black Woman (Rich Medina Afro Remix)“, “Black Woman (Helado Negro Remix)“, “Kalakuta Boy (Rich Medina Jacques House Remix)“, and “Kalakuta Boy (The Reflex Dub Remix)“.

Black Times, released in 2018, is one of Seun Kuti’s strongest political albums. It has thought-evoking songs such as “Last Revolutionary“, “Black Times“, “Corporate Public Control Department“, “Kuku Kee Me“, “Bad Man Lighter“, “African Dreams“, “Struggle Sounds“, and “Theory of Goat and Yam“. The latest Extended Play from Seun and the Egypt 80 band is Night Dreamer Direct-To-Disk Sessions. Released in 2019, this EP comprises “Struggle Sounds“, “Black Times“, “Bad Man Lighter“, and “Theory of Goat and Yam“.

This listing of Seun’s songs and albums shows his dexterity and consistency. These are qualities he has in common with his dad. Music has brought Seun recognition and nominations. He is the second of Fela’s sons to have had a Grammy nomination. He was also invited to perform at the Marsatac Festival in France in 2008 and to perform live during the 2014 Industry Nite. Seun’s songs, fame, and recognitions do not have all their roots in his father’s popularity and wide acceptance alone. Of course, there is no denying that the Fela name has had a significant influence on him and people’s perception of him, but what we should instead focus on is how he has upheld the band, sustained the legacies, won recognitions for himself, and also kept the memory of his father alive.

Seun has also made his mark as an active voice of the people and a politically conscious activist. He has been in the Nigerian scene, voicing out when he should, primarily via his pages on social media platforms. Beyond social media, Seun has participated in some of the masses-conducted protests in Nigeria. All these tell us of a Seun who does as Fela would have done if he were alive today. Without an iota of doubt, Seun Kuti is living up to the Kuti name and sustaining the family’s legacy. His grandmother, famed activist, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, would have been be proud of him, and so would have his father, Fela.

Guest Columnist

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a

leader.” – John Quincy Adams

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

WE FOCUS THE NATION www.dailyfocusnewsng.comVol. 1. No. 58: Friday December 3, 2021 N200

By Toyin Falola

DAILY FOCUS

in their different ways.However, there is another, of

whom I have been silent thus far. He is Oluseun Anikulapo-Kuti, the third son of Fela. Indeed, one’s position in the family hierarchy has no bearing on what one becomes or how important one is in preserving the family name. Known by his stage name, Seun Kuti, this Fela’s incarnate is his father’s doppelganger, except for the hairless head, as Fela had a head full of hair; though with the apparent receding hairline, one would not miss this in Seun, despite his clean-shaven style. Born on January 11, 1983 to Fela Anikulapo Kuti and one of his dancers-turned-wives, Fehintola Kayode, Seun Kuti is the reemergence and reincarnation of Fela, in all shades of Felaness. Seun Kuti grew up to love music, and there was indeed an enabling environment for him to adapt, learn the ropes, get to grips with musical instruments, and get familiar with the basics of musicology. He started engaging the band and playing musical instruments as early as when he was five years old.

Seun is called the “Prince of Afrobeats,” taking after his father, the legendary musician and king of Afrobeat. Seun’s alignment did not start recently. He showed an early interest in music, especially the type of music his father sings, and he started to perform alongside Fela and the Egypt 80 band when he was just nine years old. It would not be out of place to call that a prodigious act. The resemblance between Seun and Fela does not stop at the sideburns or the facial resemblance. It goes on to the similarities in the style and genre of music, political awareness and the energy for political

ensured that we could never leave the people to a no-Fela future.

Omoyeni Kuti, Fela’s first child, is a professional dancer. She started “Felabration” in her father’s name to honour and immortalise the great Fela. Just like his sister, Olufela Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, the second child and first son of Fela, took charge of the Afrika Shrine after his father’s death in 1997. He renovated the shrine and rechristened it the New Afrika Shrine. He also took to music in the footsteps of his father. Kunle, Fela’s fourth child, is the manager of the Kalakuta Museum, which was once the Kalakuta Republic, Fela’s country, and home. He doubles as a music producer and singer. Shalewa and Motunrayo are two of Fela’s children who live and breathe music too – although they are not musicians. Shalewa is a graduate of a music school and is a disc jockey. Motunrayo is a dancer and the owner of a record label. There is no denying that these are genuinely from Fela’s loins, for as their father breathed and lived music, so do they also live and breathe music. More so, many of them keep the memory of their father alive. They all stepped into the shoes of Fela

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