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PAGE 2 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

SUNDAY VANGUARD,NOVEMBER 27, 2022, PAGE 3

PAGE 4 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

CJN, caught in political fray, disowns Makinde,

Wike, Ikpeazu, Ortom, Ugwuanyi

By Ise-Oluwa Ige, Nnamdi

Ojiego & John Alechenu

The Chief Justice of Nige

ria, CJN, Justice Olukayode

Ariwoola, yesterday, after

appearing to have been

caught in political fray, dissociated

himself from a purported

statement on the activities

of the aggrieved governors of

the Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP, otherwise known as G5

Governors.

This happened as the PDP

accused the CJN of meddlesomeness

and dabbling in the

internal affairs of the party.

Ariwoola was reported to

have said that he was happy

that the governor of Oyo State,

Seyi Makinde, is a member

of G5 Governors.

Critics had imputed that the

statement exposed the head of

the judiciary as supporting

politicians when he was supposed

to be apolitical given

the nature of the sensitive office

he holds.

They cited two instances.

First, the CJN was hosted to a

reception after he assumed

office by Makinde, one of the

five PDP governors, where he

was quoted as making the

controversial statement.

Other governors in the G5,

opposed to the leadership of

the PDP and its presidential

candidate, Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar, are Nyesom Wike

(Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue),

Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)

and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

The four other governors

attended the Oyo State capital

event where Ariwoola was

hosted.

The CJN is from Oyo State.

Ariwoola was also hosted by

Wike in Port-Harcourt on Friday,

an event that also had in

attendance all the members

of the G5 Governors.

But in the Friday event, the

CJN was not the only judicial

officers hosted by the Rivers

governor.

In attendance were many

other judicial officers from

across Nigeria.

*PDP accuses Ariwoola of meddlesomess

The CEO, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr Kayode

Olushola Fasua, and his wife, Barrister Omololu Kudirat Fasua, were installed

as Boba Selu and Yeye Boba Selu of Ifegunwaland by the Onifegunwa of Ifegunaland,

Oba Adedire Solomon Adewole, yesterday.

The couple at the occasion.

Utterance

PDP, in a statement signed

by its National Publicity Secretary,

Debo Ologunagba, in

Abuja, yesterday, said: “While

the PDP has the utmost respect

for the institution of the

judiciary, our party rejects any

action or utterance by any judicial

officer, let alone the

CJN, that undermines the integrity

of the judiciary.

“By delving into the internal

affairs of the PDP at a public

event in Port Harcourt, Rivers

State on Thursday, where

he was reported to have referred

to the political activities

of some PDP governors,

which comment is viewed to

be encouraging division in

our party, the PDP posits that

the CJN’s action is unacceptable

and inconsistent with his

status as the head of the judicial

arm of government.

“Our party is worried that

such partisan comment by the

CJN is in violation of his Oath

of Office as the head of the

country’s judicial arm which

is expected to be impartial and

non-partisan.

“Irrespective of the circumstance

or situation, the CJN is

expected to be circumspect at

all times and avoid partisan

actions and utterances that

are likely to erode the institutional

integrity of the judiciary

and bring it to disrepute especially

as the nation prepares

for the 2023 general

elections.”

The PDP spokesperson added

that Nigerians expected the

CJN, with his experience, to

be in a position to advise, rebuke

and punish members of

the judicial arm who got entangled

in the political arena.

“The fact that the CJN himself

is the one reportedly violating

this critical ethic of neutrality,

fairness and respect for

the Oath of Office for Judicial

Officers raises serious

concern in our polity”, he said.

“The question is, how do

Nigerians and especially the

PDP trust that the CJN will be

an even-handed arbiter in any

case or matter relating to internal

issues in our Party or

those connected to other political

parties?

“It is instructive to note that

the test for a Judge to recuse

himself from a matter is the

‘likelihood of bias’ and the

CJN is expected to be mindful

of that test in his public

engagements”.

Rebuttal

But the apex court, in a reaction,

stressed that Ariwoola

never made any comments

to the effect that he was happy

that his home state governor,

Seyi Makinde, is among the

G5 Governors.

A statement by the Director

of Information and Press, Supreme

Court of Nigeria, Dr

Festus Akande, said that those

crediting the CJN with the

comments were just out to

score cheap political goals.

The statement read: “Our

attention has been drawn to a

publication with the caption

“I am happy, Makinde is

among G5 Governors” making

the rounds in both conventional

and social media.

“We wish to state unequivocally

clear that the CJN had

never at any point said such

during his brief remarks at the

State Banquet organised as

part of the events lined up for

the commissioning of the two

judiciary projects undertaken

by the Rivers State government.

“Issues bordering on misconceptions

and misrepresentations

of this nature are not

always strange in times like

this when the country is preparing

for general elections,

as some people may want to

take advantage of every opportunity

to score very cheap

goals.

“We wish to set the record

straight by making it clear

that the CJN and other senior

Judicial Officers drawn from

different parts of the country

were in Port Harcourt on

Thursday and Friday, to commission

the two buildings to

accommodate the Federal

Judicial Service Commission’s

South-South Liaison

Office and the Hon. Justice

Mary Peter-Odili Judicial Institute,

that were conceptualized

and constructed by the

Rivers State Government.

“Even at the State Banquet

organised as part of the events,

the CJN made it clear in his

brief remarks, that he (CJN)

was not in Port Harcourt for

the State Banquet but simply

to commission the two

projects as a mark of honour

for the Judiciary and Hon.

Justice Mary Peter-Odili,

CFR, JSC, Rtd and later go

back to Abuja thereafter.

“Similarly, he said he was

very surprised to see the “G5

Governors” (“Integrity Group

Governors”), just as he equally

expressed the same surprise

when he saw them in Ibadan,

Oyo State, during the reception

organised in his honour

by his state government in October.

“His surprise particularly

stemmed from the fact that he

saw his own State Governor,

Engineer Seyi Makinde (who

incidentally is a member of

the “G5 Governors”) at the

Port Harcourt occasion.

“He equally stated jocularly

that being that HE Engineer

Makinde married from

Rivers State and is equally

very close to HE Nyesome

Wike, he would be able to replicate

the developmental

strides of the latter in Oyo

State for the good of the citizenry.

“This, of course, is a comment

that, ordinarily, ought to

elicit applause and not myopic

misrepresentations, as

governance is all about positive

comparisons and healthy

competition.

“Anyone or group of individuals

making these unconscionable

assumptions and pervading

the misinformation

SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022, PAGE 5

are by implication, creating

the impression that it is now a

crime for the CJN to have

come from Oyo state, which

coincidentally, has a member

of the group, Engineer Seyi

Makinde, as the Governor.

“Let it be noted that anything

said, assumed, presumed,

reported or placed in

the public domain outside the

above facts, is simply a mere

figment of the imagination of

such authors and doesn’t in

any way represent what the

CJN said in Port Harcourt, as

we are not ready to join issues

with such purveyors of misinformation”.

2023: Obi group asks Tinubu to

withdraw over alleged perjury, others

By Nnamdi Ojiego

Peter Obi Support Net

work, POSN, has asked

the presidential candidate of

All Progressive Congress,

APC, in the 2023 presidential

election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,

to withdraw from the race

over alleged drug-related offences

in the United States of

America, and perjury case

filed against him at a High

Court in Abuja.

The group made the call via

a statement signed by the

group’s Deputy Director of

Communications, Emmanuel

Adesuji, in Lagos.

The statement said that

Tinubu’s alleged drug dealing,

which was extensively explained

in a report titled,

“Bola Ahmed Tinubu: From

Drug Lord to Presidential

Candidate,” published in the

West Africa Weekly, was a result

of months of collaboration

between a legal practitioner,

Mike Enahoro-Ebah,

and the Chicago law firm,

Leahy, Eisenberg & Fraenkel

Ltd.

The group further said that

there were established discrepancies

in some of the information

the APC’s presidential

candidate supplied to the

Independent National Electoral

Commission, INEC, in

his Form EC9.

According to POSN, different

dates of birth, failure to

provide evidence of attendance

of a school that appears

on his academic record, failure

to disclose secondary citizenship,

alleged forgery of a

university degree certificate,

a potential instance of identity

theft and others, were the

basis for the legal action filed

by Enahoro-Ebah.

“Therefore, we are calling

on the APC candidate to honourably

withdraw from the

election, as there is damning

evidence to show his ineligibility

to contest the election.

He should not wait for any

candidate or party to approach

the court, because if

that happens, it is most likely

that the court will order INEC

to disqualify him, and that will

not be too good. So, he should

just step down and go home

with his honours,” the group

submitted.

It’s time to end N65,000 payment to

trained Ex-Agitators — NDIG

*Backs Ndiomu for delisting 2,952 trained

beneficiaries

The Niger Delta Integri

ty Group (NDIG) has

warned that the continued

collection of N65,000

monthly stipends by ex-agitators

is capable of truncating

the nobel intention of the

Presidential Amnesty Programme

(PAP) and encourage

the Federal Government

to terminate it.

To this end, the group has

asked stakeholders in the Niger

Delta to cooperate with

the Interim Administrator of

the PAP, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu

(rtd) to remove all those

who have been trained and

empowered but are still insisting

on being paid the

NASENI to commercialize,

promote local inventions — EVC

The Executive Vice Chair

man/ Chief Executive

of the National Agency for

Science and Engineering Infrastructure

(NASENI), Prof.

Mohammad Sani Haruna,

yesterday, said the agency will

commercialize and promote

local inventions.

According to him, local inventors

in developed nations

of the world are critical mass

of the human capital needed

for socio-economic development.

Haruna said the agency is

also is developing a talent harvesting

scheme for the benefit

of local inventors and innovators

who may or may not

have formal education but are

gifted.

He pleaded with local inventors

to engage with NAS-

ENI on prioritized intervention

areas of reverse engineering,

agric based equipment,

processing plants, nanotechnology

and material and others.

The NASENI boss sought

for collaboration with NAS-

ENI on over 40 inventions

from its Institutes.

Haruna unfolded the plans

of the agency in Awka at the

2022 National Innovation

Workshop on Promotion of

Local Inventors, which was

organized by the Senate

Committee on Science and

Technology.

The workshop was for the

overall developmental and

transformation of Science,

Technology and Innovation

(STI) ecosystem in Nigeria.

He said: “The local inventors

in developed nations of

the world are critical mass of

the human capital that are

comprehensively harnessed

for overall socio-economic

development of countries.

“The New NASENI will

advance the commercialization

and promotion of local

inventions and innovations.

We are deliberate about taking

actions at our headquarters

and institute level in this

regard.

“The technology business

development department of

the agency is presently empowered

to promote the local

inventions and secure commercialization

contracts with

local and international investors.

“This department is an integral

part of the NASENI

system and have the mandate

to turn research and development

outcomes including final

products of local inventions

into wealth.

“The new NASENI is positioned

to bridge technology

gap and it is imperative to

enlist the supports of all the

relevant stakeholders that are

state and non-state actors in

the development of Nigeria’s

knowledge economy using

the science and engineering

infrastructure platforms.”

Haruna asked local inventors

to feel free to engage with

NASENI.

N65,000 monthly stipend.

The Convener of the NDIG,

Dr Boma Horsfall, in a statement

in Port Harcourt, Rivers

State capital, expressed concern

that those who have been

removed from further payment

had embarked on street

protest to embarrass the Interim

Administrator rather

than cooperate with him to

ensure the success of the programme.

Horsfall said it was sad and

disappointing for the protesters

to shamelessly embrace

the culture of laziness over the

delisting of 2,952 beneficiaries

of Phase 2 of PAP and the

stoppage of their monthly

N65,000 stipend.

It will be recalled that the

new leadership of the PAP led

by Ndiomu had cut down on

the figure of beneficiaries, as

part of the moves to check

fraud in the programme.

Justifying the “swift” action

of Ndiomu, the group recalled

that the aggrieved exagitators

have been trained

and equally empowered, thus,

it was time for them to exit the

programme.

Horsfall said, “The Amnesty

Pogramme clearly states

that those who have been

trained and empowered

should exit. But unfortunately,

the same persons who have

been trained and empowered

are the ones protesting because

they are no longer receiving

stipends”.

While urging Ndiomu to

remain firm in his resolve to

sanitize the PAP so as to avlid

being terminated by the government,

the group wondered

how the ex-agitators, many of

whom have been receiving

N65,000 for the past13 years,

have not been able to do anything

meaningful with the

training and empowerment

they got to better their lives.

“If you multiply N65,000 by

12 months (1 year), it gives

you N780,000. If you then

multiply N780,000 by 13

years ago since the PAP started,

you will discover that each

of them had received

N10,140,000 as stipends. This

should have been enough for

them to setup themselves

meaningfully and look beyond

the monthly stipends”

NDIG stated.

PAGE 6—SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

From left: Secretary General, United Nations World Tourism organisation (UNWTO),

Zurab Pololikashvill; Awardee / Founder of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi

Uko; and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during the

presentation of an Excellence Award in Tourism to the Founder, Akwaaba African Travel

Market by Federal Government of Nigeria Landmark Centre at Victoria Island, Lagos.

Customs records no smuggling

activities through MMIA in one

month

here seems to be fresh

Thopes, as the Nigeria

Customs Service, Murtala

Muhammed International

Airport, MMIA, command

recorded no incidences of

smuggling activities through

the airport in the month of

October, 2022.

This came even as the

Customs Area Controller,

MMIA, Compt. Mohammed

Gidado, disclosed in a

statement that since his

deployment and resumption,

the command has been

successful in the core values

of the Service which includes

Suppression of Smuggling,

Revenue collection and trade

facilitation.

While commenting on its

activities for October, 2023,

he stated that, “We recorded

success in revenue collection

and trade facilitation as there

were no incidences of

smuggling activities through

the Airport within the period

of this report.

“There has been a gradual

increase in the revenue

collection drive of the

Command.

“To be specific, in the

October review, we collected

the total sum of N1.61 billion

which the sum of N982

million was revenue collected

from import duty.

•Rakes in N1.61bn

“This is a remarkable

revenue collection after the

COVID 19 lock down that

placed restrictions on

travelers and drop in

importation coupled with the

inflation on exchange rate.

“The Command also

facilitated the formal export

of locally manufactured

goods although in low volume

due to the peculiarity of the

Command as airport

terminals to the tune of N2

billion.

“This achievement was

through due diligence with the

application of extant laws

such as Sections 72 and 145

of the Customs and Excise

Management Act CAP C45

Law of the Federal Republic

of Nigeria 2004 (CEMA CAP

C45 LFR 2004).

“As a matter of fact, we shall

continue to pursue our given

mandate of trade facilitation

and collection of revenue as

well as suppressing

smuggling within our

jurisdiction, while ensuring an

efficient and friendlier

traveler clearance procedure

ahead of the year end festive

season. Once again, we assure

all voluntary compliance

persons a good travel

experience in the clearance of

their shipment.”

Eha Amufu crisis: Ugwuanyi storms

Mgbuji, forests, markets, others

overnor Ifeanyi Ug

Gwuanyi of Enugu State,

yesterday evening, visited Eha

Amufu on a fact-finding visit

to obtain first-hand information

about the issues that led

to the recent crisis in Aguamaede

and Mgbuji communities.

Ugwuanyi, accompanied

by the State Commissioner of

Police, CP Ahmed Ammani,

the Garrison Commander, 82

Division of the Nigerian Army,

Brig. Gen. M.K Ibrahim, and

the Anglican Bishop of Nike

Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Christian

Onyeka Onyia, visited Mgbuji

community, different forests,

markets, village squares

and other locations in Eha

Amufu where he interacted

with the indigenes to ascertain

the remote cause of the recent

crisis in the community with

a view to addressing the lin-

gering issues in the area decisively.

The governor empathised

with the people, ascertained

how they were faring, and assured

them of his administration’s

commitment to their

safety and wellbeing as well

as the resolution of the crisis

between farmers and herders.

The Eha Amufu indigenes

appreciated Ugwuanyi for

the rare visit, especially at

night, stressing that the gesture

was a demonstration of

his commitment to ending the

farmers/herders issues in Eha

Amufu.

They pointed out that Ugwuanyi

was the first governor

to visit Eha Amufu over

the lingering crisis in the area

and thanked him for the N10

million he released for the

immediate needs of the victims,

among other interventions.

Suspected gay allegedly rapes 5-

yr-old boy to death in Ogun

By James Ogunnaike

olice in Ogun State have

Parrested a 36-year-old

suspected gay, Sikiru Ajibola,

for allegedly raping a fiveyear-old

boy to death in Ogijo

area of the state.

The suspect, according to a

statement by the command’s

spokesperson, Abimbola

Oyeyemi, was arrested on

Friday following a report

lodged at Ogijo divisional

police headquarters by the

CDA Chairman of Olorunwa

Arogbeja Ogijo.

The complainant reported

that one of the community

members informed him

that the suspect had

unlawful carnal

knowledge of a 5-year-old

boy, an act which led to the

innocent boy’s death in the

process.

By John Alechenu,

Abuja

arring any last-minute

Bchange, the National

Chairman of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP), Dr.

Iyorchia Ayu, will lead the

party’s delegation to today

(Sunday)’s inauguration of

Sen. Ademola Adeleke as governor

of Osun State.

But same cannot be said of

the G5 Governors under the

leadership of Governor Nyesom

Wike of Rivers State.

The fact that the governors

may stay away from the event

provides a new twist to the PDP

crisis which started immediately

after the party’s presidential

primary that saw Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar who

emerged the winner beating

Wike to the second position.

Traditionally, governors of

the party of a governor-elect

being inaugurated had always

added flavour to the

swearing-in with their attendance

since off-season elections

began in the polity.

It was gathered that the five

PDP governors, namely Wike,

Samuel Ortom (Benue),

Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi

Makinde (Oyo) and Ifeanyi

Igwuanyi (Enugu), had yet to

make arrangements to attend

today’s event in Osogbo, the

state capital as of Friday

night.

The five governors had

vowed to steer clear of the

party’s presidential campaign

activities until the National

Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia

Ayu, resigns from office for a

southerner to take over.

Ayu’s Special Adviser (Media

and Communications ),

Simon Imobo-Tswam, confirmed

plans by the National

Chairman to attend the epoch-making

event.

When asked if his principal

would be attending the event,

Imobo-Tswam told Sunday

Vanguard: “He will be there

by God’s grace.”

It was also gathered that a

sizable number of members

of the party leadership also

confirmed their availability to

attend.

However, the same cannot

be said of the five aggrieved

governors. They have stuck to

their guns by staying away

from party events where Ayu

is expected to play any role,

no

matter how small.

Misinterpretation

A source close to the G5

Governors told Sunday Vanguard

it was unlikely that any

of the governors would attend.

The source, who spoke in

confidence for fear of retribution,

said, “It is unlikely that

any of them will attend.

“They have absolutely nothing

against the brand new

governor of Osun State, Senator

Ademola Adeleke, be-

From left: Director, Trade Information Department, Andy Ambikputen; Director,

Export Development and Incentives Department, Mrs. Gertrude Ukoanam;

Director, Product & Marketing, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike; Board Member,

Ambassador Bello Kazaure; Board Member, Alhaji Salisu Umar; Executive

Director/CEO, Dr. Ezra Yakusak during Export4Survival Walk organized by

Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) held in Lagos, yesterday.

PDP CRISIS: In new twist, G5 Govs may

shun Adeleke’s ‘ Big Day’ in Osun

cause he is joining their ranks

as governor but the concerns

of the G5 Governors are yet

to be addressed by the party

leadership.

“Their thinking is that appearing

in public events of any

nature with the Ayu-led PDP

NWC can be misinterpreted

to mean they have buckled.

“Recall that Governor Makinde

who was appointed DG

of the National Campaign

Council for the Osun PDP governorship

election, was unavailable

during the campaigns.”

The Chief Press Secretary to

the Oyo governor, Taiwo

Adisa, had, at that time, explained

the absence of his

principal.

He said it was mischievous

for anyone to read meaning

into his bosses absence from

the campaign flag-off.

According to him, Makinde,

had prior engagements

outside Nigeria which unfortunately

coincided with the

flag off.

Adisa further explained that

his principal made up for his

absence by sending a powerful

delegation as well as

making adequate arrangements

for logistics including

VIP movement to and from

the venue.

With respect to today (Sunday’s)

inauguration,

however, neither Adisa nor

his colleague in Benue

State, Nathaniel Ikyur, could

confirm if their principals

would be in attendance.

When contacted, on Friday,

Ikyur explained that his principal

was on his way back

By Nnamdi Ojiego

GUzodimma overnor

of Hope

Imo

State has described the

presidential candidate of the

All Progressives Congress,

APC, Bola Tinubu, as a good

product

whose

administration if elected into

office, would benefit the Igbo

and end their years of

lamentations.

This is as the Crime Reporters

Association of Nigeria, CRAN,

has honoured the governor with

an award for his doggedness in

fighting insecurity to a standstill

in the state.

Uzodimma who is the South

East coordinator of the APC

Presidential Campaign Council,

PCC, spoke at Abakiliki, the

Ebonyi State capital during the

presidential campaign rally that

took place on Thursday.

“Tinubu is a very good product

that Ndigbo will benefit from.

There will be no more

lamentation for the South East

if by the grace of God he becomes

home from Port-Harcourt.

He said, “Until he arrives I

can’t confirm whether or not

he will be attending.”

On his part, Adisa said he

was yet to be briefed.

However, none of the G5

Governors has attended any

PDP event where Ayu was in

attendance since they

launched their attack on Ayu’s

continued stay in office after

the party’s presidential primary.

Recall that Wike and his

four aggrieved colleagues

were further miffed by the decision

of the PDP presidential

candidate, Atiku , to pick Governor

Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta

State as running mate.

Roots of crisis

The G5 Governors crisis in

the PDP has its roots in the

party’s presidential primary.

At the primary, held on May

28-29, 2022, Atiku polled 371

votes to defeat his main challenger,

Wike, who polled 237.

Former Senate President

Bukola Saraki scored 70

votes to come third.

Governor Udom Emmanuel

of Akwa Ibom State came

fourth with 38 votes while

Governor Bala Mohammed

of Bauchi finish fifth with 20

votes.

Hours after results were announced,

Atiku and the National

Chairman of the party,

Ayu, visited Governor Aminu

Tambuwual of Sokoto State

who had earlier stepped

down from the presidential

race to declare support for

Atiku.

Ayu was captured on camera

as describing Tambuwal

as the “hero of the convention,”

for stepping down for

Atiku. His comments did not

go unnoticed by Wike’s supporters.

Ayu had, while campaigning

for election as PDP National

Chairman, said should

a northerner emerge as party

candidate, he was prepared to

resign his position if the party

asked him to do so. His position

was hinged on the PDP

tradition of zoning of elective

offices.

After losing out of the race

for the party’s ticket, Wike

and four of his fellow governors,

now referred to as the

G5 Governors, set their eyes

on the vice presidential slot,

which they had hoped would

go to the Rivers governor.

Although the choice of the

running mate is at the discretion

of the candidate, Atiku,

in consultation with party

stakeholders, set up a screening

committee which received

nominations,

screened and recommended

three governors, namely

Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa

(Delta) and Udom Emmanuel

(Akwa Ibom).

The candidate picked

Okowa. This threw up a fresh

dispute as Wike’s supporters

decried what they described

as his unfair treatment.

Sack

Pro-Wike governors began

a campaign for Ayu’s sack alleging

that he wasn’t evenhanded

in his handling of party

affairs.

They demanded Ayu’s resignation

as precondition for

their support for Atiku’s presidential

campaign.

2023: Tinubu’s good product, will end

Igbo marginalisation — Uzodimma

...As crime reporters honour Imo gov for fighting insecurity

president next year”, Uzodimma

stated, assuring that the APC

candidate would rely on his

already established and known

achievements to win the

people’s trust.

The governor declared that

“Tinubu is one of our best and

brightest in Nigeria and we

believe in him”, and therefore,

urged the South East to

transform the huge turnout of

party faithful at the Ebonyi rally

into votes for Tinubu and

Shettima.

He insisted that their place in

the decision-making body was

already assured because victory

was also assured in the five

states of the region for the APC.

Responding, the APC standard

bearer declared that Uzodimma

represents the change, the hope

and the joy of not only Imo but

Nigeria as a whole.

While assuring Ndigbo that he

is their best bet for the office of

the president, assured them that

they would not be sidelined in

his administration when elected

president.

Meanwhile, the Imo governor

has been honoured for his efforts

in tackling the security

challenges in the state.

At the 31st edition of the

Annual Lecture/Awards of the

Crime Reporters Association of

Nigeria which was held in Ikeja,

Lagos, the CRAN commended

the governor for sacrificing

everything available to restore

peace in the state.

Uzodinma received CRAN’s

coveted Platinum Award in

Fight Against insecurity,

among 36 respected and

deserving Nigerians

recognized by the association

for their services to the

country and humanity.

Receiving the award, the

Governor who was

represented by the

Commissioner for

Information, Hon. Declan

Emelumba, said he was quite

happy that his dogged fight

against insecurity in Imo had

been noticed, applauded and

then appreciated.


YOU ARE WRONG: Finance Ministry faults

‘N424bn’ budget padding allegation

By Olalekan Bilesanmi

THE Federal Ministry of

Finance, Budget and National

Planning has rejected

budget padding allegation levelled

against it in some quarters.

The Ministry made its position

known in a statement by

Special Adviser, Media and

Communications to the Minister,

Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi,

titled, ‘ Where the Allegation

Goes Wrong in Project NSSNP-

SU Budget Re: Finance Ministry

on the Spot over N424bn ‘

padding’ .

The statement read: “ The

attention of the Federal Ministry

of Finance, Budget and

National Planning and its Minister

has been drawn to the story

making the rounds in the

media in respect of the budget

for ‘Project: National Social

Safety Nets Project – Scale Up

(NSSNP-SU) -

N206,242,395,000’.

“The story in a national daily

alleging budget padding entitled

‘Finance Ministry on the

spot over N424bn ‘padding’ is

fabricated and misleading, because

the said insertions allocated

to the said items and

sources in the budget proposal

are also unfounded.

“We hereby wish to respond

by putting the record straight:

The project so referred is domiciled

in the Ministry of Humanitarian

Affairs, Disaster Management

and Social Development

headquarters.

“The World Bank is the funding

source for the National

Social Safety Net-Scale Up

project to the tune of

$473,500,000 which is equivalent

to N206,242,395,000, using

the N435.57/USD exchange

rate.

“The project was correctly

described in the submission

from International Economic

Relations Department (IERD)

for the 2023 budget. But, unfortunately,

a wrong code was selected

from the drop down

menu which resulted in a wrong

description of the project which

resulted in it being captured as

‘Purchase of Security Equipment’

in the Government Integrated

Financial Management

Information (GIFMIS)

Budget Preparation System

(BPS).

“Please, note that the BPS has

a limited range of encoded programme/project

descriptions.

“Also note that the multilateral

loans are usually project’s

tied, and have specific codes in

the budget system.

“The multilateral loans are

different from the envelopes

usually given to ministries, department

and agencies

(MDAs).

“The funds are drawn by the

beneficiary Ministries under

the terms of the agreements,

and the financial institutions

disburse directly to service providers.

There were ample opportunities

to review details for

observations by Ministries and

corrections made by the Budget

Office of the Federation

(BOF).

“The proposed 2023 budget

for each Ministry was circulated

for review and feedback, then

Federal Executive Council

(FEC) reviewed it before it was

submitted to NASS by President

Muhammadu Buhari.

“You may recall that the federal

government for a very long

while has made significant

progress in its budgeting process;

just a few months ago,

Nigeria at the Open Budget

•Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diette-Spiff (left), when Bayelsa monarchs paid a

courtesy visit to the Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Gen Barry Ndiomu,

retd, in Port Harcourt .

Survey (OBS) improved by 24

points to record its best budget

performance.

“This administration has undeniably

been highly committed

to budget transparency,

having undertaken various reforms

in the public finance

management space which

have culminated in the significant

recorded improvements.

“Therefore, the amount of

N206,242,395,000 is correct.

The error in description is regretted,

and will be corrected

through the Appropriations

Committee. In response to the

allegation of some line items

being inserted into the fiscal

estimates for Ministry of Defence

and Ministry of Power, the

2023Appropriation Bill as presented

has the following for the

above-mentioned ministries

and the agencies:

1. Ministry of Humanitarian

Affairs, Disaster Management

and Social Development

Project: National Social Safety

Nets Project – Scale Up (NSS-

NP-SU) - N206,242,395,000

This project is domiciled in

the FMHADM&SD HQ. The

World Bank is the funding

source for the project to the tune

of $473,500000 which is equivalent

to N206,242,395,000 using

the N435.57/USD exchange

rate. This project was

correctly described in the submission

from IERD for the 2023

budget, but unfortunately, a

wrong code was inadvertently

inserted which resulted in it being

captured as Purchase of

Security Equipmentin the

GIFMIS Budget Preparation

System (BPS).

“2. Ministry of Defence

(MoD)

Project: Refurbishment and

Procurement of Harris RF-5/

7800 Military Communication

Equipment –

N8,600,000,000

The Honourable Minister of

Defence wrote to Mr. President

requesting the approval and

release of $1,363,880.40 and

N158,928,045.37 for the implementation

of Phase 1 of the

project. He also requested that

the sums of $12,274,923.60

and N11,946,311,375.18 will

be required to implement Phases

2 and 3 of the project, which

Mr. President graciously approved.

50% of the requirement

for Phases 2 & 3 (using the exchange

rate of N435.57/USD),

amounting to N8,600,000,000,

has been included in the 2023

budget proposal of the MoD.

Project: Safe School Initiative

(SSI) – N2,250,000,000

The DefenceHeadquarters

submitted its uncosted requirements

under this programme.

The SSI Secretariat, Federal

Ministry of Finance, Budget &

National Planning (FMFBNP),

however, submitted a request of

N4.5bn for MoD, of which only

N2.250bn was provided in the

2023 budget.

“3. The Federal Ministry of

Power (FMoP)

The submission for the 2023

Multilateral/Bilateral Tied-

Loan project for FMoP is a total

of N195,465,151,790.65

with a breakdown as follows:

The Zungeru Hydro- Electric

Power Project is funded by Export-Import

Bank of China.

Amount: USD175,757,149.92,

which is N76,554,541,790.65.

The Power Sector Recovery

Operation (PSRO) is funded by

World Bank. Amount:

USD162,000,000, which is

N70,562,340,000.00.

The Nigeria Electrification

Project (NEP), to be executed

by the Rural Electrification

Agency (REA),is funded by

World Bank and AfDB.

Amount: USD55,000,000,

which is N23,956,350,000.00.

The Nigeria Electricity

Transmission,to be executed by

Transmission Company of Nigeria

(TCN)), is funded by the

World Bank. Amount:


N24,391,920,000.000.

The total of the fund for the

four projects is


N195, 465,151,790".

We must tackle oil theft to build forex

reserves, enhance Naira stability —Emefiele

By Babajide Komolafe,

Economy Editor

GOVERNOR, Central

Bank of Nigeria, CBN,

Emefiele has said that tackling

the problem of oil theft is

critical to building robust foreign

exchange reserves and

achieving a stable naira exchange

rate.

Emefiele stated this in a keynote

address delivered at the

annual Bankers Dinner Night

of the Chartered Institute of

Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN,

where he also presented an

outlook for the nation’s economy

in 2023.

Emefiele also called on Nigerians

to embrace the new

naira notes, stressing that the

decision to redesign the higher

denomination notes is for a

purpose which is in the overall

interest of the country.

Among other things, the

CBN Governor projected a

decline in inflation rate below

15 per cent in 2023, and

positive economic growth,

saying, “Our policy stance

will, accordingly, remain tight

to curtail inflation pressure,

regulate capital flows, and

•Projects inflation will fall below 15% in 2023

•Urges Nigerians to embrace new naira notes

buoy the naira-dollar exchange

rate.

“Monetary policy decisions

will remain balanced, judicious,

research driven, adequate

and supportive of the

real economy subject to underlying

fundamentals.”

Oil theft & forex reserves

While highlighting efforts of

the CBN to maintain exchange

rate stability in 2022

in spite of the various challenges

in the forex market,

Emefiele stressed that the nation

will be able to build robust

external reserves and

achieve exchange rate stability

if the problem of oil theft is

corrected

He said: “The current capital

flow reversals from emerging

markets are expected to

continue to exert considerable

pressure on market rates.

“This pressure could be

amplified by the forthcoming

elections, especially as the

political marketplace heats

up.

“Notwithstanding these

pressures, the CBN is determined

to maintain its stable

exchange policy stance over

the next few months through

innovative policy measures to

manage the demand and supply

of foreign exchange.

“If the current problem of

oil theft is promptly corrected,

we could expect a resumed

inflow of crude oil receipts

into the official reserves. This

could foster gross stability in

the foreign exchange market

and enhance exchange rate

stability.”

Economic growth

On economic growth in

2023, the CBN Governor,

said: “Based on the expectation

of a robust non-oil performance,

and barring any

unforeseen shocks, GDP

growth rate is projected to remain

positive in the remaining

quarter of 2022 and during

2023. The performance of

the non-oil sector will be

buoyed by the continued efforts

at entrenching indigenous

productivity in high-impact

real sector activities.''

NDDC: Itsekiri youths kick against

new board, urge senate to suspend

screening

By Dickson Omobola

ITSEKIRI youths under the

auspices of Itsekiri National

Youths Council, INYC, have

kicked against the composition

of a new board of the Niger Delta

Development Commission,

NDDC, by the Federal Government,

describing it as an attempt

to subjugate the oil-bearing

communities of Warri kingdom.

It also urged the Senate to suspend

the screening of names submitted

by President Muhammadu

Buhari, saying it would

mobilise protest against the development.

The President had, sent the list

of NDDC board nominees to the

Senate, last week, with Lauretta

Onochie as Chairman.

But mixed reactions, especially

from some Niger Delta groups

have continued to trail the list

sent by the President.

Opposing the composition of

the new board, INYC in a statement

by Messrs. Isaac Agbateyiniro

and Appearance Afejuku,

President and Secretary respectively,

said the position of Chairman,

Board of the NDDC

“should be unconditionally given

to the Itsekiri ethnic nationality

“for the huge economic responsibility

she is carrying for

the Nigerian state.”

The statement reads: “For the

sake of equity, justice and fair

play, we urge the federal government

to look into the Act establishing

the NDDC, the rotational

principles by alphabetical

order of the oil-producing

states and the principle of oil

production quantum. This is also

in agreement with the federal

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

TENSION enveloped

lkare-Akoko in Akoko

North-East council area of

Ondo State as two septuagenarian

security guards, Odase Emmanuel

and Kasali Giwa, were

gruesomely murdered and their

body dismembered by their killers.

Odase was aged 70 while

Kasali was aged 75.

The police said detectives had

been deployed to the community

to fish out the killers.

Sunday Vanguard gathered

that the killings took place at

two different locations in the

town over the weekend.

Reports had it that their killers,

after killing them, cut off their

heads and hands.

A local narrated: “One of the

Vanguard Christian Fellowship holds

annual thanksgiving Nov 30

By Providence

Character Act and No. 3 and 4

of article (14) of Chapter 2 of the

1999 Constitution of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria.

“Significantly, the principle of

rotation by states in the NDDC

has completed its first cycle

where the Itsekiri ethnic nationality

has been short-changed or

overlooked severally.

“Curiously, for this second leg

and the imminent inauguration

of the new board, the Itsekiri ethnic

nationality has once again

raised their minority voices and

taken their peaceful struggles to

the doorsteps of all the relevant

authorities in the country to be

accorded their God-given rights

and privileges as determined by

the NDDC Act.

“We have stated for the umpteenth

time that by divine providence,

it is the turn of Delta State

to produce both the Chairman

and Managing Director of the

NDDC and going by the provisions

of all extant laws, the Itsekiri

ethnic nationality by virtue

of being the highest producer

of crude oil and gas in Delta

and Edo states and being the

second highest producer of Oil

and Gas in Nigeria deserves to

be appropriately rewarded.

“The Itsekiri ethnic nationality

also hosts the Bonga, Okan

and other critical major oil fields

in Nigeria like Egwa, Odidi,

Jones creek, Escravos Beach,

Yokri, Meji, Meren, Marun, Abiteye,

Saghara, Dibi, Otumara,

Ogidigben, Olero Creek, Opumami,

Utonana, etc operated by

Shell, Chevron, Seplat, consolidated

Oil, Neconde and other

multinational corporations contributing

billions of Dollars to the

Nigerian Federation.

Tension in Ondo community as

gunmen kill two septuagenarians,

bodies dismembered

attacks took place at the popular

Mimiko Market in the town

while the other occurred at the

NASFAT Schools in the community.

" The deceased were found in

pools of blood this (Saturday)

morning. The gunmen killed

one of the guards and cut off his

head and placed the head beside

his body.

" The other man's hand was

cut after he had been killed, the

dismembered hand was also

placed beside him.

"The killers did not take anything

from the deceased before

they left the scene."

Locals said the killers were ritual

killers but wondered why the

dismembered bodies were not

taken away.

Ayanfeoluwa

Vanguard

Media

Christian Fellowship,

VMCF has announced plans

to hold the 22nd edition of her

annual end-of-year thanksgiving

and prayer service on

Wednesday November30,

2022.

The event which is themed:

“Every Yoke Must Be Destroyed”

would hold at thecompany’s

Head Office in

Apapa, by Berger-Yard bus

stop, Mile 2, Lagos.

TheFellowship Co-ordinator,

Overseer Emmanuel Orisi

Emmanuel, said that the

theme is taken from the book

of Isaiah 10:27.

He said that the National

Evangelist of The Apostolic

Church Nigeria, TACN, Pastor

Michael Oke, would be

guest preacher at the service.

Emmanuel said that the ser-

•Pastor Michael Oke

vice which is organized for all

staff of Vanguard to appreciate

God for another year and

ask for divine visitation would

start by1.00 pm.

He said: “This annual

thanksgiving and prayer service

is organized for all staff

of Vanguard Media to appreciate

God for another year

and ask for divinevisitation

for a tremendous turnaround

for the best, not only in Vanguard

but Nigeria at large”.

PAGE 8 – SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

TINUBU TO VOTERS: Retire Atiku in 2023

… as rally for ‘home boy’ shuts down Lagos

By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor

RESIDENTIAL Candidate of the ruling

PAll Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju

Bola Ahmed, yesterday, promised to run an

inclusive progressive government, if elected.

Tinubu, who taunted the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate, as a serial

Aso Rock contender since 1999, asked voters

to retire the former Vice President in 2023

with their votes because he has nothing to offer

the citizenry.

The former two-time Lagos State governor

spoke at a colourful mega rally organised by

the campaign team of APC in Lagos led by

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Teslim

Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos.

Massive crowd welcomes home boy to

Lagos

It was a home coming of sorts for the Lagos

City boy, who was received by a jubilant crowd

of supporters and APC faithful drawn from all

parts of Lagos and South-West states. They

came in various vehicles that locked down most

parts of Surulere.

As early as 9am all the parking lots at the

National Stadium complex, opposite the venue,

had been filled with rally participants taking

over the service lane of the highway.

It was a show of love for Tinubu, who governed

Lagos for eight years and has been instrumental

to the emergence of successor governors

ever since.

Tinubu, who spoke in both English and Yoruba

commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for the

organisation of the rally, saying “I don’t see

anything missing here today.” He also commended

President Muhammadu Buhari, the

APC leadership and governors among others

saying together APC would retain power

He said: “It is a broom (APC symbol) revolution.

We will continue a progressive government

for the country where nobody will be

excluded. We will do our best. You will not be

abandoned. You will not be forgotten in education,

you will not be forgotten in healthcare.

“I know one man who has been running for

the presidency since 1999, Atiku. He ran in

AC, ran in PDP and is running in PDP again.

With your votes tell him to go and sit at home.

Retire him with your votes.

“He said he will ensure a better future for

Nigerians. Don’t ’listen to him. With PDP, they

were in power for 16 years. They gave you

estimated bills, they forgot Lagos-Badagry

Syinix launches Swallow Maker,

says it saves time, energy

SYINIX Electronics, the global smart

home appliance brand has announced

the launch of its first entry point appliance,

Syinix Swallow Maker, to help in the

preparation of swallow foods and solve the

difficulties of making swallow foods such as

fufu, amala, pounded yam, semovita,

semolina, and wheat, amongst other meals

for Nigerians.

The innovative Swallow Maker is designed

to replace the usually tedious and timeconsuming

old ways of preparing swallow

foods with a fully automated machine that

requires minimal human effort.

Fulfilling its promise of a comfortable” and

“relieved” life experience, Syinix developed

the swallow maker for families to truly live a

quality life and prepare their swallow foods

with the speed of time and still enjoy their meals.

Speaking about the product launch, Justin

Liu, Chief Operating Officer, Syinix Nigeria,

noted that the Swallow Maker is the first allpurpose

automated swallow food maker in

the world.

“The Syinix Swallow Maker is here to save

your time and energy; the machine encourages

creative cooking and users can try a

combination of ingredients and recipes with

no health implications to consumers,” he stated

“Syinix is a high-end home appliance brand

with spread to more than 20 countries in Africa

and its features of high quality and innovation

are becoming increasingly competitive and

promising in the African market in recent

years.

“Our brand’s vision is to provide African

families with reliable products that seek to

improve their value of life. It’s in the bid for

continuous improvement that the Syinix

Swallow Maker was birthed to keep improving

the customers’ lifestyles and putting smiles on

their faces through the creation of innovative

road, forgot Second Niger Bridge, forgot and

other roads. Don’t mind them.

“We have all 22 APC governors here. We shall

win together. We will not lose any one of them.

Go get your PVCs and vote for APC candidates.

You have seen what Sanwo-Olu and

Obafemi Hamzat are doing in Lagos? For me,

for you, and the stability of Lagos State, vote

for Sanwo-Olu.”

With Tinubu at the rally are his running mate,

Senator Kashim Shettima; members of the

APC National Working Committee, NWC, led

the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi

Adamu, members of the Presidential Campaign

Council, PCC, and governors elected on

the platform of the APC.

The governors include Dapo Abiodun,

Ogun; Yahaya Bello , Kogi; Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq,

Kwara; Gboyega Oyetola, Osun;

Simon Lalong, Plateau; Aminu Masari, Katsina,

and Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi among others

Also at the rally were House of Representatives

Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Works and

Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola;

Minister for Information and Culture Lai Mohammad,

former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga

Daniel; former deputy Governor, Lagos State

and Lagos West Senatorial candidate, Idiat

Adebule; and former Speaker Lagos State

home appliances with superior quality

products”.

Syinix Swallow Maker is an all-purpose

latest development by Syinix for Nigerians to

ease the stress of making swallow foods. It

offers speedy preparation and reduces the time

spent in the kitchen with a smarter and cleaner

experience—alongside useful features which

include an automatic intricate food processor

By Lawani Mikairu

COCA-COLA Nigeria is giving succour

to the over 5,000 households displaced

by floods in Anambra and Delta States, with

a relief package valued at $175,000

The Director of Public Affairs, Communications,

and Sustainability, Coca-Cola, Nigeria,

Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, who disclosed

this in a statement, expressed sadness

at the unfortunate development and explained

that Coca-Cola Foundation would

work with not-for-profit organisations in the

bid to ameliorate the sufferings of the people

affected.

Onyemelukwe said, “We are dedicating the

sum of $175,000 dollars as part of efforts to

reduce the traumatic situation confronting

victims of flood in Anambra and Delta States.

Our identified areas of intervention include

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

“Presently, over 1.3 million people need

assistance, across Nigeria, as a result of

floods which has impacted up to 24 states.

As the waters are slowly receding, the priority

will be to help people recover and to regain

their livelihoods. Some of the identi-

House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

Tinubu’s president-in-waiting, say Lalong,

Bagudu, Adamu, others

Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Sanwo-Olu

said by the grace of God Tinunu is the next

president and commended him pushing an

idea that gave birth to “a stable Lagos today.”

“Tinubu has been doing outstanding things

professionally and politically. He is the best

man for the job. He is a fountain of knowledge.

We want to translate the tenacity of Lagos

at the centre. This is the beginning of mother

of all rallies.”

Also speaking, Plateau State Governor and

Director General of APC PCC, Mr. Simon Lalong,

celebrated Tinubu, saying with his experience,

capacity, reach and what he did in Lagos

as governor “the 2023 presidential election

is as good as won” for the APC because

“victory is sure.”

According to him, Tinubu stands taller than

all the other presidential candidates” and “he

is a manager of men and resources and the

best man to succeed President Buhari.

He said other Nigerians have accepted Tinubu

and urged Lagosians not to reject their own

but give him more support than they gave him

in 2015 and 2019.

•From left: Chairman, ICAN Enugu State, Mrs. Ifeoma Catherine Otiji, Dr. Peter

Ndubuishi Mbah, Enugu PDP governorship candidate, and his running mate, Barr.

Ifeanyi Ossai, during the body's End of the Year Retreat held weekend at Nike Lake

Resort, Enugu.

that saves time and energy.

The all-purpose Swallow Maker supports

the making of varieties of most of Nigeria’s

common solid foods such as eba, amala,

pounded yam, semovita/semolina, wheat, fufu,

etc. Beyond that, you can also be creative with

other dishes of your choice using this machine

and still have more time and energy to do other

things while waiting for the meal.

FLOODS: Coca-Cola doles out $175,000

relief package for Anambra, Delta

fied immediate humanitarian needs include

food, clean water, hygiene support, and livelihood

support, amongst others.

“For effectiveness, we are working with the

Whitefield Foundation, over a three-month

period starting from November 21, 2022.

With a special focus on the vulnerable – the

elderly, women people living with disabilities

and children, at least 30,000 individuals

who make up 5,000 households would receive

nutritious food packages.

“The intervention would also include counselling

to guard against the survivors becoming

victims under similar circumstances

in future, and healthcare because concerns

are mounting of a possible outbreak of

waterborne diseases,” she added.

Speaking also, Chief Executive Officer, of

Whitefield Foundation, Funmi Johnson, explained,

“To address the critical needs of

flood survivors, we came up with a specialpurpose

program, code-named ‘Operation

LADDER’, which means, ‘Laugh At Deluge,

Drink, Eat and Rejuvenate’. With this, we intend

to empower flood survivors to be filled

with hope to rise and climb out of the despair”.

He also urged Nigerians to reject candidates

who give fake statistics and make fake promises.

In like manner, the Chairman of Progressive

Governors Forum, PGF, and Kebbi State

Governor, Atiku Bagudu, said the 22 governors

of the APC were in Lagos to campaign for

Tinubu for the right reasons because Tinubu

left a better Lagos with more opportunities for

many, adding that if elected, Tinubu would

replicate the feat at the centre.

On his part, Gbajabiamila described Tinubu

as “the greatest Nigerian in modern day

Nigeria politics” noting that none of the other

17 presidential candidates has developed men

and women like Tinubu.

However, the National Chairman, Abdullahi

Adamu, urged caution saying “it is not over

until it is over” and urged APC faithful to work

hard and deliver Tinubu and APC candidates

at the polls.

Delta PDP Ward Chairmen

decry neglect, issue 2-week

ultimatum to Okowa, Esiso

By Chancel Sunday

WARD Chairmen of the Peoples Demo

cratic Party, PDP, under the umbrella of

PDP Ward Chairmen’s Forum, PWCF, Delta

State have issued a two-week ultimatum to

Gov Ifeanyi Okowa and the state party chairman,

Kingsley Esiso, to as a matter of necessity,

consider them as members of the party.

This was contained in a communique issued

at the end of an enlarged meeting of members

at Kwale, Ndokwa-West local government

area of the state, yesterday, stressing that they

were fed up with the neglect in the scheme of

things in the state.

The communique, signed by the Chairman

of PWCF, Mr Tanko Awipi (Bomadi), Vice

Chairman, Hon. Agbanashi Chinedu Basil

(Oshimili North) and Assistant Secretary, Mr

Oba Matthew (Isoko South), reads in part:

“We and our ward executive members commend

Gov Okowa, who’s the Vice Presidential

candidate of our party, for his giant strides in

the state.

“It’s a fact that we and our excos perform all

grassroot activities on behalf of the party but

have been neglected in the scheme of things in

the state. We’ll not leave the party but cannot

remain as underdogs.

“We also frowned at the situation whereby

we met with the Senior Political Adviser to

Gov Okowa over our plight without tangible

outcome, as well as the state party chairman

neither recognizing nor thinking about our

plight as grassroot mobilizers.”

Family, associates hold

memorial lecture in honour

of ‘Oloye’ Saraki

THE family and associates of Second Re

public Senate Leader, Dr. (Oloye)

Abubakar Olusola Saraki, will tomorrow hold

a public memorial lecture in honour of the

late medical doctor and politician who died

on November 14, 2012, at the age of 79.

The lecture, titled ‘The Leadership and Followership

Debate’ will be delivered by the

Kenyan anti-corruption crusader and public

intellectual, Prof. Patrick Lumumba, at the Chida

Events Centre, Utako, Abuja. It was earlier

scheduled for International Conference Centre

(ICC), Central Business District, Abuja, before

the shift of venue. The public lecture headlines

the series of activities marking the tenth

anniversary of the transition of the man widely

known as ‘Oloye’ among his numerous supporters

across the country.

Other events earlier held in his hometown,

Ilorin, Kwara State, as part of the memorial

celebration included a medical outreach for

the less privileged and a prayer session witnessed

by a mammoth crowd inside the premises

of the Ilorin Central Mosque.

UYLA flays exclusion of

Urhobo from NDDC Board

By Ochuko Akuopha

URHOBO Youth Leaders Association,

UYLA, has lamented the exclusion of

Urhobo from the list of Board members of the

Niger Delta Development Commission,

NDDC, submitted to the National Assembly

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

UYLA, in a statement by its Acting President,

Olorogun Samuel Oghotomo, and Secretary,

Olorogun Ogheneovo Atiti, described the exclusion

as daylight robbery and slap on the

Urhobo people “as the largest oil and gas producing

ethnic group in the Niger Delta.”

The group rejected the list and reiterated its

resolve to “fight the injustice of the APC’s Federal

Government on the Urhobo mation”.

It called on the Deputy Senate President, Senator

Ovie Omo-Agege, and Minister of State

for Labour and Employment, Olorogun Festus

Keyamo, to immediately intervene and prevail

on Buhari to include an Urhobo as a member

of the NDDC Board.

By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo

Mr. Ken Robinson is the National Publicity

Secretary of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF.

In this interview, Robinson blames nonimplementation

of the 16-Point Agenda on insensitivity

of the Federal Government to the plight of the region,

saying the Forum sticks to the decision of the Southern

and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), comprising

Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Middle Belt Forum, that the

southern part of Nigeria should produce the President

in 2023. Excerpts:

The President Buhari-led Federal Government failed

to implement the 16-Point-Agenda it entered into with

PANDEF in 2016. How do you feel about that?

It is rather unfortunate that the Federal Government, despite the

gains arising from the subsisting relative peace in the Niger Delta,

and the people’s demonstration of commitment to peaceful

resolution of issues, has not devoted the needed attention to the 16-

Point-Agenda. Recall that on November 1, 2016, a delegation of the

Niger Delta people, comprising of traditional rulers, leaders of

thought, professionals, academics, civil rights activists, women and

youth leaders from various ethnic nationalities, under the auspices

of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), met with President

Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. At that

meeting, which also had governors and other political office holders

from the region in attendance, PANDEF presented the 16-Point-

Demand to the President, as minimum conditions for sustainable

peace in the Niger Delta. Specifically, the 16-item-dialoguedocument,

which became popularly known as the 16-Point-Agenda,

embodies the core and fundamental issues that cut across all segments

of the ethnic nationalities in the coastal states of the Niger Delta region.

That meeting gave the people of the region a renewed sense of hope and

optimism for an enduring relationship between the Niger Delta and the

Federal Government. More than that, the people hoped that a mutually

beneficial dialogue would ensue, which would naturally lead to finding

lasting solutions to the very difficult challenges of the region. It is,

however, now apparent that those hopes were misplaced. The first

positive response of the Federal Government to the 16-Point- Demand

was the fact-finding tour made to the Niger Delta between January

and May 2017 by the Vice President who was then Acting President,

Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The tour took then-Acting President to

all the coastal states of the Niger Delta, beginning with Delta

State. During the visit, the Acting President met with crosssection

of stakeholders in the Niger Delta and expressed

disappointment at the level of

underdevelopment of the

region. He made farreaching

pronouncements on

some of the vexing issues,

including the establishment

of modular refineries in the

region to replace the

artisanal refineries being

operated by some youths; a

directive to International Oil

Companies (IOCs) to

relocate their operational

headquarters to the Niger

Delta; and the completion of

work on critical

infrastructure across the

region among others. The

strongest expression of the

Federal Government’s

understanding of the

situation in the Niger Delta

was the pronouncement by

then-Acting President at one

of the engagements that the

region should be treated as a

special development zone.

Sadly, the 16-Point-Demand

has remained unattended to

by the Buhari administration,

except the establishment of

the Nigeria Maritime

University, Okerenkoko,

Delta State; the Ogoni

Clean-Up, whose status is

unclear to us; and bits and

pieces, here and there.

Overall, the laudable

pronouncements and

promises made by then-

Acting President during his

visit to the region, and

subsequent engagements

with PANDEF, have also

remained, largely, mere

assertions. On the directive to

IOCs to relocate their operational offices to

the Niger Delta, nothing has been done. Five

years after, the operational offices are still

located in Lagos. They (IOCs) pay taxes to

Lagos State, and they develop Lagos State.

If you move from Lagos to Lekki you will see

all the development by Chevron, and Mobil.

Those things would have been done in

Ibeno, Eket, Warri, Sapele, Yenagoa, Omoku

and other oil-producing communities in the

Niger Delta.

What reasons did President Buhari

give for his administration’s failure

to fulfill the promises?

Reasons? Perhaps, the question should be

directed to the spokespersons for the

government. Because, today, as one of our

leaders once rightly inferred, “at some point,

there was a resemblance of dialogue with

the government, then it became a kind of

monologue, and now there is no logue”. But,

if you ask them, they will be quick to

respond that the government is doing a lot

in the Niger Delta, but the evident reality is

to the contrary. They are still saying they will

implement the 16-Point-Agenda and their

20-Point-Agenda. In September this year,

while declaring open the 5th National

16-POINT-AGENDA:

How Buhari, Osinbajo

broke promises

made to N-Delta

disappointingly

– Robinson, PANDEF spokesperson

Council Meeting on Niger Delta held in

Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, President

Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented

by the Minister of Environment,

Mohammed Abdullahi, disclosed that the

Strategic Implementation Work Plan

(SIWP), a framework meant to address the

strategic objectives raised in the Federal

Government’s 20-Point-Agenda and the Pan

Niger Delta Forum’s (PANDEF) 16-Point-

Agenda was already in operation. We are

unaware! It was, however, satisfying that Mr.

President acknowledged the efforts of

leaders and youths of the region, which has

brought about the relative peace and

security being experienced in the region, and

then went on to make further promises to

promote economic growth and enterprise

development in the region. Enough of

promises!

So at what point did PANDEF stop

pursuing the 16-Point-Agenda?

PANDEF has not stopped pursuing the 16-

Point-Agenda. We are still talking about the

issues, and pursuing them, in different ways,

and at different fora. Perhaps, it is necessary

to cite the items of the 16-Point-Agenda to

buttress the fact that PANDEF is still on it.

The 16-Point-Demand includes improper

SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 27, 2022, PAGE 9

•Robinson

At some point, there

was a resemblance of

dialogue with the

government, then it

became a kind of

monologue, and now

there is no logue

implementation of the Presidential Amnesty

Programme; law and justice issues in the

Niger Delta; militarization of the region; the

plight of Internally Displaced Persons

following an upsurge in insecurity in the

region; the Ogoni clean-up and

environmental remediation issues; and the

Nigerian Maritime University issue. Other

items are regional critical infrastructure

development, including the East-West Road,

the coastal rail project and the coastal road

project, etcetera, as well as the removal of

bottlenecks militating against the full

activation and utilization of ports in the

Niger Delta; the issues of pipeline

vandalism; security, surveillance and

protection of oil and gas infrastructure; host

communities; relocation of operational

headquarters of IOCs to the Niger Delta;

power supply issues; economic development

and empowerment, where we talked about

creating a Niger Delta energy industrial

corridor; restructuring and funding of the

NDDC; strengthening of the Niger Delta

Ministry; the Bakassi question; and finally,

fiscal federalism, which in essence, is a call

for restructuring. Those are the issues. And

would it be right to say that PANDEF has

stopped pursuing them? The obvious answer

is No!

Do you agree that the majority of

Niger Deltans, especially youths, are

not happy that the elders failed them

by not realizing the 16-Point-Agenda

after talking them into dropping

their agitations?

That could be a mere assumption.

Nevertheless, the important point to note is

that as elders and leaders of the region, we

considered it improper to further give any

pretext to the agents of the Nigerian state to

continue to harass, kill our youths and

molest our women. We do not have the exact

figures, but the Niger Delta had lost

thousands of young people through extrajudicial

killings, outright massacre and

decimation of communities by state agents.

It was, therefore, imperative to adopt

alternative, peaceful procedures to advance

the ‘Niger Delta Struggle’. That was why the

16-Point-Demand document was rightly

tagged ‘Solving Niger Delta Issues through

Dialogue’. And it is gratifying that a vast

majority of our young people heeded our

advice to shun violent agitation.

Does the Forum think this

Buhari administration has been

fair to the people of the Niger

Delta?

Quite sadly, the government has not

been fair to the Niger Delta people as

expected despite the goodwill extended

to it by the region. The level of unfairness

and injustice being perpetrated against

the region is somewhat unprecedented.

The continued indifference by the

Federal Government to issues of the

region was again demonstrated during

the recent flood disaster that affected

some states in the country. What about

the callous exclusion of oil producing

communities from participation in the

oil and gas industry, including the

ownership of oil marginal fields and

blocks, the vexatious Petroleum Industry

Act, and the lopsided appointments in

NNPC Limited? As you may be aware,

our National Leader, Chief E. K. Clark,

and 15 others instituted a case against

the Federal Government and President

Muhammadu Buhari over constitutional

breaches of the Federal Character

provisions. One of the questions they are

asking the court to answer is “whether

the power to appoint designated public

officers, including permanent secretaries,

and principal representatives of Nigeria

abroad, which is vested in the first

defendant, has been lawfully exercised by

him since the inception of his

administration from 2015 till date and

whether his actions are in breach of

Sections 171(5), 814(3) (4) of the 1999

Constitution (as amended)”. The matter

first came up for mention on June 22,

2020, but has since suffered several

adjournments. The last time it came up

was on October 31, 2022, and was again

adjourned to January 2023.

Many Niger Deltans have expressed

the opinion that the region fared

better under the past

administration led by the PDP. Do

you agree?

Was it really because of the party or

the individuals? We had Chief

Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Umaru

Musa Yar’Adua, and our brother,

Goodluck Jonathan, as Presidents

under the PDP. It’s difficult to submit

that it was because of the party. We

would rather suppose that it was

about the disposition of the persons at

the helm of affairs at the time and

those around them. Perhaps, the more

serious question to ask is whether there

is any difference between the major

parties, APC and PDP, in terms of

composition and content. We have a

fluid situation in the nation’s political

space, where politicians maintain little

or no fidelity to their parties. A good

number of those presently in the top

hierarchy of the ruling All Progressives

Congress (APC) were leaders in the PDP

and vice versa.

PAGE 10 SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

No sign of security

in this train

…wary Abuja residents say as govt

plans to resume FCT-Kaduna service

•FG loses over N5bn on halted operations

By Ezra Ukanwa, Abuja

he Federal Government has

Tannounced that the Abuja-Kaduna train

services will resume soon.

Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo,

announced this while giving the scorecard of

his ministry in Abuja

This announcement is coming eight months

after terrorists bombed the Kaduna-Abuja

train corridor and kidnapped scores of

passengers leading to the suspension of

services.

Recall that terrorists attacked the Abuja-

Kaduna train on March 28, 2022, kidnapping

168 passengers and killing eight others.

However, the release of the victims had been

in batches since then, with the last 23 released

in October.

Sambo’s words: “We shall resume that

service this month. I told you we would only

resume service after all the kidnapped

passengers might have been released. By the

grace of God and through the instrumentality

of our security agencies under the leadership

The senatorial candidate of the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta North

and legal consultant, Prince Ned

Nwoko, has, lately, been at loggerheads with

the Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State

over the latter’s power game with the

presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar, vice-presidential candidate,

Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, national chair,

Senator Iyorchua Ayu, and the leadership of

the party. Both Wike and Nwoko have publicly

dragged themselves, but, last weekend, at his

country home in Idumuje-Ugboko, Aniocha

North local government area, where he hosted

some senior journalists, the politician, who

fielded questions on his senatorial bid and other

issues, shed light on why he is livid at Wike,

insisting that the party should clip his wings.

What is your fight with Wike all about? Is it

because he is not supporting Atiku and Okowa

in their bid for the presidency?

People think it is because of Okowa, but I

have never discussed Wike with Okowa. I would

not, why should I? I am a man of my own; I

have my mind about anything. I am a PDP

member and stakeholder and if somebody else

is a nuisance to the party, are you saying that I

cannot talk about it because of Okowa? I am

my person and a stakeholder in PDP and want

my party to win the elections in every state, if

possible, and produce the next President. I see

somebody trying to pull the house down and

people expect me to keep quiet because I am

from the same place as Okowa? No! I am

fighting for Nigerians, who are also in PDP,

of President Muhammadu Buhari, that has

been successfully done and we are going to

resume operation on the Kaduna-Abuja rail

route before the end of November 2022”.

Meanwhile, checks by Sunday Vanguard

show that for the past 229 days since the train

service was suspended, Nigeria Railway

Corporation, NRC, has lost about N5.49 billion

revenue which could have been raked from

ticket sales.

From investigation, the coaches plying the

Abuja-Kaduna route have the capacity to carry

between 900 and 1,000 passengers per trip.

Before the suspension of the service, an average

economy ticket sold for N2,800 – N3,000, while

VIP tickets went for N6,000/seat.

A breakdown of daily ticket sales by

Saturday Vanguard shows that the NRC

makes a minimum of N3m per trip at N3,000

a ticket for a train that has the capacity to

carry 900 to 1,000 passengers.

Consequently, for the eight trips operated

daily, the NRC would have earned about N24m,

while for the 229 days, the corporation would

have garnered about N5.49bn

and feel that Wike is taking his fight too far,

even though he may air his views. You must

have seen a video where he said, tufia kwa in

Igbo language (meaning abomination), I

would never be a vice president. Later on, when

he lost the presidential ticket, he lobbied for

the vice presidential ticket and it became a door-die

thing for him. If Wike had been chosen

as the vice-presidential candidate, would he

be asking the National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia

Ayu, to resign? No, he would be licking his ass

by now. He is not fighting for the South; Wike

is fighting for himself and the few people who

are around him. They are trying to destroy a

party in which I am a stakeholder and I should

not keep quiet. He thinks he is a bigger

stakeholder, but he is not; every stakeholder in

PDP is important, and he is hurting all of us.

He has to stop it; he cannot be junketing all

over the world displaying anti-party activities.

What has he not done to hurt the party? Wike is

out of his wits! There are ways of handling

these people, and others will sit up. He is not

untouchable; he is like a bull in the China

shop, and when having such a situation, you

remove the bull from the shop. I am in that

shop myself that he is trying to destroy, and

that is why I am not keeping quiet. That is an

insult.

You alleged that Wike squandered Rivers’s

share of the Paris Club refunds, but has the

court found him guilty of any such offense?

You do not need to wait for the court to know

that somebody squandered money; I spoke

about it because I am directly involved. I know

how much went to the Rivers State government

and the local governments in Rivers State. I

have also spoken to some people there to know

that Wike did not use that money for the people

of Rivers State. If he did, I can tell you that

Abuja residents react

Mixed reactions by Abuja residents have,

meanwhile, trailed the announcement of

resumption of Abuja-Kaduna train services,

particularly from individuals and families who

were victims or had relatives that were victims

of the March 2022 train attack.

Our correspondent observed that the attack

left a big scar on many citizens, including

making trust for government to wane.

Also worrisome is the reality that many

Nigerians have lately become lethargic,

unwilling to take movements at public places

as a result of the jitters which came on the

heels of the recent terror alerts issued by the

United States, US, and the United Kingdom

(UK) among other countries in Abuja.

Many Abuja residents, who spoke with

Sunday Vanguard, disagreed with the Federal

Government on the resumption of Abuja-

Kaduna train operations with reasons that,

from their checks, government is not acting

differently from the way it handled security

which, in the first place, took many lives and

left others with scarred hearts.

A civil servant, who preferred anonymity,

expressed concerns over the safety of train

passengers, asking if government had drawn

out feasible modalities to beef up security and

ensure lives and properties are protected.

“Well, what the Federal Government has

announced is good news. But, there are so many

things aside announcing that the Abuja-

Kaduna train will begin operations very soon”,

he said.

“The big question is, have they drawn out

modalities, have they structured out measures,

for which they can use in ensuring that the

security architecture around that Abuja

Kaduna train route is completely secured and

that train passengers will not be attacked just

the same way we have had it before? The big

question is, has government done what is

needed in terms of strengthening security of

our train and its passengers?”

A business man, Adamu Salihu, who resides

in Jabi, Abuja, on his part, said the resumption

of train operations is a welcomed development,

advising the Federal Government on strict

security measures to be put in place to avert

any future attack by terrorists.

“When you check this train transportation,

people are so cynical to board trains from any

location to the other simply because of what

happened. I’m talking about insecurity. But,

with this new development, I think government

must have taken proactive measures that will

help fight against insecurity”, Salihu said.

Also speaking, Amarachi Eze, a teacher,

suggested that the Federal Government should

double the security personnel responsible for

securing areas covered by the train.

He further advised government not to treat,

with kid gloves the security alerts issued by the

US among others, adding that the lives of

citizens should be topmost priority.

“I think government should give more time

before reopening the train service. This is

because commuters will still be

psychologically traumatized, not just those

who were directly involved”, Eze stated.

“As an Abuja resident, I commend what our

troops are doing. They’ve recorded pockets of

Wike is a bull in a China shop, hurting

everyone in PDP — Ned Nwoko

• Says Ibori will support Oborevwori

• ‘Edevbie is reasonable, will withdraw court action’

By Emma Amaize,

Regional Editor, South-South

every hospital in Rivers

would have been very

well- equipped and

had a constant

power supply

and those

innocent

children

would not

have died

i n

•Nwoko

hospital

because

of the

absence of power supply.

Is every hospital in Delta State that

also received the same funds well

equipped?

I am talking about Rivers State, there have

been no such deaths in Delta because of lack

of power supply. I am talking about a governor

who is pretending to have done excellently well

in Rivers, calling people to come and

commission projects.

You were in the House of Representatives

between 1999 and 2003. What are you

looking for in the Senate?

I was in the House of Representatives from

1999 to 2003, shortly after my return from

England. I did my best, sponsoring 23 Bills. I

knew that being in government meant serving

the people and I knew what I wanted to do

then, like the dualization of the Asaba-Benin

expressway, bringing the Nigerian Television

Authority (NTA) and National Industrial Court

of Nigeria to Asaba, all of which were nonexistent

before, and which I did.

There were too many members in the

successes here and there, even though there

are still security threats lingering in the capital

territory. However, I wouldn’t suggest that

caution be thrown to the wind.

“Government should look into recruiting

and training more security agents because the

current number is not enough to combat the

terrorists roaming our nation. If we cannot be

assured of safety within the territory, then there’s

absolutely no guarantee on the trains plying

the Abuja to Kaduna route”.

Usman Danladi, a trader, who differed on

how government should beef up security, said:

“Beefing up security on the train route is not

only about posting security operatives

everywhere even though that’s a part of it, but

there are other salient but equally important

ways of beefing up security on the train route

which I am sure government should be possibly

exploiting to ensure that such an incident does

not repeat itself.”

CSOs react

Decrying the spate of terrorist activities in

Abuja which have aggravated fears, the

National President, Coalition of Nigeria

Youths, Dotun Hassan, said even though the

commencement of rail operations seems

progressive, government must consider

unforeseen threats to avert any eventualities.

Hassan said: “Regrettably, we seem to be a

fearless nation despite the terror alerts but it

must be clear that the announcement and

resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna train services

is expected to automatically bring about reliefs,

but, regrettably, the shock of the last terrorist

attacks on commuters leaves many to feel some

hypertensive bubbles and strokes of heartaches.

“Hence, it is pertinent to call for concerted

efforts by our security agencies to clear that

rail pathway of any unforeseen attacks or a

repeat of the kidnapping, because one will

reason deeply to know how monies were raised

in billions to rescue family members, while

victims were flogged and treated like animals

by the terrorists.

“Right information management and

intelligence sharing must be ensured, while

local security around that corridor must, at all

time, comb the towns hosting the train stations

and pathway at intervals, with adequate

inconvenience allowance paid to motivate the

security personnel putting their lives in the line

of duty”.

Similarly, Executive Director, One Nigeria,

Comrade Obinna Nduka, said: “Is it about

announcing the commencement of the Abuja-

Kaduna train operations? No! Real time

security measures must be taken. The lives of

Nigerians should not be taken for granted

because of revenue generation.

“Nigerians have not really seen the measures

already taken to beef up security. At least we

should be seeing moves but we aren’t. This is a

call to government to do the needful. For now,

there is fear of even boarding a train.

Government was supposed to come up, assure

Nigerians before even coming to announce

the commencement of the train.

“Well, as Nigerians let’s all trust that

government has done its bid on ensuring

security. I also want to pray that such calamity

will not fall on Nigeria again.”

House; how do you handle about 360

members?

It was difficult. For example, the Bill on the

Sports University was Number 18 in my Bills,

but then most members did not see it as a

priority or anything important. That is why I

told you I have learned, and now know how to

get what I want for the people. When I began

the Paris/London Club refund case, many

people told me it would not work, asking how

could I take the British or French or American

governments to court? However, I told them I

am a British- trained lawyer and, having

practiced there, I knew what to do and that

they should just give me the instruction to go

ahead. Therefore, I am not afraid of trying the

impossibilities or what people consider

impossible. A good politician lobbies for

things, so I am surprised when I hear

lawmakers say they are only there to

make laws for good governance

because that is just part of the

responsibility of a lawmaker. I am

not just going to the National

Assembly to sit in chamber and make

laws; yes, I am capable and

comfortable doing that, but there are

many things that we need, as Anioma

people, and hopefully, I would

address them properly now that I

know a lot more on how to go about doing

things.

Do you think that PDP and Okowa have

done enough for Delta North district to make

the people vote for you?

Within the available resources, Okowa, and

indeed PDP, have done well in the state.

The way you talk, are you sure of beating

incumbent Senator Peter Nwaoboshi of APC

in the election?

Oh sure, go around Anioma and find out if it

would be difficult for me to beat him. I am a

man of the people; when you were coming

here, did anybody stop you on the way? I am

open to the people and they know what I am

doing to assist them already.

Since I left the House in 2003, I have

contested no office or held any political

appointment, so whatever you see here, read,

or hear about Ned - the Sports University, the

malaria project, the tourism project, and others

are my efforts. What has Nwaoboshi done

outside politics?

OIL REVENUE CONTROVERSY:

Minutes of FAAC, RAMFAC

meetings’ll debunk Wike’s claim

— Emu, Okowa’s Economic Adviser

•We only received N4.9bn per quarter totaling N14.7 bn

•’What we got is nothing compared to our obligations’

By Charles Kumolu,

Deputy Editor

Chief Economic Adviser to Governor

Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Dr.

Kingsley Emu, in this interview, speaks on

how the state is managing resources

accruable to it. He dismisses the allegation

that Delta hasn’t properly managed its

share of 13 percent derivation, saying it

reflects the kind of politics those behind it

plays.

The allegation by Governor Nyesom

Wike that some Niger Delta states

including Delta did not make judicious

use of 13 percent derivation funds is

raising so many misconceptions about

the Okowa administration. What can you

say about this?

If that is Governor Wike’s claim, it is

unfortunate and reflects his type of

politics. You can lie with everything in

politics but certainly not with economy

and what is easily verifiable. The minutes

of meetings of Federation Account

Allocation Committee ,FAAC, Revenue

Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal

Commission, RAMFAC and National

Economic Council, NEC where the subject

was discussed and resolutions reached are

there to debunk this fallacy. Yes, we have

N240b as part of the over a trillion

recovered from abuses on the federation

account without recourse to extant laws

guiding its application. The condition for

repayment is quarterly over 60 months or

five years.

This repayment pattern can only support

control of money supply in the economy

and its attendant consequences of

exacerbating inflation and promoting

fiscal indiscipline by the recipient states.

The fact is we have only received three

quarter allocations of N4.9bn per quarter

totaling 14.7bn. We also approached our

bankers to discount about a N100bn after

EXCO and House of Assembly

approvals. Besides, it will be foolish

economics to have such discountable

receivable and wait out the 60 months to

earn in the face of inflation, devaluation

of the naira, and mounting variations in

existing contracts. Some states

discounted fully but our decision to

discount partly is based on our robust

cashflow, early strategic decisions to

drive the plethora of developmental

programmes and projects from the

beginning of the administration.

How true is it that of the Niger

Delta states, Delta has received

the highest funds from the 13

percent derivation?

It is possible if the question referred to

since inception of the implementation of

13 percent derivation. I don’t have the

available data, but we have had a fair

share and will definitely be among the

first four states.

Given that Wike claimed to have spent

the Rivers State share on the projects

he’s commissioning, questions are being

asked as to what Delta may have done

with its share of the 13 percent

derivation.

We have enormous development

programmes and projects. What we have

received so far is nothing compared to

our existing contractual obligations

including in the oil producing areas.

Some N5bn has been deployed to

address some outstanding pension

obligations for the state and support to

the local governments which include the

oil producing communities. We have

used others to defray existing

contractual obligations on some

critical projects that will better the

lives of Deltans and others. For instance,

the Koka Flyover and Interchange to

ease traffic congestion on the ever-busy

Benin-Onitsha traffic expressway, the

Film Village and Leisure Park that is

nearing completion and Warri/Uwvie

storm drainage,which is best done in the

dry season. In fact, so much more will

go into payment of ongoing projects,

especially construction to

mitigate the inevitable

variation of construction

materials that has

characterised our

operating

environment. This

of course is

without bias to

disbursement of

what is due to

the oil

producing

communities

as prescribed

by the Law

establishing

it. And in

future, more

of it will be

deployed to

Beneku,

Ayakoromo

bridges to

complete the

projects.

The opposition has also latched on

the allegation to accuse the Okowa

administration of not having star

projects like Wike. As the Chief

•Emu

Economic Adviser to Governor Okowa,

what can you say about this?

A star project is relative because what

constitute a star project differs from one

community to the other. They come in

hard and soft forms. We have an

avalanche of star projects ranging from

the 7-star secretariat for civil servants,

Leisure Park and Film Village, the Koka

Interchange which I have just mentioned

and storm drainage in Asaba and Warri/

Uwvie environs to mitigate the

perennial flooding. Others include

Beneku, Ayakoromo bridges to facilitate

transportation and movements, Ogheye

Floating Market in the middle of the

sea, completion of Steven Keshi

stadium. Construction of roads in the

riverine areas of Ogulagha-Youbebe,

Burutu, Gbaramatu and others are the

most valuable star projects to them

because of the terrain.

On the soft issues are the contributory

health insurance scheme that has

provided accessible, affordable, and

quality healthcare to Deltans. There is

also free maternal healthcare for

pregnant women and children under five

years. To date, we have 1,220,000

enrollees in the health insurance

scheme, representing about 20 percent

of the population of Deltans. Then there

is human capital development for which

Governor Okowa is famous. Our youths

are our treasure and the robust way they

have been accommodated in the scheme

of things has been commendable. So far,

14,075 youth entrepreneurs (green and

brown) have been established and they

are also represented in the over 223,805

direct employment and over 1,325,750

indirect employment. Jobs created for

People Living with Disability is their star

project. Peace and security in Delta State

is yet another achievement which has

helped our development. It reflected in

our GDP growth despite the obvious

climate of insecurity in Nigeria. We had


the concession of Asaba International

Airport and the attendant impact on our

economy, establishment of three

universities that are technologically

savvy, 10 technical colleges and 14

vocational skill centres to promote

technical and specialised skills from our

teeming youths and others.

In specific terms, can you tell us how

the Okowa administration has justified

Delta’s status as an oil producing state

in the last seven years?

We have established institutions,

enacted reforms to

promote good

governance,

provided social

and physical

infrastructure

for the

betterment

of

Deltans

and

established

an

atmosphere

of respect,

fairness,

sense of

belongingness,

seeming safety

in a climate of

insecurity.

In seven years, we have

embarked on 883 road

projects, representing over

1,932.14 kms

length of

roads and

1,032.95

kms of

drains.

Fifteen

bridges are

at different

stages of

construction, while six are already

completed. We have established

hospitals, completed Asaba Specialist

Hospital, created access to healthcare in

The fact is we

have only received

three quarter

allocations of

N4.9bn per quarter

totaling 14.7bn

the riverine and established schools. Some

of the other achievements I have

mentioned earlier. The governor is called

the road master. Can you give reasons for

these.

As mentioned in the earlier questions

above, numerous roads across the state

and in every nook and cranny. Of note

are his interventions in the riverine

communities.

Critics of the state government

accused it of owing pension areas.

How true is this and how much is at

stake?

Delta State was one of the few states

who embraced the contributory pension

scheme in 2007. That meant that all

those who moved over to the new

scheme will have to be paid their

accrued benefits upon retirement.

Unfortunately that obligation was not

fully met. Arising from the default in

2011, the labour union stepped-up

agitation for the payment of the arrears

of those who have now retired and

transited to the new minimum wage. As a

settlement, the government agreed to

adopt the re-computation of the accrued

right based on the new minimum wage

of N18,000 from the previous N7,500.00.

Upon assumption of office in 2015, we

inherited accrued pension liabilities of

N181bn as computed by Adigun and co

and approved by EXCO. We were

curious about those figures and

employed the services of HR Consultants

Ltd who professionally reduced the actual

figures to N86bn resulting in a reduction

of N95bn. The computational error arose

as a result of the use of wrong parameters

and defects in data supplied. Thereafter,

monthly interventions ranging from

N300m-N500m and occasional lump

sum payments were made to

accelerate payment to pensioners.

The state has paid to-date over

N45bn to this cause. As you

probably know, only state

workers/pensioners are the

responsibilities of the state

government while the

local government is

responsible for local

government workers/

pensioners as it is in

payment of salaries too.

Delta State

government apart from

supporting the local

government pension

scheme with over

N3bn we also cleared

the outstanding

salaries areas of

seven months in the past for the local

government areas. We have not only

provided for those who retired under the

administration of Okowa but most of

their past due obligations. The board of

the state pension fund in their wisdom

decided to apply the funds to clear those

below a certain threshold and the

determination of how the balance is

applied in the overall good of the

pensioners. As you can see, all the

criticisms and protests are instigated

and misplaced. Governor Okowa cannot

be deterred by these criticisms

When you look back,

would you say the

aims of the Okowa

administration as

encapsulated in

the S.M.A.R.T

AGENDA have

been largely

achieved?

Yes, and the

GDP of the state

as computed by

NBS and other

credible

institutions like

Nigeria

Competitiveness

Council says it

all. We are the

second least poor

state in Nigeria

according to the

National Bureau of

Statistics, NBS, in 2020.

The NBS in 2021, said

there was a reduction in

unemployment at 31 percent

lower than all states average of 37

percent. In 2022, it ranked the state as

the ninth in the multidimensional

poverty index. In 2020, the NBS said

the growth in the non-oil sector was

more than 50 percent of the state

economy. It also said there

was consistent increase in the services

sector.


Ndigbo, Obi and Phd

syndrome

GOD save me from my

“ friends [and relatives

and ethnic group], I can take

care of my enemies.”

After spending years on this

page promoting Igbo

Presidency – especially for

2023 – I almost lost hope when

the All Progressives Congress,

APC, and the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, selected

their presidential candidates

without an Igbo person

emerging as candidate. It was

heart-breaking for me;

because at 78+, it is doubtful

if I will live for another four

years to launch another

campaign. Then, suddenly,

Peter Obi, who withdrew from

the PDP contest, went and

brazenly captured the Labour

Party, LP, nomination. To be

honest, it was, and is still, a

funny political relationship.

Obi is a confirmed capitalist;

he likes to call himself a trader.

The LP was supposed to

represent workers. I thought it

was a joke which would soon

fizzle out. I was not the only

one; and we were wrong for

one reason.

ANGER AND AN IDEA

WHOSE TIME HAS COME

“An invasion of armies can

be resisted; but, not an idea

whose time has come” - Victor

Hugo, 102-1885.

“Anger supplies the arms” -

Virgil, 70-19BC.

Those of us who wrote Obi

off in the beginning have been

proved wrong for two reasons:

The power of an idea coming

at the right time and pent-up

anger against the political

establishment of ‘APDP’. Take

a look at the members of the

APC and PDP today and you

will find that they were on the

other side at one time or

another. “Politics without

principles” (Ghandhi), which

has brought us to ruin, is now

the norm and not the exception

Obviously, Soludo

has damaged Obi;

but, he has damaged

himself even more

since 1999. The youth, women

and Ndigbo had been shut out

of Aso Rock. Experience has

taught us that we cannot trust

a candidate or party to fulfill

their promises. The first thing

they do, after winning election,

is to appoint eminent and

erudite media persons as

Senior Special Advisers,

Ministers, Commissioners for

Information – who spend their

entire tenure white-washing

every atrocity. Nigerians

seriously want a change.

So, to some extent, Obi is not

the cause of the popular

uprising; he is the beneficiary.

He is the anti-establishment

candidate; and that partly

explains why most ‘Obi-dients’

overlook all the character and

competence faults to which

those opposed to him are now

pointing. Since it is not the aim

of this article to discuss Obi’s

qualifications, I will probably

not dwell on them.

My reason for writing this

article is actually more

personal than most of the

articles ever written on this

page.

I am angry and bewildered

that after all the years of

struggle to get a fairly credible

(not perfect, but who is?) Igbo

candidate, Ndigbo have turned

around to stab their own

brother in the back. In the

process they have left people

like me, non-Igbo, who have

canvassed for this idea, to

appear foolish.

MEET MY SAGE OF

SAPELE

“You are never too old to

learn.” Like a few people

seeking wisdom, I knew very

early in life that learning is a

life-long process. One of the

wisest persons I know is my

Uncle A--; who lives in Sapele.

We talk all the time; and he is

the first person to have loaned

me over twelve wonderful

books; because he knows that

reading is my passion.

The last three were over 500

pages long. I read them. I am

now tacking one 662 pages.

Apart from lending me books,

Uncle A—talks sense into my

thick skull. He never gets angry

when out of idiocy of relative

youth I obstinately refuse to

accept his advice.

For as long as I can

remember, Uncle has been

asking me to drop the

promotion of Igbo President.

For him, it makes absolutely

no sense for a Yoruba person

to be canvassing for Igbo

President after what Azikiwe

colluded with northerners to

do to Awolowo by sending him

to jail on trumped-up charge.

I always replied by saying that

Nigeria cannot progress

without large doses of

forgiveness all around. And,

the place to start is to bring

about closure to the Civil War

by electing an Igbo President.

Uncle was never convinced;

and I would not bulge.

Uncle, however, always

made another point during our

discussions. He was convinced

that when an Igbo candidate

emerges, his own Igbo people

will rise against him. Once

again, I seriously disagreed. I

honestly believed that once a

fairly credible Igbo candidate

emerges, he would receive

almost 100 per cent support

from Ndigbo. Today, I feel it is

not only Obi who should feel

betrayed by his kinsmen, I also

feel betrayed. Am I now to

believe that my confidence in

the people was misplaced?

True, I was always amused

whenever any election for

governor in the South-East

brought out 100 candidates

and the campaigns of calumny

that ensued.

But, I also always thought

that the presidential election

would be regarded as

something special; that the

leaders of Igboland would rise

up and provide exceptional

leadership; in order to save the

political class from their

usually destructive tendencies.

That has not happened.

Instead, the worst attacks on

Obi have come from South-

East governors and politicians.

My Uncle must be laughing

now. I have avoided talking to

him because the first statement

from him will be “I told you

so.” He was right and I was

wrong.

ET TU SOLUDO?

“Some misfortune to portend,

no enemy can match a

[kinsman]” - Jonathan Swift,

1667-1745.

Despite the political

opportunism involved in a diehard

capitalist representing

Labour, it was, to me, the only

game in town – so to speak. I

was certain all Igbo leaders

would line up behind him.

Soludo being the latest and

unsoiled governor in the South-

East, as well as the best known,

who has a wide network of non-

Igbo Nigerians to call upon,

was the one to lead the crusade.

To be quite candid, I expected

him to partly set aside the task

of governing Anambra State

and undertake the fight to get

Obi elected.

I was not particularly

worried when Governor

Umahi of Ebonyi first

announced that he would not

work for Obi. Ebonyi is the

rump of the SE; Anambra is

the head.

Even when the first signs of

Soludo’s opposition to Obi

appeared, I wrongly expected

that he would limit himself to

just ignoring the campaign,

issuing “No comment”

statements whenever pressed

for his views. That way, if Obi

fails in his bid, Soludo would

not be held responsible.

INTELLIGENT NOT

WISE

“He who sets out on revenge

must first dig two graves” -

Chinese proverb, VANGUARD

BOOK OF QUOTATIONS,

VBQ, p 215

Soludo’s utterances have

reminded me of that

description of the Harvard

University professors who

advised two American

Presidents to go to war in

Vietnam – a war the US lost.

David Halberstam in his

book, The Brightest and The

Best, had shown the world

how very intelligent young

men lacking wisdom can

create political disasters.

High intelligence and hubris

are quite often Siamese twins.

Intelligent people sometimes

think they know everything

and others must accept their

ideas.

But, intelligence is not

wisdom. After reading part

one of Soludo’s demolition of

Obi’s reputation – which is

vital to success in the

presidential race – I could not

help having the feeling that

revenge, clothed with fine

patriotic language, was the

motive.

The lack of wisdom in the

action taken can be seen from

the repercussions. Sonala

Olumhense, in the PUNCH

of November 20, 2022, has

taken Soludo himself to the

cleaners – virtually alleging

that the former Governor of

the Central Bank, CBN,

committed heinous crimes

while in office. One of our

regular readers sent me a

message asking me to send

my articles on the failure of

Banking Con-Soludo-tion, as

I called the fiasco unleashed

on the banking sector under

Soludo. He wants to publish

it as an advertorial to prove

that Soludo is a fake reformer

– who does not deserve to be

governor. Our own Obi

Nwakanma took his turn at

Soludo bashing on the same

Sunday; so did others.

Obviously, Soludo has

damaged Obi; but, he has

damaged himself even more.

Obi is not yet President. So,

he has very little to lose.

Soludo is governor; and he

will be seeking re-election.

From my experience, he will

spend the next three and a half

years defending his

administration from

attackers – in and out of

Anambra State. Irrespective

of what happens to Obi,

Soludo has made a lot of lifelong

political enemies. They

will never let him forget this

blunder.

NIGERIA NOW AN

ALMAJIRI NATION

133 million Nigerians poor

– NBS (VANGUARD,

NOVEMBER 18, 2022)

The United Nations

declared last week that global

population had reached 8

billion; Nigeria’s population

now estimated to be 216

million. That means 63 per

cent of Nigerians are now

poor. That was not the

situation Buhari met in 2015.

And, where are the poor

people located? Kano

10.51m, Kaduna 8.04m,

Katsina 6.92m, Sokoto

5.81m, Jigawa 5.75m, Bauchi

5.75m top the list. Again that

means that 42.75 million or

almost 33 per cent of poor

people live in those six

northern states. Their

numbers have increased

significantly since Buhari

took over in 2015. We are now

a certified Almajiri Republic.

Yet, Baba thinks he is leaving

Nigeria better than he found

it. Thank God, eight wasted

years will end in 2023.

Your sacrifice could

provoke a miracle

Brethren, today is the last

Sunday in November. We

have four more Sundays to come

to the end of this year. By the

grace of God, you and I and our

loved ones would say bye-bye to

this year in Jesus name.

It’s time to assess your prayer

life. You need to ask yourself

questions. I mean ask yourself,

why haven’t I had my prayers

answered. If you had yours

answered, then you have cause

to celebrate but at the same time,

you still need to remain prayerful.

Ask yourself, how much

sacrifices have you made this

year? Have you denied yourself

anything in order to get a miracle?

I can imagine someone asking

why is this necessary?

There is a popular saying that

“nothing goes for anything”. It

could mean, if you put in nothing,

you will get nothing.

For example if a farmer does

not plant yam seeds, he cannot

harvest yams.

The best example of giving and

getting something is found in

John 3 vs. 16 &17 ( KJV) “ For

God so loved the world, that he

gave his only begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in him

should not perish but have

everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into

the world to condemn the world;

but that the world through high

might be saved”.

God gave his only begotten

Son for us to be saved.

Before this month

ends, as you make

up your mind to

sacrifice you time

and give to the Lord,

your miracle is a

matter of time

Another example of someone

who gave and got beyond his

request is King Solomon.

Our authority is found in 2nd

Chronicles 1 vs. 6&7 ( KVJ): “

And Solomon went up thither to

the brasen altar before the LORD,

which was at the tabernacle of

the congregation, and offered a

thousand burnt offerings upon it.

In that night did God appear

unto Solomon, and said, unto

him, Ask what I shall give thee”.

We are looking at sacrifice as

it affects our expectation.

One may not be in a position

sacrifice unto the LORD as

Solomon did, but you can

sacrifice your time to meditate

on the word of God.

You can sacrifice some time in

between your sleep to present

your prayer request to the LORD.

For others, they may choose

to work in the vineyard of the

LORD either as cleaners,

choristers, ushers etc.

Make up your mind to

sacrifice the time you spend

engaging in idle talks for Bible

reading.

You could even decide to

donate to the church that money

you have kept to buy the most

fashionable dresses.

The story of King David

presents us a good example. His

people had plague that made life

uncomfortable for them.

Araunah offered King David

some animals as offering to the

Lord . 2nd Samuel 24 vs. 22-24:

“ And Araunah said unto David,

Let my lord the king take and

offer up what seemeth good unto

him: behold, here be oxen for

burnt sacrifice, and threshing

instruments and other

instruments of the oxen for wood.

All these things did Araunah ,

as a king, give unto the king. And

Araunah, said unto the king, The

LORD thy God accept thee”.

David’s comment in verse 24

is our key point : “ And the king

said unto Araunah, Nay; but I

will surely buy it of thee at a price:

neither will I offer burnt offerings

unto the LORD my God of that

which doth cost me nothing, So

David bought the threshing floor

and the oxen for fifty shekels of

silver”.

Let’s see the result of the sacrifice

in verse 25 of the same chapter : “

And David built there an altar

unto the LORD, and offered burnt

offerings and peace offerings. So

the LORD was intreated for the

land, and the plague was stayed

from Israel”.

The plague may also be

described as a reproach that the

Lord took away.

It therefore implies that when

you sacrifice your time for the

Lord, your reproach would be

taken away.

Your sacrifice may also be

monetary. Contribute substantial

money to promote evangelism.

Brethren as a truly born again

Christian, something in your old

ways must give way to your new

life.

It could even be drinking.

Perhaps you are known as a

Christian that drinks alcohol to

the point that you lose control of

yourself. If indeed you need

something from the Lord, you just

must change your ways.

Devout the time you spend

associating with ungodly friends

to studying the Holy Bible or

attending Christian Fellowship

meetings .

Hannah made a sacrifice that

is often over looked.

In 1st Samuel chapter 1, tells

us of the Shiloh annual festival

where everyone ate and drank . It

was customary for Elkanah to

provide for his wives, Hannah

and Penninah items that they

would need to enjoy the festival.

Verse 7 gives us more details:

And as he did no year by year,

when he went up to the house of

the LORD, so she provoked her;

therefore she wept, and did not

eat”.

Note “ and did not eat”. In

other words, while others were

eating and making merry, she

denied herself food. She fasted.

When Eli accosted her

thinking she was drunk,

Hannah replied in verse 15 :”

And Hannah answered and

said, No, my lord, I am a woman

of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk

neither wine nor strong drink,

but have poured out my soul

before the LORD”.

This is the second

confirmation of her fast. She

didn’t join others to drink. She

denied herself that pleasure.

Hannah sacrificed her food

and drink. She gave both up to

speak to the LORD.

Sisters and Brothers, have you

given up any thing or habit this

year as a personal sacrifice?

If not, it isn’t too late.

You just have to give up

something.

Luke6 vs.38 (NJKV) states: “

Give, and it will be given to you:

good measure, pressed down,

shaken together, and running

over will be put into your bosom.

For with the same measure that

you use, it will be measured back

to you”.

Brethren, God that gave

Solomon and Hannah more

than they asked for is still the

same with us today.

I once wrote on this page, the

testimony of a couple that gave

as sacrificial offering, the

amount due for the mortgage of

their home in London. They had

been married for years without

children.

For their reward, God gave

them a set of triplets and they

didn’t lose the house in London.

When you give, don’t bother

yourself with what the church or

Pastor does with it.

Your gift is to the Lord and not

to a Pastor.

Giving to your Pastor also

comes with some blessings.

God appreciates and rewards

sacrificial giving.

If you haven’t done one this

year, its not too late . You can still

do a lot.

Such sacrificial offerings are

not just to attract a miracle but

also a confirmation of your love

for God.

Your dedication to godly duties

is a form of sacrifice.

As the year winds down, think

of a sacrificial contribution that

you can make to promote the

word of God.

2nd Corinthians 9 v 6&7 tells

us : “ But this I say, He which

soweth sparingly shall reap also

sparingly; and he which soweth

bountifully shall reap also

bountifully.

Every man according as he

purposeth in his heart, so let him

give; not grudgingly, or of

necessity: for God loveth a

cheerful giver”.

Sacrificial gift must be given

cheerfully.

Those who give cheerfully the

Bible tells us experiences the love

of God.

Even before this month ends,

as you make up your mind to

sacrifice you time and give to the

Lord, your miracle is a matter of

time.

Your mockers will rejoice with

you soon in Jesus name.

Enjoy the Peace of the Lord .



Dire consequences await

security agents who collect

money to rig 2023 polls

— Evangel Akeredolu

• ‘I know of about four pastors who can influence Buhari’

• Advises on how to stop terrorists from attacking

churches, Nigerians

• Speaks on his achievements, why he won’t leave CAC now

By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Evangelist Emmanuel Toluwase Akeredolu is the Senior Pastor and

Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Ilorin District

Coordinating Council, located at Taiwo-Isale, Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

Akeredolu, in this interview, speaks on the spiritual and physical growth of

the church under his watch. He also bares his mind on the state of the

nation and the 2023 general elections among other issues. Excerpts:

Call you tell us the

highlights of the spiritual

growth between when you

got here and now?

I’m called by God and He has been

supportive for close to 40 years. I was

posted here in January 2019. When

I came, I looked outside of the box

and we were able to make some

fundamental changes.

We renovated this place mainly for

guests. We have some pastors now

on our revival list, they were in their

air conditioned rooms and everything.

As servants of God, instead of going to

a hotel, they prefer staying here because

if you enter a room in any hotel, you

don’t know the person who used it last.

Also, we just finished the dedication

of the new Ultramodern English

Assembly which can sit about 1,

500. It’s a modern church for our

youths, you’ll like worshipping

there. We are also constructing

an event centre along New

Yidi Road with 1, 500 sitting

capacity and we have a plan

to build a guest house. We are

also working on a two-storey

building of six flats. We bought

it and we are re-building it. We

are doing all of these because

the church is supposed to have a source of income

apart from the Sunday offering. Any church that is

still relying on Sunday offering will not survive.

Also, one of the things God asked me to do was

to purchase plots of land for our church members.

Those who think they cannot be landlords in

10 years now are landlords/landladies. We

also have our nursery and primary

school. I spent over N20million on

the project. We also bought some

properties at the back of the

church that we have not

touched. We have a maternity

centre too where we used to

have minimum of 400 babies

annually. Last year the figure was

above 400. We bought resuscitating

machine, oxygen, and other modern

equipment that they can use after the

delivery of the mothers and babies. And we

have doctors who are our members. We have

some that said they were born in our

maternity, those doctors of today.

I know that with God,

all things are possible.

All what you’ve told us

are products of great

ideas. Tell us how and where you

got money because the projects are

huge?

When I arrived Ilorin, I asked them to take me

round to see their properties because there were

many members of the church suffering, they had

resources but didn’t know how to tap into them.

When I was in Lagos, I had a dedicated and

committed church member who attended every

programme in the same dress. And I asked him,

can one be serving God and be wretched, what

was his problem? He said he had HND, he didn’t

have a job, when he went to market, he will hawk

padlocks; at the end of the day, he will return the

proceeds and be given a percentage. I asked if he

didn’t have anything in life that he could sell. And

he said no, but that he had a land but he couldn’t

sell it and that it will be there for his children. Then

I said if he died that day, he will be in the mortuary,

the children will sell the plot of land and buy casket,

hire ambulance, take him to their village, bury him

the same day and they won’t sleep in the village.

He said “never”. I asked about his children, he

said they were in University of Ibadan. So I said

during holidays I wanted to see them. Later, I invited

the children and the wife and I told them I asked

their father to sell one of his plots and he said he

•Akeredolu

didn’t want to sell it, that it was for them. And the

first born said the father should not bother to

sell it because if he died, he will sell it, hire

ambulance. And the father said, “See the

children I want to leave property for”. He

asked what he could do and I said we

should go there. When we got there, I

found that he had constructed an

uncompleted boys’ quarters. I asked

them to sell it. In 2003, we sold it at

N11million. He was given bank draft

and I told him to lodge it in his account.

I said “let us buy Treasury Bill for

N5million, complete the one you

are doing; then let’s go to

Dangote Cement,

asbestos and other

things”. And he became

a major distributor of

cement. After spending

money on his children,

he is in America right

now with those

children. I can call him

and tell him to testify to

what I’m saying. So,

when I got here, I asked

if the church was the

owner of this place, they

said yes. It’s in the

middle of the city. I said

“let us sell half of it to

get what we want”. After many arguments, we sold

part of the land. And that is the money we are

using to do all these things. That’s the secret. It is

about ideas and grace of God.

They should license

guns. If you know I have

gun and you are coming

to attack me, you will

think twice. If you are

coming to attack a

church, you will think

twice

Let’s talk about the spiritual

growth of the church. How

has it been?

We have Bible Study every

Tuesday and we are trying to invest

in our youths, training them,

sending them for spiritual training

because, without the Word of

God, whatever you do will be a

waste in the future. God has

been faithful to us in the spiritual

aspect of the ministry.

What do you consider

as a challenge in this

church?

There is no more cooperation in

the church like the time of the Bible. I

am a pastor here. If God wants to speak

to the church, he will speak through me. It

is my duty. The problem we have is that

whatever you tell the church, some of them won’t

agree and that is not allowing God to move like

before. Another one is civilisation. Our children

don’t create time for prayers again.

Let us talk about government.

How do you think we came to where

we are today in terms of economic

crisis and politics?

I have traveled a little. I’ve been to the UK,

Germany, Paris, US, Canada and I’m not saying

this just to let people know I’ve traveled but the

difference between them and we Nigerians is that

they love their nations. We Nigerians don’t love

our nation, every one of us. The so-called leaders

are not leaders, when you say leaders, it means to

give instructions. Somebody who leads by example

is called a leader. In Nigeria, our leaders are greedy.

I’ve been praying to God to visit Buhari to change

Nigerian currency. The only problem I have with

him is that the period is too long. Also, until we stop

voting for political parties there is no solution in

Nigeria, we should start voting for individuals. The

problem we are facing in Nigeria is mostly political.

We need to start voting for individuals and not

political parties. We are facing two problems in

Nigeria right now: Religion and tribalism.

Continues on www.vanguardngr.com

Nigeria’s growth and development:

The historical imperative

Last week’s decision by the

Nigerian government to

approve the restoration of

‘History’ as a stand-alone

subject to be taught in

Nigerian schools was a right

step in the right direction

because anyone who seeks to

comprehend the present so as

to plan for tomorrow must first

understand yesterday.

Although history is that

important; I am yet to clap for

the government on its new

stand. As Nigerian events have

always exhibited, it is

expedient to get the details of

any policy pronouncement,

before clapping for it. So,

which history is to be taught

now? If it is the type that was

taught in my days in school, I

cannot clap because it was not

the authentic history of

Nigeria but the history of

European activities in Africa.

It was quite cheeky to make

students of African history

learn and quite often

memorize historical fallacies

such as that one alien

adventurer- Mungo Park,

discovered River Niger. No

one bothered to rationalize

that a man who was shown a

river by the inhabitants of its

bank ought not to be credited

in history with the discovery

of the same river.

To have indoctrinated the

indigenous people around the

river and their successors into

believing that they too did not

know the river until the coming

of Mungo Park was patently

deceitful. Again with the

By Nnamdi Ojiego

n its determination to

Itackle unemployment

and employability challenges

facing youths, the Lagos

government through the State

Employment Trust Fund,

LSETF, in partnership with

the United States Africa

Development Foundation,

USADF, has successfully

trained over 1000 Lagosians

in various skills and created

124,500 direct and indirect

jobs over the last few years.

The Director-General of

the Lagos Chamber of

Commerce and Industry, Dr.

Chinyere Almona, disclosed

this on Thursday in her

keynote address at the

graduation ceremony of the

Midramo/LSETF/USADF

employability programme

benefit of hindsight, I find it

repulsive for Frederick

Lugard, colonial governor of

Party primaries are

exceedingly rancorous

because the political

culture our politicians

are familiar with is one

where some money

bags known as party

caucuses secretly

handpick candidates

against the run of play

Nigeria to be eulogized as the

exponent of “indirect rule” –

a system of government

whereby an imperialist allows

the local ruler of a conquered

territory to continue to govern

the territory on behalf of the

conqueror. Yet, in pre-colonial

Africa, that is, many centuries

before Lugard, using existing

rulers to run such territories

had been employed in the old

Empires of the Western Sudan

by rulers like Mansa Musa of

Mali, Askia the Great of

Songhai and Idris Alooma of

Kanem Bornu. Against this

backdrop, it is nauseating to

clap for the teaching of history

which accommodates several

historical impurities and

distortions especially stories

which never begin from the

beginning – a good example

being the Nigerian media

history.

Whereas people began to

live in Nigeria during the

Paleolithic or Old Stone Age

period traceable to between

500,000 and 9000 B.C., the

origin of the Nigerian media

is authoritatively put at 1859,

when a foreign missionary,

Rev. Henry Townsend

established a newspaper Iwe

Irohin in Abeokuta. Does it

mean that the people who

lived in Nigeria did not

communicate with one

another before the 19 th

century? In the pre-colonial

era, the great warrior Obas

of the Benin Empire built an

expansive wall as long as

20,000 kilometres around the

Empire - a defensive edifice

recorded in the Guinness

Book of Records, as ‘the

world’s longest self-protective

complex and the greatest

earth work ever constructed

by man.’ How was the

expansionist policy of those

warrior Obas disseminated to

the public?

The journalist of those days

later described as the Town

Crier, existed everywhere. In

parts of the North he was the

“Mai Shela” appointed by the

Sarki - Village head from

among citizens who had a

flair for information

management. In Akure, one

Chief Osukute was the senior

newsman and ‘chief editor’ of

the palace news who usually

sent his ‘reporters’ on ‘news

beats’ to herald dates of

important events. Thus, the

non-recognition of the precolonial

media is one of the

failures of history, after all,

every country’s media

evolved from stage to stage

through the nascent media

phase to the technologically

advanced media of today. No

Lagos tackles unemployment, creates

124,500 new jobs through LSETF

for 300 youths.

Represented at the event

themed: “Nigeria and the

Employability Challenge”, by

the Director, International

Public Sector Department,

Temitope Akintunde, Almona

commended the vision of the

Lagos government with the

establishment of LSETF and

the prioritising of the growth

of Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprises, MSMEs,

inspiring the creative and

innovative energies of Lagos

residents and reducing

unemployment, improving

access to finance and creating

enabling environment for

sustainable growth of the

sector.

She, however, urged the

policymakers to continue to

emphasise the importance of

‘employability skills to ensure

youths are fully equipped in

meeting the challenges of an

increasingly demanding

labour market.

“Since the inception of

LSETF, the Fund has created

over 124,500 direct and

indirect jobs and 55,170 new

taxpayers have been added to

the Lagos State tax database.

In 2021, the Fund also

distributed N12 million to 19

beneficiaries affected by End-

SARS, workspace vouchers

issued to 105 beneficiaries, 50

persons trained in partnership

with Ustacky, and 22

beneficiaries mentored in the

Idea Hub programme. Also,

2,722 applicants were trained

and certified and 2,156

beneficiaries were placed in

jobs or self-employed. All of

these are laudable

achievements but we need to

do more to address the

employability challenge."

From left: The newly inducted knight of John Wesley, Methodist Church Nigeria, Sir

Aramide Tola Noibi KJW with the secretary of The Light Bearers, Wesley Cathedral

Olowogbowo Lagos, Prince AdesegunAkitoye and the Lady of the Knight of John Wesley

Methodist church Nigeria, Lady (pastor) Dr. Mrs. Titilayo Oyeneye Noibi at the 2022 Annual

Adult Harvest thanksgiving service of the Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbow Lagos on Sunday.


nation began with

newspapers because world

history aptly records that

several centuries before

printing was invented, people

communicated through

diverse means such as

scribbling information on

stones and sign language.But

media in Africa was not so

recognized but derisively

coined as African

communication system and

Nigerian media scholars

accept it! This appropriately

reflects our history – an alien

account which began

abruptly thereby incapable of

teaching any positive lesson.

A hard look at Nigeria

would easily betray too many

bogus claims making several

things look fake. When the

unending sermon by

Information Minister, Lai

Mohammed that fake news

is Nigeria’s greatest challenge

is critically examined, one

cannot but realize that in a

country with too many fake

issues, there is bound to be a

preponderance of fake news.

This is because if news is about

events, our fake activities and

statements can only produce

fake news. Nigeria does not

have an acceptable census just

as her voter’s register, in spite

of spirited technological

efforts by the electoral body

has many fake entries which

currently distort INEC’s plans.

There are two things which

many Nigerian leaders have

in common. The first is that

they all have faith in rigging

elections notwithstanding

their pretensions to the

contrary while the second is

that no leader is comfortable

with adherence to the rule of

law.

Both traits were bequeathed

by history which we must

change. It should surprise no

one that our ruling political

parties are more involved

than others in election rigging

because having done too little

to sustain their fake

popularity, they spend more

time searching for how to

subvert the electoral process.

It is in earnest the ruling

parties that surreptitiously

include their members

among the supposed

impartial referee of the game

in which they are a competing

team. Before the 2015

elections, the then ruling PDP

sensing imminent defeat

manipulated the

postponement of voting day

which they made public not

in Nigeria but at a conference

in London. In the last few

months, those worried and

anxious to reverse the gains

of the use of technology belong

to the current ruling APC.

After canvassing in vain that

Nigeria is not ripe for BVAS,

the party is still debating its

anticipated failure months

after the electoral law had

been appropriately passed.

Party primaries are

exceedingly rancorous

because the political culture

our politicians are familiar

with is one where some money

bags known as party caucuses

secretly handpick candidates

against the run of play. The

reluctance in adjusting to the

new democratic spirit is that

it removes caucuses and what

they call party supremacy

thereby closing illicit

financial flow to founders. The

introduction of several

mechanisms such as placeholder

must be understood

against the background of

history. Amidst the struggle to

gain an upper hand, some

cheated dissidents are forced

into coalition with their

opponents. The G5 group, led

by River state governor

Nyesom Wike is not doing

anything new. In 2013, his

predecessor, former governor

Rotimi Amaechi joined four

other governors to move from

the PDP to join the APC.

Shortly, attacks on the

judiciary would start as part

of Nigeria’s political history

that is being followed to

institutionalize rigging

The enormous power of

history can hardly be changed

by feeble efforts. The plan to

restore history as an inevitable

frontline teaching subject was

first recommended in 2016.

That the announcement of its

implementation came in

2022, that is, six years later,

derogates largely from the

urgent public importance of

the subject. The news is that

3700 teachers with 100 from

each state and Abuja are to be

trained. While there is scanty

information to confirm that

it would be expeditiously

done, one hopes that the

people chosen are persons

who have interest in

becoming educationists and

not unemployed people

nominated by our legislators

as part of constituency

projects. Hopefully, the

teachers would teach our

children the age-long core

values that have since been

displaced. But will their

salaries be regular?

We must look inwards and

retrospectively too because

there is much that is glorious

and worthy of emulation in

our past. Respect for elders

and constituted authorities,

dignity of labour, concern for

one’s neighbour, community

service and patriotism need to

be restored. It is however

defeatist to revive obsolete

practices; instead, there

should be deep introspection

in the search for our forgotten

virtues to be channelled into

constructive use. At the same

time, acculturation, arising

from interactions with the

outside world, behoves on us

to employ global realities

predicated on advanced

technology to develop our

country. We need an authentic

history and statesmen who

would prioritize cultural and

developmental practices.

ElevateHerUK Launches Sister Arm In Nigeria

bony King, founder of

EElevateHerUK, a nongovernmental

organisation

which caters to the physical

and mental needs of young

girls and women, on the 27th

of October, launched Elevate

Her Africa. This event

occurred at a Youth

Conference tagged

"EDUCATE & EMPOWER

THE YOUTH" held at

Freedom Park, Victoria

Island, Lagos.

Elevate Her Africa was

launched to curb peer

pressure among young people

and provide mentorship,

empowerment and

entrepreneurial services to

young girls. At the event, King

said that the organisation is

set to raise awareness of Peer-

To-Peer abuse, educate and

empower young people.

She further stated, "We are

doing this now because I have

spoken to many young people

in Nigeria, and they told me

the state of things here. I run a

youth safety campaign in the

UK, and when it was featured

on the BBC, I got people who

told me they needed me to

How to fight infant mortality with technology --- Orewole

I

By Kingsley Adegboye

n a bid to address infant

mortality, Executive

Board Member of Tiny

Hearts Technology,

Ebinepere Orewole, has

introduced a device, Crib

A’glow Device, to reduce infant

mortality rate.

In a chat with Vanguard,

Orewole said

she went against all odds to

ensure sustainable solutions

to infant death with aid of

science and technology.

She said: "I was involved in

strategic decisions. For

instance, at the conceptual

stage of crib aglow, where I

come home and replicate it.

"We talk about mental and

physical health as needed,

especially after the incident of

the Chrisland student who

was exploited by her male

classmates in Dubai, and so I

know it is time for me to speak

up."

From left: General Manager Human Resources/Admin

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Hassan Salisu, Executive

Secretary National Sugar Development Council Mr. Zach

Adedeji, Mr. Chris Mbamalu of National Sugar Development

Council and Group Managing Director/CE of Dangote Sugar

Refinery Plc Ravindra Singhvi, during the monitoring and

evaluation tour of Dangote Sugar Refinery Apapa Lagos by

the Executive Secretary of Sugar Council and his team

put together a team of

engineers to assess and advise

on product design for the

construction.

“My decision to use my

skills as a business manager/

data analyst, accountant, and

mother to build sustainable

solutions to infant deaths is

the most fulfilling decision I

have made in my life.

“The journey started way

back in 2015 when Tiny

Hearts was founded and the

novel Crib A’glow Device was

designed. Hearing about the

innovation, I volunteered to

be on the team to support the

The founder of

ElevateHerUK made it

known that she was faced with

stigma and negativity instead

of support as a teenage mum.

"People looked down on me,

and so I told myself, when I

am older and able, I want to

support other young girls".

innovation with my skills".

• Orewole


0802 384 9036

Olori Temitope Ogunwusi bags

Transparency Africa Award

Olori Temitope, one of the wives of

Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

Ojaja II was, last week, conferred

with the prestigious Transparency Africa

Award for her numerous community

development and capacity building

activities.

Speaking during the investiture

ceremony at the Ile-Oodua Palace of Ile-

Ife, Ambassador Goriola Mosobalaje

described the Ooni’s queen as an epitome

of genuine African motherhood with a

heart of gold.

“This is beyond mere award, it is an

unquantifiable honour done to an

honourable royal personality for exemplary

lifestyle, philanthropic gesture and efforts

towards assisting the poor and vulnerable

members of our society”, Mosobalaje said.

“These she started with her prominent

non-governmental organization, Hopes

Alive Initiative (HAI), long before fate

brought her into royalty. Upon becoming

an Olori in Ile-Ife, she took her

humanitarian activities to another level

and we are here to applaud her for that.”

The Executive Secretary of

Transparency Africa, Ambassador Afi

Kunto, earlier in a letter, dated October

29, 2022 and written to nominate Olori

Temitope for the award described the

queen as a credible and transparent charity

ambassador who has run HAI, under the

chairmanship of Ooni Ogunwusi, in the

best global practices in line with their vision

to create a corrupt free Africa both in public

and private sectors for a better Africa.

In her acceptance speech, Olori Temitope

revealed that she learned and still learning

her leadership as well as humanitarian

gesture from Ooni Ogunwusi.

From right: Mrs Bisi Sotunde, Convener, BusyBee Excellence Awards; Mrs

Bisola Borha of Trendy BE Events (Winner, Industry Icon of the Year); Nneoma

Jide-Ebelendu and Kemi Odunsi-Ojiagbe.

BusyBee celebrates industry

icons in a night of glitz

The event business industry on

Wednesday night stood still as

Mrs. Bisi Sotunde, Managing

Director, BusyBee Group, held

guests spellbound in an occasion that

produced excitement and rewards for

creative excellence.

The event was put together by

Sotunde’s BusyBee Group and tagged

BusyBee Excellence Awards. Guests

across the nation made their presence

felt as they lived up to expectations with

different designers’ dresses and styles.

An annual event, this year’s theme

was ‘The Power of You’ and it featured

top experts at LSETF and international

event business.

In her speech, Sotunde said it was

necessary that someone stood up to

provide leadership in the industry that

had been looked down upon for several

years.

“This industry has provided hundreds

of thousands of jobs and it is a very

important sub-sector in the

entertainment and tourism sector”, she

stated

On the awards, the MD said the award

categories were in two parts: Well Waters

Garden Tribe (WWGT) and network

categories both of which deal with the

people within her community and the

industry.

According to her, the WWGT

was categorized into three

platforms, Most Resourceful,

Most Supportive and Most

Influential Members of the

Year drawn from the

community of events

professionally managed by

BusyBee Group.

The industry categories

were the Industry Leader of

the Year, the Young Event

Professional of the Year and

Excellence Recognition

Awards as well as the

Honorary Award for Industry

Icons. The Industry Icon of

the Year Award went to

Bisola Borha, CEO/Founder

of Trendy Bee Elite Event,

and the Excellence

Recognition Award of the Year

•Olori Temitope Ogunwusi

flanked by some of her guests

to Mrs. Olajumoke Oriloye of Manifold

Event and Rentals.

Borha, after receiving the award, said, “It

was amazing and inspiring to receive the

Industry Icon Award of the Year.

Oriloye, who, on her part, said she would

retire in a couple years, stressed that it was

refreshing to see how she was appreciated

for the work she was doing to earn a living.

Other award recipients include Stella

Naiya of Chillis Pot who emerged the Most

Influential Personality of the Year for her

influence and consistency among the

WWGT, Feyikemi Welsing of Sueno

Exqyuite Events, the Most Active Member

of the Year, Quality DJ Ralph, the Most

Improved Business of the Year, Nneoma

Jide-Ebedendu of Alessa Suave Events,

the Emerging Event Professional of the

Year, and Ann Onwuka of 3P Royal Event,

the Most Resourceful Member of the Year.

•Kayode Ajulo

My Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri story,

by Ganduje

…as gov, wife bag Olomu chieftaincy

titles

Governor Abdulahi Umar Ganduje and his wife, Professor loved them too.

Hafsat Umar Ganduje, with a retinue of associates, “Even after I left, we were still exchanging pleasantries. That is

stormed the Delta community of Olomu, last weekend, why I am in love with the Urhobo. I am in love with Isoko. I am in

where the Kano State helmsman and his wife were conferred love with the Itsekiri. What else do you need in Delta State? So,

with chieftaincy titles by the Ohworode of the ancient Olomu that particular impression is still in me to all Nigerians, irrespective

Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Ovie R. L Ogbon, Ogoni, Oghoro of tribe ethnicity, culture and religion. That is what it should be.

1. “What you (the Olomu community) have done today is to further

The monarch, who doubles as the Chairman, Urhobo solidify and make that policy a reality in Nigeria. There is no doubt

Traditional Council in Delta State, conferred Ganduje with about this chieftaincy title. There is a history behind it. When the

the title of Olorogun Ejerukugbe of Olomu which literally late General Oneya was posted to Kano State to serve as military

means ‘Let’s work together’ while his wife’s Olorogun administrator after the demise of the former military administrator,

Omarmoraye of Olomu simply translates to ‘Good woman’. Col. Mohamed Wasei, through an air crash, I was a Commissioner

The installation ceremony took place amidst pomp at the under Col. Mohamed Wasei. And when Oneya was posted to

royal palace of the Ohworode in the presence of a large turnout Kano to be a military administrator, he dissolved the cabinet but I

of chiefs of Olomu Kingdom, top government officials from was reinstated and we became so close because Oneya, we used

Kano State, family members of Ganduje, politicians and wellmeaning

members of Olomu Kingdom, home and in the became so friendly with us. He was a very hard-working chief

to call him Abubakar, because Kano people loved him so much,

Diaspora.

executive.

Ganduje, after receiving his title, described the moment as “I worked with three different military administrators.

historic.

Unfortunately, all of them are late now. I maintain a good

He said, “Today, history has been made, which is necessary relationship with their families, all of them. And a living example is

for the development of our country. I could recall when a former the one from here, Gen. Oneya.

Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, created and “I maintain a good relationship with his son too up till now.

implemented the National Youth Service Corps. It was a policy “Late Gen. Oneya, and late General Obada were my mentors.

used to institutionalize national integration in Nigeria. General Obada was the Minister of Works under Shehu Yar’Adua

“Effectively, in 1973, I was a student at Ahmadu Bello when he was Head of State.

University when the NYSC was introduced. Many of us who “In order to keep the relationship up to date, I appointed the son

were students reacted negatively then.

of the late administrator as my Senior Special Assistant. And later

“But some of us, who were young students, demonstrated in in order to take the relationship to a higher level, I promoted him

favour of the National Youth Service Corps not even knowing to Special Adviser in charge of Lagos Affairs. So your Royal Majesty,

that it was a real policy to institutionalize national integration”. you can see how Nigeria can be promoted for national integration”.

Ganduje continued “When some of us were posted to the Speaking in the same vein, Anthony Oneya, son of late General

northern part of this country, we protested, saying we must be Dominic Oneya, commended Ganduje for his open door policy

posted to the southern part of this country.

and for extending hands of fellowship across the Niger, noting that

“I was lucky enough to be posted to then-Bendel State and the governor appointed him as his Special Adviser in 2018.

I had my NYSC in 1975 in Oleh, Isoko. Therefore, I respect the “I work with the Governor as SA on Lagos Affairs. What that

Urhobo, Isoko and Itsekiri.

means is that I represent the people of Kano State in Lagos. I am

“Most of the time, we used to come to Warri, then the a non-indigene of Kano, he deemed it fit to bring me in to represent

commercial capital of the Delta area. It was so motivating. the people of Kano State. What it does is that it unifies us as

“Many people were coming to see us as northerners, to pray Nigerians”.

for us, to greet us, some bringing various types of food to us free Also speaking, Muhammad Garba, Kano State Commissioner

of charge.

for Information, described the occasion as “an indication that Nigeria

“It was at that time I knew plantain, big banana. Some were needs to be one”.

bringing snails, goat and ‘Ukodo’. Really they loved us and we

Kayode Ajulo gets uncommon

attention from Buckingham Palace

For his avid belief in the famous line

that a man who is good at what he

does will stand, not just before men

but before Kings and the mighty ones,

fashionista law expert, Dr Olukayode

Ajulo, had long imbibed attitude that

could make one refer to him as a

perfectionist. He’s not satisfied

with little measure, rather, he

goes all out for whatever he’s

involved in, and the result of

such attitude is evident in the

flourishing manner his career

has turned out. Ajulo has

become a reference point in

handling briefs to a successful

end, just as accuracy of his

interpretations and predictions

over national issues, law related

ones particularly, has also

made his thoughts to be much

sort-after.

On another hand, the city dude

possesses other qualities, among

which is being courteous.

He’s elevated being courteous to a level

that having a personal relationship is

not a requirement for him to reach out

to deserving individuals on the right

occasions. Constituted authorities and

revered entities are not exempted from

such gesture. Such gestures have

however attracted and endeared the

influential dude to respected

personalities and venerated institutions.

It was in line with this tradition of his

that his London firm sent an official

message to condole with King Charles

III of England at the instance of the

passing on of his mother, the late Queen

Elizabeth 11. Of course the gesture was

simply out of principle, but alas, it was

a pleasant surprise when King Charles

III, days ago, acknowledged and

responded to the message. King Charles

III sent a card he personally engraved

with kind words, for a reply. For excited

Ajulo, he finds the message from the

Buckingham Palace a very thoughtful

and kind gesture to treasure.

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“Mama Kola

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Simbiat was

— including Ko

Redemption Pa

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Her love

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November 27, 2022

Scents We

Love And

Tips On

Choosing The

Right Fragrance

Leopard

Print...

What’s Not

To Love

OYINKANSOLA ALABI

Giving Beauty for Ashes

6

3

6

IN THIS ISSUE

email: allurefortheworld@vanguardngr.com

HAPPINESS

4 Cover : Oyinkansola Alabi:


6 Sexmatics: Spicy Sex Life As A

Mother

8 Billboard

CELEBRATION

3

7

Fashion : Leopard Print...

What’s Not To Love

Beauty : Scents We Love And Tips On

Choosing The Right Fragrance

27 NOVEMBER 2022

WELCOME...

Once in a while, you get to meet

seemingly intelligent men and women

who in spite of their brilliance, are just

not aware of who they really are.

Sometimes, garbage from the past

comes to affect their present

circumstances including their

performances at work or even their

relationship with others.

A proper diagnosis will enable such

individuals to know what they must stop

or start doing. This can only be brought

about when they subscribe to tools of

emotional intelligence. It brings about

self-awareness; understanding and knowing oneself, character

and feelings, and even strength which can be built on or adjusted.

In all, it leads to goal-setting, self-regulation, empathy, motivation,

and social skills.

The bottom line is that emotional intelligence will create

positive relationships in marriage or even within an organization.

Oyinkansola Alabi, the Lead researcher, and facilitator at

Emotions City, Africa’s leading Centre for Emotional Intelligence,

graces our cover today and sheds light on this complex area of

learning that its understanding will help individuals use and

manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate

effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and

defuse conflict. She spoke with Josephine Agbonkhese. Pg. 4-5.

Take your style this week to the wild side and see what you

can churn out with leopard prints. Wear as a garment or

accessories. It’s all about your taste. Pg 3

Do you know there are certain fragrances that are

scientifically proven can make you happy? flip to page 7 and read

all about scents and fragrances.

We also have your other favourite columns, Sexmatics and

Billboard. Pg 6 & 8.

It’s our last edition for November.

Next week, we begin the last lap of

2022.

J . E

Jemi Ekunkunbor

Have a great week.

lookposh2017@gmail.com

08052201126

Quotes

“A beautiful woman

delights the eye; a wise

woman, the

understanding; a pure

one, the soul.”

- Minna Antrim

“Never lose an

opportunity of seeing

anything beautiful, for

beauty is God’s

handwriting.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Beauty is the first

present nature gives to

women and the first it

takes away.”

- Fay Weldon

8

EDITOR

JEMI EKUNKUNBOR

ASST. EDITOR

YEMISI SULEIMAN

REPORTER

Josephine Agbonkhese

ALLURE ONLINE

RITA OKOYE

TEMITOPE OJO

LAYOUT / DESIGN

OLAYIWOLA AJAGBE

TEAM

CONTRIBUTORS

ADESUWA

EWOIGBOKHAN

BAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

HEAD OF PRODUCTION

CHARLES KAMMA

HEAD MARKETING

JANET NAJOMOH

(08037156911)

PHOTO

OSCAR OCHIOGU

(08034746487)

Printed and published by Vanguard Media Ltd

Vanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal; P.M.B 1007

Apapa, Lagos.

Leopard Print

FASHION

….What’s Not To Love

Go Wild

With A

Leopard

Print Dress

A Leopard print

dress is a trendy

must-have for

confident young

ladies. For

cocktail or red

carpet glam,

both dressess

will do just fine

CHIC AMA

Midi Skirt

A midi leopard print

skirt allows you to

instantly make a

strong fashion

statement. This

item would work

well with a colourful

top and minimal

accessory for any

formal event.

By - Yemisi Suleiman

Building a timeless capsule

wardrobe does not mean or require

you to stick to neutral shades only.

Bold patterns like the leopard prints

are classy and timeless, thanks to

its trans-seasonal design and

wearability. Investing in leopard

print is a wise fashion decision, as

it’s not trend-focused, so won’t ever

feel outdated and end up unworn or

thrown out. There are so many

lovely and amazing ways to

showcase leopards, whether you’re

clothing yourself with a sultry

leopard dress that drapes to the

knees or simply spicing up your

look with a leopard purse. Whatever

you choose, the leopard print is a

sure fire way to enhance your

fashion.

Here, our favourite instagram

fashionista celebrates the style with

classy ensembles , proving why

you should love, invest and wear

leopard print for years to come in

your own wardrobes.

For those who have a

nine-to-five job, there are

plenty of options to suit a

professional environment.

For example, you can go

with a leopard print shirt

and pair it with a modest

satin pencil skirt.

Complete the look with a

black clutch with a golden

chain and a couple of

subtle jewelry pieces.

Leopard

Shirt For

Corporate

Glam

TIHANNA

Kimono

Style

There is no

better way to

flaunt this

trend, than with

leopard print

pants and a

kimono jacket. We

love the way Chic Ama

combined it with a

black tube and leopard

skin shoes. One of the

coolest things about

this look is that it

basically doesn’t

require any

adornment; it is quite

self-sufficient by itself.

Add A

Leopard Bag

Punctuate an all-black

ensemble with a chic

leopard print bag.

Whether it’s a black

dress or a top and

pants/skirt pairing, this

look will work

wonders, giving

on-lookers something

worthy to admire.

CHIC AMA

November 27, 2022 / 3

INTERVIEW

Oyinkansola Alabi


Words by - Josephine Agbonkhese

Lead researcher and facilitator at Emotions City, Africa’s leading Centre for Emotional Intelligence,

Oyinkansola Alabi, popularly known as Emotions Doctor, is a productivity enhancement and life

validation strategist.

The Cornell University-trained Human Resource Executive who holds a Master’s in Psychology and a PhD

in Behavioural Psychology, specialises in helping individuals, achievers, and organisations increase

performance using emotional intelligence tools and proprietary methodologies.

A woman of many firsts, she is the first female founder of an Emotional Intelligence Academy in Africa, the

convener of Africa’s first Emotional Intelligence Week, and the first African to attend the Yale Centre for

Emotional Intelligence.

An associate member of the Women in Management, Business and Public Life, WIMBIZ; Forbes Business

Council; the American Psychological Association; the British Psychological Society and the International

Coaching Federation, the Six Seconds Network Licensed Emotional Intelligence Practitioner and Assessor is

a recipient of several prestigious awards.

In this interview with Allure, she speaks on her work, goals, style, and sheds light on her latest projects.

Why Emotional Intelligence and what led you

into this unusual career path?

Emotional Intelligence is the headquarters of all

intelligences— mental intelligence, spiritual

intelligence and financial intelligence. When your

emotions and your mental health break down, then

it would affect every other branch and intelligence

that resides under it and in it. So, this unusual

career path is very interesting because I am

consumed by the passion to help people be

emotionally stable, and to be emotionally stable in

an unstable world. I do this for everyone. I have a

client base in 30 countries and I am passionate

about Africans because Africans must save

Africans. That is the reason why I embarked on this

journey of emotional stability.

Was the title’Emotions Doctor’ self-acclaimed

or given?

The title ‘Emotions Doctor’ is a very interesting

one. Number one, I was awarded a PhD in

Behavioural Psychology. Number two, the

Emotions Doctor is the capacity that I work and

what my clients call me because of the results that I

have delivered to them. So, the title is very

personal, prophetic and intentional because to

whom much is given, much is expected.

What was the acceptance like when you first

came into practice?

Like every other thing, you move from a place of

suspicion to trust and people have a right to

suspect you because they want to know your

intentions. They want to know your solutions. They

want to know your depth. They want to know what

drives you and all of that. So yes, they have a right

to suspect you. But we are at the level of trust; we

are at the level where they now see me as an

Oracle, as a consultant, as the industry. So, I am

not the industry leader. I am the industry and I have

come to prove and to let them know by passion, by

compassion, by empathy, and by results, what

we’ve achieved, who we are, and what we intend to

do, more and more.

We live in Africa where counsellors are rarely

visited; on a scale of 1-10, how would you say

your professional service is being required

daily?

Mental health service is meant to be a part of

your life. But ironically, people will tell you they get

in trouble or into trouble before they seek a

therapist. No, you should actually have a therapist

the same way you probably have a spiritual leader,

pastor or a life coach. You should have a

therapist— somebody you can run to, somebody

you can vent to, somebody that can provide clarity,

help you understand your past, help you clarify your

present and also help you provide insight to your

future; somebody that can go through your timeline.

Your emotional timeline can show you the cause

and effect of your emotions, help you understand

your pattern so that you can break them. So,

mental health is needed daily. Emotional

intelligence is a daily requirement. It is not a

Sunday-Sunday medicine.

Currently, what’s a typical day like at the

Emotions City?

A typical day at Emotions City is about coaching,

therapy, consulting, training, just helping people

move from a place of meaninglessness to meaning,

dissatisfaction to satisfaction, unhappiness to

happiness, and to help you increase your personal

and professional influence. That is what consumes

us. That is what we live for. That is what we do on a

regular and on a daily basis.

Who needs an emotional intelligence specialist

and why?

Everyone does. Personal achievers,

organisational or worship centres otherwise known

as churches or mosque, or anywhere. You need the

emotional intelligence specialist to help you first of

4 / November 27, 2022

INTERVIEW

all do a diagnosis—personal and professional if you

are performing at an optimal level, or if you have a

cobweb of shame, low self-esteem, anger issues,

insecurities, to mention a few. If you have adverse

childhood experiences or are experiencing any of

those things. Emotions drive people and people

drive performance. So, when you show up at work,

it will show; in your parenting, we will see the pain

because you will be bleeding while leading. This

also includes our leaders; if our leaders are

bleeding, there’s a tendency that it would affect us.

So, whatever organisation that you belong, or as

long as human beings exist, emotional intelligence

practitioners, professionals and specialists will be

required and needed.

How can organisations use emotional

intelligence to increase performance of

leaders?

By hiring Emotional Intelligence specialists and

professionals to help them do a diagnosis and the

prescription of the emotional health of the

organisation; how high self-awareness is amongst

the staff and the leaders. Bringing to the fore what

we must stop doing, and what we must start doing.

Do leaders remember that there is the human in the

human resource, and the fact that people are first

human before they show up at our offices and our

organisation? So yes, hire us and we will sort it out

for you.

Let us talk about the family unit; how does

one’s level of emotional intelligence affect

family life?

Just imagine a man who was raised in an

abusive environment, parents used to shout, yell

and bully. They never apologise to him and then

he’s now married. What do you think he will do?

He’s already seen and he’s been raised to consider

violence, yelling and bullying as a tool of

performance and how he can deploy these tools to

resolve issues. Such a man will attempt to bully his

way through, bully his spouse, children and family

members. That’s how important it is. So, the family

unit is the factory of the nation. The people who will

lead us come from families and if we’re not

intentional about designing, creating and

engineering families, instead of raising children, we

will erase children and when we will erase children,

we will release terrorists— emotional terrorists, into

the society and not healthy beings.

A lot of people battle with unforgiveness; what

tips can help?

They should please seek the expertise of a life

coach or a therapist to walk them through the six

stages of forgiveness and to help them understand

that you can forgive without having to reconcile;

and it is not bad to not want to reconcile with an

abuser or a perpetrator. What is important is to

forgive. You do not have to reconcile.

What are some of the challenges you have had

to overcome on your road to success as

Nigeria’s foremost emotional intelligence

expert?

Nigeria as it is presently designed, is not a

country that is full of certainty. Nigeria is quite

unstable at the moment that you can’t plan or

project. The uncertainty is the major thing that

almost every Nigerian entrepreneur experiences.

...and which of these challenges made you feel

like giving up or forging a new professional

path?

I am yet to encounter that challenge. I love what

I do, I live for what I do, it gives me joy and money.

It connects me with people and gives me the

capacity to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for

mourning. I see myself as a saviour; as an

ancestor. So, I’m living the life that I dreamed off.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am writing a book called ‘How Nigerians think’.

It’s an exposé on how we think and what we must

do differently to create a new set of ancestors and

saviours because if we continue to think like this,

we may not get to what you call a developed

nation. I also just finished working on my

documentary, ‘The Story of a Girl Who Stood Up for

Emotional Intelligence in Nigeria’. It’s on YouTube;

go watch it. It is viral. It is beautiful. And, it’s a

documentary that will teach you a lesson.

If you were to relax with a recently published

book, what book would that be and why?

Definitely my book, ‘Soul Stripper’. It is

acclaimed to be a mental health Bible. It’s an

outline on how to deal with your mental health and

what you must do daily and weekly to be better and

be emotionally stable in an unstable world.

Do leaders

remember

that there is

the human in

the human

resource and

the fact that

people are

first human

before they

show up at

our offices?

...and what kind of music do you enjoy listening

to?

I enjoy listening to worship songs, beautiful love

songs and Hip-Hop here and there. I am particular

about the lyrics that I listen to; the beats may be

beautiful but if the lyrics is not empowering or

energising, then I am not their target audience or

the consumer.

Where would you prefer to spend a three-day

getaway and why?

I love nature and serenity; an island is beautiful

with someone I love. I love thinking, I love

meditating. I love anywhere where there is peace

and joy. I do not do well with noise.

Your most priced fashion accessory...

My most priced fashion accessory is my red

lipstick! You know, there are only two colours in the

world— red and others. Every time you see me or a

good number of the times, my red lipstick is there to

increase my bride price and motherhood.

What do you look forward to right now?

I just look forward to enjoying life, healing more

people and helping people strip off the garment of

shame. Helping them discover who they are

without shame, helping them understand that they

can feel, taste, hear and enjoy their lives without

shame.

November 27, 2022 / 5

...CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS WEEK

with Adesuwa 07052403531 | adesuwaewoigbokhan@hotmail.com

SPICY SEX LIFE AS A MOTHER

uickies - Can be fun- Intercourse

Q

should not always be done on the

bed with lit candles and rose petals.

Sex can be just as exciting when it’s

out of the blue/spot of the moment/

spontaneous. Move to having sex in

the morning instead of at night. It doesn’t have to

go hours to be fun for both of you. It can act as

one for the road thing.

Invest in lube, every woman’s best

friend - Lubricant is one of the most underrated

and under-appreciated sex tools to have in your

bed shelf. For some couples, it is a necessity to

make sex comfortable and pleasurable, it’s a

sexual tool that can help almost everyone

experience less friction and less discomfort,

meaning more orgasms and better sex for all.

Water-based lube comes highly recommended

and you can also use oil based, that’s up to you

but never opt for anything silicone-based if you

plan to use it with silicone toys.

Oral sex - This is really worth having and

giving as it’s very empowering for both ladies and

guys. Try to always take a shower with your wife,

heads downstairs to give your lover a treat and a

favour that should be returned afterwards (an

orgasm for two is guaranteed) through this act.

This digital stimulation instead of the sex, is

actually a powerful way of spicing up your sexual

life.

Play a sex game - Start with kissing to build up

the tempo. You can make sex a whole aspect of your

night routine rather than just a line item at the end of

the night.

Retired for the night, try focusing on you and your

spouse; light the candles right away, run a bath, put on

your lingerie, and play a game with your love; indulge

in classic strip poker (take off an item of clothing every

time you’re wrong and also the love truth or dare

game, touching each other and setting a

timer for 10, 20, or more minutes before

you can get down to the act proper, or

making something up that works for you.

Feel free to get creative here and see

where it leads to.

Show gratitude - Sex life can go

a long way to indicate what’s going in

marriage. If you’re sexually happy, it will

reflect in your relationship but if sex is

lacking, then it means you have to find

ways to get closer to your husband. The

quickest and easiest way is through

appreciation (cultivate the habit of

gratitude). Say thank you for the smallest

of things like, running errands around the

house, cooking and doing dishes.

Implement the same to your sex life by

telling him that you appreciate the fact that

he prioritize a fun sex life too ( you can do

this through sexting, during or after love

making).

The last but not the least

- Busy mothers are sexual beings who

can also experience sexual droughts but if

you notice that your nocturnal bonding is

beginning to suffer, then it’s time to revisit

the refresher tips above to get back on

track. As you’re all deserving of good and

great intercourse irrespective of how

many children you may have or how tired

you’re, fabulous mind-blowing orgasm

induced sex is your right.

Just like any other thing in life, being

sexual and creating a satisfying physical

relationship with your man also takes

continuous effort. Life can decide to throw

you curve balls and even at that, always

remember that your sex is very important

to living healthy, satisfied life. Give

attention to sex the same way you strive

to nurture your body with balance diet and

workout!

Helpline tip:

To report on the cases of rape, violence

and abuse, call: [+234 8031230651 or

+234 7053576528

Picking Colours and Themes

Ask her what she wants her room to look like. Since she’s going to be

spending a lot of time in the room, get the girl’s input before you start

decorating.

Select a light, neutral colour for the walls to brighten up the space.

Choose a colour that will coordinate with a variety of different shades

and themes to avoid having to repaint again as she gets older. Pick 2-3

accent colours to use for decorations throughout the room.

Ideas On How To

Decorate A Girl’s Room

Girls can spend a lot of time in their

rooms between playing games, doing

homework, and hanging out with

friends. It’s important to decorate the

space to match her interests but also be

able to grow with her. When it comes to

decorating a girl’s bedroom, you need

to pick a colour scheme and a theme,

choose the right furniture, and add

details to round out the room. In

general, it’s best to avoid picking a

childish theme for the room, since her

interests may change quickly.

6

/ November 27, 2022

Selecting and Arranging Furniture

Pick a stylish bed frame in a twin, double, or queen size. Measure the

perimeter of the room to see how much space you have to place the

furniture. If you have limited space, opt for a twin bed. If you have more

space, choose a double or queen bed. Select a coordinating dresser

and nightstand to store clothes and other items. Use bookshelves and

storage bins to hold toys, games, and books. Storage is extremely

important for a child’s room. Make a reading or homework area with a

table and chair. If the room is large enough, get a comfortable

chair and an appropriate-height table to make a work or craft

area.

Adding Details and Decorations

Choose a duvet and throw pillows in a fun print or colour.

Since these can easily be switched out as she gets older, let

her pick the bedding and throw pillows that she likes. Pick a

patterned rug to lay under or next to the bed. Choose a rug in

a fun, themed design for the room. Put a lamp on the

nightstand or near the bed for softer lighting. Some younger

kids are afraid of the dark and might need a night-light or lamp

to be able to sleep. Put up photos and art that fit the theme of

the room. Pick 2-3 pieces of art or framed pictures, and place

them throughout the room. String twinkle lights along the

ceiling for a fun lighting and art fixture.

Scents We Love

And Tips On

Choosing The

Right Fragrance

BEAUTY

By - Yemisi Suleiman

Shopping for fragrance can be a tricky business; after all, with

so many to choose from, how do you decide? When shopping

for perfume, there are seemingly endless scents to choose

from. While some smell light and fresh, others have an alluring

depth, and some fragrances are so sweet they smell like candy.

Everyone has their preferences and will eventually find

certain scents best suited to them. However, if you are looking

for a fragrance that smells great and boosts your mood, read

about the different scents that are scientifically proven to make

you happy. Our guide to fragrance strengths and types are all

the tips you need to find your new favourite fragrance.

Floral

Floral fragrances

are one of the

most popular

families, and one

of the broadest.

Any fragrance that

has a sweet and

flowery scent will

belong under this

family, using notes

such as roses, jasmine, lilies and peonies. They

are romantic fragrances that smell like freshly cut

flowers. Think FAME by Paco Rabanne. It’s a

floral woody everyday fragrance that smells fun

and playful.

Fresh

Fresh fragrances

usually consist of

citrus, water and

green notes. This

means they have

refreshing, zesty

and vibrant smells.

Citrus-based

fragrances are

usually created

with lemon,

mandarin and

bergamot, while water fragrances are made with

aquatic notes like sea spray; think L’Eau d’Issey

by Issey Miyake, or Acqua di Gio by Armani.

Tips On Choosing

The Right Perfume

• Think About the Scents You Already Like

You don’t have to be a fragrance expert to

figure out the types of perfume scents you’ll

love. Take the time to get to know the kind of

scents you like, starting with the smells you’re

drawn to in other products.

• Consider Your Body Chemistry

Perfume and skin chemistry are intertwined. If

you’re unsure about a new fragrance, it’s worth

sampling it first, giving it a few hours to see

how the scent develops on your skin

throughout the day.

• Sample Fragrances Correctly

When trying a new perfume, sample it in the

right way by spraying it on a pulse point, where

your skin’s natural heat will help the fragrance

develop to its full potential. Don’t rub your

wrists together when spraying perfume, as this

will cause the scent to fade more quickly.

Oriental

Oriental fragrances

are warm, sweet

and even a little

spicy, made with

spices such as

pepper, cloves and

vanilla with hints of

sandalwood,

amber and musk.

A more luxurious

fragrance family,

oriental fragrances vary from floral oriental, soft

oriental and woody oriental. Perfumes and

aftershaves in this family are rich and sensual.

Woody

Woody

fragrances are

another warm

family, with a

mysterious and

captivating

scent that is

often favoured

amongst

aftershaves in

particular. Using

wood-based

smells like

cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver and amber, it’s

a great choice for wearing in the evening. Woody

fragrances are split into mossy woods with an

earthy, sweet undertone, and dry woods which

often have a smoky, leathery smell to them.

Think CK One Gold by Calvin Klein.

November 27, 2022 /

7

VP Yemi Osinbajo and wife

celebrate 33rd wedding

anniversary

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and his wife,

Dolapo, on Friday, celebrated their 33rd wedding

anniversary.

Mrs. Osinbajo shared a photo from their

wedding day alongside their conversation on that

day in the comment section on Instagram.

She wrote: “You said, “Walk with me.”

I said, “I will.” 33 years ago.

All glory to God! #JoyOnly.”

They have three children: two daughters,

Damilola and Kanyinsola, and a son, Fiyinfoluwa

Osinbajo.

Compiled by Temitope Ojo

FESTAC Music Festival to honour

late music star, Sound Sultan

Late music star,

Sound Sultan will

be honoured during

this year’s edition of

the FESTAC Music

Festival, billed for

December 28 to

December 30, at

the F.H.A. Sports

Ground.

This edition,

according to the

organisers, Nija

Ninja Production,

is in collaboration

with the Lagos State

Government and Amuwo Odofin Local Government.

The festival, which is in honour of the late music star

Sound Sultan, is aimed at the community, talent search,

and social development through music, sports and

community mobilisation.

Festival Director, singer, filmmaker, and Chief

Executive of Naija Ninja Production, Dare Fasasi aka

Baba Dee, noted that the event is estimated to attract

over fifty thousand participants, and reach millions of

people via strategic use of the media.

He stated further that as part of the plans to develop

talents in Festac, winners who emerge from the talent

hunt would get a recording deal among other prizes.

“We are giving out a recording deal with a music

video for the talent hunt winner. It’s a two-year record

deal for the main winner, while 2nd place gets a music

video and third place gets a cash prize,” Baba Dee said.

l-r: Oluwasola Obagbemi, Nicole Chikwe, Dare Art

Alade, Ife Agoro & Frank iTom

Meta excites creators with

#Flexnaija Concert

By Emmanuel Akpoborie

DJ Cuppy flaunts engagement

ring

Nigerian female disc jockey, Florence Otedola,

popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has shown off a shiny,

seemingly expensive gold engagement ring, whilst

hanging out with her American rapper friend, Eve in

a photo.

The 30-year-old daughter of billionaire

businessman, Femi Otedola, who got engagement to

British boxer, Rayn Taylor last Saturday, posted the

photo of herself and Eve on Twitter on Wednesday.

In the photo, DJ Cuppy who rocked her signature

pink hair is seen flaunting the ring with Eve holding a

glass of wine.

Taylor, 30, popped the question on stage at

Gumball award night in Abu Dhabi, United Arab

Emirates, and DJ Cuppy, said yes!

Fabulous look of Sunmbo

Adeoye at 41

Sunmbo Adeoye, wife of the founder of

Royalty Christian Centre, David Adeoye,

celebrated her 41st birthday on Tuesday,

November 22nd.

Basking in the euphoria of her new age,

the mother of four, shared fabulous photos

from a recent photoshoot on Instagram and

expressed gratitude to God for all he has

done for her.

In one of the series of pictures she

posted, she spotted a shimmery, black

dress which she complimented with a

statement-making braid-to-bun hairdo.

“To God be the Glory for all He has done

and will continue to do in my life.

“Yes, you guessed right. I am the

birthday gift with a heart of gratitude to

God” she wrote.

It was an evening of music, networking and great food

last Thursday in Lagos, when Meta gave top creators

from Nigeria, a taste of the Metaverse with the #Flexnaija

Concert.

The event, the first-of-it’s-kind which held at the Livespot

Entertainment centre, Lekki, Lagos, was organized to give

creators a first-hand experience of what the metaverse

had to offer, and to encourage creators to get onboard the

Metaverse.

Guests were treated to a first-hand experience of the

Metaverse, with Meta AR, avatars and NFTs.

Speaking at the event, popular creator, Frank iTom who

has spent the last six months working with the Meta team,

says: “In the metaverse, the possibilities are limitless. I

saw things that blew my mind; for moments I would just

pause and say, what can I do with this, what can I create

with this?”

The mixed reality concert featured acts like Teni,

Cruelsantino and rave of the moment, Ayrastar who

treated guests to great musical experiences.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022 , PAGE 17

Buhari’s kind words

for Jonathan at 65

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

celebrated his 65th birthday on Sunday, November

20, 2020.

In celebration of the special day, Jonathan’s family

organized a low-key party for him and his son-in-law,

Prince Godswill Edward, shared photos from the

occasion.

He referred to the former President as a “role model”.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement by his

media aide, Femi Adesina, to celebrate with his

predecessor, noted the unique position of Jonathan in

the growth and development of the nation, sacrificing

personal ambition for the greater good of the country

and successfully winning the hearts of Nigerians and the

world as a man of peace by carrying on his legacy of

truce and amity to many countries.

The President joined the family, particularly his wife,

Patience, and mother, Eunice, in celebrating another

milestone in Jonathan’s life, recalling his political

journey which has been evidently shaped by the mercies

and grace of the Almighty God, starting as deputy

governor from 1999-2005, governor from 2005 -2007,

vice president from 2007-2010 and President from 2010-

2015.

The Bayelsa State indigene has many reasons to be

grateful as God saved him from a fatal accident on his

way from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,

Abuja few months ago.

Ayu is apparently not letting the issue of political

imbroglio in his party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to

stop him from enjoying his special moments. The

National Chairman of PDP celebrated his 70th birthday,

last week, and it was indeed a joyous moment for the celebrant.

Dressed in cream native attire, Ayu smiled into a rousing

welcome at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of

the dinner held in his honour, to mark the milestone.

He could not hide his joy as he swayed to the popular song,

Buga, by Kizz Daniel.

Family, well-wishers, as well as other leaders of the PDP came

out in droves to honour the man who just joined the

septuagenarian club. Guests at the event include presidential

candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Senator

Ifeanyi Okowa; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal;

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; Governor of Akwa

Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; a former Vice President, Namadi

Sambo; a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; a former

Governor of Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo; Senator Liyel

Imoke and Cardinal John Onaiyekan.

The ‘birthday boy’ could not contain his joy, as he appreciated

guests for celebrating with him. According to him, as the only

child of his parents, he cherishes friends who have stood by him

over the years. He added that that had helped him to embrace

everyone, irrespective of tribe or religion.

Earlier in the day, taking to his official Twitter handle, Ayu

shared a picture of himself and wrote “70 and groovy”.

His tweet was greeted with engagements as his followers and

other Twitter users took to the comment section of his tweet to

wish him a happy birthday.

A former senator, he was elected President of the Senate during

the Third Republic (1992–1993). He later served in various

ministerial positions in the Cabinet of President Olusegun

Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

Born in Gboko, Benue State, Ayu taught sociology in the

University of Jos and courses on the art and science of Marxism,

and was the Chairman of the Jos University Chapter of

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ars after, daughter remembers Simbiat Abiola

likat Wuraola Abiola is the Managing Director

anagement Transformation Limited and has

ed clients in the areas of leadership,

ernance, organizational development, risk

agement, strategy and public sector policy

f the daughters of the late Basorun MKO

s late wife Simbiat.

30 years since the demise of her mother and

e business mogul and acclaimed winner of

ial election.

g her late mother in a tweet on Thursday,

d sadness at Simbiat’s demise.

, Deji, Agbo, Bolaji and Wura – loved, missed

ed 30 years on,” she tweeted.

MKO’s first wife and mother of five children

la Abiola, presidential candidate of the Peoples

rty (PRP).

mbiat Abiola, nee Soaga, was a keen

nd one of the first women to participate in

s at the Abeokuta Grammar School in 1954.

or sports saw to her being the life matron of

disbanded Moshood Abiola Football Club

he was also the proprietress of Kakanfo

s FC, Abeokuta.

now deceased couple, Simbiat and MKO,

arried in October 1961 after which Simbiat

ed to Glasgow, Scotland, where she enrolled

ursing at Robroyston Hospital, Glasgow, and

later did a diploma course in art and fashion design at

Rodimus College of Art.

She also got a certificate in interior decoration from

the School of Domestic Science in Glasgow.

Simbiat returned to Nigeria with her husband in

April 1966 and was reportedly offered a role as a lecturer

at Yaba College of Technology in the Art Department

with specialization in clothing tie and dye.

She was said to have resigned her appointment in

1969 to concentrate on her family and two private

businesses at the time — Radio Communication Nigeria

Limited and Tinu Fashion House.

Simbiat was also involved in her husband’s

businesses and played a significant role in the growth

of Abiola’s business empire.

She was the vice-president of Concord Group of

newspapers, where she saw to the setting up and

maintenance of the publications and later, other

ventures like the Wonder Bakery.

She showed an interest in politics and was the

senatorial candidate for Abeokuta central, Ifo/Otta

and Imala LGA under the National Party of Nigeria in

1979.

Simbiat, like her husband, was famous for her

philanthropy and was a devout Muslim, and her

passion for community development earned her

several titles including Iyalode of Ibadan and Otun

Iyalode Egba. She died after battling cancer in

November 1992.

•Iyorchia Ayu (left) savouring the joy of his birthday

Iyorchia Ayu, ‘the

only child of his

parents’, marks 70

•The late MKO and

Simbiat Abiola

•Kayode Ajulo

Kola Karim’s

low-key 54th birthday

Kola Karim is the Chairman of the Board of

Directors of Shoreline Natural Resources

Ltd. He has a proven ability to start

companies from scratch and nurture them to

success, an aptitude for spotting new business

and creating new opportunities and is also adept

at building and nurturing business partnerships

with leading international companies. His

current portfolio consists of businesses in the

construction, commodity trading, oil and gas,

engineering and power sectors.

For the Chairman of the Board of Directors of

Costain (West Africa) Plc, November 24 of every

year is a day he always looks forward to.

For him, the day is always worth celebrating

as it signifies the beginning of his earthly

sojourn.

Mercifully, this year, Karim, who is also the

Agbaakin of Ibadan land, is privileged to see

another year.

For a man of his status, it won’t be so surprising

if he chooses to present his memoirs on the

occasion of his 54th birthday.

Certainly, if the billionaire decides to put the

story of his life in black and white for public

consumption, it will make an interesting read.

His memoirs also will certainly be an inspiration

to aspiring businessmen and a compelling

textual material for humanity.

If you are in doubt, the story of his steady rise

in the sector as one of the biggest players is

proof that he was born under the proverbial lucky

star.

But close sources hinted that he is not in a

hurry to release his memoirs for public

consumption because he believes that he is still

an evolving phenomenon.

However, the Polo buff that sits atop other

conglomerates had more than one reason to be

joyous, apart from the grace to survive the

mysteries of the days and nights in the past one

year.

But this year the celebrations, according to

family sources, were low-key. In other words,

there were no carnival-like celebrations.

Though he is not given to frivolities or

throwing any form of revelry, his family

members, friends, business associates, fans and

admirers shared in his joy and poured

encomiums on him on the occasion.

The man who does not court media attention

unnecessarily has touched several lives whose

paths have crossed his.

He is as generous, collaborative and lovable

as he is innovative and brilliant.

Probably because he keeps the cameras away

during his altruistic gestures, many don’t know

that he is one of the biggest philanthropists in

Nigeria at the moment.

The highly cerebral business mogul has proven

in all ramifications that the African continent

does not lack talents who can hold their heads

high anywhere in the world.


He burnt his fingers replacing his menopausal wife with a bombshell!

WHEN Ibidun hit the meno

pause, her erratic behaviour

became irritating and unbearable

to Peter, her husband. She was 48

and a mother of four grown-up children.

A normally bubbly woman,

she became testy, snarling and crying

most of the time. “Whenever I

tried to find out what the matter

was, she shoved me away,” said Peter,

“and I felt so lonely and rejected.

I am a retired legal practitioner

but help out at a friend’s

chambers from time to time. It

was at his office that I met Mandy,

a very pretty half caste in her 30s

– she was married too, but a very

friendly woman. She’d come for

legal advice about a social club

she was forming with a group of

friends and I gladly assisted her.

“I saw her again a few days later.

Ibidun’s mood swings were

getting on my nerves and it was

refreshing to chat with a friendly

woman for a change. She was a

flirt and we hit it off straight

away. Within weeks, we were

making love. I was approaching

60, but she was so amazing she

brought out the best in me. Of

course I felt guilty about cheating

on my wife – I’ve had the odd

flings before, but this was certainly

more than a fling. Two months

after we started sleeping together,

she came to the small guest

house I kept on one of my properties

as my love-nest and it was

obvious she’d been crying. What

now? “It’s Azu (her husband), he

won’t give me the money he promised

me and the children’s school

fees are due. Could I borrow

N50,000 off you?” she begged,

Oborevwori is popular choice

— Onuesoke

By Ephraim Oseji

eoples Democratic Party

P(PDP) chieftain and

former Delta State

gubernatorial aspirant, Chief

Sunny Onuesoke has

described the governorship

candidate of the party in the

state, Sheriff Oborevwori as

a popular choice, whose

emergence was not

accidental.

Onuesoke, who made the

statement while Journalists

in Warri on the importance

of electing PDP candidates in

all elections across the

country, said Oborevwori is a

man of the people has been

on the political scene and

undergone tutelage under

three Governors in Delta

State.

He further disclosed that

Speaker had the rare

privilege of legislative and

executive experience and has

over the years seen politics as

a tool for constructively

reshaping humanity and

making life better for the

people.

According to Onuesoke,

this vision has not only

evolved, but has become

By Pere SP Luke

lack words adequate to

I deeply express how devastated,

debilitated and shattered

I am as a result of your

passage to the great beyond.

It is extremely difficult to

come to terms that you have

left me and the children without

saying goodbye or words

of encouragement/advice on

how to carry on in life without

you.

Putting my broken heart

together to write this epitaph

in your honour is the most

horrific and difficult task of

my life but who am I, a mere

mortal to argue with my creator?

Your death has dealt us a

big blow and it will become

the focus of grief for a long

time. The pain of losing a

loved one such as your humble

soul is so excruciating and

heartbroken because this was

eyes brimming with tears. “I’ll

pay you back as soon as I have

the money.”

“I thought of her two lovely boys

(I’d seen their photographs in her

wallet) and my heart melted. I

handed the money to her the next

day. She was pathetically grateful

that I felt so proud to be of

help. It was ages since I’d felt

useful. A month later, she came

with another story. Her mother

had just been diagnosed with

breast cancer and she needed to

be operated on immediately. Her

siblings would chip in of course,

but any help I could give would

be appreciated. I’d just collected

some rent on the premises I had

my guest house in. So, I gave her

another N50,000. She looked so

relieved that I shrugged off the

alarm bell that kept on ringing

inside me. When I saw her again,

she was a shadow of herself. Her

mum didn’t survive the operation

but she needed money for the funeral.

She told me of her mother’s

house and how her three children

had decided to sell it off so

the money could be used to defray

the cost of her funeral.

“She said she would love me to

handle the sale of the house and

showed me copies of the relevant

papers. In the meantime, she

needed yet more money for her

mother’s funeral. I was a bit skint.

I am, a family man with my own

financial responsibilities. But I

reasoned that if I were handling

the sale of the house, I could deduct

whatever I lent her. To my

shame, I went to my first son, an

architect, and lied to him that I

needed to borrow some money

concrete as seen in his

emergence as the PDP

governorship candidate of

Delta State at a free and fair

primary election.

urgently for some renovation in

the house. He readily gave me

N250,000 and I left his office sick

at my deception and at how low

I’d sunk. As I handed the money

over to Mandy, I warned her I

was broke and would want back

all the money she borrowed as

soon as possible. My first daughter’s

engagement ceremonies

were round the corner and this

had made Ibidun a bit more bearable

to live with. She reminded

me of the loving wife she once

was. But what kind of a husband

was I? Instead of helping her

through the trauma of the menopause,

I hopped into bed with a

woman who now thinks I was a

cash register!

“In the meantime, I waited for

the original documents of her

late mother’s house to be brought

so it could be sold as quickly as

possible. I’d already lined up prospective

buyers. Until then, I kept

helping – paying for car repairs

QUEEN GLORIA LUKE: My loss, heaven’s gain

•Late Queen Gloria Luke

not the promise you made to

me. Your heart desired to live

beyond the Biblical age of 70

and you restated this desire

again and again even unto

death.

You became an integral

part of me for about thirtytwo

years and you played pivotal

roles in my life and the

entire family. You condoned

most of my excesses, most

times my uncompromising

“He came from among the

people in every sense of the

word. While some say that he

came from the streets, they

forget to see the streets as

representing the true and real

essence of the people.

Okopi partners Chioma Jesus to release

'Osuba' remix in Igbo language

M

ultiple award-win

ning gospel artiste

and TWC Records signee,

Peterson Okopi, is out with a

brand new single titled "Nara

Ekele", the Igbo remix version

of his super hit song "Osuba".

In a statement, TWC

Records Label's A&R/Media

Manager, Amachree Ikijana,

explained that due to the huge

success of the song, Osuba,

different covers in different

languages have been created

by different people, prompting

Okopi to release an official

remix of the song in Igbo

language.

According to him, the "Osuba"

crooner teamed up with

one of Africa's most celebrated

female gospel artistes

from the eastern part of Nigeria,

'Chioma Jesus', on this

version of the song.

The song is a soulful tune

that extols the name and power

of God. In the song, both

Peterson Okopi and Chioma

Jesus took turns to eulogize

God almighty for the many

ways he has demonstrated his

greatness to mankind.

Amachree said this song

will surely be a blessing and

a source of inspiration to as

many that are downcast due

to the numerous challenges

bedeviling the nation presently.

•Peterson Okopi(left) and

Chioma Jesus

behaviour and the nasty aspect

of my life. Your contagious

smile and empathy

were something else. By your

philanthropic nature and humility,

you endeared yourself

to all members of my household

and my great friends inclusive.

Although your sojourn on

earth was quite short, your

positive impact on society

speaks volumes and unambiguously.

In the words of T.D

Jakes “I do not think that a

person’s life can be accurately

measured by the number

of days, for days lose their

meaning when they stand in

the face of eternity. No, the

question isn’t how long we

live but how well we live. What

matters are the moments we

live life to the fullest? Like a

child who wanders around

the beach collecting seashells

to carry back home, we gather

events and moments that

occur during our lives. We

cannot hold on to days; they

pass. But can retain memories”.

A critical analysis of the

words of T.D. Jakes gives me

a ray of hope that you are

dwelling in the Lord’s bosom

doing His will. You were truly

a great and virtuous woman

with a heart of Gold that

was at all times willing to sacrifice

for others to be comfortable

irrespective of tribe and

religion. Your calm disposition

to life was legendary. This

fact was eloquently attested

to by those who came in contact

with you for one reason

or the other.

Thomas Campbell has this

to say concerning life “to live

in the hearts we live behind is

not to die”. His words were

and her kids’ requirements until

a few days later when I saw my

lawyer friend and asked if he went

to Mandy’s mother’s funeral. He

looked blank. He didn’t know

who Mandy was. I reminded him

that I’d met her in his chambers

when she came about the social

club she was helping to set up. The

penny finally dropped and he confessed

he didn’t even know she was

called Mandy. As far as he knew

the mother was still alive. Furious

and shaking with dread, I dialed

her mobile. Her sexy voice

came on but when I asked when

her mother really died, she just

switched off. I tried to call her

but it didn’t go through. In the

end, I went back to my friend to

confess everything. He stared at

me, stunned. He dropped his head

for a while, then shook it.

“Mandy’s conned a lot of men in

the past,” he said. ‘Why didn’t you

tell me you were involved with

her? I would have warned you.’

The Language Of Love (Humour)

A middle-aged man gets chatting

to a young chap on a plane

back to Lagos. The younger man

confides that he’s newly married,

but has been on a month-long

business trip and can’t wait to see

his wife again. As the two men

walk through arrivals, a young

woman waves and calls. “E-F!

No, S-F! Her husband calls back.

“You have code names for each

other? The older man asks. “No”

says the husband. “It’s just that

she wants to Eat First”.

Your Good Fortune In Your

Hand! (Humour)

A man has a job interview at a

condom factory, “What will the

job entail”? the man asks. “Well,

it’s quality control,” the foreman

says. “You check one in every

hundred condoms.” He then removes

one from the production

line, stretches it, holds it up to

the light, places it over his manhood

and calls over his secretary.

She proceeds to hitch up her

skirt, pull down her kickers and

bend over. The foreman does the

deed, then says. “There, easy as

that,” That man cannot believe

his luck. “When do I start?” he

asks Monday, 8.00a.m. sharp.

“The next Monday, the man is

first on the production line. He

picks up the 100th condom,

stretches it, holds it up to the

light, pulls it over his manhood

then calls over the secretary. But

this time, she just grabs his manhood

and pleasures him. Seeing

the confusion on the man’s face,

she says: “Sorry, it’s company

policy. You have to work a week

in hand.”

Women decry reduction in budgetary allocation

to empowerment projects

By Adesina Wahab

omen have faulted the

Wreduction in allocation

to programmes and

projects targeted at empowering

them from N103 billion

in 2022 to N58 billion in tne

budget estimates for 2023 by

the Federal Government.

They noted that the step will

lead to further impoverishment

of women and that it

contradicts the claim by the

government that it is taking

steps to reduce the poverty level

among women.

They spoke at a forum organised

by NECA Network of

Entrepreneurial Women,

NNEW, in Lagos.

Their reservations came on

the heel of a presentation by

Dr Plangsat Dayil of the development

Research and

Project Centre, dRPC, titled

“Women economic empowerment

and budget deficit as

it relates to women.”

Dayil, quoting figures from

the federal budgets of 2021,

2022 and the proposed one

for 2023, said in 2021 that

N51 billion was allocated to

Women Economic Empowerment,

WEE, projects across

board.

“Following serious advocacy

efforts and pressure, the

sum was increased to N103

billion in 2022. Surprisingly,

the figure, instead of going

up, went down in the projection

for 2023 to N58 billion.

This is coming at a time when

•From left: Dr. Pamela Ajayi, President of Healthcare Federation

of Nigeria (HFN); Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner

of Health, Lagos State; and Dr. Dupe Elebute Odunsi,

Medical Director of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Center and Specialist

Hospital at the Doctors For Change (DFC) Convention

held in Lagos .

further re-echoed by Hazel

Gaynor who said: “to live in

the hearts of those we love is

never to die”. My darling wife,

my adorable Queen and

companion, every passing

day without your warmth

and affection has created a

deep chism in my life that will

be humanly impossible to fill

but I took solace that the Almighty

God who allowed this

calamity to befall me will

surely fill the vacuum created

by your undeserved demise.

Losing you at this most precious

moment in my life is

akin to losing an Angel in

human form. The mere

thought that we have parted

ways forever is more than sickening,

debilitating and traumatizing

to the entire family.

When I reflect on your promise

of reciprocating my kind

gesture and disposition towards

you in the United

States of America, my heart

the government said it is going

to push the frontiers and

do more empowerment for

women and reduce poverty.

“This is strange and contradictory.

With less funding for

WEE projects, and coupled

with the rate of inflation, not

much would be done next

year if care is not taken.”

bleeds because all those

promises are now consigned

into the history books. How I

wish I could turn back the

hand of time to enable you to

accomplish our shared vision

of collectively raising our

children.

Since I couldn’t turn back

the hand of the clock, I pray

to the Almighty God to grant

me the strength, comfort and

grace to graciously accept

His verdict concerning your

exit.

My dearest Queen GKL as

I fondly call you, your children

and I will continuously

draw strength from your lasting

legacies, fond memories

and the goodwill you left behind

till we meet to part no

more.

*Luke is the Pere of Akugbenemien

Kingdom and the

first Vice Chairman, Delta

State Council of Traditional

Rulers.

By Sylvester Kwentua

T

he

sudden death of gospel

music legend, Sammie

Okposo, has continued to

generate reactions from music

lovers, political leaders and

entertainers.

Ever since the news of the slumping

and death of Okposo, 51, broke out,

people have not stopped pouring out

their emotions in the process of mourning

the Wellu Wellu crooner.

The death has brought out the human

sympathy in every Nigerian as political

leaders, celebrities and, of course, his

fans went on social media to express

themselves.

Sadness

President Muhammed Buhari led

other political leaders as they expressed

sadness over Okposo’s death.

Buhari, in a statement by his media

aide, Femi Adesina, commiserated with

the Christian community, particularly

Okposo’s colleagues in gospel music

and the younger generation who had

over the years identified with his

elevating style of praise and worship.

He noted the unique platform of

worship created by Okposo,

Okposo Praise Party, his

creative contributions to the

Nigerian film industry,

Nollywood and the

inspiring role he played

in grooming talents

and mentoring them to

stardom.

Buhari prayed for the

repose of the

musician’s soul, while

urging the family to

find solace in his

investments of love.

The People’s

Democratic Party’s

presidential candidate

in the forthcoming

general elections, Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar,

described Okposo’s

death as a rude shock.

“The news of the death

of Sammie Okposo today

came to me as a rude

shock. Sammie was full of

life, distinguished himself

in the entertainment

industry, and, by extension,

gave his best to bring smiles

to our people”, Atiku

tweeted.

His running mate, Governor

Ifeanyi Okowa, described

Okposo as a valued asset in

Delta state.

“The news of Sammie

Okposo’s death has been

shocking. This is because he

was a valued asset to Delta

State and Nigeria —

especially as his songs

continue to inspire many

to worship our Heavenly

Father,” Okowa stated.

Celebrities

mourn

Okposo’s colleagues

in the entertainment

sector also mourned

his demise

Here are some

reactions from several

social media handles...

Nathaniel Bassey:

News of our brother’s

passing; Minister

Sammie Okposo hit

me really hard this

morning. Still dazed.

Pray God’s comfort and

strength for the

immediate family,

friends and colleagues.

Dunsin Oyekan: Father

in heaven! Take your rest,

soldier. Sammie Okposo.

Frank Edward: What did I

just hear? Uncle Sammie!

Ada Ehi: This afternoon we

were hit by the news that Bro

Sammie Okposo has

transitioned. Shocked and still

shocked but we are consoled in the

hope that he is alive in the presence

of his Maker and God. We pray for

the comfort of the Holy Ghost for his

family and everyone directly affected by

his passing. It is well! It is well; say to

the righteous it is well.

Joe Praize: So, so, so difficult to take

in but we are comforted because we

know you are chilling in heaven, a sure

better place.

Tim Godfrey: Jesus!

Eben: Oh my God,

speechless!

Steve Crowns:

Unbelievable! Rest well

This was not the plan:

Shock as

Sammy

Okposo

dies suddenly

•The Wellu Wellu crooner we knew, by

RMD, Timi Dakolo, Omoni Oboli, others

•Music lovers blame Church for

forsaking the deceased

General Sammie Okposo.

Richard Mofe Damijo: This was

exactly a month ago in the US. We spent

two weeks together and fellowshipped

as men. Ate, drank and, as I’m known to

do, teased you. Toks or Jedi would drive

you to me and we would spend the

entire day together. Made plans for the


new year… yet here I’m struggling

and looking for words to capture our

relationship. Sam Okpoooo as only me

can call you, this was not the plan o.

this one pain me enter blood. My

prayers are with your family as you rest

in power, peace and praise.

Timi Dakolo: Uncle Sammy! Uncle

Sammy! Bro Sammy no be so we talk

am.

Lepecious Bose: Noooo, no, no! I

refuse to accept this report. Lord

please noooo!

Woli Alarole: May the Lord comfort

the Okposo family. RIP Sammie

Okposo.

Omoni Oboli: Just a couple of weeks

ago in the US we hung out. Even when

you were feeling sleepy, and practically

falling asleep you refused to leave

Ufuoma and me. we gisted till early

hours of the morning, laughed till our

sides were sore! Sing with the angels

bro Sammie. Arrrggghhh I don’t

want to be mourning! God!

Please darling Jesus, have

mercy Lord!

Music

lovers

blame

Church

Many music

lovers

expressed

shock at the

death of the

music legend,

while also

blaming the

Church for

forsaking

Sammie

Okposo when

he needed

them the most.

Many of them

believe he was

avoided by

churches

because of the

confession he

made some

months ago,

where he revealed

he had cheated on

his wife, after an

American lady

identified as African

Doll, based in Texas

had in January 2022,

accused Sammie

Okposo of

impregnating and

abandoning her.

Reports claimed that

the singer was yet to

recover from the scandal

which may have affected

his health prior to his

death on Friday.

Here are a few

reactions from

various social

media accounts..

@Segunladderman:

Sammie Okposo’s

live has not been

the same since the

cheating scandal.

Na wa oh! God

please receive his

soul.

@madamprincess:

Sebi as he has died

now, church is

happy abi?

@eightforlong:

Instead of Nigeria

church to repair, they

damage. As he cheated!

But he confessed! God

why?

@babyomoolowo: Love don

waka comot from church teytey!

It is well.

Okposo’s music lovers are not alone

in blaming the Church for having a part

in the music legend’s death. They have a

supporter in a popular man of God,

Apostle Johnson Suleman.

Taking to his social media handle,

Suleman revealed what Okposo went

through in the hands of pastors.

He wrote, “Now they post his pictures.

But never reached out in his trying

times. He told me what pastors did to

him and we both wept.

“Love has left the church. We have

more ‘lawyers’ who are ready to judge

than intercessors ready to restore. Rest

in power my brother.. You conquered”!

PAGE 20—SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

How to know fake

boobs from real ones

—Unpredictable Sexy Chick

Busty Instagram sensation

known as Unpredictable

Busty Chick (born

Rosemary Okorie), has blown

the cover of ladies who may

have surgically augmented

their God-given mammaries

or had implants buried in

them by giving out tips on

what to look out for to know

certain boobs are real or

fake. In a chat

with Potpourri, the busty

lady affirmed that her own

humongous boobs are

real, saying fake boobs

don’t look anything like

hers.

Hear her: "It is easy

to know fake boobs

because all the signs

are there if you know

them., What gives

them away are, the

weight of the boobs,

•Busty Chick

the texture, the

bustline, the

Top-rated video vixen and entertainer Cincii Cynthia

Ezekiel has floated a nightclub cum lounge in the

Ajah axis on the Island. The Lounge named Euphoria

was officially opened to the public last weekend amid

fanfare and enthraling entertainment.

Speaking with Potpourri on the big idea behind

the joint, the Founder who is also a fashion

designer and entrepreneur, said, “I’m used

to nightlife business based on my

entertainment experience.

That’s why I chose to own a

lounge to promote

entertainment and

fracture and the nipples. Fake boobs

have nipples that are permanently hard

while real boobs’ nipples are only hard

when they are aroused. Again, for real

boobs, the bustline are mostle apart with a

line clearly separating the two breasts but

for fake boobs they seem to be joined at the

middle.”

Continuing, she added, “If you ever

experience the touch of a

boob, you can differentiate

between a real boob and

fake boob as a real one is

quite soft and can be

squeezed easily, whereas

with fake boobs, you can’t

squeeze it easily. Fake boobs

are too close to each other.

Most women’s breasts have

2 to 3 inches of space in

between them but implants

shrink that gap significantly.

When viewed from the side,

natural breasts tend to have

more volume in their lower

half, you can thank gravity

for that though.”

My nightclub “Euphoria” 'Euphoria' borne out of

my nightlife experience

—Cincii Ezekiel

nightlife. I’ giving value in the sense that

I’m bringing unique nightlife experience to

pander to nightcrawlers deepest fantasies. I

mean I want to bring their fantasies alive

with premium entertainment.”

“I’m delivering what no other lounge is

delivering in that axis. Entertainment and

nightlife are a perfect combo, and it’s my

calling. My vision is making my lounge a

mini entertainment home, establishing,

extending and creating more positions for

dancer artists/ entertainers,” she added.

Cincii Cynthia Ezekiel who also owns a

fashion and beauty academy was given an

award recently as Veteran Video Vixen 2022.

•Big Cera

The microphone

turns me on

—Big Cera

With her exploits so far in broadcasting, Serah

Uchenna Ofonnedu, better known as Big

Cera, ranks among the fastest rising

OAPs. She’s also proved to be a master of the game

with the microphone as a weapon in her hands.

“There have been days I have been in a very bad

mood and I had to go on air, but once the feeder

comes on and the microphone is in front of me, that’s

the escape for me. In those few minutes that I am

talking on air, I feel happy, I feel turned on” Big Cera

explained.

Continuing, she added “One hundred percent, the

microphone means more than a mere equipment to

me. It’s like my favorite thing in the world. I had

fantasized about it for a very long time. So it’s a very

big deal for me. It’s more than just a tool to speak for

me. It’s fulfilling for me, and the fact that I am passing

joy to the other side. More than one million people

listen to me everyday. So the thought of somebody

somewhere listening makes me very happy.”

Big Cera is a radio and TV presenter with Max

102.3FM, the radio arm of TVC Communications.

She is that sonorous voice you hear on the radio

station’s midday show from 10am to 2pm. Aside from

her show on radio, Big Cera also works with TVC

Entertainment as a presenter on Reality Check which

airs on Saturday at 8.30pm.

Meanwhile, the Mass Communication graduate

of Lagos State University, LASU, looks forward to

taking her craft to greater heights in the near future

by running her own outfit. “My whole goal is to own

my own stuff. It is to start my TV show, start up a

production company and do a lot” Big Cera noted.

•Cincii

Mega C out with new EP, ready

to dominate music scene

Rising music act, Mega C,

has teased music fans

with his forthcoming

release, an EP titled “Log Inn”.

In a recent interview with

Potpourri, the musician, whose

real name is Gospel Chibuike

Anyasor, said: “This is my first

ever body of work and I named

it “Log Inn” because of the

exploration nature of the

project. It is symbolic because I

am bringing the fans into my

musical world.”

The indigene of Imo State

who has a Bachelor’s degree in

Public Administration had

earlier in August, released the

single “Purchase” which

trended heavily for weeks. He

is currently shooting an official

video for the single which will

be released following the EP

project.

MEGA C’s brand of music, a

combination of Afro vibes

infused with highlife and a

touch of Reggae blues, stands

him out as a musician in a class

of his own.

With “Log Inn”, he is

offering a taste of his

creative ability. The sixtrack

EP was wholly his

solo effort without

collaboration with other

artists.

MEGA C is looking

forward to working with top

artists in the industry. “I will

like to work with Runtown,

Wizkid and a couple of

artists that I feel their

vibes.

After this project, I am

coming in full force.

ASn album will be a

sure thing to come

soon,” he affirmed.

His songs enjoyed

playtime across radio

stations which made

observers of the

music industry

earmark MEGA C

as one of the

promising and

exciting artistes to

look out for in 2023.

•Mega C

•Khaleed

•Eniola

•Melo

Naija Star Search: First three to

share N10 million prize tonight

The Naija Star Search talent hunt show

has reached its crescendo, with N10

million cash prize up for grabs tonight.

After many weeks of talent exhibition by

over 17 contestants and difficult decisions

made by the judges, namely; Keke

Ogungbe, ID Cabasa, and Asha Gangali,

the stage is now set for the finale.

Organisers of the show introduced fresh

intrigue as audience votes and judges’

decisions influenced the return of already

evicted contestants, Khaleed, Black Bella,

and Kachi, for the grand finale. The three

returned contestants join the finalists,

Skimzo, Melo, and Eniola, to battle for the

winning prizes of N5 million, N3 million

•Black

Bella

•Kachi

•Skimzo

and N2 million, respectively.

The show, which has continued to leave

audiences at the edge of their seats since its

commencement in September 2022, has

seen the eviction of many talents that

include Sparrowh, Tomz, and MB Dre,

amongst others.

As explained by the judges, elements key to

winning the show are originality, street

credibility, and creativity.. The judges

worked with them, providing mentorship to

finetune their original songs.

Naija Star Search is a collaboration

between StarTimes Nigeria and Kennis

Music toward preserving Afrobeats.

The death of Pentecostal

Assembly

As a young believer, I was appalled at the

cutthroat politics of a church I joined, all

revolving around the pastor. After some time, I

found it necessary to confront him. I went to

see him, as Nathan did with David. (2 Samuel

12).

I told him my boss at work was a big problem.

He knocked heads together and stoked up

conflicts. He was the epicenter of every crisis.

Would he suggest I resign and look for another

job?

The pastor advised me to resign. He said there

was no point in my staying there. He was

confident I would have no difficulty in getting

another job.

Then I said to him: “You are the man.” (2

Samuel 12:7). I told him I was not talking about

my office but about our church. The church

was acrimonious and dysfunctional, and he

was principally responsible for this.

The pastor was taken aback. He listened to

me respectfully and promised to make amends.

But soon, we were back to square one.

Revelation knowledge

Some weeks later, I embarked for personal

reasons on a 100-day fast. I had a burden for

the church and God revealed certain things to

me. I shared this with the entire church.

As God would have it, they asked me to

minister during one of the monthly vigils, so I

told the church everything. The Lord confirmed

His word with signs. He asked me to minister

to everybody individually, and He gave me a

word of knowledge for everyone present.

The very first person was

an elderly man, and I knew

instinctively he was

covered in Juju. The Lord

asked me to give him the

microphone so he can tell

the entire church what he

had done.

The man confessed that

he had been to a Babalawo

who covered him with

“You snakes! You brood

of vipers!” (Matthew

23:33)

“spiritual protection.” God told me to

remove this false covering with my bare

hands and warn him never to return to the

juju man: “Those who cling to worthless

idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”

(Jonah 2:8).

But by the following Sunday, there was

an uproar in the church. Someone had

fully briefed the pastor on the miracle

service and the revelation God gave me

that he was the principal troublemaker in

the church.

But rather than repent, he opted to save

face. He informed the church that I must

have been suffering from demonic

possession. Some people were told to

conduct deliverance on me in an upper

room. But when they did, I confounded

them by becoming drunk in the spirit.

They then summoned me before church

elders who wanted to know why God would

choose to talk to a spiritual novice like me.

One of my inquisitors was the same

elderly man who the Holy Spirit had

revealed was covered in witchcraft during

the service. He now insisted that I must

have been demonically inspired. “Why,”

he asked, “would God talk to a nobody


like Femi Aribisala?”

I offered a simple solution: “Let us fast and

pray for three days and God will confirm the

same things by revelation to others.” The

chairman of the group agreed. They resolved we

should all fast for three days and see what the

Lord would reveal. But someone quickly rushed

to inform the pastor about the decision.

Therefore, he crashed the meeting and declared

that no one in the church could fast and pray

without his permission. The meeting ended in

disarray. Some wanted to fast, others insisted we

must obey the pastor.

Afterward, I was confronted in the hallway by

a prominent businesswoman in the church; one

of the celebrated “moneybags.” She was also an

implacable ally of the pastor.

Out of the blue, she started cursing me. I stood

there watching as she cursed and cursed. Seeing

I did not respond, she suddenly stopped cursing

and started weeping uncontrollably. At that

point, I became even more confused. I walked

away and headed for my car in the parking lot.

Lepers’ colony

Thereafter, I was treated like a leper in the

church. The pastor and his allies serially attacked

me every so often from the pulpit. My first

reaction was to leave the church, but the Holy

Spirit prevented me from doing so. Instead, He

directed I must attend every church activity

without fail.

This was most uncomfortable because the

attacks did not let up. Someone taking Bible

study would stop mid-stream and ask the church

to pray for Femi Aribisala “so that demons would

stop disturbing him.” The Holy Spirit would tell

me to get up, go to the aisle, and kneel. Church

members would then stretch out their hands

towards me and cast imaginary demons out of

me.

This went on until the next monthly vigil. This

time, the pastor took no chances; he ministered

himself. But some thirty minutes into the prayer

meeting, the Spirit of the Lord took control of

the daughter of the woman who rained curses

on me. She fell into a trance and prophesied.

Seeing who it was, the pastor stopped the

proceedings. He handed over the microphone

to her and received the shock of his life. The

Lord started speaking through the lady and He

was rebuking the pastor for all his shenanigans

in the church.

Once I noticed what was happening, I jumped

up from my seat. I started running up and down

the aisle, shouting: “I told them, Lord. I told

them, but they did not believe me. They said I

was demon-possessed.”

When the woman finished, another lady asked

for the microphone. She reminded the pastor

that she had been in his office that morning to

tell him the same things. The Lord had told her

that, if care was not taken, very few people in

the church would inherit eternal life.

The pastor retrieved the microphone

practically in tears. He pleaded for forgiveness

and promised to make amends. He said again

and again: “You won’t go to heaven without

me. You won’t go to heaven without me.”

I thought that was strange. It sounded like he

would not allow us to go without him. How, I

wondered, was he going to prevent us?

However, by the next Sunday service a day

later, the pastor had changed his mind once

again. He came to church this time in full

regalia, which was unusual. He had on the

cloak, the cap, the whole nine yards of the

pastorate. “Nobody,” he declared, “is going to

take this church away from me.”

Le denouement

A guest minister from Ibadan who came to

minister at the church came to see me in my

office. I do not know how he got my details. He

told me I could now leave the church. I took it

that the Lord sent him to me. At a convenient

time, I took my leave and left.

Within two years of my departure, the church

scattered. Everybody ditched the pastor. Today,

Pentecostal Assembly, Yaba, Lagos, a church of

over 1,000 souls, no longer exists.

Jesus says: “You snakes! You brood of vipers!

How will you escape being condemned to hell?”

(Matthew 23:33).

(Excerpt from Kingdom Dynamics: Why

Pastors Don’t Go To Heaven by Femi

Aribisala.)

RUNNING WITH VISION UNTO SUCCESS: THE ART OF LEADERSHIP (7)

INTRODUCTION

IN the last serial, we

concluded the subject of

motivation by the leader, and

also introduced the topic of the

leader’s quality in terms of

charisma as an important factor

towards the organizational

success. We shall begin

considering this vital subject of

the Leader’s charisma in this

serial.

DEVELOPING THE

LEADER’S CHARISMA

The Bottom Line of Charisma

– Successful leaders tend to be

viewed as charismatic and the

result is that people follow them.

Charisma comes from a Greek

word meaning a beautiful gift.

It implies success is due to inborn

ability but there are wise actions

successful leaders commonly

take in this respect to earn this

gift. The following attributes of

successful leaders confer the

charismatic gift on them, and

gives them good followership,

be it in secular life or spiritual

ministry. Leaders who are

perceived to be charismatic are

committed to SMART goals,

having achievable big dreams,

moving persistently towards

their visions (Hab. 2:2), they are

always well prepared, carrying

a good appearance, and thereby

drawing followers spontaneity.

Come out Satan's prison-house!

SATAN has a prison-house

where all his captives are

kept. He has the power to put

them there, but unfortunately,

he has no power to open it.

(Isaiah 14:17)

Unbelievers and many

people of God who are lawful

captives of Satan because of

worldly lusts and lack of the

knowledge of the truth are in

this prison-house, on their way

to hell, if no repentance, as

written in Isaiah 5:13-14:

“Therefore my people are

gone into captivity, because

they have no knowledge: and

their honourale men are

famished, and their multitude

dried up with thirst. Therefore,

hell hath enlarged herself, and

opened her mouth without

ATTRIBUTES TO BE

DEVELOPED BY THE

LEADER FOR CHARISMA

In as much as Charisma is a

gift, it can also be earned or

developed. Afterall, Apostle Paul

said, “covet earnestly the best

gifts..” (1 Cor. 12:31). The

following are some attributes or

characteristics that leaders can

develop or possess to make them

charismatic, and thereby endear

them into the hearts of their

followers.

Commitment to Set Goals

and Followers

(i) They are committed to their

set goals and also to their

followers. The essence of

charisma is showing your

commitment to an idea or goal,

and to those who follow you.

The result makes you to become

an unstoppable movement with

your followers.

(ii) They demonstrate

commitment to your members

or followers by being persistent

in the pursuit of a goal, going to

extraordinary lengths, selfsacrifice,

risk taking, and the

expenditure of personal

resources. Apostle Paul was an

extra-ordinary example here. (2

Cor. 4:7-16). If you want them

to perceive you as a charismatic

leader, it is not enough to be

committed to whatever it is you

measure: and their glory, and

their multitude, and their

pomp, and he that rejoiceth,

shall descend into it.” But if

God peradventure gives them

repentance to acknowledge

the truth and the grace to

believe and to obey it, they will

surely come out of this prisonhouse,

as written in 2 Timothy

2:25b-26: “If God

peradventure will give them

repentance to the

acknowledging of the truth.

And that they may recover

themselves out of the snare of

the devil, who are taken

captive by him at his will.”

As written in 1 John 3:8,

believers in Christ who are

living in sin, are of the devil,

hence they are locked up in

Pastor Akinola

are trying to accomplish. You

must show your commitment

to those you lead. Prove to your

members or followers that

you want them to succeed

together with you

Having Achievable Big

Dreams

(i) Having achievable big

dreams. Martin Luther King

(Jnr) once said, “I have a

Dream”, and his dream

shook America. Have big

dreams and foster high hopes

among those you lead, and

your charisma will never be

in doubt.

(ii) No one wants to work

hard or make sacrifices for

small goals. They can reach

small goals by themselves.

People will help you to reach

goals that are impossible. In

fact, they will do it their blood,

sweat, and tears if your goal

is big enough.

(iii) When you show those

his prison-house.

Those who are possessed

with evil spirits such as

wizardry spirit, witch-craft

spirit, water spirits, spirit of

divination, spirit husband or

spirit wife, are also in this

prison-house.

In 2 Corinthians 11:13,15,

it is written: “For such are false

apostles, deceitful workers,

transforming themselves into

the apostles of Christ.

Therefore it is no great thing if

his ministers also be

transformed as the ministers

of righteousness; whose end

shall be according to their

works.” These workers of

iniquity, false prophets, false

apostles are in this prisonhouse.

Idolaters, who take pleasure

in attending or organizing

you lead difficult goals, big tasks,

and truly worthwhile missions, they

will sacrifice everything to help you

achieve them.

(iv) Your dreams must be realistic

and achievable to convince people

to lay down lives for it. They will

follow you to any level.

Carry the word in you

By Snr Pastor

Johnmark Ighosotu

John 1:1, the Word of God is

higher and bigger than any

other thing. When the Word

comes, it means God himself

has come because the Word

changes your world and this

is why the devil makes sure

people do not study the Word.

The Word of God

illuminates because through

the Word, you see God. Prayer

points cannot hange you, only

the Word can change you with

in-depth knowledge and

revelation. Thus a time must

come when you will be

tempted according to the

capacity of the Word that is

inside you and when there is

no Word inside you, your

emptiness will reveal itself.

You may be growing but

when you grow without God's

word, you become spiritually

malnutritious. Two people

were tempted by the devil the

worldly ceremonies where

there is eating, drinking and

dancing, are also locked up in

Satan’s prison-house. Saints of

God are warned not to be

idolaters like them as written

in 1 Corinthians 10:7:

“Neither be ye idolaters, as

were some of them; as it is

written, the people sat down to

eat and drink, and rose up to

play.”

In James 4:4, it is written and

I quote “Ye adulterers and

adulteresses, know ye not that

the friendship of the world is

enmity with God? Whosoever

therefore will be a friend of the

world is the enemy of God.”

Spiritually adulterers/

adulteresses are enemies of

God, locked up in Satan’s

prison-house.

In Isaiah 42:22, it is written:

“But this is a people robbed

CONCLUSION

Leadership is an art to be

developed. It is not something

you just wake up and discover

in you. You must take

complimentary proactive steps

to develop the leader within you.

We must be intentional in this

process, and as we pray also the

Lord will come through for us

to influence the right covenant

•Snr. Pastor Ighosotu

First Adam and Jesus. Adam

failed but Jesus replied the

devil with the Word of God.

Matthew 4, John 10:10.

The only thing that comes

out of you when you are in

trouble is what has been stored

inside your memory and you

must be tempted with what you

love and what you desire.

There are three benefits of

the Word. (1) It teaches you

brokenness (2) It makes you

have understanding of this

world and the world to come

(3) It gives you insight to

prosperity. Joshua 1:8 thus

when you carry the word, the

grass around you must be

green.

and spoiled; they are all of

them snared in holes, and they

are for a prey, and none

delivereth; for a spoil, and

none saith, restore.” The

people of God who are in

prison-houses of Satan are

spoiled and are robbed by

Satan of the blessings of God.

They have become preys to

Satan. And they can only be

delivered and their blessings

restored by the word of truth,

that is sent forth by God -

Psalm 107:20.

The word of truth opens the

eyes of the spiritually blind

and brings out prisoners of

Satan out the darkness of his

prison-house, if only they will

believe and obey this word of

truth – Isaiah 42:7.

My earnest prayer is that the

Spirit of truth will direct as

partners to join us for success.

•J.K. Akinola. (Senior

Pastor), The Gospel Faith

Mission International

(GOFAMINT), Ibadan,

Nigeria.

E m a i l :

flprofenassociate@gmail.com,

kolajoshua2003@yahoo.com

Pastor (Dr). E.O. Abina –

General Overseer.

The Senior Pastor led the

church in the following prayer

points. Oh God, give me

strong wisdom to have a

strong relationship with you.

Holy Spirit, anywhere I have

missed my relationship with

you give me understanding to

connect back. Oh Lord, every

exam I have failed in serving

you, show me your mercy. Oh

God connect me to your

wisdom for true service. Any

battle of darkness coming to

tempt my God, receive fire.

Any battle assigned to swallow

me above my capacity, Oh

God arise and defend me.

That strongman sending

arrows for me to die, I fire your

arrow back. Evil load placed

on my destiny and my glory,

catch fire.

The whole auditorium was

absorbed with the mighty

presence of God as the church

prayed with deep conviction.

•God's Delight Gospel

Assembly (aka Free Indeed)it

14, Peter Doro Street, Igbogidi,

Udu, Delta State. 08134489029,

08039350156

many who are in this prisonhouse

of Satan to a true

church, where they will hear

all the hidden truths given by

Jesus to His true church,

whose foundation is the truth.

Jesus says that many prophets

and righteous men desire to

see and to hear of these hidden

truths, given to His true

church, but have not seen or

heard them. Matthew

13:11,17.

Christian Gospel Church

(The Truth Centre),

4 Christian Gospel Avenue,

Beside Psychiatric Hospital,

Uselu, Benin City, Edo

State

Email:cgc.com.ng@gmail.com

Telephone: +234(0)

7 0 5 2 0 6 1 1 3 5 ,

+234(0)9030731406

W e b s i t e :

www.thetruthcentre.com

PAGE 22— SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

•Cross section of the overflow of crowd during the 2022 programme titled: 'The King Has Decided to Honour You'

It is time for God to honour you (2)

JONAH 3: 4-10 says, "And

Jonah began to enter into

the city a day's journey, and he

cried, and said, Yet forty days,

and Nineveh shall be

overthrown. 5 And the people

of Nineveh believed God; and

they proclaimed a fast, and put

on sackcloth, from the greatest

of them even to the least of

them. 6 And the tidings

reached the king of Nineveh,

and he arose from his throne,

and laid his robe from him, and

covered him with sackcloth,

and sat in ashes. 7 And he made

proclamation and published

through Nineveh by the decree

of the king and his nobles,

saying, Let neither man nor

beast, herd nor flock, taste

anything; let them not feed, nor

drink water; 8 but let them be

covered with sackcloth, both

man and beast, and let them

cry mightily unto God: yea, let

them turn every one from his

evil way, and from the violence

that is in his hands. 9 Who

knoweth whether God will not

turn and repent, and turn away

from his fierce anger, that we

perish not 10 And God saw their

works, that they turned from

their evil way; and God

repented of the evil, that he had

said that he would do unto

them; and he did it not"

Beloved, we must

understand that the obstacles

we are being confronted with

in our daily life are as a result

of the fact that we have ignored

our Maker. When we ignore

the manufacturer of a product

we are by extension loosing

grip of the formula to maintain

it. As the branch cannot bear

fruit of itself, except it abides in

the vine that produces it; so

neither can we solve the

complex difficulties of

humanity, except we abide in

the Maker. God who rules in

the physical and spiritual has

allowed to exist all these

challenges we are witnessing

today so that we can return to

Him and acknowledge that

He is the Sovereign God. Not

that He is ignorant of our

•Adult choir ministering during the programme titled: "The King has Decided to Honour

You"

situation but is expecting us to

do the needful by looking up

to Him for intervention. God

expects that whenever we have

challenges we should call upon

Him, humble ourselves, repent,

meet the demand of His

righteousness which was the

cause of our separation and

seek His face. For we to have a

perfect peace in our lives we

must allow the Author of peace

to reign over us. God has

cautioned that any time He

distances from us that it is an

indication that we have sinned

and are expected to amend

our ways and seek forgiveness.

When the people of Nineveh

heard the cry and saw the need

for repentance, and having the

understanding that they were

in dire situation of been

overturned as a result of sin,

they humbled themselves,

repented and called upon God

for mercy. They didn't wait for

the forty days proclaimed by

Jonah to come by, neither did

they put up any argument nor

query the rationale behind the

message or why the message

should come from Jonah.

These are negative attitudinal

pattern of the world, the

diehard sinners and that is

more reason God abandons

them to their fate to suffer. But

the people of Nineveh were

wise for as soon as they heard

Jonah, they showed remorse

and that activated the mercy

of God and their judgement

was set aside. That should be a

lesson for people who want to

overcome challenges in their

various field of endeavour.

I don't know what you are

passing through in life, but I

want to implore you to look

inward, examine and amend

your ways and then call upon

God, He will answer and

deliver you. God has the

answer to all our problems.

He is the Author and Creator

of mankind, thus has all the

knowledge of its solution.

Psalm 50:15 says, "And call

upon me in the day of trouble:

I will deliver thee, and thou

shalt glorify me"

The above verse is self

explanatory. God is

beckoning on us to make

conscience of that great duty

of fervent prayer which is the

acknowledgement of our

subjection and of our trust and

dependence to Him. No

matter what you are suffering,

who is behind it or how long

you have suffered that sickness

or affliction, I am assuring

you that if you can through

prayer call upon Him today

in all humility and repent of

your sin, He will answer you.

God is our Father and our

Maker and in Him lies our

solution, He is our Creator

and the Creator of all things.

Genesis 1:1 says, "In the

beginning God created the

heaven and the earth."

If we believe that God

created man and every other

things, we ought to know that

with Him all things are

possible Therefore we must not

isolate God and then wish to

prosper. Wishing to prosper

without God will be a fruitless

exercise. God is unlimited but

men are limited as a result it is

necessary the we remember

Him. We must remember in

every situation. God has all it

takes to address any problem

and He lacks nothing;

because He is the all sufficient

God. If you are not in Him, no

matter how rich you think you

are, you are incomplete. If you

distance yourself from Him, let

it be known to you that there is

nothing you can do alone on

your own. This is because the

The power to deliver,

make wealth, bear

children, become

successful in business

and all our success in

life are as a result of the

fact that H e allowed

them

power to do anything belongs

to God.

2nd Corinthians 3:5 days,

"Not that we are sufficient of

ourselves to think any thing as

of ourselves; but our sufficiency

is of God;"

All the things we do and

taking the credit couldn't have

been done if God did not

permit them. The power to

deliver, make wealth, bear

children, become successful in

business and all our success in

life are as a result of the fact

that H e allowed them. God

has the power to deliver us

from all evil, sicknesses and

diseases; He has the power to

give us victory.

Genesis 17:1 says, "And

when Abram was ninety years

old and nine, Jehovah

appeared to Abram, and said

unto him, I am God Almighty;

•Children choir ministering during the programme

walk before me, and be thou

perfect. 2 And I will make my

covenant between me and

thee, and will multiply thee

exceedingly"

God's injunction on how

mankind should work and

become successful in all their

endeavours is the same in all

generation. And that is to work

in righteousness, and depend

wholly upon God for their

supplies. Any time there is a

challenge in this covenant, it

is expected that mankind

should realize he has derailed

and therefore should return to

his Creator to seek for mercy,

amend his ways and resolve

not to derail again and at that

point the benefit of the

covenant will be again availed

to him as he continues the

journey. It is the benefit of the

covenant we had with God

while we walk Him that

assures us of His benevolence.

We should understand that

God is the Almighty and it was

He that has called us to walk

with Him. We didn't call

ourselves into this walk and

therefore must not do the

walking according to our own

way but according to His

precept and tenets. He is the

One that knows the road and

where there are bumps and

thorns. So He alone can guide

us perfectly on this journey to

our bliss. Our efforts will be in

vain if we refuse to walk with

Him. We should know that He

is God and that He is a spirit

and that we should walk

before Him by faith.

Colossians 1:16 says, "for in

him were all things created, in

the heavens and upon the

earth, things visible and things

invisible, whether thrones or

dominions or principalities or

powers; all things have been

created through him, and unto

him;"

No one has the answer to all

things except God. Every man

even with their riches and

power are limited. God is

unlimited, He has the power

to do all things. When we are

in any trouble which no man

can give us solution, He God

will give us answer, He will

give us solution. Even now, that

the whole world has exhausted

their power in trying to find

solution for a disease, God has

the power to stop the disease

and to give us solution. God

has the solution to everything,

to all the battles you are going

through. Some of you are

going through hardships and

battles, is it not time to

remember God and to turn to

him? He will give you solution.

There is nothing too hard for

God to do. No matter the

affliction, disease, the

economic problem, God has

the answer, He has solution. If

you are seeing impossibilities

or unshakable mountains in

your life then it is because you

have forsaken Him. If you can

remember Him today, I am

assuring you that problem

shall be no more in Jesus

name.

Word of success (Part 1)

JOSHUA 1 :5-9

ORD of God is the

Wword of success, if you

have it, you have it all, if you

do not have it you miss it all.

Prosperity and good success

are in constant use of the word

of God and to remain

successful depends on how you

apply the word of God daily.

5 There shall not any man

be able to stand before thee all

the days of thy life: as I was

with Moses, so I will be with

thee: I will not fail thee, nor

forsake thee.

6 Be strong and of a good

courage: for unto this people

shalt thou divide for an

inheritance the land, which I

sware unto their fathers to give

them.

7 Only be thou strong and

very courageous, that thou

mayest observe to do

according to all the law, which

Moses my servant

commanded thee: turn not

from it to the right hand or to

the left, that thou mayest

prosper withersoever thou

goest.

8 This book of the law shall

not depart out of thy mouth;

By Rev. Amos Ogundare

HE Contest with

TPharoahWe saw in the

call of Moses and his response

to God in the previous issue

and we agreed that almost all

of God’s servants had at one

time or the other, resisted His

call. We also observed a

situation today where almost

everybody wants to be

pastors, prophets and

evangelists even when they

have no record of

achievements.

We observed that the

situation is abnormal and

foreign to the scripture.

Pharaoh Needed to be

Humbled (Ex. 4: 21,

7:10;8:6,17,24; 9:24)Does the

greatness of a nation

automatically make its ruler

great? Pharaoh seemed to

think so. Not only did

Pharaoh rule with absolute

power, he also displayed

absolute arrogance.

So God decided to send

plagues to Egypt to

demonstrate to Israel the

strength of their God and the

weakness of Pharaoh’s

gods.Few weeks ago, we

established that thorough

preparation must precede

emergence, and this has

nothing to do with your field

of play. It’s a universal

rule!John C. Maxwell once

said, “The more you sweat in

Covenant Kindness

•Pastor Louis Oku

• Rev. Sam Ibanga

but thou shalt meditate therein

day and night, that thou mayest

observe to do according to all

that is written therein: for then

thou shalt make thy way

prosperous, and then thou shalt

have good success.

9 Have not I commanded

thee? Be strong and of a good

courage; be not afraid, neither

be thou dismayed: for the Lord

thy God is with thee

whithersoever thou goest.

Success (the opposite of

failure) is the status of having

achieved and accomplished an

aim or objective. Being

successful means to achieve

desired visions and planned

goals.

Why is success important in

life?

The making of a leader (4)

2nd Samuel chapter 9:1-13

HIS Covenant was

Tbetween David and

Jonathan (Mephibosheth's

father).

Even though Jonathan was

dead, the covenant is forever, the

covenant does not die!

David still remembered that

there was a covenant between

him, his generations and with

Jonathan inclusive of his

generations and that covenant

is to show kindness to each other.

This Covenant was not

between David and

Mephibosheth rather,

Mephibosheth was a

benefactor of the covenant

between his father and David

and so he was enjoying the

covenant rights. Therefore,

Mephibosheth enjoyed the

•Rev. Amos Ogundare

peace the less you will bleed

in war”. But preparation

requires discipline and

“discipline begets

distinction”.

One of the great failures of

our generation is the

underestimation of the

importance

of

discipline.Discipline is the

basic set of tools we require to

solve life’s problems. In this

world we either discipline

ourselves or we are disciplined

by others.God himself had

prepared Moses for this

occasion. Upon Moses’ report

to duty in Egypt, Pharaoh

demanded an explanation on

why he should honour Moses’

request.

And Pharaoh said, Who [is]

the Lord, that I should obey

his voice to let Israel go? I

know not the Lord, neither will

I let Israel go.(Ex. 5:1-2)

Again, I must say discipline is

indispensable in leadership

covenant rights by Grace and

not by works even though he

was lame and not qualified on

his own to stand before the king

yet, the covenant brought him

to the king's dinning table to eat

with the king (which was

considered as the greatest honor

in Israel).

Same it is for those who

receives Jesus Christ as their

Lord, they also enjoy the

Covenant Kindness right by

grace and not by works which

Success is important in our

lives because it makes us more

confident and happier in life.

It also provides us great inner

satisfaction. Attaining success

means accomplishing the

things we desire and love to

do in our lives. Success is most

important for the survival of

human beings in today’s

world.

Joshua 1 vs 7 makes us to

know that Success doesn’t

mean only achieving big

goals, it lies in every small

effort that takes you on the path

of large goals. You need to

work hard to fulfill all your

dreams and once you are

done, you will attain success

in life. Success is something

that gives you satisfaction,

happiness, joy, and peace. The

happiness that you will feel

after attaining success will

never be found anywhere.

Success is very important to

live a happy and prosperous

• Word of Success and

Deliverance Ministry, Pastor

Sam Ibanga (Senior Pastor),

13, Omosholape Street, Off

Ayepe Street, By Ramoni

Bus-Stop, Itire, Surulere,

Lagos.

because there will always be

contests to engage in. We may

dream, think, plan, hope, and

even pray; but without the grit

and discipline of persistence,

our lives will be nothing more

than empty wishes.

Pharaoh needed proof and

he is sure to get it. The problem

will not just disappear

because you want it to, it will

challenge your right to its

eviction! It will put up a

fight!… and Aaron cast down

his rod before Pharaoh, and

before his servants, and it

became a serpent.Then

Pharaoh also called the wise

men and the sorcerers: now

the magicians of Egypt, they

also did in like manner with

their enchantments.

For they cast down every

man his rod, and they

became serpents: but Aaron’s

rod swallowed up their

rods.Dr. David Oyedepo is

fond of saying “only fools

doubt proofs” After many

proofs, Pharoah was defeated

enough to swallow his pride

And he called for Moses and

Aaron by night, and said, Rise

up, [and] get you forth from

among my people, both ye

and the children of Israel; and

go, serve the Lord, as ye have

said.(Ex. 12:31).

•Assemblies of God

Rev. Amos O. Ogundare

Assemblies of God Church

Itire 1, Email:

ogundareamos5@gmail.com

is between God the father and

God the Son, through the

redemption which is in Christ

Jesus.

Therefore, believers are

called to feast on the Lord's

table and claim all God has

provided in Christ.

Worship with us @ LIBERTY

GOSPEL CHURCH this

SUNDAY @ 13 ILAMOYE

STREET IJESHA

SURULERE, LAGOS. You

will be taught more on how

can access all your covenant

rights in CHRIST.

08033733877


Favour of the Lord(1)

By Prophet Temidayo

Adejuwon

OMETIMES, an infidel

Smay run into luck and

fortune even in his or her state

of darkness not knowing God.

A woman or man may be a

chronic sinner and yet obtain

mercy of Jehovah as he or she

receives salvation of

God.Example was the

experience of Rahab the harlot

when she encountered the two

spies sent on espionage mission

by Joshua into the city of

Jericho. However,

outsiders,hardly enjoy the

exalted gift of favour of the

Lord. Favour is an extreme gift

of Jehovah meant for

daughters and sons of Zion.

Favours hardly jump on every

Tom, Dik and Harry that come

across its way. It is an

intentional and deliberate

intrinsic blessings of God

packaged deliberately for the

children of most high God.

SOME BIBLICAL VIEWS

ABOUT FAVOURS OF THE

LORD:

*Psalm 102:13 says..... Thou

shall arise and have mercy

upon Zion:for the time to favour

her, yea, the set time , is come.

*Luke 1:30 says..... And the

WHAT IS GRACE?

ll glory and honour unto

Aour king and the Bishop

of our soul whom we serve and

had fulfilled His covenant of

life towards us and will

continue to fulfill to us

KIIBATIANS without

stopping nor abating His

words to come true upon us.

Psalm 18:49.

The event of the past two (2)

years which is considered as a

tough time, rendering a lot

devastated and ravaged (many

affected had not been able to

be stabilized). The incident

was not limited to our nation

Nigeria alone but across the

worod; lots of lives, believes,

focus were diminished because

of COVID-19. But our father

in heaven kept us safe without

having part in the outrage of

the the destructions. He kept

us intact and safe to be alive

with our children, household

and Church of God. After

having a deep thought

searching of happenings

around and all what it meant

to us, I cannot but see that God

had been merciful and

gracious to us and He is the

reason why we are not

consumed.

As we are in the season of

our Convention and

Celebration, I welcome

everyone of us to this year

Annual Power Convention

2022. This year’s convention

has been tagged “The Grace

to Overturn Mountains”

which Grace here means

•Prophet Adejuwon

Angel said unto her.Fear not

Mary,for thou hast found favour

with God.

The virgin Mary was chosen

by God to be the mother of our

Lord Jesus Christ and the bible

refers to such a rare blessings as

favour with God.

*WHAT IS FAVOUR?

Favour can be described as

an act of kindness beyond what

is due or usual.It can further be

described to mean an extreme

support or likeness for someone

or something.Favour is divine

in nature.It is the Almighty God

that bequeath favour upon His

children.

Favour is a strong indication

of divine presence or divine

approval.

*Luke 1:28 says...And the

Grace to overturn mountains

•From left: Sir Ladi Smith, Vice President and Chairman, Membership and Welfare

Committee, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Gabriel Idahosa, Deputy

President; Mr Ben Akabueze, Director General, Budget Office of Nigeria and Keynote

Speaker; Asiwaju Michael Olawale-Cole, President, LCCI; Dr Chinyere Almona, DG and

Mr Goodie Ibru, Past President at the LCCI Members' Day themed "Connect The Dots" held

in Lagos.

•Bishop Odeleke

‘Unsolicited Divine help and

Assistance’’.

2Kings 4:8 records the

account of Elisha and the

Shunammite woman.

The woman is described as

a wealthy married woman in

the village of Shunem. She

had no child. This woman got

permission from her husband

to set up a guest room for

Elisha, acknowledging Elisha

as a true prophet and holy

man of God. Elisha often

passed that way in his travels,

and he stayed in the guest

room.

Today, many churches have

a “prophet’s chamber” for

traveling evangelists and

other servants of God to stay

in free of charge.

Elisha asked his servant,

Gehazi, how he could help the

woman in return for her

hospitality. Gehazi

mentioned that she had no

son and her husband was old.

Elisha then called the woman

and told her she would have a

son by that time next year.

Minister Paul Tomisin back with Adura

ast-rising gospel music

Fminister, Paul Tomisin is

back with a firebrand single

titled, "Adura", a Yoruba word

for prayer.

The singer is known for a

strange gift of redefining

ancient and revelational

sounds, into sounds that come

alive in the present

generation and are easier for

all to relate with!

ADURA is one of those

sounds, a song of prayer and

supplication,which is also

redefined as a song of the

believers authority! It makes

the believers access all that

have been done for them on

the cross!

Paul Tomisin, fondly known

as Da Cure is an ardent lover

of God and this cut across and

reflects in all that he does and

represents

He hails from Ondo State

but was born and raised in

the rough and downside of

Alagbado.

He is a vessel that God has

used and is still using in times

like this to bring in literal

terms and sounds to the body

of Christ, and one out of many

is testified through his recent

single JERICHO.

He is privileged to be the

Lead Minister of The

Heralds Ministry, a

gathering of God’s people

with a vision to bring all to

the mountain of the Lord as a

Angel came unto her(Mary)

and said:Hail,thou art highly

favoured,The Lord is with

thee.Blessed art thou among

women.

*Psalm 5:12 says... For thou

Lord will bless the righteous.

With favour will thou compass

him as with a shield.

*WHAT ARE THE

BENEFITS OF FAVOUR?

1.Favour is part of what gives

a man or woman the extraordinary

and divine

enablement to execute difficult

task with ease.

*Luke 2:52 says.... And Jesus

increased in wisdom and in

stature and in favour with God

and man.

*If the bible says that Jesus

Christ received favour of God

to execute the miracles and

special assignment He carried

out on earth, then every man or

woman on special assignment

by God needs to pray excessively

for favour.

2.Favour is what picks out a

man or woman for

considerations and approval

among many people for special

offer, special task or special

assignments. The virgin Mary

was qualified to become the

mother of Jesus Christ by

favour. (Luke 1:28-31)

•Prophet Temidayo

Adejuwon, is CEO,Faithbased

International Ltd.

email:temidayoadejuwon2019@gmail.com.

The prophecy was fulfilled,

and the woman had a child,

but the story was not over.

Several years later, the child

came down with some kind of

sickness, and he died that

same day in his mother’s lap.

She immediately left to find

Elisha and asked him to come

heal her son. Elisha came back

with the woman to Shunem.

2Kings 4:32–35 describes

what happened next: “When

Elisha came into the house, he

saw the child lying dead on

his bed. So he went in and shut

the door behind the two of

them and prayed to the LORD.

Then he went up and lay on

the child, putting his mouth

on his mouth, his eyes on his

eyes, and his hands on his

hands.

And as he stretched himself

upon him, the flesh of the child

became warm. Then he got up

again and walked once back

and forth in the house, and

went up and stretched himself

upon him. The child sneezed

seven times, and the child

opened his eyes.

Bishop M.Bola Odeleke,

Power Pentecostal Church

(KIIBATI) Power Of God

Never Fails

174/178 Okota Road, OPP,

Rainoil Filling Station by

Cele B/Stop

Tel: 08033529095,

07085153769

W e b s i t e :

www.powerpentecostalchurch.com

standpoint by divine counsel

and lifestyle!

He’s one with a strong

apostolic mandate of healing;

healing the sick and weak by

the sound and word that

proceeds from his mouth and

life, and ensuring by the grace

of God that his generation and

beyond be who God has

purposed them to be!

He is a graduate of Ladoke

Akintola University of Science

and Technology and serves in

RCCG Living Seed Church,

The Bridge, Lagos.

Paul is the CEO of Dage

Foods and a deep lover of

children and Godly marriage.

•Tomisin


2023: Nigerians should forget about

religion — Prophet Dagunduro

By James Ogunnaike,

Abeokuta

The Shepherd in charge of

Celestial Church of Christ

(CCC), Mount Sinai

Parish,Abeokuta, Ogun State,

Prophet Samuel Dagunduro, in

this interview, speaks about

“wonders of God” in the church

and the forthcoming general

elections in the country. Excerpts:

Talk to us about yourself

and how you started this ministry…

This ministry began 16

years ago. When I received

the call of God, I had

to go and learn how to be a

clergy as a Levite. When the

prophet that trained me realized

that I was competent

enough to head a church, I

was then made a prophet. In

the last 16 years, I have gathered

a lot of experience in the

ministry. My boss gave me

thorough training.

Humble beginning

When this church began 16

years ago, it was with a

thatched structured. We started

with bamboo trees and

palm fronds. Later, we erected

canopy. We used the canopy

for some time. Today, we

thank God because, with the

help of God and people,

whom God has used us to deliver

from their bondage, we

now have structure. Such people

come back to appreciate

God through donations and

support to the building and

other programmes of the

church.

How has God been manifesting

himself here?

By Efe Onodjae

ethodist Church of the

MTrinity, celebrated its

103 Choir anniversary , Sunday,

at its Cathedral at Tinubu

square, Lagos, with soul

lifting renditions .

The celebration began with

a morning and evening services

with the choristers

adorned in aesthetic robes

rendering melodious thanksgiving

songs through the swell

of the band and tuning of an

archestra , to appreciate God.

Speaking during the service ,

Very Rev Dr Oyeyemi Sodipo,

appreciated God for sustaining

the choir anniversary

since 1919.

• ‘How for 16 yrs God has helped us to deliver

pregnant women safely’

I want to thank God for

manifesting himself in the

Church. Since the beginning

of this ministry, the church has

recorded many miracles. I

want to thank God once again,

especially in the lives of pregnant

women. Any pregnant

woman that visits this regardless

of her condition and situation,

she delivers safely. We

have a special service for pregnant

women called 'Celestial

Clinic' and it holds 3pm. We

encourage all pregnant women

to partake in the spiritual

exercise. All pregnant women

attend the service from three

months of pregnancy. Pregnant

women that attend the

service usually come with

water, which we pray on and

bless and when they drink the

water, no matter the condition

or sickness they may have,

God always manifests himself

through the water. They always

receive their healing.

We have different spiritual

programmes for pregnant

women during the clinic service.

The spiritual clinic ser-

•Prophet Dagunduro

vice is not meant for our members

only. Pregnant women

from other faiths are free to

participate and this does not

make them members of our

church. Any pregnant woman

that comes for the programme

will have safe delivery

regardless of anything she

might have been diagnosed

of. Even if she has been told

that she will deliver through

Cesarean Session (CS), she

will have normal delivery by

the grace of God. We have a

lot of pregnant women who

God has helped us to deliver

in this parish. Aside from pregnant

women, through this

ministry, God has delivered

many people from different

bondages. We have a special

vigil every Friday. Through

this vigil, many people, in their

hundreds, have received their

healings, set free from bondage

and satanic powers. At

this vigil service, there is deliverance.

Nobody has come

to this vigil with his/her problem

and went back empty

handed except the person

doesn't have faith. Once you

come here with faith, you will

surely receive your miracle.

Care for the needy

Apart from meeting the spiritual

needs of the people, we

also take care of the welfare

of those that seek our assistance.

In our little way, we

ensure that we empower those

in need. We share God's love

in this church and the church

is growing

Have you experienced any

challenge in the ministry?

The Bible told us that “there

is no one we would send to

the war without his calling

being certain”. There are challenges.

I am a hardworking

person and I pray a lot. I thank

God that the Holy Spirit is assisting

me to overcome my

challenges. His grace is with

us in this church and we are

fighting and winning our battles.

One of the challenges we

face is that at the junction that

leads to the church, where the

church signpost is erected,

sacrifices are being

placed there. It doesn't

make sense for people to

be seeing sacrifices when

coming to church at

dawn. On our own, we

tried to change the narrative.

For over ten years,

we take away the sacrifices

placed at that junction,

but we shall continue

to do our part with

prayers. There are series

of challenges and confrontations

from the host

community, but since we

are on a call, we leave the

fight to God. I could recall that

about three years ago, I had

an illness that almost took my

life. It was God that saved me.

But God has been helping us,

all the way.

You just marked your anniversary,

tell us something

about it?

Recently, the church celebrated

its 11th anniversary

and we thank God for his

mercy and blessings upon the

church and its members.

Though, there were challenges

before the anniversary, we

thank God that made it possible

for us to overcome the

challenges and raised people

that supported us from different

parts of the country. The

church members were very

happy, likewise the community

members because we had

more than enough to share to

them. It was a huge success.

As a clergyman, what is

your take on the 2023 elections?

Nigeria is a country that's

blessed with different resources

by God.

The scriptures tell us that we,

as citizens, should respect our

leaders and obey them because

it is God that put people

in positions of authority.

In the forthcoming elections,

Nigerians should forget

about religion. Whether Muslim

or Christian, whoever becomes

President, what's important

is that God should

lead them to the right way;

people should be at peace.

Welfare of Nigerians should

be their priority. Necessary

amenities that will make life

bearable to the masses should

be provided.

Let us remember that the

leaders are also human beings

like us. Therefore, we

should always remember

them in our daily prayer. As a

prophet, I join other prophets

and religious leaders in praying

and fasting for our leaders,

so that they will succeed.

Nobody is above mistake. So,

we should continue praying

for them.

Methodist Church choir celebrates 103 anniversary

While reading from Jeremiah

23:1-6, Colossians 1:11-20

and Luke 23:33-44

during the homily, he appreciated

members of the

choir and the entire congregation

for carrying on with the

joy of God, inspite of the state

of insecurity in the country,

as well hunger and other challenges

.

The choirmaster, Brig.Gen

Charles Bossman, explained

that the ceremony was a century

long tradition that meant

so much to them as it could

be likened to Saint Paul Choir

London.

He disclosed that preparation

for the ceremony started

eight months ago.due to the

significance of the event which

creates opportunities for discovering

new talents and instigating

the quest for excellence

among choirs.

He said: "Methodist church

has a rich heritage of good

church music. The hymns,

chants, anthems, have to be

sung to near perfection. The

Choir practise itself is like a

school that takes choristers

through rigorous training in

Choral Church Music and

everything that will make the

Choir sing to internationally

acceptable standard are usually

employed. Lagos was

carefully selected for this festival",

he stated.

Minister tasks Council on appointment of

new Rector, as Yabatech graduates 7,454

By Adesina Wahab

inister of Education,

MMalam Adamu Adamu,

has charged the Governing

Council of the Yaba College

of Technology, Yabatech,

to continue on the path of

transparency and fairness

while selecting a new Rector

for the College.

Adamu, who gave the

charge during the 34th convocation

ceremony of the institution

in Lagos, said the

ministry was already grappling

with fall-outs from selection

processes of new

helmsmen for some of its

tertiary institutions.

The minister was represented

on the occasion by a

Director in the ministry,

Mrs Vivian Wategire.

The tenure of the incumbent

Rector, Engr. Obafemi

Omokungbe, comes to an

end by the end of January

next year.

Media need to respond to the anxiety of

indigenous peoples —Adeoye, JODER Director

By Kennedy Mbele

HE Director, Journalists

Tfor Democratic Rights,

JODER, Mr Adewale Adeoye,

has identified the need for the

media to respond to the anxiety

of indigenous peoples across the

country, particularly those

whose inheritance were affected

by government's developmental

programs.

He advised indigenous peoples

to adopt what he calls Insigenoue

Peoples Initives, IPI,

and not to rely on 3rd party for

the struggle and campaign, but

to develop organizational capacity

and present their positions,

using local and international instruments

available to them.

Adewale made the observation

while speaking on the topic

'Using Media to Sustain Development

of Indiginous People'

during a two-day training of

media practitioners on 'Effective

and Impactful Reporting of Indegeneous

Issues towards National

Agenda for Peace and

Building Conflict Prevention',

organized in Abuja' by the Resource

Centre for Human Rights

Education, CHISED, International

Press Centre, IPC, and

JODA, with the support of Mac-

Arthur Foundation.

He also noted training, investigative

reporting, reward for

professionalism, network of journalists

on indigenous issues, as

some of the steps to be taken by

the media to sustain the development

of indigenous peoples

across the country.

Asserting that the media cannot

do it alone, he said: "Create

your own story using modern

technology that can be accessed

through the social media. Cry

louder..."

In his contribution, DG,

IPC, Mr Lanre Arogunde,

called on the media to come

to the aid of indigenous peoples

by bringing their plight

he Ezendigbo1 of

TAbaranje, Chief Boniface

Okparaku has called for

urgent steps to be taken on the

challenges of insurgency ravaging

Orsu Local Government.

Speaking during the ORSU

Interactive Get-together, organized

by the Orsu LGA Development

Union (OL-

GADU), in Lagos with the

theme ‘Peace and unity as important

tools for Community

Development 2,’ Okparaku

urged all Orsu songs and

daughters to ensure normalcy

is returned to the Local government.

In the same vein, the Dean

of Pharmaceutical Sciences,

Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

Awka, Professor Festus Okoye

who was the guest lecturer

added that "We can help to

promote peace within our

community by encouraging

good relationships with our

neighbours.”

Pastoral shenanigans

By Femi Aribisala

I

was a young believer

at church in Lagos

when I received the gifts of

healings. (1 Corinthians

12:9). The owner of the

building where the church

was situated was one of Nigeria’s

pioneer industrialists,

a man by the name of

Odutola of “Odutola Tyre

Soles” fame. He was a

multi-millionaire in his 90’s

at the time. But he had one

affliction: he was paralysed

on one side of his body.

The pastor of the church

decided that I should go and

pray for the healing of the

landlord. So, one Saturday,

we drove out of town to Ijebu

Ode to see him.

The man was in good spirits.

But he complained to us

that his children wanted him

dead so they could get hold

of his property. He said he

opened the newspapers one

morning to discover there

were obituaries placed by

his children saying he had

died.

This made what happened

next all the more embarrassing.

The pastor introduced

me as a gifted

member of his church full

Already, 30 persons, including

two professors are jostling for

the seat.

The minister, who commended

the Council, headed by Prince

Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and

Omokungbe for the achievements

recorded in the last five

years, also expressed support for

the N50 billion Endowment

Fund recently launched by the

College management to revitalise

facilities there..

Listing some of the achievements

so far recorded by his administration,

Omokungbe

thanked the staff, students and

the Council members for their

support.

He noted that a number of

staff were able to benefit from

postgraduate scholarships given

by TETFund and other agencies,

while collaboration with institutions

within and outside the

country had brought a lot of

positive developments to the

College.

"To boost our internally generated

revenue, the Yabatech

Consult, the business arm of the

of the anointing to heal. He told

him Jesus had sent us to pray

for his healing. But there was

one small condition: The Lord

wants him first and foremost to

give our church his building.

When I heard this, I wanted to

crawl into the ground and hide.

I was so embarrassed and angry

to have been included in

these 419 schemes.

Mr. Odutola was not impressed.

It was clear that he was

familiar with this type of manipulation.

He smiled and

pointedly refused to say anything

about giving our church

his building. Nevertheless, we

prayed for his healing and left. I

realized from then that I had to

be careful in my dealings with

the pastor.

Coming this December 2022.

"KINGDOM DYNAMICS:

WHY PASTORS DON'T GO

TO HEAVEN" by Femi Aribisala.

(Available in Nigeria and

abroad).

Palathingal marks golden jubilee wedding anniversary

n Indian doctor, identi

Afied as the second medical

doctor to join the Archdiocese

of Onitsha, after the Civil

War, Dr. Vincent Palathingal

and his wife, Elizabeth, will

today, celebrate their Golden

Jubilee Wedding Anniversary

at Ola Sisters Chapel, St.

Agnes Catholic Church, Mary

Land, Lagos.

According to a statement by

to the attention of government.

He urged journalists

to seize the opportunity offered

by the current political

campaigns to ask candidates

the solution they

have on the travails of indigenous

peoples as is being

experienced in the Niger

Delta, FCT, Abuja and

other parts of the country,

if voted into power.

INSURGENCY: Stakeholders call for normalcy in Orsu

On his part, President

General of OLGADU, Hycenth

Okonkwo who expressed

concern over innocent

casualties said: "There

is a need to identify the

cause of the problems and

assist government in solving

them.”

Palathingal on behalf of the

family, the event which will

be celebrated alongside his

Golden Jubille Medical

Service Anniversary and

48th Anniversary of uninterrupted

Medical Service

in Nigeria, will feature a

Holy Mass by the Archbishop

of Lagos, His Grace

Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale

Matins, begining from

The Chairman of the planning

committee, Emeka Ezeh

added that "We are concerned

about the recent sad events within

the local government hence

the choice of the topic is to stress

on the need for peace and unity

among our people."

From left: Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen,

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha,

Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Aishah

Ahmad, CFA, Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank

Folashodun Shonubi, during the International Financial Inclusion

Conference 2022 dinner held in Abuja recently.

5pm.

•Dr. Palathingal and his wife,

Elizabeth

The nightmare of an irate ex-lover’s bedroom attack!

IT'S never been wise to

“ leap into a relationship

on the rebound. This

Samantha found out the

hard way. “I was in love with

my fiancé Mike. I met him

when I started work at the

company we both worked

with. He had such a warm

personality that we’d hit it off

straightaway. He treated me

like a princess from the word

go and took me on dates to

very interesting places and

when he asked me to marry

him, I agreed”, recalled

Samantha.

“It was shortly after that we

started rowing over money. I

thought we should start

saving for the wedding but

Mike didn’t want to let go his

independence and social life.

The arguments went on and

on – silly arguments but

enough to come between us.

In the end we decided to cool

things until we were both

clear as what we wanted.

“It was weeks after that a

friend told me Pious, with

whom I’d had a casual fling

years ago, was asking after

me. He would be a bit of fun,

I thought, a welcome

distraction. So, I texted him

and we agreed to meet at his

flat. We were a bit nervous as

we chatted about old times. I

couldn’t help but notice that

Pious, now in his late 30s, was

drinking a lot. He had a

slight menacing look on his

face now, but after a pleasant

evening reminiscing, I didn’t

see any harm in giving him a

chance.

“But it wasn’t easy. He was

a computer analyst and I was

a matron in a teaching

hospital, so it was hard for us

to arrange convenient dates.

On top of which his boozing

got worse and he could be

nasty and menacing when

he’s drunk.

“We were at a friend’s party

one evening when I glanced

his way and saw him giving

me a murderous look. What’s

the matter with him now? I

thought. What have I done

and got myself into? As soon

as we got to his place, I got

out of his car and made for

mine. ‘Where do you think

you’re going?’ he snarled,

leaping out of the car and

dragging me roughly across

to his flat. I stared at him,

shocked by what he was

doing. He grabbed at my

boobs and squeezed hard.

‘You want sex, right?’ he

taunted. ‘I saw you lusting

after that jerk you were talking

to at the party. If you want

sex, I’ll give you plenty?’

“I broke away from him

and luckily, some of his

neighbours heard the

commotion and came out. I

dashed into my car and sped

off. Mike would never have

dreamt of laying a finger on

me, I cried sadly as I drove

home. Pious was definitely in

my past now, I resolved. He

pleaded and promised to

change, but those menacing

looks he always wore when he

was drunk helped make up

my mind to give him a wide

berth. He bombarded me

with abusive text messages,

calling me a slag and a whore


and I had to report him to

the police so he could be

warned to keep the peace.

“Meanwhile, Mike had

started texting me again.

After the nightmare of being

with Pious, he was like a

breath of fresh air. I couldn’t

contain my delight. I invited

him round to my flat and all

of my old feelings for him

came flooding back. We

talked for hours about

giving our relationship

another go. Much later, it

was too late for him to go

home. Since the next day

was a Saturday, he slept over.

I was trying to get breakfast

the next morning when he

came into the kitchen and

started kissing me

passionately. It felt so good

after all the stress Pious had

put me though. We were

suddenly taken over by the

passion of the moment and

we started having sex right

there in the kitchen.

“When it was over, Mike

lifted me up and sat me on

the work top. The next thing

I knew, there was terrible earsplitting

noise. Heart

thumping, I turned to the

window. The glass had been

shattered and I knew

instantly it was Pious – he

was coming for revenge.

What on earth would he do

when he saw Mike here with

me? Seconds later, he

smashed his way into the flat.

He was clutching a stick and I

froze in terror. It was like

something out of a horror

movie! Wide-eyed with fear. I

looked at Mike. He leapt into

action, covering up my naked

body. As he bent down to pullup

his trousers, Pious lugged

at him, swinging the stick he

had with him at Mike. I

screamed as Pious started

whacking him, his eyes cloudy

with rage. It was as if he’d been

possessed by the devil. ‘I saw

you, you sex maniac’, he raged,

‘you were shagging my girl!’

“I continued screaming and

tried to separate them but it

was no good. My small

frame was simply swamped

by the two big burly men

fighting in my kitchen. Mike

started to fight back. He was

hitting Pious blow after blow,

trying to save us from this

maniac. My screams must

have attracted my co-tenants

as a few of them rushed in to

subdue Pious. The thug ran

off like the coward he was.

“I made a full report at the

police station where I’d

earlier reported him and he’s

currently facing assault

charges. Mike and I are

stronger than ever. Only,

whenever I run into any of the

neighbours who came to our

rescue, I cringe. Thanks to

that monster, they now know

how I look like naked!”

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Atiku-Okowa govt will restore lost glory if given mandate — Umurhohwo

Mr. Oke Umurhohwo, hails

from Ughelli, Ughelli North

local government area of Delta

State and a chieftain of the

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,

who recently contested in the

party's primary election to

represent Ughelli North

Constituency 2 at the Delta

State House of Assembly.

In this interview with Sunday

Vanguard, Umurhohwo who

is presently the National

Leader of the ATIKOWA

MOVEMENT, speaks on the

chances of Atiku-Okowa,

Oborevwori-Onyeme winning

the 2023 presidential and

governorship elections.

Excerpts:

e have seen in the past

Wfew months a group

by name of ATIKOWA

MOVEMENT that you are

floating. Can you tell us all

about the group?

ATIKOWA as the name

suggests, is a name culled

from Atiku and Okowa, our

next president and vicepresident

hopefully.

ATIKOWA MOVEMENT

cuts across the 36 states of

Nigeria and has the sole

objective of promoting the

candidature of former Vice

President, Atiku Abubakar

and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

in every nook and cranny of

Nigeria.

I founded the group based

on the conviction that their

partnership in the PDP ticket

provides the best option for

Nigeria to get out of the

current unpalatable

experience, and there is so

much confidence that Atiku-

Okowa's government will

•Umurhohwo

restore our past glory if given

the mandate to rule the

country. So far, we have been

able to share with a lot of

Nigerians the need to vote for

the PDP ticket in next year's

poll, because that is the right

thing to do.

Atikowa membership is

spread across Nigeria, which

makes it possible for us to get

our message on Atiku-Okowa

to people across faiths and

tongues. It goes beyond just

canvassing for votes, it also

relates to the masses the

message of hope that is

obtainable with the eventual

victory of Alhaji Atiku at the

polls. We specifically focus on

people at the grassroot

because we understand that

they are the most impacted by

bad governance.

Your party at the national

level is contesting against the

ruling All Progressives

Congress. What are the

chances of your principals,

Atiku and Okowa winning

the election?

Very bright. Permit me to

brag and confidently tell you

that it is going to be an easier

victory for my principal than

many people are anticipating.

You already know that with

the new electoral act, it isn't

business as usual. This

election is going to be a

reflection of the will of the

masses, and this is one of the

edges that my principal has

over the ruling party's

candidate.

Let us get something right

here, the 2023 presidential

election is strictly between

Nigerians and the APC. It is

not a secret that Nigerians are

tired of the retrogressive

nature of this regime, and they

are in dire need of a RESCUE

TEAM, something that my

principal offers to the masses.

So we have a case of supply

meeting demand. The Atiku/

Okowa ticket represents the

clearest option for Nigerians

to exit the miserable condition

that the APC bad governance

has caused.

I have every reason to

believe that Nigerians will

vote the PDP ticket next year

because it boasts of solutions

to the many challenges facing

the country. Furthermore, the

PDP ticket is made of two

sound minds, both

intellectually and politically.

These are people who have

been able to distinguish

themselves in different spheres

of life. The PDP as a party and

the candidates are also

leaving no stone unturned as

we go around the country,

spreading our recovery

mission. These and many

other reasons are why we are

confident of our victory come

February 2023.

It is not a secret that

Nigerians are tired of the

retrogressive nature of

this regime, and they are

in dire need of a rescue

team

One area that could affect

the victory of PDP is the

lingering rift existing

between your principal and

the G-5 led by Gov Nyesom

Wike. What is your take on

this?

In a family, much more, a

big one as the PDP, there is

bound to be

misunderstandings every now

and again, and you should

know that misunderstandings

are meant to be resolved and

this will not be an exception.

The party is one, and it is

United in the goal of

RESCUING NIGERIA from

the impending doom to which

the ruling party is leading the

country. You can see that our

leaders on the side of the G5

are not saying they are

leaving PDP, and that is a good

thing.

Only recently, Governor

Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

predicted that the PDP will

win every election in 2023,

and that is a pointer that the

PDP will go into the election

as a united family. So you see,

we may seem to be on

different paths, but the

destination is same. That

which unite us as a party is

bigger than any threats that

may be.

A lot of people see the

joint ticket of Atiku/Okowa

as another major setback,

considering the position of

the South South governors

and leaders accusing

Governor Okowa of having

betrayed them. What is your

take on this?

I don't think there could

have been a more perfect

combination than what we

have now in the PDP ticket.

Atiku and Okowa

compliment each other, and

are best fit for the job of

rescuing Nigeria from the

disastrous path it currently is.

This issue of betrayal are just

innuendos from opposition

parties arising from their own

illusive imaginations.

Without sounding immodest,

I do not share those opinions.

The PDP as a party

collectively agreed to throw

the party ticket open to

everyone and it was through

that process that a

presidential candidate

emerged.

Coming to Delta State

with Oborevwori as the

party's flagbearer, do you

see PDP winning the state

with the many internal

problems?

I don't think that is the

reality of things. People are

bound to differ, especially

when it involves contesting

for the ticket, and with the

decision of the Supreme

Court, it is resolved. Leaders

across the board are coming

together and in the end, they

will all work together to ensure

PDP's victory in the election.

Delta State is a PDP State and

I don't see that changing

anytime soon. The Delta State

PDP Governorship Candidate

Sheriff Oborevwori is one who

has been tried, tested and is

trusted by the core masses.

Apart from the PDP

structure, what is your group

doing to ensure your home

town Ughelli and Delta state

win five over five?

We are reaching out to voters,

especially youth and women

on the need to vote all PDP

candidates in the 2023 general

election. My group is heavily

involved both offline and

online. Members of the

ATIKOWA MOVEMENT are

taking our advocacy to vote

PDP to worship houses,

associations, meetings,

among others. We are also

involved in door to door

campaigns, we go live on

radios, TVs, and more

preaching the PDP gospel and

the reception of our message

so far has been encouraging.

We also introduced the "free

fuel scheme" to cushion the

effect of the economy on

motorists. We also visited

schools and other public places

to create awareness on PVC,

and the importance of not

selling their votes. These are

just few amongst the many

things that we have been doing,

and the many more we have

lined up. We are doing

everything in our capacity to

get voters to get our goal of

winning five over five.


Opay boss urges firms to eliminate

commercial exclusion

Stories by Tunde Oso

PRESIDENT & Co-

CEO, OPAY, Mr. Olu

Akanmu has urged

organisations as well as

marketers to begin to responsibly

find innovative ways to solve the

large social and commercial

exclusion, unlock the potentials

of these excluded markets with

innovative service and business

models that could make them

profitable.

Akanmu, who spoke on the

theme: ‘Marketing as a tool for

sustainable economic

development’, stated this at the

11th Advertisers Association of

Nigeria Africa Marketing

Excellence Awards in Lagos

recently.

“Can we truly say we are doing

responsible marketing in a

country like Nigeria if most of us

despite our awards tonight are

not relevant to 50% of the

By Gabriel Olawale

OUTDOOR Advertising

Association of Nigeria,

OAAN, has called for

improved synergy with signage

agencies to ensure that

standard is upheld at all time.

Speaking during the 2022

OAAN conference, book

launch and awards

presentation, President of

OAAN, Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo

said that there are need for

improved collaboration with

Signage Agencies, saying that

instead of having a partnership,

it seems that they are having

non-symbiotic relationship.

He explained that with

mutual collaboration, the state

government will be the ultimate

beneficiary, “Our stand is that

a Signage Agency should first

Nigerian population,” he queried

adding that “America does not

have this large profound

exclusion problem, at least not

like our context, hence Kotler

could have defined marketing

with implications that only

markets that could be served at

a profit are worthy.

For marketers in developing

countries, he said, “Africa and in

Nigeria where 50% of our

population are socially excluded,

we need to responsibly find

innovative ways to solve our large

social and commercial exclusion,

unlock the potentials of these

excluded markets with

innovative service and business

models that could make them

profitable. By doing so, we will

double the size of our addressable

markets, become more socially

relevant while creating inclusive

prosperity for all.”

Speaking on innovation,

President of Advertisers

Association of Nigeria, ADVAN,

OAAN seeks improved collaboration with

signage agencies

see itself as an enabler of

standards. If standards are set

and implements, the

environment becomes

sustainable thereby leading to

improvement in business and

revenue to government.

Speaking on the theme

‘OOH at the Edge’ Ajufo said

that Out of Home Advertising

are still very relevant in the

advertising ecosystem,

“however, beyond the

relevance is the fact that we will

do better with collaboration

from both within and outside

the advertising industry.

He said that the newly

launched book titled ‘Out of

Home Advertising Practice in

Nigeria’ was the association

contribution to knowledge and

a good companion to present

practitioners, “It will also go a

long way in creating the

necessary appetite in students

Osamede Uwubanmwen stated

that it’s a known fact that

innovation is key to ensuring our

reliance and effectiveness in the

scheme of things, as such

ADVAN has put in place an

executive council that will

ensure the association is a force

to be reckoned with in the

industry.

“We are not financial billing

plans or links to brand budgets.

We are the experts, whose

corporate entities have spent so

much training and equipping

with the needed resources to

carry out its day-to-day

functions. We are the expert

storytellers, who bring brand

stories to life,” he said.

The 11th ADVAN Africa

Awards witnessed a number of

brands winning top categories.

For instance, Maltina, a premium

malt brand from Nigerian

Breweries emerged winner in the

Consumer Brand of the Year with

28% votes. Milo and Indomie

came 2nd and 3rd respectively

with 17% and 12% votes.

of advertising and mass

communication.”

On the awards, Ajufo said that

as creativity in advertising

continue to improve, the

association will continue to

recognize and reward

outstanding organisations.

Corroborating his views,

Chairperson, OAAN Awards

2022 panel of judges, Professor

of Mass Communication,

Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika said

that the 2022 entries are across

12 categories broadly divided

into two parts.

“Part one focused on

creativity and deployment. It

consists of 25 entries across

nine categories while part two,

is on professionalism. The

introduction of the three special

categories among OAAN

members is hoped will

promote professionalism in the

sub-sector.”

From left: General Secretary, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria- Ilupeju/Gbagada

& District Society (ICAN-IGDS), Samuel Abey; CFO, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc,

Mr. Abayomi Ogunwo; Chairman, ICAN-IGDS, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun; Vice Chairman,

ICAN-IGDS, Kolawole Bisiriyu and SWAN Coordinator IGDS, Mrs. Adedoyin Odutola

during ICAN-IGDS courtesy visit to Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos....recently.

NDDC BOARD: Activist frowns at exclusion of Okumagba

THE

National

Coordinator of

National Coalition of Niger

Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-

A, Eshanekpe Israel, has

bemoaned the exclusion of

Bernard Okumagba, from the

list of the newly constituted

board of the Niger Delta

Development Commission,

NDDC, that President

Muhammadu Buhari,

transmitted to the the Senate

for approval.

Akpodoro, a honorary

Mayor of Urhoboland, stated

this in a statement on

Thursday, that Mr

Okumagba may have been

traded off by those he

described as power brokers.

Recall that sequence to the

constitution and transmission

of the Bernard Okumagbaled

NDDC board in 2019 and

same screened on October 31,

2019 with Okumagba as

Managing Director of the

intervention agency while the

nation awaited President's

approval and subsequent

inauguration but it never

came until now that the

President constituted a new

board excluding Okumagba

and others from the latest list

that was read on the floor of

B

inance, a leading

blockchain ecosystem

behind the world’s largest

cryptocurrency exchange,

continues to demonstrate the

opportunities that can be tapped

for social and economic inclusion

using blockchain technology.

At the 28th Nigerian Economic

Summit, the blockchain giant

hosted a dinner session themed

“Emerging Technologies for

Social and Economic Inclusion:

Connecting People and

Democratising Access” with

policymakers, industry

stakeholders, c-suite executives

and private leaders in

attendance. At the summit

national and global leaders in

government, business, politics,

development, civil society, and

academia convened to dialogue

the red chamber.

Akpodoro argued that it was

unfair to treat one of the

illustrious sons of Urhobo land

with such ignominy.

Binance highlights Blockchain’s impact on

economic inclusion at 28th NES

on the theme: “2023 and

Beyond: Priorities for Shared

Prosperity.”

Speaking at the session, Kirk

Wagar, Global Head of

Government Relations at

Binance, said: “Blockchain is

nothing more than the most

secure, transparent contract and

the world is built on contracts.

Blockchain will continue to

facilitate inclusion and

accessibility through products

that provide value to users.”

Emmanuel Babalola, Chief

Executive Officer of Bundle

Africa, said the Blockchain

creates a framework for the

internet to transfer valueenabling

people the ability to do

profound things with the

technology.

By Nnamdi Ojiego

When the National Bu

reau of Statistics

(NBS), released a Multidimensional

Poverty Index (MPI)

survey report that measured

deprivations related to education,

health, and living standard

of the people and Abia

was among the top states,

many did not pay attention to

what happened.

Nobody in Abia State can

comfortably say that Dr Okezie

Ikpeazu as a Governor has

done it all but the NBS publication

has shown that after all,

Ikpeazu's promise of delivering

a better life for the people

of the state is a clear reality.

Abia is a state where people

are well known for their industrious

lifestyle and hardworking

nature. It did not start

under Okezie Ikpeazu but the

coming of Ikpeazu became a

catalyst for rapid growth and

development of all those involved

in Small and Medium

Enterprises (SMEs) in Aba.

One concrete influence Ikpeazu

had on SMEs in Abia

State is his becoming their

Chief Marketer, changing the

narrative about made in Aba

products. The Governor completely

rewrote the age-long

story of Aba shoemakers, and

other designers and made

them proud to say their products

were made in Aba.

He vowed to wear only

made-in-Aba products

throughout his stay in office.

Not only did he do that but he

also took their products to

important government agencies

like the army, police,

National Youth Service Corps

(NYSC) and the Nigerian Railway

Cooperation, thereby

creating serious and available

markets for them.

When he noticed the lack of

modern equipment available

to Aba shoemakers which will

not allow them to compete

favourably with the rest of

shoemakers over the world, he

set up the Enyimba Automated

Shoe Company (ENA-

SCO) where individual shoemakers

can bring their designs

and have them produced

by advanced machines.

The government equally

went ahead to launch an online

business directory for

small and medium businesses

in the state, a men's that

currently boast E-commerce

in the state making it possible

for customers all over the

world to buy products in Aba.

Ikpeazu exposed SMEs in

the state to the world because

the Abia SME directory contains

business names, addresses,

telephone numbers, locations,

contact information, the

type of service or products the

business provides, and the

number of employees among

other things.

Ikpeazu restored the Abia

SME and equally became a

pacesetter in human capital

development in Aba, the commercial

hub of the state, a situation

that has given youths

impetus to go ahead with production.

Abia under Ikpeazu became

the first state to have the Ministry

of Small and Medium

Enterprises Development that

serves as a clearing house for

all SME-related activities.

The ministry forms the catalyst

for business development,

marketing and empowerment.

Abia is also the first to establish

an SME bank tailored

towards helping small businesses

thrive. These achievements

are among the reasons

why the rating of Abia has

improved in many ways.

The Abia SME bank on its

own is Microfinance Bank

meant to meet the needs of

Abia Small and Mediumsized

Enterprises owners that

are currently not being met by

numerous commercial banks.

The bank is specifically providing

micro-credit to SMEs

to enhance economic growth

in line with the Ikpeazu-led

administration macroeconomic

policy of empowerment

and wealth creation for

Abia people and others doing

business in Abia State.

What makes the Abia SME

Microfinance Bank located at

NBC’S MPI INDEX: How SMEs

moved Abia into top rich state

Today, many areas

of businesses in

Aba in particular

are having

specialized clusters

where their

businesses are

meant to thrive

without restrictions

No 17 Ngwa Road, Aba

very unique is that despite

providing micro-credit to

Abia State SMEs, it equally

offers efficient and innovative

financial services

and products to the economically

viable SMEs

segment.

Today, many areas of businesses

in Aba in particular

are having specialized clusters

where their businesses

are meant to thrive without

restrictions, as the government

equally says it will

construct more roads with

economic importance to

ease trade and commerce

in the state.

Perhaps, the efforts of the

current administration in

Abia State in SMEs will be

appreciated more when

one visits the Cameroun

Park through the Powerline

axis of Ariaria International

Market to see how people

from Central and West

African cities like Bangui,

Libreville, Bamako, Malabo,

N'Djamena, Bioko and

Kumba come to buy made

in Aba goods for their numerous

customers back at

home in their countries.

Undoubtedly a rich nation

by every standard, one

third of over 200 million

population size of Nigeria

citizens are terminally poor

confronted with existential

challenges.

To ameliorate the poverty

level, the Federal Government

introduced a poverty

reduction template

which targets lifting 100

million Nigerians from

poverty belt zone by 2030.

This is a task the government

says is attainable, if

stakeholders play their expected

roles effectively.

Regrettably, poverty is

ballooning in Nigeria rather

than receding.

A poverty report released

last week by the National

Bureau of Statistics (NBS)-

Multidimensional Poverty

Index (MPI) survey is the

latest in poverty indices

measuring Nigeria's ranking

in the poverty ladder.

According to the NBS'

MPI, 63 per cent of persons

living within Nigeria

(about 133 million people)

are multi-dimensionally

poor.

Put in proper context,

the report, which has elicited

wide reviews, showed

that poor people in Nigeria

experience over onequarter

of all possible

deprivations.

Poverty levels vary significantly

across and by extension

regions.

When it comes to states,

incidence of multidimensional

poverty is low in

Ondo State with 27 per

cent and highest in Sokoto

with 91 per cent.

The report said over half

of the population of Nigeria

are multi-dimensionally

poor and cook with

dung, wood or charcoal,

rather than cleaner energy.

High deprivations are

also apparent nationally

in sanitation, time to

healthcare, food insecurity,

and housing.

Ikpeazu

Aggregate

The MPI report was collaboratively

conducted by

the NBS, the National Social

Safety-Nets Coordinating

Office (NASSCO), the

United Nations Development

Programme (UNDP), the United

Nations Children’s Fund

(UNICEF), and the Oxford

Poverty and Human Development

Initiative (OPHI).

When aggregated by zone,

the MPI showed 65 per cent

of poor people—86 million—

live in the North, while 35 per

cent—nearly 47 million—live

in the South. The report indicated

that nutritional deprivations

are highest in the North

West, but food insecurity is relatively

more frequent across

the South.

Poverty breakdown in relation

to regions are as follows:

North West, 45.5 million,

North East, 20.5 million;

South West, 16.3 million;

North Central, 20.2 million,

South South 19.7 million and

South East 10.5million.

Unemployment, according

to the report contributes more

to MPI in South South than

in other zones, whereas security

shocks contribute more in

South South, North Central

and North East.

It noted of disparities between

zones which it said were

greater than those between

rural and urban areas. For

instance, in the least-poor

zone, the report indicates in

the South West poor people

experience 15 per cent of possible

deprivations, while in

North East and North West of

0.324 shows they experience

over 32 per cent of possible

deprivations.

"Overall, 65 per cent of poor

people—86 million people—

live in the North, while 35 per

cent—nearly 47 million—live

in the South. In general, a disparity

between North and

South is evident in both the

incidence and intensity of

multidimensional poverty,

with the North being poorer.

However, the level and number

of poor people needs to be

addressed in all zones—each

of which are home to between

11 and 20 million poor people

except North West, which

has 45 million poor people

due to its larger population

and higher level of poverty ",

NBS explained in the report.

On level of nutritional deprivation,

the report indicates

North West was worst hit, noting

that food insecurity was

relatively more frequent across

the South. Unemployment

contributes more to MPI in

South South than in other

zones, whereas security shocks

contribute more in South South,

North Central and North East.

When it comes to housing,

MPI survey showed housing

deprivations were highest across

the North. The report revealed

school attendance was particularly

problematic in North East

and North West.

"Overall poverty is higher in

the North, the share of the population

who may be affected

may be higher in the poorer regions

even though it appears

smaller", it said.

The Nigeria MPI (2022) is

designed to be used as a policy

tool. It aims to monitor poverty

reduction, guide the coordination

of multi-sectoral policies,

target vulnerable groups and the

poorest households, evaluate

policies, and guide budget allocation

to support the initiative

lifting 100 million people out

of poverty by 2030.


By Chukwumerije Okereke &

Obi Ugochuku

LACK of climate finance is a major barri

er preventing Nigeria and other developing

countries form acting on climate change.

In the previous article we outlined serval ways

in which the Nigeria could leverage the Climate

Change Act to unlock climate finances

for the country covering appropriation, green

bonds and greening national and sub-national

borrowing plans. Today we conclude by looking

at other key sources.

Private sources

The domestic market for issuance of financial

instruments is active and presents a ready

platform for redirecting flows to climate related

interventions. Our analysis suggests that

since 2019, the issuance levels have increased

from N12.8T to 2021s 19.8T. However, the

component of green instruments is less than

0.4% and has been declining in the period. At

about 16 trillion, the resources listed on the

NGX are significantly more than the FGs

planned borrowings. This provides a compelling

case for the need to engage the private

sector actively in raising the levels. The Climate

Change Council (CCC) clearly has a role

to play in engaging private sector finance

through advocacy with the money market

operators, the regulators, pension fund operators

as well as the stock exchanges. Here the

How Nigeria can unlock climate finance with

Climate Change Act (II)

two most promising avenues for mobilization

and redirection of resources in the capital

markets would be Corporate issuance and Pension

Fund & Money Market Subscriptions to

issuances. Pension fund presents as much N25.7

trillion that can be accessed. PFAs have continually

increased their exposure to green

instruments, from 0.25% in 2019 to 0.62% in

2022. The CCC could set a target to increase

this to 1% of total assets. The CCA contains a

provision that its Council may borrow money

from financial organizations or other institutions

for the purpose of executing its mandate

under this Act. (Section 17 PART IV). Such

borrowings could be through the issuance of

climate instruments (green, sustainable, sukkuk,

social or a hybrid). These could be absorbed

by the resources available to the institutional

investors mentioned above.

Multilateral and bilateral sources

Multilateral and bilateral sources, according,

to the OECD, remain the biggest sources

of climate finance. It would auger well for the

CCC, to retain this as an essential option in

not just mobilizing resources but catalyzing

other sources of funding. Multilateral and bilateral

sources are diverse and covers both

adaptation and mitigation. Engaging with

domestic public resources, domestic private

resources (outlined in the sections above) will

be a key part in demonstrating the level of

seriousness and establishing the institutions

that will help Nigeria to attract international

finance. The NCCC can work closely with the

Office tasked with the implementation of the

ETP to set up a national just transition platform

that can mobilize billions of foreign assistances

to scale up climate action in Nigeria.

High ambitions are clearly disclosed in

various documents, such as the Energy Transition

Plan (USD410b), the NDCs (USD 177b)

and the all-encompassing Medium-Term National

Development Plan (MTNDP).

Proactive and strategic action

Evidence from the GCF shows that Nigeria

has only been able to mobilise USD118m from

the green climate fund, compared to South

Africa’s USD600m. South Africa recently set

a record at COP26 when it announced that it

had reached an agreement with a consortium

of donor countries to receive US$8.5 billion to

support her energy transition and implementation

of Nationally Determined Contributions

(NDC).

COP27 is now half way and nothing much

has been heard in the form of a deal for Nigeria.

Nigeria must not attend merely as spectators

or to make commitments that it will struggle

to fulfill. With the devastating impact of

climate change in Nigeria so evidently demonstrated

by the unprecedented flooding events

in the country, it is time to put in place a robust

and long-term plan to enhance climate mobilization

to underwrite green and climate resilient

investment for Nigeria.

*Okereke and Ugochukwu are Nigerianbased

climate change experts

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

AREPO JOURNALISTS ESTATE ROAD: Abiodun, a promise keeper

○

By Seyi Bakare

FOR a long time, residents of Arepo in

Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area

of Ogun State were having harrowing experience

commuting to and from the community as a result

of the terrible state of the Arepo Journalists Estate

Road, linking the area with the Lagos-Ibadan

Expressway. A journey of about five minutes could

take as much as 20 minutes, especially when it

rains.

Many residents had to move out of the

community back to Lagos, waiting for the day the

road would be done. The administration of

Ibikunle Amosun raised the hope of residents when

in 2012, he awarded contract for the less than 2.35

kilometers road to First August. But, for years, the

only thing visible was the sign board conspicuously

erected announcing the award. That government

never did anything throughout its eight years in

office, despite various efforts made to get the

attention of government officials.

Tired of waiting, the residents took up the

gauntlet and decided to do something. Donations

were collected and apart from regular palliatives,

a decision was taken to embark on some long

lasting measures. This saw to the laying of

interlocking blocks at some strategically bad spots

as the first phase of a long winding project that

was projected to cost the community hundreds of

millions of naira.

Succour came at last. It came when the little

money available for the road project had been

exhausted and requests made for more donation

didn’t achieve the desired results.

By Fred Edoreh

HE history of politics is replete with the

Tstruggle of classes. Even from Biblical

times, the taller, more handsome children of

Jesse wondered how Samuel would seek out a

goat herder to anoint as future King instead of

them. It was also subsequently asked, "Is Saul

also among the prophets?"

In the New Testament, the Pharisees, Sadducees

and Scribes also thought little of Jesus

Christ, wondering how any good could come

from Nazareth. In the pride of their high learnings,

they were ignorant that power belongs to

God, that God elevates the humble and uses

the simple to confound the mighty.

It was such that Jesus who was born in the

corner of a manger (call it dog cage) became

the King of the world.

That same divinity seems to define the forthcoming

Gubernatorial contest in Delta State.

The main protagonist, Rt. Honourable Sheriff

Francis Oborevwori, humble, calm, and resilient,

is a homeboy. His antagonists feel he does

not belong to the tribe of the "mighty" who, by

the privilege of their birth and parentage, feel

that power is exclusively for them and never

for the sons and daughters of the common

folks.

Sheriff, as he accepts to be freely called, is

not a descendant of any mighty name. He aptly

describes his greatest asset as "street credibility,"

taking pride in his deep connection with

the common folks and everyday people. He

struggled to be in the mention by dint of selfeffort.

He has no home in Abuja, he does not holiday

in London, New York nor Dubai. While the

The domestic market for

issuance of financial

instruments is active and

presents a ready platform

for redirecting

flows to climate related

interventions

Governor Dapo Abiodun made the strategic

intervention to reconstruct the road to the delight

of the community in fulfilment of his campaign

promise to the people. The governor has, on many

occasions, said his administration would not

promise what it could not be able to fulfill, but

would fulfill all its promises. He has sound it

anywhere he goes that his administration is not

the type that promise to “do all”, but ended up

doing nothing. And so he was delighted that the

promise he made to the people when he came to

campaigned in the area in the run off to the 2019

governorship election, he has been fulfilled.

On Monday, 14th November, 2022, all roads

led to Arepo. The occasion was the commissioning

of what one would perhaps called a world class

road with the complement of street lights,

pedestrian walkway and many other roads

infrastructure like road signs.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony,

Governor Abiodun described the road project as

a remarkable one owing to the fact that it had

been in a deplorable condition for a long time.

He was of the view that genuine development

should be people-oriented and that the road would

serve people in no fewer than 42 communities in

Obafemi-Owode Local Government.

Going back memory lane, Governor Abiodun

recalled the promise he made during the

electioneering towards the 2019 general election

to fix the road if he was elected governor. He

expressed delight that Arepo road which had been

in a bad state for years has finally been

reconstructed.

What makes this road unique is that it is

high-class dash off to foreign cities for weekends

and public holidays, he steps out from the

Chambers of the Delta State House of Assembly,

where he has been the Speaker for five

years plus, to be with his family in Osubi or go

round to honour his relations and friends distributed

across Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika, Ndokwa,

Ukwuani, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ijaw, and his native

Urhoboland, identifying in solidarity with

them in their different joyful moments or difficult

circumstances

His opponents suggest that such a humble

lifestyle is not psychedelic enough for one aspiring

to be a Governor of Delta State, but

beyond his simplicity is an entrapment of some

of the greatest qualities of truly great leadership

which begins with empathy, the identification,

association and communication with

the people - knowing them, feeling them, sharing

in their pains and helping to solve their

needs.

It is for this virtue that he has been sustained

as the longest speaker of the State Assembly

and elevated from the position of Treasurer to

•Dapo Abiodun, Gov Ogun State.

constructed with interlocking stones because of

its swampy nature. Other features on the road are

walkway, street lights and good drainage system,

that had been fixed to make it durable and bring

out its aesthetics.

Abiodun noted that the new road would reduce

travel time, stress and vehicle maintenance of the

residents of Arepo and its environs and used the

occasion to declared that his administration would

continue fixing internal and external roads in the

state, with a view to improving the socio-economic

well-being of the people.

His administration, according to Abiodun is

committed to the provision of good governance

in the state and noted that the completion of the

road is a demonstration of his administration's

appreciation for the support given by the people

THE SHERIFFICATION OF DELTA STATE: The heart of the matter

It is for this virtue that

he has been sustained

as the longest speaker

of the State Assembly

Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers

of State Legislatures of Nigeria till date.

Before now, State Assemblies have been led

as war houses, with the mis-impression that

they must not agree with the executive arm in

order not to be seen as "rubber stamp." Sometimes,

some of the Assemblymen see warmongering

as a pivot to rocket their political popularity.

Oborevwori however defines the principle

of Separation of Powers as the Division of Labour

in which all arms of Government must

work in harmonious understanding for the

common purpose of social and economic development

of the people.

In his view, law-making and oversight functions

do not necessarily mean the antagonism

of the executive arm. He has conducted the

State Assembly with the maturity and wisdom

that differences are better managed through

communication and agreeable resolutions,

without the dramatics of conflicts and showmanship

of populism.

Having come through the mills of public

service, starting first as Supervisory Councillor

for Works in the old Okpe Local Government

Area which included now Udu and Uvwie

Local Governments, Special Assistant on Youth

Development to Governor James Ibori, Special

Adviser on Land Security to Governor

Emmanual Uduaghan, Delta State Coordinator

of the Presidential Amnesty Programme

and then elected and re-elected Speaker of the

State House of Assembly, in 2017 and 2019,

he understands the responsibility of leadership

and the sobriety required in the discharge of

governance.

His experience, especially working with

of Arepo community to his administration.

The governor added that the state government

under his watch has, apart from the Arepo road,

embarked on the construction of all arterial roads

linking Ogun with Lagos State, emphasizing that

his administration is determined to raise the bar

in road construction in years to come.

The governor called on the residents of the

community to make the best use of the road by

taking ownership of the facility, urging the youth

not to be allowed to be used by unscrupulous

politicians before, during and after the conduct of

the 2023 general elections.

Olu of Arepo, Oba Solomon Atanda Oyebi, said

the road project would perhaps be the first of its

kind in the community from any administration.

Oyebi recalled the daily complaints he received

from his subjects due to the bad state of the road.

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of

Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Mrs

Funke Fadugba said: “The newly reconstructed

journalists Estate Road, Arepo, by Prince Dapo

Abiodun is indeed a promise kept. The road which

hitherto was a pain in the neck for Arepo residents

and journalists, many of whom reside in the

community is world class. The governor has lived

up to expectations of the people as a promise

keeper.

•Bakare contributes this piece

through seyibakare@naver.com

Continues on: www.vanguardngr.com

three successive Governors of the State and

particularly as Speaker, not only bequeaths

him with a deep knowledge of the development

issues across all constituencies of the state,

where and how the shoe pinches the people,

but also of the processes and procedures of

good governance.

Added to his experience in leadership and

public service is a standard educational background

for which after his secondary education,

he proceeded to acquire Bachelor's and

Master's degrees in Political Science, a Certificate

in Top Executive Leadership at the

Manchester Business School, Certificate in

Leading Inclusive Development at the London

School of Economics and Political Science,

and Certificate in Advanced Leadership at the

University of Cambridge.

He also studied for a Certificate in Legislative

Framework for Budgeting Management

at the Georgia Institute of Technology and

another in Legislative Management and Leadership

at the International Law Institute, Washington

DC.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of

Management (Chartered), but even most assuring

is that he is also a Fellow of the Institute

of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, a

necessary skill for managing equitable distribution

of resources for not only even development

but also for the maintenance of social

harmony, peace and security, especially in a

state of diverse ethnic nationalities like Delta.

•Edoreh, a journalist, writes from Asaba,

Delta State.*

Continues on: www.vanguardngr.com


Questions for Peter Obi

THE current "currency

redesign" move by the

Central Bank of Nigeria, under

this gasping Buhari

administration of the APC was

clearly aimed to flush out

currency warehoused by

Nigerians, which is creating

scarcity, and depressing the

circulation of the Naira in the

exchange system; and possibly

bloating the Naira reserve and

reducing its long term value,

with a possible glut when it

recirculates. Those are real

dangers to the Money Market.

Of course, what the

administration did was not to

redesign the notes, but to

change their colours. The

intention was nevertheless, the

same. But it was also one of

those aspects of the fascist

model of governance, which

imposed the will of the state and

its ruling oligarchy in order to

annihilate its adversaries.

The policy which aimed to

force out small cash holders,

who have hidden their Naira

under their beds, as well as

traders, who have stocks of

Naira kept outside of the formal

banking systems indeed

threatens the workers and the

middle income folks.

In 1984, when Buhari, as

military Head of State changed

the currencies, the real victims

were not the "big men" who had

humongous cash squirreled

inside bags and boxes in their

wardrobes, it was the little Joe,

who kept emergency family

savings in the till beneath his

bed. Indeed, a certain Emir close

to Buhari was allowed to bring

in the famous 21 suitcases in

the heat of that operations.

Those will not suffer. His kind

will survive. But why have

Nigerians stockpiled or

warehoused so much cash? There

are of course, the politicians, who

have stockpiled cash from their

gypping the entire system for so

long, and who have warehoused

so much raw currency notes

because they have no way of

sending these billions.

They cannot place them in

traceable accounts in local

banks, else they will have

questions from the EFCC. They

cannot launder these cash caches

quickly into Foreign currency

either, because it would trigger

an international crime alert.

They do often buy up the dollars,

and like the drug merchants of

South America, build climate

controlled barns for money that

is difficult to spend.

There are many business men

who have, because of the loss of

investor's confidence in the

Nigerian economy, as a result of

the Buhari administrations

incompetent management of the

Nigerian economy, have been

forced to keep their reserves in

foreign currency, which are also

warehoused. I mean both the

local and the international

investor has lost confidence in

the Nigerian economy, and

investing in Nigeria is like a

game of chance.

There are no guarantees. No

security. Some of the direct

impact of this large scale

withdrawal of money from the

system, has been in the

warehousing of inert currency

which has no investible outlet or

dynamic value. It is the capital

trap. Between the large scale

evacuation of Nigeria's resources

I frankly think that Mr.

Obi should be able at

this point, to have

thought through the

implications, and

provide the wellthought,

very clear

alternatives

overseas with the resulting

impoverishment of Nigerians,

and the warehousing of money,

often stolen from the Nigerian

public treasury, the Nigerian

economy experiences the lack

of Capital flow that could

energize its local economy;

create fluid funds for large scale

and middle scale borrowing

that could stimulate new

industries and production hubs.

But the useful policy might not

in the end be to prevent these

funds trapped in private

garages, and sink holes and

wardrobes, and even suckaways,

from re-entering the

National exchange circuit,

because the new currency design

might make it difficult to mop

nearly 70% of these warehoused

currencies back into circulation,

and even if it does get mopped,

it might lead to a collapse of

value of the Naira as a result of

currency glut.

But the best policy might be to

design some mechanism to get

the warehoused money,

originally stolen from Nigerians,

to re-enter the Nigerian

economy as investible funds.

Money is warehoused because

it has no place to go.

This is the challenge which I

was hoping that Peter Obi might

want to address as part of his

monetary policy. I speak

particularly about Peter Obi

because I think he has

momentum. I watched his

town-hall event alongside his

vice-presidential candidate, Dr.

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, on the

Kadaria Ahmed Show on NTA.

The first thing that struck me

was that Peter Obi has not yet

clearly, fully, and

unambiguously established

what he would provide as

alternatives to the withdrawal

of the Petroleum subsidy, which

he has rightly committed to

ending, because as he equally

rightly noted, the current regime

of subsidy is a "criminal

enterprise."

There is no question about

that. But I frankly think that Mr.

Obi should be able at this point,

to have thought through the

implications, and provide the

well-thought, very clear

alternatives, particularly given

the long term position of the

Labour Party on which he is

running about these subsidies.

Clearly with Peter Obi, Labour

has shifted from its long held

policy on subsidy. To that effect,

the leadership of the Labour

Party must now present the

Nigerian workers and peoples,

the clear picture of their current

party policy. It feels dodgy.

What will money saved from

the ending of subsidy be directed

towards? Since Petroleum

subsidy was originally aimed at

alleviating the conditions of the

workers and middle class

Nigerians, would Peter Obi'

administration consider

developing a modern, clean,

efficient, properly run National

Transport system using the

multi-modal platform: clean

and efficient city and rural bus

services; an efficient well-run,

well-designed National

Railways grid; an Inland

Waterways system, and a

properly run National Airways?

Sixty percent of the income of

the average Nigerian is

expended on transportation.

An efficient, publicly run

National transportation system,

could be an alternative

program that might justify the

removal of direct subsidy. A

federal-state-and local

government partnership, that

could also pull in private

investors might be the way to

go. I was equally startled by

Yusuf Baba-Ahmed's response to

two critical questions: one, is on

the ownership of a "Private

University" and the potential

conflict of Interest that might

arise with his position as Vice-

President, and the second is on

the ideological position of the

Labour Party as a Socialist Party.

What are two market-oriented

candidates doing at the helm of

the Labour Party? Yusuf Baba-

Ahmed's position was puzzling,

at best.

Yusuf Baba-Ahmed has been

described as an Economist. I

must confess that I have not read

any papers on the Economy that

he has published, either in an

academic journal, distinguished

or not, or even in the popular

public media. So, I'm not able

yet to read the tea leaves on him.

But I do know that he is

associated, as President of the

Private Baze University, with

some level of education

administration.

If he is to be taken seriously,

and the laws might have said so

already, he must resign and

dispense with all his interests in

this private institution because

it will have serious conflict of

interest dimensions if he

becomes Vice-President.

Besides, the Obi Campaign

must come up with exactly how

they intend to reform, reposition,

and restore the Nigerian public

university system beyond

making it just a "wish list."

One of the greatest policy

errors of the Obasanjo regime,

in my view, was to license the

"private Universities" in Nigeria,

without strategic impact

assessment, and without serious

ethical, organizational and

procedural considerations. No

individual should "own" a

"Private University." The Private

University must be managed by

a non-profit Trust, and not by an

individual. An individual may

endow the university, but may

not "own" it.

This is how "private"

Universities like Harvard or

Stanford, etc. are organized.

They are not "private"

Universities because they are

owned by individuals, but by

established non-profit trusts and

corporations that do not depend

on public funding. The next

National Assembly must correct

the conditions for the charter of

these "private" universities,

because funded publicly or

privately, universities must still

operate within the laws of

Nigeria, and within its highest

national interest. Universities

are not just where you train

highly skilled manpower.

But because of their status as

centers for conducting complex,

and sometimes even secret and

possibly dangerous research,

they are inexorably linked to the

National Security system of a

nation. How does a Peter Obi

administration intend to fund

Nigeria's public universities to

make them become first class,

productive places of learning

and research that could help

reposition Nigeria as a highly

productive nation; and attract

international attention and

regard.

How will Obi's

administration rebuild these

once highly valued National

universities to educate a new

generation of Nigerians, to begin

to reimagine Nigeria as a great

possibility, and who should no

longer need to seek education

in "foreign Universities"? What

is to be done? How much is the

cost projection? And what is the

projected funding source? These

have to be made clear, with clearcut

numbers, by the Peter Obi

Campaign.

Peter Obi's deputy says

Labour is not a "Socialist

party" but a "Welfarist Party."

Fair enough. But I would like

to complicate this issue a bit,

of the current Labour Party's

position on Welfarism, and the

ideological conflicts that are

likely to ensue if Center right

conservatives like Peter Obi,

and Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed

form the next government.

To be continued

Damn it!

EVERY year, we

commemorate the global

16 Days of Activism against

Gender based Violence from

November 25th-December 10th.

Each year policy makers,

politicians, civil society

organisations, women’s rights

activists, community leaders and

many stakeholders raise their

voices and pledge to do what they

can. Till the next year. This is an

article I wrote in June 2020. Even

though there has been some

progress since then mostly in

terms of legislative frameworks,

awareness raising, support for

survivors and community

engagement, the sexual and

gender-based violence pandemic

in Nigeria continues. I am sharing

this as we mark another global

campaign, as a reminder of how

things need to move a lot quicker.

Last week Vera Uwaila

Omozuwa, a 22-year-old

Microbiology student at the

University of Benin, went to study

in an empty church. From reports,

it was not her first time of taking

advantage of the peace and quiet

to study there. She was found

raped and murdered hours later

in the one place that was meant

to be a safe haven. One of my

young Tweeter followers said, ‘I

am sure Mrs Fayemi is going to

speak out and write a Loud

Whispers opinion on this’. Perhaps

it would never have occurred to

the young man that after following

the terrible news about the case,

and reading the reactions of some

obviously unstable characters

online, I had no intention of

writing yet another article. I was

too numb, and I still am. I sent out

a Tweet demanding that the

Federal Government should

declare a State of Emergency on

Sexual Violence against Women,

but I initially I did not want to write

about the case this week. Why? Like

many of my activist sisters and

brothers, I am tired. Exhausted.

Weary. Wary.

We were trying to understand

what had happened with poor Uwa

when we heard of an 11-year-old

in Jigawa State who was raped by

eleven men. At the same time, a

fifteen-year-old boy in Ekiti State

was in detention for raping a threeyear

old and two monsters were

also in detention for raping a 17-

year-old hawker. Then we heard

of Barakat Bello who was raped

and stabbed to death in Ibadan,

Oyo State.

For those who remember what

it was like when we had records

and record players, think back to

what happened when there was a

scratch on the record, and the player

would get stuck and till we could

find our way to where the player

was, we would hear the same

sound over and over and over.

During my Youth Service year,

there was this man in the building

I lived in, a former Flight

Attendant called James, who

seemed to be a few cents short of a

dollar. He loved to play Bob

Marley music. There was a

scratch on the part of the record

that had the track ‘I wanna jam it

with you’. James would tune up

the player so the sounds could be

heard all over the compound,

leave the house, and the record

would get stuck on ‘Jam it, Jam it,

Jam it, Jam it, Jam it’, till whenever

James got back from wherever

he had wandered off to, and it

could be hours. We never figured

out if he was doing it deliberately

to torture all of us or if he was

blissfully unaware because of his

diminished thinking capacity.

I have never forgotten those

sounds, over and over and over. I

hear them again now, and I have

simply replaced ‘Jam it’ with

‘Damn It’. Damn it, Damn it,

Damn it, Damn it. Saying, talking

and writing about the same thing

over and over and over like

eccentric James’s broken record

player. What more is to be said

about the abuse of women and

children? How many more cases

need to happen? How many more

marches? Petitions? Training

programs? Dialogues with the

Police, Political leaders, Religious

leaders, Traditional Rulers,

Teachers, Radio programs,

Nollywood, Yollywood and

Kannywood dramas? The list is

endless. How many more broken

souls and bodies can our handful

of government shelters and

dedicated Women’s Rights

Organisations manage?

I keep thinking about all the

essays I have written on this subject

from different angles. Patriarchal

norms and values, Legislation,

Implementation, State

accountability, justice for

survivors, sensitization,

socialization, treatment and care,

masculinity, shaming and

stigmatization of survivors,

impunity, lack of political will and

on and on and on. Damn it, Damn

it, Damn it.

I don’t know how or when it

happened, but we now find

ourselves in a world perilously

unsafe for women and girls. Stay

at home, we get raped there. Go

to school and get an education,

we get raped and abused there.

Get a job, we get raped by our

bosses. Set up a business, we get

raped on our way to, at, or from

How many more

broken souls and

bodies can our handful

of government shelters

and dedicated Women’s

Rights Organisations

manage?

business transactions. Go to

Church, we get raped there by our

Pastors. Go to learn how to read

the Quoran, we get raped there

too. Get married, we get raped,

beaten and abused there. Have

children, if they are female, they

get raped too. It is always our fault.

The way we dress. The make-up

we wear, our hair. I ask (Damn it)

for the umpteenth time, the 3-year

old who was raped, what was she

wearing? Sexy diapers? The

Seventy-year old who was raped,

perhaps her wrinkled thighs held

a special attraction? Barakat

Bello who wore a Hijab, perhaps

her attackers found the Hijab

enticing?

We need to ask ourselves the

question, is this who we are?

Predators and abusers of women

and girls? A place where a fouryear

old gets blamed for being

raped? A society where someone

can say some female children

have the ‘spirit of seduction’ right

from the womb? The optimist in

me thinks that we are slowly

descending into a culture of

tolerance of sexual violence as a

way of life. The pessimist in me

argues that we are not on our way,

we have arrived at the bottom of

the pit.

Going back to playing broken

records. In November 2019, I

wrote, ‘We need a State of

Emergency declared on sexual

violence in Nigeria. We want

accountability. We want justice

and severe punishments. We need

systems that work not the kinds of

chronic dysfunctions we have in

most of our institutions now,

rendering them virtually useless.

We deserve trained and sensitive

police officers, skilled medical

professionals, well-resourced and

committed front line service

providers and a judiciary that is

fair and sticks to the rule of law

and not personal prejudice. We

need functional Sexual Assault

Referral Centers in every State of

the country, and every woman and

child who needs help must be able

to call someone who can respond.

We would like to see law

enforcement officers who will fight

for justice for every victim and not

be the ones enabling a culture of

impunity to thrive. We require

skilled professionals to provide

psycho-social support to survivors

and not freelancers trying to fill in

the gaps. We need shelters to keep

vulnerable women and their

children safe’.

After I wrote Damn It! In June

2020, I worked with my former

colleagues, Wives of Governors,

to advocate for a State of

Emergency against Gender Based

Violence, which the Nigeria

Governors Forum declared on

June 10th 2020. From thirteen

States in Nigeria who had passed

the Violence Against Persons

Prohibition Law as of June 2020,

by September 2022 there are 32

States who have passed the law,

thanks to the efforts of Governors’

Wives, concerned policy-makers,

Women’s organisations, the

Federal Ministry of Women

Affairs, donor partners and other

concerned parties. The number

of Sexual Assault Referral Centers

across the country has gone up, as

well as the availability of shelters

and safe spaces. More work is

being done with men and boys,

legislators, traditional rulers,

religious leaders, media, medical

practitioners and schools, any and

everyone who can help stop the

culture of abuse from becoming

normal. Gains have been made,

but every day we wake up to more

bad news. We all need to do better

and work faster. It is not about the

16 Days global campaign. It is

about a 365-day commitment to

zero tolerance for all forms of

sexual and gender-based violence.

It is about all of us taking

responsibility to stop the broken

record from playing over and over.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn

it!

•Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is a

Gender Specialist, Social

Entrepreneur and Writer. She is

the Founder of

Abovewhispers.com, an online

community for women. She

can be reached at

BAF@abovewhispers.com

Fund raising for Center for Destitute Empowerment

Fund raising for the Center for Destitute Empowerment was

held at the organisation's head office at Idimu, Lagos, yesterday.

Photos: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor and Kehinde Shonola


•Dr Amos Alabi Fawole, representative of Chief Bode

George (left), and Rev. Joe Ameh

From left: General Secretary, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria- Ilupeju/Gbagada

& District Society (ICAN-IGDS), Samuel Abey; CFO, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc,

Mr. Abayomi Ogunwo; Chairman, ICAN-IGDS, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun; Vice Chairman,

ICAN-IGDS, Kolawole Bisiriyu and SWAN Coordinator IGDS, Mrs. Adedoyin Odutola

during ICAN-IGDS courtesy visit to Nestle Nigeria Plc in Lagos....recently.

•Senator Bode Olajumoke, Chairman of the occasion; Mr Sam Amuka, Father of the Day and Publisher of Vanguard

Newspapers; Mrs Alice Okoliko, President, Center for Destitute Empowerment; Mrs Rita Amuka with others

and children of the Center.

•Mr. Patrick Doyle, veteran actor (left), with Mr. Shola

Daniel, representatative of Erelu Abiola-Dosumu.

•From left: Ms Titi Jolaoso, Financial Controller, Mr Eze Anaba, Editor and Mr Adekunle

Adekoya, Deputy Editor, all of Vanguard Newspapers.

•From left: Prince Adeniyi Ajayi, CEO. Kay Tosh Agency Ltd, Mr. Tayo Adenuga of

the Olajumoke House Fellowship; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager/Editor

in Chief, Vanguard Newspapers and Senator Bode Olajumoke

•From left: Mrs Rita Amuka, Mrs Alice Okoliko and Shadrach Samson.

•From left: Victor Oruaghomi, Egijolomi Rewane and Foluke Lasore.

•Members of Gemade Estate Residents Association, By Gowon Estate, Alimosho, Lagos

with their donations.

•From left: Rev. Sam Juwe, Rev. Mrs Funmi Akinkogbe and Ogunyemi Abiodun

PAGE 30 — SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

Welcome to Christmas Season, Season of love

Wow! It was like yesterday

that we shouted Happy

New Year 2022. We have

just a month and a few days into

another new year again. What

is this telling you as kids? It tells

you that you will be celebrating

another birthday, get promoted

to another class, add to your

heights and body weights. All

these will mean a lot to your

parents because they will have

to spend more to meet your new

needs in the new year.

As children, show love to the

less privileged kids around you.

Don’t spoil or throw away those

clothes and shoes you have

outgrown. Keep them well and

tell your parents to guide you

where to give them out in this

season of love.

Remember, whatever you have

and have not made use of it for at

least three months is not your own

again. Give them out. This act will

allow new ones to come in.

Good luck as you prepare for

the first term examination.

Cheers!

Aunty Funmi

ShortStory

The drop of water

There was once a jar of

fresh, clean water. Every

drop of water in the jar felt

immensely proud of being so

clear and pure. Day after day

they would congratulate

each other on how clean and

beautiful they were.

That was, until one day when one

of the drops got bored with his ultraclean

existence. He wanted to try

what it was like being a dirty drop.

The other drops tried to talk him out

of it, but he stuck to his guns.

Hardly realising, when the drop

came back all dirty, he turned all the

other drops in the jar into dirty drops

too.

They tried to get clean again and

shake off the dirtiness, but couldn't.

Finally, much later, someone

dipped the jar in a fountain, and only

when a lot of clean water entered the

jar, did the drops regain their old

CPN marks Universal Children's Day with one week grassroot awareness

campaign

he Child Protection Network, Lagos

TChapter marks the annual Universal

Children's Day with one week awareness

campaign on the need to collectively

protect the rights and welfare of children

in all the 20 Local Government Area and

37 LCDAs of Lagos State.

CPN, a UNICEF initiative is a coalition

of NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, government

agencies and other stakeholders working

to prevent, protect and respond to any

form of Child Abuse (Sexual, Physical,

emotional, neglect and any kind of

maltreatment of a child).

Speaking at the Day 5 of the conference tagged,

Children's Conference In line with the theme,“Equality

and Inclusion for Every Child” held at the Fountain of

Life Church Ilupeju, Lagos, the Chairman. Local

Organising Committee, Hon. Risikat Omolara Yusuff

harped on the organization's zero tolerance to violence,

abuse, neglect and exploitation of younger ones.

Hon. Risikat Omolara Yusuff. who just bagged

Humanitarian Ambassador of Peace Award said, "

we don't want to leave any child behind.

Together we shall achieve this. This is who we are.

This is our objective, our aim, our goal and it is achievable

with the support of all the stakeholders. We have a duty

towards children. It is God’s mandate, we cannot afford

to fail.” She added.

In her presentation, Guest lecturer, Prof. Fatimah

Abdulkareem, founder FAJIM Medicare Foundation

& Consultant Pathologist, Lagos University Teaching

Hospital (LUTH), stated the rights of every child to

basic education, freedom from discrimination, rights

to health services, protection and care of a child, and

rights of an unborn child to protection against harm

amongst others.

Continuing, Prof. Abdulkareem said, “Children differ

in their ability, skills, talent and the general mode of

education available may not be suited for certain

children with physical learning disabilities.

She added, “The society must therefore promote

inclusive education to ensure that every child is given

the opportunity to develop skills and talents and acquire

NDE flags off orientation for 50

artisans In Ondo

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

he National Directorate of

TEmployment (NDE), has

flagged-off / Orientation of Artisans

in Collaborative Construction Employment

Scheme (ACCES) for 50

artisans in Ondo state.

Director-General of the NDE,

Mallam Nuhu Fikpo, who disclosed

this in Akure, the Ondo state

A

knowledge that suits them in order to be able prosper

and develop into useful and responsible citizens.”

Responding, Chidinma Amadim, a student from

Agbayewa Memorial College, Lagos thanked

CPN for promoting human rights

especially the rights of children. She saod

her wish is to see children who are

deprived of education back to school and

enjoy their rights to education.

Prisca Umana, an Ilupeju Secondary

School pupil said she wanted all the poor

and Special Needs Children to be focused

on so that they also can enjoy their rights.

Kenneth Balare also from Ilupeju

Primary School said with what CPN is

doing. he could see that rates of child

abuse is reducing, but wanted the

Talkglam entertains Lagos socialites, opens beauty

studio at Lekki

s the yuletide beckons in the

Acity, celebrations are obviously in

the air. This also demands for beauty

vendors to rise to the call, for perfect

and unique services towards ensuring

that beauty enthusiasts get their

money worth.

Meanwhile, a studio that has set

things right for these exquisite and

royal touch to its services is Talkglam

Studio, a leading cosmetics brand

established with intent to create new

sensations among beauty studio

patronisers.

Talkglam Studio located at PACIFIC

MALL, 32 Ilasan New Road, Lekki,

recently launched its new home of

beauty to showcase its authentic

brands and other products. In a well

attended cocktail party to unveil the

ollowing the completion of his

Ftraditional rites, the people of

Egbema Clan in Warri North Local

Government Area of Delta State and

Ovia South West and Ikpoba-Okha

Local Government Areas of Edo

state, have officially Installed Meshack

Eseighotiegha Ubabiri as the

Bini Pere IV, Agadagba of Egbema

Kingdom.

Jennifer Yeri, founder,

Talkglam Studio(m) flanked

by studio staff during the

opening of the beauty studio

in Lekki, Lagos

physical studio and varieties of brands,

Talkglam treated some socialites,

celebrities and top beauty enthusiasts

that graced the occasion with a touch

of their royal treat.

capital, said that the scheme was to

reduce unemployment among

youths.

Fikpo, who was represented by the

Ondo State Coordinator of NDE,

Mr Olusegun Adelodun, added that

the 50 participants have been selected

to be trained in technical constructions.

According to him "The collaborative

employment will engender

more reliable and dependable

sources of workforce.

" lt will provide an avenue for improving

and upgrading the skills of

the artisans, organised them for regular

and sustainable work, engender

more trust by potential clients

and inculcate the spirit of professionalism.

The Director General, noted that

the NDE, had since inception in

1987, designed various schemes and

programmes to tackle the problem

of unemployment in the country.

Fikpo, said among them was the

artisan in collaborative construction

employment scheme.

He therefore advised the participants

to be prompt and regular during

the three months training.

Senior course 45 contingent hails peace in Warri

contingent of Senior Course 45

of the Armed Forces Command

and Staff College, AFCSC, Jaji in

Kaduna state has lauded the

atmosphere of peace in the oil rich

Warri, Delta state.

Team Coordinator for the contingent,

Captain A.T. Ebo spoke when they paid

a courtesy visit on the Chairman Warri

South Local Government Area, Dr

Michael Tidi, saying they were in the

area as part of their study tour to the

state.

He said they were aware that part of

the strategy of the local government

council to sustain and consolidate the

atmosphere of peace across all

communities of the local government

was through productive engagement

of youths, commending the council

Chairman.

The council boss, Dr Tidi said his

administration had trained about a

hundred youths on welding and

fabrication at the Egbokodo skill

acquisition centre in the local

government, adding that several

others were trained at different times

on information technology, fashion

design, hairdressing among others

The installation ceremony which

was held at Ajakurama town on

November 23, 2022, was done by

the Senior Priest, High Chief Godwin

Namu and Chairman of Egbema

traditional Council of chiefs,

Chief Tax Egbaibor.

In his speech during the ceremony,

HRM Meshack Eseighotiegha

Ubabiri, Bini Pere IV, Agadagba of

Speaking with Jennifer Yeri, the Chief

Executive Officer, Talkglam Studio at

the side of the evening party, she

mentioned that Talkglam Studio is one

of Nigerians leading cosmetics brand,

that not only stock extremely amazing

products, but deal on both local and

international cosmetics brands to satisfy

all its customers’ needs.

“We deal on authentic makeup

products, beauty line, skincare products

and makeup accessories. We stand out

always because we source for unique

and outstanding products with the best

quality and packaging,” she said.

She also noted that the beauty studio

also offers private labeling, branding,

rebranding and design.

“Our packages ranges from wholesale,

retail and distribution of products for

both companies and individuals

providing our customers with the best

services,” she added.

organisation to concentrate more in

Mushin community where he said child

labour is evidently seen everyday. "I don't

like seeing them because I know every

child has the right to go to school just like

me".

Giving his testimony, Olaoluwa

Daramola, a student of Lead Prince and

Princess Private School said he was taken

out of street and changed his life. "What

my parents couldn't do for me, they did

for me. I want other children still on the

roads, hawking and suffering to be

rescued like what they did for me. There

are brilliant boys and girls under the

bridges who needs help. Many of

them are there because their parents

are not leaving together again and

no one to take care of them."

"They have to struggle to earn

something by force to care for

themselves. One of them even said if

he could lay his hand on gun, he will

shoot his father because his father

does not have his time. Government

should bring them back to school and

those who cannot go back to school should

should be enforce to learn trade".

transparency and purity. Now they

all know that if they all want to be

nice clean drops, then each and every

one of them has to stay clean, even

if they find it difficult. Putting right

the mistake of one single drop

entails a lot of work for everyone

else.

The same happens with us and

our friends. If we want to live in a

jar of clean water, each one of us

will have to be a clean drop. None

of us should try being the dirty drop

who spoils everything.

Do you know this

expression?

Make hay

while the sun

shines

This means to take an

opportunity to do

something when the time and

conditions are perfect or

available. It also means to take

advantage of a brief

opportunity while it is still there

and not waste time.

The saying comes from

farming communities.

Farmers gather the long grass

during sunny season and dry it

to produce hay as food for

animals like cows during rainy

season. The best time to cut and

dry the hay is during sunny

days.

The expression is simply

reminding you not to

procrastinate. For farmers if

the sun is out make hay as in

the next moment it is raining

you won't be able to (the sun is

needed to dry out the grass). If

you make hay while the sun

shines, you make good use of

the chance to do something

while it

We want more women in construction

industry – Inter-Bau Foundations, GIZ

with starter packs provided.

He thanked the contingent for the

visit, adding that the theme of their

study tour, “youth unemployment

and national security” was germane

to the sustainable development of the

country.

Ubabiri officially installed Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom

Egbema Kingdom, expressed appreciation

to God who lifted him out of

the unknown valley to the exalted

ancient throne of his forefathers, as

the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom.

He implored everyone in the kingdom

to join hands with him to move

the ancient kingdom to enviable

heights in the committee of kingdoms

and shall take advantage of

the kingdom being spread in two

states of Edo and Delta as a result of

boundary adjustment whereby we

are unfortunately balkanized into

two states of Edo and Delta, using

the River to divide us into three local

governments of Ovia South West,

Ikpoba-Okha and Warri North LGAs

respectively.

"I will work with the governments

to return our past glory and chart a

new understanding for prosperity

anadevelopment unprecedented in

our kingdom. I assure you that as we

embark on this journey of progress,

peace and development, we shall

abide by the rule of law as a true

kingdom under God Almighty.

He extend hands of brotherhood

and graciousness to Mr. Napoleon

Egin to freely come to him and make

peace, as a king cannot harbour

grudge against, his subject but ready

to cleanse him of the sacrilege he

was lured to commit against the

time tested tradition and culture of

Egbema kingdom.

By Cynthia Alo & Joseph Oso

nter-Bau Foundations, in collab

Ioration with Deutsche Gesellschaft

für Internationale Zusammenarbeit,

GIZ Nigeria, has advocated

for involvement of more women

in civil engineering.

Acting Director, Inter-Bau Foundations,

Mrs. Doris Mbadiwe, who

spoke to pressmen at the Construction

Tradeswomen Career Fair Day

in Lagos, said women are under-represented

in the construction industry,

noting that Inter-Bau Foundations

was focused on creating gender

diversity and engendering

women inclusion in the sector.

Her words: "50 percent of the population

comprises women. Therefore,

we are saying that women

should be permitted to build infrastructure.

From the first stage, which

is the development stage to the construction

stage."

"We want to change the mindset

of the public towards women. We

want to let them understand that

women can as well build, and that

construction engineering is gender

neutral. There is no job in the construction

industry that women cannot

undertake."

In a similar vein, Chairman Inter-

Bau Foundations, Mr. Kenneth Onyema,

said the notion that construction

and artisan work are made for men

should be dismissed because women

are also capable of excelling in the profession.

Zylus delivers on

promise, allocates

land to subscribers

Zylus Group International has

restated its commitment towards

delivering dream homes to over 3000

Nigerians by 2025 through its real

estate subsidiary, Zylus Homes.

In what could be described as

another step towards reducing the

housing deficit in Nigeria, the

company on November 18, 2022, held

a physical allocation of plots of land to

subscribers at one of its estates,

Western Hiltop Estate, Ikola,

Alagbado.

The estate, which is made of 10

hectares, had 27 subscribers allocated

their lands making it a total of 63

subscribers so far to have been

allocated their land at the Western

Hiltop Estate.

Speaking at the event attended by

over 1000 persons including

subscribers and top real estate

professionals, Chairman Zylus Group

International, Dr. Oluwatosin

Olatujoye, reassured subscribers and

prospective investors of the company’s

determination to continually deliver on

its promises.

C

M

Y

K

SUNDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 27, 2022 — PAGE 31

Ronaldo a 'total

genius' for winning

penalty — FIFA

Cristiano Ronaldo has

been called a "total

genius" by Fifa for the way in

which he won a penalty for

Portugal in their World Cup

victory over Ghana.

The 37-year-old converted

from the spot to become the

first man to score at five different

Fifa World Cups.

Portugal won 3-2, but the

awarding of the spot-kick

outraged Ghana boss Otto

Addo, who said it was "not a

penalty".

At a briefing in Doha, Fifa

technical study group (TSG)

member Sunday Oliseh said

strikers are "getting smarter".

The TSG, which is led by

former Arsenal manager

Arsene Wenger, looks at each

match and provides analysis

including performance data

and trends.

Ghana boss Addo was left

fuming after the defeat and

told BeIN Sports: "The referee

gave a penalty which was not

a penalty - everyone saw that.

Belgium eye second

win against Morocco

Aiming to put at least one

foot in the knockout

stages, Belgium continue

their pursuit of a first World

Cup today, when they face

Group F rivals Morocco at Al

Thumama Stadium.

After edging out Canada in

their opening match, the Red

Devils will now seek to tame

the Atlas Lions, who held

Croatia to a goalless draw.

It is likely that Batshuayi will

still shoulder the burden up

front for an ageing 'Golden

Generation', and his level of

success in deputising for the

Red Devils' all-time top scorer -

Lukaku having scored 68 goals

from 102 international appearances

and five in 10 World Cup

matches - could prove crucial

to their hopes in Qatar. “In what

may be the last roll of the dice

for coach Roberto

Martinez, the Belgians

still have ambitions

to improve

on their

third-place

finish in 2018

but must first take care of business

against a country they defeated

1-0 in the only previous

World Cup meeting between

the two, at USA '94.

Spain set to compound

Germany's woes

Two European heavy

weights who kicked off

2022 World

their

Cup campaigns in contrasting

fashion lock horns at the Al Bayt

Stadium today, as highflying

Spain confront an outof-sorts

Germany outfit.

While La Roja secured their

biggest-ever World Cup win

last time out, Die Mannschaft

were condemned to one of their

most embarrassing defeats on

the world's biggest stage and

are now at risk of elimination

from Group E.

Since they were crowned

world champions in 2010,

Spain have endured a difficult

period on the biggest international

stage, with elimination

at the group stage in 2014 followed

by a last-16 exit on penalties

against 2018 hosts Russia.

However, a statement victory

over Germany could thrust La

Roja back into the conversation

of contenders to go all the way

in this year's tournament in

Qatar and would all but secure

their place in the knockout

rounds before their final group

clash against Japan.

Tragedy as Wales fan dies

at World Cup in Qatar

A

WALES football fan

who travelled to

Qatar for the World Cup

has died.

Kevin Davies, from

Pembrokeshire, fell ill after

making the 3,300-mile

trip to the Middle East nation

with his son and

friends to watch Rob Page's

side compete.

“The 62-year-old is reported

to have been rushed

to Hamad General Hospital,

in Doha, following

Wales' match against Iran,

where he later died.

It is understood Mr

Davies suffered a medical

incident and did not attend

the 2-0

defeat

but instead

remained

at his

apartment

after

feeling

ill.

Why? Because it's Ronaldo

or something?

"The referee was not in

our favour."

But former Nigeria international

Oliseh, who

played at the 1998 World

•De bruyne

Cup, feels Ronaldo was

clever in his movement to

win the penalty that allowed

him to score his 118th

international goal. "Maybe

the strikers are getting

smarter?" said Oliseh.

•Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski scored

his first World Cup goal as

Poland earned a crucial victory

over Saudi Arabia that leaves

Group C wide open.

The Barcelona striker capitalised

on an error by Saudi Arabia

midfielder Abdelulelah Al Malki

before sending a composed finish

past onrushing goalkeeper Mohammed

Al Owais.

Lewandowski, who missed a

penalty in Tuesday's goalless

draw with Mexico, was visibly

emotional after ending a run

Flying Eagles invite 40

for U20 AFCON in Egypt

Flying Eagles coach

Ladan Bosso has

called up 40 players to

begin training camp tomorrow

in Abuja ahead

of next year’s U20

AFCON in Egypt.

The list is made up of

five goalkeepers, nine

defenders, 13 midfielders

and 13 forwards. The

players will stay at the

Serob Legacy Hotel in

the Wuye area of the nation’s

capital.

The seven-time African

champions triumphed at

the WAFU B U20 Championship

held in Niger Republic

in the month of May

and thus qualified to represent

the zone at the 2023

Africa U20 Cup of Nations

to be staged in Egypt 18th

February – 12th March.

All four semi -finalists at

the U20 AFCON will fly

Africa’s flag at next year’s

FIFA U20 World Cup finals

holding in Indonesia.

Australia keep hopes

alive with victory

over Tunisia

Australia

forward

Mitchell Duke dedicated

his match-winning

goal against Tunisia to his

son and said it is "a moment

I will hold very dear for the

rest of my life".

Duke took advantage of a

positive start by Australia

when he superbly flicked

Craig Goodwin's cross into

the far corner to put them

1-0 up after 23 minutes.

That sparked an outburst

of jubilant celebration

from

the small

contin-

Lewandowski scores

first World Cup goal in

Poland's win over

Saudi Arabia

Croatia try Canada for size

Croatia and Canada will both go in

search of their first win and first goals

in World Cup 2022 Group F during today's

battle at the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Chequered Ones were held to a goalless

draw by Morocco in their opening fixture,

while the Canucks succumbed to

the Red Devils of Belgium in a 1-0 loss.

Zlatko Dalic has admitted that his

side "lacked courage" in their opening

stalemate with the African nation, but

•Modric that point is good enough to see them

occupy second place in the Group F

standings after one game, edging out third-placed

Morocco on fair play points for the time being.

of four World Cup games without

finding the net.

Piotr Zielinski had given Poland

a first-half lead from

Lewandowski's cutback, but Saudi

Arabia were awarded a penalty

five minutes later for Krystian

Bielik's foul on Saleh Al Shehri.

Wojciech Szczesny kept out

Feras Al Brikan's effort before

producing a sensational onehanded

stop to prevent Mohammed

Al Burayk from burying the

rebound.

gent of Australia fans behind

the goal, which momentarily

silenced the hostile and

unwavering support for Tunisia.

Knowing defeat

would mean an early exit

from the World Cup, Australia

held on to the narrow

lead that keeps alive their

hopes of qualifying for the

last 16.

"I spoke to my son when I

got selected for the World

Cup," said Duke.

Dr Ogbolu U -12

Kids Cup starts

December 10th

The 3rd edition of Dr.

CHUKWUDI Ogbolu

Under 12 boys Kids Cup will run

from December 10th to18th, 2022

in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Geared towards the discovery

of young talents at the grassroots

level, the tourney is sponsored

by Dr. Chukwudi Ogbolu and

eight grassroots academies have

been invited for the competition,

with the most valuable player set

to be awarded a one year

academic scholarship.

Organizer of the event, Coach

Soni Ahamioje said the

competition is an avenue to hunt

and nurture young talents from

the age of 8 to 12 years, adding

that registration is free and all

participating teams will get

appearance fee.

According to him, ‘’it is going

to be total football laced with

entertainment and glamor and

at the end of the competition, the

best players will be sponsored to

partake in the screening of under

12 boys for YSFON national

competitions’’.

Neymar: Latest injury one of the

hardest moments of my career

Brazil striker Neymar has described his latest in

jury setback as 'one of the hardest moments of my

career'. He was replaced with 10 minutes remaining of

the 2-0 win over Serbia and will miss the next two group

games and a return date has not been set.

Neymar took to social media to describe the ankle

injury as one of his hardest moment but he

is confident of returning to action soon.

He wrote on Instagram: 'Nothing in

my life came easy and I've always

had to work for my dreams

and goals.

•Neymar

SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 5

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Advert Dept: 01-7924470, Hotline: 01-4544821, Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024

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(ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: WALE AKINOLA 08023145556. All correspondence to P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos.

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