Court restrains -Pg29 Buhari justifies

$400m spent to
Litigation, gov’s 4th Mainland Bridge:
Lagos announces
stance delay -Pg20
DSS, EFCC from rescue Ajaokuta
steel, inaugurates announcement of
CCECC-CRCCIG
Consortium as -Pg25
arresting CBN gov project in Kogi -Pg29 next Alaafin, Soun preferred bidder

NIGERIAN

TRIBUNE
SINCE 1949

18,216 FRIDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2022 NIGERIA’S MOST INFORMATIVE NEWSPAPER N200

www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng

Pele, Brazilian football

legend, dies at 82 -P31

G5 dares PDP, Ortom says -Pg29

no agreement with Tinubu

From left, Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Honourable Olakunle Oluomo; deputy governor,
Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo President Muhammadu Buhari being assisted by a little Ebira girl during the commissioning on Thursday
Talabi, during the signing of the N472 billion 2023 ‘Budget of Continued Development and Prosperity’ at of the new palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, built by Kogi State government. With them is the Kogi State
the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Thursday. governor, Yahaya Bello.

Bolanle Raheem: NBA Banditry: Take up arms and

seeks N5bn damages, swift
prosecution of killer policeman defend yourselves, Bauchi
•Sanwo-Olu promises no cover-up in
investigation, prosecution -Pg27
gov charges villagers -Pg12

•Police release picture of killer cop •Says killing by bandits is enough

2 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY
30 DECEMBER, 2022

THE POLYTECHNIC, IBADAN

P.M.B,22,U.I.POST OFFICE, IBADAN,
OYO STATE,NIGERIA

S T W ORTHY
T IN G A TRU 55
RA OR @
CELEB GOVERN

HIS EXCELLENCY
ENGR. SEYI ABIODUN MAKINDE,FNSE
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, OYO STATE

The Chairman, Governing Council, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Professor Kunle Akinyemi,
Members of the Governing Council, The Rector, Professor Kazeem Adekunle Adebiyi,
Management, Staff and Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan join other distinguished
Nigerians, establishments and organizations in celebrating a Trustworthy Governor on his
attainment of 55years in the land of the living.
Your Excellency, you have given the Institution the required support for the accreditation
of all our programmes, the kind of support the Institution had not got in the last twelve
years preceding your administration. We pray to God to continue to give you good health,
guide and guard you as you continue to put smiles in the faces of the staff of
The Polytechnic, Ibadan and indeed all the workers and people of Oyo State.
We also pray to God to grant you long life and more prosperity in the land of the living.

Congratulations
and more prosperous years ahead, sir

Signed:
Mrs Modupe Theresa Fawale, FNIM
Chairman, Governingg Council Registrar
 3 www.tribuneonlineng.com
PERSON OF THE YEAR
The resilient
Nigerian
T
By Lanre Adewole
HE media tradition of naming
one person or thing with the
most impact on a particular year
can be very controversial and it
has always been, because a year
should be too much for a who or what to
represent, for better or for worse. Add this,
to the fact that Nigeria is always bursting at
the hems with occurrences, with both state
and non-state actors, playing prominent
roles.
In past years, final choices had been
contentious, when impacts are judged
against the verdicts of history. 2022 is,
however different. No one will and should,
deny the dauntlessness with which Nigerians
have faced the besetting vicissitudes of
fortune in their daily existence.
In the exiting year, all that could go wrong,
went wrong and it was nearly all that were
to human existence and dignity. Economic,
security, social and political hell unfurled
on the country and her citizens in what
could pass for a connivance of the months
that made up the year, as each succeeding
month poured more misery.
Food, even the staple, practically
disappeared from homes. Unprecedented
inflation saw to further mediocrity of the
Naira, the country’s currency, without
meaningful cushioning efforts from policy-
makers, whose actions and inactions in the
first place, pushed millions of people, down
the pecking order of decent living.
It was so bad that the state itself came
out in July to declare depressing poverty
statistics. One of its agencies, the Nigerian
Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed that
over 133 million Nigerians, representing
63 percent of the entire population, had
officially acquired the poverty status.
Despite the frightening official figure, there
are still skeptics who doubted if the official
number wasn’t under-quoted, in the face of
grim existential reality daily confronting the
masses.
But the Nigerian man, the Nigerian
woman, the Nigerian boy, the Nigerian girl,
the Nigerian oldie, the Nigerian youngster,
has trudged on, wobbling and hobbling along
the line, but not crushed.
The widespread insecurity which has further
devalued life around the country, hasn’t
stopped the Nigerian from being hopeful,
though thousands, if not millions, daily seek
escape routes from the living hell, which the
country with crude oil but dry petrol pumps,
has become.
Even those seeking ways out of the country,
legally and otherwise, are still driven by the
hope that life can still be more meaningful
than what Nigeria offers.
Those staying back are also being driven
by hope of a better tomorrow, despite the
distressing signals all over that the country
is just one or two parameters away from
officially becoming a banana republic or a
failed state.
In a July 2022 report on economic
outlook of endangered countries, which
unsurprisingly featured Nigeria, Reuters,
quoting the leadership of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) disclosed that “a record
Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
number of developing countries are currently
in difficulty as several countries are exhibiting
economic malaise similar to Sri Lanka,
including typical debt crises, indications of
collapsing currencies, 1,000 basis point bond
spreads, and FX reserves.”
The news medium went ahead to say that
“rising borrowing prices, inflation and debt all
fuel concerns of an economic collapse, with
analysis showing that Sri Lanka, Lebanon,
Russia, Suriname and Zambia are already
in debt default Belarus is on the verge of
default, and at least another dozen countries
are in danger of default.
“The total price is staggering. Analysts
estimate that $400 billion of debt is at risk
using 1,000 basis point bond spreads as a pain
threshold. Argentina is the biggest, with over
$150 billion, followed by Ecuador and Egypt,
each with between $40 and $45 billion.”
Nigeria is placed in the ninth position.
Yet the people are carrying on with a kind
of stoicism that many critics have slammed
as docility for not consistently demanding,
through civil actions, that government should
protect them from the myriad challenges
confronting them.
In fact, the
enthusiasm to
have another
government in
power next year
is tumultuous,
possibly driven
by the same hope
for a better next year
and years ahead. The socioeconomic gap among
the Finnish population is also quite
2022 dealt so cruelly with Nigerians that
they could no longer smile through their low. about their future. Now, in 116th position
“The Finnish society is also broad-viewed on World Happiness Index, Nigerians are
pains, leading to the country, dropping off
the chart of 100 happiest people in the world. and highly tolerant in nature. Health care, understandably not joyful, considering the
education and other infrastructural facilities rock-bottom the country hit in 2020 as the
The top spot, which Nigerians used to hold,
had been yielded to Finland, a country of are also well equipped and sufficient to serve poverty capital of the world, with 86.9 million
the Finnish population to a satisfactory of her population living in severe poverty.
5.516 million people.
World Happiness Report, in situating level. The people of this country also like to But the people are still marching on,
maintain a healthy work life balance with less trying to live a day at a time without causing
the ascendancy of Finland, says, “Quite
surprisingly, the people of Finland, a country working hours and plenty of annual vacations major disruptions to societal orderliness
to keep life stress-free” the report noted. around them. That isn’t the expectation
with severely cold weather and dark Arctic
winters, are much more happy than the In 2003, when Nigerians were first of history. Suffering of the kind Nigerians
hoisted by World Value Survey as the are daily riding, has caused the collapse of
residents of many other developed countries
of the world which offer more warmth and happiest, they didn’t have all listed for many governments in history. The Nigerian
Finland. In 2014, when World Happiness people are however not completely
sunshine-filled days to their citizens.
“Several factors are considered to be Report put Nigerians top of the happiness without a blame, for always making wrong
chart, things had begun deteriorating, but leadership choices and not collectively
responsible for the happiness of the Finnish
people. Economic stability and security, high Rod Dreher, an expert in gauging feelings, holding their representatives to dire
attributed the ascendancy to Nigerians accountability inquest.
wages, honest governments, low levels of
corruption, and high literacy rates keep the being “super-religious.” In measuring the impacts of strain/
A Gallup poll in 2012 found out that 88 stress on an object, physicists listed
people of this country relatively stress-free.
percent of the populace were optimistic three possible outcomes, which include
Elasticity, Plasticity and Breaking
Point. Though interrelated, the three
phenomena speak to varied capacities
of objects to undergo stress/strain and
2022 dealt so cruelly with Nigerians that they remain “normal”.
could no longer smile through their pains, If applied to the Nigerian situation,
Nigerians should be at the Breaking Point
leading to the country, dropping off the chart mode by now, but strangely the endurance
capacity has kept the appearance between
of 100 happiest people in the world. The top Elasticity and Plasticity. Maybe it is because
spot which Nigerians used to hold, had been they are “super religious”.
For taking so much heat and hit and
yielded to Finland, a country of 5.516 million still standing, no one or thing would be
people. deserving of the credit of the outgoing year
more than the resilient Nigerian.
 4 www.tribuneonlineng.com
Aliko Dangote: Simplifying the difficult
A
By Justice Nwafor
LIKO Dangote is one name that rings a bell
not just in Nigeria but across the continent
of Africa. Born 65 years ago in Kano, Nigeria’s
second-largest city, Dangote started off as a
young man with incisive business acumen.
He sought opportunities in the most unlikely
of situations. History, however, shows that
industriousness runs right in his family. His great-grandfather
was one of the richest men in West Africa, making his fortune
from trading kola and ground nuts. Dangote’s father died
when he was eight, leaving him to be raised by his maternal
grandfather, who was a building materials trader.
After completing his secondary education, Dangote
travelled to Egypt, where he earned a business degree from
Al-Azhar University. He returned to Nigeria and launched his
own cement trading company using money borrowed from
his uncle. Dangote moved from Kano to Lagos and ramped up
imports. He established the business that would eventually
become the Dangote Group in 1981.
Dangote expanded his business throughout the 1980s
and 1990s to include trading in sugar, flour, fish, rice, milk
and iron. He, however, changed the company’s focus from
trading to manufacturing in 1996 after visiting Brazil to study
manufacturing. He thought there was an opportunity to
establish a local business that would profit from satisfying
the fundamental consumer needs of Nigeria’s expanding
population. And this has given birth to one of the biggest
conglomerates in the world today. In fact, there is hardly a
home in Nigeria where a Dangote product is not used.
Dangote Cement
A division of Dangote Industries, which Dangote established
in 1981 as a trading company with an initial focus on importing
bagged cement as well as other goods like rice, sugar, flour,
and salt, is Dangote Cement.
Over time, the group began to import bulk cement into the
Apapa and Port Harcourt terminals, which it then bagged
for distribution. It decided strategically to transform from
a trading-based business into a fully-fledged integrated
manufacturing operation throughout the 1990s. This was the
starting point of the ambitious plan to dominate the cement
industry in Africa.
Now, Dangote Cement is the largest cement manufacturer
in Africa. The giant has a production capacity of 51.6 millions
tonnes per year across 10 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa:
integrated factories in 7 countries, a clinker grinding plant
in Cameroon, and import and distribution facilities for bulk
cement in Ghana and Sierra Leone. Together, these operations
make it the largest and leading cement producer in sub-
Saharan Africa.
Even as the influence of the man is felt across Africa, his
contribution to Nigeria’s economy is mind-blowing. Dangote
Cement, for instance, has three plants in the country: Obajana
in Kogi State; Ibese in Ogun State; and Gboko in Benue State.
With a capacity of 16.25Mta across five lines, the Obajana
plant is the flagship facility and the biggest of the three
factories in Nigeria, followed by the 12.0Mta plant at Ibese and
the 4.0Mta plant at Gboko. These plants employ thousands
of Nigerians and non-Nigerians across the country. According
to a statement in October by Anthony Chiejina, Group Head
Branding and Communications, Dangote Industries Ltd,
Dangote Cement employs over 22,000 people directly, while
a lot more are employed indirectly.
Beyond the employment of thousands of Nigerians and
the consequent reduction of poverty, Dangote Cement also
contributes hugely to the government through the prompt and
adequate payment of taxes. Also, with the export terminals
at Apapa and Port Harcourt, the behemoth exports to other
African countries and attracts FX to Nigeria.
Dangote Fertiliser
In March of this year, President Muhammadu Buhari
launched the Dangote Fertilizer Plant – another of Aliko
Dangote’s huge investments in Nigeria. The plant occupies
500 hectares (1,235 acres) of land on the outskirts of Lagos
and has the capacity to produce three million metric tons of
urea annually.
With this huge capacity, the local demand of 1.5 million
tonnes/year will be met, and the large surplus will be for
export. Producing both urea and ammonia fertilizers, the
plant, which cost Africa’s richest man $2.5 billion, is reckoned
to be the world’s third-biggest fertilizer plant and second-
biggest producer of urea-based fertilizer.
The coming commencement of operations of the fertilizer
plant came at no better time. A huge population of the world
is being threatened by hunger and food shortages, due partly
to the escalation of the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of urea, potash and
phosphate: key components of fertilizers.
Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
Corporate icon of the year
The number of people on the edge of famine has jumped
to 44 million from 27 million in 2019, the UN’s World Food
Programme said in March, and parts of Africa could be
plunged into hunger sooner than envisaged if food production
is not ramped up, experts say. This is even as global fertilizer
prices have been on the rise since 2020, surging as much as
70% in the past year.
So, the launch of the plant came at no better time. As
President Buhari rightly pointed out during the launch, “The
plant will greatly create wealth, drastically reduce poverty, and
secure the future of our nation.”
He further explained that “the agricultural sector, another
focal point of our economic policy, we expect a boom as
fertiliser is now readily available. Many Nigerians who hitherto
practised subsistence farming because of the non-availability
of necessary inputs can now take up agriculture as a business.
We expect a rise of a new breed of agropreneurs who will add
value to farming and make the nation self-sufficient in food
production.”
The Nigerian government has made no secret of its desire
to increase foreign exchange earnings and diversify the
economy of the nation away from dependence on oil.
According to experts, the nation needs investments like
those made by Dangote.
At the ceremony, Dangote enthused that the plant
could earn Nigeria some $5 billion in export revenue
every year.
He said that the new plant was an ambitious project
that would create both direct and indirect employment,
thereby reducing youth unrest, and that agriculture
accounts for 20% of the country’s GDP.
Dangote Refinery
The Dangote Refinery is another massive investment
the Dangote Group is undertaking. Billed to begin
operation in a few months, the 650,000 barrels per
day (BPD) integrated refinery project is expected to
be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest
single-train facility.
The refinery covers a land area of approximately 2,635
hectares, which is about six times the size of Victoria
A huge population of the world is
being threatened by hunger and
food shortages, due partly to the
escalation of the war between
Ukraine and Russia. Russia and
Ukraine are major suppliers of
urea, potash and phosphate: key
components of fertilizer.
tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
Island. It is designed to process Nigerian crude with the
ability to also process other crudes.
The pipeline infrastructure at the Dangote Petroleum
Refinery is the largest anywhere in the world, with 1,100
kilometres to handle 3 Billion Standard Cubic Feet of gas
per day. The refinery alone has a 435MW Power Plant
that can supply all of Ibadan DisCo’s energy needs.
Indeed, it will meet 100% of the Nigerian requirement
of all refined liquid petroleum products and also have a
surplus of each of these products for export. 10.4 million
tonnes of gasoline, 4.6 million tonnes of diesel, and 4
million tonnes of jet fuel can all be refined annually at
the complex once it is fully operational.
Additionally, it will generate 32,000T of sulphur,
0.24MT of propane, 0.69Mt of polypropylene, and 0.5MT
of carbon black feed. These outputs, in all estimations,
are humongous and would have a great impact on the
economy of Nigeria.
The ironic situation in Nigeria is that it exports crude
oil and imports refined products because all of the
government-owned refineries are moribund. But with
the refinery coming on stream, it will completely end
the importation of any liquid petroleum product as it
can produce more than enough for the local market.
Additionally, subsidy payments will be a thing of the
past, and the huge amount spent will be invested in
critical sectors of the economy, which will impact the
lives of ordinary Nigerians.
In September, Moody’s, one of the leading global rating
agencies, released a report on the state of Nigeria’s fiscal and
external position and stated that the Dangote Refinery would
lead to a modest improvement in Nigeria’s economy.
The effects of the refinery, according to experts, will be felt from
Nigeria to the entire continent of Africa.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development
Bank (AfDB), after touring the project recently, described it as
the best industrialised project to happen to Africa, adding that
the project would positively affect the economic growth and
development of not only Nigeria but Africa as a continent.
The brain behind the project and chairman of Dangote
Group, Aliko Dangote, sees the project as not about him but
about Nigeria and Africa and about the thousands of people
who are currently employed and working on the project
site and thousands more who will be employed directly and
indirectly.
Beyond the giant projects, the Dangote brand is so ubiquitous
in Nigeria that almost every Nigerian is, in some way or another,
impacted by the industrial spirit and philanthropic heart of the
meek, soft-spoken man who is the second largest employer of
labour in Nigeria.
From the cement plants to the fertilizer plant, the petroleum
refinery project, the sugar refinery, the salt, flour and pasta
production facilities, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and the
rest, Africa’s richest man has etched his name in the sands of
time.
No doubt, Aliko Dangote makes being the man of the year
look so simple. He is, indeed, in a class of his own.
 5 www.tribuneonlineng.com
All hail Africa’s best
With a number of international achievements recorded by some Nigerian athletes in the outgoing year, Tribunesport’s TAOFEEK LAWAL, in
this piece, highlights the outstanding performance of sensational Tobi Amusan, which makes her the undisputed Nigeria’s Sports Personal-
U
NARGUABLY, 2022 remains
Nigeria’s best year in the world of
athletics and one of the athletes
who made it possible is sprint
and hurdles star, Oluwatobiloba
Ayomide Amusan, known as Tobi Amusan.
The Ogun State-born amazon fondly called
‘Ijebu Girl’ will not forget 2022 in a hurry as she
shone like a million stars.
Though, Amusan has been in the limelight
for sometime now, her feat of becoming the
first Nigerian world champion and world record
holder in athletics this year stands out.
Against all odds, Amusan on July 24, 2022
in the United States at the World Athletics
Championships tagged ‘Oregon 2022’ dusted
others at the Hayward Field, Eugene, to win
the 100m hurdles gold medal.
She also in the process set a new world
record in a time of 12.12 seconds which she
attained in the semifinal of the race.
Amusan won the 100m hurdles gold
again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
in Birmingham to retain the title she won at
the Gold Coast 2018, as she also retained the
Diamond League Trophy in Zurich in a new
meet record of 12.29 seconds. She dusted the
previous record held by American legend,
Gail Devers which stood for 22 years.
Recall Amusan who first won the
Nigerian Tribune
Tobi Amusan:
ity of the Year.
Commonwealth gold in 2018, is also a two-
time African Games champion in the women’s
100m hurdles.
Amusan amid tears of joy on the podium
at Oregon 2022 bagged $100,000 as prize
money for her feat where she outclassed
Jamaica’s Britany Anderson and Olympic
champion, Cuba’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn,
among others.
“I trusted my hard work. I trusted God
was in control and just kept saying to myself,
‘breathe’, it is just another competition. It’s
a blessing coming out here to showcase our
talent and we are a very big country and
the few of us who God has given the talent,
we come out here to glorify God,” an elated
Amusan had said.
The Oregon 2022 feat was well celebrated
as it added a chapter to the history of Nigerian
sports.
Following her historic performance,
President Muhammadu Buhari conferred the
Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on
Amusan, a product of Our Lady of Apostles
Secondary School, Ijebu Ode.
At 16, Amusan was already an accomplished
athlete. She won the 200m silver at the 2013
African Youth Championships held in Warri,
Delta State.
A year later, she took her first major medal
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
Sports personality of the year
in the 100m hurdles, which was also silver, at
the African Youth Games. In 2015, she won
the gold in the event at the 2015 African
Junior Athletics Championships in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia and in the same year, while
making her All-Africa Games debut at 18, she
won the gold medal in the 100m hurdles.  the outgoing year alongside Jamaica’s Shelly-
Amusan today remains the current World,
Commonwealth and African champion in the
100m hurdles, as she also holds the Games
records in the three competitions.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development,
Sunday Dare, while commending Amusan
after Oregon 2022 said, “I am so proud of
what Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, and even those
who didn’t get on the podium have achieved in
Eugene, Oregon. This is the beginning of great
things for Nigerian athletics. This is a new dawn.
“Years of hard work and consistently knocking
on the door has yielded the right dividends. For
the first time in our history, we have a world
champion. This is huge. Congratulations to
Nigeria.”   world champions in the 1500m and 1000m as
Amusan on October 4 was also named Ogun
State Sports Ambassador by Governor Dapo
Abiodun.
The governor in his office at Oke-Mosan,
Abeokuta, also showered Amusan with N5
million and a house in Ijebu Ode, in appreciation
of her effort in making Ogun State proud.
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
What would have been the icing on the cake
for Amusan became a mirage on December
5 as the World Athletics named American
hurdler, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the
Female World Athlete of the Year. Amusan thus
finished among the five best female athletes in
Ann Fraser-Pryce, Peru’s Kimberly Garcia, and
Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas .
What turned out to be a consolation
for Amusan was the African honour. As
one of the five best in the world, Amusan
remains the best on the continent and
there is no controversy about this.
Only last week, the Confederation of
African Athletics (CAA) named Amusan
as Africa’s Best Female Athlete of the Year
2022.
The graduate of Kinesiology from the
University of Texas clinched the African gong
at the expense of Kenyan Faith Kipyegon and
Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey, who are both
they were ranked second and third respectively.
Notwithstanding, given her exploits, Amusan’s
name has entered into Nigeria’s folklore. She
remains one of Nigeria’s sports legends and a
heroine who will always be celebrated. All hail
the track queen, Tobi Amusan, undisputed
Nigeria’s Sports Personality of the Year.
6 www.tribuneonlineng.com
How Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, Kwankwaso
shaped 2022
With the amalgam of their support groups operating under different names , KUNLE ODEREMI writes on how the
W
political movement under different nomenclatures have impacted on 2022 preparations for the 2023 general election.
HEN 2022 comes to an end,
it would go down as one of
the years the country wit-
nessed a remarkable and
dramatic twist in the politi-
cal space. Frenetic moves by major political
actors have fired the furnace resulting in
varying coinages that have expanded the
political lexicon of the country. The en-
hanced involvement of the youth that had
shown passing interest in the electoral pro-
cess has raised the bar in the preparations
in 2022 for 2023 general election.
Kwankwasiyya yesterday, today
As sitting governor of Kano State, Sena-
tor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had launched
a renaissance by forming the Kwakwasiyya
Movement. With red cap as its symbol, the
movement orchestrated his political incli-
nation. The structure of the movement is
revived and reinvigorated to serve in good
stead each time he throws his hat into the
ring to lead the country. Recently, Kwank-
waso shed light on the philosophy of the
organisation, as he intensified his bid to
be the next president of the country on
the platform of the hitherto dormant New
Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in 2023. He
said: “The way we operate in Kwankwasiyya
movement is completely different. We be-
lieve in building people. From 1999 to date,
no one can tell the exact figures of those
that benefitted from Kwankwasiyya; it’s
only when the election comes that you can
see figures.” According to him, “The only
thing we are doing now is to re-strategise
and ensure whoever wins in 2023 is given
the seat and I am confident that that will be
Kwankasiyya man.”
Hurricane Obidient Movement!
As horse-trading began to gather mo-
mentum in 2022 ahead the 2023 general
election, loyalists of a former governor of
Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi upped the
ante of a mass movement. Deploying vari-
ous media platforms, they wormed them-
selves into the subconscious of the popu-
lace as apostles of the 61-year old politician
in his quest to become the fifth president
of the country in 2023. Having stumbled
out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
where he had tried to pick its presidential
ticket after he contested in 2019 as presi-
dential running mate, Obi fortuitously se-
cured the presidential ticket of the Labour
Party (LP) for next year’s general election.
With time, his promoters transformed into
the Obidient Movement, which like a hur-
ricane, swept across the length and breadth
Nigerian Tribune
of the country and even beyond the shores
of Nigeria. Thanks to the social media,
where a preponderance of the youths
electrified his campaign for the exalted of-
fice of president. The burgeoning number
of his admirers, supporters and promoters
soon recalibrated the nation’s political ba-
rometer and moved to alter the status quo
ante, especially on gerontocracy and poli-
tics of godfathers. With the activities of the
Obedient Movement fast gaining ground, it
became obvious that other dynamics other
than those that had characterised political
participation, involvement, awareness and
outcome will influence the 2023 general
election. Enthralled by the development,
the Kaduna-based mercurial Islamic cleric,
Sheikh Gumi, counseled Obi to sustain the
movement he started among young Nigeri-
ans beyond 2023. “Beyond the 2023 elec-
tions, don’t let the Movement you have
started to end,” Gumi said. The LP candidate
believes he represents the change from gri-
mace, decadence and hardship to boom
and prosperity Nigerians have been yearn-
ing for, as he declared: “The system they’ve
operated over the years has brought us to
where we are.”
Talks about the need for a Third Force at
the dawn of general election were most
pronounced in the buildup to the 2019 elec-
tions. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo
tried to midwife the process, which had, be-
fore then, been the baby of pro-democracy
and human rights organisations. The at-
tempt for it to crystalise by adopting the Af-
rican Democratic congress (ADC) one of the
oldest political parties, failed as it collapsed
almost at conception. The Obi phenom-
enon seems to have revived the Third Force
agenda with Obasanjo inarguably, the alter
ego. Another leading light in the Third Force
movement that is neck-deep in the Obidient
Movement is Professor Pat Utomi, who said
a new dawn was in the horizon based on the
increasing level of political consciousness
arising from the Obi candidacy. “Right now,
Nigeria’s democracy is not working because
of the transaction costs that are involved,
The Obi phenomenon seems to have revived
the Third Force agenda with Obasanjo
inarguably, the alter ego.
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
the tradeoffs that have to be made such
that eventually when people get to power
they find that what is wrong with power is
not the purpose. They forget the purpose
because there are so many deals, IOU to
win the election and in the end we get the
politics of politicians for politicians by poli-
ticians and not a democracy that is for the
people and by the people,” he said.
BAT and emi lokan slogan
The multifaceted campaign strategy ad-
opted in 2022 by the candidate of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola
Ahmed Tinubu crystallised in the abbrevia-
tion, BAT. The coinage is derived from the
initials of the name of the former governor
of Lagos State. His supporters now bear the
sobriquet, BATIST, to underscore his politi-
cal philosophy and score card as a former
governor and political strategist. Of course,
the unity of purpose among the apostles
of BAT in analysing issues pertaining to the
ticket of the APC, manifesto of Tinubu and
the choice before the populace in 2023. But
in a fit of irony, his traducers have likened
BAT to the flying animal called bat. None-
theless, the most intriguing addition to the
nation’s political lexicon by the APC candi-
date is the expression, “Emi lokan,” which
he espoused during one of his consulta-
tions at the threshold of APC presidential
convention. Sounding esoteric during the
consultation with some APC stakeholders
in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Tinubu
recalled the huge sacrifice he made to pave
way for President Buhari becoming presi-
dent and how some forces were trying to
deny him the opportunity of reaping the
benefits of his efforts. He had also teased a
sitting governor with the expression, “Eleyi”
to underline his anger and near frustration
over the perceived move to checkmate his
presidential bid for APC ticket.
Atikulate on the move
It is a coinage by the supporters, friends
and associates of the presidential candidate
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Al-
tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
haji Atiku Abubakar in 2022 buildup to the
2023 elections. Atikulate symbolises the
political essence and philosophy of the Ad-
amawa State-born politician. It is a mass
movement that also comprises hordes of
Atiku support Groups, many of which date
back to 1992 when he first indicated inter-
est to be president of the country. It per-
haps has the largest network in terms of
spread across the six geopolitical zones, as
some of its members include chieftains of
the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM)
with satellites in the six geopolitical zones
in the still-birthed Third Republic. Since
the convergence of the groups under the
Atikulate Movement, the members have
been taking the advantage of different me-
dia platforms, the social media inclusive in
propagating and promoted the contents of
Atiku’s ‘Covenant with Nigerians,’ a compre-
hensive package on his vision and mission
if elected president in 2023. So, to his sup-
porters, to be Atikulated is for one to have
a full grasp of Atiku’s philosophy, share his
ideals and profess unalloyed loyalty to the
cause of the PDP candidate in the 2023
presidential election.
Change in dynamics
The emergence of the different move-
ments has rubbed on the preparations for
the 2023 elections. There is a sharp rise in
political consciousness among the people,
especially about their right to vote and
make the right choice on the Election Day.
There is also new spirit and commitment to-
wards effecting a positive change in leader-
ship through the ballot box, with the youths
and women showing keener interest in the
nation’s electoral process. They are believed
to have the potential, capacity and number
to bring about a paradigm shift in political
power based on demography. According to
the data of the Independent National Elec-
toral Commission (INEC), majority of those
who partook in the voter registration held
this year are the youths. As 2022 gradu-
ally draws to a close, it is evident that the
activities of the various movements have
impacted on the politics with the 2023
elections just weeks away. They have be-
come the veritable platforms for discourse
on the variegated issues surrounding the
emergence of presidential candidates and
their running mates, as well as the mani-
festoes of the candidates for the February
25, 2023 elections. And the youths appear
to be leading a renaissance and building
bridges through the movements towards
evolving new political behaviour and culture
in the land.
 7 www.tribuneonlineng.com
‘Buga’:
Celebrating
honour,
hard effort
E
By Rotimi Ige
VERY year in the music industry,
certain songs stand out as major
hits for different reasons. Whether
for lyrical composition, beats, or
dance introduction, such songs
define various events across the world
and become massive successes. For
2022, Afro Pop and multi-award winning
artiste who, according to fans and
industry stakeholders has no bad songs,
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe a.k.a Kizz
Daniel is on our list this year.
His 2022 EP, ‘Barnabas’, broke new records
with many of the songs on it but one
George Weah dancing Buga
Nigerian Tribune
particular song continues to stand out and
is breaking barriers irrespective of colour,
race and region.
His song, ‘Buga’, meaning ‘Show off’
and released in May, dominated major
headlines, especially with its world cup-
themed video. The song, which features
Tekno and is produced by Blaise Beats, was
released on May 3, 2022.
Accompanied by a characteristic dance
step by that triggered widespread appeal on
streaming and social media platforms across
the world, Kizz Daniel, in no time, became
the toast of world stages whose audiences
wanted the rave of the moment.
And so, seven months later, ‘Buga’ has
Fatima Ada Bio, Sierra Leone first lady
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
Tobi Amusan dancing to Buga
successfully earned the crown of the most
popular song in Nigeria and indeed, one of
the most popular songs in Africa and the
world.
At the end of yearly musical reviews from
various platforms, ‘Buga’ was constantly
listed as one of the world’s top five Afrobeats
songs after it created a record buzz on Tik
Tok, emerged as the most Shazamed song
with over one million Shazams and raked
over 100 million views on YouTube.
The song is now currently the most
streamed and downloaded tune on
streaming platforms, Audiomack and
Boomplay, while it held number-one spots
on other platforms like Apple and Spotify
for several weeks after release.
‘Buga’ also topped the list of the most
searched song on Google in the first half
of 2022.
In fact, ‘Buga’ became the preferred
song for celebrating victories, successful
Hilda Dokubo, a veteran actress
tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
Song of the year
feats, or expressing contentment or
happiness. The signature dance style has
even been adopted at political rallies, just
to make a point.
So influential was the smash hit ‘Buga’
that he was announced as one of the
performers at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He performed ‘Buga’ and the follow-up
single, ‘Cough’ at Qatar’s FIFA Fan Festival
event.
“Buga’s in Nigerian parlance means
“show off”. So in this context, it means
after you’ve put in the work, let your results
speak loudly. Enjoy your success. Whatever
you’re seeing out there, whatever results
the song is generating, that’s the result of
hard work and I’ve consistently put in my
best in all my songs. Nothing good comes
easy,” Kizz Daniel said while explaining the
choice of name for the song.
Speaking on the success of the song, the
28-year-old father of triplets said: “It’s a great
feeling. When you put out a masterpiece
and the rest of the world accepts it as one,
that’s a satisfying feeling right there. And it
encourages you to do more.”
Many music lovers have said, “As long as
people work so hard to make legit money,
they should be proud to flaunt their wealth
to the public.”
The success of the song also shows that
Kizz Daniel is not ‘showing off’ as a flash in
the pan. The success of the song has again,
shown not only his musical dexterity but
the quality of his talent since the release
of his first single on May 1, 2014, under
G-Worldwide music.
On the recently announced AFRIMA 2022
nominations list, Kizz Daniel gained five
nominations for his effort including ‘Male
Artiste of the Year West Africa’, ‘Song of the
Year, and ‘Artiste of the Year’.
 8 www.tribuneonlineng.com
FG plans to
transform
Nigeria to
hub for talent,
innovation
—NITDA DG
Collins Nnabuife | Abuja
THE Director General of the
National Information Tech-
nology Development Agency
(NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has
said the Federal Government
is prioritizing efforts to estab-
lish Nigeria as a leading hub
for talent and innovation in
Africa.
Inuwa stated this at the
closing ceremony of a five
days digital literacy training
for the Mainstream Rural
Women Participation and
Gender Techpreneurship
and Provision of IT Tools for
60 participants organised
by NITDA in Oyo town, Oyo
State.
The NITDA DG, who was
represented by the Ag. Direc-
tor, Corporate Planning and
Strategy, Dr. Aristotle Onumo,
also urged the participants
to utilize the knowledge and
skills the training offered
them to build a career and a
new future for themselves in
the digital economy space.
Inuwa described the train-
ing programme as a means of
“empowering the youths and
stimulating the creativity in
improving the studious skills
of our young people so that
they can play their critical
roles in the digital economy
space.
“We also hope that all that
you have learned today will
not stop here, but that you
will become an advocate
for the digital economy pro-
grams by reaching out to
your own people and teach-
ing them what you have
learned,” he added.
The NITDA boss empha-
sised the importance of
creating a supportive envi-
ronment to maximise the
benefits of the digital econ-
omy and technology for in-
dividuals and communities,
including the agency’s bene-
ficiaries.
The facilitator of the train-
ing and chairman, House
Committee on Communica-
tions, Prince Akeem Adeyemi
commended the Agency and
its supervisory ministry, the
Ministry of Communications
and Digital Economy for en-
suring that digital literacy is
penetrating every nook and
cranny of the country.
He said, “NITDA has been
living up to expectations by
ensuring that the economy
of this country is being driven
not only by oil but by ICT.”
Adeyemi advised youths to
utilise this skill and knowl-
edge that the training of-
fered them and ensure that
the community also benefits
from it.
“We shall not rest on our
oars until a critical mass of
our youth benefits from dig-
ital literacy,” he added.
Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
business news
Equities market maintains bullish Ibadan
Bankers’
stance, as ASI crosses 50,000bps Committee
Kehinde Akinseinde-Jayeiba N27.40 trillion at the end of breadth, market sentiment ance, NGX Consumer Goods,
| Lagos the day’s trading activities.
Specifically, investors’ in-
was positive, as 35 tickers
gained relative to nine losers.
NGX Oil/Gas, and NGX Indus-
trial indices rose by 0.27 per-
donates to
THE bulls continued to domi-
nate in the domestic equities
terests in MTN Nigeria, Nes-
tle Nigeria, Seplat Energies,
On the performance board,
Nestle Nigeria and Geregu
cent, 1.84 percent, 3.65 per-
cent, 2.82 percent, and 0.14
orphanage
market as investors’ interest Nigerian Breweries, and topped the gainers’ list, hav- percent, respectively.
in some mid-high capitalised Geregu buoyed the broad ing appreciated their share Analysis of market activities By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
stocks drove the benchmark market’s strong performance values by 10.0 percent, re- on Thursday showed trade
index higher by 0.78 percent. as the stock prices of these spectively, while Livestock turnover settled higher rela- CONTINUING in its tradi-
tion of giving back to hu-
As a result, on Thursday, companies appreciated by and FBN Holdings recorded tive to the previous session,
the All Share Index (ASI) of 0.47 percent, 10.0 percent, the most significant losses with the value of transac- manity and as part of its
Corporate Social Responsi-
the Nigerian Exchange Lim- 4.76 percent, 9.04 percent, of the day as their respective tions up by 102.36 percent.
ited (NGX) rose above the and 10.0 percent, respec- share prices depreciated by A total of 490.48 million bility, the Ibadan Bankers’
Committee, (Oyo Chapter),
psychological 50,000 mark, tively. 8.4 percent and 6.4 percent, shares valued at N7.75 bil-
closing at 50,300 points, the Consequently, the month- respectively. lion were exchanged in 4,480 on Thursday, donated items
to His Heritage Home, Ola-
highest point in four months. to-date and year-to-date Similarly, gains were broad- deals. FBN Holdings led the
Equities investors, there- gains increased to +5.5 per- based across sub-sector volume chart and value pade Agoro Area, Oluyole,
fore, gained N212.32 billion cent and +17.8 percent, re- gauges tracked as they all charts with 271.36 million Ibadan.
as the market capitalization spectively. closed in the green zone; units traded in deals worth The Committee, led by
of the local bourse settled at As measured by market the NGX Banking, NGX Insur- N3.20 billion. its chairperson and Branch
Controller, Central Bank of
Nigeria (CBN), Ibadan, Mrs
Folake Ogundero, said the
gesture, which has become
an annual ritual, was borne
out of the passion to make
an impact in people’s lives
through gifts.
“For the Bankers’ Com-
mittee, this is a way of giv-
ing back to society. That is
essentially what we have
come to do; to an orphan-
age what we think they
need.
“This is done annually for
the society to feel our im-
pact. It is heart-warming to
know that there is a home
like this in Ibadan where
children are catered for,
sent to school for them to
have a life of their own,”
From left, Member, Clearing Unit, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs Adenike Dosunmu; another member of CBN Clearing Unit, Mr Fadah Feine; Mrs Ogundero said.
representative of Zenith Bank, Mr Fredrick Odonghanro Home Manager, Mrs Abiola Afolayan; Chairperson, Ibadan Bankers’ Committee (Oyo Mrs Abiola Adefolayan,
Chapter), and Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ibadan, Mrs Folake Ogundero; Head Clearing Unit, CBN, Mr Oladeinde Tonade and the Manager, His Heritage
Zonal Service Manager, FCMB, Mrs Ramatu Afeyodion, during the visit of members of the Ibadan Bankers’ Committee, (Oyo Chapter) to His Heritage Home, Oluyole, was full of
Home, Oluyole, Ibadan, on Thursday. Photo: Olawale Olaniyan.
thanks and appreciation to
the Committee for the ges-
Another set of winners to emerge in ture.
Adefolayan said the dona-
ongoing Polaris Save & Win Promo tion would go a long way in
catering for the welfare of
the children in their care.
POLARIS Bank has an- winners that emerge will be another set of 100 Nigeri- to win in the draw by open- She said the Home, incor-
nounced that the third draw contacted and rewarded in- ans will be winners and will ing a Polaris Savings account porated on September 1,
of its ongoing Save & Win stantly. take-home cash prizes of with N2,000 and growing it 2005, boasts of 36 young
promo is scheduled to take The bank has rewarded a N100,000 each in the Christ- to N5,000 before the draw adults, who are in different
place on Thursday, Decem- total of 162 winners in the mas Special Draw. date. levels of secondary and ter-
ber 29, 2022. first and second draws that According to Polaris Bank, Representatives of the rele- tiary education.
The draw, which will be held on November 4 and customers can still partic- vant lottery commissions, ad- Other members of the
conducted electronically, December 8, respectively, in ipate in or increase their vertising regulatory agencies, Committee on the visit in-
will take place at the bank’s a transparent selection wit- chances of winning by depos- and consumer protection clude Mr Oladeinde Tonade,
Victoria Island, Lagos, head- nessed by the relevant regu- iting a minimum of N5,000 in agencies would be present Mrs Adenike Dosunmu, Mr
quarters, and will be broad- latory authorities. their savings account. Also, at the draw to monitor and Fadah Feine, Mr Fedrick Od-
cast live on the bank’s so- In a statement on Wednes- non-customers of the bank ensure transparency in the onghanro and Mrs Ramatu
cial media channels, where day, the bank disclosed that can participate for a chance process. Afeyodion.
AXA Mansard Health reaffirms commitment to
quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria
ONE of Nigeria’s health in- Adeniyi acknowledged that “Our nation’s healthcare the top on that list”. work together to weather
surance companies, AXA the contributions of its orga- sector has been making “We are a customer-first the storm.
Mansard Health, has said nization include over 4,000 steady strides in accessibility, organization, but we recog- “As with the cost of a lot
it will continue to deliver service providers, including sophistication, and availabil- nize that this value can only of other things, the cost of
quality healthcare to its cus- hospitals, eye care centers, ity. be translated when the ser- healthcare also went up
tomers and the growth of its dental practices, pharmacies, While as a nation, we still vice providers share this core significantly this year, and
service providers across the etc., and stressed that quality have some way to go to en- value. So, our approach has the increasing awareness
healthcare value chain in the healthcare would have been a sure that affordability, qual- been to work with them to of health insurance also
country. mirage without a burgeoning ity, and accessibility are im- complete that experience for impacted some company
The Chief Executive Offi- healthcare provider sector. proved, we must commend our customers” fundamentals. But despite
cer of the company, Tope According to him, AXA the efforts of all stakeholders Adeniyi said that the year these challenges, we worked
Adeniyi, disclosed that the Mansard will remain com- who have brought us this far. came with a lot of challenges, together with our providers
company is taking stock of its mitted to the growth of the And for us at AXA Mansard, but AXA Mansard and its ser- to ensure that customers are
business operations in 2022. sector. our provider network is at vice providers were able to given the best of care.”
9 www.tribuneonlineng.com
It is therefore important to
learn from the Moroccan
example and start
devoting resources and
expertise to sports and
sports organisations. If
the country is desirous
of a massive turnaround
in its fortunes at sporting
competitions, it must lay
the foundation for it.
Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
Morocco’s World Cup heroics
T
HERE were many surprises and success stories
at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. The even-
tual winners, the Albiceste of Argentina, bowed
to the Al-Suqour Al-Khodhur, the Saudi Arabia
team, during the group stages, while Japan
stunned the star-studded German machine. But it was
the Atlas Lions of Morocco, making their sixth appear-
ance at the global fiesta, that eventually told the most
remarkable story and wrote the most memorable history
at Qatar 2022. Previously, Morocco had won the 1976
African Cup of Nations, two African Nations Champion-
ships, and a FIFA Arab Cup. The Atlas Lions had made
history in 1986 when they became the first African na-
tional team to top a group at the World Cup and the first
to reach the knockout stages. But Qatar proved to be a
much more different, exciting story altogether.
The Atlas Lions held Croatia to a goalless draw, stunned
Canada 2-1 and humbled Belgium, ranked by FIFA as
world number 2 prior to the tournament, in a sensational
2-0 victory that qualified them for the knockout stage for
the second time in their history. They then wowed the
world by eliminating former Euros and World Cup win-
ners, Spain, after a match that had the whole world on
edge. They upset their northern neighbours in a 3-0 win
via penalties, becoming the fourth African nation and
the first Arab nation to qualify for the knockout stage in
a World Cup competition. Naturally, there were wild ju-
bilations around the world as crowds waved Moroccan
flags and savoured the victory. But the Lions had more
up their sleeves: they bundled out ex-European champi-
ons Portugal and ended the Portuguese superstar Cris-
tiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream.
As Ronaldo, one of the greatest players to have ever
kicked a football, wrote his World Cup epitaph, moving
millions to tears, the streets of Rabat, Casablanca, Paris,
Molenbeek, Abuja, Cairo, London, went berserk with
joy. Africa and the Arab world had made a sensational
statement. Morocco became the first African nation to
reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup and the third
ever semi-finalist not from UEFA or CONMEBOL, after
the United States in 1930 and South Korea in 2002. And
although the Atlas Lions crumbled against Croatia dur-
ing the third-place match, they had already made his-
tory and written their names in gold as the underdogs
who made mincemeat of champions. As Dubai’s Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid said during the tournament: “No
voice is louder than Morocco’s at the World Cup!”
To be sure, much of the success is due to the iconic
coach Walid Regragui. Appointed the manager of the
team only on August 31 this year, he was body-shamed
tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
editorial
as an “avocado head” by critics in a mean reference to his
baldness. However, he shamed them with his team’s out-
standing performance. Indeed, until the Atlas Lions faced
Les Bleus of France in the semi-final play-off, they had
known no defeat, and had in fact conceded no goal ex-
cept the own goal against Canada. Regragui had recalled
players axed from the national team by his predecessor
Vahid Halilhodzi and instilled in the team a winning men-
tality. Hear him: “The guy who comes here to play three
games in the World Cup and have fun can’t come with
me. The message was spread around my team, and in my
country. Then it reached the continent. Now, I think the
world is with Morocco.”
Besides, the Atlas Lions’ story is a study in the value
of vision and investment in sports. The country had
witnessed a football revolution backed by King Mo-
hammed VI for over a decade. The Moroccan Football
Federation (FRMF) had in 2009 inaugurated its na-
tional football academy, the Mohammed VI Football
Academy, the facility that has thrown up stars such as
Nayef Aguerd and Youssef En-Nesryi. Morocco has the
Mohammed VI Complex in Maamoura covering almost
30 hectares with an overall investment of $65.4 mil-
lion. Built over a period of three years, it is the facil-
ity used by all the national teams. It is no secret that
the training complex houses four five-star hotels and
eight FIFA standard pitches, one of which is indoor in
a climate-controlled building. It is thus instructive that
for the first time in history, Moroccan clubs are the
holders of the men’s and women’s African Champions
League titles as well as the men’s Confederations Cup
winners. The Atlas Lions are the current African Na-
tions Championship (CHAN) kings. The women’s team
emerged the runners-up in the Women’s African Cup
of Nations earlier this year.
Nigeria must learn from Morocco’s investment in
sports. The point must be restated that Morocco’s he-
roes’ performance at Qatar 2022 is not a product of
chance but the end result of painstaking efforts over
time to achieve a grand objective. It had invested huge
resources in the required facilities and gone to great
lengths to improve the technical abilities and depth of
its players. Sadly, in Nigeria, quite the opposite obtains:
the experience has always been about preparing late
and haphazardly for sporting events. It is therefore im-
portant to learn from the Moroccan example and start
devoting resources and expertise to sports and sports or-
ganisations. If the country is desirous of a massive turn-
around in its fortunes at sporting competitions, it must
lay the foundation for it.
10 www.tribuneonlineng.com
Send your opinion of about 1,000 words, with full name and address, to: optribune@yahoo.com
The making of an aerotropolis
By Kunle Somorin
B
Y March next year, Ogun State will add to the indus-
trial lexicon of Nigeria the word “aerotropolis”, an
airport city. It is a novelty in this part of the world to
have such. Conceived by former Governor Gbenga
Daniel in 2007 to attract business and investment
and to also take full advantage of the proximity of the state
to Lagos and to avoid the terrible nightmares industry owners
and importers had to go through as a result of the congestion
of the two seaports, and International Airport, both in Lagos.
With the necessary approvals from the Federal Ministry of Avi-
ation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, erstwhile
Governor Daniel settled for Ilishan-Remo, as his preferred lo-
cation and did the groundwork. But he could not commence
the project before the expiration of his tenure in office. For
Governor Dapo Abiodun, the construction of the airport was a
priority. Commenced in March 2021 and due for commission-
ing in the first quarter of 2023, it would probably be the fast-
est constructed facility of such dimension on the continent.
Essentially, the Government plans to develop the Agro Cargo
Airport to an economically viable aerotropolis, that is a sub-
region within the state. It will be provided with infrastructure,
land use, and economy that will all be centred on an airport to
move essentially, agricultural cargoes and passengers.
The State’s Execuitive Council had resolved that a well-
planned aerotropolis would provide the boost needed by
most of the flourishing enterprises in the state to get national
and international exposure and possibly provoke the kind of
patronage that could earn the enterprises foreign exchange
thus furthering enhance the state’s economy. The Gateway
Agro-cargo airport is strategically located within an Aer-
otropolis (Airport City) along the Ilishan-Iperu-Remo road of
the busy Lagos Ibadan expressway and the Sagamu – Benin
expressway. It shares close proximity to key industrial and
agro-economic clusters within the state and its Southwestern
neighbours. “We are strategic in siting the airport here. This
is the centre of the state and a quick get-away and alternative
route from Lagos, the country’s commercial capital. Activities
at the airport will be supported by a Distribution and Logistic
hub located within the airport,” said the State Commissioner
for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, has been quoted
as saying.
Already in place are facilities like the 4-kilometre runway,
the 36-metre tall control tower, fire station, cargo apron and
Mass communication as a special course
By Adetunji Azeez
IT is no news that most students offering mass communica-
tion as a course have little or no knowledge as regards how lu-
crative the course is. A large number of students are ignorant
as to what the course entails and how to develop themselves.
Many lecturers reiterate how a graduate of mass communica-
tion can be self-reliant and self-employed after his or her ser-
vice year. What most students is seem to think is this: “Since
I am studying mass communication, definitely, I ought to be
an On Air Personality (OAP), a newscaster or an actor. These
really show how lucrative the course is. Mass communication
can be described as a course of study through which students
are trained to broadcast news or information in a creative way
for large heterogeneous audiences through a medium across
a country or the world. It is a course of study that opens up
doors to a wide range of careers, from broadcasting to adver-
tising, public relations, journalism, publishing, content writ-
ing, marketing, graphic designing and lots more.
In most tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the department is
divided into two parts, namely the print and broadcast, but
there are several branches of mass communication, namely
advertising, public relations, photography, film production,
radio production, journaling, publishing and lots more. As a
graduate of mass communication who does not want to fol-
low the queue, advertising is a lucrative field one can venture
into. Advertising simply means a visual or auditory way to
communicate with the audience through all forms of mass
media. Advertising is promoting a company or organisation’s
brand, product or service through mass medium i.e. social
media, television, radio, newspapers, magazines and the in-
ternet. It is an instrument that helps organisations in passing
information to its targeted publics. A career in advertising is
rewarding and satisfying. Apart from being lucrative, it allows
you to have an impact on the world and shape culture. It also
has a wide appeal, offering many opportunities for people
Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
terminal buildings and 750 workers on site daily working
with floodlights round the clock. All the pavement sections
are going on while the cargo apron of 82,000 square metre
for 2 type E and 2 type C aircrafts are being schedule for com-
pletion this month. The total are for the terminal apron is
50,000 square metres and can take one Type E and one Type
C aircraft or 3 Type C aircrafts simultaneously. All aprons are
paved - plain, rigid and reinforced. The airport would provide
facilities for cargo processing, storage, warehouses, training
centre, provide an international standard testing centre for
agricultural produce, serve as a logistic hub and also provide
routine commercial flight. Commenced in March 2021 and
due for commissioning at the turn of the year, the Gateway
Agro-cargo airport at Ilishan-Remo in Ikenne local Govern-
ment Area of Ogun State, is an ambitious project. It aspires
to turns the hitherto refuse dump site to an aerotropolis –
an airport city. It needs no gainsaying that agriculture value
chain, the people and the economy of the state and indi-
vidual prosperity of the people will be enhanced when the
airport comes full stream.
“This is an aerotropolis; it is not just an airport but one
that adds value to services. The agro serving part is the most
interesting. It is going to be a conglomeration of agro pro-
cessing companies that take raw materials, turn them into
finished goods. We will also have aggregation centres, stor-
age facilities for agro produce so that the agro processing
centres will not run out of raw materials. Once it becomes
operational, the Agro-Cargo Airport will have positive effects
on hotels and warehouses being constructed in the area.
Also, the Nigeria Customs and the Nigerian Airforce are com-
ing there. It is estimated that in the first 18 months, we will
with diverse skills and interests from all sphere of life.
It doesn’t require much skills aside being creative. An adver-
tiser is said to be a copywriter, a production coordinator, an art
director, an event planner, a marketing coordinator, a creative
director, a graphic designer and lots more. Also, an adver-
tiser writes radio ads, online ads, scripts, print ads, televised
ads and so on. They also edit and proofread ads content for
grammar and spelling. Another field a graduate or a student
of mass communication can develop interest in is public rela-
tions. In a layman’s understanding, public relation is a strategic
way of promoting and maintaining an organisation’s image in
the eye of its publics. Public relations is said to be used to pro-
tect, enhance or build reputations for an organization through
the media. Public relation involves developing and maintain-
ing the public image of an organisation through campaigns,
press release, newsletters, press briefing and lots more. A
public relations practitioner is a professional. He is said to be
an organisation spokesman, a copywriter, a media researcher,
a public relation officer, a marketing executive and lots more.
Another lucrative and creative path a mass communication
student can develop oneself is journaling. Journalism is the act
of gathering, creating, editing and disseminating news or in-
formation through an appropriate, select medium or channel.
A career in advertising is
rewarding and satisfying. Apart
from being lucrative, it allows you
to have an impact on the world
and shape culture.
tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY
30 DECEMBER, 2022
opinion
create a minimum of 25,000 jobs in that Airport. This is not
a power point airport. In addition to employment creation,
the project will also open up the state, deepen the develop-
ment process, and also provide an alternative to the congest-
ed Lagos port facilities. In the same vein, it will also shore up
the state’s revenue generation base, which is the right step
towards financial self-sufficiency. It will also boost housing
schemes, industrial projects, and other investments that could
ordinarily have been located elsewhere because of its central-
ity along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on the Southern Front,
and towards Epe and Ijebu Ode on the Eastern axis. The air-
port project sitting on 8500 hectares of land has a 16km fence,
while engaging over five thousand manpower directly from
the local communities. It promises to change the narrative of
the state economy and serve as the spring board of economic
transformation. The construction has no doubt gone beyond
the starting point and inching towards the finishing line to
meet up with delivery date.
The first airplane landed at the airport on November 4 when
the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, came for the
turning of the sod of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing
Zone (SAPZ). This is one project to which $400m has been
invested in the first instance by the GaganGuptan-led Arise In-
tegrated Industrial Platfrom, a multinational company, work-
ing in collaboration with African Finance Corporation and
Africa Import-Export Bank. “This is a truly an International
Cargo Airport. At the stage it is now, it is already attracting a
lot of attention and investors. The Nigeria Customs Service
and the Nigerian Air Force are coming. The Customs alone has
requested and paid for 100 acres of land to build their base
and training school. Others have signified interest to build
warehouses. Cargo companies have also applied to have their
presence here. So are commercial flight operators. Those that
want to go into the hospitality business have applied to build
hotels. We will also have demonstration farms that would be
run through an outgrower scheme. That is the entire gamut
of what will be seen here. I don’t have any doubt that this air-
port, in the first instance, will generate over 25,000 to 30,000
jobs,” Governor Abiodun enthused.
Both Ilishan and Iperu Remo towns have been upbeat with
the coming of the agro-cargo airport and are enjoying the big
city feel of the emerging aerotropolis.
(See the rest on www.tribuneonlineng.com)
•Somorin is Chief Press Secretary to the Ogun State gov-
ernor
Journalism involves vast writing, editing and gathering subjec-
tive newsworthy content. Journalism is of different types and
it includes investigative journalism, entertainment journalism,
sport journalism, broadcast journalism, opinion and feature
journalism, online journalism, political journalism to mention
but few. As a journalist, it is required of one to be good in writ-
ing, editing, gathering and disseminating information and up-
holding the law and ethics guiding the profession. There is a
wide range of professions involved in journalism. One can be
a news writer, ad copy writing, photojournalist, script writer,
news editor, columnist, cartoonist, news reporter or corre-
spondent, proofreader, news producer and lots more.
In addition, publishing is also a genre of mass communica-
tion which is lucrative as a career prospect. Publishing simply
means making information available for the public. Publish-
ing is the writing and distribution of any printed work such
as magazines, books, journals, periodicals, newspaper etc. It
also involves the activities of making literature, music, film
and information available for public consumption either for
sale or for free. The career prospects involved with publishing
include, but are not limited to content writing, and the work
of a sales manager, a graphic designer, production manager,
contract manager, marketing manager and also, an editorial
manager. That leaves us to the most prominent and compre-
hensive part of what mass communication entails which is
broadcasting. With ease, broadcasting is the creating, packag-
ing and dissemination of audio or audio-visual content via me-
dium to a disperse heterogeneous audience at the same time.
Broadcasting is the widest genre of mass communication. It
involves a lot of specialty and professionalism in disseminating
information. It requires a wide range of skills: ability to speak
fluently and clearly, ability to read and understand, nose for
news, charisma and poise, legible writing, ability to address
audience and lots more.
•Azeez writes from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara
State.
11 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

arewa news
El-Rufai, Sule sign into law 2023 Borno gov inaugurates
caretaker chairmen for 27 LGs
appropriation budgets Atiku Galadima
| Maiduguri
is to provide quality and eq-
uitable developmental ser-
From Muhammad Sabiu the 2023 budget prioritises budget to social welfare and of Assembly as budget esti- vices to the people at the

K
and Ahmed Tahir
ADUNA State gov-
ernor, Nasir el
-Rufai, has signed
into law the ap-
propriation budget
of N376billion which was
passed by the state’s House
of Assembly on Wednesday.
He said the signing of the
budget was coming three
days before the year ends.
According to him, since
his administration came on
board over seven and a half
years ago, he has kept faith
in signing the budget in ro-
cord time.
Speaking during the bud-
get breakdown on Thurs-
day, the Commissioner for
Planning and Budget, Hajiya
Umma Aboki, noted that
health and education sec-
tors as 43.70 percent has
been earmarked for the two
sectors.
Giving a breakdown of the
budget, the commissioner
said that ‘’15.70 percent of
the total budget has been
allocated to health and 28
percent of the total budget
is allocated to education,
bringing the total allocation
to health and education to
43.70 percent.”
“This is consistent with the
state government’s commit-
ment to allocate a minimum
of 15 percent and 25 percent
of its total annual budget to
health and education respec-
tively,” she added.
The commissioner said
that an allocation of about
three percent of the total
pro-poor interventions has
been spread across various
implementing Ministries,
Departments and Agencies
(MDAs) in line with govern-
ment’s policy of leaving no
one behind.
She further disclosed
that the capital expendi-
ture of the budget amounts
to N240,972,204,025.09,
which is 64.01 percent of
the entire budget, while
recurrent expenditure is
N135,484,430,899.57, that
is 35.99 percent of the bud-
get.
Also the Nasarawa State
governor, Abdullahi Sule,
has signed the 2023 appro-
priation into law.
Governor Sule had pre-
sented the sum of N148,-
95billion to the state’s House
mate for the 2023 fiscal year.
The state assembly jacked
up the sum to N149.3 billion.
Tagged “Budget of eco-
nomic consolidation and
continuity”, the bill was
accented to at the Govern-
ment House, Lafia, on Thurs-
day.
Sule commended the
speaker of the assembly,
Honourable Ibrahim Balar-
abe Abdullahi and the entire
lawmakers for the speedy
passage of the document
and the passion they have
for the state.
Earlier, the speaker Ab-
dullahi, had explained that
members of the assembly
ensured that the appropri-
ation bill went through leg-
islative processes before it
was passed
BORNO State gover-
nor, Professor Babagana
Zulum, has sworn-in new
caretaker chairmen for 27
local governments in the
state.
Speaking during the in-
auguration ceremony at
Musa Usman Secretariat,
Maiduguri, on Thursday,
Zulum charged them to pro-
vide quality and credible
leadership as the third tier
of government.
According to him, the es-
sence of local government
Kano assembly passes
2023 appropriation bill
Kola Oyelere | Kano
KANO State House of Assem-
bly, in its efforts to ensure
that the state government
works in conformity with
its desire to execute devel-
opment projects, has passed
the 2023 proposed budget,
with an increase of over N23
billion .
On November 4, the state
governor, Dr Abdullahi Gan-
duje, had presented an ag-
gregate sum of N 245,31,516.
08 as the proposed budget,
for 2023 fiscal year before the
assembly.
The budget tagged: Budget
of consolidation and prosper-
ity II, witnessed an increase
grassroots.
Zulum, who was repre-
sented by his deputy, Umar
Usman Kadafur, said that
“local government is the
closest tier of government
that directly deal with chal-
lenges of the people at the
grassroots.
He charged the new care-
taker chairmen to intensify
efforts on local revenue
generation to support the
financing of development
projects in their respective
areas.
of over N23 billion, which
stood at N268,197,731.
However, the passage of
the budget was sequel to
the adoption of a report pre-
sented by the Chairman of
House Standing Committee
on Appropriation, Alhaji Abba
Ibrahim Garko.
Also, the house had
adopted a report in respect
of the 44 local government
councils’ budget proposals
for 2023.
Garko, while presenting the
report, said that the house
received a letter from the
state Ministry of Local Gov-
ernments on the proposed
local governments’ budget on
Wednesday, November 16.

Kano: Hisbah board arrested

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State (middle) signing the 2023 budget at the Government House, Kano, on Thursday. With him are
the deputy governor, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna (right) and the Speaker, state House of Assembly, Honourable Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari.
1,955 police constable recruits pass out in Kaduna
Muhammad Sabiu
| Kaduna
ABOUT 1,955 police con-
stables have passed out
from the Kaduna Police Col-
lege after six months of in-
tensive training.
They are part of the
10,000 police recruits na-
tionwide.
Speaking at the ceremony,
the Inspector General of
Police (IGP), Usman Alkali
Baba, who was the review-
ing officer, said the cere-
mony represents another
giant stride by the Federal
Government towards repo-
sitioning the Nigeria Police
Force by bridging the lin-
gering manpower gap in the
Force.
Represented by the Dep-
uty Inspector General of Po-
lice, Operations, Mustapha
Dandaura, the IGP said, “In-
deed, the Federal Govern-
nent’s policy of recruiting
10,000 police cnnstables
annually over three years
shows the commitnent of
the president to bequeath-
ing to our beloved country
a reformed and well-po-
sitioned Police Force with
capacity and commitinent
to attain its internal security
mandate.”
According to him , all the
graduating constables will
be deployed to comple-
ment officers on the forth-
coming general election
security duties across the
nation in a bid to ensure a
free, fair and credible elec-
toral process.
“To you the graduands, I
wish to remind you that you
are coming into a reformed
Police Force that is experi-
encing an ethical rebirth,
a force that is increasingly
equipped and well-focused
to take the war against
crimes to the fortress of
criminal elements that are
bent on threatening our
shared values for peace, se-
curity and liberty.
“As you answer the na-
tional call and undertake
this noble path of law en-
forcement, let me remind
you that the bedrock of po-
licing is discipline, and I am
sure, you must have been
taught that the best form of
discipline is self-discipline.
“Much as you have a
promising and bright career
ahead of you, how far you
go in this career depends,
to a great extent, on your
character, discipline and in-
tegrity.
“I am sure that you are
all aware that the Force un-
der my leadership has a ze-
ro-tolerance for indiscipline
and any act that may be at
variance with police profes-
sionalism,” he said.
2,260 suspects in 12months
Kola Oyelere | Kano
THE Commander- General,
Kano State Hisbah Board,
Dr Harun Muhammad Sani
Ibn Sina, has said that the
board succeeded in arrest-
ing 2,260 suspects for var-
ious offences during patrol
between January and De-
cember 2022.
He said that 25 trucks
of beer were destroyed
in 2022, adding that addi-
tional bottles of beer will
be destroyed before the
end of January .
Ibn Sina disclosed this
while addressing newsmen
on Thursday in Kano, adding
that most of those arrested
for criminal activities, had
been handed over to secu-
rity agencies for necessary
actions, while the underage
were reunited with their
families.
It will be recalled that the
board is an organisation es-
tablished by the state gov-
ernment and saddled with
the responsibility of sanitis-
ing the state from any act
of immorality and arrest
whoever drinks, engage in
selling or buying alcoholic
drinks.
According to him, in the
year under review, as part of
efforts to mitigate street beg-
ging within the local govern-
ment areas, 1,269 beggars
were evacuated within one
month, while 386 were sent
back to their states.
He added that in the area
of curtailing societal vices,
the board succeeded in
dispersing 86 immoral
gatherings, such as same
sex marriage, drug parties
and other related offences
across the state.
Ibn Sina disclosed that
822 disputes were resolved,
while some are still ongo-
ing at various courts due to
their complex nature.

Kano NDLEA secures conviction of 113 out of 172 suspects charged to court
Kola Oyelere | Kano
THE National Drug Law En-
forcement Agency ( NDLEA),
Kano State commander, Al-
haji Abubakar Idris Ahmad,
on Thursday said the com-
mand has secured conviction
of 113 out of 172 suspects
charged to court .
Ahmad said this while
briefing pressmen on the
activities of the command
from January till date,
adding that among those
convicted by the court in-
clude 110 males and three
females, while 126 were
pending cases.
He stated that a total of
1,078 suspects were ar-
rested, adding that out of the
figure, 951 were males and
127 females.
According to him, the total
seizure of hard drugs were
8,386,733 kg.
He noted that the resolu-
tion taken by the Kano State’s
council for ensuring that can-
didate undergo drug screen-
ing process before being con-
sidered for appointment as
ward, village or district head
is commendable.
‘’To address the menace,
concerted efforts were made
to involve stakeholders in
the state, ranging from sister
agencies, traditional rulers,
community leaders, political
office holders and civil society
organisations (CSOs),
‘’It is worthy to note that
the prevalence of metham-
phetamine that had appar-
ently become the substance
of abuse in the state has been
neutralised with the seizure
of over 277 grams of the sub-
stance,
‘’Fighting drug menace re-
quires collective efforts from
all and sundry . I called on the
state government and other
relevant stakeholders to con-
tinue to support our efforts
in addressing the supply and
demand reduction engage-
ment,’’ he said.
12 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

news
Buhari, Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, Gbajabiamila, gov mourn Obiozor
From Leon Usigbe, Kehinde Ndigbo, at home and in the “He was an accomplished Theodore Orji of Abia Cent- The former vice president, Obiozor championed the
Akintola, Clement Idoko, diaspora. diplomat, globally ac- ral and Enyi Abaribe of Abia in a statement personally course of national unity
Nnanna Nwogu, with Describing his demise as claimed scholar and prolific South. signed by him in Abuja, said and economic develop-

C
Agency Reports
ONDOLENCES
have continued to
pour in from dig-
nitaries across the
country over the
demise of president-gen-
eral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
Professor George Obiozor.
Obiozor, who died at the
age of 80, was elected the
10th president-general of
Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Janu-
ary 9, 2021, to succeed
Nnia Nwodo who exited the
office after the expiration of
his four-year tenure.
Governor Hope Uzodimma
of Imo announced the death
on Wednesday in Owerri.
President Muhammadu
Buhari has expressed deep
sadness over the passing of
Professor Obiozor.
According to a statement
issued by Femi Adesina,
Special Adviser to the Pres-
ident (Media & Publicity)
on Thursday, the president
extended heartfelt condol-
ences to Obiozor’s family,
the government and people
of Imo State as well as
an immeasurable loss to
the country, the president
noted that the former Am-
bassador of Nigeria to the
United States, High Com-
missioner to the Republic of
Cyprus, Ambassador to the
State of Israel and former
Director-General, Nigerian
Institute of International
Affairs (NIIA) exemplified
leadership skills and values
as a thoroughbred diplo-
mat.
Former President Good-
luck Jonathan expressed his
sadness over the passing
of Obiozor, describing his
death as a huge loss to the
nation.
Jonathan, in a condol-
ence message he person-
ally signed on Thursday in
Abuja, described the de-
ceased as a great patriot, an
accomplished diplomat and
foremost nationalist.
“Professor Obiozor was a
great patriot whose love for
the nation and his people
knew no bounds in his self-
less service towards the
unity and development of
our country.
author with a reputation
for charming intellectu-
alism and boisterous en-
gagements in international
relations and academic re-
search.
“He was a foremost na-
tionalist and Igbo leader
who continued to make
remarkable impact even in
retirement,” Jonathan said.
The speaker of the House
of Representatives, Hon.
Femi Gbajabiamila, on
Thursday commiserated
with the Igbo nation.
Hon. Gbajabiamila said
the late Chief Obiozor was a
role model to many.
He said he received the
news of Chief Obiozor’s
death with shock, praying
to God to repose his soul.
On their part, the Gov-
ernor of Abia State, Dr
Okezie Victor and the three
Abia senators, have ex-
pressed their sadness at the
news of the death of Pro-
fessor Obiozor.
The senators are former
governor of Abia State and
Chief Whip of the Sen-
ate, Dr Orji Kalu, senators
They described the death
as a colossal loss to the na-
tion.
Governor Ikpeazu in his
statement through his chief
press secretary, Onyebuchi
Ememanka, remembered
Professor Obiozor as “a rank-
ing member of the global
academic community, a
world acclaimed Professor
of International Relations,
diplomat of the finest grade,
Nigeria’s former Ambassador
to the United States of Amer-
ica and President General
of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-
wide”.
According to Governor
Ikpeazu, “the death of Pro-
fessor Obiozor has robbed
Igbo land of one of her
most illustrious sons. He
was clearly one of our most
powerful men at the global
diplomatic level.”
Presidential hopefuls have
also expressed their sym-
pathy over the demise of
Professor Obiozor.
Presidential candidate of
the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar,
on Thursday mourned him.
that he received the news
of Prof. Obiozor’s death
with rude shock.
Abubakar condoled with
the entire body of Ohan-
aeze Ndigbo, the south-
east part of the Nigeria, and
the country as a whole over
“the fall of an Iroko.”
All Progressives Congress
(APC) presidential candid-
ate, Senator Bola Ahmed
Tinubu, has paid tribute to
the late Obiozor.
Tinubu said: “I am deeply
saddened by the news of
the death of Ambassador
George Obiozor, presid-
ent-general of Ohanaeze
Ndigbo Worldwide. This
great Igbo leader and Ni-
geria’s elder statesman was
a distinguished academic
and diplomat who served
his people and entire coun-
try with honour, dedication
and distinction.  Okorie in a statement sent
“Ambassador Obiozor’s
death at this time has again
robbed our dear country
of one of its finest pub-
lic servants and commit-
ted leaders. As the leader
of Ohaneze, Ambassador
ment while seeking a more
equitable and even-handed
federation where all the
constituent units and ethnic
groups can live together in
peace and harmony.” 
The Labour Party presid-
ential candidate, Mr Peter
Obi, described the death as
a great loss to Nigeria.
Obi, who said this via his
twitter handle on Thursday,
expressed sadness over the
news of Obiozor’s death.
“I am deeply saddened
by the news of the passing
of the president-general of
Ohanaeze Ndigbo World-
wide, Prof. George Obiozor.
He was a dear elder brother
and friend.”
Chieftain of the All Pro-
gressive Grand Alliance
(APGA), Chekwas Okorie,
also described the death as
a great loss to Nigeria.
to the Nigerian Tribune de-
scribed the late Obiozor as
a great advocate of a united
Nigeria, an asset to the Igbo
nation whose exit has “left a
huge void in the leadership
of Ohanaeze.”

New police recruits to

be deployed for 2023
elections —IGP
Biola Azeez | Ilorin
NEWLY recruited police
constables numbering 443
in Kwara State out of a total
number of 10,000 men that
passed out on Thursday will
be deployed to provide se-
curity during the forthcoming
2023 general elections.
Speaking at the passing out
parade of the 2022 batch of
police constables in Ilorin,
Kwara State, the Inspector
General of Police (IGP), Us-
man Alkali Baba, said that
the deployment was aimed
at ensuring a free, fair and
credible electoral process.
“It is noted that after
today’s event, all the gradu-
ating recruit constables will
be deployed to complement
officers on the forthcom-
ing election security duties
across the nation, in a bid to
ensure a free, fair and cred-
ible electoral process.
“This event, which is taking
place simultaneously in four
premier colleges and police
training schools across the
country, wraps up six months
of highly challenging rigor-
ous, physical, and intellectual
training activities.
“It signifies the transition of
the recruits to mainstream
professional policing duties
with the right orientation to
meet emerging security chal-
lenges within the dictates of
the rule of law.
“It should also be noted
that the recruitment exer-
cise was spread over the 774
local government areas of
the country with due regard
to federal character consid-
erations and in line with the
directives of Mr President,”
the police boss said.
The IGP, who was represen-
ted by the Assistant Inspector
General of Police Zone 8,
Ashafa Adekunle, said that
the recruits would all be
posted back to their various
local government areas to
further entrench the policing
strategy of the federal gov-
ernment towards addressing Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (right), inspecting ongoing work on Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway
communal crimes in their project in Lagos, on Thursday. Photo: NAN
respective areas of purview,
in the attainment of com-
munity policing goals. Defend yourselves from attacks,
He told the new police re-
cruits that the bedrock of
policing is discipline, adding
Bauchi gov tells villagers 
that, “much as you have a Ishola Michael | Bauchi  Speaking at the palace of who are serving as inform- people and the neighbor-
promising and brighter ca- the District Head of Yelwan ant to the bandits stress- hood from the activities of
reer ahead of you, how far IN a series of reprisal attacks, Duguri, Alhaji Adamu Mo- ing that without inside the bandits. 
you go in this career depends bandits have so far killed 20 hammed Duguri, the gov- information, the bandits “That is the way it should
to a great extent, on your people and wounded several ernor lamented that the cannot operate.  be. We should defend
character, discipline and in- others in villages surrounding activities of bandits in the The governor assured that ourselves from any form of
tegrity.” Duguri District of Alkaleri LGA area was getting out of hand his administration would banditry and criminal activ-
Governor Abdulrahman Ab- in Bauchi State.  as the people could no longer continue to work assiduously ities. What you did was the
dulrazaq of Kwara State, was Recently, the Bauchi State engage in farming which is in collaboration with the se- right thing and you should
represented at the event by Police Command in collab- their mainstay.  curity agencies operating in continue to do that even to
his senior special assistant oration with local vigilantes Bala Mohammed charged the state to protect lives and your neighbours.”
on security, Alhaji Muyideen stormed the forest in the the residents of the area to properties of innocent cit- He however expressed op-
Aliyu, while the Baba Isale of area killing 12 suspected henceforth “rise up, take up izens.  timism that very shortly ban-
Ilorin represented the Emir bandits including one of the arms and defend yourselves. At Kafin Duguri, the gov- ditry will come to an end as
of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Su- kingpins that had terrorised You are known to be men; ernor commended the “my administration will sup-
lu-Gambari. the area.  you should not allow these people for standing to de- port you with logistics, equip
The state Commissioner of Bauchi State governor, Bala bad elements subdue you. fend themselves from the you and arm you to be able
Police, Paul Odama, enjoined Mohammed Abdulkadir, who Defend your land and liber- attacks of the bandits when to fight and repel the attack-
the new recruits to maintain visited the area on Thursday, ate yourselves.” they attempt to invade the ers.”
high level of discipline and described the situation as He also charged the village.  The governor declared that,
shun corruption and later unfortunate and an unac- people to search them- He said, “I know you people “From now on, anyone who
presented award to out- ceptable trend that must be selves and bring out the to be warriors including your comes to attack you to kill
standing graduates. stopped.  bad eggs amongst them women. Rise up, defend your you, defend yourselves.”
13
Vote competent, God-fearing leaders in 2023 polls,
Ahmadiyya leader urges Nigerians
Olayinka Olukoya
T
| Abeokuta
HE Amir of Ah-
madiyya Muslim
Jama’at Nigeria,
Alhaji Abdul-Azeez
Alatoye, has urged
Nigerians to vote competent,
trustworthy and God-fearing
persons into political posi-
tions in the forthcoming gen-
eral election.
Alatoye gave the advice last
weekend at the 68th Jalsa
Salana (Annual Convention)
of the jama’at which was
held at the Jamia Ahmadiyya
Ground in Ilaro, Ogun State.
He urged the Independent
National Electoral Commis-
sion (INEC) to work towards
‘Spend your wealth, talents
in the way of Allah’
MUSLIMS have been asked
to make provision for life
after death by using their
wealth and talents to pro-
mote the cause of Allah.
A cleric, Sheikh Hussain Isa
(Al-Mubarak) gave the coun-
sel in a lecture at the first tur-
baning and award ceremony
of Aiyegbajeje Mosque,
Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.
Sheikh Isa identified
thanksgiving and spending
in the way of Allah as one of
the ways by which Muslims
can perpetuate their wealth
and earn Allah’s pleasure.
“All of us will depart this
world. Allah will raise us all
up to give accounts of our
stewardship; what we did
with what He gave us. Let us
check ourselves by remem-
bering the day we would be
called to give account,” he
said while charging the awar-
dees and those who were
turbaned to see their titles
as a trust.
“The wealth and positions
Allah has given us are for
a defined period. All of us
and what we have been en-
dowed with will come to an
end. Only Allah will not end,”
he emphasised.
The lecturer condemned the
pervasive culture of indecent
dressing among women and
implored Muslim parents and
husbands to scrutinise their
children’s and wives’ modes of
dressing.
The chairman of the
mosque, Alhaji Ibraheem
Abiola, said the sole criterion
for the awards was contri-
bution to the cause of Islam
in general and the develop-
ment of Aiyegbajeje mosque
in particular.
He praised the women
www.tribuneonlineng.com
EYES OF ISLAM With: Saheed Salawu
•Voting is duty to Allah, says Ogun gov
a free and fair election, using
the best technology avail-
able.
At the event attended by
dignitaries, including the
Ogun State governor, Prince
Dapo Abiodun, the Ah-
madiyya leader said: “My
message to our members all
over the country is that we
should pray that Almighty Al-
lah select the right leaders for
us at all levels and we should
pray that He support them so
that they can take Nigeria out
of the woods.
“We should conduct the
election in a free and fair
manner without trying to
manipulate it using human
effort, because if anyone
uses human effort and he
among the awardees for
always ensuring the cleanli-
ness of the mosque.
Those who were turbaned
include Alhaji AbduSalam
Abdurafii Olaribigbe, the
Imam; Alhaji Monsuru Olad-
ipupo Ajibola, Seriki Adinni;
Alhaji Idris Adigun Adewusi,
Baba Adinni; Alhaji Rafiu
Akande Erubami, Balogun
Adinni; and Alhaji Muftau
Adegoke Olaifa, Sanmori
Adinni.
Others are Alhaja Sikiratul-
lah Mojisola Oyegbola, Iya
Adinni; Alhaja Adiat Adunola
Ajibola, Arowosadinni; Al-
haja Assanat Anike Adewusi,
Iya Sunnah and Mrs Serifat
Bodede, Akeweje Adinni.
Those who received merit
awards include Alhaji Hon-
ourable Olaifa Jimoh Aremu,
Alhaji Ibraheem Abdulka-
reem Abiola, Mr Ayinde
Kamal, Ameer Abdulakeem
Olanrewaju Ojoye,
Orekan Qasim Abiola, Mr Ab-
Mr
dugafar Isah, Mr Nurudeen
Olawale Bodede, Mr Adedeji
Dhikurullahi Kolawole, Mr Ja-
miu Bodede and Mr Abdulk-
abir Rasheed.
Others are Mr Kazeem
Olayinka, Mr Daud Aiyeg-
bajeje, Alfa Daud JImoh,
Mr Muiz Aderohunmu, Alfa
Sodiq Beyiose, Mr Olaniran
Olatunji, Alfa Idris Odunayo,
Hajiya Khadijat Abdulra-
heem Orekan, Hajiya Owo-
duni Rukayat and Mrs Rafiat
Rasheed.
In an address, the chair-
man of the event, a mem-
ber of the House of Rep-
resentatives, Honourable
Olaifa Jimoh Aremu, im-
plored the honorees to see
their awards as an incentive
to do more.
Nigerian Tribune
yinkadejavu@yahoo.com
gets there, and Allah does
not support him, he would
not be able to do the work.
“We remain committed to
a very peaceful Nigeria. We
should have a very peaceful
election. Let us rally round
whoever wins and make sure
we move Nigeria forward.”
Alatoye commended Gov-
ernor Abiodun for his love
and compassion for Muslims
in the state while acknowl-
edging his pledge towards
the scholarship programme
of the organisation.
In a remark, Governor Abio-
dun urged Muslims to ensure
that they collect their Perma-
nent Voter’s Cards and play
an active part in the coming
elections.
From left, Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Amir (National President), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Alatoye and the
Olu of IIaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, during the 68th Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jama’at Nigeria in IIaro, Ogun State, last weekend.
Muslims have numerical strength to impact
2023 elections —MSSN
Biola Azeez | Ilorin
MUSLIMS in the country
have been charged to par-
ticipate actively in the forth-
coming 2023 general elec-
tion and use their numerical
strength to make an impact
on the polls.
The national amir
(leader) of the Muslim
Students’ Society of Nige-
ria (MSSN), Malam Shehu
Uthman Abubakar, gave
the charge on Saturday at
the opening of the 79th
National Islamic Vacation
Course (NIVC) in Ilorin,
Kwara State.
Malam Abubakar, who
said that the MSSN had a
duty to participate actively
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
0811 695 4643
The governor said his ad-
ministration had reduced po-
litical tension and promoted
inter-party tolerance in the
state and appealed to Mus-
lims across the country not to
allow themselves to be used
by desperate politicians to
achieve selfish ends.
He said: “The election is
coming. Let us perform our
civic duties. And as we partic-
ipate in the electoral process,
we must not be disenfran-
chised.
“The election starts from
registration. We must en-
sure we get our permanent
voter’s card and then en-
sure we present ourselves
for the election and exercise
our franchise. This is a duty
in ensuring the emergence
of credible leaders and en-
thronement of good gover-
nance, advised Muslims to
speak with one voice and
vote wisely in the coming
elections.
“We call on youths to par-
ticipate actively but wisely
in the 2023 general election
to save Nigeria from the
verge of disintegration,” he
said.
The MSSN amir said that
the MSSN possessed the
political strength and struc-
ture to make the difference
in the country’s democratic
election in 2023, noting
that with 236 area councils,
each equivalent about two
local government areas, the
tribuneonlineng
to ourselves as it is a duty
to Almighty God, because it
is through us Almighty God
chooses those that rule over
us.”
Abiodun commended the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at
for helping the country to
guide young people and
women in the society, saying
the organisation had been
very active in ensuring in-
ter-religious harmony and
peace.
“This movement stands
very tall. You are an orga-
nised movement. You are
disciplined and hold some
values very highly and that
is what continues to guide
you since the inception of
this movement in Nigeria,”
group has about six million
members across the coun-
try.
“MSSN has branches in
510 tertiary institutions and
17,097 in post-primary in-
stitutions, making a total of
20,709 branches across the
country,” he said.
Governor Abdulrahman
Abdulrazaq of Kwara State,
in his speech, said the NIVC
should be used to address
decadence and near col-
lapse of morality among
children.
“The rate at which young
people get involved in social
vices is alarming. Substance
abuse, drop in commitment
to collective good and mis-
use of social media are is-
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
he said.
Abiodun reiterated the
commitment of his adminis-
tration to the overall devel-
opment of the state.
The Olu of Ilaro, Oba Ke-
hinde Olugbenle, com-
mended the governor for
his efforts at developing the
state and for embarking on
the completion of projects
left behind by his predeces-
sor.
The three-day spiritual
event was attended by about
28,000 members, guests
from Benin Republic, Cam-
eroon, Ghana, the United
Kingdom, the United States
and top officials of the Ogun
State government, led by
Governor Abiodun.
sues that must engage our
attention,” Governor Abdul-
razaq said.
The Chairman Council of
Hosting Fathers and Men-
tors for the programme,
Justice Abdullahi Idris Har-
oon, said: “Our numerical
strength as Muslims in Ni-
geria will only be effective
with unity and collabora-
tion.”
Participants from the 19
northern states and the
Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) attended the event,
which also had in atten-
dance Senator Ibrahim
Shekarau, representatives
of the Sultan of Sokoto, Al-
haji Muhammad Sa’ad Abu-
bakar, among others.
14 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

eyes of islam
MUSLIM
With SULAIMAN OSHO | +1-702-955-0860 (Texts only)
SERMON
| Email: sulaimanosho2014@gmail.com

Birth of Prophet Isa (IV)

I
N the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
The Holy Qur’an, Al-Mu’min 23:50-61 relates, “And
We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign. We
gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest
and security and furnished with springs. O ye apostles!
Enjoy (all) things good and pure, and work righteousness
for I am well-acquainted with (all) that ye do. And verily
this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I
am your Lord and Cherisher. Therefore fear Me (and no
other). But people have cut off their affair (of unity) be-
tween them, into sects. Each party rejoices in that which is
with itself. But leave them in their confused ignorance for
a time. Do they think that because We have granted them
abundance of wealth and sons, We would hasten them on
in every good? Nay, they do not understand. Verily those
who live in awe for fear of their Lord; those who believe
in the Signs of their Lord; those who join not (in worship)
partners with their Lord; and those who dispense their
charity with their hearts full of fear, because they will re-
turn to their Lord; — It is these who hasten in every good
work, and these who are foremost in them”.
The kings and priests are anointed to symbolise consecra-
tion to their office. The strengthening of Prophet Isa (AS)
with the Holy Spirit was manifested through his ministry
from cradle (Qur’an 19:30). The Holy Qur’an, Maryam,
19:27-34, attests to his ministry from cradle, “At length
she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her
arms). They said: ‘O Mary! Truly an amazing thing hast thou
brought! O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil,
nor thy mother a woman unchaste!’ But she pointed to the
babe. They said: ‘How can we talk to one who is a child in
the cradle?’ He said: ‘I am indeed a servant of God. He hath
given me Revelation and made me a prophet; and He hath
made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on
me prayer and charity as long as I live; (He) hath made me
kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; So
peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and
the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)!’ Such (was)
Jesus the son of Mary. (It is) a statement of truth, about
which they (vainly) dispute”.
Hence, his ministry actually lasted only about three years,
from 30 to 33 years of age. He was raised up to God Al-
mighty, when in the eyes of his enemies he was crucified
(Qur’an 3:46).
The Holy Qur’an, Al-Imran 3:54-55, testifies, “And (then
unbelievers) plotted and planned and God too planned and
the best of planners is God. Behold! God said: ‘O Jesus! I
will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of
the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those
who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith to the
Day of Resurrection; then shall ye all return unto Me and I
will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute’”.
But truly, he was neither crucified nor killed by the Jews
(Qur’an 4:157). The story of the birth of Prophet Isa is in-
deed a complex one to the disbelievers but simple in the
eyes of believers.
The Holy Qur’an, An-Nisaa 4:155-159, confirms, “(They
have incurred divine displeasure) in that they broke their
covenant: that they rejected the Signs of God; that they
slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said
‘Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve God’s
Word; we need no more)’; nay God hath set the seal on
their hearts for their blasphemy and little is it they believe.
That they rejected faith: that they uttered against Mary a
grave false charge. That they said (in boast) ‘We killed Christ
Jesus the son of Mary the Apostle of God’; but they killed him
not nor crucified him but so it was made to appear to them
and those who differ therein are full of doubts with no (cer-
tain) knowledge but only conjecture to follow for of a surety
they killed him not. Nay God raised him up unto Himself; and
God is Exalted in Power, Wise. And there is none of the People
of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and
on the Day of Judgment, he will be a witness against them.”
The Christians believe that Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus) is alive
today, and many denominations believe him to be active.
They also believe that he has been resurrected already, and
that he will never die again.
The Muslim position, however, is that he never died,
and therefore is still alive. The Quran, An-Nisa 4:157-158,
says that the Jews claim: “We killed Jesus Christ, the son
of Mary, Messenger of God”. However, God denies this, as
the verse continues: “But they killed him not, nor crucified
him; it was only a likeness shown to them: Most certainly
they killed him not. Rather, God lifted him up to Himself.”
This action of lifting is literally an upward movement,
physically being taken from the earth into the heavens, just
as he will be physically brought back on the wings of angels
from the heavens to the earth when he returns. Christians
estimate his age to be 31-33 years of age at ascension,
because the synoptic Gospels are considered to describe
approximately one year of his life. The Gospel of John pur-
portedly describes three years of his life from the moment
he began preaching, of which Luke says: “And Jesus himself
began to be about 30 years of age, being (as was supposed)
the son of Joseph … and (he) was led by the spirit into the
wilderness.” (Luke 3:23 and 4:1).
Muslim scholars agree. Hasan Basri said, “Jesus was 34,
while Sa’eed ibn Mussayyib said, “He was 33” when he was
lifted up to heaven. “And there is none of the People of
the Book but will believe in him before his death, and on
the Day of Judgment, he will be a witness against them”
(Quran 4:159).
God, here, is talking about the ‘People of the Book’ believ-
ing in Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus) before the latter dies well after
he was lifted up into the heavens. The implication is that he
is not yet dead. In fact, he is securely kept by God until he
completes his appointed term. As God says in the Quran:
“It is God Who takes away the souls at the time of their
death, and (the souls) of those that die not during their
sleep. He keeps those for which He has ordained death and
sends the rest for a term appointed” (Quran 39:42).
And: “It is God Who takes away the souls at night, and has
knowledge of all that you have done by day, and raises you
up again that a term appointed be fulfilled; then will you be
returned unto Him. Then He will inform you of all that you
used to do” (Quran 60:60).
The term ‘appointed’ denotes the numbered days of our
lives, already known and confirmed by God. The phrase “to
take away” is a promise made by God to Jesus which God
will do when His messenger is threatened by disbelief.
The Qur’an informs us that God told Jesus: “Indeed, I will
take you (away) and lift you up to Myself and purify you
from those who disbelieve…” (Qur’an 3:55).
May Almighty Allah brighten our hearts with His Light
(Nur) to accept the truth about the birth of Prophet ‘Isa
(AS). Ameen.

‘Niger ready for 2023 Hajj’

Adelowo Oladipo | Minna
THE Niger State government has
expressed readiness for the 2023
hajj operation.
The Executive Secretary of the
state’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare
Board, Alhaji Makun Lapai, stated
this in his office during a courtesy
call by the new manager of the
Minna International Airport Au-
thority.
Makun Lapai, who appreciated
the visit, commended the aviation
team for their efforts at satisfying
to the needs of the board during
hajj activities.
He, however, lamented the in-
ability of the Minna airport to par-
ticipate in the airlift of pilgrims for
the 2022 hajj exercise.
“We don’t want a recurrence of
last year’s hajj ugly experience
where the intending pilgrims al-
most missed the hajj exercise,” he
said.
He admitted that aviation chal-
lenges were numerous but said
the challenges could be over-
come.
“We have identified areas of
needs in terms of having a suc-
cessful hajj operation next year.
“Next week, we will be visiting
the airport for more inspection
in preparation for the hajj airlift,”
Makun Lapai stated.
The new manager of the Minna
International Airport, Alhaji Liman
Katamba Kutigi, who was accom-
panied by the management staff
of the airport, expressed delight
at the relationship between the
two organisations.
Kutigi commended the board for
a successful 2022 hajj despite its
pilgrims not being airlifted from
the Minna International Airport.
He urged the board to embark
on early preparations for the 2023
hajj.

OIC Secretary-General calls for campaign

against ban on female education in Afghanistan
SECRETARY-GENERAL of the Or-
ganisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, has
called on the International Islamic
Fiqh Academy (IIFA) to launch an
international campaign rallying
the voices of Muslim scholars and
religious authorities against the
Taliban de facto government’s de-
cision to prevent Afghan females
from education, including higher
education, and its repercussions,
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State cutting the tape to inaugurate a school for per the teachings of the true Is-
higher Islamic studies donated by the state government to Biu community, in Biu, re- lamic religion that encourages the
cently. education of females.
In a speech at the opening of the
second meeting of the IIFA office
for the year 2022, which was held
on Thursday via video commu-
nication technology, the Secre-
tary-General said that the Taliban’s
decision represents a challenge to
the Fiqh Academy, in addition to
the issues of minorities, the esca-
lating feelings of hostility against
Muslims in Western countries, and
other pressing issues.
The Secretary-General stressed
the priority of the Afghan file in
the agendas of the OIC and IIFA,
pointing out that the Taliban’s de-
cision is not based on Islamic law,
especially since a team of schol-
ars visited Afghanistan last June
and held extensive meetings with
Taliban scholars and government
leaders, where there was agree-
ment that Islam ensured women
all their rights, including the right
to education and work.
He also stressed that the Tali-
ban’s decision to deprive Afghan
females of education increases
the fallacies spread about true Is-
lam.
15
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Rotimi Ige | rotimiige@yahoo.com | 0811 695 4636 | Instagram: @roy_ige
My legal training has helped every
aspect of my life —Folu Storms
She was named Ada Afoluwake Ogunkeye but professionally, she is called Folu Storms. On-screen she strikes the pose of a tough personality who thrives as
an officer of the law. Off-screen, she is even more impressive; an accomplished lawyer with rights to practise in two different continents, a media personality
and above all, a storyteller. She stars as the female lead in Showmax’s latest original series, ‘Crime and Justice’. In this interview, the dark-skinned Nigerian
beauty tells ROTIMI IGE about her story.
Y
OU have crossed several waters
to get to a career in acting, was
this a deliberate movement or
did you just go where life took
you?
It was deliberate to an extent. Most of
us adults have never done this thing called
life before, so we are mostly making it
up as we go along. Essentially, though I
studied and practised something else at
the beginning of my professional career,
the motivation on the line has always
been the same; to impact my society and
impact the world at large.
Growing up as someone who has
experienced multiple cultures and
moved around the world, I recognised
very quickly that we are ambassadors
of wherever we say we are from. Where
we go out in the world, whatever your
surname is, whoever you are, you are an
ambassador of that place. I then realised
that media was the most effective way
to affect the way that not only the rest
of the world see us but the way that we
see ourselves. So, I decided to be involved
with the media to be able to tell stories
across multimedia platforms.
When it comes to performance and
acting, I have done it my whole life. I
have been in every school play, musical,
show, and every educational institution I
find myself. I just actually never thought
of it as a full-time career and so it was
very pleasant to go full circle after
being a barrister and qualifying in two
continents. I guess the reason I always
emphasise it is because I genuinely love
law and I thought that was what I would
do for the rest of my life. But media is
more effective and is more necessary in
this age that we are in especially with
technology connecting the entire world.
When ‘Crime and Justice’ showed up, I
didn’t even negotiate, I didn’t hesitate, I
just read the script and here I am.
What was the experience like being on
a show like Crime and Justice?
When I read the script, it was so
interesting because movies and films
like these transport viewers to different
places. It can open up the door to a
world we haven’t really thought about.
There are people like this in Nigeria, but
for whatever reason, filmmakers in this
part of the world have not been that
interested in telling that story. The story
of the average police officer we get is the
very pedestrian level one, one that often
paints law enforcement officers in a bad
light.
This is not to say that we all don’t have
bad experiences with law enforcement
in Nigeria, we all have slightly negative
experiences, some more than others,
but some of us have also had good
experiences. We have had one or two
people who stand out from the crowd and
that is what ‘Crime and Justice’ is.
And the truth is that it is not just about
www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune
TREAT
the police officers, it is about the people
you meet every episode, people that end
up victims, people that become criminals,
and what motivates them to get there. I
thought this was a perfect opportunity to
remind us that we are not the worst of
what we think we are, it could also be the
best of who we are. And there are many
people out there, who despite Nigeria’s
many challenges, are really working so
hard and doing the right thing. And the
story of these detectives and the people
they came across moved me and I really
wanted to try my best to tell that story.
At any point during the show, did you
have to draw on your experience or
knowledge as a lawyer to pull off your
role?
Yes, there are always little things,
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
especially in procedures especially when
we are at the court… nothing too hectic. It
is always fascinating though how my legal
training is always going to be useful in
aspects of my whole life. I am so thankful
for it.
What were the challenges that you
faced on set, especially as it was a
physical role?
I enjoyed the physicality, if you saw the
opening scene, it was hardcore and it was
multiple tapes. Viewers got the shortest,
neatest version, but I enjoyed it.
I enjoy challenges, anything that is going
to stretch me as a performer is something
that I look forward to, and outside of that,
being able to tell the truth of something
physically but also being aware of the
performance and camera angles, all of
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
that is always a new experience.
Is there any actor that you are modeling
your career after?
Viola Davis. That woman is phenomenal.
And she is phenomenal for all the right
reasons. Not only is she an exceptional
performer, but she has been so focused
and dogged in her career and sometimes,
especially in this day and age, we can
celebrate just flash. For her, it is not about
flash, it is years and years of hardwork. I
have been working for years and I intend
to keep working until the day that I drop.
Nigerian parents can be unforgiving
when it comes to choosing a career for
their children. Did you get any negative
reaction when you chose acting after
acquiring a master’s in law and working
in media?
I really did. My parents were concerned,
and it is for the very reason all parents
should be concerned. The reason that
every Nigerian parent is so particular
about certain career options and choices
is the issue of security for their children.
They love you so much that they want
to make sure that you are going to be
okay. And they just feel like certain
career options give you a broad base and
a strong chance of doing well. So, my
parents’ initial concern was that I had
lost my mind. But once I started and I had
already been working on radio for several
months, they began to see and trust me a
bit more. Also, because I was not coming
to them for money, I was making a living,
and I am figuring it out. My parents
couldn’t help me out in the life path that
I chose, and that was what worried them
the most but I am very thankful that they
learned to respect that. And they are my
biggest cheerleaders now. They don’t
always understand how it works and
even the entertainment industry is still
building infrastructure and understanding
it ourselves, but they are incredibly
supportive, and I am so thankful to have
them in my corner.
‘Crime and Justice’ is not the kind of
show you can do and hide anymore, how
prepared are you for that barrage of
fame that is coming from this exposure?
I think at the end of the day, it is
something that I have been mindful of
since the beginning of my entertainment
career. I am creating structures in my life
to make sure it doesn’t really interfere. I
also feel that people knowing you tend to
be a side effect of the good work that you
are doing. I have never been someone
that has courted fame; I do appreciate
that people are paying attention and
enjoying my work, otherwise, it doesn’t
really bother me, I mind my business.
If there are more famous people in the
world than me who can lead regular lives,
there is no reason I can’t. That is incredibly
humbling, so I am always thankful.
16 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

FridayTreat
People say I do money laundering
—Mercy Eke
R
EALITY Star, Mercy Eke sits with Chude Jideonwo, host of
the viral TV show, #WithChude to discuss accusations the
media peddle against her and life after Big Brother Naija.
On her choice to respond to the blogger who claimed
she slept with IVD, she shared, “This blogger has been on
my case since forever. This person has tarnished my image more
than anything, and I have never responded. This started when I was
in the house. When this whole thing started, I saw that one of my
fans released something where this blogger asked for N200,000,
and they did not give the person. And the blogger vowed that he
or she will deal with me. But now, I am not in the house, you can’t
deal with me based on whoever was handling my page. I didn’t
even know about it because they cleaned it up. When they handed
over my phone to me, I didn’t see a lot of things, so I couldn’t pay
for what I did not know. And since then, I have not rested. There
is no story that this blogger has not involved me, till that one, I
won’t respond. But this one, someone just died, there is a case of
domestic violence, and I know this woman, we are friends. Then
something that I know nothing about, you just brought my name
out of nowhere and say that I am sleeping with this person”.
“That is the first and last time I am going to respond to something
but I needed to respond to that one, she added.
Mercy also shared her thoughts about Phyna being the second
woman to win the reality TV show. “Honestly speaking, I have been
waiting on someone to take on that role, let that pressure move,
I want to rest. I want another person to come and take it, let the
blogs focus on this person. Because I know when someone comes,
at least I will rest.
She also reacted to the stigma successful women have to deal
with, “It is very offensive. I feel that it is taking away all the efforts,
the sleepless night, all the hardwork women do to get where we
are. They will just take away all efforts and tag it as someone is
behind you. I am not saying it is bad to have someone behind, if
you have a rich boyfriend, some people’s love language might be
taking care of you, buying you nice things, and giving you money.
However, you will still work hard. They said I do money laundering;
they have dealt with me in this industry. I came into this industry
without no advice, just myself and my team and I started building
brand.
On her motivation to be in the Big Brother house, she shared, “I
auditioned four times. I just heard that voice in me that says, ‘this
is where you will make it’. So, each year when they say, ‘‘try again
next year’. I still have that thing in my head that, ‘Okay, I will try’.
Back then it was just to be famous”.

Umu Obiligbo: Our new single is to appreciate God Action movies

INDIGENOUS highlife duo, Umu Obiligbo
has stated that their latest new song will sell in
dubbed ‘Anwuli’ is a song to appreciate
God for keeping them all through the
year.
Nigeria
The popular Igbo highlife brothers
Ebuka (Akunwafor Jnr) and Obiligbo —De General
Ifeanyi (Okpuozor) said in a recent chat. POPULAR Instagram comedian and skit
“Our new single Anwuli is a song of maker, Joshua Sunday professionally known
appreciation to God on how he has been as De General has opined that action
keeping us safe in all our endeavors and movies can be successful in the Nigerian
journey despite the situation of the movie industry if well directed.
world right now and it’s also a joyful The skit maker turn aspiring movie director
and thanksgiving song to wrap up the made this known in a recent interview with
year. It was produced by Pc lapez, mixed Friday Treat, he said “Action movies will
and mastered by Jay stunt” said Umu sell here in Nigeria, look at how much we
Obiligbo. flood cinemas to see action movies from
Speaking on what makes them stand Hollywood. If little of what those foreigners
out as a highlife artist, Okpuozor said do in their films are done in ours we will
“We have our original sound, we don’t set world records. Nevertheless, in 2023,
try to copy anybody so once you hear I will test run stunts on one of my biggest
Umu Obiligbo music you’ll know that projects to prove action movies will sell”.
this is us. We try to create something However, on how he hopes to create
different from the regular sound around stunts in his forthcoming action project,
that’s why our fans never get tired of our he said “I do stunts with someone that has
music. The vibe is constant.” an idea about it. More like a professionals
The duo who just returned from coming together, we know how to carry
Turkey and share their experience ourselves while performing” he said.
from the recent trip by saying, “Music Speaking on movie making, the content
is a universal language, it can penetrate creator, who recently released a short film
anywhere regardless of the culture of titled ‘Yet Another Christmas’ also talked
the country so the experience was really about his upcoming movie and his plans for
good because we got to experience that 2023.
music is not all about language and with “I have a series titled ‘Death Trip’ coming
a good sound your song can penetrate next year, it’s a beautiful story about
anywhere. No language barrier” teenagers in school, what happens in their
Umu Obiligbo who released two singles daily lives. So I want to be acting in detail
in 2022 hinted that their fans should what our parents think we don’t know” said
expect a full body of work in 2023. De General.
“In 2023 there will be an album. We are When he’s not creating comedy or making
already working on it. Our fans should movies, De General revealed that he spends
expect something.” time playing video games.
17 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

The scoop! With Rotimi Ige FridayTreat

Showmax spotlights Nigeria’s gold mines in
new original Telenovela, ‘Wura’

S
HOWMAX is set to launch a new original
telenovela titled ‘Wura’ in January 2023. A
Nigerian adaptation of the hit South African
1Magic telenovela, The River, Wura is billed
to be Showmax’s first and longest-running
Nigerian telenovela with over 200 episodes.
Set against the backdrop of the gold mining industry
in the Iperindo community of Osun state, Wura tells
the story of Wura-Amoo Adeleke, a dear wife, a loving
mother of two, and the ruthless Chief Executive Officer
of the fictional Frontline Gold Mine. In the eyes of her
family, Wura is faultless and a saint, but when it comes
to running her business empire, she is the ultimate iron
lady who doesn’t care whose ox is gored on her path to
get what she wants.
The episodic drama stars Nollywood veterans and
upcomers, including fast-rising Nollywood star, Scarlet
Gomez, who is cast as the lead Wura Amoo-Adeleke,
popular Nollywood Yoruba actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso who
plays Anthony Amoo-Adeleke and Nollywood veteran,
Carol King as Grace Adeleke.
Wura also stars Ray Adeka as Jejeloye ‘Jeje’ Amoo,
Iremide Adeoye as Lolu Adeleke, Ego Iheanacho as
Iyabo Kuti, Martha Ehinome as Tumininu ‘Tumi’ Kuti,
and Lanre Adediwura as Olumide Kuti.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the show, Executive
Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice
Nigeria, Dr Busola Tejumola said, ‘Wura’ explores
the untold story of gold mining in Nigeria and is a
demonstration of Showmax’s continued investment in
authentic local stories. Each scene is carefully crafted
to thoroughly entertain as well as educate our viewers. This is
going to be our longest-running Nigerian telenovela with over
200 episodes, and as you can imagine, a lot of hard work and
long hours have gone into making it. We are incredibly proud
of the outcome and cannot wait to share it with the world.”
Also speaking on the show, multiple award-winning
filmmaker and Executive Producer for ‘Wura’, Rogers
Ofime said, “Our research into the world of ‘Wura’ has
given us a new belief in Nollywood. We poured our
hearts and soul into the show. Every word, every scene,
and every reaction was a thought-provoking journey,
a journey we would like you to be a part of and be
entertained by. Wura gives all the emotions that a well-
rounded series should; it will pull you into its world of
intricacies, whodunit, deceit, triumph, and suspense
from the very first frame to the last. We have no doubt
that our viewers will enjoy Wura as much as we loved
making it for their viewing pleasure.”
Iperindo, where the show is set, is a small community in
Osun state in the South-Western part of Nigeria. It is one of
the clusters of seven gold deposits around Ilesha town. But,
despite the promise that the presence of the precious metal
holds for Iperindo and surrounding communities, residents
are still plagued by poverty and exposed to environmental
disasters as a result of illegal mining activities. Wura,
though fictional, will throw some light on this.
With Wura, Showmax continues to expand its library
of local content and investment in Nigeria’s film industry,
Nollywood. In 2022, the video streaming service added five
new Nigerian Originals to its roster including the reality
TV series, The Real Housewives of Lagos; a 10-part docu-
series on the history of Afrobeats, Journey of the Beats; the
psychological thriller, Diiche; the drama series,’ Flawsome’;
and the recent Nigerian adaptation of the police procedural
drama, ‘Crime and Justice Lagos’.

Co hub hosts Ibadan NGO’s connect 2.0

CO hub,a co-working space that allows
you to work free in exchange for volun-
teering, hosted Ibadan NGOs Connect
2.0. The event was held at Orita Chal-
lenge, opposite Hallmark College, on
Friday, December 23, with the theme
‘Building Sustainable Impact through
partnership’.
The social enterprise, which provides
a space where everyone can relate and
collaborate to achieve maximum impact,
had in attendance the Chairman, the
Parliamentary Council in the Oyo State
House of Assembly, Honourable Ayo Fa-
tokun, who spoke on the theme.
Speaking on the theme, Fatokun ex-
plained the importance of partnerships
and collaborations, saying no human can
exist in isolation. He cited the example of
using the Co hub as a partner.
He said if the NGOs don’t have an of-
fice space to train beneficiaries or have
their meetings, the Co hub is available
for them at a subsidised rate, stressing
that this is one of the importance of
partnership.
Fatokun urged social innovators to
start thinking beyond the regular ideas
and have a unique selling point. He
added that social enterprises and even
individuals present need to have value
and something unique and sustainable
before they can say they want to collab-
orate with others.
The Honourable did not fail to mention
some of the problems associated with
partnerships. However, he pointed out
that we cannot exist in isolation because
partnerships are important to build a sus-
tainable impact.
In her speech, Olaitan Taiwo, the Founder
of VOWEN Africa reiterated the need for
collaboration among the NGOs. She fur-
ther commented that the Co hub is open
for all of these collaborations as long as
they are within the scope of the UN SGDs.
According to the founder, the Ibadan
NGO’s connect will be an annual one and
all NGOs are encouraged to look forward
to it and also make preparations to be a
part of the event.
Speaking on what collaboration means
and how it is used, Solomon Adewole, a
panelist and the Oyo State coordinator of
YALI network, said many people make mis-
takes by looking for collaboration where it
is not. He emphasised the need for people
to look for partners within their niche so
that they would know the importance of
their goals.
Another panelist, Mayowa Oshidero,
stated the terms and conditions of going
into partnership as the NGOs knowing
what they want to achieve and where
there is overlap.
Oshidero also mentioned how one
could get partners to go to events like what
the Co hub has organised and participating
and getting involved.

Sofie collaborates with Sister Deborah on infectious new ‘We dey’ single
LA-based Ghanaian singer, songwriter and
producer, Sofie, has released her brand
new Afrobeats single titled ‘We dey’. Pro-
duced by herself and featuring Ghanaian
Afropop star and Sister Deborah, ‘We dey’
arrives just in time for Detty December,
and it is accompanied by a colourful and
vibrant music video that was shot on loca-
tion in Accra, Ghana. The infectious Afro-
beats song is driven by exciting Ghanaian
rhythms and melodies that see Sofie ex-
ploring the experience of living young and
fast in one of Africa’s great cities, Accra.
With Sofie and Deborah’s voices blend-
ing beautifully with the energetic Afro-
beats bass and drums, the soundscape of
‘We dey’ paints a colourful musical picture,
paired with illustrative lyrics that will take
fans and critics alike on an incredible jour-
ney as they listen to the lush offering. The
glorious lyrics speak for themselves and
portray the fun essence of Sofie and Sister
Deborah, while the accompanying visu-
als, directed by Onasis Gaisie, bring those
same lyrics and that essence further to life
by capturing the very magic of living young
and free in Accra.
Speaking about the inspiration behind
the ‘We Dey’ video and how it came about,
Sofie says, “this is an amazing represen-
tation of the beautiful youth in Accra
paving the way forward and building
our own futures through creativity. The
exciting feelings of the song come alive
with the music video and are displayed
colourfully within the vibrant visuals,
the glorious outfits, the awesome skater
girls, and our set design. My friends and
family also feature as cameos in the
video, and they helped create an undeni-
able warm energy with the entire visual
experience”.
Raised in Ghana and the UK, Sofie’s soul-
ful R and B driven sound crosses borders,
and with ‘We Dey’, she is firmly embracing
her Ghanaian roots by fusing West African
instrumentation, rhythms, and melodies
into her sonic repertoire. Having recently
graduated from Berklee College of Music,
some of Sofie’s early career highlights in-
clude releasing two acclaimed EPs, playing
the main stage at Ghana’s Chalewote Fes-
tival, performing at the African Diaspora
Homecoming Gala, opening for the Afro-
beats to the World concert in New York’s
Times Square.
18
TRAVELPULSE& M.I.C.E
Carnival Calabar: Nigeria homely beyond
my expectation —Kenyan tourist
Her love for Nigeria is mind-blowing and she has continued to make repeated visits after her first trip to the country six years ago. In this exclusive
interview by WALE OLAPADE, the chief executive officer, Acheche Tours and Events Management, Kenya and Uganda, Ann Cheptumo, speaks on her
T
experience at the Carnival Calabar as well as opportunities in Nigeria and its hospitable people.
HIS is not your first trip to Nigeria.
What is your take on the people’s
hospitality?
Actually, this is not my second trip
to this amazing country, I have made
several visits and now, I have lost count of my
lovely trips to Nigeria. The 2016 edition of Ak-
waaba African Travel Market (AfTM) gave me
the rare opportunity to see the land of the gi-
ants of Africa and I fell in love with the people’s
hospitality and was hooked to their lifestyle.
I have met amazing people. The people I
have met in all my visits are very warm, wel-
coming and ready to help. All my trips to Nige-
ria have been unique.
The ongoing Carnival Calabar is your first.
What has been your experience?
I am speechless; I have never experienced
something like this before. The most alluring
was a rare privilege to join a new band called
The Calasvegas. This made my day and I was
enthralled by the amazing hospitality accord-
ed to me. The experience was just awesome; I
was treated like one of them and as if they had
known me for more than 10 years, whereas I
just met them a few hours to the street outing.
That is the real spirit of Africanism.
I sat with the band, I watched them practice
all the moves. I saw patience with my eyes
as they prepared for the parade. The trans-
formation was just amazing. I walked with
Calasvegas from start to finish. I experienced
team spirit, perseverance and understanding.
Where one was lacking, someone was there
to help and encourage. Throughout the walk,
I became part of the assisting team – carried
shoes, adjusted costumes, gave glucose, etc.
What is the most exciting moment in Cala-
bar?
My most exciting moment is getting the
UAE’s first NH Collection hotel to open on Palm Jumeirah in February
From left, Mohamed Almarzooqi, Consultant; Dr Anil G Pillai, CEO and Chairman, Airolink Building Contracting;
Naveed Ali, Chief of Corporate Banking Officer, Dubai Islamic Bank; Yousef Abdulla Al Hashmi, Deputy CEO,
RERA; Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman, Seven Tides; HE Engr. Marwan Bin Ghalita, CEO, RERA; Ghanim Bin Su-
layem, Operations Director, Seven Tides; Mohammed K. Bin Hammad, Senior Director, RERA and Manish Jha,
General Manager for NH Collection Dubai The Palm, in Dubai, UAE, recently.
UAE-headquartered upscale real estate de-
veloper, Seven Tides, has confirmed that the
Emirates’ first NH Collection hotel will open its
doors to the public in February 2023.
NH Collection Dubai The Palm is a 533-key
property located on Seven Tides’ Seven Palm
development, a two-tower complex that over-
looks the lagoon of Dubai’s world-famous
Palm Jumeirah.
Operated by Minor Hotels and adjacent to
Seven Palm Residences, the tower housing
NH Collection Dubai The Palm would offer a
diverse range of high-end accommodation,
amenities and food and beverage venues to
guests, residents and visitors.
Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO of Seven Tides,
www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune
with ’Wale Olapade
Ann Cheptumo with Calasvegas Band
chance to work with Calasvegas Band. They
gave me a T-shirt and painted my face for the
carnival funfair. They didn’t see me as an out-
sider. I was one of them. That singular treat-
ment humbled me and I am proud to be an
African.
What windows of opportunities have the
carnival experience opened for you to ex-
plore?
I sell tours to different destinations around
the world, but my strength and love is in Af-
rica. My motherland is untapped. There is still
so much to see and discover in the area of
food, culture, sights, etc. The Calabar festival
has opened a new window for me. At the mo-
ment, I am thinking of East Meets West; I am
an advocate for African travel. I am looking at
bringing my clients to this beautiful part of the
world. With all the networking and contact
links I have through friendships, it will help me
said, “This project will deliver exceptional
guest experiences, including spectacular views
of the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline, as
well as access to landmarks and attractions
across our emirate and beyond. We are confi-
dent this complex will add significant value to
Dubai’s thriving real estate landscape.
“NH Collection Dubai The Palm will feature
an extensive range of premium facilities, in-
cluding our 45-metre rooftop infinity pool, a
fully-equipped fitness centre, a kids’ club, an
NH Collection Spa and much more.”
The hotel includes 227 guest rooms and
suites as well as 306 studios and apartments.
Guests would be able to choose from 11 room
categories, and those who opt for the desti-
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
08055201323 wale11g3@gmail.com
a great deal to achieve the ‘East Meets West’
initiative. The East Africa travellers can experi-
ence the Lagos fast life and come down to be
wowed at the carnival.
Will you say visiting Nigeria is a kind of
homecoming and what actually was the at-
traction that informed your continuous re-
peat visits?
Yes, this is a home-coming. I am a free-spir-
ited person and I don’t see boundaries. Africa
is my home. Nigeria is my lounge. I can’t put a
finger to what attracts me here. But each time
I have a chance to go somewhere and just en-
joy myself, Nigeria tops the list.
I must confess, Africa is a wealth para-
dise to the other continents, from North,
South, East, West to Central; there are all
gold mines with different resources yet un-
tapped; too many things to explore. Africa is
the place to be.
nation’s top-end accommodation would also
gain exclusive access to the NH Collection Pre-
mium Lounge.
All rooms will feature NH Collection ‘Sleep
Better’ mattresses, complete tea and coffee
sets, rain-effect showers and LED TVs. The
property’s location offers direct access to the
beach, downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina.
Dubai International Airport is also located 30
minutes away, with private transfers available
to attendees.
NH Collection Dubai The Palm includes five
dining venues, serving up everything from
haute cuisine to healthy, post-gym bites.
Maiora will offer an extensive range of dishes
served all day. Te-Lounge will provide light re-
freshments and healthy snacks. Seven Sports
Bar will be a more informal setting, offering
classic snacks and drinks. Revo Café will serve
creative and healthy dishes, and SEEN will be
a modern rooftop venue.
For those looking to introduce a little luxury
to their events, the hotel also includes five airy
spaces replete with the latest technology and
equipped to cater to gatherings of up to 45
people, making it the perfect venue for busi-
ness meetings, conferences, celebrations and
more.
Bin Sulayem commented, “The best way for
people to learn about NH Collection Dubai The
Palm is to experience it first-hand. With our
dedicated team ready and waiting to exceed
the expectations of our guests and visitors,
we cannot wait to start welcoming people
through our doors from February onwards.”
tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
FTAN president
promises to redefine
stakeholders, members’
engagement for better
positioning in 2023
Stories by ’Wale Olapade
IN a bid to strategically harmonise and project
the tourism industry interest for better en-
gagement among stakeholders in the public
and private sector in the new year, the Federa-
tion of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN)
has promised to redefine its approach through
seamless collaboration.
The president of the Federation, Mr Nkereu-
wem Onung, who disclosed this in his Christ-
mas/New Year message to stakeholders, said
right advocacy that would touch a broad
spectrum of industry issues for a better under-
standing and engagement is the focus of FTAN
for 2023.
Onung said, “We have all worked assiduous-
ly through our individual effort and support in
2022 to not only position the federation, but
also proudly brought a new team spirit to the
way things are done in FTAN.
“Going forward, we will continue to devise
new ways that will engender mutual member-
ship engagement, business collaborations that
will promote unity among the diverse mem-
bership trend under the federation.
“In addition, we are going to consolidate
on the TRIAC Mandate to statutorily draw a
seamless engagement with the government
and work out a win-win approach toward har-
monising and achieving different sustainable
tourism goals for a PPP bid.
“The year 2022 came with some friction that
destabilised some good plans, but sincerely
we have been able to weather the storm
through our practical approach and genuine
programmes and events accomplished across
the six zones where FTAN have designated
vice presidents and state coordinators.
“I must congratulate everyone in all our
zones as well as members of all associations
under FTAN for the understanding, support,
solidarity and innovation during the challeng-
es we faced and conquered in 2022.
“Together we are all champions of the Nige-
rian tourism industry because of our positive
approaches throughout the year. No doubt,
we have made a landmark achievements and
we will continue to do more for members’
plights to be heard and be taken care of, as the
government needs the private sector as much
as the private sector needs the government to
practically sustain the industry for the benefit
of all and sundry.
“The federation will continue to reinvent
new ways for membership engagement
through right and timely planning to put the
tourism industry on the right perspective for
economic gains.”
Onung
19
Port Harcourt refinery to come alive by Q1 2023 —Reps
•We can’t visit Kaduna refinery because of insecurity —Hon Johnson
T
Kehinde Akintola | Abuja
HE House of Rep-
resentatives on
Thursday assured
Nigerians that the
Port Harcourt refin-
ery will come alive in the first
quarter of 2023.
The Federal Government
had earmarked $1.5 billion
for the rehabilitation of the
refinery earlier scheduled to
be completed by December,
2022.
From left, Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule; Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Agency for Science and Engineering
Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Mohammad Sani Haruna and a beneficiary in a symbolic presentation of 800 efficient stoves and wonder pots in
Nasarawa State, on Thursday.
NASENI, German firm design smokeless stoves
to promote UN agenda on clean energy
THE executive vice chairman
and chief Executive of the
National Agency for Science
and Engineering Infrastruc-
ture (NASENI), Professor
Mohammad Sani Haruna, on
Wednesday said the agency
has collaborated with a Ger-
man firm, Atmosfair Ger-
many, to design and manu-
facture smokeless stoves to
promote United Nations (UN)
agenda on clean energy.
He said the distribution of
the efficient stoves and won-
der cooking pots had been ap-
proved for all the geo-political
zones by President Muham-
madu Buhari.
He appealed to state gov-
ernments to patronise these
innovations for the benefit of
Nigerians at all levels.
Haruna made the clarifi-
cations in the Government
House, Lafia, during the dis-
tribution of 800 units of Save
80 Efficient Smokeless Stoves
to the poor.
He said the president had
also approved the installation
of 6,000 solar home systems
in the residences of the under
privileged in all local govern-
ments and electoral wards of
the state.
www.tribuneonlineng.com
Chairman, House of Repre-
sentatives ad-hoc commit-
tee investigating the state
of the refineries in Nigeria,
Honourable Ganiyu Johnson,
disclosed this on the sideline
of the inauguration of the
committee. The committee
is investigating alleged loss
of over $2.4 billion revenue
from illegal sale of 48 million
barrels of crude oil export in
2015, including crude oil ex-
port from 2014 till date.
He said: “I happen to be the
He said: “The collaboration
of NASENI with the German
organisation, the ATMOSFAIR,
has far-reaching positive im-
pact and advantages which
include facilitation and reali-
sation of UN’s sustainable de-
velopment goal (SDG) num-
ber 7, on ensuring access to
affordable, reliable, sustain-
able and clean energy for all.
“This innovation is used as
a vehicle for achieving Ni-
geria’s Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC) target on
emission reduction by year
2030.
“The distribution of smoke-
less but efficient stove to all
the six geopolitical zones of
the country as approved is a
c orporate social responsibil-
ity (CRS) which will improve
NASENI’s eco-friendliness
and carbon footprint, a pos-
itive contribution to climate
change and a service to hu-
manity.”
He said the commercial
production of the smoke-
less stoves would soon begin
in Kano and in Agada, near
Sabon Gari, Keffi Local Gov-
ernment Area of Nasarawa
State.
He added: “The commercial
Nigerian Tribune
chairman of the ad hoc com-
mittee investigating the state
of refineries in Nigeria and till
date, I can categorically tell
you that we have progressed
very well, we visited Port
Harcourt refinery and Warri
refinery and we are about
to visit Kaduna. The state of
insecurity is the reason we
have not been able to.
“But I can tell you categor-
ically that Port Harcourt will
go live in first quarter of 2023
after our visit and discussion.
production of Save 80 effi-
cient stoves is commercially
viable and a revenue gener-
ating source for NASENI – the
Federal Government of Nige-
ria.
“There is 80 percent saving
in cooking time and cook-
ing energy (fuel), compared
with cooking gas, electricity;
and fuel wood options. It is
healthy, smokeless cooking,
convenient, hygienic, and safe
operation; ruling out hazards
of fire and cooking gas acci-
dents.
“I am happy to announce
that NASENI is in collabora-
tion with a private company
called To Be Connected Nige-
ria and has taken a lease of
a warehouse in Agada, near
Sabon Gari, Keffi Local Gov-
ernment Area of Nasarawa
State and is establishing man-
ufacturing plant of Save 80 of
which installation has already
commenced.
“The production will be
simultaneous with plant al-
ready installed in Kano where
assembling of these products
has begun.
“The bricket used as fuel
is product of NASENI from
our institutes in Enugu and
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
“So that is a way forward. At
least if we are able to refine
some of our crude oil here,
which will reduce oil subsidy
in the country, we will have
enough PMS locally for our
people. The issue of queues
in our filing station will be a
thing of the past.  stream), Honourable Mark
“Very soon, we will present
the report and we will let you
know. For example, a total
rehabilitation of the Warri re-
finery is going on. By the end
of 2023, we expect Warri to
Minna; hence creating thou-
sands of employments.”
He appealed to state gov-
ernments, local and inter-
national non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), and
MDAs to embrace the inno-
vations by patronising the
smokeless stoves and wonder
cooking pots.
He explained how Nasarawa
State will benefit from the in-
novations with the initial 800
units of stoves.
He said: “800 units of
Save 80 Efficient Smokeless
Stoves designed and manu-
factured by NASENI, in col-
laboration with an NGO, the
Atmosfair of Germany, as ap-
proved for Nasarawa State
by President Muhammadu
Buhari (GCFR), who doubles
as chairman of NASENI gov-
ernment board.
“400 units have already
been distributed to needy
women of Nasarawa West.
Today’s event is for Nasarawa
North and South 2 Senatorial
zones and is anchored with
active support and in collab-
oration with Nasarawa State
government, under the able
leadership of Governor A. A.
Sule.”
tribuneonlineng
go live.
“Hopefully by that time
combined, the issue of sub-
sidy will be a thing of the
past.”
The immediate past deputy
chairman, House Committee
on Petroleum Resources (Up-
Gbillah, averred that various
committees set up by the
ninth assembly had achieved
a lot.
While acknowledging that
“these conclusions are not
Oyo CJ launches Administration
of Criminal Justice Rules 2022 
By Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare
THE Chief Judge of Oyo
State, Justice Munta Ladipo
Abimbola, on Thursday, of-
ficially launched the Admin-
istration of Criminal Justice
Rules 2022 for use in crimi-
nal proceedings in all courts
within the jurisdiction of
Oyo State judiciary except in
Court Martial proceedings.
Justice Abimbola made the
law in exercise of the pow-
ers conferred on him by the
provisions of Section 274 of
the constitution of the Fed-
eral Republic of Nigeria 1999
and Section 478 of the Oyo
State Administration of Crim-
inal Justice Law 2016 and all
other powers enabling him as
the Chief Judge of the state.
The Rules, which was
scheduled to take effect
from November 1, 2022,
was set out to aid the imple-
mentation of the Oyo State
Administration of Criminal
Justice Law 2016, in line with
its objectives and purpose
of ensuring fair, effective
and efficient dispensation of
criminal justice.
Speaking while making a
pronouncement enforcing
the law in the state at the mini
Ekiti assembly passes N113bn
2023 Appropriation Bill
‘Yomi Ayeleso | Ado-Ekiti
EKITI State House of As-
sembly has passed the 2023
Appropriation Bill of N113.6
billion presented to it by the
state governor, Biodun Oye-
banji, in November.
The bill, made up of
N795billion, representing 70
percent capital estimates and
N34.1 billion, representing
30 percent recurrent expen-
diture, was tagged as ‘Budget
of Strong Beginning’ by the
governor.
The Thursday passage fol-
lowed the presentation of
the report of the House Com-
mittee on Finance and Ap-
propriation that scrutinised
the budget estimates.
Presenting the report, the
chairman of the House Com-
mittee on Finance and Ap-
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
news
happening as much as you
would like,” Honourable Gbil-
lah maintained that “there are
successes still being achieved
from ad-hoc committees.
“And investigations of the
House Committees have
done a lot of discoveries
of billions of naira for the
country but I’m sure you will
agree with me that it is not
being publicised enough by
the media and these are still
achievements of the House
within this dispensation.”
conference room of the High
Court Complex, Justice Abim-
bola stated that the main ob-
jective of the law is to ensure
strict compliance with the
Oyo State Administration of
Criminal Justice Law 2016.
The CJ explained, “To en-
sure efficiency and speed in
the management of crimi-
nal trials and dispensation
of justice, protection of the
society from crime and pro-
tection of the rights and in-
terests of the suspect, the
defendant and the victim
and to ensure active par-
ticipation of all parties to
focus on matters that are
genuinely in issue for trial
thereby reducing delays and
expenses at trials.”
The Administration of
Criminal Justice Rules 2022
make provisions that cover
guidelines for arrest, bail and
remand, disclosure, arraign-
ment, case management,
virtual hearing procedures,
trial in absentia, transfer of
cases, stay of proceedings,
witnesses, attitude of counsel
and court, costs, wasted costs
and third party costs, notices,
sentencing and community
service among other jurispru-
dence issues.
propriation, Lateef Akanle,
said ministries, departments
and agencies (MDAs) ap-
peared before various com-
mittees of the House to de-
fend their estimates.
He further stated that the
Appropriation Bill “covers all
areas of the present admin-
istration agenda, and if im-
plemented to the letter, will
improve economic wellbeing
of Ekiti peoples.” 
The appropriation commit-
tee chairman said his com-
mittee observed that the
budget was tailored among
others things such as improv-
ing the agricultural sector,
medium scale enterprises for
teeming youths and improv-
ing the internally generated
revenue (IGR) of the state to
reduce dependency on fed-
eral allocations.
20
Litigation, governor’s stance delay announcement
of next Alaafin, Soun
L
By Wale Akinselure
ITIGATIONS, fear of
more litigations and
the state governor’s
stance continue to
drag the processes
towards announcement of
the next Alaafin of Oyo and
the Soun of Ogbomoso.
The late Soun of Ogbo-
moso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi,
died on December 12, 2021,
while the Alaafin of Oyo,
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, died
on April 22, 2023.
Though, respective king-
makers of the two towns
have conducted interviews
and screening for candi-
dates, even up to the stage
Iwuanyanwu, Adebanjo,
Yakasai, Clark, others make
list for Amechi’s burial
Collins Nnabuife | Abuja
A 33-member committee of
Nigerian leaders has been
constituted to plan a befit-
ting burial for a foremost
statesman, nationalist and
one of the last remaining
fathers of Nigerian inde-
pendence, Chief Mbazulike
Amechi (Dara Akunwafor).
The committee, which was
put in place by the Amechi’s
family, in consultation with
his associates and other
stakeholders, has Chief Em-
manuel Iwuanyanwu and
Honourable CID Maduabum,
as the chairman and secre-
tary, respectively.
The committee is saddled
with the responsibility of
planing a befitting burial for
Chief Amechi, scheduled for
February 16, at Ukpor, Nnewi
South Local Government
Area of Anambra State.
Chief Amechi was Nigeria’s
Minister of Aviation in the
First Republic.
A statement on Thursday
by Tagbo Amechi (Ezeana
Onodugo) on behalf of the
family, reads, “Following the
transition of Chief Amechi,
the family, in consultation
with his associates and other
stakeholders, wish to an-
nounce the setting up of a
committee of distinguished
and respected Nigerian lead-
ers to plan a befitting burial
for the former minister
scheduled for February 16,
Doris Adopkaye for burial
next Friday
THE family of late Mrs Doris
Ewomiewaghan Adokpaye
has announced burial ar-
rangements of the late matri-
arch of the family.
According to a statement
by the family, funeral of the
late Adokpaye will com-
mence with lying-in-state of
the deceased by 3.00 p.m. on
Thursday, January 5.
Christian wake and night of
www.tribuneonlineng.com
news
of nominating Oba-elect,
awaiting the state gover-
nor’s approval, there has
been some calm in recent
weeks owing to quite a
number of factors.
While a Soun-elect has
been nominated and for-
warded to the state govern-
ment for approval, the Oy-
omesi is bidding some time
before forwarding the name
of the Alaafin-elect to the
state government.
At various fora, Governor
Seyi Makinde, who is the
approving authority, has in-
sisted that due process must
be followed to prevent a sit-
uation where the announce-
ment of the new monarchs
at Ukpor.
“This committee, under
the chairmanship of Chief
Iwuanyanwu, consists of
Alhaji Tanko Yakasai; Chief
Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Ade-
banjo, Dr Tim Menakaya,
Chief Simon Okeke, Senator
Adolphus Wabara, Sena-
tor Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief
Emeka Ihedioha and Dr Og-
bonnaya Onu.
Others include: Dr Chuk-
wuemeka Ezeife, Obong Vic-
tor Attah, Senator Sam Egwu,
Chief Achike Udenwa, Sena-
tor Orji Uzor Kalu, Dame Virgy
Etiaba, Senator Theodore
Orji, Chief John Nnia Nwodo,
Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Ambassa-
dor Frank Ogbuewu, Ambas-
sador Kema Chikwe, Iyom
Josephine Anenih and
Ambassador Bianca
Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Others are Professor Mau-
rice Iwu, Senator Ikechukwu
Obiorah, Senator Nkechi
Nwaogu, Honourable Chibu-
dom Nwuche, Chief Innocent
Chukwuma,
“Chief Okey Ezenwa, Dr
Ned Nwoko, Professor Fred
Eze, Prince Emeka Udodeme
and Chief Uwakwe Azikiwe.
The committee, according
to the statement, will make
further details soon.
“We thank the eminent
persons, who despite their
tight schedules, have agreed
to do this as a mark of re-
spect to a great son of Nige-
ria”, the statement said.
tributes will be held same day
by 5.00 p.m. while funeral
mass will be held by 10.00
a.m. on Friday, January 6.
Nigerian Tribune
is greeted with rancor and a
plethora of litigations.
Thus far, there are already
a number of litigations chal-
lenging the choice of the
Soun-elect, while there are
court cases challenging the
processes leading up to the
choice of Alaafin-elect by
the Oyomesi and those chal-
lenging the Alaafin chief-
taincy declaration.
While there has been
ruling in one of the cases
challenging the nomination
of Prince Afolabi Ghandi
Olaoye by the kingmakers
as Soun-elect, there are still
pending cases challenging
the nomination of Ghandi.
The state governor’s
Chief of Staff to the Ondo State Governor, Chief Gbenga Ale (left), presenting the staff of office to the traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo, in Akure North
Local Government Area of the state, Oba Olu Falae, at a ceremony on Thursday.
Akeredolu presents staff of office to Olu Falae as
traditional ruler of Ilu-Abo in Akure North LGA
Hakeem Gbadamosi
| Akure
ONDO State governor,
Rotimi Akeredolu, on
Thursday presented instru-
ment of appointment and
staff of office to the for-
mer Secretary to the Gov-
ernment of the Federation
and Minister Finance, Oba
Olu Falae, as the traditional
ruler of Ilu-Abo in Akure
North Local Government
Area of the state.
Akeredolu, who said the
upgrade of the traditional
stool of Ilu-Abo followed
the report and recommen-
dation of Justice Ajama’s
Commission, said the up-
grade of traditional rulers
across the state should not
cause problem.
The governor, who was
represented by his Chief
of Staff, Chief Gbenga Ale,
warned against crisis in
every community within
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
stance, it was gathered, is
that all cases concerning
emergence of the next Soun
should be vacated to pre-
vent a situation where the
Soun has to attend to cases
challenging his eligibility
cum emergence even while
on the throne.
The governor also asked
the Oyomesi to be patient
and adhere to due process in
arriving at the Alaafin-elect,
to prevent a repeat of the
situation where a monarch
in the state was removed by
the court after many years.
The governor’s admoni-
tion comes against the back-
drop of petitions and litiga-
tions against the perceived
the state and described
traditional rulers as stake-
holders who play vital role
in ensuring the security of
lives and property of their
subjects in their domains.
According to him, tradi-
tional rulers can be help-
ful in providing adequate
security in the country,
pointing out that they are
supposed to be given an
opportunity to make their
own contributions in find-
ing lasting solution to the
security challenges con-
fronting Nigeria as a na-
tion.
He described the former
SGF as hardworking and
honest, who is committed
to the development of his
immediate environment,
saying that he is one of
the few reputable and re-
spected personalities, not
only within the state, but
in Nigeria as a whole.
He noted that the pre-
tribuneonlineng
choice of the Oyomesi.
There are no fewer than
three litigations against the
process leading up to the
emergence of the next Alaa-
fin.
One litigation was struck
out last week for wrongly
claiming that a person had
been chosen when no an-
nouncement had been
made.
Another litigation is chal-
lenging the Alaafin chief-
taincy declaration for recog-
nizing two ruling houses and
excluding other children of
Atiba while one more litiga-
tion is arguing that the said
declaration had been pro-
nounced defective by the
sentation of the staff office
is a long awaited victory
and a breakthrough for the
entire people of Ilu-Abo
and the state as a whole.
“What we are witness-
ing today is a big break-
through. Out of all the
traditional rulers upgraded
to the status of First Class ,
Akure North has nine in all
with Oba Falae as one of
the beneficiaries.
“Let me use this oppor-
tunity to tell you that your
appointment is divinely or-
chestrated, you have seen
it all in the government,
civil service and I want to
appeal to you to continue
with your elder statesman-
ship attitude as usual.
“The priority of this ad-
ministration is the security
of lives and properties and
we in government can be
sure that with you as the
Oba of Ilu-Abo, we have
no worries as we are con-
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
then military government.
However, a top member
of the Oyomesi, in a con-
versation with the Nige-
rian Tribune, maintained
that it is not perturbed by
court cases as long as the
kingmakers are adhering
to legal processes and laid
down statues concerning
the emergence of the next
Alaafin.
The Oyomesi member
maintained that the gover-
nor has not questioned its
decision, but that it was only
bidding time, in accordance
with the governor’s call for
patience, before forwarding
the nominee to the state
government.
fident of your capability,”
he said.
On his part, Oba Falae,
expressed his readiness to
join hands with the people
of the town to bring devel-
opment to the area, say-
ing as the Olu of Ilu Abo, he
had been facilitating devel-
opment to the community
within the last seven years.
He said “ This community
has witnessed tremendous
progress. I have been a
servant king here, heartily
serving the people to bring
a change to the commu-
nity.”
Those present at the
event include: a former
Minister of Transportation,
Rotimi Ameachi; Afeni-
fere leader, Chief Reuben
Fasoranti; presidential can-
didate of the Social Demo-
cratic Party (SDP), Adewole
Adebayo; Eyitayo Jegede
and the Deji of Akure, Oba
Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
21 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
22 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

SCHEDULE SCHEDULE
23 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
, SEBIOTIMO , OGBU
I, formerly Miss Sebiotimo I, formerly Ogbu Emeka
Ifeoluwa Damilola now MRS John now OKEKE
IBIKUNLE IFEOLUWA
DAMILOLA. All former EMEKA JOHN. All former
documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities, banks
and general public take note. General public take note.
, BASUNU , ADENIRAN
I, formerly Mr Muhali I, formerly Adeniran
Abdulahi Nazar Ishola now MR Timilehin Deborah now
BASUNU NAZAR TITILAYO. ADENIRAN DEBORAH
All former documents remain OLUWATIMILEHIN. All
valid. Concerned authorities, former documents remain valid.
banks and general public take Concerned authorities, banks
note. and general public take note.
, SULEMAN , POPOOLA
CORRECTION OF NAME: In my I, formerly Miss Popoola
bank account and Bank Verification
Number, my name was written as Rofiyat Temitope now
Suleiman Folorunso. My correct MRS SULTON ROFIYAT
name is SULEMAN FOLORUNSO TEMITOPE. All former
TAJUDEEN. All former documents documents remain valid.
remain valid. First Bank Plc, other banks Osun State Government and
and general public take note. general public take note.
, OLUWOLE , ADEGBAMI
I, formerly Oluwole Charles Adeoye I, formerly Miss Adegbami
(on my former international passport Dorcas Olufemi now MRS
was carrying the wrong date of birth
28/09/1973 and also, on my WAEC ABORODE DORCAS
as 28/09/1984) now EMMANUEL OLUFEMI. All former
OLUWOLE CHARLES with correct documents remain valid. Oyo
date of birth as 28/09/1982. All former
documents remain valid. General State Civil Service Commission
public take note. and general public take note.
, OGUCHE , LOBELE
CORRECTION OF NAME: In my CORRECTION OF NAME: I,
bank account and Bank Verification formerly Lobele Segun Solomon
Number, my name was written as
Oladele Oluwatomisin Oluwapelumi.
now LOBELE OLUWASEGUN
My correct name is OGUCHE AGNES SOLOMON. All former
OJOCHIDE. All former documents documents remain valid. First
remain valid. UBA Plc, other banks and Bank Nigeria Plc and general
general public take note. public take note.
, OGUNYINKA , EMMANUEL
I, formerly Ogunyinka I, formerly Emmanuel
Joseph Oluniyi now Funmilayo Odunola now
OLUYINKA JOSEPH ADEBAYO FUNMILAYO
OLUNIYI. All former ODUNOLA. All former
documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
General public take note. General public take note.
, OKUNROBO , OSENI
I, formerly Okunrobo I, formerly Miss Oseni
Goodnews Iye now OSAGIE Yemisi Morenikeji now
GOODNEWS IYE. All MRS OLORUNJU YEMISI
former documents remain MORENIKEJI. All former
valid. General public take documents remain valid.
note. General public take note.
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
, ADELAKUN
I, formerly Miss Ibitoye
Gbemisola Rachael now MRS
ADELAKUN GBEMISOLA
RACHAEL. All former
documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities, banks
and general public take note.
, IMAM
I, formerly Miss Imam Aliagan
Umuani now MRS KATIBI
UMUANI ALIAGAN.
All former documents
remain valid. All concerned
authorities, banks and general
public take note
, AKINNUSOYE
This is to inform members of
the public that the arrangement
of my name is AKINNUSOYE
TEMITOPE GODWIN and not
Akinnusoye Godwin. All former
documents remain valid. General
public take note.
, ADEWALE
I, formerly Miss Adewale
Deborah Adedoyin now MRS
OGUNMAKIN DEBORAH
ADEDOYIN. All former
documents remain valid.
General public take note.
, ABIODUN
I formerly known as Abiodun
Emmanuel Oladokun now wish to be
known and addressed as OLADOKUN
ABIODUN OLAWALE and also I am
formerly used 31st December, 1991
as my age but now change it to 31st
December, 1992. All former documents
remain valid. GTBank Plc and general
public take note.
, AKANJI
I, formerly Akanji Sodiq
Adedoyin now AKANJI
SODIQ OLATILEWA. All
former documents remain
valid. General public take
note.
, FAYOMI
I, formerly Miss Fayomi
Temitope Oluwatobi now
MRS AJALA TEMITOPE
OLUWATOBI. All former
documents remain valid.
General public take note.
, ADETUNJI
I, formerly Miss Adetunji
Kehinde Abeebat now MRS
AKINOLA KEHINDE
ABEEBAT. All former
documents remain valid.
General public take note.
, OLUMIDE
I, formerly Miss Olumide
Adebukola Oyedepo now MRS
OLUMIDE ADEBUKOLA
AINA. All former documents
remain valid. General public
take note.
, TITILAYO
I, formerly Titilayo Modupe
Falomo now TITILAYO
MODUPE ENIGBOKAN.
All former documents
remain valid. General public
take note.
, BEATRICE
I, formerly Beatrice
Moradeke Owolabi now
MARGARET TEMITAYO
OWOLABI. All former
documents remain valid.
General public take note.
, OGUNKUNLE
I, formerly Miss Ogunkunle
Esther now MRS ADENIYI
ESTHER FOLASADE. All
former documents remain
valid. General public take
note.
, NWAIWU
I, formerly Nwaiwu
Onyinyechi Oluchi now
ADELEKE ONYINYECHI
OLUCHI. All former
documents remain valid.
General public take note.
24 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY
30 DECEMBER, 2022
, AREMU , OGUNBANJO , KAMAL , GRACE , OLUFUNMILAYO , TAIWO
I, formerly Aremu Omobolanle I, formerly Miss Ogunbanjo I, formerly Kamal Akeem I, formerly Miss Grace I, formerly Miss Olufunmilayo I, formerly Taiwo Mathew now
Oluwabusayo now Oluwabunmi Victoria and Akeem Kamal now Aderonke Adelowo now Ruth Adelowo now MRS TAIWO WASIU SUNDAY. All
ADETOLA OMOBOLANLE now MRS ADARAMOYE ABDULAKEEM KAMAL MRS GRACE ADERONKE OLUFUNMILAYO RUTH
OLUWABUSAYO. All former and my correct date of birth is former documents remain
OLUWABUNMI VICTORIA. OKUNADE. All former OGUNDIJO. All former
documents remain valid. 12, March, 1996. All former valid. General public take
Banks and general public take All former documents remain documents remain valid. documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
note. valid. General public take note. General public take note. General public take note. General public take note. note.
, LASISI , NWEKE , OLAWUNI , SHITTU , OLUTADE , OMOTUNDE
CORRECTION OF NAME AND I, Nweke Paul, my name was I, formerly Olawuni Oluwatayo I, formerly Miss Shittu I, formerly known as Miss Olutade I, formerly Miss Omotunde
BIRTH DATE: My correct name is Lasisi erroneously written on my BVN Toyin now AKINTUNDE Oluwafisayomi Blessing now to
Jimoh Oluwapelumi and not Lasisi Jimoh details as Nwere Paul instead of Nweke Jemilat Folasade now MRS Abiola Mary now SAHEED
or Lasisi Jimoh Jamiu. My correct date of Paul. Henceforth, I wish to be known, OLUWATAYO OLAWUNI. OGUNDAPO FOLASADE be known as MRS. BABALOLA
birth is 13/03/1970 and not 01/01/1970.
called and addressed as NWEKE OLUWAFISAYOMI BLESSING. ABIOLA MARY. All former
Now, I wish to be known and addressed All former documents remain JEMILAT. All former
as LASISI JIMOH OLUWAPELUMI with PAUL. All documents bearing these All former documents remain documents remain valid.
my birth date as 13/03/1970. All former names remain valid. First Bank of valid. General public take documents remain valid.
documents remain valid. General public Nigeria and general public take note. note. General public take note. valid. General public take note. General public take note.
take note.
, OLUJIRE , ABDSALAM , ODEYEMI , ATANDA , OLAMILEKAN , OWODOGBA
I, Olujire Taibat Arike am the I, formerly Miss Abdsalam I, formerly Odeyemi I, formerly known Atanda I, formerly Olamilekan Nafisat I, formerly Owodogba
same person bearing Olujire Arafat Ayomide now MRS Oluwatomilola Faith now Yusirat Opeyemi now Olawumi now OLALEKAN Ifeoluwatobi Rebecca now
Tahebat Arike. Henceforth, I ABDULLAHI ARAFAT ONIFADE IFEOLUWATOBI
wish to be known and addressed OSIFESO OLUWATOMILOLA ABDULAFEEZ BUSROH NAFISAT OLAWUMI. All
AYOMIDE. All former FAITH. All former documents OPEYEMI. All former former documents remain REBECCA. All former
as OLUJIRE TAIBAT ARIKE. All documents remain valid.
former documents remain valid. documents remain valid. NYSC remain valid. General public documents remain valid. valid. General public take
General public take note. and general public take note. General public take note. note. General public take note.
take note.
, AYANKUNLE , AGODA , OBARO , ADEKUNLE , IFADAIRO , ADEBOWALE
I formerly Miss Ayankunle I, formerly Miss Agoda Justina I, formerly Obaro Remilekun I, ADEKUNLE LATEEF I, formerly Miss Ifadairo I, formerly Miss Adebowale
Bunmi now MRS Odirin now MRS LAWAL Sienne now OLUREMI OLALEKAN am the same Opeyemi Christianah now Ganiyat Funke now MRS.
ADEBOLA BUNMI JUSTINA PATIENCE. All KEHINDE-OLORUNTOBA. person bearing ADEKUNLE MRS. ADEYEMI OPEYEMI OSUNMAKINDE GANIYAT
ABIKE. All former former documents remain All former documents remain LATEEF. All documents CHRISTIANAH. All former FUNKE. All former
documents remain valid. appearing with these names
valid. General public take valid. General public take refer to me and remain valid. documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
General public take note note. note. General public take note. General public take note. General public take note.
, OLORUNFEMI , ADIGUN , ALAO , OSIGBELU , OGUNDELE , OGUNJOBI
ADDITION OF NAME: I, I, formerly Miss Adigun I, formerly Alao Ayowunmi I, formerly Miss Osigbelu I, formerly Ogundele Rukoyat I, formerly Ogunjobi Kemisola
formerly Olorunfemi Memunat Blessing now MRS Alake now ODUYEMI
now wish to be known and Bilikisu Adenike now MRS. now OGUNDELE RUKOYAT Mary now OLUWABUSUYI
addressed as OLORUNFEMI AGHAHOWA BLESSING. AYOWUNMI ALAKE. All BALOGUN BILIKISU KEMISOLA MARY. All
MODUPEOLA. All former
MEMUNAT ABIODUN. All All former documents remain former documents remain ADENIKE. All former former documents remain
former documents remain valid. valid. General public take valid. General public take documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
valid. General public take
General public take note. note. note. General public take note. General public take note. note.
, BUKOLA , DICK , OYELOWO , OMOLE , ADEKANMI , AYUBA
I, formerly Miss Bukola CORRECTION OF NAME AND BIRTH
DATE: My correct name is Dick Monday I, formerly Oyelowo Bashir I, formerly Miss Omole I, formerly Adekanmi Bola I, formerly Miss Ayuba
Obisesan now MRS BUSARI (on PVC) and not Dick Monday Ayo (on my
Jimoh now OYELOWO Omobolanle Ajimotu now MRS. Lydia now ADEKANMI Ajoke Zainab now MRS
ADEBUKOLA ARINOLA. BVN details) or Clover Monday (on Zenith
Bank account). My correct date of birth is OWOLABI OMOBOLANLE ABDULKADRI ZAINAB
All former documents remain 02/05/1998 and not 01/01/1998. Now, I BASHIRU ADEO. All former BOLATITO. All former AJOKE. All former documents
OLUWATOBILOBA AJIMOTU.
valid. General public take
wish to be known and addressed as DICK
documents remain valid. documents remain valid. remain valid. Concerned
MONDAY with my birth date as 02/05/1998. All former documents remain authorities and general public
All former documents remain valid. INEC,
note. banks and general public take note. General public take note. valid. General public take note. General public take note. take note.
, SAMUEL , WAHEED , ADEDEJI , ESENE , ABUNAH , SALMON
I, Mrs Samuel Olanike I, formerly Waheed Taiwo I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known as Esene I, formerly known as Abunah I, formerly Salmon Abdulmajid
Oluwafunke, formerly known as Adedeji Bukola Barakat now Christopher Onome now Clement now wish to be known Adewale now want to be addressed
as Miss Olabintan Olanike Sunday now WAHAB wish to be called and addressed as SALMAN ABDULMAJID
Oluwafunke, henceforth want as BADIRUDEEN BARAKAT wish to be known as ESENE as ABUMA CLEMENT. All ADEWALE and my correct date
TAIWO SUNDAY. All former
to be addressed as SAMUEL BUKOLA. All former documents CHRISTIAN. All former former documents remain of birth is 02/04/1970. All former
OLANIKE OLABINTAN. All documents remain valid. remain valid. Concerned documents remain valid. valid. General public take documents remain valid. First
former documents remain valid. authorities and general public Bank Plc and general public take
General public take note. General public take note. take note. General public take note. note. note.
, ONOJA , OMOLE , JUMOKE , ADEKOYA , OLORUNLANA , TUFEHINTI
I, formerly Miss Onoja I, formerly Miss Omole I, formerly Jumoke Juliana I, formerly Adekoya CONFIRMATION OF NAMES: I, Mrs I, formerly Miss Tufehinti
Olorunlana Folasade Florence, am the Olayemi Tope Oluwafunke now
Ojochide Grace now MRS Omobolanle Ajimotu now MRS Oyetunji now JUMOKE Gbemisola Zainab now same person bearing Nana Ilemobayo
JULIANA IGBAPE. All Emugbehinaye and Nana Folasade MRS AKINBAYO OLAYEMI
OYENIYA OJOCHIDE OWOLABI OMOBOLANLE OLADIPO GBEMISOLA Florence. Now, I wish to be known and TOPE OLUWAFUNKE. All
GRACE. All former OLUWATOBILOBA AJIMOTU. former documents remain ZAINAB. All former addressed as MRS. OLORUNLANA former documents remain valid.
documents remain valid. All former documents remain valid. General public take documents remain valid. FOLASADE FLORENCE. All
documents bearing these names Concerned authorities and
General public take note. valid. General public take note. note. General public take note. remain valid. General public take note. general public take note.
, NURUDEEN , OGUNSEISIN , OLUFUNMILAYO , FADOYIN , MUFTAUDEEN , OKECHUKWU
On my account and BVN, my On my documents and I, formerly Olufunmilayo I, formerly Fadoyin Peter I, formerly Muftaudeen Nafisat I, formerly Okechukwu
name was written as Nurudeen credentials, my name was Doyin now OLANIYAN
Mikaaeel and Nurudeen Nikaheel Olulanu Bankole now Israel now FADOYIN ISRAEL Jennifer now DAVID
wrongly written as Ogunseisin NAFISAT MUFTAUDEEN.
now NURUDEEN MIKAHEEL Kole Henry now OGUNSEISIN MGBOLU OLUFUNMILAYO JENNIFER UZEZI. All
OLAWALE. My correct date of birth OKIKIJESU. All former All former documents remain
is 27/11/1995 and not 25/5/1996 or BANKOLE HENRY. All former OLULANU. All former valid. Banks, concerned former documents remain
23/4/1996. All former documents documents remain valid. documents remain valid. documents remain valid. valid. General public take
remain valid. Concerned authorities, Concerned authorities, banks authorities and general public
banks and general public take note. and general public take note. General public take note. General public take note. take note. note.
, OLANIYI , RASAKI , ADETUNJI , ABDULSALAM , BASIT , OLANIYAN
I, formerly Miss Olaniyi I, formerly Rasaki Taofeek I, formerly Miss Adetunji I, Abdulsalam Rasaq Oladele CORRECTION OF NAME: I, formerly Miss Olaniyan
Funmilola Francisca now Adeyemi that am same person as I, formerly Basit Miftaudeen
Oluwatoyin Deborah now RASAKI TAOFIKI. All Abdulsalam Yemi Abiola and Salami Toyin Helen now MRS.
now MRS. ADEMOLA MRS ABDULSALAM Rasaq Oladele Adeyemi. Now, I now MIFTAUDEEN ABDUL-
FUNMILOLA FRANCISCA. FADESERE TOYIN HELEN.
OLUWATOYIN DEBORAH. former documents remain wish to be known and addressed as BASIT BOLAJI. All former
All former documents remain All former documents remain ABDULSALAM RASAQ OLADELE All former documents remain
valid. General public take valid. Concerned authorities ADEYEMI. All former documents documents remain valid. valid. General public take
valid. General public take remain valid. NIMC, banks and
note. note. and general public take note. general public take note. General public take note. note.
, ELEFOSAN , POPOOLA , OGUNLEYE , JOHN , AFOLABI , AREOLA
Formerly Elefosan School CORRECTION OF NAME: I, formerly Miss Ogunleye My name was wrongly written I, formerly Afolabi Solomon I, formerly Areola Bukola
of Science, Ipetu Ijesa now I, formerly Popoola Stephen Olubunmi Odunayo as John Siman Sehun instead Olalere now FIYINMI Arike now wish to be known
ELEFOSAN GRAMMAR Tosin now POPOOLA now MRS. AKINOLA of John Simeon Oluwaseun.
Henceforth, I wish to be OLUWA OLALERE. All as AREOLA BUKOLA
SCHOOL, IPETU IJESA. West STEPHEN OLUWATOSIN. OLUBUNMI ODUNAYO. known and addressed as JOHN former documents remain FOLAKE. All former
Africa Examination Council All former documents remain All former documents remain SIMEON OLUWASEUN. All
(WAEC) and general public valid. Concerned authorities valid. General public take valid. General public take documents remain valid.
former documents remain valid.
take note. and general public take note. note. General public take note. note. General public take note.
, ADELEKE , AMUSAT , ADEBAYO , SALAMI , TOSIN , IMORU
I, formerly Miss Adeleke I, formerly Amusat Wakilat I, formerly Miss Adebayo I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly Miss Tosin I, formerly Miss Imoru
Temilade Ayishat now MRS Opeyemi now TAIRU Faidat Oluwaseun now as Salami Wasiu now wish to Onikepo Oguntiloye now Yinoluwa Catherine now MRS
MRS ODELOLA FAIDAT be known and addressed as MRS TOSIN ONIKEPO ADEFISOYE YINOLUWA
AKINTAYO TEMILADE WAKILAT OPEYEMI. All ADEBAYO. All former SALAMI WASIU OLAYINKA.
SUSANNA. All former former documents remain BAYO-PHILIP. All former CATHERINE. All former
documents remain valid. All former documents remain
documents remain valid. valid. General public take Banks and general public take valid. Banks and general public documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
General public take note. note. note. take note. General public take note. General public take note.
, OJO , RUFAI , MUSA , ADU , VAWE , SASOLU
I, formerly Miss Ojo I, formerly Rufai Saudat I, formerly Musa Adeshina I, formerly Adu Anjuwon Abu I, formerly known as Vawe Sarah I, formerly Sasolu Blessing
Andrew now wish to be called,
Grace Omobolanle now Olateju now OWOLABI now MUSA ADESINA. All and Adu Ibrahim Abu now known and addressed as BELLO Anne now ASAOLU
MRS. EJIDARE GRACE SAUDAT OLATEJU. All ADU IBRAHIM EBENEZER. ZARAH MOHAMMED. All
former documents remain former documents remain valid. BLESSING ANN. All former
OMOBOLANLE. All former former documents remain All former documents remain Nursing and Midwifery Council of
documents remain valid. valid. Banks and general valid. General public take Nigeria, Mauth Yola, all concerned documents remain valid.
valid. General public take authorities and general public take
General public take note. note. public take note. note. note. General public take note.
, PETER , ADEBODUN , FAMIYESIN , OLUWADAMILARE , OGUNFOWOKAN , SUARA
I, formerly Miss Peter Nubiya I, formerly Miss Adebodun I, formerly Famiyesin I, formerly Oluwadamilare I, formerly Ogunfowokan I, formerly Miss Suara Basirat
Maita now MRS. KINGSLEY Anifat Omowumi now MRS. Olusegun F. now FAMIYESIN Segun Dimeji now SEUN Samson Mayowa now Funmilayo now MRS. BELLO
NUBIYA FLORENCE. All SAKA ANIFAT OMOWUMI. O L U WA D A M I L A R E PHILLIPS SAMSON BASIRAT FUNMILAYO. All
OLUSEGUN. All former MAYOWA. All former former documents remain
former documents remain All former documents remain OLUWASEGUN. All former
valid. General public take valid. General public take documents remain valid. documents remain valid. documents remain valid. valid. General public take
note. note. General public take note. General public take note. General public take note. note.
25
Reps flag off probe on alleged loss of $2.4bn crude oil
revenue, assure whistle-blowers of confidentiality
T
Kehinde Akintola | Abuja
HE House of Repre-
sentatives on Thurs-
day flagged off an
investigative hear-
ing into the alleged
loss of over $2.4 billion reve-
nue accrued from illegal sale
of 48 million barrels of crude
oil in 2015, as well as crude oil
export from 2014 till date.
Speaking at the inaugura-
tion of the investigative hear-
ing in Abuja, Hon. Mark Gbil-
lah (Benue - Labour) assured
all the whistleblowers of the
committee’s resolve to en-
sure confidentiality of all the
information provided as well
as recovery of the revenue.
“These allegations are per-
tinent. First of all, there are
pertinent issues by whistle
blowers in 2020 that raised
allegations that certain indi-
viduals at a time in govern-
ment, and some still serving,
conspired to sell 48 million
Lagos announces CCECC-CRCCIG
Consortium as preferred bidder for
4th Mainland Bridge
THE Lagos State govern-
ment, through the Office of
Public Private Partnerships,
on Thursday, announced
Messrs CCECC-CRCCIG Con-
sortium as the preferred
bidder for the Fourth Main-
land Bridge Project.
Special Adviser to the Gov-
ernor on Public Private Part-
nerships, Mr Ope George,
who disclosed this during a
briefing at the PPP Office in
Ikeja, said the Fourth Main-
land Bridge (4MB) Project,
which is a proposed Public
Private Partnership (PPP)
transport infrastructure de-
velopment, will comprise of
the construction and oper-
ation of a greenfield tolled
road and bridge with a de-
sign speed of 120km/h, in-
cluding the development of
adjacent real estates.
He added that the bridge,
when completed, would be-
come the second longest in
Africa with three toll plazas,
nine interchanges, a 4.5km
Lagoon bridge and an eco-
friendly environment.
NIS raises alarm on use of ECOWAS
travel certificates by human traffickers
THE Nigerian Immigration
Service (NIS) in Bayelsa on
Thursday raised the alarm on
the increased use of ECOWAS
Travel Certificate (ETC) by
human traffickers to evade
arrest.
According to the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN),
the NIS said it uncovered the
new strategy used by human
traffickers to evade security
checks and avoid suspicion
by using the ETC as a travel
document for their victims
to any of the ECOWAS mem-
ber-states to evade stringent
checks at the airports and
www.tribuneonlineng.com
barrels of Nigeria’s crude.
This resulted in the country’s
loss of over $2.4 billion from
the sale of 48 million barrels
of crude oil.
“Also mandated by the House
is the investigation of crude
oil sale from 2014 till date and
whistleblowers’ information and
recoveries and expenditure of
these recoveries. In summary,
there are key issues that this
committee is mandated by the
House to look into.
“And I want to say by the
leave of the Honourable
Speaker and the leave of the
members and colleagues
in the House of Represen-
tatives, I, Honourable Mark
Terser Gillah, have been as-
signed as the chairman of
this committee. I believe this
shows the leadership of the
House willingness to ensure
transparency and truth be-
hind whatever has transpired
in this circumstance.
“Because an allegation was
It is also expected to span
about 37 kilometres, start-
ing from Abraham Adesanya
in Ajah, on the Eti-Osa-Lek-
ki-Epe corridor and traverse
the North West towards the
Lagoon shoreline of the La-
gos-Ibadan Expressway via
Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.
In his words, “You will re-
call that the Lagos State
government commenced a
competitive bidding process
for the selection of a conces-
sionaire, by the issuance of
the Request for Expressions
of Interest (REOI) on No-
vember 27, 2019. A total of
52 responses were received
with 32 being responsive.
“Subsequently, a Request
for Quotation (RFQ) was is-
sued on February 10, 2020
to the 32 eligible appli-
cants and responses were
received on April 15, 2020
with a total of 15 responses.
“Upon evaluation, six
bidders met the criteria to
progress to the Request for
Proposal (RfP) stage,” he
added.
lower the level of suspicion.
The NIS in Bayelsa also said
in line with the directive of
the Comptroller General of
Immigration Service, Isa Jere
Idris, a trafficked victim by
name Miss Maureen Ekpe,
was rescued and released to
her family, while the alleged
trafficker is at large.  monitored in Osogbo by the
The Public Relations Offi-
cer for NIS in Bayelsa, Ibiemo
Cookey, in a statement in Ye-
nagoa, noted that the NIS in
Bayelsa observed a sudden
increase in the rate at which
young people obtain the
ECOWAS travel certificate.
Nigerian Tribune
raised in 2020 by a whistle-
blower out of the country
who alleged that Nigeria’s
crude in China when the ad-
ministration of President Mu-
hammadu Buhari came on
board was diverted and sold
allegedly by certain individu-
als who were in government
who were in the nation’s oil
corporation, who were in the
security agencies and who
were also cronies of those in
authority at a time.
“Now the committee takes
very seriously issues that
have to do with allegations.
We owe Nigerians the benefit
of doubt in line with our con-
stitution. We owe them the
duty of care to ensure that we
unravel the facts of the mat-
ter before we start to make
any assertions.
“It is obviously going to be
important to arrive at a con-
clusion and provide substan-
tive report that obviously will
be in the record and will de-
Chairman of the ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion revenue from illegal sales of 48 million barrels of crude
oil in 2015, Honourable Mark Gbillah (right), with members, Honourable Lawan Ali (left) and Honourable Ganiyu Johnson, during the inaugural
sitting of the committee at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, on Thursday. Photo: Sunday Osunrayi
Ilesa water project: Project consultant, Osun
lawmakers trade words
Adeolu Adeyemo | Osogbo
FOLLOWING the halt in activ-
ities on the Ilesa water proj-
ect, as ordered by the Osun
State governor, Senator Ade-
mola Adeleke, the consultant
handling the project, Tawa
Williams and the members of
the state House of Assembly,
on Thursday, traded words
over bribery allegation.
The consultant had earlier
accused members of the state
House of Assembly of de-
manding a bribe of $5 million
from her on the project.
While answering questions
on a private television station,
Western Spring Television,
Nigerian Tribune, she said,
“the chairman, House Com-
mittee on Water Resources,
Nasiru Olateju, demanded
the $5 million bribe on behalf
of the assembly.”
The consultant stated that
the lawmakers had invited
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
termine whether or not actu-
ally the issue transpired.
“And in carrying out our
functions, one of the things
we need to do is to interview
those who made those alle-
gations. Some of them have
reached out to the committee
alleging threat to their lives,
that they were intimidated at
gun point. So, we would have
to travel out of the country to
the United States of America,
to Mexico, to China.
“Considering the amount
of borrowing our country is
subjected to now, $2.4 billion
is money this country needs
very seriously. So it’s not
something this House is tak-
ing lightly.
“The leadership of the House
is in support of this commit-
tee arriving at the truth and
the facts behind this matter. It
shows the seriousness of this
House in addressing issues that
have to do with the common-
wealth of Nigeria.
her and the team working
on the site, after an earlier
inspection lauding the quality
of work done so far; but won-
dered why they made a sud-
den change.
She said, “The House is ask-
ing for $5 five million and I
said I don’t have such amount
to give to anybody. They asked
for it for themselves. They are
asking for takeaway grant and
they are saying that they will
go to the press and say that
the quality of work that we
have done is not good.
“I told them that one year
ago, you were on the site. You
were commending us. Now,
you will go back to the press
and say we have not done
well, what would be your rea-
son?
“Yes. They demanded the
bribe. I am saying it from all
sense of responsibility. It did
not come from the house
as a whole. The chairman
of the House Committee on
tribuneonlineng
“Even though these allega-
tions were made about two
years ago, you can see that
this responsible House of the
Nigerian people has deemed
it necessary to look into this
matter, even as we go about
our electioneering campaign.
“So, I mentioned that we will
have to go because of the fears
expressed by these individuals.
It is important to also point out
that an American citizen who
was also allegedly knowledge-
able about this issue is cur-
rently in the Ikoyi prison over
other infractions he allegedly
committed in Nigeria.
“But there are insinuations
that it is not outside this par-
ticular matter that informed
those issues being brought
against him. Of course no-
body and no country will
condone any illegal activities
of any nationals within its
shores. So, there must have
been reasons for his incarcer-
ation. But I’m only conveying
Water Supply and members
of his committee called us to
the meeting. They were say-
ing that we didn’t give them
money, and I was saying we
do not have money to give to
them. The money I have is to
do the job.”
Williams, however, denied
using a N75 million project ve-
hicle as claimed by the Gover-
nor Ademola Adeleke admin-
istration, maintaining that the
project vehicle cost only N45
million.
All efforts to get across to
the chairman, House Com-
mittee on Water Resources,
Nasiru Olateju, were unsuc-
cessful as calls and messages
put across to him were not
answered.
However, the spokesper-
son for the state House of
Assembly, Mr Kunle Alabi, in
response to the allegations
remarked that, “It is quite un-
fortunate that the consultant
of the Ilesa water project,
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
news
to Nigerians the allegations
that he was not also uncon-
nected with the revelations
that he has to provide with
regard to this matter.
“There were individuals who
were in hiding but are reach-
ing out to the committee. We
want to assure all the whistle-
blowers who have revelations
to provide to this honourable
committee that their informa-
tion will be treated with the
strictest confidentiality as it is
done all over the world in other
climes.
“We can receive evidence
behind closed doors before
we make them public be-
cause we too are concerned
about spurious allegations.
We too want to determine
and see the facts behind any
such allegations before we
bring them to public because
we are a public body saddled
with the representation of Ni-
gerian people; so we have to
also do things responsibly.
Tawa Williams, has resorted
to cheap blackmail in trying
to cover up for her incom-
petence, just like a drowning
person who would want to
cling to any available straw.
“Recall that sometimes in
November during plenary, the
assembly had raised concerns
over the poor implementation
of the project and the non-ex-
ecution of a $2m treatment
plant, doesn’t it defy logic
and common sense that one
would request for a $5 million
bribe on a $2 million project?”
“The House of Assembly un-
der the leadership of Rt. Hon-
ourable Timothy Owoeye has
given Tawa Williams 24 hours
to retract her bribery allega-
tion against the committee
of the Assembly, her failure to
do that within the said hours,
the Assembly shall be forced
to seek redress in court as no
amount of blackmail will stop
the Assembly from playing its
constitutional role.”
26
Three killed in Kogi car explosion
T
Yekini Jimoh Lokoja
HREE persons were
killed when a car
exploded at about
9:00a.m. on Thurs-
day in Okene, Kogi
State.
Yahoo Boys
abduct
colleague
over
proceeds
in Ogun
Olayinka Olukoya |
Abeokuta
OPERATIVES of the Ogun
State police command
have arrested four sus-
pected internet fraud-
sters otherwise known as
Yahoo Boys, for abducting
their colleague over dis-
tribution of proceeds of
their illegal act.
The suspects, accord-
ing to a statement by
the state Police Public
Relations Officer (PPRO),
Abimbola Oyeyemi, were
arrested at Orile-Imo vil-
lage in Obafemi Owode
Local Government follow-
ing a report made at the
Owode Egba Divisional
Headquarters, that one
Haruna (surname with-
held), was being held hos-
tage somewhere in the
area.
The Divisional Police Of-
ficer (DPO) in charge of
Owode Egba Division, CSP
Popoola Olasunkanmi, upon
receipt of the information,
mobilised his men and
stormed the hiding place of
the suspects, which led to
the arrest of four persons,
while two escaped.
Oyeyemi revealed that
the victim and those ar-
rested were Yahoo Boys
who belonged to the
same gang.
The victim was re-
ported to have swindled
an unknown person of
N26,437,950, and shared
N2,200,000 with his col-
leagues.
This development infuri-
ated his colleagues, hence
their resolve to kidnap him
in an effort to draw more
money from him.
Man to die by hanging for killing
stepmother in Kano
A Kano State High Court
on Thursday sentenced
one Sagiru Abdullahi (29)
to death by hanging for
stabbing his stepmother,
Zainab Dan’azumi (55) to
death, the News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) has re-
ported.
The court had earlier
convicted Abdullahi of Kur-
www.tribuneonlineng.com
Nigerian Tribune gathered
that the explosion, which oc-
curred close to the palace of
the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr
Ado Ibrahim, also affected
the back gate of the palace.
The three persons who
died were inside the car
A burning motorcycle at the scene of an explosion near the old palace of Ohinoyi of Ebira in Okene, Kogi State,
on Thursday. Photo: NAN
mawa Quarters, Kano, on a
one-count charge of culpa-
ble homicide.
Justice Aisha Mahmoud
held that the prosecution
had proved its case be-
yond reasonable doubt
and sentenced the convict
to death.
The prosecution coun-
sel, Mr Tijjani Ibrahim, had
Nigerian Tribune
when it exploded.
It was learnt that the ex-
plosion also affected two
motorcycles.
The incident occurred
as residents of the state
awaited the arrival of Presi-
dent Muhammadu Buhari to
earlier told the court that
Abdullahi committed the
offence in June 2014 at
Kurmawa Quarters, Kano.
He said the convict dealt
several machete cuts on
the victim’s head, which
led to her death.
“The victim was rushed
to the Murtala Moham-
med Specialist Hospital,
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
inaugurate some projects in
the state.
The president was expected
to inaugurate the Reference
Hospital in Okene, built by
Governor Yahaya Bello, along-
side other projects across the
state.
Kano, where she was con-
firmed dead by a doctor,”
he said.
Ibrahim presented five
witnesses and tendered six
exhibits to prove the case
against Abdullahi, who
denied committing the of-
fence.
Abdullahi called four wit-
nesses in his defence.
tribuneonlineng
According to the schedule
of the president, he was ex-
pected to hold a town hall
meeting with stakeholders in
Okene before going to Lokoja,
the state capital, to commis-
sion other projects.
Meanwhile, following the
Victims of Apata fire
disaster protest over
sharing formula of
Makinde’s N10m donation
By Soji Ajibola
VICTIMS of the Apata fire
disaster in Ibadan, Oyo
State on Thursday pro-
tested over the formula
adopted for the sharing of
the N10 million released by
the state governor, Mr Seyi
Makinde, to cushion the ef-
fect of their losses.
Governor Makinde dur-
ing an on-the-spot assess-
ment of the site of the inci-
dent last week announced
a N10 million donation to
support the victims.
However, the affected
traders accused the lead-
ership of the market of in-
cluding names of traders
who were not affected by
the inferno.
The aggrieved traders,
during their visit to the
Nigeria Union of Journal-
ists (NUJ), Press Centre,
Iyaganku, Ibadan, alleged
that the list of affected
traders had increased from
45 to 70 since the governor
made the donation.
Speaking on behalf of
the traders, Olasunkanmi
Adunni and Temilade Ma-
kinde accused the lead-
ership of the market of
doctoring the list to accom-
modate those who were
not affected, while their
representatives appor-
tioned to themselves huge
sums of money.
Adunni, popularly known
as Iya Agoro, said: “I am a
bread and essential goods
seller affected by the fire.
The first day the governor
visited the scene of the fire
incident, he promised to
Three killed in Delta
auto crash
Alphonsus Agborh | Asaba
THREE persons were on
Thursday killed in an auto
accident involving two com-
mercial vehicles on the Ubu-
lu-Okiti axis of the Benin-Asa-
ba-Onitsha highway in Delta
State.
The accident, which in-
volved a white Toyota Hiace
bus and a red truck, left 12
other persons with varying
degrees of injury.
Confirming the accident,
Delta State sector com-
mander of the Federal Road
Safety Corps (FRSC), Udeme
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
development, security opera-
tives have taken over the en-
tire road where the incident
occurred.
The security operatives pre-
vented people and vehicles
from going close to the scene
of the explosion.
give us N10 million as re-
lief fund and later, his rep-
resentatives brought the
cash to us.
“There were 45 names
in the list then, but that
list has increased, with the
names of several people
not affected included.
“In fact, we don’t know
the new beneficiaries. The
house I lived in and stored
my goods was burnt and I
was only lucky to escape
with my four children.
“Initially, N500,000 was
penciled as the amount I
would receive, but I was
only given N100,000, while
another person (names
withheld), who was not af-
fected at all, got N300,000.
“Another person who
claimed to be a shoemaker
got N200,000. I lost over
N12 million worth of prop-
erty to the fire.”
Another trader, Mrs Ma-
kinde, also known as Iya
Dada, said she was penciled
down to receive N500,000,
but got N60,000.
She said: “A day before
the fire incident, I stocked
my store with N1.3 million
worth of foodstuff, but ev-
erything is gone, including
the building housing the
store.
“In the list, N500,000 was
estimated as compensa-
tion for me, but after the
list was doctored, I was
given N60,000.
“We appeal to Governor
Seyi Makinde to investigate
the disbursement of the
money and retrieve vic-
tims’ money from impos-
tors.”
Bassey Eshiet, said the de-
ceased include two males
and a female, while seven
males and five females sur-
vived the crash with injuries.
The FRSC boss said both ve-
hicles were heading towards
Asaba when the accident oc-
curred.
Eshiet, while identifying
driving all night and speed vi-
olation as possible causes of
the accident, said operatives
of the command took the in-
jured victims to the hospital
at Issele-Uku, while the bod-
ies of the dead victims were
evacuated to the morgue.
27 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

news
Bolanle Raheem: Justice will be transparently served,
IGP assures as Sanwo-Olu visits
•NBA seeks N5bn damages for family, swift prosecution of killer policeman
•Maikyau, Adegboruwa to be part of prosecution team
•Police say suspect still in detention, release photo

T
Sunday Ejike | Abuja
HE Inspector-Gen-
eral of Police (IGP),
Usman Alkali Baba,
has assured the La-
gos State governor,
Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; resi-
dents of the state and Nigeri-
ans in general that justice will
be served, and transparently
so, in the investigation into
the killing of a lawyer, Mrs Bo-
lanle Raheem, on Christmas
Day in Lagos.
The police boss gave the
assurance when the Lagos
State governor, Mr Babajide
Sanwo-Olu, visited him at the
Force Headquarters in Abuja
on Thursday over the case of
Raheem and another extra-
judicial killing by police oper-
atives in the state.
The IGP said there would be
no cover-ups in handling the
case of the deceased lawyer.
He said: “Governor San-
wo-Olu is here to find out
about how far we have gone
in terms of investigating the
incident that happened in La-
gos on Christmas Day.
“I can assure him that this
incident will be investigated.
The Attorney-General of La-
gos State will intervene in
the case for him to take over
the prosecution from the
police.
“I can assure you that
there will not be any han-
ky-panky on the issue. We
are also saddened about the
incident.
“I want to again extend my
condolences to the family of
the late Bolanle Raheem --
the husband and the entire
family. I also wish to extend
my condolence to the gov-
ernment and the people of
Lagos State and Nigeria at
large.
“We will continue to im-
prove on how our officers en-
gage in the use of firearms. At
the same time, we also want
to appeal to Nigerians to be
responsible. They should help
the police by way of supervi-
sion and making their work
easy.
“I want to assure members
of the public that the case will
be dealt with.”
Earlier, Governor San-
wo-Olu reiterated that there
would be no cover-up in the
investigation and prosecution
of the culprit.
He said the outcome of in-
vestigations of the case is very
important to the government
and people of Lagos State, just
as he stressed that the people
deserved to know the process
leading to justice for the vic-
tim.
He said: “We have come
here this morning [Thursday]
first to extend seasons greet-
ings to the Inspector-General
of Police and also to get an
update and to brief him as to
the security situation in La-
gos State, especially the very
recent unfortunate incident
of the death of a lady, Mrs
Omobolanle Raheem, by a
bullet of a police officer and
also an earlier incident that
occurred weeks before then.
“We really need to get a
sense of security architecture
in the state and what we need
to do.
“First is to condemn the
very unfortunate incident, to
express the grief of the gov-
ernment and the people of
Lagos State, and to say how
very unfortunate at this pe-
riod in our time to have inci-
dents like this.
“But beyond that, really is
how do we ensure that in-
cidents like this are reduced
to the barest minimum? And
what can government do that
we are not currently doing
and that we can do to help the
Nigeria Police, the Lagos State
police command and how do
we ensure that we have bet-
ter collaboration because we
do not have any other police
force?
“For me as the governor
of the state, I think it is im-
portant and it is that serious
for us to come here and get
a sense of how soon we can
get to charge this officer to
court. And we have gotten a
very positive response and
engagement from the Inspec-
tor-General of Police himself.”
Speaking further on the
importance of his meeting
with the IGP, Governor San-
wo-Olu said his government
would continually work with
the police in providing addi-
tional equipment like body
cameras and a joint advocacy
programme to enhance and
improve public and police
communication.
“We are indeed hoping that
this meeting will be very use-
ful. There are a lot of things
we are taking back. We have
called the commissioner of
police [in Lagos] even while
we were here and he has also
briefed us as to what they are
doing in Lagos.
“Essentially, it is to continue
to work with the police, the
things that we can do around
providing some additional
equipment that you can use,
things like body cameras, and
ensuring that we can jointly
have an advocacy programme
that can enhance and im-
prove public and police com-
munication.
“What are the roles of en-
gagement? Who needs to do
what, so that we can have a
better community and com-
munity policing and a better
citizens-police engagement?
“We need to ensure that
nothing is left undone, no cov-
er-up of any sort in this partic-
ular case and that the full arm
of the law is put in place to
ensure that the officer has his
day in court.
“It is one of our responsi-
bilities coming here to get a
sense of the additional level
of support from the Inspec-
tor-General of Police with his
men in Lagos and other parts
of the country,” he said.
Meanwhile the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) is seeking
N5 billion damages, as well as
the swift prosecution of ASP
Drambi Vandi, the policeman
who killed their colleague,
Omobolanle Raheem, in La-
gos on Christmas Day.
Also, the NBA President, Mr
Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), and
a member of the Lagos State
chapter of the association and
rights activist, Mr Ebun-Olu
Adegboruwa (SAN), will be
part of the prosecution team.
The NBA, Adegboruwa said
in a statement on Thursday,
would demand at least, N5
billion compensation for the
family of the deceased.
Mrs Raheem, an expectant
mother, was in her car in the
Ajah area of Lagos on her way
back from church with her
family when she was shot.
Adegboruwa said: “The NBA
Lagos, in conjunction with
the NBA president, Mr Y.C.
Maikyau, SAN, has decided
to be part of the prosecution
of the policeman as part of its
efforts towards securing quick
and effective justice for the
family of the deceased.
“In this regard, the NBA will
be partnering with the minis-
try of justice during the trial.
“Mr Adegboruwa has in
turn obtained relevant brief-
ing from the Attorney-Gen-
eral of Lagos State and has
secured the assurances of an
accelerated prosecution once
the case file is received from
the police.”
The NBA is also seeking
monetary compensation for
the family of Mrs Raheem
from the government of La-
gos State, the Federal Govern-
ment, and indeed the Nigeria
Police Force and the Police
Service Commission, through
its Human Rights Committee.
“The NBA will seek pay-
ment of damages not less
than N5 billion, in addition to
the prosecution of the killer
cop.”
Adegboruwa then urged
Governor Sanwo-Olu to fol-
low the model he adopted
during the EndSARS Judicial
Panel to “pay compensation
to the family of Mrs Raheem
immediately since it is an es-
tablished fact that her life was
terminated illegally by a po-
liceman.”
The senior lawyer called
for the immediate imple-
mentation of the EndSARS
Judicial Panel Report in which
far-reaching recommenda-
tions were made in relation
to “Psychological orientation
for all police officers in the
handling and use of weapons,
training for police officers on
basic human rights obser-
vance and enforcement, im-
proving the welfare of all po-
lice officers in terms of their
take-home pay, conditions of
service, their places of work,
and residences in order to
make them more conducive,
as well as the recruitment of
more police officers to reduce
the pressure on the existing
officers whose number is not
adequate to effectively police
the country.”
Adegboruwa believes it is
unacceptable that the issues
that led to the demands of
youths and the EndSARS pro-
tests in 2020 have not been
addressed despite repeated
promises by the government.
He urged the government
and relevant authorities to
“go beyond mere press state-
ments of lamentations on
the gruesome murder of Mrs
Raheem, and accelerate the
prosecution of the killer and
payment of compensation to
the family and all other vic-
tims of police brutality.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State
police command has said the
policeman who killed Raheem
is still in detention.
The public relations officer
of the command, SP Benja-
min Hundeyin, in a short post
on Twitter, shared a photo of
the officer.
He added that investiga-
tions have shown that the
other two officers who were
with ASP Vandi had no hand
in the shooting.
“They have, therefore, been
released,” Hundeyin tweeted.
He further stated that a re-
port on the investigations so
far has been forwarded to the
Force Headquarters, Abuja for
further necessary action.
Hundeyin said the claim
that the officer responsible
for the shooting had been re-
leased was false.
The latest update regarding
the killing of Raheem came
few hours after the IGP rec-
ommended the suspension of
Vandi.
The IGP, in a statement by
the Force spokesperson, Olu-
muyiwa Adejobi, noted that
the suspension of the police-
man is expected to create
an enabling environment for
necessary legal procedures
to uphold justice in the case
without interference.
He said: “The suspension
is without prejudice to the
constitutional presumption
of innocence in favour of the
officer.
“The IGP has reaffirmed the
commitment of the Force to
the rule of law and assured
the public of his administra-
tion’s commitment to en-
suring that justice is not just
done, but seen to have been
manifestly done in the matter.
“He, therefore, appeals
to the public to be calm as
all hands are on deck to en-
sure justice prevails, while
measures have been put in
place to prevent future occur-
rences.”

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, during the governor’s visit
to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday. •Drambi Vandi, the policeman who shot and killed Bolanle Raheem.
28
Tribunal dismisses Oni’s petition, upholds Oyebanji’s victory in Ekiti
•We ‘II appeal judgement in interest of Ekiti people, says Oni •Support us for Ekiti’s development —Oyebanji’s counsel
•Fayemi congratulates Oyebanji, calls on opposition to sheathe sword
T
‘Yomi Ayeleso | Ado-Ekiti
HE election petition
tribunal sitting in
Ado-Ekiti, capital of
Ekiti State has dis-
missed the petition
filed by the Social Demo-
cratic Party (SDP) governor-
ship candidate, Engineer Se-
gun Oni against the victory
of the incumbent governor,
Biodun Oyebanji during the
June 18 poll in the state.
Oni, a former governor of
the state, had approached
the tribunal challenging win-
ner of the election, Oyebanji
of the All Progressives Con-
gress (APC) and alleging that
his party did not have a val-
idly nominated governorship
candidate.
He argued through his
counsel that the Yobe State
governor, Mai Mala-Buni,
who signed the nomina-
tion form of Oyebanji and
who also superintendented
over the APC governorship
primaries contravened sec-
tion 183 of the 1999 Con-
stitution by accepting to be
the APC National Caretaker
Chairman.
Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, signing the 2023 budget at the Government House, Kaduna, on Thursday.
Tinubu reconciles warring Cross River APC,
as Senator Enoh ends litigation
‘Suyi Ayodele | Benin
THE crisis rocking the Cross
River State chapter of the
All Progressive Congress
(APC) over its gubernatorial
primaries was on Wednes-
day resolved as the chief
contender, Senator John
Owan Enoh, announced his
discontinuation of all litiga-
tions.
Enoh, who disclosed this
in a statement he personally
issued hinged his decision
to embrace peace on the
reconciliation meeting the
APC presidential candidate,
Senator Bola Tinubu, held
with the warring parties on
December 20.
Onoh said though he had
the option of going to the Su-
www.tribuneonlineng.com
news
The SDP candidate also
urged the tribunal to declare
him winner, alleging that the
deputy governor, Chief Mon-
isade Afuye presented a fake
Senior School certificate to
the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC).
He also told the tribunal
that the June 18 election was
conducted in contravention
of the constitution and the
Electoral Act 2022, with al-
legations of vote buying and
other electoral infractions.
However, while delivering
the judgement, which lasted
for about two and half hours
on Thursday, the chairman
of the three-man tribunal,
Justice Wilfred Kpochi struck
out the petition and resolved
all issues against the peti-
tioner.
He held that the SDP gov-
ernorship candidate failed to
prove his case beyond reas-
onable doubt that the victory
of Oyebanji was against the
nation’s constitution and the
Electoral Act.  The judge added that the
The tribunal in a unan-
imous ruling declared that
the petitioner failed to call
enough witnesses to prove
preme Court over the rulings
of the Federal High Court and
the Appeal Court in Calabar,
he had decided to embrace
peace in the overall interest
of the party.
The statement reads: “It
is with a great sense of re-
sponsibility and a feeling of
exceptionally rare privilege
that I send this message to
you my fellow party men and
women, and teeming sup-
porters across the length and
breadth of our dear state.  peal, both in Calabar.  with my immediate family
“I thought it wise to do
so with profound gratitude
for your staying power, per-
severance, and confidence
in me and in our great party,
the All Progressives Con-
gress (APC). You have estab-
lished and maintained un-
Nigerian Tribune
allegations of malpractices
across the polling units,
wards and local government
areas on the day of election,
stressing that the SDP only
relied on hearsay evidence,
which the court held was not
tenable in law.
On the legality or otherwise
of the governor of Yobe State,
Mai Mala Buni is right to sign
the nomination forms of Oye-
banji and his running mate as
the national caretaker chair-
man of the APC, the tribunal
revealed that the actions of
Buni in forwarding the names
of the candidates to INEC did
not invalidate the nomination
of Oyebanji and his deputy.
Recalling the decision of
the Supreme Court on the
Eyitayo Jegede’s suit versus
Rotimi Akeredolu in Ondo
State, Justice Kpochi noted
that the nominations were
valid in view of the outcome
of the APC primaries, which
was decided mainly by party
members and not by Buni.
issue raised by the petitioner
was a constitutional and
a pre-election matter out-
side the jurisdiction of the
wavering faith in our party,
which I must commend you
so highly for.
“After the last state gov-
ernorship primary of our
party, I sought a civilised
route to address my misgiv-
ings through the court, which
is the acceptable standard in
any democracy that is worth
its name. I have been dissat-
isfied with the last two court
judgments from the Federal
High Court and Court of Ap-
“I have the option of pro-
ceeding to the Supreme
Court to exhaust my inali-
enable constitutional right
to fair hearing and justice.
However, the occasion of
the town hall meeting of
Tuesday,December 20, at
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
tribunal, saying the Yobe state
governor enjoyed immunity
and he could not be sued.
Faulting the petitioner’s fail-
ure to prove certificate forgery
against the deputy governor,
Chief Monisade Afuye by not
calling the management of
the West Africa Examination
Council (WAEC) to testify
against the alleged forged doc-
ument, Justice Kpochi said it
was wrong for the SDP candid-
ate to introduce the allegation
in his reply to the respondents
and not in his initial petition
filed within the stipulated 21
days period.
He said: “It is purile to chal-
lenge the nominations of the
candidates by the petitioners
by not providing the needed
evidence and it will amount
to us swimming against the
tide as the Supreme Court
had decided on the legality
of Buni signing the nomina-
tion of the candidates for the
election.
“ It is vague, nebulous, gen-
eric and lack specifics, the
allegations of malpractices
in the June 18 poll without
giving satisfactory evidence.
The candidates are qualified
the instance of the pres-
idential candidate of our
party, Senator Bola Ahmed
Tinubu has gone down as a
watershed and turning point
for me in seeking further re-
dress in the matter.
“The public appeal by the
presidential candidate and
national leader of our party
is such a humbling experi-
ence which I cannot ignore
under any circumstance. I
have had cause to confer
and consult widely with my
teeming supporters across
the state after that occasion.
On this note therefore, I
have taken the hard decision
to put an end to the litiga-
tion and instead work for
the success of the party.”
tribuneonlineng
to contest the election and
that INEC conducted the poll
in a free and fair manner.
“Therefore, we have come
to an inescapable end that the
petitioner failed to prove the
cases against the respondents
and we hereby dismiss the
petition against the election
of Oyebanji as governor of
Ekiti state.”
Responding to the judge-
ment, counsel to Oyebanji
and former Attorney General,
Olawale Fapohunda, SAN
hailed the tribunal for up-
holding the victory of the gov-
ernor, calling on the SDP can-
didate to place the interest of
the state above his personal
goal by supporting the gov-
ernment towards improving
the lives of the people.
Fapohunda stated: “Judg-
ment has been delivered,
every fair person who
listened to the judgment will
agree that it was fair, bal-
anced and it affirmed exist-
ing authorities, particularly
those recently decided by
the Supreme Court.  don further litigations and
“We are all winners, it is
time now to look away from
the court and focus on what
2023: No going back on southern
presidency —Akeredolu
Hakeem Gbadamosi | Akure
GOVERNOR Rotimi
Akeredolu of Ondo State, on
Thursday, maintained that
the struggle and push for the
southern part of the country
to produce the next pres-
ident must continue until it
is realised and produce the
country’s president in 2023.
Akeredolu, who solicited
and appealed to Nigerians to
vote for the presidential can-
didate of the All Progressives
Congress (APC), Senator Bola
Tinubu, in the spirit of fair-
ness and equality, explained
that since President Muham-
madu Buhari from the North
is spending eight years, then
it is the turn of the South to
produce the next president
for another eight years.
He stated this while play-
ing host to former Minister
of Transportation, Rotimi
Inuwa upbeat of victory as crowd
receives APC campaign train in Akko
Ishola Michael | Gombe  facilities in Gombe, he is op-
GOMBE State governor,
Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya,
has said that the political
philosophy of the All Pro-
gressives Congress (APC)
hinges on revamping the
economy, provision of crit-
ical infrastructure, human
capital development, social
cohesion and the strength-
ening of security to deal with
emerging threats.  Akko Local Government area
He stated that with trans-
formational developments,
improved economy and
provision of infrastructural
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
our people really want, which
is good governance. I am sure
that very soon, the governor
will also be reaching out to
Segun Oni to join him in en-
suring that the needs of our
people are bettered.
However, counsel to Se-
gun Oni, Owoseeni Ajayi,
who disagreed with the pro-
nouncement of the tribunal
panel, disclosed that the rul-
ing will be challenged at the
appellate court.
“We are definitely going
to appeal against the judg-
ment. You should know that
we have three legs of court,
this is the first, we have the
Court of Appeal, we also
have the Supreme Court, “he
remarked.
Meanwhile, the immedi-
ate past governor of Ekiti
State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in
a statement, has congratu-
lated Oyebanji on his victory
folowing the tribunal’s judg-
ment.Fayemi said the victory
was for all Ekiti people and in-
vited the opposition to aban-
work together with the state
governor for the growth and
development of Ekiti State.
Amaechi at the Government
House, Alagbaka, Akure,
stressing that no loyalist of
the APC can forget the prin-
cipal role of Amaechi as Dir-
ector-General of the party’s
presidential campaign in
2015.
While appreciating Amae-
chi, who was in Akure for the
presentation of staff of office
to Oba Olu Falae as Olu of
Ilu Abo, in Akure North Local
Government Area, said the
monarch has served Nigeria
creditably well and the state
is proud of him.
“Thank you for coming.
Chief Falae has served this
country creditably well, and
we, in Ondo State, are very
proud of him. From the bank-
ing industry, he became the
Minister for Finance and also
served as Secretary to the
Government of the Federa-
tion (SGF).
 
timistic of victory in the 2023
governorship election.
He made this known in Kumo,
when his campaign train visited
the palace of the Emir of Akko
during the APC rally to the local
government area.
Inuwa Yahaya told the
monarch that the recon-
struction of the Kumo Gen-
eral Hospital and the provi-
sion of road networks across
were done in accordance
with his campaign promises
aimed at giving the people a
new lease of life.
29
G5 dares PDP, Ortom says no agreement with Tinubu
C
Leon Usigbe | Abuja  President of New Media,
ONTRARY to spec-
ulations in the so-
cial media, the G5
governors of the
Peoples Demo-
cratic Party (PDP) meeting
in London, United Kingdom,
have not reached any agree-
ment to support the presi-
dential candidate of the All
Progressives Congress (APC),
Senator Bola Tinubu in the
2023 election.  of an agreement has now
The social media was
awash with reports on
Thursday that the former La-
gos State governor met with
the Nyesom Wike-led group
in London, where the agree-
ment was struck to back the
candidate of the ruling party
in the election.  bune, Governor Sam Ortom
Special Assistant to the
Delta State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left), with other
chieftains of the party, during a campaign rally at Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday.
Court bars DSS, EFCC from arresting,
detaining Emefiele
Tijani Adeyemi | Abuja
A Federal High Court sitting
in the Federal Capital Terri-
tory (FCT), Abuja on Thurs-
day, quashed the moves by
the Department of State
Security (DSS) to arrest the
Governor of the Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr.
Godwin Emefiele, on allega-
tions of terrorism financing
and economic crimes.
Delivering a judgment on
the originating motion filed
by the incorporated trustees
of Forum for Accountability
and Good Leadership to en-
force the fundamental rights
of Mr. Emefiele against the
Attorney General of the Fed-
eration, the EFCC, Inspector
General of Police, DSS and
CBN, Justice M. A. Hassan
also restrained the DSS from
further harassing, humiliat-
www.tribuneonlineng.com
•We’ll rely on constitution —Party spokesman
Bashir Ahmad, also posted
on his Twitter account a
statement that suggested
that the G5 made a good of-
fer to Tinubu.
“The offer put forward by
the five governors was fan-
tastically positive. That will
definitely help us to seal our
imminent victory in 2023.
Let’s do it together,” he
posted.  as we are, if we are doing
However, any suggestion
been denied by the group,
which maintained that there
is no such thing, disclosing
that they will not be afraid to
tell Nigerians whatever they
may be involved in.  the media.  PDP runs on processes and
Speaking on phone from
London to the Nigerian Tri-
of Benue State dismissed
ing, embarrassing, threaten-
ing to incarcerate or detain
Mr. Emefiele over the allega-
tions of terrorism financing
and fraudulent practices.
The judge further re-
strained the “DSS and any
person acting through them
from inviting, arresting and/
or detaining the CBN Gov-
ernor in the guise of having
committed any offence with
respect to allegations of ter-
rorism financing, fraudulent
activities etc or in any other
manner whatsoever inter-
fering with his rights to free-
dom of movement, personal
liberty, human dignity or
interfering with the tenure,
functions and discharge of
his duties as the Governor of
the CBN, except by an order
of a superior court.
Furthermore, the court
relying on the orders of the
Nigerian Tribune
the claim of an agreement
to support Tinubu.  other than Atiku.
He said with their standing
and experience, if they come
to any decision, they will be
the ones to inform Nigeri-
ans.  alleged plan to expel them,
Responding to enquiry
about agreement to support
Tinubu, Ortom declared:
“It’s not true. There is noth-
ing like that. As experienced
anything, we will let the
public know.”   governor’s position, the
The governors are ex-
pected to fly into Port Har-
court, Rivers State, (today),
where they are expected to
have an engagement with
The governors also dared
the party to expel them
should they decide to
choose another party’s can-
Federal High Court in suit-
FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022
delivered by the Chief
Judge of the Federal High
Court of Justice J. T. Tsoho
chided the DSS and de-
clared any continuous ha-
rassment, intimidation,
threat, restriction of free
movement, abuse of right
of office, surreptitious
moves to arrest and hu-
miliation of Mr. Godwin
Emefiele over the trumped
up allegations of terrorism
financing and fraudulent
practices etc by the Ser-
vice and their officers as
vindictive, unwarranted,
abrasive, oppressive and a
flagrant breach of his rights
to personal liberty, dignity
of the human person, right
to policy making powers,
freedom of thought, con-
science and religion and
@nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune
didate to support in 2023
When the Nigerian Tri-
bune drew the attention of
one of the governors to the
the report on the party’s
one of them responded: “Let
them try.”
He, however, did not give
details of what the group
would do if indeed the party
carries out such threat.
When contacted on the
party’s national publicity
secretary, Debo Ologun-
agba, said it would not be
drawn into speculation.
He maintained that the
will deal with any situation
that arises by applying the
provisions of its constitution.
Ologunagba asserted that
movement as respectively
provided and enshrined un-
der the Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
and the African Charter on
Human and Peoples Rights
(Ratification and Enforce-
ment) Act and therefore
unconstitutional and illegal.
The judge further held that
the DSS acted wrongfully
and illegally in instigating
the president of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria against
Mr Emefiele in respect of
the exercise of his statutory
duty relating to the issuance
of monetary policies and
directives in the interest of
national security and the
economy.
There have been wild jubi-
lations in the CBN headquar-
ters and across the banking
industry since the news of
the judgment leaked.
tribuneonlineng
every member of the PDP
that subscribes to its con-
stitution must abide by the
provisions, saying: “The PDP
is a party of constitution, of
rule of law, of process and
procedure and we don’t re-
act to speculations. What
you’re asking me now is a
speculation, because you
have even added a new di-
mension that they said they
will expel them.
“We are a party that be-
lieves in constitutional
process. When anything
happens, we will react ap-
propriately in line with our
constitution as a party.”
Asked why the party had
not taken any action against
Senator Chimaroke Nnamani
for campaigning for Tinubu,
the presidential candidate
of the APC while remaining
Buhari justifies $400m spent to
rescue Ajaokuta Steel
•Inaugurates projects in Kogi
Yekini Jimoh | Lokoja.
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Bu-
hari, on Thursday, in Okene,
Kogi State, said that the $400
million expended to rescue
Ajaokuta Iron and Steel was
judiciously utilised, just as
he inaugurated projects ex-
ecuted by Governor Yahaya
Bello.
Speaking during a town hall
meeting at the newly reno-
vated central Ohinoyi palace,
he said his administration is
working to reposition Kogi as
an investment hub through
the activation of solid miner-
als in the state.
Buhari stated: “No project
that is dear in our heart like
the Ajaokuta steel company
located in Kogi State, which
we inherited in moribund
condition from previous ad-
ministrations.
“The steel company has
disputes both locally and in-
ternationally. I am glad to say
that through our concerted
efforts, we are able to settle
the disputes by paying some
money and the company is
now ready for concessioning
to competent private inves-
tors that will operationalise
it for the people of Kogi State
and Nigerians at large.
“We are talking with a
reputable company in the
United States and by God’s
grace, very soon, Ajaokuta
Steel company will come
back to serve the people of
Nigeria.
“The significance of mak-
ing Ajaokuta steel working
again is enormous as it will
generate over 500,000 jobs
for Nigerian youths and also
generate high revenue for
the state and the country in
the tune of over 1.6 billion
dollars annually
“Nigerians should rest as-
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022
news
in the PDP, he said the main
opposition party was being
cautious.
Ologunagba explained:
“You just referenced Senator
Nnamani. He is a member of
this party, a senator of the
Federal Republic elected un-
der the platform of the PDP.
He recognises the obligation
imposed on him as a party
leader.
“When and if he decides
to go contrary to that provi-
sion, the appropriate provi-
sions of the constitution will
apply as appropriate to any
member, including Senator
Nnamani, for any action that
is inconsistent with the ex-
pected behaviour and activ-
ities of individual members
of the party that is not con-
sistent with the provisions of
our constitution.”
sured that my administration
will pursue the issue of Aja-
okuta steel company to a log-
ical conclusion before I leave
office as president of Nigeria.
“The inauguration of the
projects is in realisation of
our campaign promises to
the people of Kogi State. I
have been briefed by Gover-
nor Yahaya Bello for the nu-
merous projects he has exe-
cuted for the people, which
include the Confluence Uni-
versity of Science and Tech-
nology at Asara, Rice mill
in Ejiba, hospitals in Idah,
Kabba and Okene, construc-
tion of roads in the three
senatorial districts, GYB
model secondary schools,
among others.
“In Lokoja, there is a fly-
over project the first of it
kind in Kogi State. Kogi play
host to AKK gas pipeline
projects that will be com-
pleted next year. It will boost
the economic activities of
the country and it will have a
multiplier effect on the peo-
ple of the state.”
Earlier, Bello in his speech
described the visit of Mr.
President to inaugurate the
projects as historic in the
lives of Kogi State.
“We are happy the very
day you granted approval to
come to Kogi State for the
inauguration of few out of
many projects this adminis-
tration has executed.
“When I was sworn in on
January 27, 2016, we were
determined to serve our
people and we quickly inau-
gurated multidimensional
sector to form what we call
new direction blueprint.
“From that period till date,
this particular document has
served as a guide for accel-
erated development in Kogi
state.
 30 www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY,
30 DECEMBER, 2022

Al-Nassr eye
Ronaldo-Ramos reunion
Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia will report-
edly try to reunite Cristiano Ronaldo
with ex-Real Madrid team-mate
Sergio Ramos after concluding a
deal for the Portuguese star.
With a deal for Ronaldo nearing
completion, Marca report that Al-
Nassr are plotting a move to bring
Ramos to the club upon the expiry
of his Paris Saint-Germain contract
sport
aldo as their newest signing. After
initial reports during the World Cup
claimed that Al-Nassr had reached
an agreement with Ronaldo, fur-
ther developments emerged before
Christmas providing details of the
contract offered to the 37-year-old;
a seven-year deal that will see his
€200m-per-year wages rise over
time.

I can’t say
next summer.
The Spanish publication states that
Ramos is the Saudi club’s next target,
with work now being done to get
ready to convince him to join the club
It was later reported that the club
had booked in a medical for Ron-
aldo, and Marca state that he had
a representative present in Saudi
Arabia this week to brief Al-Nassr

Messi is the
alongside his former Real Madrid col-
league Ronaldo, who left Manchester
United by mutual consent last month.
The pair won numerous trophies
together at Santiago Bernabeu be-
on the conditions of his imminent
arrival.
It looks as though the speculation
over Ronaldo’s future is finally draw-
ing to a close, with it now seemingly

best —Ancelotti
tween 2009 and 2018, including
four Champions Leagues and two La
Liga titles.
Al-Nassr are currently waiting for
the transfer window to open on
January 1 to officially confirm Ron-
a matter of when and not if he holds
the Al-Nassr shirt aloft. Talk sur-
rounding Ramos’ future at PSG will
no doubt rumble on over the com-
ing months as the Saudi outfit also
push for his signature.

R
EAL Madrid manager,
Carlo Ancelotti, has re-
fused to call Lionel Mes-
si “the best in history”
and seemingly thrown
Karim Benzema into the debate.
Ahead of Real Madrid’s return
to action following the conclu-
sion of the World Cup, Ancelotti
was quizzed on all things by re-
porters. With Messi having won
the tournament with
Argentina,
naturally he
was asked
if he now
considers
him to be
player in
the best
h i s t o r y,
to which he gave a
rather interesting
response.
Ancelotti explained: “It’s
hard to say. He’s a great foot-
baller. His career is spectacular
but if he’s the best in history, I
don’t know because each era has
had very important players. Say-
ing that he’s been the best in his-
tory isn’t going to come out of my
'Mbappe didn't want to extend PSG contract'
KYLIAN Mbappe extended his
contract at Paris Saint-Germain
this summer, but former Real
Madrid player Jese claimed the
star winger felt pressured into
the decision.
Mbappe has long been linked
mouth.”
The Real
boss went fur-
ther in his analysis
of the debate, suggesting that
his own striker, Karim Benzema,
has a right to be in the conversa-
tion: “I have enjoyed all the play-
ers and now I have a Ballon d’Or
(winner) every day here (Ben-
zema). I have seen Maradona
and Cruyff and I have enjoyed
them”. The Frenchman won the
2022 Ballon d’Or following an ex-
ceptional season where he fired
Real to a La Liga and Champions
League double, following years
of consistent world-class form.
with a move to Madrid, but
seemed to shut the door on a
future at the Santiago Berna-
beu last summer when he shut
down transfer advances from
the reigning Champions League
winners.
Former Madrid prospect Jese
has now claimed Mbappe never
actually wanted to re-sign, how-
ever, and in an interview with
AS insisted that Mbappe felt
personally pressured to play for
the French giants.
"Come on, I was clear about
it because he told me. He told
me and I tell more people:
those of us who spoke Span-
ish. I think it was more person-
al than professional pressure,"
Jese said. "All players make
decisions, they can be wrong
or accept the decision.
Interestingly, though, there was
no mention of Cristiano Ronaldo,
w h o Ancelotti coached in his
first spell at Real.
Ancelotti also gave
an update on Benze-
ma’s fitness, with the
striker having been left
out of France’s World Cup
squad due to injury. “We’ve got
Benzema back and that’s good,”
he said. “He came back on De-
cember 10. He started working
with the team, played 30 min-
utes and 45 minutes in friendlies
and he’s doing well, with enor-
mous enthusiasm. He knows that
his first leg of the season has not
been good and he wants to show
things in the second. He’s go-
ing to show all his quality in this
stretch of the season.”
The veteran manager will be
hoping the early withdrawal
from the World Cup has allowed
Benzema to get back to his best
possible shape, with the Blancos
set to get back to La Liga action
against Real Valladolid on Friday.
"But the people cannot inter-
vene. For example, the presi-
dent of France cannot tell you
'don't go here, you have to stay.
In my opinion, I think he felt
more personal than profession-
al pressure to make a decision."
Mbappe signed a massive con-
tract extension with PSG last
summer, due to earn him around
€72 million (£64m/$76m). He
received a call from French
President Emmanuel Macron to
encourage him to stay in Paris.
Since then, rumours have been
rampant about Mbappe want-
ing to leave, with the French-
man supposedly telling the club
he wanted out back in October.
Mbappe has a contract with
PSG that will run until 2024 with
a player option until 2025. What
happens after is up in the air.
Haaland sets EPL
goal record
much of an deficit to overcome.
Erling Haaland became the fastest
player to reach 20 Premier League In keeping with their display,
goals as Manchester City overcame a the home side refused to lie down
stubborn Leeds to reduce Arsenal’s and got a goal back through Pascal
lead at the top of the table to five Struijk’s header from a corner.
points. And they could have set up a
grandstand finish had Joe Gel-
Frustrated by a disciplined and hardt’s poked finish not trickled
determined home side and their the wrong side of the post.
own profligacy for much of the
first half at Elland Road, City
City, though, secured the win
to move back up to second be-
hind the Gunners and two points
snatched the lead just before the
better off than third-placed New-
break through Rodri’s follow-up castle, both of whom won on Mon-
finish and then sped into the dis- day.
tance in a one-sided second half. The relegation battle is no less in-
Having seen a couple of efforts tense, with Leeds in 15th place on 15
saved early in the game, Haa- points and one of 11 teams separated
by just eight points.
land - playing in the city of his birth
against the side he supports - did
not celebrate his goals but showed
little mercy in securing them to
bring up his impressive tally in just
his 14th game of the campaign.
He could not miss for his first, set
up in front of an open goal by the
unselfish Jack Grealish, who himself
had missed a hat-trick of good op-
portunities in the first 45 minutes.
Grealish was the provider again
for Haaland’s second, which he
slotted in from close range follow-
ing a deflection to give Leeds too
31
Pele dies at 82
CONTINUED FROM BACK
PAGE
“Pele was the only foot-
baller who surpassed the
boundaries of logic,” Dutch-
born great Johan Cruyff once
said.
Raised a Roman Catholic,
Pelé said he remained a man
of faith and saw his life’s work
as fulfilling God’s destiny for
him. That destiny, however,
did not imply a vow of pov-
erty, chastity or single-mind-
edness.
Pelé saw wealth as power,
and he used his fame in
sometimes questionable
business endeavors. Over
the years he made and lost
fortunes and was a pitchman
for video games, soft drinks,
computer products and
pharmaceuticals.
Rising from near-poverty,
he was sometimes humbled
and astonished by his suc-
cess.
“It’s not easy to separate
Edson from Pelé psychologi-
cally,” he wrote in one of his
autobiographies.
“Pelé has taken on a life of
his own. He overtook every-
thing. I sense the dichotomy
between Edson and Pelé ev-
ery time I take out my Mas-
tercard. On one side is the
image of me doing a bicycle
kick together with the signa-
ture of Pelé, and on the other
is my real signature.”
But he had no ambivalence,
no trace of doubt about the
ability behind the brand.
“In music, there is
Beethoven and the rest,”
Pelé said in 2000. “In football,
there is Pelé and the rest.”
HOW HE ROSE FROM
GRASS TO GRACE
Edson Arantes do Nasci-
mento was born in Três Cora-
ções in Brazil’s Minas Gerais
state in October 1940. His
birth certificate is dated the
21st, but he observed Octo-
ber 23 as his birthday.
He learned to play soccer
from his father, João Ramos
do Nascimento, a minor
Ozil, Usain Bolt, others pay tributes
EX-ENGLAND striker, Geoff
Hurst, tweeted a tribute to
Pele shortly after news of his
death broke on Thursday.
Hurst wrote: “I have so
many memories of Pele,
without doubt the best foot-
baller I ever played against
(with Bobby Moore being the
best footballer I ever played
alongside).
“For me Pele remains the
greatest of all time and I was
proud to be on the the pitch
with him. RIP Pele and thank
you.”
Another former England
forward, Gary Lineker, add-
ed: “Pele has died. The most
divine of footballers and joy-
ous of men.
“He played a game only a
few chosen ones have come
close to. 3 times he lifted the
most coveted gold trophy in
that beautiful yellow shirt.
“He may have left us but
he’ll always have footballing
immortality. RIP Pele”.
www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng
FRIDAY
30 DECEMBER, 2022
sport
league player who found
work later in life as a govern-
ment clerk. Pelé’s upbring-
ing was so austere that he
reportedly fashioned soccer
balls from wads of paper
stuffed into socks or used
grapefruits instead.
When Pele was 5, his fa-
ther joined a football club
in the São Paulo suburb of
Bauru and relocated his wife
and three children there. To
help subsidize the family’s
meager income, Pelé shined
shoes as a child. But his love
of soccer was so great, and
his lack of interest in his
studies so profound, that he
quit school after the fourth
grade to play the game in
the streets and ply a short-
lived trade as a cobbler’s ap-
prentice.
At 10, he started getting
coaching from Waldemar de
Brito, a friend of his father’s
and a former player for Bra-
zil’s national team. Pelé de-
veloped quickly. And with an
introduction from de Brito,
he signed his first profes-
sional contract, with Santos,
at 15.
Pelé was called up to Brazil’s
national team at 16. And he
made his World Cup debut
at 17 — the youngest player
at that point to compete in
the World Cup. Pelé scored
six goals in the 1958 tourna-
ment, including a hat trick in
the semifinals against France
and two goals in the 5-2 final
over Sweden.
When the 1962 World Cup
up got underway in Chile, he
Pele will never be forgotten —Buhari
Leon Usigbe|Abuja Assistant to the President ‘Player of the Century’ in and world sport in general. 
was no longer a teenage phe- (Media & Publicity), noted: the year 2000.” “He had an enormous gen-
nom. Despite his modest size, President Muhammadu Bu- “The world’s greatest ever According to the state- erousity of spirit and humil-
at 5-foot-8, Pelé was widely hari has joined world leaders football player succumbed ment, in a tribute to the ity despite his greatness as a
acclaimed as the world’s best in expressing grief over the to death after suffering a football legend on behalf footballer and sportsman.
player. He scored a goal in death of Brazilian soccer leg- debilitating bout of cancer. of all Nigerians, President He also built bridges across
Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Mex- end, Edson Arantes do Nas- He won three World Cups Buhari said: “May he rest nations, races and even reli-
ico in the first game, but an cimento, known as Pele who and scored over 1,281 goals, in peace. He led a good life gions. He was a UN Ambas-
injury ended his tournament. died on Thursday in Brazil.  becoming the original foot- and made a huge contribu- sador of goodwill. Pele is
Brazil went on to defend its A statement issued by ball icon in a long career for tion to the development of gone but the world will never
title without him. Garba Shehu, Senior Special which he was named the global football in particular forget him. RIP.”
With Pelé injured again in
1966, Brazil was unable to
defend its title.
Source: www.washing-
NFF will ensure vibrant league —Gusau
tonpost.com Taofeek Lawal|Abuja the teams are getting ready be presented to the league “This is a new beginning in
for the league,” he said. winners on the last day of the NPFL. The prize money for
PRESIDENT of the Nigeria IMC chairman, Elegbeleye, season while adding that any last season was N50m but this
Football Federation (NFF), in his remarks said the ob- act of hooliganism by fans will time, it has been increased by
Former Real Madrid and Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has jective of the league body lead to three points deduc- 100 per cent and that is very
Germany playmaker Mesut said the the Federation is is centred on sincerity of tions and N500,000 fine. commendable.
Ozil added: “Rest in peace committed to having a vibrant purpose, transparency and “We have secured sponsors “We also have it in good au-
to one of the greatest leg- football league that would accountability where play- for the NPFL and we are glad thority that the winner of the
ends of the game. produce players for the na- ers’ welfare and transparent to announce that the team NPFL last season has not been
“Your legacy will live for- tional teams. officiating will be promoted. that will emerge as winners of paid the prize money of N50
ever. I’m sure ‘Heaven FC’ Gusau stated this at the He stated that the prize the league will earn N100m million. This will never happen
with Maradona and Pele IMC/NPFL 2022/2023 season money of N100 million will prize money. under this dispensation.
together will be invincible draws which was held on “Clubs have been informed
forever”. Wednesday in Abuja. to shun every act of viol-
Ardiles, who won the Gusau who was represented ence during the course of the
1978 World Cup with Ar- by NFF’s Director of Commu- league. Any club which en-
gentina, wrote: “The King nications, Ademola Olajire, gage in violent conduct will be
of Kings has died. Extraordi- commended the leadership sanctioned with N500,000.00
nary player. Unique. 3 times of the Gbenga Elegbeleye-led and you know what it means
World Cup winner, more IMC who he said has done to pay such an amount as fine.
than a thousand goals. My well since their inauguration We want the best for the NPFL
idol when young. of October 21, 2022. this season in line with the
“He made football the He said the IMC has fol- mandate given to the IMC by
beautiful game and truly in- lowed the terms of reference the NFF,” Elegbeleye said.
ternational. My time playing as laid down by the NFF. Meanwhile, Group Man-
alongside him in Escape to “NFF is committed to a vi- aging Director (GMD) of
Victory was a dream come brant Nigeria football league GTI Group, sponsors of the
true. RIP Pele”. and a viable football economy. league, Abubakar Lawan, said
Tributes arrived from be- A vibrant league will produce the group is out to shape the
yond soccer too. Olympic players for the national teams. future of Nigerian league by
sprint icon Usain Bolt wrote: NFF is happy with the pro- bringing professionalism to
“A Sporting Legend. Rest in gress the IMC has made since the fore through good football
Peace King Pele”. inauguration. We believe economy.
 NIGERIAN SINCE 1949

www.tribuneonlineng.com Nigerian Tribune @nigeriantribune Nigerian Tribune tribuneonlineng

NO 18,217 FRIDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2022 N200
ferred to a wealthy European
club willing to pay hugely for
his services. Pelé was an asset
too essential to the national
interest to export.
Nonetheless, born and
reared in poverty, the soccer
champion formally known as
Edson Arantes do Nascimen-
to was among the world’s
first athletes to recognise the
power and riches of the per-
sonal brand.
Later in his career, after
retiring from Brazilian club
Santos, which was the coun-
try’s dominant team in the
1960s, Pelé took his global
aura to America, signing with
the New York Cosmos of
the North American Soccer
League in 1975, when he was
in his mid-30s. The deal was
reportedly brokered by Secre-
tary of State Henry Kissinger,
one of Pelé’s ardent admirers
and a believer in the interna-
tional goodwill spawned by
“the beautiful game.”
The genius of Pelé’s play
prompted a 48-hour cease-
fire in at least one civil war
as Nigerians put their arms
down to behold his mastery
during a 1969 exhibition in
Lagos.
It wasn’t just Pelé’s skill that
transcended boundaries; so,
too, did his fame. He never

King of
knew the origin of his nick-
name. “Pelé” has no mean-
ing in Portuguese, but it was
simple enough for a child to
pronounce and make itself
understood in all languages,
as did Pelé’s signature smile.
As he remarked in a 2001

soccer,
interview, “Wherever you go,
there are three icons that ev-
eryone knows: Jesus Christ,
Pelé and Coca-Cola.”
A year earlier, the interna-
tional governing body of soc-
cer, FIFA, named Pelé and
Argentina’s Diego Maradona
co-players of the 20th century.

Pele, dies
The question of who was the
game’s greatest of all time
— Pelé, with his three World
Cup titles, or Maradona, with
his one championship in four
World Cup appearances —
roiled passions well beyond
South America. It was a debate

at 82
that offended Pele.
Pele did not hide his lack
of regard for Maradona, the
Argentine 20 years his junior
whom he deemed a bad role
model because of his drug ad-
diction, personal scandals and
inept turn as Argentina’s national
coach for the 2010 World Cup.
Nonetheless, Pelé’s behavior
off the field was not above re-
proach. He had frequent extra-
marital dalliances and refused to

P
recognise one of his daughters as
ELE, who for decades packed into his diminutive colon cancer. improvisational skills on the three, four moves ahead — his own despite DNA tests prov-
staked a claim as the frame. Pele’s eminence in soccer soccer pitch. with the tactical savvy to pass ing he was her father.
world’s most cel- His manager Joe Fraga con- spanned three decades in During his 22-year profes- to teammates better posi- To the soccer stars who sup-
ebrated athlete, died firmed the death to the Asso- which he helped Brazil win sional career, Pelé appeared tioned to strike. ported Pelé, there was no doubt
on Thursday at 82. ciated Press. World Cup titles in 1958, in more than 1,300 matches He was barely 20 when the about who was the greatest.
He was hailed as the king of Details were not immedi- 1962 and 1970. Quick, agile, and scored almost as many president of Brazil proclaimed They were consumed by anoth-
soccer, but it was Pelé’s other ately available, but Pelé had adept with both feet and goals, yet he was hardly a him an official national trea- er debate: Was Pelé invented for
nickname — the Pérola Neg- been hospitalized in São Pau- laserlike with his headers, one-man show. He saw the sure. It was an honorific and soccer, or was soccer invented
ra, or Black Pearl — that best lo, Brazil, for the past month, Pelé was built for scoring and field the way a chess cham- an economic restraint; it for Pele?
evoked the rare brilliance he undergoing treatments for blessed with a jazz master’s pion sees the board — two, barred him from being trans- CONTINUES ON PAGE 31
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