Accused former Awkuzu SARS commander, Nwafor, shuns

...Strongvoiceechoesthetruth ISSN: 2736-0512 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 VOL. 1 NO. 46 N150

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Real reasons behind Buhari’s interest in Niger Republic

Rise and fall of Agbazuere, Abia's chief of staff

APC sacks warring Nwafor, Nlemigbo's factions in ImoStop attacking Ebonyi leaders, PDP tells Umahi

8 youths arrested for vandalising South East EEDC equipment

Accused former Awkuzu SARS commander, Nwafor, shuns Anambra panel

Abia budgets N131b for 2021

Recession, borrowing: Nigeria heading into bleak future - Finance expertFlooding: NEMA distributes relief materials to Rivers communities

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Agbazuere

Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and Muhammadu BuhariNigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and Muhammadu BuhariNigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and Muhammadu Buhari

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

It therefore led to rest the lingering battle over the soul of the party, which had pitted the former Governor Rochas Okorocha and his successor, Hope Uzodimma.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State announced this on Tuesday while briefing State House reporters on the

W h i l e O k o r o c h a supported Dan Nwafor's faction, Uzodimma was in league with the faction led by Marcellinus Nlemigbo.

h e r u l i n g A l l TProgressives Congress (APC) has applied the

sledge hammer on the two warring factions of the party in the state by dissolving the state executive council.

outcome of the NEC, also said that the action affected the party's structure at polling unit, ward, local government, state and zonal levels except members of NEC who are non members of the party's N a t i o n a l W o r k i n g Committee (NWC).

He said that NEC also extended the tenure of the 13-Member All Progressives C o n g r e s s ( A P C ) Caretaker/Extraordinary C o n v e n t i o n P l a n n i n g Committee (CECPC) led by Governor Mai Mala Buni for another six months

The tenure of Buni's committee would ended on December 25, 2020.

He said that the NEC also endorsed the expulsion of former APC National Vice

El-Rufa said that the meeting had granted waivers to those who had joined the party and those wishing to follow suit in the nearest future, adding that the NEC condemned the call for the resignation of President Buhari by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and their allies.

Chairman, South-South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, for his failure to withdraw the court case instituted against the caretaker committee.

In his opening remarks, President Buhari said the caretaker committee had succeeded in bringing new atmosphere of hope to the party as many members who had earlier defected from the APC had returned while

"Healthy debates are now taking place and the potential for organs of the party to affirm majority positions as the decision of the party is now possible.

However the decision did

others had also declared for the party.

He said what was needed now was for party chieftains to display discipline and sustain the tempo.

The President said, "I have received periodic briefings f r o m t h e c a r e t a k e r extraordinary convention planning committee, as well as other leaders of the party.

"I am convinced that in the last five months, since the appointment of the caretaker committee the initiatives t a k e n h a v e b r o u g h t remarkably new atmosphere of hope in the party.

He however said that the party in the state will meet and take definite stand on the dissolution.

Nwafor, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said that the action was in contempt of court as the matter of which faction is the authentic exco in the state was before the appellate and Supreme Court.

not go down well with the Nwafor - led commit tee, which described the action as misplaced.

He said, “Obviously the action is misplaced and misdirected because we are in court, both at the Appeal Court and Supreme Court. But we will meet as a party to take definite stand on it.

Efforts tto get Nlemigbo to comment were unsuccessful a he failed to pick his phone after many calls.

"The objective of our effort is to build a very strong regional economy that has a p o t e n t i a l t o c r e a t e employment and create wealth for the people of the region. That is why I'm here to discuss with the governor to get his own perspective and his advice on the things that the commission needs to be doing in order to ensure success,” he added.

and regional economies.

"We've discussed it and we

are hoping that with some

understanding, particularly at

the federal level we can find a

way to do that road.

He was supposed to appear before to answer questions on s o m e a l l e g a t i o n s o f e x t r a j u d i c i a l k i l l i n g s ,

he former Officer in Tcharge of Special Anti Robbery Squad SARS

Awkuzu, Anambra state, Mr James Nwafor, on Tuesday refused to appear before the Anambra judicial panel of inquiry on police brutality e x t r a j u d i c i a l a n d extrajudicial killings and other matters.

Counsel to the five p e t i t i o n e r s M r A b d u l Mammod told the panel that he has closed his cases before it and could not go further since those accused of extrajudicial killings and brutality has refused to come.

maiming and others while in charge of the SARS in the state.

The Chairman of the panel Justice Veronica'Umeh (rtd) had during last sitting ruled that Mr James Nwafor would b e i nv i t e d t o a n s w e r allegations leveled him and some of his officers and men .

However, it was gathered that there was an alleged plan by some aggrieved persons whose relatives were either killed or wrongfully arrested to attack the embattled ex- police officer if he shows up at the government house venue for the panel of inquiry.

At the panel venue many people had come see James Nwafor,as expectations were high that he would honor the invitation but those at the panel were disappointed that he did not show up.

He said that the panel that based on the terms of reference given to it cannot enforce the order to bring the accused to the panel.

The FRSC boss expressed worry over the incessant cases of road accidents recorded on daily basis along the axis.

he Corps Marshall of

Tthe Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC,

Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi , yesterday, flag off a public awareness campaign on speed control to educate motorists p ly i n g E nu g u - O n i t s h a expressway.

Oyeyemi was represented by the Anambra State Sector Commandant, Mr. Andrew Kumapayi, at the event which took place at the Sector Unit Command RSS.33 Nteje, a l o n g E n u g u - O n i t s h a expressway.

He said the primary purpose of the awareness campaign was to educate motorists on the danger of driving above the 100 speed l i m i t t h a t i s o n l y constitutionally allowed on Nigeria roads.

Oyeyemi noted that the campaign was in line with the FRSC operational order to stem the tide of accidents on

Nigeria's highways.On the for thcoming

Christmas and New Year festivals, he warned parents who are travelling with their children to avoid night journey, noting that most of

Nwosu made the remark while addressing leaders of Nigeria Institute of Public

ommiss ioner fo r

CWorks, Imo State, Ralph Nwosu, has

assured that the s ta te government will leave a long lasting legacy on Imo roads.

Nteje Unit Commander, Mr. Yakubu S. Ahmed, while addressing the deployed officers, blamed some of the crash incidents on human

the commercial vehicles travelling at night are faulty.

factors like over speeding, f a t i g u e , i m p a t i e n c e , overloading and insensitivity on the part of drivers.

He noted also that many people that defiled the FRSC repeated caution to use the

He warned the officers not to subject themselves to monetary inducement during

pedestrian bridge available on the highways, contributed to the increase as they become victims of hit and run motorists while carelessly crossing the major roads.

the awareness for the sake of God and humanity.

News Echo gathered that about 60 personnel, rainer gun, vehicles and other road-control tools were deployed for the success of the exercise which is expected to end first quarter of 2021.

Relations (NIPR), Imo State chapter who called on him in his office.

He stated that the Hope Uzodimma administration believes in thorough jobs, whereby the state will be transformed for the better, pointing out that the root problems of roads under constr uct ion are being

tackled head-on, as to ensure long life span of the roads.

He assured Imolites of more roads construction and better days ahead.

Speaking earlier, the

Nwosu added tha t construction of solid roads, wi thout compromis ing standard saves costs which can also be invested in other areas.

Chairman of NIPR in the state, Comrade Loveth Ekwemalo, commended the commissioner for the giant strides in recovering Imo roads which suffered years of neglect during the past administration.

Ekwemalor stated that visible improvement has been

made on Imo roads under the present administration, with the level and standard of on-going road construction and rehabilitation projects in the state

She made particular reference to Relief Market road, MCC Road, Awo Omamma - Okwudor road, Chukwuma Nwaoha Road and others, adding that the

She commended the commissioner for running open-door policy and assured of the support of NIPR for the state government.

r e c e n t f l a g – o f f o f construction of roads in the state, including, Owerri – Orlu and Owerri -Okigwe roads, are a big plus to the present administration.

FRSC flags off mobile speed control campaign From Ovat Mike,Onitsha

Commissioner assures of quality road constructionBy Uzoma Ogoke

Commission bemoans state of Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road

Former Awkuzu SARS commander, Nwafor, shuns Anambra panelFrom Maduako Eleweke, Awka

APC sacks warring Nwafor, Nlemigbo's factions in Imo

By Jude Owuamanam

…It's unconstitutional – Nwafor

g u b e r n a t o r i a l

Aaspi rant on the platform of Labour

Party (LP) in Anambra State, G r o u p C a p t . N n a m d i Nnoruka has said he would bring his years of military experience to bear in tackling the security challenges in the state if elected the governor.

He said none of the aspirants eyeing the exalted seat in the state could match him in issues of security

N n o r u k a s p o k e i n Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state during the opening of the state secretariat of the party a h e a d o f t h e 2 0 2 1 governorship election.

He said his priority would b e o n s e c u r i t y, f o o d sufficiency and recovery of looted funds, adding that his colleagues in the military had assured him of maximum support.

" I h a v e r e c e i v e d assurances from the military because all of us know ourselves and we are from the same institution, Nigeria Defence Academic (NDA)

and started in our youths.

"We'll be multi tasking. But there are immediate

"They know what I'm capable of doing, especially with regards to the security challenges facing Anambra today. That's why they are all in support of the project.

raced commission has Blamented the poor state of the Calabar-

Itu-Ikot Ekpene highway, saying it was inimical to the economic growth of the South-South region.

The six South-South states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and D e l t a , m a k e u p t h e Commission, which was set up as an initiative to foster the integration, socio-economic a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l development of the region.

Director General of the Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, stated that his experience on the road was

issues we'll look into. The biggest challenge is that of inability to feed ourselves, that is hunger.

"Even after years of civil war, we are still finding it difficult to feed ourselves. It's a major catastrophe. Our leaders can afford to spend billions for themselves while

Whi l e na r ra t ing h i s experience on his Calabar to Uyo trip, he said spending two and a half hours in a supposed forty-five minutes j o u r n e y b e c a u s e o f d i l a p i d a t e d r o a d w a s appalling.

H e s t a t e d t h a t

stressful, noting that the poor state of the federal road was h i n d e r i n g e c o n o m i c cooperation and integration of the states.

Keshi, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the United S t a t e s d e c r i e d t h e involvement of the Niger D e l t a D e v e l o p m e n t Commission (NDDC) with mini projects, saying they were within the capacities of local and state governments.

Anambra guber: I'll deploy my military experience in tackling security - Aspirant From Ovat Mike,Onitsha

they budget paltry sum for agriculture", he stated.

"We are going to be his t h i n k - t a n k u s i n g o u r experience and human resource management in all fields of endeavour. We are going to advise him to ensure the right things are done", he stated.

Also speaking, a retired general , Arinze Chuka Ebenebe, confirmed the military backing to the project, stressing that the military had been part of the electorate with voting powers.

He called for collaboration be tween the BRACED Commission and the Niger D e l t a D e v e l o p m e n t Commission (NDDC) on the way forward for the region.

Speaking to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday after a closed-door meeting with Governor Udom Emmanuel, Keshi revealed that he was in the state to get Governor Emmanuel's inputs on the best direction to realise the mandate of the commission.

intraregional projects like the Calabar-Itu road lies waiting for the exclusive attention of the federal Government.

He said the commission was important because the states in the region must function optimally for the federal government to work well, and called for the building of strong local, state

From Emem Okon, Uyo

L a t e I n n o c e n t Kokorifa, was shot to death by the police on August 18, 2016 during a patrol duty with men of the Anti-Vice/Anti-Kidnapping team along Air Force Road, Okaka in Yenagoa.

ourt of Appeal in

CPort-Harcourt, the R i v e r s S t a t e

capital, has upheld the judgment of the Bayelsa State High Court which sentenced ex-Corporal Vincent Koluama-owei to death by hanging for killing 17-year old Innocent Kokorifa in Yenagoa.

In the suit filed by the family of deceased in 2016, the police claimed that the late innocent Kokorifa was a member of an armed robbery gang.

The case lasted till October 2018 when Justice

The PS had alleged that the four chiefs were suspended on the ground of being behind a recent protest by certain members of the community at the State Government house, supporting the monarch's suspension as well as indulging in other anti-town activities.But the community, under the a e g i s o f A b a c h a Traditional Ruler Council, described the action as

bacha community

Ain Idemili North L o c a l

Government Area of A n a m b r a S t a t e h a s s l a m m e d i t s Pa l a c e Secretary, Mr. Joe Mbakwe for purportedly suspending the traditional Prime minister (Onowu), Chief P a u l N z e k w e s i , Omofia.Mbakwe was also b e r a t e d o v e r t h e suspension of three other prominent cabinet chiefs Godwin Odiegwu (Ichie Nwakaibeya), Anthony O k e l o ( I c h i e O z o ) Ugochukwu Onyekwelu ( I c h i e O m e n k a ) . T h e community is among those their monarchs were recently suspended by Governor Willie Obiano for traveling to Abuja without due permission.

Ineikade Eradiri, delivered judgment and sentenced the ex-police personnel Vincent Koluama-owei to death by hanging.

The ex-cor pora l however appealed the judgment in the appeal court Port Harcourt

In his ruling on Friday, Justice I. O. Akeju upheld the judgment of the Bayelsa State High Court which sentenced the Ex-C o r p o r a l V i n c e n t Koluama-owei to death.

He said that his family name has been cleared as his son has been absolved of the allegation that he was a member of armed robbery gang, which warranted his killing.

Speaking to journalists after the judgment, Daniel Kokorifa, the father to the Late Innocent Kokorifa, expressed gratitude to the court for affirming the justice done to his family by affirming the judgment of the lower court.

It added that the palace secretary lacked the power to carry out the purported suspension as he was merely a personal staff of his blood brother Igwe GBC Mbakwe.

ultra viras, null, void and of no affect, insisting that it was not in consonance with the town's traditional council laws.

"Our constitution is clear on the event of absence of Igwe, it stipulated that in the absence of Igwe the second in command (Onowu) which is me takes over.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the Abacha traditional ruler council after a cabinet meeting he presided at Umudisi village Abacha, traditional Prime Minister of the town (Onowu), Chief Paul N z e k w e s i O m o f i a described the palace scribe a s a m e d d l e s o m e interloper and purported suspension as a frivolous.

He said, "The purported suspension is neither here or there. The palace secretary cannot exercise a power he doesn't have as he is just a personal staff of his b r o t h e r I g w e G B C Mbakwe. He is just trying to be mischievous to cause confusion and paint the town as not peaceful.

Also speaking, President General of the community, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Okeke Obata and two of the suspended chiefs Godwin

"So I am in charge together with entire cabinet chiefs and there is absolute peace in our community, we are in support of our amiable governor Chief Willie Obiano on this action as he has done marvelously well for the state in every sector."

The Deputy Governor of state, Dr Nkem Okeke gave the directive during a sensitisation meeting with board members of Post

n a m b r a S t a t e

Agoverment has d i r e c t e d

s t a k e h o l d e r s i n t h e education sector in the state to strictly comply with all the COVID-19 pandemic rules in their schools, so as to ward off a second wave o f the pandemic.

C o m m i s s i o n e r f o r Health, Dr Vincent Okpala in his remark stated that COVID-19 was no child's play as Anambra had its fair share of the pandemic.

Okpala enjoined the stakeholders in education to ensure that schools still maintained the COVID-19 protocols as that would help to curb the spread of the virus.

Okeke also advised teachers to live by example in obser ving a l l the COVID-19 pandemic rules as it would help to keep them at alert.

“The virus is still with us; we must do well to keep it down as the country prepares for the second wave of the virus.'' he said

virus.

“Anambra State is the only state in the southeast to return the lowest positive rate in COVID-19 pandemic but we can do

I n h e r s p e e c h , Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha urged the teachers to take the awareness message to the grassroots on the need to be at alert against a second w ave o f C OV I D - 1 9 pandemic, especially in schools.

“When the pandemic started, we swung into action by starting our teaching-on-air.

“We showed the public that we are a people, who are disciplined and believe that the standards of our c h i l d r e n c a n n o t b e measured based on our o w n s t a n d a r d s , ' ' Omenugha added.

“I urge the head teachers of schools to cooperate with the paramedics who are going round schools for s a m p l e c o l l e c t i o n , ' ' Okpala added.

better.

Odiegwu and Ugochukwu Onyekwelu maintained that there was permanent peace in the town since the suspension of the Igwe by t h e A n a m b r a S t a t e Government.

They added that there w a s n o v a c u u m i n l e a d e r s h i p a s t h e traditional ruler council headed by Onowu Chief Paul Omofia as working in perfect synergy with the town union government.

According to him lives of Anambra people cannot be compromised especially this period the country is facing a second wave of the Corona Virus outbreak.

Primary Schools Service C o m m i s s i o n a n d Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Zonal and Education Secretaries, Heads and Principals of Schools in the state.

According to him, the education sector was not left out, as pupils and students were at greater risk of contracting the

The newly inducted professors of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu and the management of the institution.

Recession, borrowing: Nigeria heading into bleak future - Finance expertFrom Nonye Udimiri, Aba

chartered tax

Ae x p e r t a n d traditional ruler of

A m a n g w o - O l o k o r o , Umuahia South L.G.A., Abia State, Eze Christian Onyebule has warned that Nigeria and her citizens might be plunged into a

bleak future, if the current recession entered into by t h e c o u n t r y i s mismanaged.

Eze Christian gave the warning, Friday, in his palace while reacting to the current hardship being experienced by Nigerians, e s p e c i a l ly t h e r u r a l dwellers. He expressed hope that

the economy will pick up again if those in political power are committed to rescuing the economy

The royal father posited that recession cannot be blamed on any government and recalled that the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as its attendant lockdown effects have led to the current state of economy of the country.

Eze Onyebule posited that Nigeria, whose major source of income is oil which at the moment is not yielding enough income, may also encounter a deficit along the line, e s p e c i a l l y i f t h e government of the day is unable to get things right.

"Borrowing is not bad for

investors, but you cannot

c l a s s i f y g ove r n m e n t

anywhere in the world as

good investors. So, when

they borrow, they may not

u t i l i ze the loans as

effectively as the people in

the private sector."You are in a recession.

You are borrowing because the income has fallen, then you are creating a problem. You are going to repay with the income you earn in future. This may lead to mortgaging the future of the country if managers of the economy as well as those in gover nment m i s m a n a g e o r misappropriate such loans, hence the need for the country to prudently manage whatever loans they take at this critical time".

Appeal court affirms death sentence on ex-corporal for murderFrom Godson Nwosu Port Harcourt

Palace secretary in Anambra under fire for suspending Prime minister, 3 othersFrom Maduako Eleweke, Awka

Anambra Government on second wave of COVID-19 pandemicFrom Maduako Eleweke, Awka


In our local parlance here we have always been known to shout and hail that power belongs to the people. In fact the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) of yesteryears had it as its slogan: 'Power to the people''. Democracy is a global phenomenon and is touted as the best form of government. The little elementary knowledge in school teaches that it o r i g i n a t e d f r o m G r e e c e b u t popularized and strongly rooted in countries like America and Europe.

Little wonder democracy is highly prized and valued but the practice of democrac y in our countr y i s something that calls for questioning on the sincerity and seriousness of the practitioners to uphold its sanctity. Since the emergence of the second republic, the People's Democratic Power (PDP) held power for 16 unbroken years before they were dislodged by the All Progressives Congress in the last three years plus.

One of the factors that has been g e n e r a l l y i d e n t i f i e d a n d acknowledged is that what led to its loss of power is the clear absence of internal democracy neither did external democracy mean anything

Democracy is a beauty to watch in the so called civilized societies. Africa copied it by vir tue of colonization and has been struggling with it. While we can beat our chests and say that it is working wonders in those climes we cannot say the same thing in Africa. It was not long that African countries in total i ty embraced democracy. Military rule had hitherto held sway and had called the shot. Time appears to have taken the back seat when they inter mit tent ly se ized power. Military rule by the nature of its governance style is described as an aberration. They impose their will and do not respect the wishes of the people.

ur democratic process is

Ounder siege by politicians. One of the issues that have

c o n t i n u a l l y t h r e a t e n e d o u r democracy is the absence of internal democracy itself. The elementary definition of democracy is that it is the government of the people for the people and by the people. This simply means that democracy is people-centric.

to it. This singular factor which caused the imposition of candidates on the party and on the people led to massive protest resulting in erosion of membership and sabotage.

I f the po l i t i ca l par t ies a re disciplined enough to observe internal democracies this would save the polity not only unnecessary bickering among politicians but also our courts from being clogged with cases. If the parties are not able to manage their internal issues properly what is the guarantee that they can manage democratic challenges at a larger scale when it involves externals. This is the crux of the matter as our success is dependent on practicing democratic ethos.

The story is not any different with the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirming the speculations among political observers that the issues with our democracy is not the civilian rule itself but the role of the practitioners. Our politicians lack the requisite discipline needed to run a democrac y. Their g reed to dominate power is unrivalled.

The issue of lack of internal democracy has continued to rear its ugly head and became pronounced in the just concluded re-run elections especially in the Imo APC. The party from its primary election had thrown up two candidates who continued the contest for their candidature in the law courts. Not even the party leadership was able to resolve the challenge which made mockery of the party before the public.

The absence of internal democracy in the PDP created opportunities for money bags that lacked credibility as well as god fathers to anoint their god sons into political offices. The end point is that democracy is not o n l y s h o r t - c h a n ge d b u t b a d governance held sway everywhere. Up till date political pundits opine that we are still making mockery of democracy and are yet to start the journey. This may appear true if w e i g h e d i n t h e b a l a n c e o f democratic ethos.

The situation culminated in the party eventually not fielding any one because both candidates had secured different court rulings against each other. This is just one case among myriads others.

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CorrespondentsDanMaduagwuOkey(AbiaState)

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Internal democracy-greatestchallenge of our democratic process

Page 5

News

he acting National TVice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP), South East Zone, Chief Ali Odefa, has taken a swipe at governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, saying his recent unguarded utterances are inimical to the political development of Igbo land.

To this end, Odefa called on Umahi to move on and play his politics with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and stop witch-hunting his perceived opponents who are mostly Ebonyi State political leaders

The PDP boss alleged that the governor has marked for PDP leaders in the state foe witch-hunt.

He wondered why the governor who is the chief security officer of the state should be threatening war against citizens of the state.

Odefa said Umahi and his family until he ran to APC had started attacking PDP stakeholders in Ebonyi State whereas he is the major beneficiary of PDP in the state.

In a press conference at the PDP zonal secretariat, Enugu, Odefa assured that PDP would deploy every legal means to protect the party from interlopers.

he Inspector General To f P o l i c e , I G P Muhammed Adamu,

has vowed that the Nigeria Police would never allow a repeat of the recent violent EndSARS protest that claimed lives of officers and men of the


"It is a common knowledge that Governor Umahi and his family remain the major beneficiaries of the support of the PDP and these same PDP leaders whom he has suddenly branded promoters of cultists in Ebonyi; each of t h e s e l e a d e r s p l a y e d prominent roles in making Umahi a successful politician

and Governor of Ebonyi State.

"For the records, Chief Umahi until he jumped ship t o t h e A P C b e c a m e everything he is in Ebonyi cum Nigeria politics in PDP, while his two brothers, Mr. Austin Umahi and Maxwell Umahi were Zonal Chairman and Deputy State Chairman

H e q u e s t i o n e d t h e un founded a l l ega t ions Umahi levelled against the political leaders in the state, saying, 'at what point did he realize I, Chief Ali Odefa and other leaders he so maligned with his baseless allegation, were promoters of IPOB and cultists?'

of the PDP, respectively. Under the PDP Federal Government, Gen. Obi Umahi enjoyed accelerated promotion and appointment in the Nigeria Army", he stated.

university after serving this university and retiring with unblemished dignity. He has become our role model as professor, a model of commitment to research and duty, teaching, mentorship, epistemic soundness and ethical impeccability"

According to him, "it is a very important day in the life of our university for the promotion of all these professors. It is a joyful event. It's the first time in Nigerian University when professors are actually recognized what they have done. We call it professorial investiture"

Others are: Prof. Regina

U d a b a h o f E n g l i s h

Language, Stylistic; Prof.

Marysylvia Nwachukwu of

Religion/ Biblical Theology,

Prof. Donatus Nwobodo of

Education Foundation, Prof.

Felicia Ene of Language

Education, English; Prof.

Ndidiamaka Michael Ozofor

of Mathematics and Prof

Innocent Uzoechi of History.

The 11 pro fessors inducted into professorship of the university include: P r o f . M a r k C h i j i o k e (Professor Emeritus), Prof. Serguis Udeh of Accounting, Prof Titus Nwanne of Banking and Finance, Prof. Nicholas Alizeobodo of Public Administration and Prof. Michael Nwafor of Banking and Finance.

" To d a y, w e a l s o celebrate someone who served this university with i n c r e d i b l e s e n s e o f commitment to duty, Prof. Mark Chijioke. Prof. Mark Chijioke has been named the first emeritus professor of our

leven lecturers at the EG o d f r e y O k o y e University, Enugu,

have been conferred with professorial chair.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Christian Anieke while speaking at the investiture of the professors, yesteday, charged them to be the best in their various academic fields.

Anieke noted that professor is a designation for a special class of teachers that e m b o d i e s t h e h i g h e s t epistemic, academic and ethical standard, as well as ideas of their field of research and studies.

He stated: "It is a very important day in the life of our univers i ty for the promotion of all these professors. It is a joyful event. It's the first time in Nigerian university when professors are actually recognized for what they have done. We call it professorial investiture"

Another gardener who introduced himself simply as Mr. Jude, wondered why the husband and wife should tell them to stay at home when they have not been paid for the four months they worked.

submission, Chukwuma Nwokeafor, said that Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Duru, at a point, told them to stop work, promising to pay them when money comes, a condition they saw as a ploy to illegally disengage them.

In her own submission, Mrs. Charity Chiagoro, a widow, beckoned on the state government to pay them, lamenting that he could hardly feed and afford medical treatment, owing to lack of money.

He said they rely on the money to take care of their families, but are now utterly

Efforts to reach Mrs. Duru failed as she could not be reached on her telephone line as at press time.

It took the intervention of the Commissioner for Lands, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu to calm the protesters, who he urged to come on a later date when the governor will be around to address them directly.

disappointed, adding that they now leave on borrowing.

Onuegbu said the problem may not actually be from the husband and wife. He pointed out that there are over three agencies laying claim to the same job in the state, saying that the discrepancy may have been the cause of the delay in paying their salaries, but assured them it will be sorted out as soon as possible, so they will be paid.

They accused the Special Assistant to the governor on beautification, Izuchi Duru and her husband, Joshua Duru of foul play in the payment of their salaries.

ardeners who work

Gfor the Imo State Government, on

Monday, staged a protest at the Government House, Owerri, demanding the payment of four months arrears of their salaries by the state government.

Corroborating Nwaiwu's

One of the leaders of the gardeners, Bethel Nwaiwu, said road sweepers who are in the same category with them have received their payment up to date, while they are owed four months of their N20,000 monthly salary.

Adamu, who gave the warning Tuesday, while inspecting police formations destroyed in Anambra State during the EndSARS protest, said the police would resist any attempt to attack government property, as well as police formations in the country.

He said officers and men

force, as well as civilians. of the force would not fold their hands and watch miscreants killing, destroying government and private property.

According to Adamu, the police have been given order to apply maximum force in quelling subsequent protests in future. He however, reiterated the commitment of the force

to protecting the right of citizens to peaceful protest.

He expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for commending the force amidst condemnation from the public with a view to demoralising the police.

He also announced that the federal government has approved the upward review " T w e l v e p o l i c e

of salary of men of the force, just as he commended over e ight Divis ional Pol ice Officers for their courage in defending their stations during the protest.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police in the state, John Abang, said 19 personnel were victims of the protest out of which four lost their lives and 15 were injured.

he National Emergency TManagement Agency ( N E M A ) , h a s

commenced distribution of r e l i e f m a t e r i a l s t o communities affected by flood disaster in Rivers State.

T h e a ge n c y M o n d ay, travelled to Ataba Waterfront Community, in Andonni Local Government Area where its Director General, r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e S o u t h / S o u t h Z o n a l C o o r d i n a t o r , Wa l s o n Brandon, distributed relief materials to 291 households affected by flood disaster

T h e r e l i e f m a t e r i a l s included food stuff such as rice, beans, yam, garri, blankets, mosquito nets, cement, roofing sheets, among others. The agency also used the opportunity to convey to them the heartfelt sympathy of the federal gover nment regarding their fate.

Walson assured them that the federal government was determined to make efforts to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to come to their aids more regularly, and urged t h e A t a b a Wa t e r f r o n t

Abang however assured the IGP that the command was gradually recovering from the incident through the s u p p o r t o f t h e s t a t e gover nment and publ ic spirited individuals.

formations were burnt and seven were vandalised. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers we r e d a m a ge d a n d 2 7 o p e r a t i o n a l v e h i c l e s vandalised", he said.

E x p r e s s i n g t h e i r apprec ia t ion, the k ing, Egweme thanked the federal government for their timely response, and vouched their support for its policies and programmes.

Receiving the items on b e h a l f o f t h e A t a b a Waterfront Community, were their king, Benson Egweme, the women leader, Mrs. Elfreda Heyford and the youth p re s iden t , Mr. Enwere Robinson.

The king also made a case for two other nearby islands which he noted, needed a similar support, while the women leader and youth p r e s i d e n t a s s u r e d o f harmonious relationship with other ethnic groups co-habiting with them.

Community, to live in peace with their neighbours and always support and protect government's projects in their area.

T h e a g e n c y ' s n e x t distribution of relief materials will take place at Ahoada West, Abua-Odual and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGAs, all in River.

Stop attacking Ebonyi leaders, PDP tells UmahiFrom Chuma Austin, Enugu

Imo gardeners protest 4 months arrears of salariesBy Uzoma Ogoke

Okoye varsity gets11 new professorsFrom Chuma Austin, Enugu

Police can't allow repeat of violent protest, says IGPFrom Maduako Eleweke,Awka

From Chukwudi Chidiebere, Port Harcourt

Flooding: NEMA distributes relief materials to Rivers communities

Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, presenting the 2021 budget of the state to the House of Assembly on Monday.

t the backdrop of

At h e m ove s b y

m a r i t i m e

workers to shutdown ports

operations the Nigerian

Nigeria, MWUN, led by

the Pres ident -Genera l ,

Adewale Adeyanju, over

their planned strike. Bello

implored the union to take

in to cons idera t ion the

hardship the proposed strike

w i l l i m p o s e d o n t h e

i n t h e A p a p a P o r t

environment which has

paralysed businesses for

years now. Consequently, the

Executive Secretary of the

N S C , H a s s a n B e l l o ,

yesterday, in Lagos met with

a a three man team of the

Maritime Workers Union of he Securities and

TE x c h a n g e

C o m m i s s i o n

(SEC) has said it is exploring

various avenues to deepen

the equities market by having

more companies listed in the

market and to increase the

number of products in the

market. The commission

said the initiative would raise

the market capitalisation of

the Nigerian Stock Exchange

(NSE) and contribute to the

development of the nation's

national economy. The

Director-General, SEC,

Lamido Yuguda, disclosed

this at the 2020 annual

workshop of the Capital

Market Correspondents

Associat ion of Nigeria

(CAMCAN) in Lagos.

Y u g u d a , w h o w a s

represented by Mr Stephen

Falomo, Director, Lagos

Zonal Office, SEC, said the

commission took some

strategic initiatives to boost

market activities and

o v e s t o Mc o n c e s s i o n Nigeria's four

major airpor ts and the establishment of a national carrier are still on course and the results will materialise s o o n , t h e F e d e r a l Government said.

In November, the House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to s u s p e n d t h e p l a n t o concession airports until all issues had been addressed.

Four international airports were billed for concessioning to private operators and they included the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports.

The Chairman, House Committee on Aviation,

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, stated this in his m e s s a g e o n t h e commemoration of the 2020 International Civil Aviation Day, despite oppositions by lawmakers on plans by the government to concession airports.

Nnolim Nnaji, had argued that there were concerns by operators in the aviation sector against moves by government to concession airports.

“Among the concerns were the lack of transparency in the exercise, labour issues, the Chinese loans, the legal issues that may arise from the existing concessions and the lack of proper valuation of the present status of the affected airports, among others,” the lawmaker had explained.

But in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the spokespe r son , Fede ra l Ministry of Aviation, James O d a u d u , t h e av i a t i o n minister stated that the concession of airports was part of the aviation roadmap currently on course.

According to Sirika, the roadmap was developed to serve as a catalyst for a comprehensive overhaul of the aviation industry in Nigeria.

The statement read in part, “The minister further asserts that the roadmap which includes the establishment o f a n a t i o n a l c a r r i e r, e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, concession o f s o m e a i r p o r t s , establishment of an aviation leasing company, among others, will lay a solid and la s t ing foundat ion fo r aviation development in Nigeria.”

He also assured Nigerians that the implementation of the roadmap, which was in line with the theme of the ICAD, remained on course. and that the results would become obvious in due course.

Sirika appealed to industry players to join hands with government to ensure the realisation of the objectives of the roadmap for the benefit of all users of the nation's airspace.

crystallise the growth of

the Nigerian capital market

on the heels of the Covid-19

pandemic. He noted that this

was done to cushion the

negative impact of the global

pandemic in the capital

market, while adding that its

committee in the drive

against the pandemic has

continued to provide support

and equipment towards

combating the pandemic and

its effect.

sector to the detriment of

the economy. Adeyunju

noted that this is despite the

fact that the sector is second

largest revenue contributor

to the economy. He further

disclosed that the union

plans to meet with other

agencies in the maritime

sector today. He also said the

union has been left with no

choice but still holds hopes

that the strike will be called

off if an agreement can be

reached with government.

Shippers Council, NSC,

has launched measures to

stave off the strike actions.

The workers are protesting

the long -d rawn t ra f f i c

N i g e r i a n s a n d t h e

economy, especially at this

time of the year when port

activities are usually at its

peak. The union said it

a p p r e c i a t e s B e l l o f o r

reaching out to the union,

noting the strike is proposed

because the government

he Nigeria Senate on TTuesday confirmed the nomination of

Umaru Farouk Aminu as a full-t i m e C o m m i s s i o n e r represent ing Nor th-West geopol i t i ca l zone in the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

The confirmation followed a satisfactory report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.

In his report, Shekarau who represents Kano Central Senatorial district explained that the nominee was earlier screened by the Committee and found satisfactory to join the pension commission, saying

According to him, the PenCom act made provision for the six geopolitical zones of the country to produce Commissioners.

He said: “That the Senate do receive and consider the report o f t h e C o m m i t t e e o n Establishment and Public S e r v i c e M a t t e r s o n t h e c o n f i r m a t i o n o f t h e nomination of Umaru Farouk Aminu for appointment as a fu l l - t ime Commiss ioner representing the North-West geopol i t ical zone in the N a t i o n a l P e n s i o n Commission”.

Senators who contributed

the zone he was supposed to represent was still vacant.

enate on Tuesday

Sdirected the Nigerian

National Petroleum

C o r p o r a t i o n ( N N P C ) t o

p r i o r i t i z e e n l a r g i n g t h e

capac i t i e s o f Ind igenous

s h i p p i n g f i r m s a n d a l s o

patronize them to save Nigeria

of the $120 million annual loss

to foreign companies in the

s h i p m e n t o f p e t r o l e u m

products. This was a decision

r e a c h e d b y t h e S e n a t e

Committee on local content

after a meeting with the NNPC

management and Ship Owners

Association of Nigeria where it

was revealed Nigeria loses more

including some $120 million loss

to demurrage, using foreign

f irms. Chairman of the

committee and former Senate

Leader, Tealim Folarin, in a

ruling at the meeting directed

NNPC to allow local shop

owners to participate in the

transportation of petroleum

products “It is very important we

patronise Indigenous shipping.

The whole essence of this

investigative hearing is not to

trade blames. We understand

that they don't have enough

vessels; they don't have capacity

and capacity cannot come from

heaven. The GMD here has the

capacity to help build capacity. It

is very important that we

patronize indigenous shipping

companies.”Folarin said. Also

speaking, a member of the

committee, Senator Solomon

Adeola, who is a lso the

cha i r man o f the Sena te

C o m m i t t e e o n F i n a n c e

highlighted the economic

consequences of using foreign

firms, saying Nigeria had been

worse for it. Adeola dismissed

submissions that Nigerians do

not own vessels that could be

patronised. “There are local

vessels owned by Nigerians, it

depends on the type of vessels

we are talking about. There are

two types of vessels”, he said.

Reacting, the group Managing

Director of the NNPC, Mele

Kyari who had informed the

commit tee ear l ie r o f no

I n d i g e n o u s v e s s e l s t o

patronise, however, promised

to engage local partners. “I am

going to work to support these

companies. We will engage our

partners”, he said.

he Small and Medium TE n t e r p r i s e s Development Agency

of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says the agency has concluded plans to train 100 entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom on standard packaging to enable their products attract global attention.

The agency also pledged to offer free digital academy training to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) as COVID-19 support with huge economic benefits to boost revenue generation.

The Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Radda, disclosed this during the 2020 MSME Opportunity Fair

Radda, who was represented by Mr. Wale Fasanya, Director, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, said the fair was p a c k a g e d t o e n a b l e entrepreneurs showcase, market their products and engage in cross fertilisation of ideas.

He said that the agency would create a convergence point in form of market hub application to enable entrepreneurs all over the country to interact with customers and suppliers of inputs to their businesses across the globe.

organised by the agency in Uyo.

“The Micro, Smal l and Medium Enterprises sub-sector is a critical sub-sector in the N i g e r i a n e n t e r p r i s e deve lopment space. They col lect ively account for a

Nigeria and also account for the highest number of jobs created in the economy.

“Business app built to capture al l businesses in Nigeria, irrespective of the nature of the enterprise; is a medium to foster great intersection between business to business, business and visitors to the app.

"It is a convergence point for Nigerians and business owners all over the world, who wish to establish links with potential customers," he said.

T h e A k w a I b o m Commissioner for Trade and I nve s t m e n t , M r. U k p o n g Akpabio, thanked SMEDAN for g i v i n g t h e u p c o m i n g entrepreneurs in the state a p la t fo r m to l everage and showcase their creativity to the public.

Ukpong said that the state

government was very passionate

on the issue bordering on

business, adding that the state

government would do all it could

to make SMEs thrive in the state.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who pres ided over Tuesday ' s plenary in the absence of Dr. A h m a d I b r a h i m L awa n confirmed the nominee.

confirmed that there was no petition against the nominee saying he should be confirmed without delay.

Page 6Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Business NewsStrike: Shippers Council meets maritime union, cautions over economic impact

SEC seeks more listings,products in capital market

Senate confirms Umaru FaroukAminu as PenCom Commissioner

Airports concession, others willgo ahead despite opposition –FG

$120m petroleum shipment fees:Senate asks NNPC patronizeindigenous firms

SMEDAN to train 100 entrepreneursin Akwa IbomFrom Emem Okon,Uyo

Cargo ship

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Page 7

Cr me Watch

fficers of the

ONigerian police c o m m a n d

attached to Nnewi Area c o m m a n d i n collaboration with local vigilante have arrested one Chiemezie Kenneth Aligu for the alleged r o b b e r y o f H o n d a CUB50 motorcycle.

Echo gathered.According to a source,

luck ran out of him when the local vigilante on receiving a call rushed to scene and apprehended him, while angry mob descended on him before the police arrived and took him away.

Confirming the arrest, police public relations o f f i c e r, S P H a r u n a M o h a m m e d , i n a statement made available

n 18-year-old girl

Ah a s b e e n

a r r e s t e d i n

Lagos state for allegedly

faking her own kidnap to

demand ransom from her

family, police said Tuesday.

Ujunwa Offiah is accused

of conspiring with her

boyfriend to stage her

abduct ion, ask ing her

family to pay N30 million.

She was arrested along

w i t h a n o t h e r a l l e g e d

a c c o m p l i c e, P r e c i o u s

Chukwu, 22, as the ransom

money was being dropped,

police said. “This is a case

of conspiracy and staged

kidnapping,” Lagos state

commissioner of police, CP

Hakeem Odumosu, said in

a statement. It was reported

that Offiah's boyfriend, an

Uber driver and “the

man at the centre of this

case”, is still on the run.

“We are going after him

because he conspired

with one of these two

ladies, Offiah, who faked

her kidnap.” Odumosu

s a i d t h a t a f t e r

negotiation, the ransom

w a s r e d u c e d t o

Justice Okon Abang ruled that the decision t o g r a n t t h e application was at court's discretion.

The judge said such a plea was a ploy to waste the judicial time of the court, NAN reports.

E c o n o m i c s a n d F i n a n c i a l C r i m e s C o m m i s s i o n ' s ( E F C C ) l a w y e r , Farouk Abdullah, told the cour t that the matter was slated for continuation.

But Justice Abang noted that since the matter resumed on September 29, Maina did not appear in court until a bench warrant was issued against

F e d e r a l

AHigh Court in Abuja on

Tu e s d ay r e j e c t e d another request by Abdulrasheed Maina for an adjournment to p r e p a r e f o r h i s defence.

Maina is a former C h a i r m a n o f t h e d e f u n c t P e n s i o n Reform Task Team (PRTT).

However, Anayo Adibe, Maina's new counsel, objected on grounds that the legal team was just taking over the case and needed adequate time to prepare.

him.The judge

s a i d t h e issue of fair h e a r i n g w a s n o t applicable b e c a u s e Maina was n o t j u s t c o m i n g i n t o t h e matter for t h e f i r s t time.

“ T h e issue before the court has to be properly m a d e n o t o n a sentimental basis. The 1st defendant (Maina) jumped bail without reason to do so,” Abang held.

“ A n d i f J o e Gadzama ( fo r mer counsel) fails, the new counsel knows what to do. An administrative letter to a registrar cannot serve as a stay of proceeding. The new counsel cannot drag us into his own i n t e r n a l a f f a i r s ” , Abang added.

Justice Abang, who noted that Maina had been offered adequate opportunity and time for his defence, refused t o g r a n t h i s application.

He noted that i f Maina's new counsel needed the case file, it was expected that the former counsel would hand over the file to the new lawyer.

Maina was arraigned before Justice Abang, on October 25, 2019, b y t h e E F C C alongside his firm, C o m m o n I n p u t P r o p e r t y a n d Investment Ltd.

He is facing a 12-c o u n t c h a r g e bordering on money laundering to the tune of N2 billion.

to the press said that; "On the 7/12/2020 at about

9:am,there was a distress call that suspected armed robber allegedly snatched a Honda CUB50 at Okpuno Otolo in N n e w i N o r t h LG A o f Anambra State".

"Following the distress call, Police operatives attached to Nnewi Area Command and O t o l o D i v i s i o n i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h Egbumuenem v ig i lan te g r o u p O t o l o q u i c k l y mobilised to the scene and arrested one Chiemezie Kenneth Aligu 'm' aged

The statement also reads that "the suspect was beaten to stupor by angry mob before he was rescued by the police and taken to the hospital for treatment.

M e a n w h i l e, " o n e English made barreta p i s t o l w i t h b r e e c h number 941396,one motorcycle and two assorted phones were recovered f rom the suspect and registered as exhibits".

24years of Ebonyi State but resident at Abubor Nnewichi in Nnewi North LGA".

“However, the case under investigation after which suspect would be brought to book,” the statement added.

The twenty four-old year suspect who hails from Ebonyi State but r e s i d e n t a t A b u b o r N n ew i c h i i n N n ew i Nor th LGA, had on Monday, in the morning robbed a certain young man of his motorcycle at gun point at Opkuno Otolo in Nnewi, News

i f e o f

WArchi tec t , Alaramma

Abubakar Muhammad A d a m , w h o w a s Kidnapped while

abduction, his wife reportedly went into early labour, two days a f t e r h i s abduction out of fear.

M u h a m m a d A d a m w a s a b d u c t e d b y g u n m e n o n S u n d a y , D e c e m b e r 6 , while travelling from Gombe to K a d u n a a f t e r participating in a Qur'an recitation competition.

A P e r s o n a l Assistant to the Speaker of the Kaduna S ta t e H o u s e o f Assembly and Auditor General o f A P C i n R i g a c h i k u n Ward, Al'ameen

ar Muhammad. She has given birth to three sons, all of them are h e a l t h y, w e h o p e Allahu Subhanahu Wata ' Allah.” He said.

“May God protect the children from these wicked people. Amen. Amen. Please continue to pray for us” he

travelling from Gombe to Kaduna has given birth to triplets.

Although nothing has been heard from the victim since his

M u h a m m a d S a m e e n , w h o confirmed the l a t e s t development said Adam's wife gave b i r th to three healthy boys.

According to h i m , “ G o d i s great, there is m o o n a n d m o o n ! ! ! Alhamdulillah, I just received the news of m y s i s t e r ' s daughter that she p u t t o b e d triplets. S h e i s the wife o f Alaramma Arc Abubak

wrote.K i d n a p p i n g h a s

become a daily routine in Kaduna and its environs. Hundreds and millions of Naira are often demanded before vict ims are released while others are killed even after ransom has been paid.

wo suspected Tarmed robbers were set ablaze

b y a m o b a l o n g Okumagba Avenue, by Emebiren junction in Warri, Delta State, in the early hours of Tuesday.

It was gathered that the duo was pursued to the location where they were caught and beaten to stupor before they were set ablaze.

Sources said that the suspected robbers had stormed the area about 5:30 am in a commercial tricycle to operate, but were accosted by the mob.

The Divisional Police Officer, “B” Division in Warri, CSP Benjamin

The Po l i ce Pub l i c Relations Officer for the State Command, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report.

Igometi, confirmed the incident when contacted . He sa id he rece ived distress calls from the neighbourhood in the early hours of the day that s o m e r o b b e r s w e r e operating.

”They just called me that some robbers came to attack in that area, and they caught them, and they were lynched. That's what I heard.” he said.

Police nab notorious armed robberin Anambra, recover armFrom Uchenna Ezeadigwe,Nnewi

Federal High Courtdenies Maina'srequest for bail

Mob sets suspectedrobbers ablaze in Delta

Girl, 18, fakes own kidnap to

demand N30m ransom in Lagos

Woman gives birth to tripletstwo days after husband's kidnap

The armed robbery suspect on parade with the stolenmotorcycle and recovered gun

Maina sobering after his bail request was denied

The fake kidnap victim alongside her friend and accomplice upon their arrest

The angry mob after setting the suspected robbers ablaze The kidnapped Architect and the new borns


Special Report

ol lowing recent Fdevelopments in the support President

Muhammadu Buhari is lending to the neighbouring Niger Republic, Nigerians are posing the question “what is the president's interest in the small country.''

This is in the light of what appears to be a focused development agenda of the president for the country which has left Buhari's many states short changed. Many are now wondering if Niger R e p u b l i c i s n o w a n appendage of Nigeria or if there is any plan to annex the neighbour.

In the absence of any government explanations speculations are rife and m a n y a r e i n s i n u a t i n g different intentions and purposes as plausible reasons f o r t h e P r e s i d e n t ' s entrenched interest. There are as well some established facts as pointers

I t was lear nt that on securing his electoral victory in 2015, the very first place Buhari visited to celebrate his triumph is Niger where he was giving a rousing red carpet reception described as the highest honour ever that can come from that land.

The issues that agitate the m i n d s o f N i g e r i a n s especially those from the Southern part include the investments flowing towards Niger Republic, the influx of Fulani from the west African countries, the rail line from Maradi to Daura, the crude oil supply agreement from Niger Republic to Kaduna, the refinery construction on the border between Daura and Maradi, the refined products supply from Niger to Nigeria.

Another matter of concern is the discriminatory policy of the Buhari administration in securing the country through the borders. When the federal government shut down the country's borders to check insecurity and economic sabotage, the effort was negated by the keeping of Niger-Nigeria border open. While the government pretends to be controlling issues at the

southern end as per the S e m e b o r d e r s , t h e irregularities mounted at the northern border.

What is the reason for the double standard? Why would such irregularities be allowed to occur at the axis of the president's home town? Daura, Buhari 's home is just few metres away from Niger Republic. It is this same double standard which allows Zamfara government to sell and collect royalties of gold mined in their state which contrasts the country's code on mining solid minerals.

E s p o u s i n g o n t h e entrenched interest of PMB in the neigbouring state, one Chijioke Onah writing through his social media handle took Buhari to task on specific issues and

That has consequently fuelled agitations from the South-South governors and their indigenes calling for a level playing field to allow them take control of their resources too. There is concern already that if they are to press further their demands and the federal g o v e r n m e n t r e m a i n s adamant, there is likely to be a dislocation in the economy.

In what looks like a response to the question of B u h a r i ' s i n t e r e s t g o t attention in the following comment from Baron Roy, a n o t h e r s o c i a l commentator also writing through his social media handle. Summing up his experience in a business trip in Ghana was the discovery of the strong bond between the Hausa's and the Fulani's a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s . According to him,

“The Hausa and Fulani in Ghana, Togo, Benin Re p u b l i c , N i ge r, a n d Nigeria do play the national politics of their official countries, but do not see t h e m s e l v e s a s f r o m di f fe rent countr ies in reality! What this means is t h a t t h e a r t i f i c i a l boundaries drawn up by the Europeans in 1896 are not recognized by them in their hear ts; they only take advantage of those artificial boundaries to further their empire but do not actually respect them. The Hausa or Fulani in Bauchi is more culturally attached to his kinsman from Niger and Togo far ahead of his

went and signed MoU with Niger Republic to be importing fuel into Nigeria from Niger Republic.''

Explaining the reason behind the bond Roy had this to say again:

“The bond between Niger Republic and the core North of Nigeria is stronger than the binding forces of natural magnets! For all intents and purposes, Niger Republic, Chad Republic, Northern Ghana, Northern Togo, northern Benin and Northern Cameroun are bound by culture, religion, philosophy and all have you to Northern Nigeria! This vast area would have been one giant official country that would compete with Saudi Arabia in influence and riches! The Europeans came along and destroyed that great Empire with their cunning! But that Empire is no t done ye t ; they ' re rebuilding i t with the epicenter in Nor thern Nigeria. And the wealth of the South, under the sham arrangement of 1914, is b e i n g u s e d n o w t o accelerate the reemergence of a vast Empire of the Western Sudan, with the Fulani at the apex!”

Some occurrences within the polity now and in the first coming of Buhari as

attachment to the Igbo or Yoruba!”

projects within the period he had promised to elevate the country. In the said reported account he had queried if Buhari is from Niger Republic or Nigeria. The queries are as stated below

“Is Buhari from Niger Republic or Nigeria?

“4 years later, Niger Republic got the 4 Refineries with a pretending company profiles. 4 Years later, Niger Republic got Rail project f rom Nigeria to Niger Republic free of charge. 4 Years later, Niger Republic got Gas Pipe line Contract f rom Nigeria to Niger Republic free of charge.

“Dear Mr. President, w h e r e a r e t h e f o u r Refineries you promised Nigerians in 2014/15 during y o u r c a m p a i g n ? Yo u p r o m i s e d t o e n d f u e l

“I will build 4 Refineries in my 4 years tenure - Major General M.Buhari.

“4 years later, Niger Republic got Billions of U.S D o l l a r E l e c t r i c i t y transmission and power plant generation contract f rom Nigeria to Niger Republic free of charge. 4 years later, Niger Republic got her roads constructed from Nigeria to Niger Republic free of charge.

Real reasons behind president's interest in ex-French colony

Buhari's link with Niger Republic By Afam Echi

Contd. on pg. 9

Buhari in a handshake with Issoufou, the president of Niger Republic


Special Report

“ We ' ve h a d s eve r a l Heads of States that were never Nigerians in the true sense! Even Mr. Buhari's father was NOT a Nigerian but his mother was

head of state appear to lend credence to the above assertions. First is the issue of the much controverted case of where Buhari comes from. It is argued in some quarters that he is a N i g e r i e n a n d t h a t principally accounts for the interest and why he is extending support to his kinsmen. Speaking on this Roy argued that

Nigerian (Kanuri); Mr. Buhari ' s father was a poultry trader from Maradi in Niger Republic. He traded "ducks" between Maradi and Daura (he was called Mai-agwagwa...the Duck Trader) and fell in love with his wife with whom Mr. Buhari was s i r ed ! Bu t the young Mohamadu grew up with his mother's people in D a u r a a n d b e c a m e Nigerian! So our "dear" president is actually from N i g e r R e p u b l i c b y parentage but a Nigerian through his mother...or by

birth.''It is also reported that this is

never the first time that Buhari has identified with kinsmen in Niger to the d e t r i m e n t o f N i ge r i a n interest. Accounts indicate that when he functioned as the military junta, head of state, he had voted a Nigerien in the then Organization of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU) as the Secretary General against Niger ia ' s Pe ter Onu, a Nigerian Igbo. This was said t o h ave s h o c k e d o t h e r African heads of state, especially Nyerere of

We are aware of the reported case sometimes ago c red i t ed to the federal which sought to grant free visas to all fulanis into Nigeria from where ever they may be coming from. This was given vent to by the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed who in a l i v e p r o g r a m a t C h a n n e l Te l ev i s i o n declared openly that “they are trying to bring every Fulani in Africa together because they don't have nationalities.” According to him, 'We are trying to bring all the Fulani in one fold and try to arrest their traditional practice of moving from one place to the other. The Fulani man is a global or African person. He moves from Gambia, t o S e n e g a l a n d h i s nationali ty is just a Fulani man.”

T a n z a n i a w h o wondered at the level of such unpatriotic act.

W h a t m o r e c o u l d demonstrate the bond between the Fulani's if they can nurse the mind of bringing themselves t o ge t h e r u n d e r o n e umbrella nation and they are not hiding it nor are they mindful of the inconveniences it may bring to other constituent ethnic group especially in an era of acute scarce resources. Since their sojourn there is reported increase in crime wave all o v e r t h e n a t i o n manifesting in banditry, boko haram, herdsmen a t t a c k , k i d n a p p e r s, armed robbery, etc.

T h e n e w s o f t h e i m p o r t a t i o n o f petroleum products from Niger Republic hit many Nigerians with shock. They have wondered what wonders the petit country had performed which Nigeria claiming the giant of Africa could n o t d o w i t h a l l i t s resources incomparable with what can be found in the tiny country.

Besides many also credit the ability of Buhari to d e l ive r s u c h m a s s ive support to Niger Republic ove r t h e n o n c h a l a n t attitude of the National Assembly to call him to order. It is doubtful if the sums applied to deliver such huge projects got the blessings of the NASS and i f t h e y a r e w h a t a r e a t t e n d a n t e c o n o m i c benefits that accrue to the n a t i o n . N n a n n a Ochereoma, a columnist w i t h t h e V a n g u a r d newspaper seems to locate the answer in the following lines.

“What “magic” is Niger e m p l o y i n g t o r e f i n e petroleum that Nigeria's President and Oil Minister, Buhari, cannot deploy in N i g e r i a ? W hy a r e n ' t Nigerians complaining a b o u t B u h a r i ' s i n c o m p e t e n c e a s O i l Minister and the use of Nigeria's largely borrowed funds to develop his father's country when our own infrastructural deficits are among the world's worst? The $1.9bn railway line to Maradi was never taken to the National Assembly for approval; it was an act of naked impunity. It is an impeachable offence, but who will bell the cat?

“Buhari is using our scarce, borrowed resources to service his cross-border se l f i sh in te res t s wi th resources mined mainly from the Niger Delta and t h e L a g o s b u s i n e s s dis t r ic ts. He is going b e y o n d d e v e l o p i n g Northern Nigeria; he is working for Niger Republic too. Is this regime all about Buhari's interests? And why are Nigerians who will repay the loans letting him get away with these?

Many Nigerians are terribly worried over this unhealthy development which had sough t to develop other nations while many of the states in Nigeria especially in the S o u t h E a s t r e m a i n undeveloped. The real reason the NASS members have remained quiet on this issue is something to ponder.

...Buhari's link with Niger Republic Real reasons behind president's interest in...

Contd. from pg. 8

El-Rufai

Mohammed

Page 10

News

A l s o , t h e c l u b ' s chairman, Mr. Felix Anyansi Agwu received a new sports utility vehicle from the governor to aid h i s mobi l i ty in the discharge of his duties.

h e P e o p l e ' s

TE l e p h a n t s , E n y i m b a

International Football Club of Aba on Sunday, received a new coaster bus from Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State.

In his brief remarks while performing the hand-over of the vehicles, Ikpeazu said the vehicles were to help the club return to the winning ways.

The governor charged

the management and

players of the team to

continue to make the state

and the nation proud,

he Bishop of TAnglican Diocese o f U m u a h i a ,

B i s h o p G e o f f r e y Ibeabuchi has renewed his call for the retirement of Nigeria's security service chiefs, saying that the country has continued to look like a killing field under the watch of the military chiefs.

Ibeabuchi made the call yesterday at St. Stephen's Ca thera l confe rence

centre in Umuahia during a media parley he held with members of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Abia State Council .

If you give someone a job and he fails to do the work well, the best thing to

" The security chiefs are not doing well and should be removed.

He regretted the killing of farmers in Borno State and other parts of the country, pointing out that security situation in Nigeria has not improved. He a lso ca l led on

Nigerians to make a good c h o i c e d u r i n g 2 0 2 3 elections and beyond to avoid electing those who are not prepared to lead the people, adding that it

do is remove him or redeploy him to another place.", the bishop said.

T h e c l e r g y m a n described the security situation of Nigeria as e m b a r r a s s i n g a n d worrisome while urging Nigerians not to lose hope in God.

was dangerous to elect people into offices based on sentiment.

B i s h o p I b e a b u c h i commended the men of the fourth estate of the realm for their efforts in reporting events in the s ta te, especia l ly the activities of the Anglican Church, while praying for God's protection upon journalists in the discharge of their duties.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State Council, Comrade John Emejor recalled how

He urged journalists to remain objective and fair in their reportage, pointing out that a good society is enhanced when the truth is told .

military officers invaded the press centre some years a g o, r e ve a l i n g t h a t Anglican Church donated a huge sum of money to the council which helped in replacing some of destroyed equipment of the council.

He also promised that u n d e r h i s w a t c h , j o u r n a l i s t s w o u l d continue to partner the church towards ensuring a better society.

S e c r e t a r y o f t h e U m u a h i a A n g l i c a n D i o c e s e, Ve n e r a b l e Okwukwe Ucheagwu; Chief Press Secretary to the Bishop, Josephine O g w o a n d o t h e r clergyman were at the media parley.

adding that with the

provision of the vehicles,

the team should perform

well in the Nigerian

P r e m i e r a n d C A F

Champions Leagues.

Responding to the

d e v e l o p m e n t , t h e

Chairman of Enyimba

FC, Mr. Felix Anyansi

Agwu descr ibed the

governor as a true lover of

football, commending

him for his profound

interest in Enyimba.The chairman recalled

that the Enyimba Stadium w a s r e d e s i g n e d t o international standard, which according to him, was uncommon feat.

Meanwhile, Enyimba is

to meet El Mareik of Egypt in the next round of the CAF Champions League match, after overcoming Rahimo FC of Burkina Faso 2-1 in aggregate.

Enyimba defeated their Burkina opponents 0-1 in the first leg match and later drew 1-1 in the return leg at Aba.

Disc los ing th i s to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday, the Head , C o m m u n i c a t i o n o f EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said the incident happened between October and November, this year.

Ezeh called on EEDC customers to be more v i g i l a n t d u r i n g t h e yuletide to avoid being subjected to darkness and to safeguard the power installations serving them from vandals.

According to him, there had been reports of vandalism of transformers from some locations within EEDC's network.

According to him, the duo of Chizaram Samuel and Okechukwu Nwaeze, both from Umuokorokwu of Aba District, together with a buyer identified as Yaya Mohammed were arrested by the youths of

ight youths have Ebeen arrested in some par ts o f

South East Zone for allegedly vandalising equipment belonging to E n u g u E l e c t r i c i t y Distribution Company (EEDC)

At Umuagu Village in Nnobi, Anambra State, a suspect identified as Nwalieoba along with his accomplice identified as Ikenna Enyinnaya were ar res ted by men of Umuagu Village Nnobi Vigilante Team while attempting to vandalize Umuagu 2 transformer. Items recovered from them include spanners, pliers and jack knife.

Ezeh confirmed that the suspects have been handed over to the respective police stations for further i n t e r r o g a t i o n a n d prosecution.

U m u o k o r o k w u c o m m u n i t y f o r vandalizing a 500KVA transformer belonging to EEDC.

A l s o , i n N i m o community, Anambra State, vigilante group apprehended one Ebuka Efuba while vandalising a transformer located at Awada Area of Nimo.

O k w u c h u k w u Okonkwo, a native of Umueze village in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State was arrested by the vigilante team at the boundary of Umueze/Awka village in Ihiala, for vandalizing NIPP Aluminum cable measuring about three spans of 100mm2.

I n a r e l a t e d development, Ikenna E b e r e U g u r u w a s a r r a i g n e d a t t h e Magis t rate Cour t 6 , Umuahia on a two-count charge, for vandalizing O k w u t a 3 0 0 K V A 11/0.415kv Substation. Ikenna was subsequently r e m a n d e d a t A f a r a Correct ional Centre, Umuahia.

“Vandalism is a major challenge that negatively impacts on our operations and there is no way we can sustain our operations and d e l ive r q u a l i t y a n d improved service to our customers if this situation is not brought under control.

“We commend the efforts of the various communities and their yo u t h s, g ove r n m e n t security agencies and local vigilante groups in the fight against vandalism; we call on our customers and the general public to join in this fight towards the eradication of the menace.”

“There is no way we can sustain our operations and d e l ive r q u a l i t y a n d improved service to our customers if this situation is not brought under control", he stated.

Enyimba gets new bus, SUV from IkpeazuFrom Dan Maduagwu, Umuahia

8 youths arrested for vandalising EEDC equipment in South EastFrom Chuma Austin,Enugu

2 escape death in Anambra as bus crashes

Insecurity: Bishop renews call for Buratai, other service chiefs' removalFrom Dan Maduagwu,Umuahia


The vehicle that crashed along Ihiala-Owerri road, Anambra State on Monday.

wo unidentified

Tpersons, a driver

and a passenger,

were Monday, involved in

a lone crash accident

which occurred at the

Frankguily Fuel Station

along Ihiala-Owerri road,

Anambra State.

According to an eye

witness, the Mazda Bus

with registration number:

The victims where said to have received various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Vera Clinic Ihiala through the help of officials of the Federal Ro a d S a f e t y C o r p s (FRSC).A statement from t h e F R S C P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s O f f i c e r , A n a m b r a S t a t e

ABJ 641 XV suddenly ran

o u t o f c o n t r o l a nd

rammed into the fuel

station.

Command, Mr. Kamal Musa said the incident h a p p e n e d a t a b o u t 7:30AM."According to eyewitnesses, a total of two male adults who were i nvo l ve d , s u s t a i n e d varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to Vera Clinic Ihiala by FRSC rescue team from Ihiala U n i t C o m m a n d f o r medical attention while obstr uct ion is being cleared to ensure free flow of traffic. Hence, no life was lost".

Howeved, the Sector

Commander, Federal

Road Sa fe ty Cor ps,

Anambra State, Andrew

A. Kumapayi wishes the

injured victims quick

recover y and war ns

motorists to desist from

excessive speeding and

abide by speed limits set by

law to prevent avoidable

road traffic crashes in this

Yuletide season", the

statement reads.

From Uchenna Ezeadigwe,Onitsha


News

he United States has Tplaced Nigeria for the first time on a

religious freedom blacklist, citing growing insecurity and suppression of Christian voice.

Th i s however has attracted the ire of Nigeria, w h o d e s c r i b e d t h e allegations as faulty.

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a series of Tweet on Monday, said that Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom, the rare inclusion of a fellow democracy in the US effort to shame nations into action.

The tweets said, “Today the U.S. designates Burma, Ch ina , Er i t r ea , I ran , N i g e r i a , t h e D P R K , Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, T a j i k i s t a n , a n d

“The U.S. is unwavering in i ts commitment to religious freedom. No

Turkmenistan as countries of concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for e n g a g i n g s y s t e m a t i c , ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations.

country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act.”

B u t i n a n a n g r y reaction, the Minister of Information and Culture,

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement, faulted the allegations

M o h a m m e d i n statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by his Special Assistant To The President (Media)Segun Adeyemi, e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e allegation, by the United

Mohammed described the allegation as “a case of an honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria”.

States of engaging in systematic and egregious religious freedom violations was a jaundiced conclusion.

He said that Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation, neither does it have a policy of re l ig ious persecut ion , stressing that victims of insecurity and terrorism in the country are adherents of Christianity, Islam and other religions.

Babandede who spoke

when he led his entourage to

the Government House,

Enugu, stressed that Gov.

Ugwuanyi's administration

has been of great support to

the Nigeria Immigration

Service.T h e C o m p t r o l l e r -

General was in Enugu with his entourage to assess the degree of damage done to the newly constructed office of the Nigeria Immigration Se r v i ce, Enugu S ta t e Command, during the

He pointed out that “the vehicles were not only donated to us but also to all

t h e l a w e n f o r c e m e n t agencies so that security of lives and property of the peop le i s assured in Enugu State”, saying: 'We commend you (Ugwuanyi) for that good job”.

hijacked EndSARS protests in the state.

Apprec ia t ing Gov. U g w u a n y i f o r h i s administration's support towards the completion of the office project, which he s a i d w a s b i l l e d f o r inauguration a day before the EndSARS destructions, Babandede disclosed that the s ta te gover nment “donated four transformers and vehicles to us”.

T h e Immigration boss who maintained that “the people of Enugu State are peace loving” c o m m i s e r a t e d with the state government and f a m i l i e s o f victims of the h i j a c k e d

Responding, Governor Ugwuanyi regretted that the sad events of loss of lives and destruction of property by hood lums dur ing the EndSARS protests were in s p i t e o f t h e s t a t e g o v e r n m e n t ' s e a r l i e r constitution (by Executive Order) of Panel of inquiry on Police brutality and r e l a t e d ex t r a - j u d i c i a l killings.

EndSARS protests, both civilians and security agents, who lost their loved ones during the unfortunate incident.

A s s u r i n g t h a t t h e Immigration office will be inaugurated, Babandede equally applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for setting up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to look into the loss of lives and destruction of private and public property during the protests, stating: “That shows that you care”.

While noting that the South East governors and other stakeholders had

M e m b e r s o f t h e Comptro l l e r -Genera l ' s entourage include the Assistant Comptroller-General (General Services), Don O. Asogwa, the Assistant Comptroller-General, Zone G, J. C K w a z u , a n d t h e Comptrollers of the five states of Zone G, among others.

conducted extensive tour of affected facilities in the state to assess the level of damage, the governor said that they paid due attention to the Immigration office and “we were grateful to God for the minimal damage”.

Ugwuanyi expressed delight at the quality of service and advisory the s t a t e o f f i c e o f t h e Immigration service has continually availed the state a n d r e i t e r a t e d h i s administration's willingness to partner the body in the discharge of its mandate which is key to robust internal security.

f a c t i o n a l Acandidate of the All Progressives

Congress (APC), Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has insisted that Frank Ibezim did not participate in the Imo North Senatorial by-election, held last Saturday.Araraume in an interview, maintained that Ibezim was disqualified by the p a r t y ' s s c r e e n i n g committee, while his

d i s q u a l i f i c a t i o n wa s upheld by the appeal panel.

He added that Ibezim was also disqualified by a Federal High Court in Abuja, on the eve of the election and was duly served, alongside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and APC.

Araraume who noted there was no appeal against the judgement before the election, submitted that the

implication is that Ibezim did not participate in the by-election.

"I am very sure that Okigwe Zone will soon have a representative at the Senate. That was why they came out en masse to vote for me, because they know that with my experience, we will be able to recover lost grounds within a very short time", he stated.

H e b e r a t e d t h e leadership of APC for

i n c e s s a n t l y f i e l d i n g candidates who always get disqualified, as was the case in Bayelsa, Zamfara and other places, adding that the leadership of the party should sit down and assess the way they are handling affairs of the party.

S p e a k i n g o n t h e governorship of the state, A r a r a u m e r a t e d t h e performance of Governor

He said being an APC g o v e r n m e n t , t h e y (stakeholders) were ready to work with the governor, but submitted that the governor must change his style and stop taking every person in the state as his 'house boy'.

Hope Uzodimma very low, w h i l e c o n d e m n i n g incidences such as flogging protesting pensioners, incarcerating a legislator, among others.

"This Administration is c o n v i n c e d t h a t , a s challenges mount on the f iscal posit ion of the Federation and as the global env i ronment becomes increasingly tumultuous, long term survival will have to depend on each people's capacity to innovate, in the building of industries and in adding value.

"Such production and product iv i ty wi l l re ly extensively on the capacity of people who have long t e r m i n t e r e s t i n t h e development of a particular economy for it to be sustainable. And no one else has more interest in the long term development of Abia than Abians themselves."

Ikpeazu said that Abia is already blessed with an e x c e p t i o n a l l y h i g h proportion of people who

The Governor said that he therefore sees the Government's job in this fiscal year as basically to find means of supporting Abia people to do better what they already know how to do and are doing well.

He said he intends to focus on already enormous number of small and medium scale enterprises operating in the State and support them both to advance in their areas of

are naturally innovative, creative, resi l ient and dogged.

I k p e a z u s a i d h i s administration intends to support local technologies and techniques as well as leverage on the State's areas of comparative advantage in p r o d u c t a n d s e r v i c e marketing.

I k p e a z u s a i d h i s administration is not leaving out any sector, people or area, as it will aim to complete al l on-going capital projects before the e n d o f t h e p r e s e n t administration.

advantage and create new a r e a s o f c o m p e t i t ive advantage.

Ikpeazu said that In s o m e i n s t a n c e s , t h e Government might need to undertake fresh but critical surveys to strengthen what it already know, identify new areas and minimize the weaknesses and threats faced by businesses around the state.

H e s a i d h i s administration intends to harness their strengths and create new opportunities for businesses to explore for the good of all Abia people.

He said, "Specifically, the 2021 – 2023 Medium T e r m E x p e n d i t u r e Framework emphasizes l o c a l c o n t e n t s a n d sustainable development.

Partnership Initiative for Development in the Niger Delta (PIND) and shall be forwarded to the Assembly for review and legislation soon.

The budget is made up of Recurrent Expenditure of N62,624,512,746.00, which is 47.51 per cent of the total estimate, while the capital e x p e n d i t u r e i s N 6 9 , 1 9 1 , 2 4 0 , 9 7 4 . 0 0 ) , amounting to 52.49% of the entire budget.

Speaking during the presentation of the budget, Ikpeazu said the State currently has two major plans – a short term plan which is the 5 pillars sectors of investment as outlined by the Administration from the very beginning and the Abia State Agenda 2050, which is a long term plan covering a period of 30 years.

Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu on has presented a

N131,815,753,720.00 as Appropriation Bill for 2021 to the State House of Assembly.

He said the long term plan is at the finalization stage, being prepared with s u p p o r t f r o m t h e

Ikpeazu budgets N131b for 2021From Nonye Udimiri, Aba

Governor Ugwuanyi's commitment to security exceptional - Immigration bossFrom Chuma Austin,Enugu

Ibezim didn't participate in Imo North by-election - AraraumeBy Jennifer John

FG kicks as US adds Nigeria to religious freedom blacklistBy Uzoma Ogoke

L-R: Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun at the APC NEC meeting in Abuja...Tuesday.

he Comptroller-

TGeneral of Nigeria

I m m i g r a t i o n

S e r v i c e , M u h a m m a d

Babandede, has described

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

of Enugu State as a “great

man” and “an all-rounder”

who has demonstrated

enormous commitment

towards the security of lives

and property in the state.


Rise and fall of Abia's chief of staff, AgbazuereFrom Dan Maduagwu, Umuahia

Agbazuere

IkpeazuUnknown to many Abians, the suspension order was dished out at a time the Chief of Staff was at far away St F i n b e r ' s C a t h o l i c Church, Bende road Umuahia as a special invitee of the Church's annual harvest.

ocial and political

Sgrounds were on Sunday shaken

following the statement from the Abia State g o v e r n m e n t a n n o u n c i n g t h e suspension from office of Anthony Agbazuere (PhD), as the Chief of Sta f f to Gover nor Okezie Ikpeazu, by the Governor himself.The statement signed by Barrister Chris Ezem, the Secretary to the State Gover nment( SSG), read " Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the immediate suspension from office of the Chief o f S t a f f t o t h e Governor, Dr A.C.B. Agbazuere, thank you", the message concluded, without giving any explanation for the sudden directive.

The suspension, it is believed, stemmed from the embarrassment the State may have suffered following a vital online money spraying videos and pictures involving the suspended Chief of Staff, Agbazuere and controversial Onitsha-b a s e d p a s t o r , C h u k w e m e k a O h a n y e r e m , a k a Odumeje Indaboski.Odumeje had arrived at Abia State capital last Thursday in convoy of many cars, seized the city of Umuahia in his u s u a l m o t o r c a d e en te r ta inment and

The man Agbazuere as Abia's political enigma

A s a y o u n g m a n working in a former r e g i o n a l b a n k i n Umuahia in late 80s up t o e a r l y 1 9 9 0 s , Agbazuere developed interest in human rights affairs, from where he l a t e r b e c a m e t h e Chairman of Nigerian L a b o u r C o n g r e s s

money-spraying. This he did on some streets of the State before heading into the Abia S t a t e g o ve r n m e n t House, Umuahia for a visit to the suspended Chief of Staff.The visit, unfortunately, proved to become a terrible miscalculation for Dr Agbazuere, who until his suspension, was believed by many, t o b e a m o n g t h e strongest member of O k e z i e I k p e a z u ' s government.In the viral video, the Chief of Staff was seen spreading some naira notes on Odumeje who r a n t e d h i s u s u a l demonstrative slangs inside the office of Chief of Staff, even as Chief Agbazuere was seen in the picture, smiling and admiring Odumeje's dexterity.B u t o n S u n d a y , Governor Ikpeazu, who w a s i n f a r a w a y Enyimba Stadium Aba watching the Enyimba vs Rahimo of Burkina Faso CAF African champions League match, dropped the heavy hammer on Agbazuere, believably angered by the videos brought to his attention.

Unknown to many people, Agbazuere has been a household name i n t h e p o l i t i c a l firmament of Abia, having covered over three decades with his social political cum human rights activism.

Midweek Politics

Page 13

Midweek Politics Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Rise and fall of Abia's chief of staff...(NLC), Abia State chapter.From his position as the NLC supremo, he w a s a l w a y s a t loggerheads with the military government of then Col Ike Nwosu the then Military administrator of Abia S t a t e d u r i n g t h e regime of General Sani Abacha.

It was also believed that a certain first class traditional ruler from Ngwa land, was well p l e a s e d w i t h Agbazuere's efforts, hence the decision to decorate his neck with the garlands of Egbe gburu Agu (The gun that killed a lion).When Chief Orji Uzor Kalu took over the leadership of Abia State in 1999 as elected executive Governor of Abia State, Chief Agbazuere, like a socio-political gadfly, r e t u r n e d t o t h e trenches, digging out some alleged offences allegedly committed by Kalu, before he became Governor.

The contributions reached an apogee in mid 1994 when Col Nwosu was removed a s t h e M i l i t a r y administrator by Gen Abacha and replaced with Navy Captain Temi Ejoor while Col I k e N w o s u w a s redeployed to Oyo State as the military administrator. After Ike Nwosu's removal, Agbazuere, then a young lad was crowned the Egbe gburu Agu 1 by some sec t ion o f Ngwa elders, for his courage in fighting for the workers.

Agbazuere used his position to oppose any policy he considered inimical to the welfare of Abia State workers especia l ly a l leged harassment of civil s e r v a n t s b y t h e military administrator, and this brought him in confrontation with Col Ike Nwosu.

He took his fight to the Court, through his

Lawyer, the late Chief J.N.Ogbonna, whose chambers operate from Azikiwe road, Umuahia . In the affidavit he filled, Agbazuere among other things claimed that Kalu was not fit to be Governor. The case progressed to Federal Court of Appeal, Port H a r c o u r t b e f o r e Agbazuere withdrew it, after he reconciled with Chief Orji Uzor Kalu.Kalu later capped the reconciliation with a p p o i n t m e n t o f Agbazuere into his government. In Kalu's period as a two-time Governor, Agbazuere became an important name, rising from special assistant to b e c o m i n g a Commissioner for information before b e c o m i n g t h e executive Chairman of Isiala Ngwa South LGA.

Journey to becoming chief of staff:

B e f o r e h i s appo in tment , the position was a coveted one, with many people i n t e r e s t e d i n occupying it.

Having bagged his degree in law from Abia State University, U t u r u a n d subsequently, Master's and Doctoral degrees f r o m t h e s a m e institution, he had prepared the ground for a bigger role in governance and the opportunity met the aspiration after he was appointed the Chief of Staff by Governor Ikpeazu af ter his second term victory.

H i s a p p o i n t m e n t added some muscle to

When Chief Theodore Orji fell out with his Godfather, Kalu in 2 0 0 9 , A g b a z u e r e r e t u r n e d t o t h e corridors of power, becoming again, the Commissioner for i n f o r m a t i o n , a position he held to his a p p o i n t e e ' s satisfaction.

The office of the Chief of Staff, as understood in Nigeria and beyond, is like the engine room o f e v e r y administration, no w o n d e r m a n y o c c u p a n t s h a v e through that office, worked and warmed themselves into the h e a r t s o f t h e i r principals.

Many unattended files were also responded to, breathing more life into the Governor's visions for the God's own State. Nwakodo was hospitalized in far away London, United Kingdom for a good part of the first tenure. He later died and Governor Ikpeazu in his tribute during his burial said he had lost a good friend and a man who understood his vision for Abia State.

A typical example is Senator Theodore Orji, who was for 8 years, the Chief of Staff to Chief Orji Uzor Kalu from 1999 to 2007, 8 unbroken years. Orji, it was understood, was close t o C h i e f K a l u , enabling him to shine brighter than Chiefs Re a g a n U f o m b a , Henry Iko and other allies of Kalu. As a result Kalu, worked for O r j i ' s v i c t o r y a s Governor and the rest is now history.

Odumeje's 'wahala' and how it shook Abia's political space

t h e I k p e a z u adminis t ra t ion as policy formulations, execution and related m a t t e r s b e c a m e smoother for Ikpeazu, unlike in his first term, where the office was for most times less functional following the ill-health of the then Chief of Staff, C h i e f C h i j i o k e Nwakodo, a son of Umuana Ibeku.

This is where Chief Agbazuere, in the op in ion o f some political watchers, made a mistake of his

So, the implications, may have informed Governor Ikpeazu to t a k e h i s S u n d ay decision, at least to d i f f e r e n t i a t e h i s administration from any misbehavior of any of his appointee. T h i s a c t i o n a l s o e n f o r c e d t h e credibi l i ty of the Ikpeazu's government in the eyes of many people as government a responsible and r e s p o n s i v e government.

The party in a message through its publicity, Mr Benedict Godson said the action of the t o p g o v e r n m e n t official was a slap to workers in some State-owned parastatals being owed salaries. The APC spokesman's statement read in part “ We h a v e b e e n complaining about the irrationality of the officials of the PDP-

political career. The v i s i t o f P a s t o r Odumeje, they say, is not bad but what was in imica l was the display of the Chief of Staff, as seen in the videos and pictures where he sprayed m o n e y o n t h e controversial cleric.

However, the main opposition party in A b i a , t h e A l l Progressive Congress (APC) in reaction to the development said it was not satisfied with the suspension of the C h i e f o f S t a f f , demanding that he deserved outright sack.

T h i s o p i n i o n i s predicated on the surface that even if the visit of Odumeje was a p r i va t e o n e, t h e meeting still took place at the Office of the CoS, and as such, a brazen display of that nature should not have taken place. Another uproar generated by the videos is the claims by some workers in some State-owned parastatals that they were owed months of unpaid salaries and entitlements.

led administration but p e o p l e d o n ' t understand."

Also, another group which called itself Save Abia group in statement signed by their chairman, one David Chukwumerije o n M o b d a y , threatened to hit the street of Abia in p r o t e s t i f D r Agbazuere is recalled by the Governor. The group also claimed that the suspended CoS was making plans to return to office.

Having become an important part of governance in the present administration of Abia, it may not be a surprise if Dr ACB Agbazuere regains his position. This point is drawn from the fact that no administration toys with its best hands, no matter the shortcomings of those involved.

A close source in Government quarters told this paper that Agbazuere is seen as an engine room, hence

He continued "What the Chief of Staff to Gove r nor Okez i e Ikpeazu did was a huge slap on the faces of Abia health workers and other government workers that are being owed back log o f salaries. He should be sacked with his sack letter made public", Abia APC spokesman, said on Sunday in reaction.

Why Agbazuere may bounce back as COS:

Agbazuere is a master strategist and this you cannot take away from him. This sagacity has enabled him to work with the three civilian a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s ranging from Orji U z o r K a l u t o Theodore Ahamefula Orji and now, Okezie Ikpeazu and one may wonder the special aura his contributions breeze into the engine of the vehicles of those he se r ves, which makes the journey smooth for them.

Just l ike Ikpeazu recalled two LGA Chairmen of Aba Nor th and South Chief Victor Ubani and Hon Cherechi Nwaogu respectively in November, it is also the discretion of the State Chief executive to recall his CoS or finally sack him.

Another factor that may bring back the embattled CoS is the interest of the Ngwa nation to take another shot at Governance, in 2023. Agbazuere, it is believed, working as the Chief of Staff till 2023 will sustain the stability of Ikpeazu's g o v e r n m e n t i n completing several p r o j e c t s h e h a s embarked upon, and also maintain the chances of politicians of Ngwa stock vying for the Gover nor again, in 2023.

the need to return him to power, whenever the brouhaha of Odumeje visit fade’s away.The source however regretted that the misappl icat ion of social media handles has r u ined many political and social personalities around the world, blaming the problem on some young staff of the Chief of Staff's office, which according to the source, may have uploaded the sleazy video without the consent of their boss.

But if he doesn't return, it will also serve as a lesson to all leaders in the country, e s p e c i a l l y t h o s e aspiring for elective positions that it is not enough to get power, but to manage it well r e m a i n s a n o t h e r challenge.

However, the timely and courageous step he took in handling the brouhaha has salvaged the image of his government. If he eventually regains his office, Agbazuere must have learnt his lessons to manage his office properly, so as to avoid a future slip.

hese are definitely Tnot the best of times for Senator Godwin

Ifeanyi Araraume as he takes on the political battle to represent the people of Imo Nor th s ena to r i a l zone. Araraume is taking the opportunity of the death of Ben Uwajumogu, who died exactly one month, to occupy the seat he last vacated in 2003. However for a man, whose political career is f r a u g h t w i t h m a n y controversies, the latest attempt to go back to the senate for the third time is proving to be his Achilles' Heels.

His current travails started right from the party primary where he, along with ten

reinstated Ibezim as the party's candidate, dropping Araraume. The judic ia l summersault, unfortunately had, few hours before then being in favour of Araraume, when another Federal High Court, this time in Abuja, disqualified Ibezim on the a l l ega t ion o f the same certificate forgery.

For Araraume, he's not alien to this type of controversy, as all his political trajectory having being fraught with a lot of hiccups. Prior to his present predicament, Araraume has been dubbed a serial political prostitute, having jumped from one party to the other jus t for the pur pose of winning election. He doesn't seem to care about any ideological leaning in as much such party would offer him a platform. The 62-year old Isiebu, Isiala Mbano born politician, who has sojourned in all the major political parties in the country, changes them as he changes his clothes.

After he vacated the senate in 2007 having been defeated by Sylvester Anyanwu, he was

Here lies the logjam. At the election, proper, though his party won, the electoral body failed to return either him or Ibezim as the winner, thus leaving the party in limbo.

directed at Araraume to make sure that he did not participate in the election.

But for the bi l l ionaire politician, described as a cat with nine lives, Araraume emerged third in the primary election according to the r e su l t p roduced by the Nlemigbo faction of the party which was alleged not to have conducted primary election. He however, bounced back into reckoning to clinch the party's ticket, when a Federal H i g h C o u r t i n O w e r r i disqualified Ibezim using the report of the party's screening committee, which discovered that Ibezim presented forged certificates to the electoral body for the purpose of conducting the election.

But his joy was short-lived as 24 hours to the election; an Appeal Court in Owerri

W o u l d A r a r a u m e eventually find himself back to the Senate is a question only the Supreme Court can answer as the odds appear stacked against him.

For a politician, who saw political party only as a means t o w i n n i n g e l e c t i o n , Araraume on seeing an opening to represent his zone following the death of the last occupant of the Imo north seat, left APGA and rejoined the r u l ing par ty. He i s presently in battle of his life to claim the seat. Though his party won Saturday's by-election, but as it presently stands, between him and Ibezim, only the Supreme Court can determine who gets the seat.

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he lost to Rochas Okorocha of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the race to Douglas House in 2011. Again to contest the 2015 governorship election, he rejoined PDP where he lost the party's primary election to Emeka Ihedioha.

He later left PDP to APC and joined forces with the i n c u m b e n t g o v e r n o r Okorocha during the 2015 governorship election. Again t o c o n t e s t t h e 2 0 1 9 governorship election, he left APC and joined APGA. When his political fortunes in A P G A s e e m e d t o b e dwindling after failing to win the governorship election under which he contested, he aga in jumped sh ip and rejoined APGA where he c o n t e s t e d t h e 2 0 1 9 gubernatorial primaries under the party.

Here began Araraume's troubles because probably unknown to him, the party hierarchy in the state was not keen on having him at the red chambers for the third time. They rather preferred Ibezim, who is a personal assistant to the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba. And so the party's arsenal was

others contested for the party's ticket to contest the senatorial election. The screening committee headed by Dr Lawrence Chukwu, had cleared five out of the 11 c o n t e s t a n t s , i n c l u d i n g Araraume. But for some inexplicable reason, the decision of the committee was jettisoned and the name of Frank Ibezim smuggled into the sheet. Ibezim was among those previously disqualified by the screening committee.

left in political lurch. But he bounced back that same year t o c l i n c h t h e P e o p l e s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries for Imo State. This was after he dumped the defunct All Peoples Party (APP). But the then President Olusegun Obasanjo stood in his way and chose Charles Ugwu in his place.

The party had claimed that his vote tally fell short of the two-thirds majority stipulated by the party's congress. The par ty a lso c la imed that Araraume's emergence was fraudulent as the primary e lect ion was marred by violence.

In 1999 Araraume left APP t o w i n t h e I m o N o r t h senatorial seat under PDP. Again, he nearly lost the seat, but was saved by providence as he won the nomination u n d e r c o n t r o v e r s i a l circumstances.

He was to later join the

But Araraume was expelled from PDP for anti-party activities after securing a Supreme Court ruling in his favor. Because it was late to substitute a candidate, the party chose not to present a candidate, but supported Ikedi Ohakim, who ran under the Progressives Peoples Party (PPA).


Man In The News

By Jude Owuamanam

Sen. Araraume:Political travailsof a serialdefector

Araraume

SPORTSWednesday, December 9, 2020 Page 15

anchesteMr United could be

i n l i n e f o r a sensational transfer to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to the

But reports suggest Juve are considering selling Ronaldo due t o t h e f i n a n c i a l i m p a c t o f t h e c o r o n a v i r u s pandemic.

club.T h e Po r t u g u e s e

supe r s ta r i s s t i l l bundling in goals in Serie A for Juventus a n d a t t h e international level despite being 35 years of age.

And according to A u t o E s p o r t e , U n i t e d ' s s h i r t sponsor Chevrolet could be willing to

G ive n Ju ve n t u s have an interest in Manchester United m i d f i e l d e r P a u l Pogba, a player plus cash swap deal may not be so surprising in the summer.

Chevrolet is envious o f how Juventus having Ronaldo has boosted their shirt sponsor, Jeep.

Andrea Pirlo's side w o u l d a l s o b e r e l i n q u i s h e d o f Ronaldo's £28m-per-year salary.

h e l p t h e c l u b bankroll a deal to bring Ronaldo back to Manchester.

H e t o l d S p o r t Digitale: “A source, w h o ' s ve r y we l l connected to the club has told me that

Fenerbahce's club congress member Murat Zorlu claims Ozil is closing in on a move in January.

Ozil, 32, has vowed he will not be forced out of the club as he continues to pocket his £350,000-a-week wages.His current deal in

n o r t h L o n d o n e x p i r e s i n t h e summer but Arsenal are eager to get him off the wage bill sooner rather than later.And their prayers

could be answered by the Turkish giants.

The Germany ace has been frozen out at the Emirates after he was exc luded f r o m t h e c l u b ' s Premier League and E u r o p a L e a g u e squads.

esut Ozil Mhas a '90 percent'

chance of ending his Arsenal nightmare in January and joining Fenerbahce.

Mesut Ozil is likely t o b e c o m e a Fenerbahce player d u r i n g t h e n e x t transfer window.“I would say 90

percent he will join us in one month.”T h e f o r m e r

G e r m a n y international has family roots from T u r k e y d e s p i t e represent ing Die M a n n s c h a f t 9 2 times, winning the World Cup in 2014.He is also close

friends with Turkish p r e s i d e n t Re c e p Tayyip Erdogan and has been accused of endorsing his bid for re-election.But he was stil l

locked in a war of words with loud

nte r fo rward , IRomelu Lukaku, has claimed he's

'one of the top five strikers in the world' a n d s a i d t h e Nerazzurri 'must fight to win the Scudetto'.

“I'm one of the top five strikers in the world,” Lukaku told France Football. “I can ' t do anyth ing wrong from a tactical point of view or even the movements.

Lukaku said it's 'a bit e a r l y ' f o r t h e compar i sons wi th former Nerazzurri forward and Brazil international Ronaldo.

“ I f C r i s t i a n o Ronaldo, [Lione l ] Mess i or [Rober t ] Lewandowski have exceeded their limits, why can't I do it too?”

“He scored more than 100 goals for the national team, it's a bit e a r l y t o m a k e comparisons,” Lukaku added . “ In Mi lan everyone was talking to me about Ronaldo's 34 goals in his first season.

“I'm glad I matched it, yes. But he won the UEFA Cup, and I lost the Final. Now, I work to win trophies.”

Napoli are watching C h e l s e a

midf ie lder, B i l ly Gilmour.

A c c o r d i n g t o Calciomercato, the Serie A club are we igh ing up the possibility of taking the 19-year-old on loan with a view to a permanent transfer if he fits in.

Gilmour impressed

Juventus have also been linked with a move for Gilmour – b u t C h e l s e a a r e expected to resist any

as he played 11 times for Chelsea last s e a s o n , b u t h i s p r o g r e s s w a s curtailed by injury in July, and he made his first appearance of the season in last we e k ' s w i n ove r Sevilla.

attempts to sign the Scotland under-21 ace permanently as he is highly rated at

m o u t h P i e r s Morgan on Monday after Ozil posted a picture of himself in front of thousands of fans at the Emirates.H e a d d e d t h e

caption: “The feeling o f h a v i n g f a n s b e h i n d y o u … #grateful #bestfans #hardtimes.”The Good Morning

Britain presenter, who is an Arsenal fan, was quick to r e s p o n d s ay i n g : “Real Arsenal fans aren't behind you.“You're our Paul

Pogba – massively overpaid, massively under-performing & s h o c k i n g l y overinflated sense of y o u r o w n importance. #truth.”Ozil then hit back:

“Piers, buddy, are you still bitter from the other day? It seems like you're not a big fan of World Champions.“I wish you would

see as good as you hear things.”“ B u t a t t h e

moment, I don't see him being top of the shopping list for too many clubs.”

Chevrolet ready to bankrollMan Utd’s move for Ronaldo

Ozil '90 percent certain' tocomplete Fenerbahce transfer

Napoli plan loan move forChelsea midfielder Gilmour

h e N i g e r i a Tinternational has spoken about his

role model and rated the Cameroon and Senegal goalkeepers

S p a r t a R o t t e r d a m g o a l k e e p e r M a d u k a O k o ye h a s r e ve a l e d f o r m e r B r a z i l international Nelson Dida as his idol and named A j a x s t o p p e r A n d r e Onana as the best African goalkeeper ahead of C h e l s e a ' s E d o u a r d Mendy.

The 21-year-old has played six games in the 2020-21 season af ter joining the Dutch club from Fortuna Düsseldorf II in the summer.

Okoye's recent showings for his club has also c o n v i n c e d N i g e r i a nat ional team coach Gernot Rohr to trust him in goal for the Super Eagles.

The Nigeria goalkeeper h a s b e e n d e l i ve r i n g convincing showings for t h e E r e d i v i s i e s i d e recently and is gradually becoming the club's first-choice.

Okoye has revealed w h e r e h e g e t s h i s inspiration from and rated t h e C a m e r o o n a n d Senegal goalkeepers, who are tur ning heads in Europe.

Pogba left United for

Paul Pogba can return to Serie A champions Ju ve n t u s a s h e i s u n h a p p y a t Manchester United, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

P o g b a ' s representative Raiola s a i d t h e s t a r midfielder's time at United is "over" in a preview teaser for an i n t e r v i e w w i t h T u t t o s p o r t a m i d speculation he is set to leave Old Trafford in the near future.

T h e Wo r l d C u p -w i n n i n g F r a n c e international – who scored in Saturday's 3-1 P r e m i e r L e a g u e victory at West Ham – has regularly been linked with former club Ju ve a n d L a L i g a c h a m p i o n s R e a l Madrid, while Pogba described a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu as a "dream".

h e F r a n c e Tinternational midf ie lder ' s

agent says his client wants to leave Old Tr a f f o r d a n d h a s f lagged a poss ib le reunion in Turin

"Among other things, the relationship with the club and with his former team-mates is excellent. At the time of Covid, not many teams can afford to buy Paul. The important thing is to want it (a deal for Pogba)."

On the front page of Tuesday's , Tuttosport w h e r e t h e f u l l i n t e r v i e w w a s published, Raiola is q u o t e d a s s ay i n g : "Maybe Juventus could be his next destination. Why not?

Raiola's comments c a m e a s U n i t e d prepared for Tuesday's

Serie A powerhouse Juve in 2012 after his contract expired only to re - jo in the Red Devils in 2016 for what wa s t h e n a wo r l d record transfer fee of £89 million ($119m).

T h e 2 7 - y e a r - o l d scored his first Premier League goal of the campaign as United came from behind to defeat West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.

this season, scoring twice."I think the two of

them are a disgrace," he said. "We will all look at the agent now, and say 'ask Pogba what he thinks.'"

Pogba has made 13 appearances for United across all competitions

b l o c k b u s t e r Champions League clash at RB Leipzig on the sixth and final matchday in Group H.

"He is under contract for the next 18 months and it will expire in the summer of 2022."

Former Liverpool d e f e n d e r J a m i e Carragher explained how he thinks United should now respond, telling : "Get Sky Sports rid. I have been saying this for 12 months.

"Paul is unhappy with Man United as he is no longer able to express himself in the way that he would like and as he is expected to," Raiola said. "Paul needs a new team, a change of air.

"Oh my God, he is the most overrated player I have seen in my life."

Carragher feels Pogba would have been well aware of what Raiola was planning to say, and did not hold back with his views.

"Nelson Dida was my idol, for me, he was the greatest, I love his style but nowadays it is Marc-Andre ter Stegen," Okoye told Voetbal Rotterdam.

"Andre Onana is also a great goalkeeper, I love to watch him. Definitely, he's the best African g o a l k e e p e r a t t h e moment. The second one is Mendy from Chelsea."

Okoye has made five appearances for the Super Eagles since his debut against Brazil in a friendly in October 2019.

" I h a v e d e f i n i t e l y w a t c h e d m o r e o f Enyeama because he's more of my generation, I go with Enyeama,” he continued.

"Of course I know Peter Rufai but not as a person, I think he was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to play in the Netherlands with Go Ahead Eagles but I k n o w m o r e o f Enyeama."

Okoye will be expected to be in goal when Sparta R o t t e r d a m t a k e o n Willem II in their next l e a g u e g a m e o n December 13.

The 21-year-old also spoke of his delight to w a t c h f o r m e r international Vincent Enyeama and named him a s t h e b e s t N i g e r i a goalkeeper in history.

"For me, he is definitely the greatest Nigerian goalkeeper ever and also one of the best to play in the French League.

Okoye reveals Dida as his idol,rates Onana ahead of Mendy

Pogba, Man United has cometo an end — Raiola

I'm one of the best– Lukaku

Ozil

Okoye

Pogba

LukakuLukakuLukaku

GilmourGilmourGilmour

RonaldoRonaldoRonaldo

ISSN: 2736-0512 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 VOL. 1 NO. 46

rofessors have been Pin the news of late in Nigeria. They have

spearheaded one of the longest industrial disputes with government in the history of this country which, thankfully, is now winding down as you read. Professors have also been useful in the f i e l d o f e l e c t i o n a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . T h e I n d e p e n d e n t N a t i o n a l Electoral Commission has been consistently headed by an individual with the rank of professor, likewise returning officers.

A professor is also seen as an emblem of probity, good work ethics, and apogee of professional standards. Many a good scientific discoveries, m e d i c a l a d v a n c e s , technological innovations, economic, poli t ical and environmental landmarks have been associated with professors, who have dug deep to push the frontiers of knowledge for humanity.

We put the essence and award of 'professor' under the microscope this week, the highest honour in academia, bestowed on an individual of distinction with impeccable personal accomplishments. The person so honoured is held up in society as worthy of emulation and leadership in their field. A professor ' p ro fe s se s ' ; anchor s an argument on first principles; has reliability, and makes law-like generalizations on issues of great national and world significance.

Former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993), hired no less than 45 of them at one point or another during his rule. A current governor and several state commissioners are professors; we even have a s e r v i n g p r o f e s s o r Vi c e President of Nigeria, in the person of Yemi Osinbajo.

A professor sees long into the future that many cannot contemplate or even imagine in the short and medium terms. A professor exhibits a calm, cool and rational dissection of complex issues,

Nowadays, what passes for ' p u b l i c a t i o n ' a m o n g academics beggars belief. But, who can blame them? The work environment for p ro fe s so r s (more so in Nigerian public universities) is appalling, as is the average pay, often barely enough to keep their heads above water. The best possession many Nigerian professors ever have to show for a lifetime of commitment and dedication is a smoke-laden, rickety old banger, and a receding grey hairline. In spite of that, one sometimes marvels at the sight of some professors with their self-assuredness and

w o r k e d w e l l u n t i l competition for the honour intensified in the early 20th century until now, leading to the extreme situation of “publish or perish” mentality that is still with us today.

Academics are no longer writing for creativity, but for the sole purpose of earning p r o m o t i o n a n d g l i d i n g through the ranks. Rather than grapple with a research problem on merit, and on the basis of need, the main consideration now is to get anything out to boost one's tally of publications.

e l o q u e n c e, a n d u t t e r embarrassment at the sight of others basically firing blank, and punching above their weight.

As if this is not bad enough, the “publish or perish” mind-set has taken focus away from quality teaching, and original research. It does not matter how creative you are as a tutor if your publication tally does not add up. A lousy tutor could jump through the academic ladder faster (with 'publications') than a more dedicated and attentive tutor, who lacks sufficient number o f c o m p l i m e n t a r y publications.

Many academics have c o m p l e t e ly a b a n d o n e d original research in favour of pedestrian textual analyses, which can be accomplished in the comfort of their

Fur thermore, or ig inal r e s e a r c h ( b a c k b o n e o f academic excellence), can be extremely time consuming, laborious, and expensive. You can be stuck with such work for months, even years, collating and analysing data. Once completed, it is then subjected to a rigorous and sometimes prolonged peer-review process.

Published work seemed a more egalitarian method of selecting candidates for the ultimate honour. That too

For others, still, it is simply a trophy to be flaunted, and used to establish dominance. Nonetheless, the award is accepted by the serious-minded as an invitation to work harder, and to lead by example. For others, it is the perfect calling card for sitting on one ' s oar s, a s the i r intellectual curiosity ends the day after being pronounced professor.

The description of the professor just highlighted is so evidently idealized. It rarely exists in whole in any one individual, in a single period. It is an aspiration, and a destination to which many bearing the title arrive quicker than others, while some never even get started, let alone excel in it.

An award of professorship is a little bit akin to the award of a Nobel Prize. Being a laureate is ideally recognition of a life's worth, but it can also be an award for potential and futuristic endeavours. In fact, the latter is more often the case. The Nobel Peace Prize c o n f e r r e d o n f o r m e r Presidents F.W. de Clerk, and Nelson Mandela (South Africa, 1993), Barack Obama ( U S A , 2 0 0 9 ) , M a l a l a Yousafzai (17 years old, Pakistani gir l -education activist, 2014), and latterly, Abiy Ahmed (Ethiopia, 2019), would fall into this category.

How does that pan out in academia? The anc ient tradition in academia was one where solitary men 'emerged' professors from the shadows after the selection panel takes 'soundings' from their peers. This was the case until the early 19th century when professorship became an honour awarded through published work. The old s y s t e m o f c o n f i d e n t i a l soundings was obviously given to bias along gender, race and class lines.

where others panic and overreact. So far, so good.

bedrooms, and in sufficient numbers to acquire the coveted title, 'professor', in r e c o r d t i m e . S u c h 'publications' often lack depth and rigor. They contribute nothing to knowledge; nada; zilch, but who cares?

This is rather unfortunate. The higher the number of 'publications' you can ratchet up, the quicker the chances of answering 'prof'. This is a regressive, anti-intellectual development that has a domino effect on other parts of an academic institution for, w h i l e i t m a y g i v e a n inst i tut ion the outward appearance of achievement, it ultimately leads to an all-round decline in educational standards.

Scholarship has given way to soliciting. The universities' regulator in this country, the N a t i o n a l U n i v e r s i t i e s Commission, set uniform standards that can be applied across the board in a fair and equi tab le manner. But , p a r a d o x i c a l l y , t h a t encourages those willing to 'game' the system by simply ticking the box.

The NUC cr i ter ia for p r o m o t i o n i n t o t h e professorial cadre are

One hundred 'publications' behind a person's name are no s u b s t i t u t e f o r q u a l i t y. Conversely, a lack of visibility in select journals should not be an automatic barrier to promotion, especially if there are other compelling factors in the candidate's favour. Professor Ali Mazrui, one of the most celebrated African intellectuals of the 20th century, became professor w i t h i n t w o y e a r s o f submitting his doctoral thesis.

O t h e r s h av e b e c o m e professors even without having submitted a single journal article, but having exer ted themselves and impacted their discipline in a way sufficiently recognisable by their peers. On a lighter note, George Osborne, the former UK minis ter o f finance, graduated in history, but made sufficient impact on public finance and economic affairs in government, that despite only reading history, w i t h n o p o s t g r a d u a t e qualifications and no journal articles to his name, he was a p p o i n t e d h o n o r a r y Professor of Economics by the University of Manchester soon after leaving office in 2017.

Yes, that is an aberration. It i s not a benchmark for anything in particular, but the point there is clear. Drawing t h e r i g h t c i r c l e w h i c h encapsulates all the relevant attributes for a professorial award, including quality publications, is tedious. It requires deft, dispassion and foresight on the part of the awarding panel.

That said, the circle can neither be too flexible, nor too rigid. The criteria for an award of academic honour must never be set in stone; it is a moving goalpost.

generally good, but they s h o u l d n o t b e m a d e sacrosanct. Striving for the lowest common denominator is hardly the best in any event. U n i v e r s i t i e s m u s t b e encouraged to look for both tangib le and intangib le qualities in an individual.

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Guest Columnist

By Tayo Oke

What is in the title, 'professor'?

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