Ukraine, Sudan: How FG can halt young Nigerians

from seeking education abroad – Experts, others

PAGES 5 & 6

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PAGE 23

N200

Volume 006: No. 291 Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 Shawwal 23 - 24, 1444 AH

David Jemibewon, Chris Adighije:

Where are they now?
PAGE 23

UK sentencing: Were the Ekweremadus Poor inclusion in governance behind

justified in their organ harvesting plot? increased rate of trafficked women, girls
PAGE 15 PAGE 22

I must be
Women have problems,
they’re dangerous
– Yakubu Producer
president
someday, Obi
declares
Says ‘I’ll respect whatever the decision of the court is’ PAGE 4

‘I’m not in a hurry or desperate to achieve this dream’ page 17

Domestic equity market returns to FG to end feeding of state NBC to appeal ruling nullifying its
bullish run, gains N29bn inmates by Dec 2023 powers to impose fines
PAGE 27 PAGE 27 PAGE 8

Magashi, Irabor, others to grace launch of Ndace’s Trilogy today PAGE 19

2| Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND

In the Now that senate presidency, deputy have

News been zoned South-south, North-west
The presidential candidate The news that the President- moreso as it has not had the
of the Labour Party (LP) in the
Ibrahim
elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed opportunity of having the
2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Tinubu has agreed that the speakership since the return of
Obi, has expressed confidence positions of senate president democracy in 1999.
that he would be president of the
country. He, however, said he
and deputy senate president
should go to the South-south
Dasuki Besides, the zone has the
deputy speaker position in the
was not in a hurry to achieve the
dream.
4
and North-west, respectively,
is highly commendable given Nakande outgoing 9th Assembly in the
person of Rt. Hon. Ahmed
the need to accommodate all Idris Wase. Wase, having
geopolitical zones in the next served well as deputy speaker,
The National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC) has declared
administration.
With the president of the
GUEST COLUMNIST reserves the right to receive the
promotion to the next level by
that it would appeal the ruling incoming administration taking the speaker slot.
by a Federal High Court, Abuja, considering the contribution Again, the North-central
already in the South-west and of the North-central and contributed more than any He is tested and trusted
which nullified its powers to the vice-president, the North- lawmaker who has rich
impose fines on erring broadcast North-west to the victory of of the other zones in the last
east, it is only fair that the the APC presidential ticket, election in terms of percentage experience in leadership
stations. remaining four zones that have having been chairman of
8 it is understandable to make of votes by giving the APC
been agitating for inclusion such concessions in favour presidential ticket four of various committees and was
in the next administration be of integration and national the six votes in the zone. deputy minority leader, deputy
One of the newly elected taken care of and it was kind majority leader ad now deputy
members of the House of cohesion. It is therefore The performance is surely
of the president-elect to factor heartwarming to see giving better than that of the North speaker. The party would be
Representatives, representing that in the bid to shape his setting a good standard for
Gada-Goronyo Federal the report of the meeting West where the APC lost five
government. between the president-elect of the seven states such as rewarding hard work and
Constituency of Sokoto state, It has been argued that commitment if it zones the
Bashir Usman Gorau, has and key members of the Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina Kano
the South-south and the parliament that the idea is and Sokoto but won only in position to Rt. Hon. Wase as he
faulted the endorsement of the South-east did not give the has always delivered his federal
leadership of the 10th National being accepted. Zamfara and Jigawa states.
APC presidential ticket As the North makes that Allowing the North-central constituency in all elections to
Assembly by the President-elect, overwhelming support during the APC by devoting his time
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, concession however, it is to take the speaker position
the elections last presidential important that it should not be will definitely come as a and resources to the growth of
and the party. elections, but due to the the party.
9 left in the lurch but given the reciprocation for the kind of
fact that both the president- next positions which are the support it has been giving the APC leaders in the zone
elect and vice president-elect deputy senate president and the APC since the formation of the would feel highly honoured
TTrading activities on the are of the same faith, it has to have such a man as speaker
floor of Nigerian Exchange on speaker which can be shared party. In 2015, for instance,
necessitated the need to tilt between the North-west and all the six states in the North so as to further entrench and
Friday returned to a bullish run, consideration in assigning top deepen the support base of the
appreciating by N29 billion as North-central. Central namely, Kwara, Kogi,
positions in the next assembly Since the North-west would Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and party in the zone and in the
sell off in shares of Fidelity Bank, beyond the level of votes country.
AccessCorp, FBNHoldings and by May 29, be coming out of Niger all gave overwhelming
contributed. an eight-year presidency, it will support to the APC and voted With the contributions the
others lifted the equity market. Because if that should form North-central has made to the
27 be fair to ask that it accepts for APC governors.
the yardstick for zoning, then the deputy senate president In 2019, it lost only Benue to success of the APC, it is only
the senate president who is position to allow the North- the PDP due to the governor’s fair that the zone is allowed
the chairman of the National central which has never held defection but in gave APC the not just to take the speaker
Assembly may again go to the position of speaker to take highest number of votes in the position in the 10th Assembly
the same faith. But in a multi it this time. presidential elections. In terms but should zone it to the
Sports religious country like Nigeria,
there will be the need to
The highest position the of totality of votes in the last current deputy speaker who has
the capacity to provide quality
North-central has occupied election, the North-central is
include the adherents of the since the return of democracy also ahead of the Northeast leadership and complement the
other major religion in the in 1999 has been senate which already has the incoming efforts of the soon to be sworn
country hence the clamour presidency while the North- vice president. in President Tinubu.
to zone the seat of the senate west has had the privilege of Zoning the speaker position
president to a zone that may producing the president for to the North-central will be a Nakande, former
likely give a religious balance to eight good years and the has just compensation for a zone minister, information and
the next administration. held the speaker position for 12 that has always supported communications, writes from Jos,
Painful as that may be good years. and is supporting the APC Plateau state

Features Vox Pop Women Analysis

Sports development:
Nigeria can witness
economic boom if...
31
- Okoro

ABDUCTION

CHIBOK
GIRLS
GONE 3382 DAYS Stillonthebanningof UK sentencing: Were Poor inclusion in HowNigeriansadjusted
Indomienoodlesand the Ekweremadus governance cause of to CBN’s cashless
matters arising justified in their organ increased women, girls policy
harvesting plot? trafficking – Prof Ogeji
13 15 22 26
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 | 3
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Whistleblowing as a strategy for tackling gender-based violence in Nigeria Comments

In a bold stride toward a
healthier future, Nigeria is
Repeatedly, studies have shown that support for adopting whistleblowing shining a much-needed light
there is a rising incidence of gender- as a viable instrument for reporting on a silent and deadly foe that

Nkechi
based violence occurring in different gender-based crimes in Nigeria. has long lurked in the shadows:
forms in Nigeria. These include sexual Toeing this line will be consequential tuberculosis (TB). With a
harassment, rape, physical violence, because it will help boost the efforts renewed determination and
collective commitment, the

Ugwu
socio-economic violence, emotional in addressing the culture of silence nation is mobilizing efforts to
and psychological violence, harmful and low reporting which has been tackle this ancient yet persistent
traditional practices, online bullying, identified as one critical issue in disease, striving to save lives, and
and trafficking of women, among checkmating gender-based atrocities bring hope to those affected.
others. Gender-Based Violence in the country.
(GBV) remains a challenge that To that extent, it will be beneficial
significantly stymies women’s rights
and opportunities across the country. GUEST COLUMNIST if victims of gender-based violence in
all ramifications are provided with an
What would we not give to halt this anonymous whistleblowing platform
dreadful phenomenon that is widely made GBV thrive globally. was raped.” Usually, victims are to encourage victims to speak up
known to be a serious violation of In recalling the circumstances traumatized and dehumanized. If we to enable them to access help from
human rights and a life-threatening that had caused GBV to flourish are serious about reducing GBV in relevant authorities, as well as get
issue? in Nigeria and across the globe, Nigeria, we must end the culture of medical care, psychological support,
In 2020, during one of the the COVID-19 pandemic is silence related to reporting gender- and justice at the end of the day. This
activities to mark #16 Days of undoubtedly a major culprit. The based crimes. GBV can be limited by is achievable seeing how useful the
Activism Against Gender-Based pandemic has contributed immensely increasing the rate of reporting it and policy has been in aiding the recovery Uniting efforts to eradicate
Violence in Abuja, Mary Ekpere- to increasing gender-based violence. punishing offenders. By so doing, we of stolen public funds thereby tuberculosis in Nigeria
Etta, Director-General of the In Nigeria, the most low-income would be contributing to realizing reducing corruption in the country.
National Centre for Women earners are women whose daily goal 5 of the sustainable development The African Centre for Media and 11
Development (NCWD), noted income is dependent on daily sales. goal (SDGs). Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
that genuine support for women, They are the ones who bore the brunt Increasing the rate of reporting is currently working with partners Book
girls/boys to survive gender-based of the COVID-19 lockdown. For gender-based crime is an area and other relevant civil society
violence will help in breaking their daily income they depend on where whistleblowing can be organizations to expand the scope of
the culture of silence in domestic daily sales. This means “no sales and meaningfully deployed. Presently, the whistleblowing policy strategy in
violence which had led to many no money to care for their families.” the whistleblowing policy has addressing different issues that the
deaths and truncated dreams. In view The lockdown had an unprecedented been recognized by Nigerians policy can strategically impact.
of her assertion, there is no doubt negative economic impact on families as an important mechanism for The novelty of the whistleblowing
that whistleblowing will be most and exacerbated some of the risk reporting all forms of wrongdoing, strategy is that tips can be submitted
appropriate in pushing for action to factors for violence against women the absence of a whistleblower anonymously by relations of
encourage victims to report the many and children in many homes in protection law notwithstanding. the victims, their friends, or any
unfair treatments by perpetrators of Nigeria where poverty has been rated This policy was announced by concerned citizen, for immediate
gender-based violence in the country. high. Also, prevalent during the President Muhammadu Buhari action. The strategy will offer an
According to Sima Bagous, lockdown were cases of emotional in December 2016. Since then, opportunity for confidentiality
Executive Director of UN Women, and physical violence which had development partners and relevant in terms of reporting GBV cases
“Violence against women is an been declared by researchers to be stakeholders have been working to and provide safety, legal support
existing global crisis that thrives on underreported. Moreso, findings have raise awareness about the policy and and ultimately justice for victims
other crises. Conflict, climate-related while contributing to statistical Ebedi receives 4 new writers
linked low social-economic status to encouraging government to enact a
natural disasters, food insecurity an increased risk of domestic violence whistleblower protection law as a way record-keeping and improving case
and human rights violations all during the lockdown. of enhancing citizen participation in management of gender-based crimes 25
contribute to women and girls living Similarly, the post-pandemic the fight against corruption and other in the country.
with a sense of danger, even in their incident of GBV seems to be more wrongdoing. Thankfully, a draft In light of the above, seeing the
own homes, neighbourhoods, or
communities.”
prevalent considering the high rate of
inflation and yet it is underreported
whistleblower protection bill was
approved last December at a Federal
usefulness of whistleblowing and the
gap it seeks to address, it is hoped News Extra
There is the potential for intense mostly due to the culture of silence Executive Council (FEC) meeting. that partners will see the need to
gender-based violence getting predominantly among the citizens. It will be transmitted as an executive support its use as a veritable tool in
more serious in this age of internet According to Ulla Elisabeth Mueller, bill to the National Assembly for curbing gender-based violence in the
technology which has succeeded in Country Representative of the passage into law, hopefully before the country.
creating an atmosphere for online United Nations Fund for Population tenure of the Buhari administration
bullying that is capable of destabilizing Activities (UNFPA), part of the ends on May 29, 2023. Ugwu is Snr Programme Officer
women, girls and boys for taking reason for underreporting is that With the passage of the (M&E) at the African Centre for
positive advantage of the internet. victims chose to be silent instead whistleblower protection law in Media & Information Literacy
Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest of reporting the crime. They feel sight, it’s apt to start expanding the (AFRICMIL). She can be reached via
that the presence of the internet has ashamed to stand up to say, “I frontier of violations by drumming [email protected]

Quotes of the Day

Business visit Our website Buhari procured 20 ships in
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4 Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND

I must be president someday, Obi declares

By Benjamin Samson, with agencies

The presidential candidate of the Labour

…Says ‘I’ll respect whatever the decision of the court is’
Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr.
Peter Obi, has expressed confidence that …‘I’m not in a hurry or desperate to achieve this dream’
he would be president of the country. disposition remained the way to go and a Monarch’s recall that he was not willing to back down, even
He, however, said he was not in a hurry sign of discipline and responsibility. Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion if it meant remaining in court even after the
to achieve the dream. “We’re trying to build a new Nigeria and and traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred tenure.”
Obi, who stated this Friday while that new Nigeria must be ready to say sorry, Nnaemeka Achebe, expressed the hope that
speaking during the unveiling of a book, even if they are right. We need to start Obi would reclaim his presidential mandate. Book’s editor
Peter Obi: many voices, one perspective, thinking about what we are going to do to He said, “I was still a new traditional ruler In his remarks, the Lead Editor of the book,
stressed that there is a need to “always have a better country.” many years ago, when I was invited to a Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, described the
stand for the truth in the quest to build a Obi added that he was not struggling to meeting where some monarchs were trying piece as “capturing everything about the
new Nigeria.” free the country from bad leadership for to settle a matter between the then Anambra man, Peter Obi.”
He also pledged to accept the decision of the elite alone, but for every Nigerian. governor Chris Ngige and Obi over the She said: “We are not saying that Peter
the judiciary. “For three years I was in court in Anambra governorship tussle. Obi is a saint, but he stands out in integrity.
He said, “My argument is that, let’s do to reclaim my mandate, just to challenge the “I was a new traditional ruler, so I was just Nigeria is richly blessed if this man becomes
what is right. I always tell everyone that process. Many people tried to discourage listening to the conversations. Obi did not president.
I will not give people money to do the me, but I said even if the entire four-year attend the meeting, but his representative “Whatever we realise here will be
wrong thing. I have been the chairman of tenure elapsed for us to prove a point and said Obi sent a message that he is more channelled into the on-going litigation. I am
a committee - TETFund committee, and correct the process, I will be fulfilled. interested in knowing the truth, and ensuring hopeful that the litigation will end well; and
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was my member. that the process was credible next time, and the truth will come out.”
We know ourselves, but when he became
INEC chairman, I have never met him. I
told him, you are an umpire, just do what
is right.
“I was at an event yesterday in Abuja,
and it was a World Food Organisation
event. I listened to a report that stated
that Nigeria would face intense hunger in
years to come. It is Nigeria that would face From left: House of Representatives
hunger, not Peter Obi. Deputy Speakership aspirant
“The report listed Borno, Adamawa and Benjamin Kalu, Speakership
Yobe as the states that would be worse hit, aspirant Tajudeen Abass, a
but those three states put together are five member-elect, Adedeji Olajide,
times larger in land mass than that of Israel, and Vice President-elect Senator
yet it exports food, but Nigeria cannot feed Kashim Shettima, when the
itself. joint task team of 10th House of
“We must fix this country. I have only one Representatives visited the Vice
passport. If anyone thinks that Peter Obi president-elect in Abuja, Friday
will run away, he is wasting his time.
“I’m in court now; whatever is the Photo: Ayuba Raji
decision of the court, I’ll respect it. I’m not
going to riot after which we’ll continue.
But I know we’re committed to the destiny
of this nation; when it’s God’s time it’ll
happen.”

Appreciation
Appreciating the Obidients for their
understanding and perseverance, Obi
insisted that his softness and apologetic

Fake news: NUJ, Calabar monarch mull workshop for journalists

By Joseph Obung the public was not misled with information, us work together so that truth and factual some of our colleagues. This can be done
Calabar the Obong said, “You are the power house information on the Palace of the Obong of every Press Freedom Day.
in information management. People look Calabar can be disseminated to the people.” “I can authoritatively say that with
With viral report in the media last week up to you for news but not fake news which Speaking earlier, the chairman of what we have all seen today here in the
that the stool of the Obong of Calabar was has the capacity to destroy society and the NUJ in Cross River state, Comrade palace, the seat of the Obong of Calabar
vacant, the leadership of the Nigeria Union cause war. Nsa Gill, decried the level of fake news is not vacant. Every rumour and fake
of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River state “Today, there is more fake news than and misinformation “peddled by many news stand was dispelled. The fact is that
and the palace of the Obong of Calabar are factual information in this country. Some untrained media men, particularly with Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V has been
seeking a partnership for annual training reporters look at what they could make the help of unregulated social media re-selected and is sitting on the throne of
and re-training workshops to enhance from it. platforms.” the Efik Kingdom.
professionalism in journalism practice. “Our doors are open, and as you have He said, “This untoward development “I see that report as a failed attempt by
The partnership, which was mulled in suggested, we welcome the partnership. calls for partnership between our Union a small group to cause undue unrest in the
Calabar during a courtesy visit of the State Let Journalists be part of the Palace; let and the palace to help us train and retrain Efik Kingdom.This should not continue.”
Working Committee of the NUJ to the
palace of the Obong of Calabar, indicated
that the said training workshop would
be held during World Press Freedom Day
Police arrest mother for kidnapping daughter in Kano
annually. By Bashir Mohammed implementing community policing strategies Bashir, m, six years old was kidnapped and a
Describing the partnership as “a welcome Kano with the stakeholders, identifying root causes ransom of N20,000,000 was demanded which
development,” the Obong of Calabar, His of crimes especially use of illicit drugs, massive they settled at N5,150,000.
Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu The Kano state Police Command has disclosed public enlightenment and sensitisation.” “In a follow-up of the investigation, the
V, said, “This throne has been there for so that it had arrested a mother for allegedly “On 08/05/2023, a report was received from victim was rescued unhurt and the following
many centuries and it is not something to kidnapping her biological daughter for ransom one Kabiru Shehu of Sharada Quarters, Kano suspects were arrested (i) Zainab Rabi’u,
toy with but it beats my imagination that at Madobi local government area of the state. Municipal LGA that his divorced wife, one f, 45 years old of Gwammaja Quarters, a
people would just wake up and say the seat The Commissioner of Police in the state, Rahma Sulaiman, f, 25 years old, informed mastermind and an aunt to the victim that
is vacant, how? Mohammed Usaini Gumel, made the him that his daughter named Hafsat Kabiru, f, organised and arranged the Kidnapping. (ii)
“What we have seen is a disheartening disclosure Friday while parading the suspects six years old was missing, and that unknown Abdurrashid Sa’idu, m, 27 years (iii) Hassan
situation, but notwithstanding, you know at the police headquarters, Bompai, Kano. persons called her through her mobile phone Abdullahi, m, 24 years old and (iv) Ahmed
Gumel, who assumed office nine days ago, demanding the sum of N3, 000,000 as ransom. Saleh, m, 25 years old, all of Sheka Quarters
as human beings, we expect all these things “In a follow-up investigation, the victim was
said his leadership would not leave any stone Kano.”
to happen.” unturned in terms of enhancing the security rescued in Madobi LGA. The divorced wife was According to the Command, all the suspects
The monarch decried situations where of lives and property of the general populace. arrested and confessed to have planned, took had confessed to the crime and would be
some media practitioners would, according “In our roadmap to achieve a peaceful Kano her daughter to a hideout and demanded the charged to court upon completion of the
to him, “stoop low to do the biddings of state, we commenced robust community ransom. Investigation is in progress. investigation.
mischief makers against their statutory and policing engagements, incorporating “Meanwhile In Dala local government On He also said a gang of suspected kidnappers
invaluable role as purveyors of information intelligence-led and visibility policing and 04/04/2023, a report was received from a was arrested in Rano local government
for societal good.” application of technology in tackling crimes, resident of Kofar Ruwa Quarters, Dala LGA, area and that arms and ammunition were
While charging the NUJ to ensure that building synergy with sister security agencies, Kano state, that his son, one Almustapha recovered from them.
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 |5

Ukraine, Sudan: How govt can halt young Nigerians

from seeking education abroad – Experts, others
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) data
on payment analysis has shown that ...About $4bn lost to foreign education since 2015
Nigerians have spent about $4 billion on
foreign education since 2015.
Blueprint Weekend gathered that
‘...It’s the easiest way to relocate’
Canada, United States of America,
United Kingdom, Germany, Republic
...It’s better to cope with ASUU strikes than wars, racism - Don
of Ireland, Hungary, Cyprus, Ukraine, Many experts and parents indicated
Netherlands, Norway and some Arab Despite the promises by successive governments to improve that the shabby state of the Nigerian
countries, are highly patronised by education system is basically fuelling
Nigerians.
education funding and allocation to the sector, Nigerian the education tourism pursuits of
students have continued to troop abroad and in droves in Nigerians, especially as it concerns
Experience tertiary education.
Lucky Ojeme, 34, graduated from one pursuit of foreign education. BENJAMIN SAMSON in this An education psychologist at the
of the universities in the eastern part College of Education, Zuba, in the
of the country about nine years ago.
report examines what can be done to stop the trend. Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr.
This computer engineering graduate Beatrice Zunge, told this reporter
is heading to Germany in pursuit of his that many parents send their children
master’s degree. abroad because of the standards and
The IT specialist told this reporter conducive learning environment.
that his decision was informed by the She said: “The learning environment
desire to seek a greener pasture. It was is poor in Nigeria. Nigerian institutions
when he got the opportunity to travel lack the capability to compete with top
to Germany for an official assignment institutions around the world in terms
and visited some universities that he of standard and quality. This is simply
developed the interest to be part of the because institutions in Nigeria are
system he saw. poorly funded and therefore cannot
“I have been saving for a very long meet up with the demands of the
time now because I have planned to increasing student population.
leave Nigeria. There is nothing more for “Besides, the lack of conducive
anyone in this country. Thank God that and quality learning environments,
I was able to secure admission into a deplorable state of infrastructures, lack
university for my master’s degree,” he of qualified lecturers, corruption, poor
said. social welfare packages for students,
Disclosing that he has no intention etc; are some of the many problems
of coming back to Nigeria, he said, “As that have contributed to Nigerian
soon as I settle down, I will be able to students migrating abroad for tertiary
come home and see my family. education.
“I will be schooling while I also try to “Most of the people who leave the
secure a little menial job to help me out. shores of Nigeria for studies abroad do
Although I have saved a lot to enable so simply because they could not get
me to be comfortable in the country, I the right environment for studying in
need to also work hard as a Nigerian.” their country. The Nigerian education
Ojeme is one of millions of Nigerians system is not friendly at all.
who are seeking to leave the country “In United States Of America, the
in search of foreign education and education system is so flexible and
greener pastures. Nigerians returnees from Sudan well-structured that one could be a
Apart from individuals, groups, student and at the time be working.
states and even the federal government “Nigerian students migrating country’s education system. Some schools are so structured that a
sponsor young men and women to to foreign countries for their “When a lot of citizens are leaving student has five hours for lectures and
acquire better education in different undergraduate and postgraduate the education system in their country five hours for his work.
countries across the globe. studies will negatively weaken the to study abroad, it suggests that the “There are no idle moments there;
country’s currency via exchange rate system has collapsed. Hence it weakens as a student who is up 18years, you
Impact on nation’s economy but ultimately bring about human the confidence outsiders have on your are expected to work and earn a living
In a chat with our reporter, an development to the country as Nigerian education development. even while you are in school,” an expert
economist, Musa Sakaba, said foreign citizens are exposed to higher levels of “And that is the major reason pointed out.”
education has a negative effect on the human capital development. Nigerians are mandated to sit for other
Nigerian economy. “However, as more Nigerians move to examinations when applying for a place Parents
He said: The huge net dollar outflows study abroad, it weakens the country’s in foreign institutions, because they do A parent, who gave his name simply
have dual adverse effects of under- currency,” he said. not have confidence in the certificates as Ezenwa, said he chose to send his
investment in domestic education and On its effect on Nigerian tertiary they obtained here,” he said. child to Canada to study because the
pressure on naira exchange rate, while education development, Erhaboh said quality of education in Nigeria is poor.
high demand for dollars to pay foreign it does not paint a good picture of the Why they seek education abroad “Sometime back, our education
educational institutions also affects system ranked among the best in the
Nigeria’s external reserves. world, but that is no longer the case.
“Foreign education spending requires “I think that in this age, you must
the availability of foreign exchange, educate a child to be competitive,
something that the country currently Foreign education spending requires the availability of not just within your environment
is in short supply of. The increased but globally. I don’t think our system
demand for the dollar to pay for foreign foreign exchange, something that the country currently is currently offers that quality, especially
services and speculative needs have in short supply of. The increased demand for the dollar to in technical areas. My child is about to
go out to study a technology-related
caused a significant depreciation in the
local currency against the U.S. dollar.” pay for foreign services and speculative needs have caused course and I don’t think we have what it
Likewise, Friday Erhaboh, director takes here to give him what he wants,”
of media and strategy at Marklenez a significant depreciation in the local currency against the he said.
Limited, an education consultancy firm, U.S. dollar Ezenwa noted that it is no longer
about the certificate but the quality
believes that the effect of education
tourism on the Nigerian economy is a
two-sided coin. Continued on next page
6 Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND

From the previous page

Nigerians returnees from Sudan

‘Govt must invest to

of education, saying, “If you can make
a difference with that education and
compete out there, your certificate can
not be respected wherever you walk in
to apply for a job. And when you get a

make varsities attractive’

job you will do it properly. We are trying
to give them that competitive edge and
not to put them at a disadvantage.”
On the challenge of dollar exchange,
he said, “It is a hindrance, but as
Nigerians we never say die. If you want
to do something you find a way to get
it done. So if it is difficult to get the is better to cope with Academic Staff the first of around 3,500 of its nationals, the public and private universities in
dollars, we are not going to give up Union of Universities (ASUU) incessant mostly students, as a fragile ceasefire terms of quality of staff, infrastructure,
because you are looking at what you strikes than war and racism. allowed foreigners to flee. However, facilities and governance systems.
want to achieve. So, it is a problem but “In February 2022, the Ukraine-Russia many are still stranded in Sudan.” “Also, there should be a selection
we must find a way to get around it.” war broke out and left about 16,000 of institutions to be developed as
African students studying in Ukraine The way out flagship universities over five, 10 and
‘Jappa’ stranded, among whom were at least On the way out, Professor Adaji said 20-year (short, medium and long-term)
However, the chief executive officer 1,000 Nigerian students. Many were to make Nigerian universities attractive, development time frames, with targets
of FAB, an education consultancy firm, traumatised for days before they were the government must invests heavily and matching funding. The government
Felix Adedayo, said, “A lot of people are finally evacuated back home, while in infrastructure, teaching, laboratory needs to identify degree programmes
travelling through schools because that some others found their ways to nearby and library facilities in public tertiary in demand and select public universities
is the easiest way to relocate to those Poland, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia institutions; recruits and pays to be specially equipped to produce
countries. Some of them sell their last and Europe, generally, despite the racial competitive wages to high-quality staff; graduates for both domestic and
property to travel. abuse at the borders and repatriation and sets minimum standards of foreign foreign job markets.”
“Education loan business is currently difficulties for those who headed home universities that can be attended by He also tasked the government to
booming in the country as some to Nigeria. Yet, others opted for online Nigerians, as an advisory. pay competitive wages to qualified
commercial banks give loans to people classes, which only provided temporary Besides, Adedayo urged the staff to attract sound minds to the
who do not have enough money in their succour and were unable to fill the void government to, especially, fund university system.
accounts. They can give you up to N10 for practicals-oriented courses like specialist federal universities for post- Likewise, public affairs analyst, Chidi
million to put in your account for three medicine and engineering. graduate studies and those dedicated Okechukwu, said the government
to six months so that you can apply for “Also, Hundreds of Nigerian students to producing graduates in fields where should not even think of stopping
a visa. They charge you like seven per are still stranded in the conflict-hit the country suffers huge deficits, such our students from travelling abroad
cent monthly. When your visa is out you Sudan where fighting between two as medicine. for further studies because that will
give them back the money and travel. warring generals has claimed more He said, “There is a need to audit amount to reducing the scope of
Those who can afford it go for it. than 500 lives. and classify, which is best fit for learning amongst our citizens.
“A lot of people are doing that and it “Although Nigeria began evacuating undergraduate or graduate training in He advised that the authorities in
has helped a lot of average families to charge should go out there, learn what
travel,” he said. these advanced countries are doing to
promote their education system and
Risks come back and develop our system.
In his view, a professor of History There is a need to audit and classify, which is best fit “The education managers should
and International Studies, Kogi State
University, Ayingba, Joseph Adaji, for undergraduate or graduate training in the public work on the education system and
make it attractive.
advised Nigerians to settle for studying
in government-owned universities, and private universities in terms of quality of staff, “A major way to get this done is
through partnership programmes.
rather than face war and racism in their infrastructure, facilities and governance systems. Education exchange programmes with
quest for education abroad. some of these advanced countries
He said: “I advise those who are dying should be largely incorporated into the
to study abroad to stay at home and Nigerian education system.”
get into a federal or state university. It
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8 | Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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Buhari inaugurates N1bn TETFund projects in Ekiti varsities Access Bank

President Muhammad Buhari has Medical Ward at EKSU. to provide institutions with basic Echono urged the institution to expands global
inaugurated six Tertiary Education Speaking at the official inauguration infrastructure and educational needs maintain the projects appropriately to
Trust Fund (TETFund) intervention of the projects on Friday, President that were required for human capital inspire the government to do more, footprints with
projects across three tertiary institutions Buhari said the inaugurated facilities at development. adding that the federal government was

The institutions are the Ekiti N318.85 million, N306.86 million and Arc. Sonny Echono, in his remarks, learning environment for the students French subsidiary
in Ekiti state. BOUESTI, EKSU and FUOYE gulped TETFund’s executive secretary, committed to providing a conducive

State University, Bamidele Olumilua N369 million, respectively. commended the management of the to thrive.
University of Education, Science and The president, who was represented universities for their cooperation and In their individual remarks, By Amaka Ifeakandu
Technology and the Federal University by the Minister of Trade and efforts towards ensuring the timely BOUESTI vice-chancellor, Prof. Lagos
Oye-Ekiti. Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, noted completion of the projects. Olufemi Adeoluwa, and FUOYE
The projects include a well-equipped that the projects would in no small Echono, who was represented by the vice-chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, Access Bank Plc, the flagship company
ultra-modern Vocational Education measure aid teaching, learning, and director of monitoring and evaluation, thumbed up TETFund for the projects. of Access Holdings Plc, has declared
Workshop complex at BOUESTI, research for global competitiveness. Babatunde Olajide, said the projects According to them, the infrastructure that its operations in its subsidiary in
Faculty of Science Lecture Theatre He said the infrastructure projects apart from adding value “will change facilities would be of immense benefits Paris, France, would be focused on trade
the face of the institutions and address to both students and staff. finance.
at FUOYE and the Faculty of Social were a clear testament to the irrevocable
The bank stated Friday that it had
Science Twin Lecture Theatre and commitment of his government infrastructure deficits.”
officially launched its subsidiary in

NBC to appeal ruling nullifying

Paris, France, and that the operations
would focus on trade finance, initially
capitalising on flows between Africa
and France, particularly Francophone

powers to impose fines

Africa.
The Group Chief Executive Officer
of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert
Wigwe, while speaking on the purpose
of the bank’s strategic expansion efforts,
The National Broadcasting Commission signed by its director general, Balarabe to impose a sanction, was in conflict issued Friday in Abuja, disclosed that it said, “Access Bank PLC, today, has
(NBC) has declared that it would Shehu Illelah. with Section 6 of the constitution that had applied for a Certified Copy of the a very strong presence in the United
appeal the ruling by a Federal High Omotosho, while ruling on a suit filed vested judicial power in the court of law. judgement. Kingdom, but coming on the heels of
Court, Abuja, which nullified its powers by Incorporated Media Rights Agenda, He added that the NBC, not “The Commission will appeal Brexit, there was a need for us to
to impose fines on erring broadcast had declared that NBC was not a court being Nigerian police, had no powers against the judgement when found to establish a presence in another country
stations. and had no powers to impose fines as to conduct a criminal investigation be in conflict with previous judgments in Europe and France provides a very
The Commission’s reaction to the punishment on broadcast stations. that would lead to criminal trial and which empowers NBC to regulate strong platform for us to do so. Beyond
Wednesday ruling by Justice James He held further that the NBC code, imposition of sanctions. broadcasting in Nigeria,” the statement that, Access Bank has a great presence
Omotosho was contained in a statement which gives the Commission the powers However, the NBC, in the statement read in part. (NAN) in the Francophone world that relies
significantly – in terms of trade – on

Non-kinetic approach: CITAD advocates community engagement to tackle insurgency

France; so, Access Bank in Paris will
work to support trade possibilities
and trade finance solutions to
By Paul Okah Northern Nigeria, the co-editor and of human rights abuse. Where there the programme is implemented. It businesses in those regions, ranging
Abuja the executive director of CITAD, is lack of community resilience, there is not working. Many communities from large conglomerates to SMEs and
Engr. Yunusa. Zakari Ya’u, said the will not be unity of purpose. People are rejecting the de-radicalised
de-radicalisation of Boko Haram will be working at cross purposes. Boko Haram adherents, who are more.
The Centre for Information Technology “Our range of banking products
and Development (CITAD) has adherents “is not working because Boko Haram is one of the pillars of isolated and forced to go back to
of an oversight on the part of the insecurity in Nigeria. Military action the Boko Haram insurgents. So, and services will be a valuable asset
said the federal government should
consider “a peaceful approach rather federal government with regards to is very necessary, but not the ultimate the government needs to engage the for businesses looking to trade
than kinetic approach in tackling carrying communities along in the solution to combating insecurity. It is communities themselves and prepare internationally, while our corporate
insecurity, especially Boko Haram programme.” a collective effort. Everyone has a role them to receive the de-radicalised and investment banking services will
insurgency, in the North-east.” He said: “Peace is an important to play. people. With the engagement of help businesses access capital, manage
Presenting a book entitled, Boko ingredient for development. In the “We are not against the de- communities, trust will be rebuilt their cash flow, and mitigate risk.
Haram: Community Perceptions course of writing this book, we looked radicalisation of Boko Haram and the government will achieve the Furthermore, we are confident that the
of Dialogue and Reconciliation in at state and non-state actors in terms adherents, but we are against the way objectives of the programme.” Bank’s trade finance solutions will help
businesses to navigate the complexities
of cross-border trade, and at the same
time, our digital capabilities will make
banking more convenient and efficient
for all our customers.”
In his remarks, the Managing
Director, Access Bank PLC, Roosevelt
From left: The 1st Vice Ogbonna, said, “Access Bank’s presence
President National in France represents an important step
Association of Nigeria towards achieving its goal of bridging
Nurses and Midwives worlds and connecting opportunities
Abdulaziz Usman, for African businesses. The Bank’s latest
National President stride also lays a marker for realising
Michael Nnachi, its recently unveiled 5-year strategic
General Secretary growth plan. “Over the years, we have
Thomas Shettima and demonstrated a strong commitment to
the Deputy President deepening the bank’s presence across
Shehu Abubakr during Africa and beyond,”
the official flag off “Today, we are proud to have
ceremony of 2023 a presence in 18 countries across
International Nurses four continents, serving millions of
Day in Abuja Friday customers and businesses. Indeed, our
expansion drive has been guided
by our vision to become the
world's most respected African bank
and by building on our strong
Photo: Ayuba Raji track record of innovation, customer
service, and social responsibility, we
have come one step closer to achieving
this goal.”

Bauchi chief judge launches small claims’ court

By Mohammed Lawal dispensation of simple debts and She commended the committee was borne out of the request from the Business, who is also the secretary of
Bauchi liquidated money demand for cases. under the chairmanship of Justice Enabling Business Environment in the Presidential Enabling Business
Speaking at the inauguration, the Mu'azu Abubakar for producing “a January, 2022. Environment Council, Dr. Jumoke
The Bauchi state Chief Judge, Justice chief judge said the judicial intervention structure and legal framework for the Danjuma said the Small Claims Oduwole, for the training and re-
Rabi Talatu Umar, on Friday launched in the state was starting with two courts courts” tagged, District Court Law Courts “is a judicial intervention training of members of the judicial
and unveiled a small claims’ court in Bauchi and one in Katagum Judicial Practice Direction on Small Claims derived from the global best practices to committee, courts' officials.
and the small-claims-court-practice Division. Courts “which is instrumental to facilitate enforcement of contracts for In her remarks, Dr. Oduwole
direction number 2 of 2022. She said the monetary jurisdiction of helping potential litigants understand micro, small and medium enterprises commended the state’s judiciary for
The small claims court, which is the courts was N3 million and would the court's procedures.” and improve access to justice for small supporting the process to establish the
promoted by the Presidential Enabling be improved “as time goes on to ease Earlier, the state's chief registrar, business holders.” courts and urged relevant stakeholders
Environment Court, is a simplified accessibility across 20 local government Barrister Subilim Emmanuel Danjuma, He thanked the special adviser to champion the course to the letter.
judicial process to ensure speedy areas of the state.” said the establishment of the courts to the president on Ease of Doing
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BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 |9

By Bode Olagoke
Abuja Minority caucus won’t accept
One of the newly elected members of the
House of Representatives, representing
Gada-Goronyo Federal Constituency of
Sokoto state, Bashir Usman Gorau, has
endorsement of NASS leaders –Gorau
Representatives, respectively. around when the leadership would perform the endorsement by the president-elect, concerned, 90 per cent of the new members
faulted the endorsement of the leadership
Reacting to the development, the its activities. including members of the APC. of the House had endorsed Mukhtar Aliyu
of the 10th National Assembly by the
33-year-old who won election on the “Tinubu, being the president-elect, He said the ruling party lacked the Betara as the new speaker and that he had
President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed
platform of the Peoples Democratic has no constitutional right to choose for us. powers to enforce any body as a speaker in gone far in his mobilisation.
Tinubu, and the party.
Party (PDP), said the Constitution of the This is not their business. This is an issue the House, adding that they were the greater He said with the number of a greater
According to him, the minority caucus
country “gives full mandate to the members and affair relating to the members of the majority as they had members from the minority and other members from the ruling
in the House of Representatives will reject
of the National Assembly to choose the best House of Representatives and the Senate opposition parties that were twice more than party, Betara would be the next speaker of
the arrangement.
they feel is capable to lead them,” adding respectively. that of the APC. the House with or without the endorsement
The president-elect and the All
that the endorsement “will not yield any “By this endorsement, they are literally “The ruling party doesn't have the of the APC.
Progressive Congress (APC) had endorsed
positive results.” intruding into the National Assembly, capacity and number to decide who is who “All of us have agreed that Betara is our
Senator Godswill Akpabio and Barau
Speaking with newsmen Friday which will likely undermine the statutory in the House of Representatives. We the new candidate and he will emerge the speaker.
Jibrin for the President of the Senate and
in Abuja, he said both Tinubu and conduct of the legislature and we will not members are 243 out of the 358 members We will not vote for an incompetent person
Deputy President of the Senate for the
the out-going speaker of the House of accept that,” he said. that we have presently. So, there is no way and we don't want a rubber stamped speaker
10th National Assembly.
Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, should For the House of Representatives that they can just endorse someone and we in the House. Betara has all it takes to be the
They also endorsed Tajuddeen Abbass
allow the members of the 10th Assembly in particular, Gorau said the majority of fold our arms and watch; it’s not possible.” speaker and whether they like it or not he is
and Benjamin Kalu for the Speaker
to select their leaders, as they would not be the members-elect were not supporting Gorau said as far as they were going to be.”
and Deputy Speaker of the House of

Boosting GDP:
USAID hails Bauchi govt on health workers’ recruitment
By Mohammed Lawal Mckay, gave the commendation when particular. effective health care delivery through the
Bauchi she led officials of the organisation on an She appreciated the commitment of renovation and construction of health care
NEPC trains The United States Agency for International
advocacy visit to Governor Bala Mohammed
at the Government House, Bauchi.
the administration of Governor Bala for
providing the needed funds in the state’s
facilities in both urban and rural areas.
He told the USAID officials that,
A’Ibom exporters Development (USAID) on Friday
applauded the Bauchi state government for
Mrs. Mieko said the development
would go a long way in addressing
budget to the health sector.
She urged the state government not to
already, the state government had
planned the implementation of a robust
on tackling export its “foresight in employing critical manpower
needed to fill the existing vacancies in some
the issue of the manpower required in
ensuring effective health care delivery.
relent in leveraging on the interventions
of the organisation in nutrition and other
food and nutrition policy, and had
directed the ministries responsible for

challenges MDAs, particularly in the health sector.”

The deputy director, Health Population
and Nutrition, USAID/Nigeria, Mrs. Mieko
According to her, there is a need for
huge investment in the health sector for
programmes.
Responding, the governor said his
the implementation to remain focused
towards ensuring “timely implementation.”
the benefit of women and children in administration had done well in ensuring
By Uko Etim
Uyo

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council

(NEPC) has trained potential exporters and
stakeholders, including Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs), in Akwa Ibom state
on ways of tackling export challenges to
boost the country's gross domestic product
(GDP).
NEPC’s chief executive officer, Dr. Ezra
Yakusak, disclosed this in Uyo on Friday
at a one-day workshop for exporters and
SMEs organised by the Trade Information
Department Abuja.
Dr. Yakusak said many exporters
still encountered challenges in accessing
the global market due to an inadequate
understanding of e-registration guidelines
and the rudiments of doing export business.
The executive director, represented
by the director, State Coordinating Office
Department, Mr. Andy Ambikputen, said
for exporters to flourish in the international
market and remain relevant with other
competitors across the world, they must be
well-trained.
“It is indeed my honour to express
my gratitude to all the participants for
attending this important programme. I
wish to state that the overriding objective
of this programme is to make our SMEs/
exporters well-informed and equipped in
E-registration guidelines and the rudiment
of doing export business.
“I wish to reiterate that for our SMEs
to go global in export business and remain
on the same page with other competitors
in the global market, they must be well-
trained.
“It is against this background that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state (R) and Ambassador of Sweden for Nigeria and ECOWAS State Mrs Annika Hahn-Englund (L), during her visit to the
this programme is being organised for the Governor in Lagos, Friday Photo: NAN
SMEs in Akwa Ibom,” he said.
In her welcome address, the deputy
director of NEPC in Uyo, Mrs. Pauline
FEC okays Gurara II, Kashimbila power plants concession, targets N647.7bn revenue – ICRC
Ndulaka, urged the exporters to remain By Benjamin Umuteme Infrastructure Concession Regulatory of N647.7 billion.” other complementary infrastructure will
committed to the export business for the Abuja Commission (ICRC), also saw the approval “Also, it will help in the fight against be executed within a concession period
country to achieve its diversification drive for the concession of a Secure E-ticketing crime, terrorism and insecurity while of 30 years and an expected total revenue
of the economy. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) Solutions for the Lagos Ibadan Rail Service improving the effectiveness of the rail generation of $875million within the
Delivering his goodwill message, the approved an operation and management and the Warri-Itakpe Rail Service as well services in the specified routes. period.
Commissioner for Trade and Investment, concession for the 360 Mega Watts Gurara as the Device Management System, a “The 360MW Gurara II HPP is a For the Kashimbilla 40MW HPP
Mr. Camillus Umoh, thanked NEPC for II multipurpose dam & Hydro Power project by the Nigerian Communications greenfield project that will adopt a Build, the executive council’s approval is for
its efforts in actualising the vision of the Plant and the 40 MegaWatts Kashimbilla Commission (NCC). Operation, Maintenance and Transfer the operations and maintenance of the
federal government. Hydro Power Plant under a Public Private The statement indicated that with the PPP model that will be executed by Hydropower Plant,” the statement read in
Umoh, represented by his Director Partnership (PPP) model. approval, “power generation is expected Messrs. CGCOC Group Co. Limited part.
of Commerce, Mr. Aniefiok Idiong, who According to a statement signed by to rise to 400 megawatts of electricity, under an Engineering Procurement The project, whose cost is put at N
declared the event open, assured that the Acting Head, Media and Publicity of with the infusion of private sector funds and Construction (EPC) contract for a 7.68 billion with a 15-year concession
ministry would continue to partner with ICRC, Ifeanyi Nwoko, the approval which into the nation's economic/infrastructure concession period of 30 years. period, will generate total revenue of N 85
the Council to boost exports from the state. followed the regulatory guidance of the development and a total revenue generation “The dam, hydropower plant, and billion.
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BLUEPRINT NEWSPAPERS LIMITED, No. 59, Moses A. Majekodunmi Crescent, democracy and the task of
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Time for electoral offences commission

Following the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections, it is now expedient is undermining electoral integrity in the county.
to consider the proposition by the Chairman of the Independent National “If you can have an Electoral Offences Commission that can focus in terms of
Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, his predecessor, Prof. addressing the issues like ICPC or EFCC that have investigative and prosecutorial
Attahiru Jega, and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) for the establishment power, it should be able to address that issue of impunity, which undermines
of a national electoral offences commission to tackle impunity in the nation’s electronic integrity,” he added.
electoral process. Jega urged stakeholders to key into the idea of establishing an electoral offences
They said INEC must work with relevant stakeholders to develop guidelines commission because of the intrinsic value of the work that they will do in terms
for reporting, tracking and documenting electoral offences. of upscaling the integrity of the electoral process. He said it was possible to
Speaking in Abuja recently during a roundtable discussion with the theme, conceptualise a compact agency with defined responsibilities and also recruit the
“Electoral Offenses in Nigeria, Ensuring Documentation and Effective right kind of staff to mount it just to focus on electron offenses.
Prosecution”, organised by The Electoral Hub, the trio stressed the need for Earlier in her remarks, director, Electoral Hub, Princess Hamman-Obels, who
clarity to summarise the power to investigate and the power to prosecute electoral regretted that documenting and prosecuting electoral offences had been poor over
offenders. They noted that it would help to separate the criminal elements from the years, said INEC has been tasked with enormous responsibilities, including
the civil ones in terms of the electoral process. conducting elections, registering political parties, conducting voter registration,
INEC chairman, Prof Yakubu, said, “INEC has recommended that power and conducting civic and voter education.
should be provided and that there should be an Electoral Offences Commission She maintained that enormous responsibilities have been compounded because
that should be saddled with that responsibility so that INEC can focus on its core INEC lacks investigative powers and has to rely on a third party, the police, to
mandate of conducting election, and facing post-election assignments.” investigate offences.
He argued that by virtue of the Electoral Act, INEC is empowered to prosecute “This is worsened by peculiar features of Nigeria, where electoral politics is a
electoral offenders, which it is doing within the capacity that it has over the years. zero-sum game and a do-or-die affair. There is an abuse of state resources, practice
Yakubu said the position of INEC had been that the enormity of the assignment of godfatherism within many political parties, and high level of electoral impunity.
regarding the prosecution of electoral offences is such that is beyond his capacity Electoral fraud and malpractices are rooted in the zero-sum/”do-or-die” politics
because the law empowers INEC to prosecute but the law does not give it the of Nigerian politicians and political parties. Politicians commit electoral offences
power to arrest and investigate. recklessly and with impunity because they believe and know they can do these
According to him, the commission has recommended that that power should without repercussions”, she said.
be provided and that there should be a body that should be saddled with that It is instructive that this is not the first time Prof Yakubu and other stakeholders
responsibility so that INEC can focus on its core mandate of conducting election in Nigeria’s electoral system would be advocating an electoral offences commission
and facing post-election assignments. but all to no avail. It is apparent that the executive arm of government and the
“There is a bill now pending before the National Assembly for the establishment National Assembly are indifferent to the establishment of an electoral offences
of that body. It is INEC and other stakeholders in the electoral process that thought commission for the simple reason that as major players in the political turf, they
it wise that there would be more prosecution of electoral offenders there would are culpable either as accomplices or sponsors of much of the violence including
be an improvement and effective prosecution if that body is established,” Yakubu killings that occur during elections across the country.
who was represented by chairman, Litigation and Prosecution Department, Consequently, we urge the executive and legislative arms of government to heed
Alhassan Umar, stated. the call by accelerating the process for the passage of the bill for the establishment
On his part, Jega said the establishment of a body to look into issues relating to of the electoral offences commission without much ado. Members of these arms of
electoral malpractices will end impunity in the electoral process. are certainly no more patriotic than advocates for the commission. The propriety
According to the former INEC boss, “If Electoral Offences Commission is of an electoral offences commission is hinged on the fact that it is impossible
established to focus on specific objectives like the Independent Corrupt Practices for INEC to effectively combine its statutory functions with that of prosecuting
and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and electoral offenders. The establishment of agency is, therefore, inevitable if Nigeria
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) it will address the issues of impunity that desires an INEC that can conduct free, fair and acceptable elections.
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For brevity, all contributions to this page should not exceed 850 words. Send to: [email protected]

Uniting efforts to Nigeria’s energy deficit: Preparing for fuel subsidy removal
eradicate tuberculosis Clement Chisom John

in Nigeria
By Victor Okeke
According to the World Data Lab 2022, of the total 216.7 million Nigerians, 32% live
in extreme poverty. More than half of the extremely poor Nigerian, precisely 53%
of the extremely poor live in rural areas where the deprivation of access to basic
social infrastructure such as access to reliable electricity in communities, public
In a bold stride toward a healthier institutions schools, hospitals, agro-processing, etc is at its highest. According
future, Nigeria is shining a much-needed to the World Bank, only 57% of Nigeria's population in 2021 have access to grid
light on a silent and deadly foe that has electricity. 43% of Nigerians do not have access to grid electricity most of whom
long lurked in the shadows: tuberculosis are in rural areas. This makes Nigeria the country with the largest energy access
(TB). With a renewed determination and Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire deficit in the world. The lack of reliable power is a significant constraint for
collective commitment, the nation is First and foremost, raising awareness the economy’s growth and development as citizens and businesses in Nigeria
mobilizing efforts to tackle this ancient is vital. The stigma and misinformation experience an annual economic loss estimated at $26.2 billion annual as a result
yet persistent disease, striving to save surrounding TB often lead to delayed of poor electricity access. The functionality of basic public services and utilities
lives, and bring hope to those affected. diagnosis and treatment, allowing the such as better health services, access to water, education, and agriculture, is
Tuberculosis, once considered a relic of disease to spread unchecked. Education dependent on their access to steady electricity. Energy access has the potential
the past, continues to claim the lives of campaigns are being intensified, aiming to remove households from poverty. Access to electricity has a beneficial and
thousands, silently ravaging communities to dispel misconceptions, debunk myths, considerable impact on household consumption per capita, increasing energy
across Nigeria. The time has come to shed and encourage individuals to seek help consumption leads to a decline in the poverty level.
light on this public health crisis, as the nation promptly. By empowering communities However, connection to the electricity network does not imply actual access
grapples with the staggering burden of TB with accurate knowledge about TB, to the electricity supply in a reliable way. The 57% of Nigerians connected to the
and its devastating impact on individuals, Nigeria seeks to dismantle the barriers national electricity grid are largely met with poor unreliable electricity supply.
families, and society as a whole. that prevent people from accessing This shortcoming is because the current grid generation capacity is about 4,500
Recent statistics paint a sobering timely care and support. megawatts (as against an installed capacity of 12,000 megawatts). Whereas total
picture. Nigeria ranks among the countries Also, strengthening healthcare demand stands at around 35,000 to 40,000 megawatts. More than 80% of the
with the highest TB burden globally, with systems is of paramount importance. actual power needs of on-grid consumers are met by using expensive diesel and
an estimated 400,000 cases reported The availability and accessibility of petrol-fuelled backup generators. Given the poor grid access, over 22 million small
each year, and unfortunately, countless quality diagnostic tools and treatment gasoline generators are being used to power households and small businesses
cases go undiagnosed or unreported. The regimens are critical in the fight against in Nigeria. This is costing domestic and business owners an estimated expense
consequences are dire, with thousands TB. Investing in modern technologies of $14 billion yearly to power 14GW of small-scale diesel and petrol-generating
of lives lost and families shattered by and equipping healthcare facilities with units because of the insufficient availability of electricity.
a disease that is both preventable and state-of-the-art equipment will enhance Nigerian’s informal sector classified as micro, small and medium enterprises
treatable. It is estimated that the country the accuracy and speed of diagnosis, (MSMEs) make up 65% of the country’s GDP. 80.4% of employment is in the
comes third behind only India and China enabling healthcare providers to initiate informal sector. 98% of informal businesses pay taxes, but to non-state recognised
in terms of tuberculosis cases. Every treatment swiftly. Additionally, bolstering actors. Most of the MSMEs identify unreliable electricity as a major challenge to
year, around 245,000 Nigerians die from the capacity of healthcare professionals their businesses and are willing pay for a switch to renewable energy with the
tuberculosis (TB) and it accounts for through training programs will ensure right incentive and product guarantee. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
more than 10% of all deaths in Nigeria. that they have the knowledge and skills (MAN) claimed that 40% of the cost of conducting business in Nigeria is related to
Every hour, nearly 30 people die from to effectively diagnose and treat TB cases. power generation expenses. These costs are doubling up fast as the fuel pump
the disease, despite effective treatments Collaboration between sectors is prices of independent retailers of petrol across the country have adjusted their
being available. essential for success. Government pump prices to between N185 and over N300 per litre. With the plan to remove
According to the Global Tuberculosis agencies, healthcare providers, non- the fuel subsidy, the effect on businesses and the population, especially women
Report 2022, not only did tuberculosis governmental organizations, community and youth who already bear the largest burden of energy deficit will be enormous.
incidence increase by 4·5% for the first leaders, and affected individuals must work Beyond the economic cost of these fossil generators, these generators are
time in 20 years, but also deaths increased hand in hand to create a comprehensive harmful to the health of the users causing approximately 1,500 deaths per year
from 1·5 million in 2020, to 1·6 million in and sustainable response to TB. This from inhaling generator smoke and carbon monoxide; increasing the chances of
2021. The End TB Strategy milestones of collaboration must extend beyond lung cancer by 70% and causing hearing impairment in 2 of 3 users.
2020, with the aimed reductions of 35% borders, as TB knows no boundaries. To reduce the burden and consequences caused by the poor electricity access
for deaths and 20% for incidence, have Sharing best practices, expertise, and in Nigeria, dependence on fossil fuel and the need to create more jobs to curb
not been reached with only 5·9% and 10% resources with international partners will rising unemployment, and insecurity and boost productivity across sectors,
reductions from 2015 to 2021, and funding bolster Nigeria's efforts to control the households, businesses, investors and the government (at all levels) need to
was half of what was committed to at disease and improve the lives of those invest in other alternative sustainable energy sources that guarantee business
the 2018 High-Level Meeting. Over the affected. optimization, reduce production cost, ensure healthy and clean environment
past 3 years, the COVID-19 pandemic— Crucially, funding plays a pivotal role in like solar energy.
diverting attention but also resources this battle. Adequate financial resources However, the purchase of solar power systems and other renewable energy
such as testing technology and equipment are needed to implement comprehensive appliances for Nigerian customers is capital-intensive for both individual
towards the pandemic response—has prevention, diagnosis, and treatment customers and businesses. The increasing affordability of RE will mean the
further impacted tuberculosis outcomes. programs, as well as to support research provision of access to energy financing for citizens. According to the Central
TB is disproportionally affecting the and innovation in TB control. Nigeria Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the financial inclusion rate in Nigeria has grown up to
most marginalised individuals in our calls upon national and international 64%. CBN targets and predicts this figure to increase to 95% by 2024. Therefore,
societies—people who are homeless, stakeholders, philanthropic organizations, by implication, most Nigerian customers served by the banks do not have access
migrants, people living with HIV/AIDS, and the private sector to invest generously to reliable electricity. Financial institutions or governments through the Central
people with harmful alcohol use, illicit drug in the fight against TB, recognizing that Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other regional international development organisations
users, and people who are incarcerated. such investments are not only cost- like ECOWAS and the African Development Bank (ADB) can develop financial
This high susceptibility is driven by an effective but also save lives, prevent mechanisms and institutions that will offer bank customers and small business
increased risk of exposure due to poor suffering, and foster economic growth. associations in the region very low cost (single digit) loans to help them access
living conditions, such as overcrowding Taking tuberculosis out of the shadows reliable energy technologies.
and poor ventilation, and poor access requires unwavering commitment, bold To increase RE supply and lower the market prices, the federal government
to health care that delays detection, action, and a united front. Nigeria, with through the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, should
diagnosis, and prolongs infectiousness. In its rich history and vibrant culture, has be consistent and committed to ensuring that her revenue-generating agenda is
response, WHO updated their guidelines the power to lead the way in eradicating not compromising and destroying private sector efforts. For instance, exorbitant
on tuberculosis in 2021 to recommend this ancient scourge. By prioritizing import duties and taxes on RE components is a huge barrier to generating clean
systematic tuberculosis screening for TB control, increasing awareness, jobs, increasing energy access for all, catalysing improved functionality of public
these groups at high risk—including strengthening healthcare systems, utilities and encouraging private sector-led growth. The Office of the Presidency
in prisons and other penitentiary fostering collaboration, and securing should use its executive power to enforce the cutback or removal of the customs
institutions. sustainable funding, the nation can pave import duties on the renewable energy components. This can be done through
However, amidst this bleak reality, the way toward a future free from the a quota limit on the free/zero duties on RE components, while also protecting
there is hope. Nigerian authorities, shadows of tuberculosis. the local production quota and enforce local knowledge expansion in these
healthcare professionals, civil society Together, let us seize this opportunity technologies.
organizations, and international partners to confront this silent killer, protect The renewable energy sector market and projects, should be private sector
have joined forces to wage a determined our communities, and ensure the led, not public sector as it currently is. For efficiency and effective growth of
war against TB. Recognizing the urgent #Right2Health and a brighter, healthier the renewable energy sector and speedy access to electricity for all, the private
need to act, initiatives are being launched, tomorrow for all Nigerians. sector should be encouraged by the government with the right policies and
and strategies are being devised to Okeke writes from the Centre for Social regulations that increase energy access for all Nigerians.
combat the disease on multiple fronts. Justice (CSJ) Nigeria John writes from the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), Abuja.
12 | Saturday 6 - Sunday 7, May 2023 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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Letters should be concise and sent to: [email protected]

Letters should be concise and sent to: [email protected]

Yar`adua walks to the parliament

The 10th session of the National in military intelligence. In 2010, he
Assembly will be inaugurated next voluntarily resigned from the army
month and as usual, the tussle for the after 29 years of meritorious service.
leadership of both its Upper and Lower Yar’adua later joined active
Chambers have begun in earnest. deemed fit to consider a Christian from number of votes they have given As a democratic institution, the politics on the defunct Congress for
For the Senate, about ten ranking the other regions of either south-south the APC presidential ticket on 25th NASS is expected to make laws and Progressive Change (CPC) which later
Senators are already in high-wire or South-east for the senate presidency February, 2023. Meanwhile, even as policies for the effective governance merged with other opposition parties
politicking trying to slug it out for the in the name of power sharing. all these permutations are going on, of Nigeria and check the excesses of to form the ruling All Progressives
chairmanship position of the National Another factor that may determine it is instructive to also note that the the executive arm of government. Congress (APC). At several times, he
Assembly. Prominent among them are who becomes the senate president incoming president together with Besides, all that is required to do so is contested governorship and House of
Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Barau Jibrin, of the tenth session of the National APC as the ruling party may as well a NASS that has functional leadership Representatives seats, all in the efforts
Sani Musa, Ahmed Lawan, Godswill Assembly is the level to which the determine the direction of events in and committed members. The tenth to serve God and humanity. Thus,
Akpabio, Adams Oshiomhole and different geo-political zones of the this regard. Senate will certainly comprise of many now that Abdulaziz Yar`adua has won
Abdulaziz Yari. And because of the country have put stakes in the Tinubu/ Whichever way it happens, Nigerians members with outstanding pedigree the Katsina central senatorial seat, by
peculiarities of the time, a lot of Shettima presidential ambition project. are only interested in the best for the who are devoted to the project Nigeria next month, the Matawallen Katsina
considerations will determine who In this arrangement, every region will country. Given that the members of and amongst them is retired Lieutenant will walk to the National Assembly
becomes the next senate president. be rewarded based on the level of their the Senate have the final say, through Colonel Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua. well equipped with the requisite
While zoning is traditionally a factor, support and commitment to the APC their votes, on who emerges as the Matawallen Katsina will bring to experience in politics and governance
this time around, religion may also be incoming presidency. next chairman of the tenth National the red chambers a pool of experience to exceptionally discharge his legislative
taken into cognizance. With a Muslim/ This is to suggest that once again, Assembly, they are expected to exercise gathered over the years both in the army duties.
Muslim presidency scheduled to begin the results of the 2023 presidential their franchise with conscience so that and politics. He was a thoroughbred
on the 29th of this month, even though election would be placed on the table the forthcoming legislative years will be military officer who served in different Mukhtar Jarmajo,
it will represent the different zones of to scrutinize the six geo-political fruitful for Nigeria. staff and command positions including Wuse Zone 2, Abuja
South-west and North-east, it may be regions based on the respective

Investigative reporters Buhari: A General who failed to deliver It is less than 20 days to the end of Buhari has destroyed the lives of many to serve as a moral compass - a leader

on deadly mission
Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years Nigerians during his eight years in the who would need no prompting before
tenure as the President of the Federal saddle. Therefore, it is not surprising choosing between right and wrong
Republic of Nigeria after three futile that he is now sitting in judgement in the conduct of public affairs.
attempts. It is believed that contesting with his conscience. A man reaps Unfortunately, that is not what has
elective offices should be viewed whatever he sows and that was why transpired under his stewardship.
Investigators are special people. They In 2022, the Committee to Protect from the broader and more objective during Sallah, he called on Nigerians The people of Nigeria have slided
risk their lives and all for the ultimate Journalists said “67 journalists and perspective of performance, capacity to forgive him for his transgressions into object poverty in his eight years
good of humanity. They are either media workers were killed”. About 41 and character. It is on this premise against the people, who placed too rule as the president of the country as
trained in a formal training institution, of this number were killed while on that Nigerians, especially the masses, much hope on him. people are living from hand to mouth
undergo training through mentorships duty. hinged their hope for a better deal on His fight against corruption is a mere because their purchasing power has
or learn on the job. The committee further disclosed that the retired General Buhari when he was rhetoric as it is President Buhari who drastically reduced.
Whether they are working as private, “half of the 67 killings occurred in just canvassing for their votes. approved the release of some former Out of the promises he made during
public or government investigators, three countries–Ukraine (15), Mexico Therefore, they trooped out en masse governors, who were convicted by the his campaign in his first term some
they have the passion of exposing (13), and Haiti (7) - the highest yearly in 2015 and later 2019 to cast their votes courts for various act of corruption were not fulfilled as his reign draws to
what individuals, groups, companies, numbers CPJ has ever recorded for for him believing that he will wipe out perpetrated by them while at the helms a close by May 29, 2023. And there is
government agencies or any corporate these countries. their tears of the insecurity bedeviling of affairs in their states. no hope that his successor, though from
bodies have concealed and desperately In Nigeria, the brutal murder of the country, especially the North where As Buba Galadima says, Buhari’s the same party, may continue with
trying not to make it known to the Dele Giwa, a frontline investigative the people are facing insurgency, armed government has set Nigeria 100 years what he has started.
public. reporter and founding editor-in-chief banditry, kidnapping, etc. As Tunde back with poor governance. Therefore in a nutshell, President
These apply mostly to corrupt of Newswatch Magazine, is still fresh in Olusunle says, Buhari’s swansong after Buhari’s leadership has greatly Buhari is a General who failed to
politicians, captains of industry and our minds, years after he was killed via his largely catastrophic years as Nigeria’s divided Nigeria along religious and deliver. He was overwhelmingly voted
other people who are deeply involved a bomb wrapped as a parcel. head, however, consists of inflicting ethnic lines, and crashed economic in by the poor people who believed
in criminality. But, this has not deterred some more hurt on the national psyche, policies which affected dollar rate in him as the Messiah to bring about
Since few people are not comfortable daring journalists from exposing the rather than contrition for his multiple badly. He is leaving behind a Nigeria radical change in their lives, but the
having their dirty linens washed in rots in our society, the self-acclaimed infringements on our collective bedeviled by religious and monetisation people’s expectations have not beenmet
public, whistle blowers are exposed giant of Africa and even beyond. wellbeing. For the avoidance of doubt, issues. by the outgoing President Buhari.
24/7 to various dangers, left, right and Brave or daring journalists for his score sheet after his eight years stint Segun Adeniyi, in his column
center. Nigeria is getting better by the day, in office has been serially interrogated “The Verdict”, says even though he Usman Santuraki,
They could be ridiculed-verbally, though the progress is coming at a and certified wholly disastrous and proposed no set of values beyond a No2 Santuraki Close,
physically and emotionally, attack, snail’s pace. grossly uninspiring. ‘body language’ that, on the face of Demsawo, Jimeta, Yola,
maimed, or killed. Unfortunately, these His eight years stewardship is a recent developments, might have Adamawa state
are global issues that occur in other Emmanuel Udom, not-too-savoury performance, by the been wrongly interpreted by many [email protected]
developing and developed countries. Abuja. www.csomedia.com.ng, estimation of most Nigerians. President Nigerians, Buhari was elected president 08032332546.
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 | 13

Still on the banning of Indomie

noodles and matters arising
In the last two weeks, concerns have The body, therefore, expressed concern
mounted in both the social and conventional Recently, there have been apprehensions in the country that if some brands of Indomie noodles
media over the news about the reported contain ethylene oxide, then Nigerians
ban of Indomie noodles in the country. after a revelation by NAFDAC that a certain type of should expect an escalation of various
This was after a press briefing by the
director-general of the National Agency for
noodle largely sold in the country is laden with poisonous forms of cancers in the months or years
ahead, depending on how long people have
Food, Drugs Administration and Control cancer-causing substances. Since then, there have been consumed the brand.
(NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, when “Nigerians should also expect an increase
she announced that all such noodles have tensions in the land. ELEOJO IDACHABA writes on the in cancer cases among children because
been banned in all markets, supermarkets
across the country following allegations of
reactions so far and the matters arising. Indomie noodles are a popular food among
most Nigerian children.”
a cancer-causing chemical found in them In Nigeria, Indomie is a major and popular
and the fact that many of such products are fast food commonly cooked in many homes
not on the registration list of the agency. since the early ‘90s.
Speaking with journalists on the matter,
Prof Adeyeye said the agency started Matters arising
investigating the matter immediately when While NAFDAC receives commendations
it got wind of the recall of the same products for its proactive approach to the matter
by Taiwan and Malaysia authorities. when the alleged poisonous substance
She said, “Tomorrow, May 2, 2023, was discovered, Nigerians are, however,
NAFDAC’s Directorate of Food Safety and angry that with the level of enlightenment
Applied Nutrition would randomly sample the body dishes out about product
indomie noodles (including the seasoning) registration, it still allows a product like
from the production facilities while post Indomie noodle laden with dangerous
marketing surveillance directorate samples substance to find its way into the markets
from the markets.” and ultimately homes?
Soon after she made the announcement, “Why do we have NAFDAC officials at
Blueprint Weekend gathered that palpable every production site of these products
tension began to mount on Nigerians, and at the sea ports? This development has
especially as it bothers on cancer, and how put a lot of families in dire straits because
the product found its way into the Nigerian there is no home in Nigeria where Indomie
markets despite the presence of NAFDAC noodle is not a staple food. In my family,
operatives at every production and entry my children can eat Indomie daily for one
points in the country. More so as a larger week non-stop; that is why I am agitated by
percentage of consumers are children. this development, Madam Zainab Audu, a
public servant, expressed her concern in a
More concerns chat with Blueprint Weekend in Abuja.
Of serious concern too is the fact that
of late, there have been reported cases A relief
of cancer, especially among children, as In what appears as a new twist, NAFDAC
increasing numbers of them are confirmed last week said there is however a new
to be suffering from various types of cancer development regarding the banned noodle.
according to widely publicised reports in sampling of Indomie noodles, including the market, respectively.” It said all noodles produced in the country
many media of information. seasoning, from the production facilities, it The outcomes of the investigation to be are, however, different from the ones
According to the World Health was a relief to many even though no one carried out, she assured that the agency produced in Taiwan and Malaysia. To that
Organisation (WHO), no less than 400, 000 can ascertain how far the inquest can go. would make public in the coming days. extent, it stated that noodles produced in
children and young adults between the Adeyeye had said the concern of the Also related to this is another alarming Nigeria are safe for consumption; therefore
ages of one and 19 are known to suffer from Commission is ethylene oxide said to be report by WHO that findings from animal devoid of any poisonous substance.
cancer globally. found in the noodles for which, according investigations, test systems and other Speaking on a live television programme
Giving detailed insight, WHO said the to him, the directorate of food lab services epidemiological findings reveal an increase last week, Prof. Adeyeye said there was
commonest type of cancer found in children has started working on the methodology in the incidence of human cancer for which an exception to the earlier ban. She said,
is leukaemia, neuroblastoma, brain cancers for the analysis. the global health body concludes that “Foreign noodles have been banned
and solid tumours. Speaking at another forum, the NAFDAC ethylene oxide might be a probable human from entering the country by the Nigerian
Also, more alarming is the report by the boss said, “Indomie noodles have been carcinogen whose levels in the environment government many years ago and this is on
Nigerian Society for Paediatric Oncology banned from being imported into the should be low. the Nigerian Customs Service importation
(NISPO) which noted that the ncidence country for many years. It is one of the prohibition list and this is to encourage
of cancer in children of late is largely foods on the government prohibition list. More fears local production of noodles and backward
responsible for the death of children in the It is not allowed in Nigeria; therefore not In the meantime, the National Institute integration of the economy.”
country. registered by NAFDAC. for Cancer Research and Treatment Bearing this in mind, she said the agency
Prof. Biobele Brown, the president of the “What we are doing is an extra caution to (NICRAT) has predicted that cancer cases is working to ensure that all foreign-made
association, noted recently that, “In today ensure that the product is not smuggled in, will rise in the country in the coming years. noodles are not smuggled into the country.
Nigeria, many people are not aware that and if so, our post-marketing surveillance In a statement by its director-general, Corroborating NAFDAC, the group
cancer occurs in children; therefore, when would detect it. We also want to be sure Prof. Usman Aliyu, the organisation stated corporate communications and event
children develop early symptoms and signs that the spices used for the Indomie and that the discovery of cancer-causing manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Tope
of cancer, it is often attributed to other other noodles in Nigeria are tested. chemical in one of the Indomie noodles Ashiwaju, said, “Indomie Nigeria is different
illnesses until it advances and becomes “That is what NAFDAC Food Safety branded Special Chicken Flavour should and a separate entity from Indomie Taiwan
difficult to cure.” and Applied Nutrition (FSAN) and Post be of a great concern to Nigerians, noting and Indomie Malaysia. Indomie instant
WHO also noted in another report that Marketing Surveillance (PMS) are doing this that in 2020 alone, cancer killed 78, 000 Noodles is locally produced in the country
unlike cancer in adults, the vast majority week at the production facilities and in the Nigerians. and operations have been ongoing for
of childhood cancers do not have a known at least three decades. Dufil Prima has
cause. This paper gathered that it is for this improved local capacity utilisation and
reason the recent discovery by NAFDAC has aided enhanced production to meet
poses a serious concern to discerning market demand, rather than depending on
minds. Tomorrow, May 2, 2023, NAFDAC’s Directorate of Food importation.”
According to WHO, “Many studies have
sought to identify the causes of childhood
Safety and Applied Nutrition would randomly sample Nigeria is a major consumer of instant
noodles with Indomie Instant Noodles
cancer, but very few cancers in children indomie noodles (including the seasoning) from the dominating the market. The World Instant
are caused by environmental or lifestyle Noodles Association (WINA) in one of its
factors.” production facilities while post marketing surveillance reports had said Nigeria is one of the largest
When, therefore, NAFDAC announced
last week that it would commence random
directorate samples from the markets consumers of instant noodles with 1.92
million.
 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND
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When cyber crimes opened

Cyber crime is criminal any activity
that targets victims using a computer,
a computer network or a networked
device to perpetrate its act.
Most cybercrime according to

conversation on cyber security

experts is committed by cyber criminals
or hackers. However, occasionally
cybercrime can be carried out by
individuals or organisations via
organised use of advanced techniques or
technical skill with the aim of damaging
computers or networks for political or (OCWAR) and the Global Action on
personal reasons.
Today, the world is battling a new
The rise in cyber crimes and poor implementation of the Cybercrime and the European Union
(EU) as partners.
wave of internet and cyber fraud owing Cyber Crime Act of 2015 opened conversations around Speaking on combating the plague,
to either poor implementation of cyber
crime law or absence of regulating cyber attacks and fraud in the country at a recent the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor
General, Federal Ministry of Justice,
entities.
In Nigeria, cyber security experts
training for judges and prosecutors on the trend as well Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba advocated the
need for countries of the world to build
have posited that with the advent of as electronic evidence, KEHINDE OSASONA writes capacity of stakeholders on the use of
the Internet where many industries and electronic evidence and enactment
government operations are online, there of cyber legislation to tackle cyber
must be an effective cyber crime law to security.
reduce the potential scale and impact of Represented by the Director of
cyber threats. Public Prosecution of the Federation,
In the same vein, Information Mr Mohammed Abubakar Babadoko,
Technology (IT) experts have advised the SGF noted further: “As member
that countries on the need to invest state that is following to the letter
significantly in cyber security and the Budapest framework, Nigeria
develop local skills to make IT a priority. appreciate this partnership and support
Sadly, in one of its reports, the Nigerian for Judges as the training is not only
Communications Commission (NCC) said fundamental but also beneficial,” Agba
Nigeria loses about $500 million yearly stated further.
to cybercrime. But it appears some of Senior Project Officer, Council of
these losses don’t count as Africa cyber Europe GLACY + Project, Coshina
security in its 2018 report had it that, Menghes, said the organisation strongly
“Only 2.6 per cent of 21.3 per cent of supports Nigeria’s attempt to end
reported cyber crime incidents to the cyber crime in line with the Budapest
police were successfully prosecuted. convention.
Consequently, the scenario may have She added that more training would
allowed cyber criminals to get away with strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to reduce
crimes as putting the right policies in- cyber crime which, according to her, was
place to prevent future occurrences has already threatening the political system
also been somehow herculean. with adequate support via capacity
building programme.
FG worries She further noted further that Nigeria
Worried by the developments a few which according to the United Nations
years back, the federal government Projection is number 7th country globally
said it had taken several steps through in terms of absolute internet users is
domestic policies, legislation as poised to be a leader in combating cyber
well as multilateral cooperation and crime.
collaboration to fight cybercrime. Another expert, who was part of the
The Attorney-General of the Limited, ensured a safe and secure cyber February 2023.
space for Nigerians before, during and “A total of 12,988,978 attacks were European Union delegation, Dr. Sabrina
Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Mekaoui, has expressed the need to
said the Cyber crime Act 2015 outlined after the 2023 presidential election. recorded, originating from both within
In a statement issued by the ministry’s and outside Nigeria. It is worth noting encourage international cooperation to
the legal and institutional framework stem inter-cyber crime.
needed to drive the country’s spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, the that the centres successfully blocked
preparedness to fight cyber crime minister revealed that over 12 million these attacks and/or escalated them to
cyber-attacks were averted during the the relevant institutions for appropriate Assessing the Law
Malami noted that there were still gaps Significantly, some stakeholders have
in capacity building considering the fast period, boosting confidence in the action.
citizens and leading to a free and fair “The parastatals, under the supervision repeatedly stressed need for a national
evolving technological developments. cyber security framework against
He said: “It is in this light that we Presidential and National Assembly of the Ministry of Communications
elections in the country. and Digital Economy, have played a industry specifics frameworks.
welcome this initial assessment visit An Information Technology Security
to identify the priorities that criminal The statement said, “It is worth noting crucial role in providing the enabling
that in the run-up to the 2023 general environment for the successful conduct and Connectivity Consultant, Ahmed
justice authorities in Nigeria have to Adesanya, blamed poor implementation
face, to pinpoint which areas to cover elections, threat intelligence revealed an of a credible, free, fair, and transparent
astronomical increase in cyber threats to election. of the cyber crime law, absence of a
through the capacity building action of regulator and institution for the purpose
the GLACY+ Project. Nigerian cyber space.
“Generally, threats to public websites Building capacity of implementing it as a big challenge.
“This is through direct consultations He said: “Many Nigerians are unaware
with stakeholders and to formally and portals averaged around 1,550,000 Against the backdrop, the federal
daily. However, this skyrocketed to government recently restated the of what constitutes a data privacy
inaugurate the requisite GLACY+ National infringement or what to do in the event
Coordinating Team that will support the 6,997,277 on Presidential Election Day. importance of cyber security while
“The minister of communications and declaring open a five-day train the of one, and the ignorance has continued
Council of Europe in the multi-sector to wreak havoc in the digital sphere.
coordination and implementation of the digital economy, as a Professor of Cyber trainers programme on cyber crime
Security and one that is very passionate and electronic evidence for judges and “While individuals are daily losing
GLACY+ programme in Nigeria.” huge sums to Internet fraudsters who
According to him, the consultations about ensuring a safe and secure prosecutors.
cyberspace, directed all the parastatals The programme, which was organised are roaming the digital space looking
will serve parties to further identify for whom to prey on, financial and
capacity building issues and challenges to enhance their 24/7 monitoring of by the Federal Ministry of Justice,
the networks and traffic for potential had Crime West African Response on government institutions are equally not
particularly in the areas of legislation, safe.”
capacity of investigators, digital attacks from February 24, 2023 to 27th Cybersecurity and Fight Against Crime
Going forward, the ICT experts have
forensics personnel, prosecutors, judges also called for an urgent improvement
and trainers. of measures on data privacy rights
awareness, stating that lack of
Bracing up for attacks awareness and digital literacy were two
Prior to the general elections the Many Nigerians are unaware of what constitutes a data of the main reasons people continue
Minister of Communications and Digital to fall victim to various forms of cyber
Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, privacy infringement or what to do in the event of one, and crime.
disclosed how the combined efforts
of the parastatals under the ministry, the ignorance has continued to wreak havoc in the digital They insisted that since the right
regulatory and legal policies are not yet
including Nigerian Communications sphere in-place to ensure that law enforcement
Commission (NCC), National Information agents can prosecute offenders and
Technology Development Agency get them punished, it might be difficult
(NITDA), and Galaxy Backbone (GBB) curbing the ugly trend completely.
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Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 | 15

UK sentencing: Were the Ekweremadus

justified in their organ harvesting plot?
UK laws bind on the rich and the poor UK not Nigeria
When I reflect on the Ike Ekweremadu On May 5, a former deputy president of the Senate, Ike The greatest betrayal is on the part of
saga, I feel nothing but pity for a man who David Ukpo Nwamini, the 21-year old Lagos
meant well for his child, but went about it Ekweremadu, after being found guilty of organ harvesting street hawker, who was to give his kidney to
the wrong way. Ekweremadu is justified to
do what he did to try and save his daughter
in favour of his daughter, Sonia, was jailed nine years and Ekweremadu’s daughter in London. There is
no way he can convince the Nigeria public
because he is a responsible father who eight months by a UK court, alongside his wife and his that he did not know what he was getting
became a victim of circumstance in the bid into. He was well informed, paid and his trip
to get an organ to help his ailing daughter. doctor, Obinna Obeta. PAUL OKAH in this report speaks with funded to London. However, when he got
Forget the hypocrisy of many Nigerians,
who are gloating over the plight of the
a cross-section of Nigerians on whether or not Ekweremadu to London, like always the case with people
who have been living in abject poverty and
Ekweremadus, they will do worse when was justified to do what he did. suddenly found themselves in developed
an opportunity presents itself to help their countries, he decided to renege on the
children. Since the case started by this time agreement to embrace an easy life. To the
last year, I have been following proceedings. young man, why should he donate his kidney
First, Ekweremadu failed to note the laws of and come back to Nigeria, whereas he can
the land he took the willing organ donor to. implicate the Ekweremadus and stay back in
The UK is not Nigeria where you break London?
laws and go scot-free. It is an established From discussions, he knew that the UK
country where the law serves both the poor is not the same as Nigeria and therefore
and rich. He was tried under UK laws, found perfected his plans to seek asylum once he
guilty and sentenced, so our hearts should found himself in London. This is exactly what
be with the Ekweremadus who wanted happened. Today, Ekweremadus and their
their daughter, Sonia, to live, but ended up doctor are languishing in London prison
becoming public ridicule. because of the betrayal. This is despite
…Yakubu Bello, civil servant numerous interventions by the political
class in Nigeria. Former President Olusegun
Ekweremadu selfish Obasanjo intervened through a letter to the
Greed, wickedness and selfishness put UK government. The National Assembly
Ekweremadu in the mess he is today. He’s intervened. Other political heavyweights
over 60 years old. His wife is over 50, meaning also intervened in one way or the other by
their kidneys can still work if donated to their pulling strings, but then the UK is not Nigeria.
daughter. Even that of his other children will The moment the Ekweremadus were
definitely work, but they were so scared found guilty of organ harvest allegations, I
of doing it for her. If Ekweremadu loved knew it was just a matter of time for them to
his daughter so much, there was nothing be jailed. There was nothing anybody would
stopping him from donating his own kidney do about it. Even if President Muhammadu
to her. Where is the love here? He knows Buhari had intervened, I doubt if it would
what he did. If it were, God forbid, I won’t Ibeneme have made a difference. Therefore, the
exploit another person just to save my own president understandably did not and we are
child. Mind you, I’m not among those that where we are today. I am sincerely sorry for
celebrate the monumental fall of Senator Ekweremadus and I sincerely don’t blame
Ike Ekweremadu, but I am particularly him for trying to save his daughter.
worried that an average Nigeria politician …Philip Ukpong, entrepreneur
hardly learns from experience.
What happened to Ekweremadu is a Ike’s a Nigerian politician
boomerang in failing to do the right thing. I have avoided making any public
He is a government official and should statements about the Ekweremadus since
know better. It is a matter of concern for the family got embroiled with the organ
our politicians and wealthy Nigerians, who harvesting scandal, which resulted in their
continually fly abroad for medical check- incarceration. If Ike Ekweremadu was
ups. Uncountable cash-rich Nigerians convicted for a crime other than this one,
frequent abroad for medical tourism, which I’d have turned the other way or even joined
undermines the upgrading of our national the mob in casting aspersions on him. But in
health facilities. this case, he got into trouble trying to save
As a lesson, many politicians will learn his child.
from the experience of the convicted As a parent, I understand perfectly how far
lawmaker. They siphon money at every given one can go for his family. And as someone
opportunity, forgetting that money cannot who has lost a child, I also understand
buy everything. They can never change. To perfectly the torture Ike is going through
them, flying abroad for treatment is their watching his child face death. Knowing Ike
priority. Ekweremadu well, his biggest heartbreak
The question is why didn’t Ekweremadu would be his families’ involvement in this
follow due process? I said this from the mess. His daughter is very sick, facing death,
beginning that Ike Ekweremadu has the Cynthia while he and his wife are in jail. Not one of
money and the connection to go through them is now available to help the kid fight
legit channels to get a kidney donor for his as a necessity to fund our hospitals. Buhari, on your way up the ladder because you will for her life. In fact, I am very sad about his
daughter, but as a typical Nigerian politician, in eight years, didn’t invest much on health meet them on your way down. predicament. Yes, Ike is a Nigerian politician
he chose to go through the back door to care. I hope Tinubu will do something. Like …Cynthia Adebayo, civil servant and they come with all shades of character
exploit the poor. Imagine a lawmaker Lucky Dube will say- Be good to the people and integrity challenges.
becoming a law-breaker. But Ike Ekweremadu could also have
He even deserves to be jailed for 22 done more if he was not a typical Nigerian
years. But will our leaders build standard politician. He is not without his own
health facilities for themselves and the shortcomings, none of which would have
people? The answer to this question will As a lesson, many politicians will learn from the experience made him to deserve what has befallen his
determine if another politician will not be family. I carefully avoided talking about the
jailed in the nearest future. Nigerians will of the convicted lawmaker. They siphon money at every supposed victim, because I do not have all
never learn. It is sad that the government the facts. But one thing is clear, lies were
is not doing enough in health care systems, given opportunity, forgetting that money cannot buy told. The crime was not the proposed kidney
especially primary health care. I am talking
from experience. The late Umar Musa
everything. They can never change. To them, flying abroad harvesting, but coming short of laid down
laws guiding such procedure in the UK. This
Yar’Adua died of kidney-related diseases, for treatment is their priority is a country of laws, not like Nigeria.
but Jonathan, who took over, didn’t see it …McGinger Ibeneme, medical doctor
16 | Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng BLUEPRINT WEEKEND
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Naira re-design: How CBN’s driving

a more robust payment system
All over the globe, the payment system lies at
After the citizens’ ugly experiences, there has been a
“The difficulty experienced opened up a
the heart of any economy because it facilitates vestige for the apex bank and the operators of
exchange of value. It connects buyers and the payments system to find lasting solutions,
sellers as well as provides a measure of value
clamour for an improved payment system that would not just alternatives. First, the apex bank must
for economic activities. address the challenges encountered by bank customers synergize its effort with service providers.
“Secondly, operators must also act
However, it was not the case at the heart
of the Naira re-design policy, especially as between February and March, this year; BENJAMIN decisively to address challenges in the system.
both buyers and sellers were stranded at some Lastly, the apex bank and operators must
point in time, with many unable to pay for UMUTEME writes. endeavour to sensitize and enlighten the end-
goods and services. used customers of the payments system. And
It got to a head when many Nigerians were this we go a long way by engaging the media
unable to carry out transactions due to faulty promptly,” he said.
networks and a host of other factors. The
situation led many to question the country’s Strengthening the system
payment system and the entire banking In a bid to avoid a repeat of the situation
system’s architecture. the citizens were subjected to during the
According to informed Nigerians at that cash crunch and to strengthen the country’s
time, the situation on ground did not meet payment system, the CBN would soon carry
the features of an ideal payment system out an infrastructure audit of banks in the
which should be fast, timely, reliable and safe. country.
A payment system should also be efficient, The plan, according to the bank, will bring
widely acceptable and accessible, transparent, Nigeria’s payment system at par with what is
well secured and regulated among others. obtainable internationally.
Also, a sound payment system should drive In a chat with Blueprint Weekend, the
production; helps to fund economic growth bank’s deputy director in the Payment System
through taxes, investments and savings; Management Department, Mr. Adefuye
provide accountability, as well as stability Adeyemi, said, “We want our payment system
because there is economic disorder when a to be internationally recognised and nationally
country’s payment system breaks down. utilised. If we are going to make our payment
system internationally recognised then we
Situational analysis must benchmark it against international
Over the years, the Nigerian payment standards. The principles for financial market
system has made remarkable progress. For infrastructure have international standards
instance, the country is presently ranked principles that we want to benchmark it
amongst the top ten in the world payment against.”
ecosystem; a feat that experts have applauded. He also said, “We want to hire a consultant
Financial analysts say an ideal payment to actually do it so that they are able to tell
system should be fiat and digital, formal us the gap between where we are and where
and informal and must consist of players in we should be. So, it’s a kind of maturity and
the system which includes banks and other it’s to say okay, this is your level of maturity,
stakeholders. there is the maturity that you should be based
In spite of this feat, challenges still dog the on the volume you have as at today, based on
payment system; notably, are challenges of the volume you might have tomorrow.
weak infrastructure, rise in cyber-crime, poor “So, they are able to tell us that the
regulatory oversight, delays in resolution of infrastructure that we have today needs to be
customers’ complaints, poor adoption by the Cbn Governor Godwin Emefiele upgraded, that it needs to be scalable in such
banking public, sabotage of the players in the easier, cheaper and faster means of payments, a way that as the volume is growing we are
until 2025, with its main goal of expanding actually growing with them.”
financial institutions. the CBN has continued to collaborate with payment options available to customers and
relevant stakeholders in the adoption of strengthening regulation of the payments
Efficiency payment system instruments and channels, Collaborations
system. Affirming the views of Adefolarin, a
In his keynote address at the 34th Seminar such as, the Bank Verification Number
for Finance Correspondents and Business (BVN), the Real Time Gross Settlement financial analyst, Onyinye Nwachukwu,
Work to do in a presentation entitled, “Why a broken
Editors in Calabar, Cross River state, the System (RTGS), Regulatory Sandbox, Open In his view, a political economist,
governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Banking and the CBN Digital Currency payment system is newsm,” insisted that for
Adefolarin Olamilekan, speaking with this an efficient payment system to thrive there is
(CBN), Godwin Emefiele, said as the global (CBDC), the e-Naira. Nigeria is currently reporter, noted that the experience of many
financial system is fast evolving with different the first country in the Continent and second need for stakeholders (regulators, operators
Nigerians during the cash crunch showed and the media) collaboration.
economic blocs and financial institutions in the world to have fully launched a live that there was still work to be done to bring
introduce innovative solutions to make CBDC,” he said. Speaking at a recent FICAN seminar in
the nation’s payment system up to speed. Calabar, Nwachukwu said the media must
the global payment system more efficient, As a way of ensuring that it comes up with He noted further that with the modern
faster, transparent and safer for transactions a robust payments system, the CBN has had strive to understand the issues around the
infusion of technology into global financial payment system as it would place them in
settlement, it behoves on the apex bank to to play critical roles of a regulator, an operator and banking services, it is important that
continue to come up with innovative ways to and a catalyst, all in a bid to ensure a payment good stead to come out with objective and
both regulators and service providers need to efficient reportage.
make the payment system easier, faster and system that works for all. synchronise the value-chain from start to the
more efficient for Nigerians. The regulator, through its payments system She said constant education of users of
end. the payment system on the rise of e-fraud,
Speaking on the theme of the seminar, vision (PSV), aims to engender innovation Adefolarin said the recent effort by the
“Implementing a Robust Payment and wider adoption of electronic payments in protection of data will also go a long way to
apex bank to reduce the logjam experienced strengthen the payment system.
Architecture: Prospects, Opportunities and different sectors of the economy. by end users of the payments system is
Challenges,” Emefiele said in collaboration The PSV 2025, according to the CBN, will “There is a need for regulatory bodies to
commendable. create regular capacity building workshops
with stakeholders, there was an acceleration act as a guidepost for the payments system
of digital payment options that has caused for journalists and other organisations should
brick-and-mortar offices to give way to do the same.
electronic channels such as Automated “There is a need for the banking sector as
teller machines (ATM), point of sales (PoS) an institution to train workers rather than
terminals, internet banking, mobile banking, So, they are able to tell us that the infrastructure that we employing casual staff,” she said.
She said further that constant engagements
unstructured supplementary service data
(USSD), and contactless payments. have today needs to be upgraded, that it needs to be scalable with bank stakeholders and timely
According to the apex bank’s governor, information by regulators to journalists will
the payment options are designed to meet in such a way that as the volume is growing we are actually help to strengthen the system.
According to her, “journalists should put
customers’ expectations of ease and speed,
coupled with consideration for safety.
growing with them. out solution driven reportage and avoid
“As a deliberate policy towards ensuring creating panic.”
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BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 | 17

kannywood

Women have
problems,
they’re
dangerous
– Yakubu
Producer
Yakubu Bala Baba, popularly
known as Yakubu Producer,
is a producer, actor as well
as a director in the Hausa
film genre. In his interview
with IBRAHIM HAMISU in
Kano, he speaks about his
achievements and how he
joined Kannywood about 20
years ago.

From the time you started until now, what have been
your achievements in Kannywood so far?
My God, I can't pinpoint the quantum of
achievements I have recorded; but I can say
just a few: I own a house and a production
company; I have a parcel of land, some capital,
and a network of important personalities. And
I have received more than 20 awards; I have
nothing more to say other than to thank God.

What challenges have you faced in Kannywood from

the time you started until now?
Happiness has its opposite; I have faced
various challenges, especially considering the
fact that the person you helped wants to take
you down in this industry. So, the thing is that
there are not many creative people around. My wish is that we
Who is your role model in the industry? should fear God; we
I have many role models. They include
my brothers and parents, Baba Hayatudden, should not make
that is Haba Hayat, who was a father to me in
the industry; my brother, who has done me a meaningless movies, and in the hereafter. These are my role models
in Kannywood.
production.
favour that I will never forget, by pointing out
my mistakes. If I do something wrong, he will we should not do What system do you think should be adopted for the
Can you remember a movie that you had a hard time
directing?
call and scold me. My dear friend, it's hard
for me to be wrong when I say it; he is a lover. corruption and influx of people into Kannywood, especially women?
Women have problems; they are dangerous.
Yes, it’s the movie called Ibro Rabon
wahala
My other mentor is Muhammad Salisu of
Tauraruwa TV; a noble and generous person immorality, which if we They should not enter the industry without
the consent of their parents. This is because What is your dream in Kannywood?
who gave me advice on how to improve my
life, and who loved my development no return to God we will we have a strong committee; a woman is not
taken from the streets without the permission
My wish is that we should fear God; we
should not make meaningless movies, we
matter what. He selected me to be a producer
of a new series soon to be produced in the be asked about it. And of her parents. This is because some married
women come and enter directly without the
should not do corruption and immorality,
which if we return to God we will be asked
station from among a thousand of bidders.
May the Lord take care of him and his we should protect our consent of her husbands or parents. In the end,
a person loses, I am the auctioneer company
about it. And we should protect our dignity.
Whatever we do to please God, He will give a
colleague, Abdurrahaman, Manajan Allan,
and fulfil their needs for good in this world dignity. that has expelled more than 80 women who
want to join the industry illegally from my
reward for that and we will be successful.
18 | Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND

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twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria
with Aunty Ene

Short stories
Hello kiddies!
This edition is loaded with very interesting stories and fun activities for your reading pleasure.
Don't keep this to yourselves; read and tell your friends about it, okay?
Now that you have fully resumed, you know you have to take your studies seriously so that
you won't be pressured later on. Have a great weekend.. - Aunty Ene

My Father's Dragon

Birthdays …Ruth Stiles Gannett

One cold rainy day when my father was a little boy, he met
an old alley cat on his street. The cat was very drippy and
uncomfortable so my father said, "Wouldn't you like to come
home with me?"
This surprised the cat—she had never before met anyone
who cared about old alley cats—but she said, "I'd be very much
obliged if I could sit by a warm furnace, and perhaps have a
saucer of milk."
"We have a very nice furnace to sit by," said my father, "and
I'm sure my mother has an extra saucer of milk."
Father and the cat became good friends but my father's
mother was very upset about the cat. She hated cats,
particularly ugly old alley cats. "Elmer Elevator," she said to
my father, "if you think I'm going to give that cat a saucer of
milk, you're very wrong. Once you start feeding stray alley cats
you might as well expect to feed every stray in town, and I am
not going to do it!"
This made my father very sad, and he apologized to the cat
because his mother had been so rude. He told the cat to stay
anyway, and that somehow he would bring her a saucer of milk
each day. My father fed the cat for three weeks, but one day
Leonard Effiwatt turned 9 on May 10 King David Orokpo clocked 5 on May 7 his mother found the cat's saucer in the cellar and she was
extremely angry. She whipped my father and threw the cat out
the door, but later on my father sneaked out and found the cat.
Together they went for a walk in the park and tried to think
of nice things to talk about. My father said, "When I grow up
I'm going to have an airplane. Wouldn't it be wonderful to fly
just anywhere you might think of?"

"Would you like to fly very, very much?" asked the cat.
"I certainly would. I'd do anything if I could fly.
Well," said the cat, "If you'd really like to fly that much, I
think I know of a way you might get to fly while you're still a
little boy."
“You mean you know where I could get an airplane?"
“Well, not exactly an airplane, but something even better. As
you can see, I'm an old cat now, but in my younger days I was
quite a traveler. My traveling days are over but last spring I
took just one more trip and sailed to the Island of Tangerina,
stopping at the port of Cranberry. Well, it just so happened that
I missed the boat, and while waiting for the next I thought I'd
look around a bit. I was particularly interested in a place called
Wild Island, which we had passed on our way to Tangerina. Wild
Princess Maya marked another birthday on May 7 Kevin clicks the big 10 on May 11 Island and Tangerina are joined together by a long string of
rocks, but people never go to Wild Island because it's mostly

Models of the week

jungle and inhabited by very wild animals. So, I decided to go
across the rocks and explore it for myself. It certainly is an
interesting place, but I saw something there that made me
want to weep.”

Alexander Effiwatt saying ‘do have a cool Ayomide, Ayobami and Ayomiposi aka the
weekend everyone’ “precious sisters” all smiles in a sibling-bonding
shot
 News Extra
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BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 |19

Magashi, Irabor, others to grace

industries, former service chiefs, retired
and serving military generals.
Speaking on why he embarked on
the project which took him five years
of hard work, Ndace, the immediate

launch of Ndace’s trilogy Saturday

past chief press secretary to Governor
Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state,
said he was encouraged by the need to
document that phase of the war against
insurgency in which he was a witness.
By Benjamin Samson and the Inspector-General of Police, have visited on citizens and how the Other Poems - an anthology. He said, “These books were inspired
Abuja IGP Usman Alkali Baba, will Saturday Nigerian Army and other security The books will be reviewed by the by many veterans who fought on
attend the launch of a trilogy written by agencies, including the Civilian JTF, special adviser to the president on and off the war field. Soldiers who
The Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. award-winning journalist, Jibrin Baba confronted them under the leadership media, Mr. Femi Adesina, and a former sacrificed their lives to serve our great
Bashir Magashi (retd.); the Chief of Ndace. of the 20th Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- director, army public relations, Brig.- nation, the courage they exhibited
Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor; Chief The books, which highlight the Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai. Gen. Sani Usman (retd.). and the aftermath of their gruesome
of Army Staff, Lt..-Gen. Farouk Yahaya; war against Boko Haram/ISWAP The titles of the books include Other dignitaries expected at the experiences.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral insurgency in the North-east of Nigeria, Walking the War Front with Lt.-Gen. event are the Royal Father of the Day, “Amongst many soldiers and
Awwal Zubairu Gambo; Chief of the were written specifically to aid in the TY Buratai, Duty Call Under Buratai's Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji servicemen, Lt.-Gen. TY Buratai
Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao, visualisation of the horrors terrorists Command, and The Lonely Grave and (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, captains of occupies a large part of the storytelling.

Rotary’ll promote peace in Nigeria – Governor

Lt.-Gen. TY Buratai is a retired
Nigerian army General, a former Chief
of Army Staff, who was appointed in
2015 and retired in January 2021,” he
By Benjamin Samson “You know the Rotary has a peace We have so much to celebrate, from this conference as an opportunity to said.
Abuja arm. Peace and conflict resolution is the countless service projects and learn from each other, to share our
a major focus of rotary events. We are initiatives we have undertaken to the experiences and our ideas, and to

FG constitutes
The District Governor of Rotary going to develop a peace centre where friendships and connections we have renew our commitment to Service
International for District 9125, people would be trained. We would formed along the way. Above Self. Let us return the lessons
Rotn. (Dr.) Goddy Nnadi, has said train people to make sure we avoid “My visits to clubs were insightful and inspiration we gain here to our

advertising
the organisation would do its best to conflicts. Make sure we maintain peace and challenging. With a reduced clubs and communities.”
promote peace in the country. in our neighbourhoods, communities number of Rotarians in my entourage, In her remarks, the president of
Dr. Nnadi said this at the 14th and country,” he said. we covered all clubs even though some Rotary International, Rotn. Jennifer
District Conference by Rotary District Nnadi also said despite the fact that were done in clusters. This helped with Jones, said they would honour the
9125 and Rotaract District 9125 in
Abuja on Friday.
Nnadi, who said they were in the
Rotary Foundation did not meet its
$1million target, it made progress in
the areas of membership and projects
curbing costs and yet was effective. In
the year, we offset the ground rent
for Jos Peace Centre and received the
past and embrace the future by
increasing their impact, expanding
their reach, enhancing participants’
offences
tribunal
process of building a peace centre in the that improved the lives of the people certificate of Occupancy. We paid engagement as well as increasing their
country, described the initiative as “very and that $570, 000 was raised by the for the approval of the building plan ability to adapt.
important.” Foundation. for the Abuja Rotary Centre and Jones, who was represented by
He said land had already been He said the Conference was to sustained payment of the salaries of Rotn. Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, said all
acquired for the project in Plateau state, review their efforts in the past one year security personnel at both Centres. humans were created differently with By Benjamin Samson
which would make it the second one in as well as introduce new resolutions “As we celebrate our successes, we different talents. Abuja
Africa. that would help us to improve in the must also remember that there is still On his part, the District Rotract
He said “so far, only Uganda has a next year. much work to be done. There are still Representative, DRR Gbolahan
The federal government has constituted
peace centre on the continent,” adding “As we gather here at this District people in our communities who need Olaeye, urged lauded Rotary for
Conference, I am reminded of the our help, and there are still challenges ensuring that Rotractors and the the Advertising Offences Tribunal,
that when ready, the Centre would carry
power of Rotary to bring people facing our world that require our Rotract district were well included in with retired Justice Cecelia Olatoregun
out training that would engender peace
in the country and across the world. together and create positive change. attention and resources. Let us use rotary activities. as its chairman.
A statement issued by the
Advertising Regulatory Council of
Nigeria (ARCON) Friday indicated
that four other members were
appointed.
According to the statement, the
Minister of Information and Culture,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the
From left: appointments in line with Section 38
District Rotaract of ARCON Act No 23 of 2022.
Representative Rtn. It stated that other members of the
Olaleye Gbolahan tribunal weree Mr. Charles Odenigbo;
(PHF), Sir Kingsley Mr. Moroof Aileru; Mrs. Julie Jacks,
Okoro, Rotary and Mr Idorenyen Enang.
International “Justice Olatoregun served
President’s meritoriously as a Judge of the
Representative and Federal High Court from July 2000
Past District Governor to November 2019. Before her
(PDG), Rtn. Ijeoma appointment to the bench, she was the
Pearl Okoro and Chief Registrar and Admiralty Marshal
District Governor of of the Federal High Court from
Rotary, District 9125, November 1998 to July 2000.
Rotn. Goddy Nnadi, “As an administrative Judge,
during the opening she oversaw 11 Judges in the Lagos
session of the 14th Division and presided over four
District Conference in divisions of the Federal High Court at
Abuja, Friday different times.
“She is a member of the international
Association of Women Judges in
Nigeria, Commonwealth Magistrate
and Judges Association, among others.
Photo: Rotary D9125 “Justice Olatoregun has facilitated
and delivered papers at conferences
and seminars, within and outside the
country. By this appointment, she
becomes the Tribunal’s first Chairman,”
the statement read in part.

Expert bemoans shortage of blood donors in Edo

By Patrick Ahanor blood transfusion needs of its citizens. Selfish and Effectively Generous.” infections and other health conditions. high demand for blood transfusions,”
Benin City He also said “60 per cent of blood He said the rate of blood donation “Nigeria has one of lowest voluntary he said.
supply comes from family replacement in the country was low, with only blood donation rates globally, with only On his part, the vice-chancellor of
A professor of Haematology in the donors while 30 per cent comes from maximum of 10 per cent of blood 10 per cent of blood supply coming the institution, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor,
Edo State University, Uzairue, Musa paid blood donors.” donors being voluntary donors. from voluntary donors. said the lecture became imperative as “it
Abidemi Muhibi, has said the country Prof Muhibi disclosed this while According to him, the majority of “Therefore, strategies aimed at highlights the importance of promoting
required a minimum of 1.8 million delivering the 7th Inaugural Lecture blood donations come from family promoting voluntary blood donation voluntary blood donation and
units of blood per year to meet the Series of the University entitled, “The replacement donors, some of who are are needed in Nigeria to increase the sustainable blood transfusion system in
Cycle in Blood Safety: Being Efficiently, not adequately screened for blood borne availability of safe blood and meet the the country.”
20| Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
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I grew up How I reunited

with my mum
among after 5 years
– Patoranking
criminals in For popular reggae dance-hall singer
Patoranking nothing surprises him,

Port Harcourt
but recently he was taken aback when
his management arranged his sudden
reunion with his mum in Qatar after
five years of separation.

– Omah Lay
Recall that Patoranking was among
the top music stars that performed
at the world Cup in Qatar. He was
welcomed to the Arabian country by a
group of dancers including his mother
who resides in Canada.
Budding Nigerian singer, Stanley Omah hardly allowed to leave the house. The ‘Kolo Kolo’ singer claimed that
Didia popularly known as Omah Lay, Omah Lay also revealed that the he had not seen his mother for five
has taken a trip down memory lane as inspiration he gets from his music is years . He made this revelation to our
he shares some experiences he faced… due to his childhood experience. He reporter shortly after his performance
Budding Nigerian singer, Stanley said, “I grew up among criminals at the at the Vanguard Personality of the Year
Awards, which held last Friday in
Omah Didia popularly known as Omah marine base. And if you know that place Lagos.
Lay, has taken a trip down memory lane very much, you’ll know that the place Reliving that memorable experience,
as he shares some experiences he faced is where people don’t use to go out at ‘the Celebrate Me’ singer said people
during his childhood. the time I was growing up. I grew up hardly surprise him but his management
Omah Lay who started his music around criminals and thugs. beat him to it.
career at 15 but gained fame in 2020 “I grew up around pipeline illegal “My management planned the chance
due to the release of hits songs, ‘You’ businesses and stuff. It was a lot of meeting. People don’t surprise me easily,
and ‘Bad Influence’ stated that he had trouble for me. I mean it is part of but they beat me to it. My mum lives in
it rough during the early days of his life. the thing that has made me what I am Canada, but my management planned
it so that she flew into Qatar to reunite
The singer in a chat on the ‘Hey today. I make music for every situation with me. And I was very happy meeting
Steph’ podcast, said he grew up ‘among I have found myself in. I am in a place her again,” the singer recounted.
criminals’ in Port Harcourt. He further where I feel so alive and I am gonna He, however, described performing
added that when he was growing up at make music with it.”(sic) at the World Cup as a dream come true,
Marine Base in Port Harcourt he was adding “it was a blessing of God.”
“You know that Nigeria didn’t

Tiwa Savage nudes don’t affect her value to kings – Charles Awuzie
qualify for the World Cup, but we had
to represent the country. Performing
on the big stage like the world cup
A Nigerian cyber security expert He wrote, “When they leaked her you can’t afford to disappoint. And
based in South Africa, Charles Awuzie s£x tape, a lot of people thought it was Nigerians never disappointed the world.
has reacted to the British monarch’s her end. She has been blackmailed by For me, it was a dream come true. I
invitation to award-winning Nigerian those around her and recently was have performed on many big stages
singer, Tiwa Savage to perform at the almost kidnapped. but the world cup stage was one in a
historical coronation ceremony of “#TiwaSavage is Queen of million,”Patoranking added.
King Charles III. afrobeats – your possession of her On why he embraced reggae dance-
Awuzie claimed that the possession nudes doesn’t affect her value to hall style of music, the Ebony State-
of her nudes by people could not kings. born singer said he came from the
affect her value to kings. “The non-religious world does ghetto, noting that anybody from there
The cyber security expert stated not judge petty scandals – it looks would always embrace galala music
this in a post via his verified Facebook for value in your talent, skills and which described as ‘a stepchild of reggae
page on Tuesday. influence. dance-hall.’
Recall that King Charles III will “Stop worrying about what people “I am from the ghetto, and anybody
be officially coronated alongside say or think about you – focus on from there will like to do galala music.
Queen Consort, Camilla, on May 6, building value. Galala music is a step child of reggae
at Westminster Abbey. “That same Tiwa whose s£x video dance-hall. So, they belong to one
She became the first Nigerian is hiding in your phone is valued by family. So, I am not surprised to be
artiste to receive an invitation to Kings. You see her nudes, they see doing dance-hall and reggae music at
perform at a foreign royal coronation her greatness. Unfortunately, what the same time. I don’t want to be boxed
ceremony. you think about her doesn’t change to a corner. I want to make music.
Meanwhile, Awuzie advised people her value. What you think about me Today, I can wake up and start doing
to stop worrying about what others doesn’t change my value and what rap or dance-hall music. I don’t want to
say or think about them, instead anyone thinks about you, doesn’t be known by a particular genre.”
focus on building value. change your value. Just have value.” Patoranking, however, wowed
the quality guests that thronged the
Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and

I was a dancer, poverty Suites, Lagos, venue of this year’s edition

of the annual Vanguard Personality of
the Year awards, with the performance

made me become a
of some of his show stopping songs.
He opened that floor, performing
“Girlie O’ followed by his 2020 smash
hit song,”Abule. But he got everyone

singer – Asake
dancing and singing along when he
performed his 2021 song ‘Celebrate
Me’ and ‘My Woman, My Everything.’
During his performance, the singer
said he was happy to perform on the
Nigerian singer, Ahmed Oloade, I have is the one that will wake up in Vanguard stage again after his first
popularly known as Asake has the morning and have one cigarette appearance a few years ago.
revealed that poverty made him then loud music.
consider a career in music. “At the end of the day, I feel like I
The 24-year-old said he was can actually sing. Then I added music
originally a dancer but added singing to it. Maybe because I know how to
because dancing couldn’t fetch him dance then I know how to bounce
enough money. on music. I actually don’t want to be
He revealed this in a recent a musician in the first place. I just
interview with ABC News. wanted to dance. It feels like water.
The ‘Mr Money With The Vibe’ I love everything that comes with
crooner said his early exposure to dancing.
music by his dad also made him “But at the end of the day, after
develop an interest in singing. dancing I fell in love with having
He said, “My parents used to play money too. Then I started thinking
me a lot of classical Songs. They love about it, is dance going to give me
listening to songs. The kind of father the kind of money I want?”
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023
| 21

Nigerian women still marginalised

in politics, governance - Iroegbu
Seasoned Journalist, researcher, security and public affairs analyst,
Senator Iroegbu, speaks to ENE OSHABA on the implementation of the
Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda of the United Nations Security
Council Resolution UNSCR1325 in Nigeria, among other issues
How would you assess the implementation of of women and girls from sexual and gender-
Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda of based violence; the role of women in conflict
the United Nations Security Council Resolution prevention including the prevention of violence
UNSCR1325 in Nigeria? against women and girls, and more gender-
There have been mixed results in the aware humanitarian and peace building efforts
localisation of Women in Peace and Security that reinforce women’s capacities to provide
(WPS) and United Nations Resolution leadership in relief and recovery.
UNSCR 1325 in Nigeria. To this end, the adoption of gender policies
While progress has been made in terms of by security and defence institutions, such as
the launch of National Action Plans (NAP)1-3, the military, is also an important aspect of
affirmative action, and other gender mainstream promoting women’s participation in peace
policies, overall progress has been slow, and in building efforts.
some cases, there have been lack of progression. These policies can help to create a more
One milestone is the launch of National inclusive environment that encourages female
Action Plans (NAP) 1-3, but the implementation officers to take on active roles in peacekeeping
of these plans has not been successful. operations and other security-related initiatives.
Many states have not stepped down these In addition to the development of gender
NAPs to State Action Plans (SAPs) and Local policies and gender desks, more women are
Action Plans (LAPs), hindering progress toward promoted to leadership positions and are also
WPS. now trained as pilots and combatants in the
Women are still marginalised in politics; military. Iroegbu
security and defence, as well as in governance, Overall, the localisation of WPS in Nigeria
especially at the leadership level. The is crucial to ensure that women’s voices and builders and experts in the field. can be done by developing and implementing
representation of women in the executive, perspectives are included in decision-making By building the capacity of women peace NAPs that includes specific targets for women’s
legislative, and judicial arms of government is processes related to peace building, conflict builders, localisation can help to promote their participation, as well as ensuring that relevant
still significantly lower than it should be. management, and mitigation efforts. This can central role in peace building processes and legislation and policies include provisions for
This under-representation limits the help to address the specific needs and concerns create sustainable peace. women’s participation, which Nigeria is in its
perspectives and experiences of women in of women affected by conflict and promote Finally, localisation can help to promote third phase of NAP.
decision-making processes and reduces their gender equality and empowerment. gender equality and challenge patriarchal norms Create spaces for women’s participation:
influence on the country’s development. Localisation of WPS in Nigeria can help that may limit the participation of women in Women’s participation can be guaranteed
While some significant milestones have to promote the central role of women peace peace building processes. Through promoting by creating spaces for their meaningful
been achieved in the localisation of WPS and builders by creating opportunities for them to women’s participation in decision-making participation in decision-making processes at all
UNSCR1325 in Nigeria, there is still a lot left to participate in decision-making processes at the processes, localization can help to break down levels. This includes involving women in peace
be achieved. The slow progress in implementing local level. gender barriers and empower women to take on committees, traditional conflict resolution
NAPs and the under-representation of women This can include involving women in leadership roles in peace building efforts. This mechanisms, and other community-based
in decision-making processes are two significant local peace committees, traditional conflict can have positive spill over effects on broader initiatives that seek to address conflicts and
challenges that must be addressed for WPS to resolution mechanisms, and other community- social and economic development in Nigeria. build peace.
be fully realised in Nigeria. based initiatives that seek to address conflicts Build women’s capacity: Another way to
It is, however, important to note that the and build peace. Through these platforms, What are your recommendations for women’s guarantee women’s meaningful participation
localisation of WPS in Nigeria is an ongoing women can contribute their perspectives and meaningful participation in peace building and post- is to build their capacity through training and
process and it requires continuous effort and experiences to ensure that peace building efforts conflict recovery processes? capacity-building initiatives. This can include
commitment from all stakeholders. are more effective, inclusive, and sustainable. The key recommendations to guarantee training on conflict resolution, peace building,
There is a need for increased advocacy and The localisation of WPS can also help to women’s meaningful participation in peace and leadership, as well as opportunities to
awareness to ensure that the objectives of WPS address the specific needs and concerns of building and post-conflict recovery processes, network with other peace builders and experts
and UNSCR 1325 are fully understood and women affected by conflict in Nigeria. For especially in Nigeria, will be anchored on the in the field.
embraced at all levels of governance in Nigeria. example, women may face different forms four pillars of the WPS and UNSCR1325 Address GBV can be a major barrier to
There is also a need for the government to of violence, such as sexual and gender-based including participation, protection, prevention, women’s participation in peace building and
prioritise the implementation of NAPs and violence (SGBV), during and after conflicts. relief, and recovery. post-conflict recovery processes. Addressing
ensure that they are adequately funded and Localizing WPS can ensure that the strategies In addition, there is a need to provide legal GBV and providing support to survivors can
monitored to ensure accountability. and policies developed to address these frameworks which Nigeria is already doing, help to create an enabling environment for
Additionally, there should be deliberate challenges are culturally sensitive and relevant and then encourage horizontal and vertical women’s meaningful participation.
efforts to address the systemic barriers that to local contexts, which can help to promote the policy mainstreaming and encourage them Ensure adequate resources: Adequate
prevent women from participating fully in all safety and well-being of women peace builders. in leadership positions in all agencies of resources must be allocated to guarantee
aspects of society, including politics, security In addition, localisation can also help to build government. women’s meaningful participation in peace
and defence, and governance. the capacity of women peace builders in Nigeria Ensure that women’s participation is building and post-conflict recovery processes.
Overall, while some progress has been made, by providing them with training, resources, and enshrined in policy and legal frameworks: This includes financial and human resources, as
more needs to be done to fully realize the goals networks to enhance their skills and knowledge. One way to guarantee women’s meaningful well as support for women-led initiatives and
of WPS and UNSCR 1325 in Nigeria. This can include training on conflict resolution, participation in peace building and post- organisations.
peace building, and leadership, as well as conflict recovery processes is to ensure that it is Promote gender mainstreaming: Gender
How can localisation of WPS contribute to promoting opportunities to network with other peace enshrined in policy and legal frameworks. This mainstreaming is the process of assessing
the central role of women peace builders in Nigeria? the implications for women and men of any
Yes, the localisation of WPS is an important planned action, including legislation, policies,
strategy to promote women’s participation in or programs, in all areas, and at all levels.
peace building efforts in Nigeria and beyond. Promoting gender mainstreaming can help to
By adopting NAPs, SAPs, and LAPs that are ensure that women’s perspectives and needs
geared towards mainstreaming UNSCR 1325 There is a need to provide legal frameworks which Nigeria are taken into account in all aspects of peace
and WPS, Nigeria is taking important steps building and post-conflict recovery processes.
toward promoting women’s participation in is already doing, and then encourage horizontal and By implementing these recommendations,
Nigeria can ensure that women’s meaningful
peace building at all levels of.
All these are geared towards WPS priorities,
vertical policy mainstreaming and encourage them in participation is guaranteed in peace building
goals, and pillars, which are the 3Ps and R: leadership positions in all agencies of government and post-conflict recovery processes, which will
lead to more sustainable and effective peace
women’s equal participation in peace and
security decision-making processes; protection building efforts.
 22 | Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND

Poor inclusion in
governance cause of
increased women, girls
trafficking – Ogeji
Chioma Daisy Ogeji, is a Professor of Criminology. She is the Head of
Sociology Department, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state. In this
interview with ENE OSHABA, she speaks on the spate of trafficking in
women and girls, among others.

What is your background and have always women in power, the men will speak
wanted to be in the academia? for those that they represent. How
I am a criminologist, and my area many women are there to speak for
of specialisation is on contemporary these vulnerable women and children?
slavery, especially human trafficking, We need to put the women on the
and specifically women and children table in all decision making so that
from Africa, from Nigeria to Europe it will affect the lives of not just the
and other parts of the world. general public but women and children
I have been doing research for 10 specifically. Ogeji
years, and I also have the privilege smuggled out of the country. can help curb human trafficking in Nigeria?
of presenting my work in different Can you share some recommendations First and foremost, I hope you people
international universities; I have been to human/women trafficking from your How would you assess the government's know that even when these people
a fellow at the University of Oxford, research work? commitment to ending trafficking in the are smuggled to the countries are not
the University of Burny, Germany, and You know by smuggling you ask them country? treated fairly compared to other people
others. to take you out of the country, right? I think the government is doing from other countries, often time the
But along the way you now become its best to bring back people, but the issue of racism is the factor that affect us
What inspired you to study criminology, a poor victim of human trafficking problem is not just bringing them back, so we suffer a lot and yet whenever they
and human trafficking? and so this is the problem that my because when you bring them back to think of the problem back home, they
I was inspired by happenings in research and policy papers are trying to an environment that is not enabling stay there and suffer and say ‘I better
Nigeria and other countries where most resolve by making recommendations. what are they going to do? So, it has die in this country than come back to
of the people affected by trafficking were Hopefully the government will look not brought them back from the UK, Nigeria’. My recommendation to govt
women and that is why I specialised on into it and see how we can resolve it. Germany or Italy or repatriated them include that we don’t have enough
looking at women and children because I also intend to see how we can find from other African countries, because industries to employ people, we should
they are the most vulnerable people in a way of mitigating the impact because problems that made them leave still go back to the time when Nigeria was
the society and some of my research we know the factors responsible for exist. manufacturing hard industries this
work are based on this. why people decide to be smuggled So we have to solve the problem from where can get employment for, is not
out of the country or become victims the grassroots, it’s not just bringing about graduating and stay at home
Why is the female gender more vulnerable of human trafficking. However, if we the back because they leave because doing nothing, because the idleness is
to this crime? can stem the tide it will be better for they don’t have employment so when the devil's workshop, and in relation
Of course we have a high rate of us because we are losing a lot of man you bring them back make sure that to that we lack skills, is not just
unemployment and we live in a country power in this country. Brain drain is there is employment waiting for them, the paperwork you go and get your
where a graduate can spend five toten something we are witnessing now, so make sure there are skills acquisition degree, so what? What happens there?
years without a job; no means of we have to try and stem this issue of programme for them so that they will If you don't have a job, what skills
livelihood; and so economic issues are human trafficking or human smuggling learn the skills and be useful to the do you have to do something? So the
some of the reasons that make people in Nigeria so that we can harness society is not to bring them back when government should put skills in our
want to leave and become victims. our potential, we need to do human there is nothing for them to do. curriculum, so that if somebody is
Despite the issue of economic capacity building, build our people and graduating from secondary school, he
hardship it is even exacerbated by issues make the environment enable for them What other recommendations do you think has skills as a carpenter or as a fashion
like climate change, people who are so that they should not think of being designer or as a backer and he learnt it
farmers suddenly climate change makes from secondary so that he may decide
it impossible to do their agricultural not to go to the university because
activities and they start to look for these I have can feed me.
other means of livelihood abroad and We are talking about politics and
this is when somebody comes to them Brain drain is something we are witnessing now, so we have
women in power, you know the
and convinces them to take the chance to try and stem this issue of human trafficking or human struggle for the National Assembly
but they don’t know that they will be leadership that is ongoing right women
exploited. smuggling in Nigeria so that we can harness our potential, are calling for inclusion of women in
Most importantly, women are we need to do human capacity building, build our people the 10th Assembly and the incoming
most affected because we don’t have administration. We have to make sure
many women in politics in leadership and make the environment enable for them so that they that enough women are brought on
positions that will be a voice for the should not think of being smuggled out of the country. board and given strategic positions so
voiceless because if we have many that our voices will be heard.
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on:
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Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 | 23
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Feature
instagram: @blueprintNigeria

David Jemibewon, Chris Adighije:

Where are they now?
Not much has been heard about
these individuals again long after their
stewardships both at state and federal
levels; ELEOJO IDACHABA writes.
said to be in his early 80s, could be at the moment.

Chris Adighije
Chris Adighije was a senator on the platform
of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when he
represented Abia Central Senatorial Constituency
in the National Assembly between 2003 and
2007. He is, according to a major newspaper
in the country, “Someone who is remembered
by political historians as the honest man of the
Senate who brought sincerity and truth to the
fore in the face of the sophisticated twists and
turns of many of his contemporaries at the time of
one of the most salacious scandals to have swept
through the National Assembly.”
It was his truthful narrative in the bribery
Jemibewon scandal involving then Senate president, Adolphus Ugbeisia
David Jemibewon Wabara that eventually forced Wabara out of the
David Jemibewon is a retired military officer who Senate presidency seat. Since Senator Adighije region, that may have put a permanent lid to his
left the service years back in the rank of a Maj.- left the upper chamber, every attempt he made political ambition.
Gen.. He was a former minister of police affairs in to return to the red chamber had proved abortive
1999 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo but a report indicated that he found his way into Odion Ugbeisia
was elected to preside over the country. This the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Elder Odion Ugbesia was elected into the Senate
Kogi-born ex military officer nearly lost his life in Commission where he headed a unit, but it’s not in 2007 to represent Edo-central constituency on
a ghastly crash along Lokoja-Abuja expressway in clear if he is still there. the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform and
1999 while returning to Abuja on a Sunday evening. That appointment, however, appears to have was appointed to committees on employment,
Although he narrowly survived the accident, he put a permanent lid on his political career. While labour & productivity, Air Force, Navy, national
lost his driver and was orderly attached to him commenting on this in an interview recently, he planning, National Identity Card and Population.
while he sustained serious injuries. said, “Obviously my period At RMAFC greatly Prior to this time, Ugbesia was commissioner
This ex-minister was treated in the country, reduced my political activities. The responsibilities for information in his home state of Edo; he
precisely at the National Hospital Abuja just after at RMAFC demanded some degree of neutrality later became special assistant to then minister
the crash, but had to be flown abroad because since we needed to be impartial arbiters at of housing, Tony Anenih. He was thereafter
of the extensive damage to some of his vital the local, state and federal levels. I am now in appointed minister of state, Ministry of Internal
organs. On his return to the country after several APC because the PDP, especially in Abia, threw Affairs by President Obasanjo.
months, he could no longer participate in the democratic principles overboard. PDP became a In July 2003, he was moved to the Ministry of
Federal Executive Council actively in his capacity one man show where divergent views became a Solid Minerals. In an interview in November 2003,
as minister. treasonable felony.” he stated that Nigeria has great mineral wealth
In a cabinet reshuffle that took place shortly He is currently a member of the All Progressives including gold, tantalite, barite, coal, and iron ore.
after, he was replaced. Because of this, he was in Congress (APC) where he hopes to gain more These resources, he noted, were not sufficiently
and out of the country for medical examinations political relevance in the state, but with the exploited. His ministry, thereafter, rolled out a
abroad severally. He however had a robust public strength of the PDP in the state and the entire seven-year development plan, including revival
service as a military officer; for instance, apart of the Geological Survey Agency, conducting a
from heading several Army Commands, he was full airborne geophysical survey and improving
a military administrator of Oyo state during the mining infrastructure and facilities. An important
defunct western states. In 2015, after President consideration was reducing environmental
Muhammadu Buhari came in as president, damage. The government then planned to
Jemibewon, in response to reporters’ inquiry formalise artisanal mining, training miners and
about the state of the nation, spoke from the US monitoring their activity.
saying, “I left Nigeria some months back. Things Part of it was the planned privatisation of
change so easily, but whatever the situation is, Nigeria Coal Corporation and foreign investment
one would wish that the country would do better. in the sector was welcomed. As early as July 2004,
All that we are praying for is that the country Ugbesia was being considered as a potential
should do better. At the moment, things are very candidate for governor of Edo state in the 2007
difficult. I think that those who are in control elections. He was the favourite of Chief Anthony
politically need to cooperate among themselves Anenih, one of the most powerful men in the state,
and provide an atmosphere where the country having once been Anenih’s personal assistant.
can progress. I sympathise with Buhari because However, President Obasanjo insisted that
he doesn’t know the people he is working with.” Professor Osariemen Osunbor, cousin to his late
Jemibewon had in the current political wife, Stella, would be the PDP gubernatorial
dispensation tried to represent Kogi-west candidate. That was why Ugbeisia ended up in the
senatorial district in the Senate on the platform Senate. An indigene of Ubiaja, he was a lecturer in
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but for the Political Science Department at the University
inexplicable reasons, he could not realise the of Benin from 1978 to 1989. He also served as
ambition instead, Tunde Ogbeha, Smart Adeyemi a member of the Presidential Policy Advisory
and Dino Melaye had occupied the seats in Committee on Niger Delta and Oil Producing
rotation since 1999. Areas.
At the moment, it’s not clear where Jemibewon, Since he left the Senate in 2011, not much has
Adighije been heard about him again.
24| Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria

corps members all the best as they

Buhari salutes NYSC at 50,

moved to different parts of the country,
to share and explore new experiences of
the diversity of Nigeria.
He recalled that one of the joys and

lauds Gowon for vision

highlights of his administration had
been the annual ritual of receiving
corps members in his country home in
Daura, Katsina state, during Eid el-Fitr
Sallah and asking about their welfare.
By Abdullahi M. Gulloma He said this was by providing broadened the horizon of citizens, brotherliness and neighborliness. He noted that two visiting
Abuja opportunities for cross cultural promoted civic responsiveness, created President Buhari affirmed that presidents from Niger Republic and
interactions and establishing a better understanding of various the scheme must be sustained, with Guinea Bissau had participated and
President Muhammadu Buhari has formidable bridges for improved individual and ethnic identities, a constant reminder of the history, enjoyed such interactions.
saluted former Head of State, Gen. understanding. their diversities and underscored the structure and purpose that should not The president thanked the Nigerian
Yakubu Gowon (retd.), for the wisdom President Buhari congratulated the bottom-line of the common values of be abused, trivialised or undermined Army, directors-general of the NYSC,
of setting up the National Youth former Head of State, all the former fairness, justice, peace and unity. for any reason. and various private and public
Service Corps (NYSC) in 1973. and incumbent directors-general of the He said the scheme had also helped This, he said, could be achieved by institutions for providing the enabling
In a statement issued by his Corps, for inspiring and sustaining a in resettling people of various tribes keeping a focus on the larger picture environment for the success of the
spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, on 50-year legacy that had strengthened a in different parts of the country, that ”Nigeria’s unity is a process and a scheme.
Friday in Abuja, President Buhari said web of solidarity and bolstered loyalty exploration of entrepreneurship and collective responsibility that must not

Speakership
the scheme had truly achieved the goal to the nation. business opportunities in places, and be negotiated.”
of national integration. He said the scheme had also enabling a new culture of oneness, The president wished potential

tussle: It's my
turn, Wase
declares
Governor Babajide
By Joshua Egbodo
Sanwo-Olu of
Abuja
Lagos state (5th R),
Secretary to the State
The Deputy Speaker of the House of
Government, Mrs
Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase,
Folashade Jaji (4th L)
has formally declared his intention
and delegation from
to run for the speaker of the 10th
National Institute for
assembly, saying “it’s my turn.”
Security Studies in
Wase at the declaration event
Lagos, during their visit
Abuja on Friday also urged the ruling
to Sanwo-Olu in Lagos,
All Progressives Congress (APC) to
Friday
ensure compliance with the principle
of equity, fairness, and justice in
addressing the zoning of positions in
the National Assembly.
According to him, it’s a
constitutional requirement drawn to
Photo: NAN
ensure the unity and stability of the
country.
He urged his colleagues to vote
for him on the day of inauguration,
promising to be a speaker “who will
create an enabling environment for
your voices to be heard.”
Those present in solidarity with
Osinbajo inaugurates multi-million Kano irrigation scheme Wase were other aspirants, including
the chairman of the Committee on
Appropriations, Aliyu Mukhtar Betara;
By Abdullahi M. Gulloma communities that are involved with is a clear demonstration of the within and near the following four Yusuf Gagdi; Sada Soli; Mariam
Abuja the Project. Buhari administration’s commitment rehabilitated irrigation schemes in Onuoha, and Sani Jaji.
“The Project also serves as a vehicle to transform the conditions of our Northern Nigeria: Bakolori Irrigation Betara, in his goodwill message,
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has to effectively harness the potential of people in the communities of our Scheme in Zamfara state, Middle assured his colleagues that all
inaugurated a multi-billion-Naira vast water resources infrastructure, nation’s bread basket.” Rima Irrigation Scheme in Sokoto differences among the aspirants would
Kano River Irrigation Scheme (KRIS), some of which were built well over 40 He said optimising water resources state, Kano River Irrigation Scheme be addressed, adding that the six of
which will serve at least one million years ago but largely remained either in such a way “will revolutionise and Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme them, including Wase, “will meet
residents in the Bunkure Council un-utilised or grossly under-utilised. the local agricultural economy and in Jigawa state. and present one of us to you as the
Area of Kano State. “The main beneficiaries of the ultimately enhance the food security Prof. Osinbajo commended next speaker of the 10th House of
According to a statement by the Project include basin stakeholders, of the Nigerian people,” adding Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s Representatives.”
senior special assistant to the president irrigation and drainage entities, that the practical advantages of tenacity and collaboration with the Also speaking, Senator Timothy
on media and publicity, Office of the water users’ associations, farmers, “unshackling our farmers from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Adudu on behalf of lawmakers from
Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, and rural dwellers in the Project constraints of rain-fed farming and comprising the Minister and his team, Plateau state commended Wase for
the scheme “is a component of the areas. Through direct infrastructure boosting their capacity for year-round which ensured that the project was the approach so far, adding: “It is
Transforming Irrigation Management investments covering about 37,500 farming cannot be understated. This completed. inconceivable that in zoning, the
in Nigeria Project (TRIMING).” hectares across six states, concurrent is precisely what we are doing through Earlier, in his remarks, Governor North-central had nothing; in this
Speaking at the commissioning of activities in agriculture and on-farm this project.” Ganduje thanked the vice-president exercise, the North-central was
the scheme Osinbajo said: “the Project water management in these areas, On the objective of the for his support and the federal deliberately ignored. At all times, the
is an innovative approach adopted approximately 140,000 farm families Transforming Irrigation Management government for its commitment to executive will always want to destroy
by the Federal Government, which with about 1 million people are in Nigeria Project, the Vice President the actualisation of many impactful the legislature. We must come together
has opened access to life-changing directly benefiting.” stated that “it is essentially to enhance federal government projects in the to fight this, if not, we will not be
opportunities for the farming The VP noted that “today’s event the productivity of 140,000 farmers state. independent.”

Why I went into herbal products – Mrs. Bassey

By Joseph Obung desire to contribute in ameliorating She said she had to enroll to study solid foundation that will multiply. I side effects.
Calabar the twin problem of ill-health and alternative medicine in Ibadan during say so because the company has a solid According to her, the business
poverty ravaging humanity informed which she interacted with experts in system for sustainability,” she said. started officially in January this year,
A female medical doctor and chief her decision to go into the production alternative medicine, adding that she She said her business was an and uses the direct selling multi-level
executive officer of a Nigerian of herbal products. understood during her research why indigenous company that specialised marketing module to ensure not just
herbal product manufacturing Speaking with reporters during God gave herbs to humanity. in the production and marketing the availability of the products, but
company, Millennium Nature's Path the opening of the head office of the “Milnapath business plan is the of highly potent herbal products that its partners and distributors get
(MILNAPATH) International, Dr company, she said Milnapath was the best in the industry so far. I assure our that handled most of the world's adequately compensated for their
(Mrs) Naomi Ima Bassey, has said her translation of a vision into reality. partners that their investment is on a intractable health conditions without contributions.
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria
Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 |25

& Arts
ANA to celebrate Achebe 10 years after death
Between May 19-21, 2023, the Day one of the event, on Friday Abuja, ANA board of trustees its reintroduction of the Mbari
Association of Nigerian Authors Evening, May 19, 2023, will feature included Professors Ernest Series, the series has centred around
(ANA) will celebrate its founding Tributes and Reminiscences on the Emenyonu (the most active readings and literary and national
president, Prof. Chinua Achebe, legend, while the second day, on member), Kole Omotoso, Mabel discussions.
who died ten years ago, aged 82, on Saturday, May 20, will be celebrated Segun, Labo Yari, Chinua Achebe Speaking on the reason why
March 21, 2013, and was buried on with an Mbari Series, where writers (late) and T.M Aluko (late). Achebe is being celebrated ten
May 23. brainstorm. In 2021, ANA celebrated years after he died, the incumbent
The 10-year memorial event, The morning session will be an its 40th anniversary in a lavish president of the association,
which will be held at the Chinua Open Conversation between the programme attended by Nigerian Camillus Ukah, said: “The history of
Achebe International Conference old and the young writers on the and international writers at the African literature will be incomplete
Centre (CAICC), Mamman Vatsa immortality of creativity from 10 Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, without Chinua Achebe’s Things
Writers’ Village, Mpampe, Abuja, am – 2 pm. which was hosting its first major Fall Apart, Arrow of God, A Man of
aims at celebrating the man regarded The evening session will be an event following its completion, the People, Chike and the River, and
as the father of African literature. open conversation between the old bringing to consummation the others.
The event, which will have a and the young writers on Ten Years noble dreams of its founding fathers. “Also, the history of ANA won’t
virtual component to enable those After Achebe’s Transition from 5 pm Since it was founded, each be complete without the foresight
from far and wide to participate, – 7 pm, while dinner will be held ANA leadership has, in keeping and pioneering role of Professor
is themed “The Immortality of between 7:30 – 8pm, as Sunday, with its aims, strived to encourage Achebe, gathering everybody at
Creativity: Ten Years After Achebe’s May 21, 2023, will be the departure. and promote Nigerian literature, Nsukka. Today, ANA has become
Transition”. ANA was founded on June 27, encourage the collection, recording the biggest umbrella body of
1981, at the University town of and transcription of all oral Nigerian writers.
Nsukka during a well-attended literature, promote the interest of

Ebedi
conference convened by the late authors in all that concerns their “So, we are gathering at the
Professor Chinua Achebe. Two profession and well-being and to Writers’ Village to honour Achebe
Kenyans —Ngugi Wa Thiong’o and protect their rights as authors. ten years after his transition.
Gacheche Wauringi —were on hand The current ANA administration, Through the gathering, we also

receives
to witness the epoch-making event. under the leadership of Camillus remind ourselves as writers how far
Registered as a corporate body/ Ukah and Farida Mohammed, we have gone and how far we are
professional association with the has taken a step further by adding going in moving the association and
Corporate Affairs Commission, innovations to the rituals. Since Nigerian literature forward.”

4 new Chants of a poet - A critique of Emman

Achebe

writers Usman Shehu's 'The river never returns'

Four writers from Djibouti, Nigeria By Muda Ganiyu arranged and grouped into themes fleeing frosty freeze - generation, some of whom he
and Uganda have arrived Iseyin, ranging from 'Ode to week days' to definite death declaration - teaches. He proclaims defiantly:
Nigeria for the May/June 2023 Edition "The River Never Returns" is cityscapes, to death and violence, to no passport, no visa, "but it is my country
of the Ebedi International Writers Emman Usman Shehu's latest poetry nature and the plight of women and no accompanying yellow card." source of my identity
Residency. collection. the downtrodden in the society. This is referring to the white the place of my birth
The writers are Egba Ifeayinchukwu Published in 2022 by Topaz Emman touched on virtually man's emigration to Africa and other "the passport I carry
(Nigeria), Tunji Adepoju (Nigeria), Books, Abuja, it's a 120-page book every subject in this lyrical collection parts of the the world, and now that the flag I wave in every wind
Omar Youssouf Ali (Djibouti) and Iga with 75 poems of varying lengths. that reads more like a book of songs. Africans are migrating to the West, the anthem I sing
Zinunula Samuel ( Uganda). Emman's name is well-known The book opens aptly with "Driven by desperation "the pledge I proclaim
In addition to their individual in Nigeria's literally, artistic and 'Rising' which talks about how "a and exaggerated anticipation... if not every morning
writing projects, the writers will also journalism firmaments and he is poem takes shape" in the mind of the "They all head north at every meeting.."
mentor secondary school students in perhaps one of the most prolific and author and takes him and his readers to a turbulent denouement Many the poems showcase the
Iseyin for the four weeks that their energetic poets in Nigeria today. "somewhere/near hear/far out there/ remnants on a shore of unwelcome, mastery of the poet in the use of poetic
residency will last. I dubbed him master of the short or some latitude/between", as if the freezing from a fresh nightmare, devices especially rhyme and rhythm
The Ebedi International Writers poem as he writes and publishes short author were rousing from sleep or to wrecks at a journey's end." such as in 'Counterpoint' (No. 37):
Residency was established by the poems every day on his Facebook consciousness. Then, there are the 'Chants' (No. "children out on the balcony/Singing
secretary-general of Pan-African page. Most of these poems are often In poems Nos. 3-9, Emman 74) for Ken Saro Wiwa. Though, loudly in harmony", and in 'Break
Writers Association (PAWA) in 2010 not more than 10 lines. sings the attributes of the weekdays Saro Wiwa's name is not directly the spell' (No. 70): "Zamfara/land
to cater for writers in need of a He did not start that today. I - Monday to Sunday, while mentioned, the allusion to him as of diffident farmers/terrain of rustic
conducive environment to complete still remember his poem on Helen 'Cityscapes' (No. 10) chronicles the "the little man and his pipe of sassy miners/range of rugged herders."
their ongoing works. of Troy that he wrote way back at unique features of the capitals of each smoke" is unmistakable. This poem That most of the poems read like
The free residency, which is first Bayero University, Kano, during his state in Nigeria. The poet says "Lagos is a chant and invocation about songs is not surprising as Emman
of its kind in Nigeria, has, since its post graduate years. That poem, I plays/with your imagination.../Abuja his fight against the state and the Shehu is a closet musician and he
establishment, hosted over 180 writers think about five or six lines, stuck in crouched on topography.../Abeokuta multinational giant's dispoilation plays the guitar and most probably
from 12 African countries. my mind for years. cradles under rock of resilience.../ of the environment and the poverty one or two other musical instruments.
The book derived its title, "The Kano grasps at ghosts of pyramids.." visited on his people. It's the most In a critique of this type, it's usual
River Never Returns" from a poem and on and on he goes on. It's also powerful and lyrical poem in the to highlight the faults of a book but in
of the same title in the collection. the longest poem in the book, taking collection. all honesty, I have no iota of negative
The title also comes from a line in up nine pages. For me, the best poem in the views about this book whether in the
the poem: In this collection, the poet collection is 'Apocalypse' (No. 23), writing, the editing, or the production
I lashes out against various kinds of which speaks to corona virus and the of the book. If ever a there's a perfect
"The river injustices - maltreatment of widows, devastation wreaked on nature and book, this is it for me. But I think
thrusts its course slavery and colonialism, senseless the ecosystem by human greed. This he should come out with hardcover
and never shootings in schools in the US, the poem, like many in the collection, copies for libraries and for those who
reverses its source. horrors of wars in Africa, about the is written in simple, yet artistic style want to keep the book for posterity.
II shenanigans of politicians, about that highlights the skills of the writer Dr Emman Usman Shehu has
"The river never returns collapsed buildings, about displaced in the use of rhyme and rhythm. come a long way as a poet and this
once it sets out..." farmers, about the feudal and The collection ends aptly with shows in this new collection which is
In this poem, No. 22 in the capitalist systems that perpetuate a poem titled 'Map' (No. 75), that his fourth and like old wine, he can
collection, we see the river emptying the almajiri system in the Nigeria. proclaims the author's allegiance only grow better with age.
L-R : Egba Ifeayinchukwu, Tunji Adepoju, into the ocean never to return to its Emman Shehu sings in furry in to his country despite all its
Omar Youssouf Ali and Iga Zinunula source. 'Migrations' (No. 28): imperfections and the call for (Muda Ganiyu writes from Ibadan)
Samuel The poems in the book are neatly "They frenetically fly south dissolution by mostly the younger
26 | Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria
BLUEPRINT WEEKEND

Point Of Sales (POS) Emefiele

How Nigerians adjusted to CBN’s cashless policy

Today, one of the issues leading the an understanding of how the policy works,”
discourse is the cashless policy of the federal The harrowing experience which accompanied the she said.
government, which is spearheaded by the On his part, Malam Isiaka Shehu, who
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Unarguably, it introduction of the cash policy in the country appears to be operates a cyber cafe at the corner shop
has remained to date, the most talked about, easing off, and Nigerians are gradually adjusting to it; TOPE in the Federal Housing Authority (FHA)
and next to the 2023 presidential election. Estate, Lugbe, said he had opened multiple
This may be so because of its effects on the SUNDAY writes. accounts to ease his business transaction.
economy and on the generality of Nigerians. He said: “Concerning the new cashless
Despite the problems faced by Nigerians policy, I’ve been coping by opening multiple
as a result of the Naira re-designing, and its N20, N30, and N50 as bank charges. on commercial POS terminals, no charges accounts with different banks and also
scarcity, citizens are gradually adjusting to He said: “There is an ugly trend in the on direct online transfers of below N10k. making use of Opay. On the workability of
the policy which most people consider to be commercial environment gaining ground “Anyway, I have always resisted this and the policy, as somebody who is into ICT, I
anti-poor. and no one seems to complain. Most SMEs no one has been able to defend it. I can’t think it is encouraging and I think it will work
business owners that accept transfers imagine losing N1k daily on several daily as it helps people to save money.”
Policy ab initio would ask the buyer to add N20, N30, or transfers when I am not a Yahoo boy or On the fate of Nigerians in the rural areas,
The CBN, on October 26, 2022, announced N50 to the price, calling it ‘bank charges.’ money ritual. If it is 10k upward, I will add he said: “The world is a global village as no
the introduction of the re-design of N200, Ironically, many buyers who will make issues the stamp duty without you asking, even if I place can truly be called a village anymore
N500, and N1, 000 banknotes. The CBN with corporate Banks accept it as ‘normal,’ am dashing you the money. because some of the so-called villages
governor, Godwin Emefiele, told journalists as ‘nothing big’ and ‘I don’t have a choice.’ “Anyway, it is becoming a norm, courtesy have better access to the internet than
at a special press briefing in Abuja that the Some will even fall to ‘you are bigger than of the wicked and obnoxious cash policy. even some cities. After all, they too have
banknotes were to be re-designed after due that.’ The choice is yours to conform with or resist to browse the internet and use Facebook
approval from the federal government, and “Just yesterday, I watched a gas attendant exploitation.” and emails. As for some remote areas that
in a bid to control the currency in circulation, making cool cash on students who did not have not been covered by the internet, it
among other reasons for embarking on the care about throwing away their parents’ Reactions is the responsibility of the internet service
exercise. hard earned money as he received N30 Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, providers to expand and extend their
In compliance with the apex bank’s policy to N50 on transfer into his O Pay account. an Abuja-based trader, Mrs. Josephine services and antenna to these areas for
that limited withdrawals across all channels Within minutes, he had cornered about N1, Onyenehize, said she now enjoys the cash them to enjoy the policy.”
to N500, 000 weekly, banks suspended 000. policy, adding that it has eased off all the A wine shop operator at Lugbe, who
further cash disbursement via customers’ “This is one of the wickedness of ourselves stress associated with cash. identified himself as Mr. Mayor, said it has
Naira credit and pre-paid cards. to ourselves. I patronise you, you made a “It was difficult initially when the cashless reduced the stress of moving huge amounts
Consequently, the CBN announced an profit from me, and you still exploit me! policy was introduced but as soon as we of money around amidst insecurity.
upward review of its cash withdrawal policy This request is a lie and exploitation without started to see cash flow, it became easier and “By the grace of God, this policy to me
across all payment channels by individuals justification. No bank charges anything for the stress associated with the introduction is fine and okay because, with it, one does
and corporate organisations. money that comes into the account except of the policy has greatly reduced as most not have to carry large sums of money
Under the updated regime, the bank up to N10, 000 when the bank charges N50 customers quickly adapted. In my own around thereby making one’s self a target
stated that effective January 9, 2023, stamp duties.” experience, the cashless policy is a welcome for criminals while the imposed limitations
individuals and corporate entities could He continued, “So, where is the development and I think its operation is on daily withdrawals also help to curtail
withdraw a maximum of N500, 000 and N5 justification for collecting N50 on the transfer okay. unnecessary spending.
million, respectively, compared to the N100, of N500 and below 10k? Even users of online In fact, the new policy is okay. We are “With the restrictions placed on daily
000 and N500, 000 which was previously bank platforms that take no charges do ask coping and we love it except for at the withdrawals which I understand can not
announced on December 6, 2022. for bank charges. Unless you use ATM cards initial stage when most people did not have exceed more than N20, 000 daily, people
However, the apex bank, in an updated can still afford to meet their daily financial
circular dated December 21, 2022, and needs such as paying for Okada, getting
addressed to all Deposit Money Banks food stuff and groceries as well as other
(DMBs) and Other Financial Institutions, commodities required in everyday existence
Microfinance Banks, Mobile Money So, where is the justification for collecting N50 on the and, in the situation where the N20, 000
Operators, and Agents, explained that is not enough to purchase what you want,
the upward review was as a result of the transfer of N500 and below 10k? Even users of online bank then one can make use of USSD codes for
feedback it received from stakeholders. platforms that take no charges do ask for bank charges. transferring money or use the ATM cards to
complement the cash-in-hand.
Exploitation Unless you use ATM cards on commercial POS terminals, “Therefore, I think the policy is working
A social media user, Wakeel Salawu, and it is a welcome development. One
alleged that the policy gave room for no charges on direct online transfers of below N10k. just needs to plan in terms of what is
exploitation, insisting that traders who needed and how much it will cost to
accepted transfers demanded between obtain them.”
Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 | 27

News Extra
twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria

Buhari
procured NDE registers unemployed persons
The National Directorate of being held across the 36 states of the business of reducing the number of have never had a minute rest without
20 ships in Employment (NDE) has begun the
registration of all unemployed people
federation, including the FCT, Abuja.
She said the registration was going
unemployed people, making them
employers of labour and self-employed.
activities and programmes,” she said.
She said the state directorate

8 years in the country with a view to engaging

them in productive ventures.
The Enugu state coordinator of the
on simultaneously across the 774 local
government areas in the country, adding
that it was for all classes of unemployed
“I was appointed the state
coordinator in May 2022, and I am
fortunate to serve under the current
recently concluded the training of
women on bags and shoes making, “so
that as full time housewives, they can

– Navy agency, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezekwe, disclosed

this in an interview with the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in
and with or without any educational
qualifications.
“The country cannot plan without
director-general of NDE, Malam
Nuhu Fikpo, whom I call employment
generator.
have a vocation and earn some money.”
Ezekwe called on the state
government to assist the agency with
By Benjamin Samson Enugu. data, data is very important in planning, “I call him an employment generator vehicles that could be used to access the
Abuja Ezekwe said the exercise was and NDE since 1987, has been in the because since he came on board, we hard to reach LGAs in the state.

The Nigerian Navy has disclosed that a

total of 20 capital ships were procured
for the Nigerian Navy (NN) during the
eight-year administration of President
Muhammadu Buhari.
The Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval
Headquarters, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba,
said this in a statement on Friday.
Garba said the ships comprise
Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship
Transport, Hydrographic Survey Vessels,
Seaward Defence Boats, Helicopters, as
well as, over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels
and Assault crafts.
He said as a result of Buhari’s
contribution to the development of
the NN during his administration, the
Navy was poised to give the president
a befitting Presidential Fleet Review
(PFR).
The PFR with the theme: ‘Fleet
Readiness for National Prosperity’ is
scheduled to be held in Lagos from May
19 to May 22.
The naval chief added that the
president also commissioned two
locally built ships in 2016 and in 2021,
respectively, and laid the keel for two
more, which would be ready by 2024.
“The PFR 2023 is therefore organised
in honour of Buhari, in recognition of
his generous contribution to the service
and the nation at large.
“It involves assemblage of ships and
other maritime assets at a designated Josias Musasa of Democratic Republic of Congo (M) with Sare Yacouba Stanley (R) from Senegal, during a feather weight category fight at the inauguration of 2023
area for the purpose of demonstrating Season of the African Knockout Championship, in Lagos, Friday Photo: NAN

Domestic equity market returns

loyalty and allegiance to the state.
“The review also provides an
avenue for the president to assess the
navy’s preparedness to meet statutory

to bullish run, gains N29bn

obligations in maritime security,
safety and defence within a global
collaborative approach,” he said.
The naval chief said the PFR-2023
exercise would involve 16 NN warships,
3 x AW109E NN helicopters and a mix By Amaka Ifeakandu to 52214.62 points from 52161.24 On the contrary, C&I Leasing valued at N10.980 billion in 5527
of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft. Lagos points recorded the previous day. topped losers chart during the day, deals against 477.371 million shares
Garba said the tenure of Buhari Analysis of the investment during shedding 9.86 per cent to close at cost N5.240 billion exchanged hands
marked a period of profound Trading activities on the floor of the day showed that N3.20 per share, Prestige insurance the previous day in 5539 deals.
transformation of the NN Fleet. Nigerian Exchange on Friday returned MRS Plc led gainers table in a trailed with a loss of 9.76 per cent Transactions in the shares of
He said the president demonstrated to a bullish run, appreciating by N29 percentage terms, appreciating by to close at N0.37 per share, Royal Fidelity Bank led activity chart
enormous political will in ensuring the billion as sell off in shares of Fidelity 9.93 per cent to close at N33.75 per Exchange down by 6.90 per cent to with 942.268 million shares valued
re-capitalisation of the NN Fleet, which Bank, AccessCorp, FBNHoldings and unit, Academy Press followed with a close at N0.54 per share, Courtvellle at N5.520 billion, AccessCorp
had become the pride of the Gulf of others lifted the equity market. gain of 9.87 per cent to close at N1.67 Business Solutions down by 6.52 per followed with account of 170.030
Guinea (GoG). Market capitalisation of listed per share, Ikeja Hotel added 9.86 cent to N0.43 per unit, Live Stock million shares cost N1.693 billion,
“Therefore, the PFR-2023 is equities appreciated by 0.10 per cent per cent to close at N1.56 per unit, Feeds fell by 6.42 per cent to close at FBNHoldings traded 81.120 million
in celebration of Mr. President’s to close the day at N28.431 trillion Transnational Corporation of Nigeria N1.02 per share. shares valued at N973.359 million,
commitment to strengthening the from N28.402 trillion reported the increased by 9.75 per cent to close Volume of trades during the day Alex exchange 36.049 million shares
nation’s naval assets and capability to previous day. at N2.59 per unit, Ardova Plc up by rose by 939,629 million, representing valued at N234.321 million while
project her instruments of maritime The NGX All Share Index also 9.09 per cent to close at N26.40 per an increase of 66.31 per cent as Mansard insurance traded 24.604
power for national prosperity.” appreciated by 53.38 basis points share. investors traded 1.417 billion shares million shares cost N60.900 million.

FG to end feeding of state inmates by Dec 2023

By Bode Olagoke of inmates nationwide. human relations are more complex, more than 90 per cent of inmates participate in any of our programmes.
Abuja Aregbesola also reiterated the need leading to higher crime rate and the in our facilities are state offenders. “Many of them have spent time in
for a comprehensive review of the need to keep some people behind It is important therefore that state detention longer than the maximum
The federal government has advised nation's criminal justice system in a bars. But we are addressing this governments begin to invest in sentence their alleged offence carries.
state governments to fully optimise bid to address the alarming figure of challenge with the construction of corrections. This predisposes them to violent
the recently signed constitutional inmates who are awaiting trial and six mega custodial centres in the six “It is even more important to conduct and they are the biggest
amendment to improve the condition languishing in jail. geopolitical zones of the country. reform the criminal justice system. source of the challenge of discipline
of inmates in custodial facilities He said this at the commissioning The ones in Kano and Abuja are I have been making the case and I and control we have at the custodial
across the country. of the Command Headquarters of ready and with regular funding, the will continue to do so, that 70 per centres. State governments should
This appeal was made by Minister the Nigerian Correctional Service remaining will be completed. cent of inmates are awaiting trial reform their justice administration
of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, (NCoS) in Owerri, the Imo state “It is also hoped that state and constitute the majority in our system by putting a cap on the
who argued that it will help to capital. governments will take advantage of facilities. The sad thing about this trial period and ensure swift
further decongest the custodial He said, “One big challenge we the constitution amendment recently is we cannot statutorily begin their administration of justice. This will
facilities which currently harbour have at Corrections is congestion, signed by President Muhammadu process of reformation because they eliminate the long period of trial and
state offenders who make up more especially at the urban centres where Buhari which makes corrections a are assumed to be innocent, except the perpetual detention of suspects
than 90 per cent of the total number the population density is high and concurrent affair. It is on record that for those who voluntarily wish to and the injustice this constitutes.”
 Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 Contact
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AHMAD IBOSIOLA Atsah TERALVAVESE WAIMAN Muhammed
I formerly known as AMADU I formerly known and addressed as I formerly known and addressed I formerly known as I formerly known as ZAINAB I, formerly known and addressed
IBRAHIM now wish to be CHRISTIANA ADEITE OLATERU as Hyacinth Atsh now wish JOSEPHINE TERALVAVESE NASIR now wish to be known as Muhammed Muhammed
known and address as AHMAD - OLAGBEGI now wish to be known to be known and addressed as HON now wish to be known and Omale, now wish to be known and
and addressed as CHRISTIANA and address as ZAINAB
IBRAHIM. All former documents ADEITE IBOSIOLA. All former Atsah Hon Hyacinth. All address as JOSEPHINE HON. USMAN BALA WAIMAN all
addressed as Omale Kingsley
remain valid. The authourities documents remain valid. The former documents remain valid. All former documents remain Muhammed. Former documents
concern and general public should authourities concern and the general The authourities concern and the valid. Authorities concern and former documents remain valid remain valid. Concerned authorities
take note public should take note general public should take note general public should take note general public should take note and general public take note.

A bubakar
AHUOIZA Akaam an E doh V irginia NANZIP
I formerly known and called I formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and addressed I formerly known as mark I formerly known and addressed as I formerly known as NANZIP
Nwachukwu Vigenia Chuwuemeka, NANZIP NIMSEL now wish
Aishatu garba now wish as MARIAM ISAH DAVID now as Zicco Terfa, now wish UFuoma hence forth wish to be DOB 15/11/1970, now wish to be known
to be known and addressed wish to be known and addressed to be known and addressed as known and addressed as mark and addressed as Nwachukwu Virginia
to be known and address as
as Aisha Abubakar. All as MARIYAM AHUOIZA Zico Tefa Akaaman. All UFuoma Edoh. All former Chukwuemeka with DOB as 09/09/1976. ZITTA NANZIP NIMSEL. All
former documents remain valid. ISAH. All former documents former documents remain valid. All documents bearing my former names former documents remain valid.
Concerned authorities and the remain valid. General public Concerned authorities and general documents remain valid please remain valid. First Bank and the general public Authorities concern and general
general public to please take note. should take note. public should please take note. take note. should please take note. public should take note

NASLEAR OKOH agbese hauwawu NGOZI P rince

I, formerly known and addressed as I formerly known as ESHIMUTU I formerly known as comfort I formerly known and addressed I formerly known and addressed as I formerly known and addressed
JATAU EMMANUEL, now wish to be OKAH EMMANUEL now wish to abah now wish to be known and as fatimo Abdullahi now HYGINUS OKERE NGOZICHUKWU as Blessing Eze now wish
known and addressed as NASLEAR be known and address as OKOH address as comfort agbese wish to be known and addressed now wish to be known and addressed to be known and addressed as
JOHN EMMANUEL. All former EMMANUEL ESHIMUTU all all former documents remain
as hauwawu Abdullahi. All as HYGINUS OKERE NGOZI. All Mabel Prince. All former
documents remain valid, authorities former documents remain valid. former documents remain valid. The former documents remain valid. documents remain valid.
concern and general should please UBA bank and general public valid. Authorities concern and management of First Bank Plc and Authorities concern and the general Authorities concern and the
take note. should take note general public should take note the general public to take note. public to take note. general public to take note.

SULEIMAN ESTHER HAUWA AISHA YUSUF MUBARAK

I was formally known and called I formerly known as ESTHER I formerly known as HAUWA I formerly known as AISHATU I formerly known and called YUSUF I formerly known and called
SALISU SILEMAN SULE Now BOSE AFOLABI now wish to be MUHAMMAD now wish to MUSTAPHA MUSA now wish AHAMED ABDULHADI & YUSUF MUBARAK AHMAD now wish
be called and addressed ABDULHADI now wish to be to be known and addressed as
I wish to be known and called called and addressed as ESTHER to be called and addressed as known and addressed as YUSUF
SULEIMAN SALIHU. All former BIMPE AFOLABI. All documents as HAUWA MUHAMMAD AISHA MUSA. All documents UMAR ABDULHADI. All former MUBARAK AHMAD YAKUBU.
BASHIR. All documents remain documents remain valid. Concerned All former documents remain valid.
documents remain valid. Authority remain valid, authorities concern valid, authorities concern and remain valid. Authorities concern Concerned authorities and the
authorities and the general public to
Concern to take note. and public to note. public to note. and General public to note. please take note. general public to please take note.

MIKA Kaltume Muhamm ed A deribigbe RESHAMA AGWAZA

I formerly known and called I formerly known and called as a d I formerly known as jibrin I formerly known as AbdulAzeez I formerly known as ILIYA I formerly known as TERAVER
MIKAIL KAYYU BADAMASI now abubakar kaltume and know Buhari. now wish to be Roheemat Omolara now GODWIN SHEKWOLO now JANET YAJI now wish to
wish to be known and addressed as want to be known and address as called and addressed as jibrin wish to be known and addressed wish to be known and addressed be known and addressed as
MIKA BADAMASI ALI. All former kaltume a d abubakar all Muhammed Buhari. as Aderibigbe Roheemat as RESHAMA GODWIN ILIYA. AGWAZA TERAVER JANET.
documents remain valid. Concerned former documents remaid valid All documents remain valid, Omolara AbdulAzeez. Former Former document remain valid. Former document remain valid.
authorities and the general public to concerned authority and general authorities concern and public to document remain valid. EKSU, UNITY Concerned authorities and Concerned authorities and general
please take note. public to take note . note. BANK and general public to take note. general public to take note. public to take note.

MDURVWA BWALAMGA M ALAWODE TYOLUMUN labaran OGERE

I formerly known as AYUBA I formerly known as I formerly known as ELIZABETH I formerly known as APENONGUN I formerly known as Muritala I formerly known as SHEGUN
ALFA now wish to be known and BWALAMGAM SANDRA DIRAH OPEYEMI now wish to be known SOLOMON TYOLUMUNGA now Abdulkarim now wish to GLORY OGERE Now wish to be
addressed as AYUBA ALPHA now wish to be known and and addressed as ALAWODE wish to be known and addressed be called and addressed as known and addressed as JOHN
MDURVWA. Former document addressed as BWALAM SANDRA. ELIZABETH OPEYEMI. as APENONGUN SOLOMON murtala abdulkarim GLORY OGERE. All former
remain valid. Concerned Former document remain valid. Former document remain valid. TYOLUMUN. Former document labaran. All documents documents remain valid, Authorities
authorities and general public to Concerned authorities and general Concerned authorities and remain valid. Concerned authorities remain valid, authorities concern concerned and general public should
take note. public to take note. general public to take note. and general public to take note. and public to note. please take note

MOHAMMED KASIM WARIPEREMO kassim LEGAL NOTICE

I formerly known and called I formerly known and called I, formerly known and addressed as I formerly known and addressed as IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NIGER STATE OF NIGERIA
MOHAMMED ADAMU HUSSINI MASHKUR KAZEEM now wish EPINI, THOMAS now wish to be abiola omotunde ahmed, IN THE HIGH COURT OF NIGER STATE PROBATE DIVISION
now wish to be known and to be known and addressed known and addressed as EPINI, now wish to be known and addressed
IN THE MATTERS OF: KADIR MUSA, ARIEMEREBI MOSES, DAVID OKONKWO,
addressed as ANAS AHMED. All as MASHKUR KASIM. All THOMAS WARIPEREMO. All as abiola omotunde kassim.
JACOB ELAIKWU, AWYEBWI AWYEKNA, DAVID DANLADI AND DANLADI GARBA
former documents remain valid. former documents remain valid. former documents remain valid, All former document remains valid.
WHEREAS the person/persons whose names are set out in the first column hereunder died interstate on the date and at
Concerned authorities and the Concerned authorities and the The general public should please Authority concerned and the general
place in the said column.
general public to please take note. general public to please take note. take note public should please take note.
AND WHEREAS the person/persons whose addressed claimed relationship to the said deceased is/are set out in the second

NURADDEEN
column hereunder have applied to the High Court of Justice Kaduna State for a grant of “letters of administration” of the
personal property of the said deceased.
LEGAL NOTICE I was formally known and called NURA YUSUF Now I wish NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the “letter of administration” will be granted thereof is filed in the probate registry, High Court
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE of Justice Kaduna State within twenty-one days from the date of publication of this notice.
KADUNA STATE OF NIGERIA to be known and called NURADDEEN YUSUF. All former
documents remain valid. Authority Concern to take note. SCHEDULE
PROBATE DIVISION DECEASED ADDRESSES: APPLICANTS FOR GRANT:
1. KADIR MUSA 1. Usman Musa Kadir and Jamila Musa
WHEREAS the person/persons whose names are set out in the first column hereunder died interstate on
Late of MINNA who died
Loss of document
the date and at place in the said column. Kadir
on the 27th day of March, 2022 at Old Airport Road Limawa Area Minna,
AND WHEREAS the person/persons whose addressed claimed relationship to the said deceased is/are set MINNA. Niger State of Nigeria.
out in the second column hereunder have applied to the High Court of Justice Kaduna State for a grant of
“letters of administration” of the personal property of the said deceased. I, Eze Joe at No 46 Ajeso Adesun 2. ARIEMEREBI MOSES

The lawful SON AND WIDOW of the deceased.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the “letter of administration” will be granted thereof is filed in the probate Street Utako, Jabi, FCT, Abuja hereby Late of MINNA who died on the
30th day of December, 2021 at
2. Oghenekevwe Ariemerebi
states that I lost my land document
registry, High Court of Justice Kaduna State within twenty-one days from the date of publication of this St. John Church Chanchaga,
notice. MINNA.
Minna Niger State of Nigeria.

DECEASED ADDRESSES:
SCHEDULE
APPLICANTS FOR GRANT:
within central area in Abuja the 3. DAVID OKONKWO
The lawful SON of the deceased.
Late of MINNAwho died on the
TALATU DAVID EDWARD DAVID AND THOMPSON DAVID
Late of Ministry of Health, Kaduna State of No. 58, of No. 58, Ikulu Road, UNG. Matari, S/Tasha,
Original Terms of Grant/Conveyance of 9th day of October, 2022 at 3. Justina Amaka Chukwu
Tunga Lowcost Minna,
Ikulu Road, UNG. Matari, S/Tasha, Kaduna. Kaduna. Approval with serial number 000248 REF MINNA.
Niger State of Nigeria.

NO. MFCT/LA/DT 1197 dated 10/10/00

Deceased who died on the 12th day of February, The lawful Sons of the said deceased. The lawful WIDOW of the deceased.
4. JACOB ELAIKWU
2019. At General Hospital, Kagarko, Kaduna.
for plot number 907/44 within Jabi Late of AGWARA who died on the
18th day of July, 2015 at
4. Patience Jacob and Blessing
Onyemowo
MURTALA JAAFARU ZUBAIRU (ESQ) District, Abuja. All effort made to ILORIN. Anguwan Zakara Along Keffi Road,
Nassarawa State of Nigeria.
trace and recover the said documents
PROBATE REGISTRAR
PROBATE REGISTRY
HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE 5. AWYEBWI AWYEKNA The lawful DAUGHTER AND SISTER of the
KADUNA, KADUNA STATE. proved abortive. General public should Late of MINNA who died deceased.
on the 15th day of March, 2021 at
take note. MINNA.
5. Jeremiah Ayuba and Hassana Ayuba
Korokpa Area Chanchaga Area Minna,
Niger State of Nigeria.
LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE 6. DAVID DANLADI The lawful CHILDREN of the deceased.
Late of BOYI MADAKI who died on the
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION 22nd day of September, 2021 at 6. Progress David and Gladys Shagaya
BIRNIN KEBBI, KEBBI STATE NIGERIAN MODEL HIGH SCHOOL 89SET, OLD STUDENT ASSOCIATION. (NMHS 89SET) SABON WUSE. Boyi Madaki Village in Gurara L.G.A.,
Minna Niger State of Nigeria.
Whereas the person whose name is set out in the first column here under died THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE
CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘F’ OF THE COMPANIES AND
date and place stated in the said column. Whereas the person whose address had ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020. 7. DANLADI GARBA
The lawful SON AND WIDOW of the deceased.
claimed relationship with the said deceased is set in the second column here under Late of MINNA who died on the
TRUSTEES 7. Rukaya Danladi and Hafsat Danladi
has applied to the High Court of Justice for GRANT OF LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION 1. Awonuga Ramon Adekunle (Chairman & trustee) 2nd day of July, 2022 at
of the personal property. 2. Odetunde Lukumon Olawale (secretary & trustee) MOKWA. Maikunkele Area Minna,
Notice is hereby given that the said LETTER OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted 3. Shittu Helen Edokhamen (treasurer & trustee) Minna Niger State of Nigeria.
4. Okusanya Sunday Olanrewaju (trustee)
to such person unless a notice to prohibit the grant there of is filed in the Probate 5. Raheem Lukumon Omolaja (trustee)
Registry High Court of Justice Birnin Kebbi, within TWENTY-ONE DAYS from the date The lawful WIDOW AND DAUGHTER of the
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
of publication of this notice. 1. To develop and keep social contacts among the Alumni of the School, alive, active deceased.
SCHEDULE and serve as a forum to promote and foster the relationship between the alumni,
Name and DECEASED ADDRESSES: Applicant Name and Address:
present students, the staff and the school management. DATED THIS 14TH DAY OF MAY, 2023.
2. To establish and encourage healthy academic, social and cultural atmosphere
NOMATTI BAGUDU ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI among the members of the Alumni. (NASIRU MU’AZU)
POWER HOLDING COMPANY. C/O DISTRICT HEAD OF ZURU 3. To promote the togetherness and progress of the school by seeing to the affairs
PROBATE REGISTRAR
BIRNIN KEBBI BUSSINESS UNIT of the school as an association. THE PROBATE REGISTRAR,
KEBBI STATE 4. To advance the academic culture of the school by instituting and awarding
KEBBI STATE. Dated at Birnin Kebbi on the 09TH MAY, scholarships, stipends for students and teachers respectivelym HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE, MINNA
Who died on the 27TH MARCH, 2022 2023 5. To provide information of employment opportunities and support whatever NIGER STATE OF NIGERIA.
possible.
Dated at Birnin Kebbi on the 09TH MAY, 2023
EBIAGBEERE
ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,
CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,
SIGNED MAITAMA, ABUJA, NIGERIA. WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.
HUSSAINI ABDULLAHI Signed: I formerly known and called CABLE SHEDRAK now wish to be known and addressed as
Chief R SECRETARY to CABLE SHEDRACK EBIAGBEERE. All former documents remain valid. Concerned
egistrar
authorities and the general public to please take note.
Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 weekend 29

ABUBAKAR NNENNA Shaibu Ngunengen Manga OJOACHEONE

I formerly known as ABUBAKAR I formerly known as OZIOKO I formerly known as Happiness I formerly known as Wonuv Christiana I formerly known as Restor I formerly known as SHIABU MIRACLE
NURADDIN MUHAMM now wish to be CHARITY NNENNA now wish to Elizabeth Innocent now Ngunengen now wish to be known and Amanga Godiya now wish SOLOMON, SOLOMON MIRACLE,
known and addressed as NURADDEEN be known and addressed as MRS wish to be known and addressed addressed as Akaamaa Christiana to be known and addressed as MIRACLE SOLOMON and MIRACLE S.
MUHAMMAD ABUBAKAR. All former OBETTA CHARITY NNENNA. All as Happiness maria Shaibu Ngunengen. My DoB: 13/11/2004 not Jushua Risto Manga All SHAIBU now wish to be known and addressed
as SHAIBU MIRACLE OJOACHEONE. All
documents remain valid, authorities former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid, 13/11/2002 All former documents remain former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid, authorities
concern and the general public should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general valid, authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general concern and the general public should please
please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. take note.

KEZIAH KWENTERE JOHN Mercy Esther JUMMAI

I formerly known as JIBRIN I formerly known as ABERSHI I formerly known as CHRISTOPHER I formerly known as Elijile I formerly known as Adeniyi I formerly known as SOPHIA
KEZIAH USOMYENKU now JOSEPH. K. now wish to JOHN DANA now wish to be known Midwife Mercy as contained in Adefunke Eshter now wish to be MAKERI JUMMAI now wish to be
wish to be known and addressed be known and addressed as and addressed as CHRISTOPHER my Bank Verification Number, now wish known and addressed as Olatunde known and addressed as SAFIYA
as YOHANNA KEZIAH All ABERSHI JOSEPH KWENTERE JOHN All former documents remain to be known and addressed as Elijile Adefunke Esther All former ABDULKAREEM JUMMAI All
former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid, valid, authorities concern and the Mercy All former documents remain documents remain valid, UBA & GT former documents remain valid,
authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general general public should please take valid, authorities concern and the general Bank, authorities concern and the authorities concern and the general
public should please take note. public should please take note. note. public should please take note. general public should please take note. public should please take note.

DANIEL CHINYERE NATHANIEL OSHEIZA BABAJI CORRECTION. OF. NAME

I formerly known as MICHELLE I formerly known as EJIOFOR I formerly known as KAJO NATHIEL I formerly known as RASHIDAT I formerly known as SUNDAY BABA, I formerly known as FAITH.
CHINYAM now wish to be known FAITH CHINYERE now wish now wish to be known and addressed ABDULRAHEEM O. now wish to be Wrong DoB: 07-08-1998 now wish to IFEJIRO. FRACIS now wish
and addressed as MICHELLE to be known and addressed as as KAJO SUNDAY NATHANIEL. known and addressed as RASHIDAT be known and addressed as SUNDAY to be known and addressed as
DANIEL All former documents EJIMAOFOR FAITH CHINYERE D.O.B: 25/05/1980 and not 11/07/1991 ABDULRAHEEM OSHEIZA. All former BABAJI, Correct DoB: 02-06-1984. FAITH. EJIRO. FRANCIS All
remain valid, authorities concern All former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid, documents remain valid, authorities All former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid,
and the general public should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general concern and the general public should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general
please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note.

Ugoh Muhammad Ali UWA DUBEM JOSHUA

I formerly known as Abu Ugoh I formerly known as Mahmud I formerly known as Garba Ali I formerly known as UWA ISI I formerly known as OKEKE I formerly known as MARY J.
Regina peace Iwantto now Dahiru now wish to be known kachako now wish to be known ROSE now wish to be known CHIDUBEM BRIGHT now wish GADO now wish to be known
wish to be known and addressed and addressed as Tasiu and addressed as Garba Ali All and addressed as ISI UWA. All to be known and addressed as and addressed as MARY GADO
as Regina Peace Ugoh All thaheer Muhammad All former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid, CHIEMERIE WILLIAMS DUBEM JOSHUA All former documents
former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid, remain valid, authorities concern
authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general and the general public should
public should please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. please take note.

Barde RABIU BLESSING EKOTAFIA HAPPY KEVWE

I formerly known as Sale I formerly known as ZANGINA RABIU I formerly known as Mr I formerly known as As Miss I formerly known as SALIU That during my Bvn registration, my
Abubakar Barde now wish now wish to be known and addressed OHWEGUERE BLESSING now OKPOTILI GLORY EKOTAFIA now HAPPY now wish to be known surname was wrongly entered as
to be known and addressed as as ZANGINA RABIU MOHAMMED. wish to be known and addressed wish to be known and addressed as and addressed as OYARELEMHI PHILLIP instead of PHILIP. That my full
Abubakar Lago Barde. All ZANGINA RABIU MOHAMMED & as Mr DICKSON BLESSING. OKPOMOR GLORY EKOTAFIA To SALIU HAPPY. All former and correct name is PHILIP KEVWE. All
former documents remain valid, ZANGINA RABIU is one and the same To Whom It May Concern & The Whom It May Concern & The General documents remain valid. General former documents remain valid. General
authorities concern and the general person, authorities concern and the General Public Should Take Note. Public Should Take Note. All Other public, banks and concerned public, banks and concerned institution
public should please take note. general public should please take note. All Other Documents Remain Valid. Documents Remain Valid. institution should please take note. should please take note.

Elijah KABIR ugoh JOSEPH GLORIA ADAMU

I formerly known as Remere I formerly known as SULAIMAN I formerly known as Abu-Ugoh I, Formerly known and addressed I, Formerly known and addressed I, Formerly known and addressed
Oritsegbubemi Elijah now wish KABIR OLAYIWOLA now wish Regina Peace now wish to as JOSEPH COMFORT as EBENEZER CHIDIMMA as YAHYA HAJARA now wish
to be known and addressed as Remere to be known and addressed be known and addressed as MAIRABO now wish to be known GLORIA now wish to be known to be known and addressed as
Gbubemi Elijah. All former as SULAIMAN KABIR. All Regina Peace ugoh. All and addressed as COMFORT and addressed as EBENEZER YAHYA HAJARA ADAMU. All
documents remain valid. General public, former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid, JOSEPH. All former documents GLORIA. All former documents former documents remain Valid.
banks and concerned institution should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general remain Valid. General public should remain Valid. General public should General public should take note
please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. take note take note

EKUMA AGBOR MUHAMMAD Correction of name KIKELOMO LINDA

I, formerly known and addressed I, formerly known and addressed as I formerly known and addressed as This is to certify that during account I formerly known as ROM RASHEED I formerly known as JAFARU
as PAULINUS EKUMA now MISS OKPA, ROSE AGARA now ABDULLAHI MUHAMMAD, now wish opening my name was wrongly captured NAFISAT now wish to be known and AMIRAT LYNDA now wish to be
wish to be known and addressed wish to be known and addressed to be known, Called and addressed as Akaninyene, Offiong instead addressed as RASHEED NAFISAT known and addressed as SUNDAY
as OFOKE, PAULINUS EKUMA. as MRS. MGBE, ROSE AGBOR. as ABDULLAHI MUHAMMAD of Offiong, Offiong Akaniyene KIKELOMO. All former documents LINDA. All former documents
All former documents bearing my All former documents bearing my MUHAMMAD, all former documents which is my correct name. All former remain valid, authorities concern and remain valid, authorities concern
former name remain valid. General former name remain valid. General remain valid,All authorities concerned documents remains valid. General public the general public should please take and the general public should
public take note. public take note. and General public please take note. take note. note. please take note.

MICHAEL BAWA BAWA CORRECTION OF NAME BASSEY USMAN

I formerly known as MERCY I formerly known as AWAL I formerly known and addressed That during BVN registration my name was I, formerly known and addressed I formerly known as USMAN
OZIOHU ABDULSALAM now DALA now wish to be known and as MUHAMMADU MAKERA wrongly captured as AMO AONDOWASE as MRS. ELIZABETH ADAMS FATIMA now wish to be known
wish to be known and addressed BAWA Now wish to be known UVANDE instead of AMO AONDOAWASE. CHINWO now wish to be and addressed as MUHAMMAD
addressed as AWAL BAWA. All Henceforth wish to be known as AMO
as MERCY OZIOHU MICHAEL. former documents remain valid, and addressed as MUHAMMADU AONDOAWASE. My correct date of birth is
known and addressed as Miss FATIMA USMAN. All former
All former documents remain valid, BAWA. All former documents 23/4/1982. All former documents remain valid. ELIZABETH OKON BASSEY. All documents remain valid, authorities
authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general remain valid authority concerned former documents remains valid. concern and the general public
public should please take note. All Authorities Concerned and the general
public should please take note. and general public take note public to take note General public take note. should please take note.

ODU ISAH CHUKUSA MERCY ODESANMI Benson

I formerly known as AKAM I formerly known as BADIYYA I formerly known as NWOKOCHA I formerly known as MUSA I formerly known as KEMI I formerly known as Benson
ROBERT now wish to be known ISAH now wish to be known and ANTHONY now wish to be known NAOMI now wish to be known GRACE ODESANMI. now wish Abraham Okpa now wish to be
and addressed as AKAM ROBERT addressed as BADIYA ISAH. All and addressed as NWOKOCHA and addressed as MUSA NAOMI to be known and addressed as known and addressed as Abam,
ODU. All former documents remain former documents remain valid, ANTHONY CHUKUSA. All MERCY. All former documents AYANKEMI GRACE ODESANMI. Abraham Okpa Benson. All
valid, authorities concern and the former documents remain valid, remain valid, authorities concern All former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid,
general public should please take authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general and the general public should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general
note. public should please take note. public should please take note. please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note.

yunus ISHAQ ADAMU AYUBA Muhammad Chind

I formerly known as Bilkisu I formerly known as MAIGARI I formerly known as ADAMU I formerly known as DANYARO I formerly known as Binta I formerly known as Aminu
sulaiman now wish to be AHMADU ISAHQ now wish SULAIMON SULEMAN now wish AYUBA now wish to be known and Ahmad Muhammad now wish Chindo Kano now wish to
known and addressed as Bilkisu to be known and addressed as to be known and addressed as addressed as MUHAMMAD YERO to be known and addressed as be known and addressed as
yunus. All former documents MAIGARI AHMADU ISHAQ. All DANJUMA SULAIMAN ADAMU. AYUBA All former documents Fatima Ahmad Muhammad. Muhammad Aminu Chindo.
remain valid, authorities concern former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid, remain valid, authorities concern All former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid,
and the general public should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general and the general public should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general
please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note.

ADAM Musa Ummar Yahaya SUNDAY SANI

I formerly known as ISMAIL I formerly known as Kabiru I formerly known as SANI Umar I formerly known as Nafisa I formerly known as LOVETH I formerly known as SANI
ADO & ADO ISMAILA ALHAJI Shehu now wish to be known and now wish to be known and Adam now wish to be known NGOZI SUNDAY now wish to be ADAMU now wish to be known
now wish to be known and addressed as Kabiru Shehu addressed as SANI Ummar All and addressed as Nafisa Adam known and addressed as NGOZI and addressed as MOHAMMED
addressed as ISMAIL ADAM. All Musa. All former documents former documents remain valid, Yahaya All former documents SUNDAY All former documents ADAMU SANI. All former
former documents remain valid, remain valid, authorities concern remain valid, authorities concern remain valid, authorities concern documents remain valid, authorities
authorities concern and the general and the general public should authorities concern and the general and the general public should and the general public should concern and the general public
public should please take note. please take note. public should please take note. please take note. please take note. should please take note.

GARGA BANATI ALABA SEWUESE BITRUS JAMES

I formerly known as ALIYU I formerly known as BENET I formerly known as ALABA I formerly known as MISS. MERABA
I formerly known as ANTHONY I formerly known as STEPHEN
RUFAU now wish to be known MANDELA now wish to be known OLUWATOYIN now wish to be COMFORT SEWUESE now wish to
GOODNESS CHIOMA now wish GALADIMA JAMES now wish
and addressed as ALIM RUFAU and addressed as MANDELA known and addressed as DAVID be known and addressed as MRS.
to be called and addressed as to be called and addressed
GARGA All former documents BANATI. All former documents OLUWATOYIN ALABA. All AKAAHENDA COMFORT SEWUESE.
BITRUS GOODNESS CHIOMA. as STEPHEN GALADIMA.
remain valid, authorities concern remain valid, authorities concern former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid,
All documents remain valid, All documents remain valid,
and the general public should and the general public should authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general
authorities concern and public to authorities concern and public to
please take note. please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note.
note. note.

KENECHI ADEOYE DAVID Muhammed TIJJANI MICHAEL

I formerly known as EZE ELISHA I formerly known as BUSAYO I formerly known as TOM I formerly known as Yusuf I was formerly known as MARYAM I formerly known and address
KENECHUKWU now wish to RUTH ADEKANOLA now wish CHRISTIANA SUNDAY now Mohammed now wish to ANIKE ABDULRAZEEZ wish as RHODA PANGA, now wish
be known and addressed as to be known and addressed as wish to be known and addressed be known and addressed as to be known as MARYAM to be known and address as
EZE ELISHA KENECHI. All RUTH BUSAYO ADEOYE. All as TOM CHRISTIANA DAVID. Yusuf Muhammed. All RHODA MICHAEL PANGA. My
ABDULRAZAK TIJJANI. All DOB:14/06/1969. All former
former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid, former documents remain valid. document remain valid Authority
authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general The general public, please take concern and general public please take
public should please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. public should please take note. note. note..

NKAN NGUSEER MOHAMMED DANLAMI sagai KUKO

I formerly known as MISS. I formerly known as MISS. I formerly known and addressed I formerly known and addressed as I formerly known and called I formerly known and addressed
OWAN BASSY NKAN now wish TERWASE JANET NGUSEER now as IBRAHIM CHIPA now wish MUSTAPHA DANLADI ABDULMALIK Justine James sagai now as PATER KUKO NDACHE now
to be known and addressed as wish to be known and addressed as to be known and addressed now wish to be known and addressed wish to be known and addressed wish to be known and addressed
MRS. CHIEVE BASSY NKAN. MRS. AGUDU JANET NGUSEER. as IBRAHIM MOHAMMED as MUSTAPHA DANLAMI as Justine James . All former as PETER NDACHE. All former
All former documents remain valid, All former documents remain valid, YAHAYA all former document ABDULMALIK. All former documents documents remain valid. Concerned
authorities and the general public to documents remain valid. General
authorities concern and the general authorities concern and the general remain valid general public to remain valid. Access bank and general
public should please take note. public should please take note. please take note public should take note. please take note. public should take note.
30 | BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023

Messi returns for PSG’s

match against Ajaccio
Lionel Messi is in line Gulf kingdom. Why I always used my Strasbourg bid to continue
to return for Paris Saint- Messi, who turns 36 next Rosary while keeping – their late-season resurgence
Germain for Saturday’s month, will sign a “huge” Vanzekin against Nice as the visit of
Ligue 1 game at home to contract with an as-yet- Fans fume over reported relegated Angers provides
Ajaccio after a club-imposed unnamed club, a source close Ighalo sale for Messi third-placed Marseille the
suspension for going on an to the negotiations told AFP Messi’s PSG stint ends on ideal chance to bounce back
unauthorised trip to Saudi this week. acrimonious note from defeat at Lens.
Arabia. “Messi is a done deal. He “If the club had wanted to
The seven-time Ballon will play in Saudi Arabia renew his contract, it would One to watch: Elye Wahi
d’Or winner sat out last next season,” said the source, have been done earlier,” said The 20-year-old striker
weekend’s win at Troyes after speaking on condition of a PSG source. became the first player to score
missing a training session anonymity. Lens can close the gap at four times for Montpellier
to fulfil commitments in “The contract is the top to three points if they in a Ligue 1 game in last
his role as a Saudi tourism exceptional. It’s huge. We beat Reims on Friday, but the weekend’s extraordinary 5-4
ambassador. are just finalising some small title remains PSG’s to lose loss at Lyon.
The Argentine later details,” added the source, with their four remaining The France Under-21
apologised to the club and who is not authorised to fixtures against sides in the international has netted
his teammates and resumed speak to the media. bottom half. 17 goals for the campaign,
training with PSG on PSG have yet to confirm Upcoming opponents pulling to within four of
Monday, but his time at the the departure, while Messi’s Ajaccio are destined for an Olivier Giroud’s club record
Parc des Princes is coming to father and agent Jorge insists immediate return to Ligue 2 set during Montpellier’s title-
a sad end. the World Cup winner has having won just once in 13 winning season in 2011-12.
After two uninspiring not decided where he will matches, with three of the It hasn’t been a seamless
years in France, Messi looks play next season. four relegation spots all but route to the top for Wahi,
set to play in Saudi Arabia But it appears certain his decided. who was kicked out of
next season as part of a stint at PSG will conclude Auxerre, in 16th, are Caen’s academy before nearly
blockbuster deal that would in June after the club hopes fighting to avoid suffering the joining
see him follow arch-rival to celebrate a record 11th same fate as Ajaccio and take Rennes, but greater
Messi Cristiano Ronaldo to the French league crown. on Brest, the team directly things lie ahead for a player

Falconets coach Danjuma

above them in the standings. increasingly in demand.

picks Ajakaye, Onyenezide,

Sebastine for WAFU B tourney
Head Coach Chris Danjuma has selected midfielders tournament at the Baba Yara Stadium on Saturday, 20
Taiwo Afolabi and Esther Onyenezide, and forwards May before FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists Nigeria
Flourish Sebastine and Opeyemi Ajakaye in Nigeria’s take on Niger Republic and Burkina Faso tango with Togo
20-woman squad for the forthcoming WAFU B U20 on Sunday, 21 May.
Women Tournament taking place in Kumasi, Ghana. The Falconets will then play Togo on 24 May, also at the
Danjuma, who steered the Nigerian girls to the last Baba Yara Stadium, before trading tackles with Burkina
eight of last year’s World Cup in Costa Rica, has also Faso Paa Joe Stadium on Sunday, 28 May.
picked goalkeeper Inyene Etim, defenders Comfort
Folorunsho and Jumoke Alani, midfielders Chioma Olise FALCONETS FOR WAFU B U20 WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT
and Blessing Emmanuel, and forwards Omowunmi Bello Goalkeepers: Inyene Etim, Shukura Bakare, Chinyere
and Goodness Osigwe. Mgbechi
Afolabi, Folorunsho, Ajakaye and Emmanuel were in Defenders: Jumoke Alani, Oluchi Ohaegbulem,
the Nigeria U17 girls’ team that won the bronze medals at Chidinma Ogbuchi, Comfort Folorunsho, Blessing
last year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in India. Okpe, Monica Ameh
This year’s tournament, scheduled for 20 May – 4 June, Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi, Chioma Olise, Chinyere
pits the Falconets in Group B against the U20 girls of Kalu, Esther Onyenezide, Blessing Emmanuel
Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Togo. Hosts Ghana Forwards: Shukurat Oladipo, Goodness Osigwe,
will confront the U20 girls of Benin Republic and Cote Flourish Sebastine, Omowunmi Bello, Opeyemi Ajakaye,
d’Ivoire in Group A. Judith Okah
Ghana and Benin Republic will lift the curtain on the Danjuma

PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE
CENTRE FOR GOSPEL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF ZAMFARA STATE OF NIGERIA
KADUNA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE HIGH COURT OF ZAMFARA STATE PROBATE DIVISION

PROBATE DIVISION WHEREAS THE person/persons whose name(s) is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date at
CAC/IT/NO 30785 WHEREAS the person/persons whose names are set out in the first column hereunder died interstate on
the place stated in the column and WHEREAS the person/persons whose name, address and claimed relationship
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED to the deceased person/persons is set out in the second column hereunder has applied to the high court of justice
the date and at place in the said column. Zamfara for grant of LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of property(ies) of the said deceased therefore, NOTICE IS
ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR HEREBY GIVEN that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION will be granted to such person/persons unless NOTICE TO
REMOVAL AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES UNDER PART”F”OF THE COMPANIES AND WHEREAS the person/persons whose addressed claimed relationship to the said deceased is/are set PROHIBIT the grant thereof is filed in the PROBATE REGISTRY High Court of Justice Zamfara within TWENTY-ONE (21)
AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2020 out in the second column hereunder have applied to the High Court of Justice Kaduna State for a grant of DAYS from the date of publication of this notice.
“letters of administration” of the personal property of the said deceased.
SCHEDULE
THE TRUSTEES ARE: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the “letter of administration” will be granted thereof is filed in the probate
1.THE MOST REV. DR. BENJAMIN ARGAK KWASHI - RETAINED
DECEASED ADDRESSES: Applicant Name and Address
registry, High Court of Justice Kaduna State within twenty-one days from the date of publication of this 1) SHAWUKI SHEHU.
2. VEN. NOEL PETER BEWARANG - REMOVED 1) BASHIRU SHEHU YALWA
notice.
OF NIGERIA POLICE FORCE ZAMFARA STATE, YAWURI ILLELA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT KEBBI
3. LADY GLORIA ARGAK KWASHI - RETAINED
4. BARR. YUSUF PAM - RETAINED SCHEDULE WHO DIED ON 18/01/2023 AT FMC GUSAU. STATE, ELDER BROTHER OF THE DECEASED
5. DR (MRS) BOSE TOMA- RETAINED DECEASED ADDRESSES: APPLICANTS FOR GRANT:
LATE: RABI’U UMAR 2) HUSSAINA USMAN 2) HASSAN USMAN
6. DR. (MRS) CAROLINE BEARG - RETAINED YUSUF RABI’U
Of N.A.M.A. Katsina OF FMC GUSAU, WHO DIED ON 29/03/2023 AT OF YANMANGWORORA BYE PASS GUSAU, THE
7. PROF. ELIJAH SOKOMBO - RETAINED of Sabuwar Abuja Qtrs, Kankia L.G.A. Katsina
A.B.U TEACHING HOSPITAL ZARIA ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DECEASED
Died on 3rd March, 2023 at Kankia
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE REMAIN THE SAME Son of the said deceased
???
3) ANIH JOHN OGOCHUKWU 3) ANIH BLESSING
OF TSAKUWA AREA T/MAFARA, WHO DIED ON OF TSAKUWA AREA T/MAFARA, THE
Any objection to this application should be forwarded to the Registrar-General
Cooperate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street DATED THIS 12TH MAY, 2023 07/05/2020 AT T/MAFARA ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DECEASED
Maitama Abuja, within 28 days from the date of this publication. AT THE PROBATE REGISTRY, DATED THIS DAY 12TH MAY, 2023
HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE KATSINA. (SIRAJO GARBA ALIYU)
Signed: (NURADDEEN EL-LADAN AHMAD) PROBATE REGISTRAR
SECRETARY PROBATE REGISTRAR HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE ZAMFARA STATE OF NIGERIA
 Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 BLUEPRINT WEEKEND Like us on: facebook: blueprint.ng
twitter: @blueprintngr instagram: @blueprintNigeria |31

Bits
FWA names Sports development: Nigeria can FG earmarks N2.4bn for
Haaland EPL construction of national

footballer of witness economic boom if... - Okoro sports medicine, high

performance centre
Mr Chidi Okoro, a sports enthusiast and Founder/Executive Infusing efficient football development into

the year Consultant of Drugs and Medicaments Nigeria Limited, teaches

Strategy at Lagos Business School.
Nigeria's economic value chain
Sports can contribute to fix our
forex issues. If we can groom and ex-
He spoke on varrying sporting issues during 2023 Bayern Munich port 200+ football talent every year.
Norway football star Erling Haaland Nigeria Youth Cup which held in Enugu. Imagine the ROI for the individuals,
has emerged the footballer of the their families and Nigeria . Look at
Excerpts...
year for the 2022-23 English Premier what Brazil is doing.
League (EPL) season, with four match- Sports eg Football can be used as a
es to go. Nigeria's sports development - Yesterday and platform to market Nigeria as a coun-
His emergence followed the choice Today Getting willing football fans back to the try. Think about what the likes of Jay-
of Football Writers' Association (FWA) stadia jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Rashidi
through their votes. Complicated really. We seem to have This is tricky. First, do we know why Yekini have and are doing for Nigeria’s
At the moment, Haaland has the ‘raw’ talent but don’t put in the ef- the fans stay away from our stadia? I image. The Federal Executive Council (FEC)
scored 51 massive goals for Manchester fort to harness them. And as the saying suggest we don’t assume we know. has approved the sum of N2.4 billion
City in just one season in all competi- for the construction of a new National
goes, talent is not enough.Our public Perhaps, we need some study to un- Drawbacks for Nigeria's sports sector Sports Medicine and High Performance
tions to mark his debut at the EPL. and private sector ‘leaders’ don’t seem cover that. Which fans? What are they There are many reasons from where Centre inside the Moshood Abiola Na-
The Norway international who to appreciate what we can accomplish watching? I sit. First, I doubt we appreciate the tional Stadium, Abuja
joined the Premier League champi- by providing the environment for Just off the top of my head, I think opportunity in sports, when we do, Minister of Sports and Youth Devel-
ons from Borussia Dortmund in a sports to thrive and become one of our we can bring some creativity to it. we will go for it. Second, we tend to opment, Mr. Sunday Dare, who made
deal worth £51m last summer, broke platforms for development. The issue Turning this around will desire a think it’s government’s responsibility. the disclosure on Wednesday while
the record for most goals in a Premier is, we don’t have the capability to ap- great deal of thinking and investment. Government has a role for sure but briefing State House Correspondents
League campaign with 35 goals com- preciate the importance of sports and Can we involve our music, comedy it shouldn’t be down to government at the end of the weekly FEC meeting
ing in just 32 appearances, with a pos- also don’t have the desire to put in the stars, and have them play at stadia dur- alone. It’s a business. held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,
sible four more appearances to come. noted that the approval will help up-
work needed. ing matches for instance. Perhaps, we And it takes a bit of rigor to set up grade sporting facilities in the country
The 22-year-old, alongside his club That said, private individuals should need to bring other forms of entertain- and execute, we tend not to want to as well as enhance performance of the
are pursuing a treble this season. appreciate the business of sports and ment into our football stadia. put in the hard work. nation's athletes for maximum podium
They are in contention to lift the take it away from government. But, we need to get the basics right appearances
Premier League title, win Champions I can’t think of any industry bigger - Clean up the venues and provide se- Bayern Munich/ Nigeria Youth Cup initiative He stated that the Ministry of Youth
League and FA Cup. than sports and looking at Nigeria’s curity. Get the time in the day or night It is a fantastic initiative. I under- and Sports Development presented
City had won EPL and FA Cup, demographics, with average age at 20 right. Then, infuse other forms of en- stand the first Nigerian to sign for just one memo that had to do with the
with Champions League still eluding years or thereabouts, we are very well tertainment into our sports and this Bayern Munich is on the cards. Great National Sports Medicine and the con-
them. positioned. whole thing can change, sponsorship initiative. We should have 100 of such struction of a High-Performance Center
City are currently top of the Pre- at the Package B of the Moshood Abiola
Also, if public and private sector will follow. initiatives across states every year. Stadium which was graciously consid-
mier League and one point ahead of opinion-leaders can appreciate the fact Our local clubs should also be en- ered and approved.
Arsenal with just four games left of the that investment in sports can help take Call for more developmental programmes gaging in such initiatives. Kudos to According to him, "FEC approved
Premier League season. care of many of our societal ills eg. Pov- into Nigerian football you all and Bayern for keeping that the construction of the National Sports
They are primed to battle Real Ma- erty, Unemployment, crime etc. We have to face that some day. No going. Medicine and High Performance Cen-
drid in the second leg of their Champi- Think about this, a Kelechi Iheana- shortcuts to success in this area. tre in Abuja to improve the overall per-
ons League semi-final on May 17. The cho, Victor Osimien or so probably has Need to get the talents early on. Our formances of Nigerian athletes. The lack
first leg finished 1-1. a ‘better balance sheet’ than their state academies can partner with schools a of such facilities had been one of the
City are also in the FA Cup final governments. bit more strategically. drawbacks of sports development and
with a showdown against fierce rivals athletes performances in the country."
We can also think about football Dare explained that global sports
Manchester United at Wembley on Marketing, administrative strategy for academies that also provide basic pri- development practice has High Perfor-
June 3. football development mary/secondary education. I think mance Centre as a major component of
In the women category, FWA First, let’s present sports for what it Segun Odegbami MON had one conditioning its athletes.
crowned Chelsea's Sam Kerr, an Aus- is. Let’s highlight the ‘business of and sometime. Partnership with foreign "It takes your athletes beyond just
tralian as women's footballer of the in sports’ academies in this area can help. They raw talent to some level of sports science
year for the second consecutive season, bring experience and promise. I see and precision and the lack of that scien-
having scored 10 goals in 18 games in There is need for clarity in terms of what Bayern is doing in Enugu with tific input into our sports development
the Women Super League (WSL) this what we want out of it. What’s our as- some of you. over time has not helped us to reach the
season. maximum podium performance that
piration with regards to sports, which School sports from primary level can be attained by our athletes.
Kerr earlier this month celebrated sectors can we focus on, how do we should be promoted. Government and "We have seen, particularly in Kenya
scoring 50th league in England. intend to participate and win, How do privates can partner to bring in indi- and South Africa, where we have some-
we build from ground up, Who is go- viduals and organisations who can or- thing close to that and what their per-
ing to do what? ganise those initiates year in year out. formances are," he said.
How we do build systems that en- Sports should be taken off our ‘poli- The Minister further stated that un-
sure a longer term views as well as the tics value-chain’. It’s a business. It’s a like other projects in the past, the new
capability to execute set initiatives re- profession and the professionals should High-Performance Centre has an in-
peatedly? be allowed to get on with it. built maintenance structure in its life-
cycle design.

Cont'd from back page

Dr. Shona: Exit of an icon
The thought that I would have become But I would slightly lower my head to Trembling all over, I managed to my brother-in-law did not get to know
a cripple because of that senseless stunt monitor with the extreme corners of reverse the car. And to God be the until his passing. I did not want him to
still haunts me till this moment. And my eyes, hidden behind a pair of dark glory, there was no noticeable dam- be disappointed in me because he liked
until later in life when I discovered the goggles, the way his feet were operating age to the fender not to speak of the me a lot.
make-believe in movies, I had con- on the clutch, brake and accelerating headlights. I did not know when I sank Self-effacing, kind-hearted, hu-
cluded that those stunters that could pedals. on my knees to thank my stars. After mane and good natured, Dr. Shona
leap from high-rising buildings and hit When I thought I had learnt that unpleasant experience, I avoided could not hurt a fly but my elder sister,
the ground with their bodies and bones enough, I decided to go practical in the car like a plague. But I had gath- who passed on a decade ago, would go
intact must be witches! his new Peugeot 404 car anytime he ered enough knowledge that lasted me after the insect with an AK47 rifle! A
By the mid-60s, Dr. Shona was went on tour within his domain. On till I bought my first car in Jos in the teacher by training and a paragon of
posted to Birnin Kebbi to take charge one occasion, after driving round the late 70s. I went for a driving test and beauty, Sister Josephine, later a deacon-
of the General Hospital in the town. expansive compound, I miscalculated passed. Everyone was shocked when I ess, was a disciplinarian par excellence.
I paid them a visit as usual. Let me as I eased the car into the garage and drove the car into the premises of The Dr. Shona’s demise is a personal
confess here that my brother-in-law hit it against the wall. I panicked as the Nigeria Standard where I worked be- loss to me. He is gone but never to be
was the one that taught me how to wall vibrated as a result of the bang. cause no one had ever seen me on the forgotten. May God grant his gentle
drive without knowing it. Anytime Then, I exclaimed: “Haaa! Oko yi driver’s seat before. soul eternal rest and his five lovely kids
he took me out on sightseeing in his ti ko ba mi!” meaning “Haaa! This car The Kaduna stunt and the crash the fortitude to bear the irreparable
car, I would look straight quite alright. has landed me in a big trouble!” in Birnin Kebbi were two top secrets loss. Amen.
 Naira re-design: How CBN’s driving
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Volume 006 : No. 291 Saturday 13 - Sunday 14, May 2023 Shawwal 23 - 24, 1444 AH w w w.blueprint.ng

Dr. Shona: Exit of an icon at 95

I have lost another father! That is the rescue. He said I could be a doctor
Comments
Uniting efforts
to eradicate
Clement
best way I can announce the passing in the making and pleaded with my
of Dr. Michael Olarinoye Shona, a
prominent son of Ijagbo in Kwara
sister not to see my romance with the
medical books in an immoral light.
tuberculosis in
State, who transited to eternal glory
on April 19, this year, in Kano, where
he retired to after his public service
Oluwole My sister still insisted that I was too
young to be exposed to such serious
books. In any case, I have never been
Nigeria
career. Kano happens to be the base [email protected]
a fan of ponmo… a delicacy popular PAGE 11
of his alma mater, the famous Kano 08034522101(text only) among many Nigerians.
Medical School established by the During one of my vacations in Jos,
Premier of Northern Region, Sir. Dr. Shona was posted to Kaduna on
Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of
Sokoto. He set up a private hospital, weekend BLUES relief duty and, of course, he could
not go without his shadow. There
Metro-MOS Hospital located at was in Kafanchan where he was the married, the latter was posted to Jos was a drama that took place during
Tudun Wada Road, Kano, and ran Medical Officer of Health in charge to head the General Hospital in the our sojourn in Kaduna I will never
it for more than 50 years. of the General Hospital in the town. Tin City. Expectedly, wherever the forget. Just a couple of days after our
You might be wondering why it I had arrived in the town on the duo were based became my holiday arrival, I assembled some boys in
took me so long to pen this tribute, invitation of my elder sister, his destination. My first visit to Jos in the neighbourhood to act a movie I
almost a month after his passing. fiancée. Arriving by rail in the early the early 60s was not as welcoming scripted. My early exposure to movies
The news took me by surprise. It was hours of the day, I found my way to as Kafanchan. The Jos cold was in Kumasi, Ghana, had enslaved
unbelievable and I chose to comfort
myself that it did not happen.
My elder brother in Ibadan broke
the hospital and sought to see the
boss doctor. The gateman took me
to his office reception and planted
strange and punishing to me. After
the initial exchange of sparring with
the weather, I managed to subdue it
me. As the lead actor, I wanted to
demonstrate my movie prowess. I
leapt from the balcony of the one-
Book
the sad news to me a day after his me on a seat. After a short while, a and eventually fell in love with the storey block of flats we were staying
passing. He had received a call from
the deceased’s first son based in the
bespectacled, dark-skinned young salubrious climate. and crash-landed, raising some dusts.
It was a daring stunt that left all the
ANA to celebrate
United Kingdom, announcing the
man, wearing a stethoscope in the
manner that the priests hang stoles
As an avid reader of anything I set
my eyes on, I developed interest in actors stunned. Achebe 10 years
death. I was rattled. In fact, the
news was more rattling than the
on their necks walked in. I struggled
to gather myself up. Somehow, he
the gigantic medical books of my in-
law with a bias for those on Obstetrics
I struggled to my feet but they
failed me. My team rushed to the spot after death
one informing me of my dad’s death suspected I was his would-be brother- and Gynecology. One afternoon, and I thought they got me to a sitting
when I was in my early teens. I was in-law they were expecting. my sister sneaked in on me while position. But I saw them encircling
on holiday in Jos in the early 60s As I was prostrating as expected of I was poring over one of the hefty me. Even the nearby buildings and
when I got to know by chance about me to a senior one, he held me up, books, showing visuals of the female trees were encircling me. I was
the sad news. saying I was his in-law. He shook reproductive system. I did not sense actually feeling dizzy and seeing stars
My elder sister, Josephine Adetoun in broad daylight, thus belying the
of blessed memory, who was married
my hand and ushered me into his
office. That show of humility did
her presence until my name rang out
of her throat: “Debisi…D-e-b-i-s-i- belief that stars could not be sighted PAGE 25
to Dr. Shona had received a letter not only make an impression on me i-i! Of all the medical books on the in the daytime!
from Kumasi, Ghana, informing her but also endeared him to me from shelves, this is the one that you fancy I was in excruciating pain as my
of my old man’s passing. She did not that moment. Before lunchtime, he most? What you are feeding your eyes fellow actors gathered my tiny frame
know how I would receive the news; requested that I should be served with at your age is pornography!” into their arms, took me upstairs
so, she hid the letter from me. But with tea and biscuits. At the close of Ponmo ke? It was the first time and loaded me on the sofa. In spite
somehow, I stumbled on the letter. the day, he drove me in his personal I heard that word (pornography) of my critical condition, I pleaded
For fear that I might be accused of car to my elder sister’s apartment in which I mistook for ponmo(graphy). with my actor friends not to tell my
invading her personal documents, I the town. I was startled and quickly closed the brother-in-law the truth. So, we all
had to grieve in secret, waiting for her
to break the news to me eventually.
When that did not happen and I
It could be said that the seed of
my relationship with Dr. Shona was
book. But Dr. Shona came to my agreed to the lie that I sprained my
legs while playing football in the
neighbourhood.
Sports
sown in Kafanchan. Like the mustard
could no long bottle up the agony,
I cooked up a dream that I saw my
seed, it germinated and as the years When Dr. Shona returned from
work, I told him my version of what
Sports development:
rolled by, it grew into an oak and its
late dad clad in a white garment. At roots were to stretch to towns and happened. He examined me and Nigeria can witness
that point, she opened up to me. decided to take me to the hospital for
I broke down in tears and became
cities across the North of the Niger.
My holiday in Kafanchan was a an X-ray. I was fortunate that I did economic boom if...
inconsolable for a couple of days. A
letter of condolence soon came from
memorable one. Dr. Shona insisted not crack any bones. I only suffered
dislocation of my ankles and a slight
- Okoro
I must stay with him in his GRA
Dr. Shona, who was undergoing residence during my sojourn. I was shift on my right knee for which I
a course at the London School of instantly seduced by the ambiance. was treated. As a doctor, he wondered
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, The rooms were large with an how I could sustain such an injury
assuring me he would be there for expansive sitting room. There were through a jump. I explained that I
me. The assurance was like a soothing four bedrooms but my host insisted had climbed into the midair to head
balm. And I stopped grieving. Dr.
Shona made good his promise; he
I slept in the same room with him.
The bed was massive enough to sleep
home the ball from a corner kick. In
the process, I landed awkwardly. PAGE 31
was a father figure to me. six adults comfortably.
My first contact with Dr. Shona Shona
After my sister and her fiancé got Continued on page 32

PSG: Messi returns to action after suspension From AC Milan, Eletu joins Flying Eagles ahead of U20 World Cup
Lionel Messi will return to Paris St- suspended by the club for two weeks for the trip, which AC Milan youngster Victor Eletu has joined the Flying Mendoza.
Germain's starting line-up on Saturday followed PSG's home defeat by Lorient on 30 April. Eagles for the U20 World Cup in Argentina. Five-time champions Brazil and
for the first time since making an The Ligue 1 leaders, who have suffered three defeats in
unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. their past four home games, face AC Ajaccio on Saturday. Flying Eagles spokesman Sharif Abdallah confirmed Italy are also drawn in the same
The Argentina captain was initially Messi, who has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi this to SCORENigeria. Group D.
Arabia, apologised to his team-mates last Friday for making Eletu has been granted his entry visa to Argentina in
the unauthorised trip. Milan after club engagements stopped him from joining
The 35-year-old returned to training on Monday having the squad in Abuja.
been left out of the squad for their 3-1 win at Troyes the The highly-rated defensive or central midfielder arrived
previous day. in time for next week’s World Cup warm-up clash against
"He's very eager to win that title," Galtier added. fellow qualifiers Colombia in Buenos Aires.
"With him in the team we'll have to adjust compared to His presence is expected to shore up a midfield that
what we did against Troyes. Leo is Leo. I'm not going to
go into statistics but when he's with us we have to strike a lacked creativity at the recent U20 AFCON in Egypt,
different balance." where the Flying Eagles placed third.
Messi is set to leave PSG when his contract expires in the The Flying Eagles open their World Cup campaign
summer. on Sunday, May 21, against the Dominican Republic in

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