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Tinubu, govs, others mourn as Ohanaeze leader, Iwuanyanwu, dies

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Tinubu, govs, others mourn as Ohanaeze leader, Iwuanyanwu, dies

President Bola Tinubu, former president, Muhammadu Buhari, governors and others, on Thursday, mourned the death of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

The family confirmed the demise of the elder statesman in a statement on Thursday evening.

It reads: “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announces the demise of our patriarch, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu – Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82. He was an accomplished businessman and notable politician.”

The late businessman owned The Champion Newspapers. His business had also grown into a conglomerate of over 20 companies, including Enic Advertising Ltd; Magil Industries Limited; National Post Newspapers; Sunrise Insurance Brokers; Oriental Shipping Lines Limited; Paradise City Hotel, Calabar and Oriental Airlines.

Iwuanyanwu assumed office as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on April 30, 2023, shortly after the Imeobi Ohanaeze ratified his nomination, following the death of Prof George Obiozor, his predecessor.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation also confirmed his demise through the National Publicity, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo said, “The sad news was broken by Mr Jude Iwuanyanwu, the son of the legend. According to the son, Chief Iwuanyanwu passed on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness at the age of 82.”

The Vice-President, South-East, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene,  described Iwuanyanwu’s death as” a very big and collosal loss to the Ndigbo,” saying, “ He was a man who came to bind the Ndigbo together. He ensured the Igbo unity and the unity of Nigeria at heart. He had the mission to unite all the tribes in the country together. It’s very unfortunate that he did not complete his mission, to unite all the tribes in Nigeria.”

In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu condoled with the family, the Imo State government, friends and associates of the deceased and the Ndigbo over what he termed irreparable loss.

“The President affirms that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy,” the statement noted as he prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman.

Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, extended his condolences to the Iwuanyanwu family, friends and associates, and the entire people of the South East.

The former President said, “He was a visionary who revolutionised the nation’s media and sports. He made notable strides in the media industry, construction, sports, business, and politics.

“I had several opportunities to interact with him to learn about his passionate commitment to the unity, peaceful coexistence, and the development of Nigeria. His rich contributions have left indelible memories on the media, sports, politics, and business where he made extraordinary achievements.”

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the death of Iwuanyanwu as a profound loss to the nation.

Abiodun, in a statement on behalf of the southern states governors on Thursday, described the news of the death of the businessman, publisher, and politician as shocking.

He said as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo people, Iwuanyanwu worked tirelessly to preserve the unity of the country with his timely interventions at critical times when contentious issues were raging.

“I received with shock the news of the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. His passing at this critical time when his counselling as an elder statesman is needed is saddening.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was a remarkable leader, statesman, and patriot who dedicated his life to promoting the unity, progress, and well-being of the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a whole.

“His contributions to fostering inter-ethnic harmony, peaceful co-existence, and mutual understanding between the diverse peoples of our country were huge. His death is a profound loss not only for the Igbo nation but for Nigeria as a whole.

“On behalf of the Southern Governors’ Forum, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Iwuanyanwu family, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo family, the entire South-East region and Nigeria as a whole.”

Similarly, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has mourned Iwuanyanwu, describing him as a “distinguished statesman, notable patriot, renowned businessman.”

Soludo, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said,”Chief Iwuanyanwu was a personal mentor, a great supporter as well as an influential figure whose life and wise counsel were a tribute to exceptional leadership, patriotism, and steadfast dedication to the progress of the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a Country.

“His contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria are immeasurable. As the publisher of the Champion Newspapers and owner of several other businesses, his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic endeavours have left an enduring legacy in our nation.”

The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Victor Umeh, said the Igbo nation was losing its icons in quick succession.

He listed notable figures like Obiozor, Ogbonnaya Onu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alex Ekwueme, and Ben Nwabueze, amongst others, as those who had passed on in recent times.

Describing Iwuanyanwu’s death as “a tragic loss,” Umeh said that “he died while serving the Igbo nation. The emotion reflects the sense of loss felt across the Igbo nation at the passing of another respected leader.”

Senators and members of the House of Representatives from Abia State lamented the death of Iwuanyanwu.

The senator representing Abia North at the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu, expressed sadness as he acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late prominent businessman and politician, known for his significant contributions to various sectors, particularly in the social, economic, and political development of Nigeria.

He said Iwuanyanwu “lived a purposeful life dedicated to the service of humanity.”

Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, in his statement, described Iwuanyanwu as best among equals, stating, “The death of Dr Iwuanyanwu is a huge loss of a consummate Nigerian patriot who was also the best among equals in Igbo land.”

In a terse statement through his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, in Abuja, on Thursday, Abaribe said he was saddened by the death of Iwuanyanwu, particularly at this time when he, alongside other patriots, had kick-started a crucial process that would enthrone a lasting peace and harmonious relationship in Nigeria, especially in Igbo land.

He said, “Here was a patriot, a consummate lover of our people and a focused progressive who was at the forefront of infrastructural revolution in the old Imo State and the overall development of our dear country Nigeria.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was an all-rounder, who never glossed over responsibilities that would be beneficial to all, irrespective of tribe or religion. Thank you for all you did for our people. We will miss your wise counsel and your focused leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”

In a press release from the Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Abuja, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, described the late Ohanaeze chieftain as iroko who has fallen in Igbo land.

In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu likened Iwuanyanwu’s death to a fallen Iroko tree, adding that he contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Recalling that Iwuanyanwu, through his many business establishments, employed many Nigerians, and recognised the patriotic and philanthropic gestures of the deceased, which he exemplified through the Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance that catered for accident victims all over Nigeria, amongst others.

He also recalled Chief Iwuanyanwu’s contributions to the successful unveiling of the Peace In South East Project in Bende Local Government of Abia State in December 2023, saying that his commitment to the peace and unity of Nigeria was unparalleled.

Also, the immediate-past senator representing Abia Central and former governor of the state, Chief Orji Kalu, acknowledging the remarkable contributions of the late prominent businessman and politician, said he was heartbroken.

“I feel for the family, the state, Ndigbo and Nigeria at large,” he said in a statement he signed and released by his Liaison Officer, Hon. Ifeanyi Umere.

The former governor recognised the contributions made by Iwuanyanwu in politics, business and humanitarian efforts, and prayed to God to give his soul repose.

A 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sam Ohuabunwa, described Iwuanyanwu as a selfless leader who stood for equity, justice and peaceful co-existence.

“His life and works will remain an inspiration to the present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance and unity,” he said.

A statement by the former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, a copy of which was obtained by The According, read: “My team members at the Ohanaeze Council of Igbo Business Leaders and I are greatly pained by the sad news of the passage to the great beyond of Chief Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) today, July 25, 2024. We have not just lost a trusted and dependable ally, but a good friend, a true patriot, and a highly esteemed elder statesman.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was an exemplary, unpretentious and self-effacing leader; and a first-class gentleman and business mogul…He was a man of peace who will be remembered for his candour, open-mindedness and civility. His life and works will remain an inspiration to present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence.”

The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra said it received the news of the demise of Iwuanyanwu, “with a devastative shock.”

Describing Iwuanyanwu as “a devout and dedicated Igbo leader,” MASSOB lamented that “Ndigbo shall miss him,” adding that “his fatherly efforts and commitment for the release of Nnamdi Kanu shall never be in vain.”

The Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, the umbrella body of all youth groups in Nigeria, expressed shock at the passing of Iwuanyanwu.

In a statement signed by its President-General and National Publicity Secretary, Comrades Goodluck Ibem and Junaid Abubakar, respectively, CONYL said, “This news is devastating, painful and a big loss to Ndigbo, Nigeria and the world.

“Chief Iwuanyawu was a great philanthropist, an engineer of great repute, an enigma of sorts, a trailblazer, a problem solver, a goal getter and a man with an overflowing zeal to be a blessing to his people and his generation.”

Rivers seals Wike loyalist’s hotel

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Rivers seals Wike loyalist’s hotel

The Rivers State government has sealed off a five-storey building belonging to the immediate-past Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, over an alleged violation of the approved building plan.

The building site at the GRA axis of Port Harcourt was said to be a hotel, even as it had reached an advanced completion stage.

It was gathered that Nwanosike, an ally of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had applied and submitted a building plan for a four-storey building.

The structure was extended to a five-storey building without plan review.

The site was sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Development, Isaac Umejuru, said the owner of the building applied to build a four-storey, but constructed five-storey instead, describing it as a violation.

Umejuru said the ministry had sealed off the place to conduct integrity tests and then take further action.

Meanwhile, a viral video seen by our correspondent showed the moment Dr Nwanosike was engaged in a heated argument with the ministry officials at the site of the property, as the latter said he would bequeath the property to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In the altercation, Nwanosike said, “Nobody can intimidate me,” while an official retorted that he was not being intimidated but that he violated the approval given to him.

Nwanosike said, “This property I will give to you and Fubara; N555bn contravention, that is what you said I should pay? We will wait; we will not be afraid. But this will not change Dr Samuel Nwanosike. I have written to you formally, but you have not responded. Let everybody hear it.”

One of the officials from the ministry said, “Nobody is intimidating you. You said you wrote to us, and we have responded. You contravened the approval you were given. Are you threatening me because I’m doing my official work? It is known, and let it be known that this building was sealed…”

Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since last year and the face-off has also driven apart their loyalists.

I would’ve dropped gov ambition if Obaseki was reasonable – Shaibu

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I would’ve dropped gov ambition if Obaseki was reasonable – Shaibu

The reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, said had his principal, Godwin Obaseki, been reasonable and spoken to him well, he (Shaibu) would have dropped his governorship ambition and allow the governor have his way in order to preserve their relationship.

Shaibu, who described Obaseki as a dictator, said he became more resolved to pursue his governorship ambition after Obaseki threatened he would destroy him if he did not back down.

He maintained that he won the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship primary because he had 381 delegates, who would have voted for him had not not been shut out of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin where the exercise took place on February 22.

Shaibu, who has now defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, spoke on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja.

 He said he felt betrayed by Obaseki despite all his sacrifices and loyalty to him.

He said, “The truth is that the issues were all political. I declared to contest for the governor of Edo State. That is where the fight started.”

Looking pensive, the deputy governor told journalists that he did everything humanly possible to pacify his boss to no avail.

“He (Obaseki) said, ‘You cannot contest because I have my plans’. The next thing was that he would destroy me if I continued. For me, no man can destroy the plan of God. As an activist, that day I made up my mind that I was going to contest. As of the time our conversation was on, I was still consulting. I went into the race and I won it because I played high-powered politics. They are not politicians. They rode on our back to where they are. In the politics I played, I actually had 400 out of the 572 delegates.

“A week to the primary, I lost some and had 381. So I brought those 381 on the day of the primary but they were refused accreditation. They took the accreditation tags and gave to their appointees to go and do Aso Ebi reception at the stadium they call primaries. Now, the court has ruled that the delegates I had were the authentic delegates and the ones they brought were fake. So as it is, they have boxed themselves into a corner where I don’t want to go because it is a legal issue.

“We are in court and by the grace of God, I had already been vindicated by two judgments. What is critical is that I want to prove internal democracy must be respected and allowed to play. You can lobby, you can talk to people and people will understand. If the governor had shown leadership, maybe I wouldn’t have contested because I am not a desperate person. My ambition is not inordinate. I have an ambition to fix the state. If somebody else can agree that we collectively fix it, I will follow. But the governor wanted to behave like a military dictator. And for me, we fought. I have captained people that have fought for this democracy. I started from the youth wing. I am sure I am one of the top people you will mention for this democracy that we now have. And for me, I cannot watch this democracy be derailed and allow dictatorship to take control.”

He described as false the claim that he went away with 22 official vehicles after his impeachment.

According to the accountant-turned-politician, the governor bought only one official car for his convoy in the seven and a half years of their administration.

Shaibu said, “The easiest way to have a disagreement is money. Even my official entitlements, most of them I didn’t even apply for them. That is, anything that has to do with going to meet the governor to apply for anything, including my personal or official entitlement. I confined myself within the official salary that came to me. “Recently, I saw an advert that I should return 22 vehicles. Only one vehicle in the seven and a half years that the governor bought for my convoy. Only one. Every vehicle you see in my convoy, some of them, especially the Landcruiser I used for three years with a coat of arm and flag as staff car, the Prado I used as back-up for three years, was the same that I used as the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly.

“It was the third year of his first term that the governor eventually bought a Landcruiser jeep. Even when they were bringing the jeep, it had an accident on the way. We had to change the wheels and it took two weeks for us to fix it. I never made it an issue, because for me, anything that will bring trouble I was able to manage it. I am happy that I gave everything and I was never found wanting. I was not impeached because I stole money, I was not corrupt, or because of incompetence.

“Today, the court has also told us that what they said was gross misconduct was never a misconduct. They said I gave out government secrets. I have worked diligently with this man. I was asked to perform his duty as acting governor and I was able to organise the security system. I have not done anything wrong to warrant impeachment.”

When asked if he could ever forgive Obaseki for treating him as an outcast, Shaibu hesitated before nodding.

He said, “The only person that is perfect is the Almighty God. None of us created by God is perfect. One of the greatest commandments in the world is ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ If all of us can actually take to that commandment, there will be peace in the world. But I have just discovered that there is no perfect relationship with what has happened between the governor and me.

“From my own end, I gave everything. I gave all to have him succeed. Because, for me, it is about the state and the state in everything. So, I gave everything even my official earnings. I forfeited lots of my official entitlement. Why? It is because I didn’t want any trouble or disagreement.”

Gunmen attack Okada rider, chop off hand

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Gunmen attack Okada rider, chop off hand

Gunmen, on Wednesday, attacked a 50-year-old Okada rider, Sikiru Muritala, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital in an attempt to snatch the machine, and chopped off his hand.

Investigations by According Metro revealed that the incident happened at Saribi in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state around 9 pm, and all efforts by the men of the underworld to snatch the bike were unsuccessful.

Speaking with our correspondent on his hospital bed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, on Thursday, Muritala said, “I am a trailer mechanic, but when things turned upside down, I decided to go for Okada business.

“On that day, though, I normally picked passengers to that area. I went to drop a passenger, and as I was coming back, they attacked me with the intention of snatching the bike. They spoke the language I didn’t understand. Unfortunately, they were unable to go with the bike. But they chopped off my hand. You can see for yourself.

“They chopped off my hand and collected my phone and all my money. We are spending a huge amount of money currently at the UCH. I need government assistance and well-to-do people in society to assist me. They should help me,” he pleaded.

As of press time, all efforts to get a reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, were not successful, as his telephone number was not reachable.

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88 Nigerian athletes showcase rich cultural heritage in Paris

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88 Nigerian athletes showcase rich cultural heritage in Paris

Making their 19th appearance since debuting in 1952, ever-colourful and joyous Team Nigeria will once again be the cynosure of all eyes as the 2024 Summer Olympics officially get underway today, with an opening ceremony like no other, signalling the start of the multi-sport that will run through August 11 in Paris and 16 other cities spread across Metropolitan France, plus one subsite in Tahiti, French Polynesia.

A total of 206 nations and 10,714 athletes will be striving for medals in 32 sports and 329 events.

Sports including football, rugby sevens, handball, and archery may already be underway, but billions of eyes will be on the Opening Ceremony that will declare the Games officially open.

And before the Olympic cauldron is lit, a spectacular show awaits, with the Opening Ceremony set to be held along the Seine.

It promises to be an opening ceremony to remember and an occasion one would want to miss.

The Opening Ceremony starts at 19:30 CEST (9 7:30 Nigerian time), with the three-hour spectacle set to take the world on a journey through Parisian history and architecture.

The parade will take place along the River Seine, with Thomas Jolly, a French theatre director and actor, overseeing proceedings as the artistic director.

The parade will travel west for six kilometres along the river, passing iconic landmarks, including the Notre Dame and the Louvre.

Ceremonies choreographer Maud Le Pladec has promised dancers on every bridge, while costume director Daphne Burki has worked with a team of designers to create 3,000 costumes for the dancers and artists that will feature across the four Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies.

The Parade of Nations will also swap the track for the river, with around 100 boats set to carry an estimated 10,500 athletes.

Flagbearers, including Coco Gauff and Tom Daley, will proudly fly their nation’s flag on the boats as the parade arrives at the Trocadero—the esplanade near the Eiffel Tower.

That is where the final protocols will take place and the Olympic cauldron will be lit, all making for a unique opening ceremony where one of the most celebrated cities in the world is placed front and centre.

Nigeria is featuring a total of 88 athletes in 12 sports: athletics, boxing, wrestling, football, basketball, canoeing, taekwondo, table tennis, badminton, cycling, swimming, and weightlifting.

But the country kicked off its campaign on Thursday, July 25, with the Super Falcons taking on Brazil in the Women’s Football Tournament Group C opener at Stade Matmut-Atlantique in Bordeaux.

Nigeria will be looking to surpass their two-medal harvest at the last edition in Tokyo.

Lessons from Biden’s withdrawal

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Lessons from Biden’s withdrawal

THE withdrawal of United States President, Joe Biden, from the presidential race and his endorsement of Vice-President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic Party candidate marks a significant moment in American political history. This brave decision underscores a commendable act of putting the country’s interests above personal political ambitions and offers a crucial lesson to African leadership.

In a July 21 letter to the American public, Biden said: “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve as your president. And while it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of the party and of the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Biden was responding to calls by party leaders and concerned Democrats, who urged him to quit the race due to the existing political odds. The financial support from donors for the 81-year-old showed a lack of confidence in his candidacy. Biden took off with $95.9 million in campaign funds, but Kamala Harris was able to secure enough Democratic National Committee delegates and raise $126 million in three days.

His voluntary exit highlights the importance of selflessness and strategic foresight in governance. By endorsing Harris, Biden has entrusted the country to the next generation of leaders. He has also shown a willingness to prioritise continuity and unity within the party and the US.

African leaders can draw valuable lessons from Biden. Too often, Africa’s political arena is dominated by leaders who cling to power at the expense of their countries’ progress and stability. This usually overshadows the broader needs of their countries, leading to political turmoil, economic instability, and social unrest.

Several African leaders have perpetuated themselves through constitutional changes, electoral manipulation, and other means. Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Biya of Cameroon, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, and Mahamat Deby of Chad remain in power employing these means.

Unfortunately, Africa has a long history of such leaders. Among them were Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Jose dos Santos of Angola, Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, Teodoro Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, and Idris Deby of Chad. Gnassingbé Eyadéma held power in Togo from 1967 until he died in 2005, and was succeeded by Faure, his son.

In Nigeria, former President Umaru Yar’Adua held on to power despite his ailment. The country was almost plunged into political instability when he died in May 2010. Former President Muhammadu Buhari frequented United Kingdom hospitals while at the helm despite the security and multidimensional poverty in the country.

These messianic and despotic dispositions of African leaders besmirch democracy and stagnate development. African leaders who are incapacitated should throw in the towel.

Biden has set a powerful precedent. It is a reminder that leadership is not merely about holding office but about the ability to serve the people. The true measure of a leader lies in their ability to step aside when necessary, allowing for the emergence of new ideas and fresh perspectives that can drive national development.

Biden has shown that stepping down can be an act of strength rather than weakness. Furthermore, Biden’s decision reflects a deep understanding of the changing political landscape and the need for adaptability. He understood that the political happenstances after the public debate signalled unfavourable outcomes.

So, African leaders should identify the demographic shifts and socioeconomic changes in their domains, prepare for succession, and nurture future leaders. They should make sure that their countries are free of personal agendas.

African leaders should recognise that the sustainability and prosperity of a country depend on leaders willing to place the country’s interests above their own, fostering a culture of succession and continuity that ensures lasting progress and stability.

Nigeria imported $2.25bn fuel from Malta — Report

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Nigeria imported $2.25bn fuel from Malta — Report

At least 59 electricity workers died in the line of duty between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has said.

A report by the commission confirmed that 23 of the workers lost their lives in 55 accidents in the first quarter of 2024.

The NERC disclosed that 31 others sustained injuries in the 55 accidents.

“The total number of accidents in 2024/Q1 was 55 which resulted in 31 injuries and 23 fatalities,” the report revealed.

It stated that the number of deaths recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 36; which was 13 more deaths compared to 23 in Q1 2023.

In the last quarter of 2023, 54 accidents and 30 injuries were recorded in the Nigerian electricity supply industry.

The commission stated that it had launched investigations into all the accidents and would continue to work with all sector stakeholders to improve the overall health and safety of the NESI.

According to NERC, the details of the major causes of casualties (deaths and injuries) recorded in Q1 2024 are wire snaps – six deaths and six injuries; illegal/unauthorised access – five deaths and two injuries; acts of vandalism – two deaths and five injuries; unsafe acts/conditions – 10 deaths and 12 injuries; falls from height – two injuries.

Out of the 54 casualties reported in the quarter, the licensees with the highest number of casualties were Eko Disco, 13; Benin Disco, eight; Jos Disco, six; and Aba power, six.

“Cumulatively, Discos accounted for 96.30 per cent of casualties recorded in 2024/Q1 continuing a trend observed in previous quarters (98.48 per cent in 2023/Q4) that the distribution segment is the biggest contributor to safety issues experienced in the NESI (Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry,” the report partly read.

The commission disclosed that it had initiated investigations into all reported accidents and would enforce appropriate actions against licensees where necessary.

“Furthermore, the commission continues to closely monitor the implementation of licensees’ accident reduction strategy for the NESI while the sector’s health and safety code is undergoing a review process. The commission also implements various programmes aimed at improving the health and safety performance of the NESI.

“In March 2024, a quarterly peer review meeting was held with the compliance and regulatory officers of licensees to discuss the reporting obligations of licensees as well as health and safety matters,” NERC said.

The commission said it oversees settlement processes between licensees and families of accident victims in the industry to ensure transparency of the settlement process and to help the victim’s family secure fair compensation for losses suffered.

An expert in the electricity industry, Adetayo Adegbemle, expressed worries over the loss of lives in the industry.

Adegbemle, who is the Convener and Executive Director of PowerUp Nigeria, a power sector policy advocacy organisation, lamented that most of the Discos staff lack basic Personal Protective Equipment.

“This is a serious issue that’s been bothering me. Many Discos’ staff across the country lack basic Personal Protective Equipment. I have personally taken this up with many of the Discos. Honestly, I believe our regulators need to intervene in this,” he stated.

Adegbemle called for more safety campaigns and the push for regulatory interventions to curb the situation.

“I am sure if the Discos are sanctioned effectively, there should be a turnaround. And if a Disco catches their technical staff without PPEs, and they are sanctioned as well, there will be some sanity,” he maintained.

In September 2021, The According reported that an Ikeja Electric worker identified simply as Tunde fell from a pole on Palace Way, Abule, Arepo, in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that Tunde and his colleagues went to disconnect the power supply in the community when the incident happened.

In December 2020, two employees of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company were electrocuted in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

According gathered that the victims were at work when power was suddenly restored to the line, and they died on the spot.

Does sparing the rod spoil the child?

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Does sparing the rod spoil the child?

Parenting is a tough turf. It’s also a free-for-all terrain where everyone claims expertness. When in a free fall, parenting is like the blabber around the round leather game, with noisy fans professing possession of better tactics than the god of Tiki-Taka, Pep Guardiola, though they cannot tap the ball into a yawning net from the goal line.

Globally, fans are part of the ‘enu dùn ròfó’ mammoth whose mouths are their only credentials to football expertise, blaming megabucks-earning coaches, game after game, oblivious of strategic soccer details, forgetting that football is what it is; a game, after all. The phoenix must burn to emerge.

I was born at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital but raised in Mushin. The first sod of the hospital was turned by the Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alice, on May 13, 1959, while Lady Robertson, the wife of then-Governor General of Nigeria, Sir James Robertson, declared it open on July 20, 1960. This was when imperialist Britain lorded colonialism over Nigeria, years after trampling on Nigeria’s neck with slavery boots.

In barely one year, the sprawling Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, which has midwifed millions of Nigerians, was built with no National Assembly squabbling for kickbacks in the name of oversight functions or appropriation. No ethnic swords were drawn over the location of the hospital, no knives sliced throats over the religion of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director.

Nigeria of the ‘60s and ‘70s was a country, unlike today’s COWntry. Our slavish past is more glorious than our independent present. Why? Because our corruption grows yearly in sophistication while the wheel of our humanity is clogged by greed and wickedness.

About two weeks ago, I travelled online to my Mushin roots, specifically to my family church, the Araromi Baptist Church, on 42, Shokunbi Street. It was the 60th anniversary of my boyhood association in the church, the Royal Ambassadors, whose motto is parked in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are Ambassadors for Christ…”

At 60 years of existence, the church’s Royal Ambassadors set out to write a book, “Raising Royal Priesthood in a Delinquent Society: History of The Layode Chapter, Royal Ambassadors, Araromi Baptist Church, Mushin,” after getting approval from the church leadership. I had the honour of editing and reviewing the informative book.

One of the highlights of the week-long programme was the awards presented to past teachers of Royal Ambassadors, in recognition of their roles in moulding the lives of yesteryear boys, some of whom have grown into fathers and grandfathers.

As one of the past teachers stepped out for his award and gifts, there were cheers from Royal Ambassadors. The name of the teacher is Mr John A. Ayanlola aka Boda Ayan. In the Araromi of the 1970s, to bump into Boda Ayan with your guards down was to embrace calamity in its splendour. In the words of Jose Mourhino, “You’re dead,” or as Oba Solomon Agbaye would say, “Iku pa e!”

Boda Ayan! His shadow alone was enough to cure your sickness, let alone his voice from a 100-metre distance. Before the Judgment Throne of Boda Ayan, many of us died many times before our deaths.

Boda Ayan would ask you, “What was the topic of the sermon preached last Sunday?” Before you begin to wonder, “Last Sunday ke, when I don’t even remember today’s sermon,” a cane would creep out from under Boda Ayan’s agbada, ‘chara! chara! chara’, on your head and body, exorcising the demons of forgetfulness in you. So, before you step into church, you must do some mental recollection of the teachings of the past week.

If he doesn’t see you in church, he will contact your parents or visit your home. Only boys who made top-three positions in their schools were spared when he asked for our report cards.

One day, he invited some Royal Ambassadors to his house and made them eba. While eating, one of the boys (name withheld) took another person’s meat, and there was a murmur. He asked what was amiss, nobody was ready to divulge the misdemeanour. They all left his house crying after eating eba.

Despite his sternness, however, Boda Ayan was loved by parents and guardians, who reported their children and wards to him for discipline. No Royal Ambassador escaped the cane of Boda Ayan.

Watching the emotional speech of the now-aged Boda Ayan online, accompanied by his wife, I began to wonder if today’s guardians and parents would leave their children and wards to Boda Ayan’s care or cane.

In his introductory sermon in the book, Araromi’s Shepherd, Reverend Ade Subuloye (Ph.D), advocates proper discipline as a means of instilling godliness in children. Subuloye advises parents not to speak to their children harshly, not to be inconsistent while disciplining them and not to over-discipline them. He declares, “When you rarely reprove your children verbally, restrict them from rebellion, or spank them when necessary, they will wonder if you even care about what they do. (Prov. 13:24; Prov. 22:15; Prov. 29: 15)”

Two world-renowned scholars, Prof Wole Soyinka and Prof Wande Abimbola, however, do not believe that sparing the rod would spoil the child.

In an interview with me, Abimbola said flogging a child as a means of correction was capable of making the child lack confidence. When his mother became pregnant with him, a babalawo had told Abimbola’s parents that no one should beat him when he was growing up.

The former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University says beating children doesn’t make them better, stressing that it ‘kills their sense of initiative, makes them fearful and unsure in making decisions, always seeking validation from a higher authority’.

The daughter of Africa’s first Nobel laureate, Moremi Soyinka-Onijala, gives a glimpse into how the literary giant raised his children, “My dad was a gentle disciplinarian. He didn’t believe in using the stick but a look from his eyes is enough to tell you that you were doing something wrong. He preferred to talk to us rather than use physical punishment.” She, however, said the only time Soyinka beat her was when she followed her friends home in primary school, leaving her younger sibling behind. “He gave me three lashes of the belt,” she recalled.

Buttressing the communal nature of child-rearing among Africans, a Yoruba proverb says four eyes give birth to a child while 200 eyes train him. Throwing in a word of caution against the excessive beating of children, another Yoruba proverb, however, says, ‘the parent who says, beat my child when he’s wrong, is not truly sincere;’ ‘bami na omo mi, ko de’nu olomo’.

From a religious perspective, the Book of Proverbs 23:13-14 recommends the cane as a tool for disciplining the child, saying: “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod you will save his soul from Sheol.” Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him,” while Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.”

Many African parents who relocated to the West with their children have had run-ins with the law on account of how they punished their children’s wrongdoings.

Though various US state laws permit the use of spanking aka planking to correct children’s wrongdoing, there are limitations to the severity and intent of the beating. No federal law addresses the issue. When it’s proven parents hit their kids not out of discipline, but out of malice, cruelty, or anger, it becomes child abuse, a punishable crime.

The U.S. Department of Education defines corporal punishment as the spanking of a student’s buttocks with a wooden paddle. However, this is not legal in most public schools. Only four states in the US outlaw the use of corporal punishment in private schools.

Corporal punishment in schools has been outlawed in all of Europe, most of South America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Israel, which makes the United States one of only two developed countries where corporal punishment in school is still allowed, the other being Singapore.

A consultant psychiatrist, cleric and columnist, Dr Adeoye Oyewole, says it’s wrong to beat children and expect them to change for the better. His words, “Three of my children are in medical school and I never beat them. African parents can’t stand deductive reasoning; that’s why we use the cane to crush the children. Many children who have suffered beatings in Africa turned out good abroad.”

Oyewole, who said it wasn’t the physical rod that was referred to in the Book of Proverbs, maintained that the Word of God was the rod referred to.

But does sparing the rod truly spoil the child?

Is Nigeria on another jamboree in Paris?

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Is Nigeria on another jamboree in Paris?

GODWIN AIKIGBE previews Nigeria’s 19th appearance at the Olympic Games, highlighting the intrigues, controversies, and shortcomings, as well as the country’s chances in Paris

Nigeria made its Olympic debut at the 1952 edition in Helsinki, Finland, featuring nine athletes in athletics (men’s 100m, men’s 200m, men’s 4×100 relay, long jump, and high jump) and has competed in every edition since then, except for the boycotted 1976 Summer Olympics.

The country currently is ranked 74th, having won a total of 27 medals in athletics, boxing, football, and wrestling (three gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze).

Its most successful outing was in Atlanta in 1996, where it bagged a total of six medals, including the prestigious football gold, which saw the U23 men’s team defeat global heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, and the women’s long jump, where Chioma Ajunwa braced the odds to secure the pole position with a leap of 7.12m.

The third gold medal came in the men’s 4x400m at the 2008 edition in Beijing, China, where Nigeria finished second but were eventually awarded the gold medal following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to strip the USA of their medals after Antonio Pettigrew confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs.

Nigeria’s performances have dwindled over the years, having experienced a free fall in the rankings, dropping 32 to 74 after mustering just two medals (silver and bronze) at the 2020 edition staged in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23, 2021, to August 8, 2021, featuring 55 athletes in 10 sports.

Paris 2024

At Paris 2024, a total of 88 Nigerian athletes (25 males and 63 females) will be vying for medals in 12 sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing, cycling, football, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, and wrestling, from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11. The contingent is 33 more than the number that represented the country at Tokyo 2020.

Inadequate preparation

It’s traditional for Nigeria not to adequately prepare for competitions, and Paris 2024 is by no means exceptional.

The best the Ministry of Sports Development and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria did was to have athletes participate in the mandatory AFN National Trials held from June 16 to 18 at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. It was meant to select athletes for the Olympic Games, World U-20 Championships, and the African Senior Athletics Championships, which were held from June 21 to 26 at Stade Omnisport de Japoma, Douala, Cameroon, where Team Nigeria finished third behind South Africa and Kenya, with a total of 15 medals (five gold, six silver and four bronze) from 34 athletes.

These tournaments are by no means preparation-related, being that athletes were only expected to achieve the qualifying standards. This is tantamount to putting the cart before the horse, especially when athletes were left on their own in the run-up to those championships, with neither the Nigeria Olympic Committee nor the Ministry of Sports Development nor the Athletics Federation of Nigeria providing them any incentives.

President Bola Tinubu approved N12bn, the total sum budgeted for the Games and Paralympics by the Ministry of Sports Development, in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee.

This is commendable, but tantamount to putting the cart before the horse. Without adequate preparation, emptying the bank’s vaults on the brink of a major competition is money down the drain, as winning an Olympic medal is never overnight. The country’s number one citizen would have also made funds available for individual preparation by athletes if his attention had been drawn to it by the concerned bodies whose competition-crazy officials only understand preparation to mean pre-championship short camping exercises.

Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, was full of gratitude to the President while recently emphasising the importance of pre-Olympic camping for athletes to achieve focus, fine-tuning, and a serene environment devoid of distractions.

“I want to use this medium to thank President Bola Tinubu for all the support he has given Team Nigeria in preparation for the Olympics. He has always shown he has sports in his heart, and we are more than glad to have him lead our nation at a time like this,” said Enoh, who then announced local pre-Olympic camping exercises in five centres – Abuja, Lagos, and Bayelsa States – from June 1, which don’t involve foreign-based medal hopefuls. This was during his recent meeting with presidents, secretaries, and technical directors of the National Sports Federation at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

He had stressed the need for Nigeria to surpass the feat achieved at the 1996 Olympics in Paris by mapping out a comprehensive roadmap and technical training programmes.

Former African 100-metre record holder Olusoji Fasuba is one of many athletics stakeholders extensively riled by the unceasing inglorious circumvention of the preparatory process by Nigeria over the years, expressing his reservation in a chat with The According.

“I think it’s not the best and, as usual, they want to go to the games just to participate and not actually to win. Few sports may have gotten it right, but athletics is far from right. Nigeria should learn to prepare its athletes for the games. Support starts some years before and not some months or weeks before,” said Fasuba, a member of the Nigerian bronze medal-winning team in the 4 x 100m relay at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Controversies

It has to be controversial to be Nigerian, which is rather unfortunate.

Fund misappropriation, especially in civilian dispensation, remains the nemesis of Nigerian sports development, coupled with those with a passion for sports being almost always alienated.

Nigeria won two silver medals at Tokyo 2020 through Blessing Oborududu, who achieved the feat in the wrestling women’s freestyle at 68kg, and Ese Brume in the women’s long jump.

It could have been more if 10 athletes were not denied the opportunity to compete due to administrative issues, having failed to undergo the mandatory number of out-of-competition doping tests at the time. These include Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Tima Godbless, Ruth Usoro, Chioma Onyekwere, and quarter-miler Chidi Okezie, all of whom will be making their Olympic debut in Paris.

The viral video of Nigeria’s shot-put finalist, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, washing his jersey ahead of the final of his event was a major highlight of Nigeria’s participation in Tokyo 2020.

The cash cow Federal Government had washed its hands clean and blamed the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development for the global discomfiture, being solely responsible for the provision of competition jerseys for athletes at the Games.

Enekwechi, who finished 12th in his event, expressed his discontentment in a statement on TikTok, which he later deleted: “When you made the Olympic Finals, but you only have one jersey.”

Preparation for Paris 2024 has been marred by controversies on the selection of athletes, especially the exclusion of Seye Ogunlewe and Enoch Adegoke, whom many thought should have made the final list for the men’s 100m and 100x100m relay in place of Favour Ashe and Godson Oghenebrume.

This concern has been addressed by the General Secretary of AFN, Rita Mordi, who, in a statement, outlined the official selection criteria, an explanation that still doesn’t sit well with many people.

The statement read, “Competitions at the Olympic Games are held under the auspices of each international federation.” World Athletics stipulates two ways of qualifying for the games. The first is by attaining the qualification standard.

Shortcomings

Nigeria’s population is approximately 218.5 million as of 2022 and will feature 88 athletes in 12 sports in Paris, while South Africa, whose population is 59.89 million, will field 149 athletes in 21 sports. This clearly shows that Nigeria is not intentional about developing sports across the board.

While South Africa continues to venture into new sports, Nigeria is even losing ground in the ones it has comparative advantages over other countries in the world, notably the sprints, where Kenya and Liberia are now delivering hair-raising performances.

Expectations

Nigerians’ expectations are as high as always heading to Paris 2024, but the reality of making the most dismal outing in the history of the Games in Paris remains stark. However, Nigerians, being strong-willed and blessed with a deep determination to pull the chestnut out of the fire when least expected, provide the country with a hope to lean on.

No one expected the Dream Team to subdue star-studded Argentina and Brazil teams to win gold in the men’s football tournament in Atlanta in 1996, where Chioma Ajunwa also defied all odds to clinch the women’s long jump gold.

Despite the ill-preparedness and attendant controversies, it may not be all woeful for Team Nigeria in Paris, being blessed with some exceptional talents.

Blessing Oborududu and Ese Brume, who won silver in women’s wrestling and long jump at Tokyo 2022, will most likely make the podium alongside Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, and Favour Ofili in the women’s 100m, 200m, and 100x100m relays.

Enekwuechi made the men’s shot put final in Tokyo and should build on that experience to at least reach the podium this time, while the men’s 400x400m and women’s 100×100 relay teams also have fighting chances at medals.

The tasks are apparently daunting, but the unfading Nigerian spirit remains the wind in their sail.

Premium Pension pays over N300bn benefits

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Premium Pension pays over N300bn benefits

Premium Pension Limited has paid over N300bn in pension benefits since its inception.

This was revealed by the Acting Managing Director of the company, Kemi Oluwashina, at a Retiree Forum, themed ‘Embracing Your Golden Years: A Fresh Perspective’ which was held in Lagos recently.

According to the first quarter report from the National Pension Commission, Premium Pension Limited cornered seven per cent of the new 89,061 Retired Savings Accounts opened in the quarter, making it one of the top five Pension Fund Administrators with the largest share of the market in terms of new RSAs.

Speaking at the forum, Oluwashina said, “The industry today has over N20tn and Premium Pension is proud to say that we account for over N1.2tn of it. The industry has paid out trillions of naira in benefits and we are happy to say that Premium Pension has paid out over N300bn in pension benefits since we started.

“Premium Pension pays over a billion naira in total withdrawals every single month to over 25,000 retirees and we are happy to be part of the successes recorded in the pension industry.”

Highlighting how the Pension Reform Act has changed the narrative for retirees, Oluwashina said having conversations about how to do better was critical.

She stated, “I was looking at PENCOM’s Q1 report. We paid over a trillion naira as an industry in pension benefits. Apart from the fact that we have over N20tn in assets. We have paid over a trillion naira under programme withdrawal, the same thing under annuity. A trillion naira is not small money in any standard or any currency.

She added that engagement with the Federal Government, and lawmakers was key to keep improving the pension industry.

On Premium Pension’s commitment to retirees, Oluwashina stated, “We want to grow people’s wealth so that they can enjoy their golden years. It is at the core of what we do. It is our mission. It is not one that we will suddenly wake up and realise that it is no longer relevant. It is and will remain relevant to our business. They are the reasons why we’re in business.

That is why we organised this event. We need to give them (retirees and would-be retirees) that platform to be heard. We need to give them that platform to know that they are appreciated. The feedback from sessions like this we use in our engagement and interaction with the regulators or the respective employers, which in this case includes the federal government, state governments, and of course private sector organisations. We are not only engaging with them as employers, but we’re also the voice of their respective employees. So this feedback for us is fantastic. We love it.”

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