Category: Latest News

By Sunday Aghaeze

Ahead of the forthcoming 2020/21Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season, there  are growing concerns about the status  of both players and coaches bothering on the vexed issue of secrecy over non-disclosure of  their sign-on fees cum salaries across all the clubs. Unlike what is obtainable in saner climes, hardly do we know who earns what  in the NPFL to the chagrin of most stakeholders in the domestic league report TUNDE LIADI and OLALEKAN OKUSAN

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) early this year ranked Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) the 57th national league in the world for 2019 trailing the likes of Tunisia (15), Morocco (17), Egypt (30), Angola (48), South Africa (50) and Zambia (55) in the continent. Just this month, the continent’s top football-governing body-Confederation of African Football (CAF)-also rated the NPFL  eighth on the continent behind yet again   Morocco, Egypt, and Zambia.

According to CAF, the rating employs a point system based on how clubs from respective countries have performed in the two major club competitions over the past five years.

Incidentally, Nigerian clubs have had mixed fortunes on the continent in recent times, with NPFL teams struggling to get to the crucial stages of the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup.

The  lacklustre performance of NPFL in continental competitions in recent years  was ironically celebrated by the League Management Committee (LMC) chaired by Shehu Dikko yet there  are growing concerns about the status  of both players and coaches  bothering on the vexed issue of secrecy and non-disclosure of  their sign-on fees cum salaries across all the clubs.

Apart from not knowing what players earn in NPFL, many clubs are also fond of owing players and coaches despite huge money released by government which happens to be  the owners of most NPFL clubs .

For some inexplicable reasons, most of these clubs hardly disclose the worth of their players’ contract talk less their wages as obtainable in other African countries for instance.

For purpose of this investigation on why there is so much secrecy surrounding  the emoluments for NPFL and coaches , it was like squeezing water of stones as most major players in the domestic league declined comments and few ones  that responded did so under the guise of anonymity.  For instance, a foremost coach who had handled several NPFL clubs and a stint with the national team, blamed lack of transparency in players and coaches contract on nothing but this on insincerity of club management.

The tactician as usual, pleaded anonymity equally blamed such trends on pressure from associates of the players and coaches.

“I think the reason why most clubs in Nigeria don’t disclose players and coaches sign-on fees and salaries is because of the insincerity of those in charge of the clubs,” explained  the vastly experienced tactician that has handled several NPFL Clubs including Enyimba.“  Most of them see the clubs as another way to enrich themselves to the detriment of those who sweat it out on the pitch.

“Apart from this, you can hardly know the amount released to them by the owners of the clubs which most often, are state governments.

“All these happen time and again because of the weak structure of most of the clubs in the NPFL as they are owned by the state governments.

“Look at those that manage the clubs, they are either family members of the government or party chieftains who were rewarded for their loyalties.; so from the beginning, such clubs are set up to fail and it is based on this that those in charge rip-off the players and coaches with undisclosed sign-on fee and salaries.

“Basically the structures of most of the clubs were set up to encourage fraud and financial impropriety particularly in the NPFL.

“If the clubs were owned by private people, accountability and transparency would have been the order of the day and this is what is happening in Europe and some African nations where most of the clubs are owned by private groups,” he added.

Speaking further, the coach who also had stints with the Nigerian national teams’ set up, further blamed societal pressure as another chief reasons why there seemed to be oath of secrecy as far as   contract of players and coaches is concerned: “Most of the players are not even ready to disclose what they are earning because of pressure from relatives and friends.

“Unfortunately in our society, immediately people know how much a player is earning, there will be pressure from several quarters with demands and this alone will endanger the life of such a player.

“So this is another reason why even the players and coaches are satisfied with this trend of secrecy in the financial details of their contracts.”

Meanwhile, the head coach of Lobi Stars, Kabiru Dogo , concurred that the ownership of teams makes it impossible for teams to disclose financial agreements with players and coaches.

Dogo was quoted as saying recently  that it would be impossible for Nigerian league players to determine what they earn based on the financial status of most of the states-owned clubs.

The tactician admitted that Nigerian players earn substantial salaries and other allowances cannot be compared with what the overseas teams pay as most clubs in Europe and the Americas are owned by private corporate individuals and big companies who are ready to invest and pay players huge sums of money.

“These days, the NPFL players’ wages are called enhanced salaries by the states, who own the clubs. The players’ salaries are not announced because the states’ governments determine what the players get; this is unlike Europe where investors finance clubs heavily,” Dogo declared without pulling punches. “As you can see in Nigeria, due to the fact that most of the time allocations are not released early, players are not paid on time.

“Even the few private clubs find it difficult to pay salaries because they lack sponsors and therefore find it difficult to cope with the huge cost of running football.

“This is unlike what obtains in Europe because some players get their money every month while some every week. I believe Nigeria will attain such level with time,” he noted

Speaking on the same premise, a player from the former CAF Champion League winner, Enyimba of Aba, who refused his name in print, said the players and coaches prefer to keep their earnings secret because of the prevailing security situation in the country.

He offered: “With the level of kidnappings and other crimes in this country, footballers will become easy targets if the criminals know what we earn.

“I can tell you that such clubs like Kano Pillars, Rivers United and Enyimba, among others, pay good salaries and other dues. But of what use will it be to make these earnings public when players don’t have as much protection as their counterparts in Europe.

“Those states that owe their players regularly are not supposed to float clubs. This is because if they knew what sports can do for their economy, they will operate differently. These states still see sports as recreation and therefore treats it as such,” he added.

A former NPFL team coach who equally craved anonymity pointed out that the major reason salaries and sign-on fees of players and coaches remained undisclosed is because of greed on the part of the club management who are not truthful to the sponsors of the clubs.

He noted that some club management officials inflate the amount they negotiated with the players and coaches with a view to short-changing their sponsors.

“What I have to say regarding that is that some club officials are not truthful to their employers. They feed fat from the emoluments of players and coaches. They do not give an accurate record in order for them to benefit from it,” the coach told NationSport.

“They know the amount they negotiated with the players and coaches but they will now go ahead to pad it up for them to get bogus allocation from the government. Whatever that is remaining after they settled the team becomes theirs.”

He also added that some club management officials cut players’ salaries at will without reason, insisting that this had caused rancour among various teams in the past and still exists till now.

“We know that it is statutory to remove taxes from the salaries but there are other charges too that adequate explanations have not been provided to the players” he said.

A former player of Nasarawa United and Abia Warriors who claimed he was on a monthly salary of N350,000 and was signed for N1.5 million at both clubs before he quit, stressed that they left discussion about their transfer undisclosed because of the negative backlash that may likely follow.

He said lack of adequate protection and security for players make it difficult for players to gladly talk about their salaries and sign-on fees in public.

“Some players were last season kidnapped while on their way back to their base at the end of the season. They went through the most gruelling experience in the midst of their kidnappers. Imagine if details about their contract are available for all to see, they would have suffered more agonies,” the midfielder began in an interview. “We are playing the so-called Professional Football League and we need to behave and act like professionals. Security of players and coaches must be priorities to enable them feel free to open up a little more.”

Another NPFL player who plays for Heartland said that the inconsistency and unnecessary delay in the payment of negotiated emoluments also discourage the players from disclosing their contract.

The defender said that the players also have their salaries slashed to the tune of between N100, 000 and N200, 000 every month by the team management without any reason.

“A lot of things have to be put in place if we are to become more open with the press. A situation whereby a player cannot predict the salary he gets at the end of the month is not ideal. We had players in my team whose monies are being deducted unjustly,” the striker explained to NationSport. “What is it that we want to disclose when we don’t even know what we will get at the end of the month; I believe this could be among the reasons why players are keeping every information about their contract private.”

However, another top coach who has worked with Enyimba and some clubs in  the Northern part of the country  was of the view that a lot can be changed , affirming   that the introduction of the club licencing could help check the excesses of some club officials who have not been upright to their players and coaches.

He said that the club licencing registration which has been put as a condition for the registration of players ahead of the new season would help put things in proper perspective even as he enjoined the LMC to be forthright without sacred cows in the discharge of their duties.

“I believe that the club licencing registration as requirements for the club to register for the new season is a step in the right direction and it will help curb excesses of club management,” he said.” With that,  all clubs must provide adequate Information which will be available to the public in due course.”

By Osagie Otabor, Akure

Over 5,000 card readers belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been razed in an inferno that consumed Akure office of the commission.

The fire was still raging as at the time of filing the report but fire fighters were making attempts to put it out.

A top INEC official, who pleaded anonymity, said the fire razed the section where card readers were kept.

He attributed the cause to electrical surge as the card readers were always charged inside the place.

Another staff said the fire started at about 8:13pm and affected the ICT unit of the INEC.

The firemen that came were helpless as they claimed not to have water.

INEC Commissioner in charge of Information and Voters Education, Festus Okoye, who spoke at the scene of the incident, said the fire affected the ICT section of the office.

Okoye said over 5,100 card readers were burnt, including the 1,000 card readers delivered to Ondo INEC from Osun State.

Fire service men from Akure Airport arrived at exactly 9:14pm and started helping to put out the fire.

Agency Reporter

He was a terror, but his killing on a day he was to embrace peace has raised eyebrows. The late Terwase Akwaza, popular known as Gana, graduated from being a bully to freedom fighter and ultimately a gang leader with a wide territory, write UJA EMMANUEL and SANNI ONOGU

Terwase Akwaza, popular known as Gana in mind, did not see death coming. But, on Tuesday evening, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke waylaid his convoy on Katsina-Ala- Gboko federal highway and shot him dead.

Born 40 years ago in Mbayongo, Shitile Kpav, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State, Gana dropped out of primary school. He could hardly speak good English.

As a child, he lived in his home town, Gbishe. From tormenting and bullying other children, he grew into a militant and from his Mbayongo clan, the late Gana spread his tentacles to three local government areas: Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo.

Initially, he was believed to have a mystical power given to him by his kinsmen to defend his community against external aggression or invaders. He defended his people against herdsmen. His community shared boundaries with Taraba State and the neighbours were always taking up arms against each other. The late Gana later became big-time militant and recruited boys in the three local government area.

He acquired sophisticated weapons and his gang members were said to have been involved in criminal activities like kidnapping, murder and armed robberies.

His gang members made life unbearable for his people and those who plied the federal highway between Katsina Ala – Takum and Katsina-Ala – Zakibiam – Wukari in Taraba.

Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas that made up Sankera are known for massive yam production, but the activities of Gana led to the yam markets in these areas being deserted. His group sacked markets officials and assumed control, collecting levies and taxes in the markets.

Igbo traders relocated, motorist avoided roads in Sankera, schools, hospitals and business were grounded.

Things worsened when some of his gang members parted way with him and formed their terror group.

The late Gana and his gang were fingered in every criminal activity in the Sankera axis.

When he was declared wanted, nobody was able to arrest him. Many attributed this to his supernatural power to appear and disappear. The police, soldiers and Air force attempted to apprehend him but failed.

In 2015, Governor Samuel Ortom granted him amnesty and he surrendered massive arms and ammunition alongside his gang members who denounced criminality.

The late Gana was given a contract by the Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) for him to eke out a livelihood.

Few months after he repented, he was accused of killing Mr Denen Iguana, the governor’s aide on security. Attempts to bring him to answer questions on the killing of Iguana failed. He parted ways with Ortom and returned to the trenches. A 10 million bounty was placed on his head for anyone with information that may lead to his arrest.

Last week, Ortom visited Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas to inaugurate projects. During the visit, elders and stakeholders in Sankera axis pleaded with Ortom to grant the late Gana and his gang members another amnesty which he obliged.

uesday was set for the most          wanted criminal gang leader to surrender at the Government House, Makurdi. He and his gang members assembled at the Katsina-Ala township stadium and were being conveyed to Makurdi before soldiers mounted a roadblock at a place called Maseje between Ameladu and Yandev roundabout in Gboko Local Government Area and whisked him away. He was later killed.

Ortom yesterday expressed shock the way Gana was killed by soldiers. He said he was waiting for an explanation from the Commander of 4 Special forces Command in Doma, Nassarawa State, Maj.-Gen. Moundhey

Gadzama Ali before he would know what to say.

Former Governor of Benue State and Senator representing Benue North East, Gabriel Suswam, yesterday condemned the late Gana’s killing.

Suswam, in a statement in Abuja, called for a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of Gana.

•From left: Ortom and the late Gana

He urged the people of the state to remain calm saying this is a “time to heal and not war.”

Suswam, who is the Chairman Senate Committee on Power, in his statement titled: “A Time to Heal” said: “At times of uncertainties and crisis, it is incumbent on statesmen to stand out and douse situations especially those that threaten the good order of society.

“The role of elders at times like this is not to inflame passions or fan the embers of hate but to heal all wounds. We are at such a critical juncture in our existence in Benue State.

“The events of September 8, 2020 in my senatorial district where repentant criminals who had surrendered after extensive persuasions were singled out and killed extra-judicially leaves a sour taste and has opened a gaping wound that requires all efforts to heal.

t is no secret that my senatorial district has been traumatised and the people terrorised by activities of criminal gangs led by Mr. Terwase Agwaza alias Gana, for many years.

“The consequences of this endless terrorism have been a steady decline of economic and social activities leaving a once prosperous people pauperised.

“Markets no longer attract traders, schools are closed and farmlands abandoned. Politics in the area has become a war with uncontrolled proliferation of dangerous weapons.

“No responsible leader will idly stand by and watch his community become a theatre of war and a gangster’s paradise.

“It is with this solution mindset that traditional rulers, clergymen and elders of the area decided to utilise means of constructive engagement and dialogue to ensure that youths of the area do not become tools for the destruction of that society.

“The Benue State government along with the security agencies have long desired for a return to normalcy, peace, prosperity and security of the area.

“We have all been in agreement that the continuous existence and activities of gangs are an ill wind that blows no one any good.

“That is why some leaders were mandated to reach out to these outlaws to persuade them to drop their arms and channel their energies towards the rebuilding of our thoroughly battered community.

“We were all excited to see the dreaded Gana come out of hiding to the warm embrace of our traditional rulers, clergy and political leaders at a public function at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala.

“Our joy was multiplied when we saw him along with his militia surrender arms and publicity renounce a life of crime.

“Our revered King extracted a pledge from him never to turn his kingdom into a wasteland.

“Those present at this forum heaved a great sigh of relief with the thought that finally, a life full of uncertainty has come to an end.

“I was totally dumbfounded to learn that while Gana was on his way to Makurdi, the state capital, to present himself to the governor who was waiting, his long convoy that included political leaders, traditional rulers, clergymen and security agencies was ambushed by allegedly armed soldiers and he isolated and taken away.

“In the midst of the confusion, pictures began to circulate on social media of the bullet-ridden body of Gana with a rifle callously placed on his side.

hile I have been consistent in condemning the reign of terror he unleashed on his community, I cannot in good conscience as a lawyer of over three decades and a senior parliamentarian accept cold-blooded extra-judicial murder of an unarmed person as a solution to our security problems.

he lessons of the Boko Haram escalation after a similar murder of its leader are still here with us.

“If this method is accepted as a norm in our country, there will be no need for laws and courts.

“We stand to benefit more by subjecting suspects to due process of the law. Information extracted from a living Gana would have helped security agents get to the root of activities of criminals.

“By this Gestapo style execution, we have missed an opportunity to learn vital lessons about the structure of crime in the area.

“Even war criminals captured alive are entitled to certain rights. The claim that Gana was killed in a gunfight needs further explanation because those who accompanied him and who watched him being taken away, including his Local Government Chairman, do not believe he was in possession of any arms.

“An independent judicial commission of inquiry will unravel facts of the matter to serve as lessons for the future.

“It is unfortunate that this event has escalated tensions in the area and that is why I am using this opportunity to plead with all elders and community leaders to rein in their youths and avoid deterioration of an already bad situation.

“This is a time to heal and not war. This is a time to hold each other to our common values as human beings.

“This is a time to rebuild our fractured society. This is a time to rally together as brothers and say Enough is Enough.”

There is tension in Sankera axis as many are afraid that his gang members may avenge his brutal killings.

By Isaac JImoh Ayodele

By Okodili Ndidi, Abuja

Seven kidnap victims, including two women and five children, have been rescued by troops of Operation Lafiya Dole during a clearance operation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, the Armed Forces of Nigeria,has said.

Five of the insurgents were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

A statement by the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, disclosed troops raided the terrorists’ hideout at Hamdaga Makaranta town, following credible intelligence on the activities of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) fighters.

According to the statement: “In continuation of the aggressive clearance operation to stamp out the North-East zone of the country against the insurgents and other criminal elements, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has recorded tremendous successes against BHT/ISWAP elements.

“Acting on credible intelligence on the activities of BHT/ISWAP terrorists at Hamdaga Makaranta town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, troops of 192 Battalion supported by the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE on 6 September 2020 raided the location. The gallant troops overwhelmed them killing five, while others escaped with gun shots wounds. Troops also cleared 9 identified isolated BHT/ISWAP structures and farmlands in the area”.

It added: “Furthermore, troops successfully rescued 7 kidnapped victims comprising 2 females and 5 children. Currently the gallant troops have dominated the area with aggressive patrols.

“The Military High Command congratulates the gallant troops for their dexterity and encourages them to intensify the onslaught against the criminal elements in the North-East zone of the country”.

By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

The #RevolutionNow movement and National Association of Nigeria Students(NANS) on Tuesday protested hike in petrol price, electricity tariff and cable TV subscriptions among others.

The Federal Government last Wednesday, through the Petroleum Pricing Marketing Company (PPMC), increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N138 to NN151.56 per litre, forcing marketers to increase pump price from N148 to N162 per litre.

The protesters, who converged on the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Old Garage in Osogbo, marched to Ola-Iya junction.

They were armed with placards with several inscriptions chanting anti-government songs.

Details shortly…

Chris Njoku, Owerri

Over 100 persons have been trapped in Akwakuma in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo as a result of two- day landslide.

The disaster, which occurred last Saturday, took place at Trinity Street.

The Nation gathered it also cut off more than six buildings in the area with many residents trapped.

One of the victims and a lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Emma Ogu, told The Nation for days, his family and many residents were trapped in the landslide.

Ogu, who estimated the depth of the gully caused by the slide at 10 feet, said: “We need urgent attention now from the state government to avert further calamity.”

READ ALSO: Controversies trail PDP, APC primaries in C/River, Imo

It was gathered two major churches, St. Phillip Anglican Church, Akwakuma, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church were also involved in the slide, which affected other residential and commercial houses in the area.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ike Njoku, said officials of the ministry had visited the affected area.

He advised the people of the area to always check the level of water flow in the area.

He said: “It is a big problem for the state. This is because there more than 300 erosion sites on Imo.

“Meanwhile, we have taken the matter to the State Government who said that we slate the area as one of those areas that have urgent attention in the state.”

 

 

A tanker loaded with petrol has exploded after colliding with a trailer engulfing houses, cars and properties.

The incident, The Nation gathered, occurred around 11pm on Sunday.

See Photos Below:

Read Also: JUST IN: Houses, shops burnt as tanker explodes in Niger

Eminent Nigerians, led by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, converged on the palace of Oniru Iruland in Lagos for the coronation of Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, reports TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO.

It was a colourful event yesterday at the coronation of the 15th Oniru of Iruland, Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, at his palace on Victoria Island,  Lagos.

Some three months after Oba Lawal was installed, the coronation was delayed due to COVID-19.

Although without the usual cultural displays characteristic of such royal outings,  the duo of Sulaiman Ayilara Aremu, popularly called Ajobiewe, and Fausat Ayo Ewebiyi ensured there was no dull moment.

Busola Kukoyi of Lagos Television, the master of ceremonies, left the guests highly entertained.

Many women decked in colour purple attires, while the men shone in white.

Traditional leaders were not left out. Religious men, especially Islamic clerics, were well represented.

Among early callers were wife of Lagos State Governor Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who wore a velvet purple lace, and Erelu of Lagos Abiola Dosunmu in traditional white.

The arrival of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  raised the bar.

He was led into the venue by Dr Hamzat, Elegushi of Ikateland Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Lagos State Head of Service Hakeem Muri-Okunola, and Chief of Staff to the governor Tayo Ayinde.

A renowned industrialist and Aare of Lagos, Alhaji Rasak Akanni Okoya, his delectable wife, Sade, and  Chief Samuel Adedoyin joined the dignitaries on the high table.

Commissioners for the Environment Tunji Bello; Information and Strategy – Gbenga Omotoso; Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai (MAF); Culture and Tourism Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf; Justice and Attorney-General Moyo Onigbanjo and Special Adviser  on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu led other members of the state executive.

The celebrators, Oba Lawal and Olori Mariam, were ushered into the tastefully decorated pavilion, joined by the monarch’s mother, Olori Muinat Lawal-Akapo, and the Ojora of Ijora, Oba Abdul Fatai Aromire.

Rendered in Yoruba, the national anthem was followed by a poetic oratory performance.

Some Islamic scholars coordinated by Imam Hakeem Kosoko rendered prayers for the monarch, governor and his exco, Asiwaju Tinubu and Lagos state.

Oba Lawal was dressed in traditional golden Agbada with long royal beads, a crown, and face mask. He held his mini staff of office.

He waved the horsetail to the admiration of the gathering.

The monarch, in his coronation speech, hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu, Asiwaju Tinubu, who he described as a mentor and confidant; his family, traditional rulers and his subjects.

“My deepest appreciation is to Almighty Allah. In the journey so far, I have received several divine favours and benevolence from our creator, and none of these do I take for granted or deem myself qualified for. It has been providence and I will continue to remain grateful,” he said.

Oba Lawal almost betrayed his emotion while eulogising his mother and remembering his late father, Chief Taoreed Akapo-Lawal,  the former Ojora of Lagos.

He promised to be fair, and work for the progress and development of Iruland.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by Hamzat, reminded the gathering of his advice to the monarch to strengthen the unity and peace in Iruland for the development and progress of the kingdom.

“Two months on the throne, I’m pleased to note that Kabiyesi took this advice to heart as exemplified by his very impressive actions characterised by wisdom, knowledge and large-heartedness. My advice to all sons and daughters, as well as residents of Iruland is to continue to stand firm and united behind His Royal Majesty in order to advance the development and prosperity of this kingdom …

“I have absolute confidence in the ability and capacity of His Royal Majesty to bring about greater transformation that will benefit everybody and further reposition Iruland within the metrics of development in Lagos State,” the governor said.

Asiwaju Tinubu urged the monarch to work with the people as well as the state to actualise his lofty dreams for  Iruland and Lagos State.

He said a beautiful idea dies without the support of government and people who such great idea was meant to develop.

Asiwaju, who described Oba Lawal as intelligent, reliable, dependable and unassuming, urged the people to work in peace and harmony and not in greed, saying that no matter how much of wealth one appropriates to oneself, everyman would leave the world with nothing.

Tinubu urged those who sought to succeed the late Oba but did not make it, to work with Oba Lawal to develop Iruland.

Among dignitaries present were former Ambassador to Ghana Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; members of the House of Assembly; and former and serving members of the National Assembly

Others were local government chairmen – Princess Abiodun Adu (Iru-VI); Dr Funmilayo Akande-Mohammed (Apapa-Iganmu); Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe (Coker-Aguda); Arobadade of Iruland Prince Abayomi Daramola; and whitecap chiefs.

While many Nigerians have welcomed the lowering infection figures with ecstasy, authorities attribute the plummeting infections to reduction in tests across states, writes Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF

IT was with ecstasy that Nigerians received the announcement that the airspace is now opened to international flights. Last week, after reeling out protocols that should be observed by all and penalties for circumventing any of the rules, Nigeria approved both airports in Abuja and Lagos for international flights.

The move led to cautious optimism that this singular action would not lead to a resurgence of Coronavirus infections in a country that recorded her index case through an Italian man that flew into Lagos last February. The nation’s airspace has been shut since March as part of measure to stop the spread of Coronavirus infections.

With daily updates from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), it was apparent that the country has been recording lowering infection figures in the past few weeks. Till date, as Saturday, September 5, a total of 54,905 cases have been confirmed, 42,922 cases discharged and 1,054 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) so far.

Last week, Saturday, September 5, NCDC said Nigeria recorded 162 new confirmed cases and three deaths. The new infections, 162 in total, took place in 15 states: Lagos (53), Gombe (21), Oyo (19), Delta (12), Ondo (11), Plateau (10), Ebonyi (9), FCT (6), Kwara (6), Kaduna (5), Rivers (3), Ogun (2), Anambra (2), Imo (2) and Ekiti (1). That same day, 106 people were discharged in 10 states: FCT (19), Ondo (18), Rivers (17), Ebonyi (15), Kaduna (15), Delta (8), Osun (8), Ekiti (3), Gombe (2) and Oyo (1). Sadly, 3 people lost their lives in two states: FCT (2) and Ebonyi (1).

On Friday Sept 4, NCDC reported that 156 new cases were confirmed in 17 states: Lagos (36), FCT (35), Oyo (29), Kaduna (10), Abia (9), Enugu (5), Ogun (5), Osun (5), Rivers (4), Ekiti (3), Imo (3), Nasarawa (3), Edo (2), Katsina (2), Kwara (2), Plateau (2) and Niger (1); while 189 discharges were made in 13 states. The recoveries took place in Plateau (52), Ogun (34), Ekiti (25), Kaduna (20), Rivers (15), Kano (10), Kwara (10), Edo (7), FCT (6), Bauchi (4), Oyo (3), Bayelsa (2) and Osun (1); while 3 deaths that were reported took place in FCT.

In terms of fatalities, it was a sad day for Nigeria on Thursday, September 3, as 21 people died as a result of Covid-19 complications – almost the total of weekly fatalities recorded lately. Also on that day, 124 new cases were confirmed in 13 states: Lagos (42), FCT (25), Katsina (14), Kaduna (11), Kwara (8), Ondo (7), Delta (4), Anambra (3), Oyo (3), Edo (2), Ogun (2), Osun (2) and Cross River (1); and 188 discharges were reported in 12 states. The states where recoveries took place: Plateau (79), Ogun (28), FCT (22), Anambra (13), Kano (10), Edo (8), Kaduna (8), Gombe (5), Rivers (5), Lagos (2), Osun (2) and Oyo (1).  The week’s highest single day fatality took nwere reported in two states: Kaduna (20) and Anambra (1).

Last week’s largest single day recoveries took place on Wednesday September 2. On that day, 429 people recovered from their infection and were discharged in 15 states: Enugu (181), Delta (55), Plateau (55), Kaduna (25), Rivers (18), Ekiti (16), Abia (15), Ogun (12), Bayelsa (10), Ebonyi (10), Edo (10), FCT (10), Akwa Ibom (6), Osun (4) and Sokoto (2). Two hundred and sixteen (216) confirmed cases were also reported in 16 states: Plateau (59), Rivers (27), Abia (22), Lagos (20), Oyo (18), Enugu (17), FCT (11), Kaduna (11), Ogun (10), Ebonyi (4), Ekiti (4), Osun (4), Delta (3), Edo (3), Akwa Ibom (2) and Bauchi (1); while 4 deaths were reported in four states: Ekiti (1), FCT (1), Ondo (1) and Plateau (1).

On Tuesday Sept 1, a total of 239 new cases were reported in Nigeria, with the week’s second single day largest recoveries standing at 372 and 10 fatality. Two hundred and thirty-nine confirmed cases were reported in 15 states: Plateau (116), FCT (33), Lagos (19), Ekiti (12), Kaduna (11), Ogun (11), Ebonyi (8), Benue (7), Abia (5), Delta (5), Ondo (4), Edo (3), Imo (2), Osun (2) and Bauchi (1); while 372 discharges were reported in 11 states: Plateau (109), Benue (75), Bauchi (52), Kano (44), Kaduna (27), FCT (17), Rivers (14), Imo (12), Edo (11), Ogun (8) and Osun (3). The week’s largest single day death toll was reported in two states: FCT (9) and Delta (1).

The story was not spectacularly different on Monday August 31 when a total 143 confirmed cases were reported in 18 states. The states where new infections took place: Plateau (35), Kaduna (21), Lagos (19), FCT (13), Ebonyi (9), Adamawa (7), Enugu (7), Katsina (7), Edo (6), Kwara (5), Osun (3), Anambra (2), Kano (2), Niger (2), Ogun (2), Benue (1), Borno (1) and Sokoto (1); while 125 discharges were reported in 15 states: Ogun (26), Edo (25), Plateau (21), Kaduna (14), Kwara (11), FCT (5), Borno (4), Akwa Ibom (3), Bayelsa (3), Lagos (3), Niger (2), Osun (2), Oyo (2), Rivers (2) and Sokoto (2). Interestingly, no death was reported on that day.

On Sunday August 30, NCDC confirmed a total of 138 cases in 14 states: Plateau (55), Lagos (15), Ebonyi (11), Oyo (11), Abia (8), Anambra (7), FCT (7), Rivers (7), Kaduna (6), Ondo (5), Kwara (3), Bauchi (1), Benue (1) and Edo (1); while 199 discharges were reported in 11 states: Plateau (46), Bauchi (31), Abia (28), Kaduna (27), Ondo (20), Ekiti (18), Anambra (9), Rivers (9), FCT (7), Osun (3) and Ogun (1). On that day, 2 deaths were reported in two states – Abia (1) and Osun (1). On the aggregate, last week, Nigeria had 1,178 new infections, 1,608 recoveries and 42 fatalities, regarded as the highest in recent months.

The Federal Government said the country has ramped up its COVID-19 testing capacity to 15,000 samples daily. That was the disclosure by last Thursday by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. He was, however, sad that the number of samples collected for testing lately has not remained discouraging. “The PTF is particularly disturbed by the low level of samples collection because of what it portends for the strategy of testing, detection, tracing, isolation and treatment. Let me give you an example. In July, seven states reported a lower number of samples collected than the preceding month. But in August, this number rose from seven to 32 states that reported a lower number of samples collected than in the preceding month,” he said.

Despite increased testing capacity and improved access to testing, the demands remain slow with not enough samples being collected. Mustapha, therefore, attributed the sudden decline in COVID-19 cases to the low samples for testing at state levels. “I want to appeal to the sub-national at this point to ramp up testing because we right now have an installed capacity of testing 15,000 samples daily. There is no reason why our testing figures should continue to decline.

“Similarly, the Cumulative Test Positivity Ratio (CTR), which shows how many per cent of our tests are positive, has reduced from 15.2% at the end of July to 13.3% at the end of August. As part of the accomplishment recorded through the National Response, Nigeria now has 68 laboratories in the COVID-19 network spread across 34 states and the FCT. The remaining two states – Kebbi and Niger – are in the pipeline for coverage in the next few weeks. The number of cumulative samples so far tested has now exceeded over 400,000,” he said.

Issues concerning the extortion of innocent citizens by greedy policemen have generated an outrage in recent times with experts suggesting ways of curbing the menace by the minions of law, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE.

• Victims of racketeer cops relive ordeal
• How officers use POS machine to collect bribe

The life of a young fashion designer, Taiwo Ayomide, ended in a tragic manner barely four days after he celebrated the recent Eid-el-Kabir in his Iragbiji hometown in Osun State. According to reports, the 20-year-old was beaten to death in the most brutal manner by a power-drunk policeman, Inspector Ago Egharevbe, in a bid to forcibly collect a bribe from the deceased.

As the story goes, Ayomide and his brother, Oladimeji Wasiu, were returning from Iragbiji on a motorcycle when they were flagged down by a gun totting officer at a checkpoint near the Odo Osun section of Ibokun Road in Ijahun village, Ibokun Local Government Area, Osun State.

Egharevba, who according to Wasiu demanded N50 bribe, was shocked that the deceased had a huge sum of money on him unleashed his temper on Ayomide, hitting him with the butt of his gun.

The attack left Ayomide with a severe head injury, leading to his death at the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, Osogbo where he was rushed to for treatment.

Wasiu said: “While we were coming from our Iragbiji hometown after Sallah, we met four police officers on the way. One of them, who was drinking alcohol stopped us and demanded money. When my brother brought out money to give him, he saw a huge amount of money in his pocket. It was the sum of N50,000 meant for our mother.

“He asked him to bring the money out, my brother refused. In anger, the policeman started hitting my brother with the butt of his gun. We fell down in the process and I sustained an arm injury.

“Before I could stand up to rescue my brother, I discovered that the policeman was on the verge of running away, but he was stopped by passers-by and my other brothers who were coming behind us.

“Ayomide was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital where he remained unconscious until his death. His mobile phone and the sum of N50,000 in his pocket were stolen.”

Many other victims of police extortion are living with the trauma of their ordeal at the hands of errant policemen. In a video posted on Twitter by a popular rapper, Ruggedman, in April 2020, a policeman named Martins was caught on camera extorting the sum of N40,000 from an unnamed motorist on Ago Palace Way, Okota, Isolo area of Lagos.

The unidentified motorist was apprehended for violating the restriction of movement order over the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, and was forced to part with the money before his car was released from custody.

In the footage, Martins, identified as the Station Officer at Ago Police Division, was seen collecting wads of N1,000 naira notes, and counting them to confirm if the money was complete. The victim, according to the Twitter post, was on his way to buy foodstuff and fuel when he was intercepted by some policemen.

The unidentified victim was quoted to have said in the Twitter post: “One of the policemen drove my car to Ago Police Station, Okota. I live at Ago too. When we got there, I met so many other people.

“We were told to meet the S/O (Station Officer) who delayed us from 9 am till 5 pm. When the people became tired and frustrated, they started going in to meet him one by one, and the least sum he collected from each of them was 50k (N50,000).”

He said the officer only agreed to accept N40,000 from him after much pleading.

“After much pleading, the officer agreed to collect N40k from me. I went to the bank, withdrew 40k and gave it to him. That was when he released my vehicle’s key to me. Unknown to him, I recorded everything.”

In the same month, a woman, Oluwatoyin Ajogbor, posted a video on social media accusing the men of Agbowa-Ikosi Police Division in Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, of illegal arrest and extortion.

In the video, Ajogbor said she was arrested after she withdrew some cash from a POS operator. Ironically, it was the same policemen who had directed her to where she could find a POS operator that arrested her and collected the N10,000 she wanted to use in buying foodstuff.

The woman explained that she was detained at the station from 11 am until 8 pm and later released after the money she withdrew was taken from her.

“The incident occurred in Agbowa when I went out with a friend to buy food items because there was nothing left in the house to eat.

“I went round the town looking for a POS operator but couldn’t find any, and there was no bank in Agbowa where I could use an ATM.

“We met some policemen at a checkpoint. They stopped us and asked where we were going. I explained to them that I was looking for a POS operator so that I could withdraw some money to buy food items.

“They thereafter described where we could find a POS operator around the place. I thanked the policemen and went to the POS operator. He only had N10,000 left, so I collected everything even though I needed more.

“To my surprise, one of the policemen jumped into my car and asked me to drive to their station. I told them why I was out and that the government said we could go out to get food between 10 am and 2 pm.

“They took us to Agbowa Police Station and we were detained until 8 pm because the DTO (name withheld) was not around.

“When the DTO came, he told us he did not want to talk to anyone. He said we should go and see one female sergeant. It was this female sergeant that collected the N10,000 from us.

“Immediately we got to her, she told us that the DTO sent her to us and that our fine was N10,000 each.

“Funny enough, it was this same DTO, the female sergeant and others who led me to the POS guy from whom I collected cash before I was arrested.

“The police officers at the station collected all the money and made me go back home empty-handed and without any food to survive the lockdown.”

How errant officers were arrested, reprimanded

Worried by the brutal killing of Ayomide, the Osun State Police Command arrested and dismissed the errant policeman, Inspector Egharvebe.

A statement issued in Osogbo by the Command’s spokesperson, Opalola Yemisi, explained that Egharevbe was arrested after the incident.

The statement said Egharevbe had been subjected to orderly room trial and was dismissed following a recommendation to the Inspector General of Police by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie.

The statement read: “CP Adie and the entire Osun Police Command commiserate with the family and friends of Ayomide Taiwo on the death of their loved one as we promised to ensure justice is served.

“The Commissioner of Police has identified, arrested and detained the erring policeman. The defaulter has passed through force disciplinary procedures of orderly room trial, dismissed him and he will be subsequently charged to court.

“The Osun State Police Command wishes to state that the officer, Inspector Ago Egharevbe, who brutalised a civilian in Ibokun has been tried and dismissed from the force.

“The Commissioner of Police wishes to state clearly that the command under his watch will not tolerate any act of indiscipline, brutality, unprofessional behaviour and incivility to members of the public.

In the case of Ajogbor, the errant policemen who arrested and extorted her were swiftly identified and apprehended.

According to the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Bala Elkana, the officers were arrested after the footage posted by Ajogbor was carefully analysed.

Bala said: “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command is drawn to a video on social media in which a lady alleged that her vehicle was impounded by the Divisional Traffic Officer, Agbowa Division, and a female sergeant.

“She equally accused the officers of extorting money from her. After analysing the video, the officers mentioned were identified by our operatives and arrested. They are Assistant Superintendent of Police Adebayo Ojo and Sergeant Adeleke Mojisola.

“The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered an in-depth investigation into the case.”

Other cases of extortion

Like others, Murtala Salami’s ordeal at the hands of policemen last year has continued to traumatise him. Precisely in October, 2019, the clearing agent, who works in Apapa Port, Lagos, got an Infinix Hot 4 phone from a phone technician identified simply as Yusuf, several months after he gave Yusuf an Infinix Hot 6 phone to fix.

The problem with the phone he gave Yusuf to repair was intractable, hence the technician gave him a similar phone as a temporary replacement pending the time he would find a solution to his phone.

Murtala, who had by then bought a new phone, simply gave the replacement phone to his wife. A few weeks later, policemen from Alakara Division in Ojoo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, tracked the phone to his wife while Murtala had gone to work. His wife was arrested and detained at Ikotun Police Station, Lagos.

She was freed in the evening after her husband got to the station, while he was in turn held and transferred to Alakara Police Station in Ibadan. But before Murtala was moved to Ibadan, he was first taken to Yusuf’s house in the neighborhood but the technician, on sighting his customer in handcuffs, bolted without a trace.

The young clearing agent was consequently detained for six days at the police division in Ibadan. Within the six days he spent there, he claimed the policemen extorted him to the tune of N160, 000 which the minions claimed was meant for his bail and logistics. The money, according to him, was withdrawn from his Access Bank account through a POS machine the policemen brought to him in the cell.

He said: “I still cannot get over my experience at the hands of the policemen at the station. It happened that I gave my Infinix Hot 6 phone to a technician called Yusuf to fix for me. The phone’s screen had issues and I gave him about N7,500 to fix it for me.

“Several months later, Yusuf did not return my phone, leaving me with no choice but to report him to some of his acquaintances after I discovered that he was avoiding me in our neighbourhood.

“One day, I saw him at the Computer Village in Ikeja and held him by his shirt. The encounter created a scene and some bystanders brokered a truce between us. In the middle of the altercation, he told me that my phone was giving him problems and he offered to give me a similar phone, an Infinix Hot 4, for me to use until he would properly fix my phone.

“I collected the phone and gave it to my wife since I had bought a new phone. A few days later, while I was at work in Apapa, I learnt that some policemen were at my residence to arrest my wife and that she was being taken to Ikotun Police Division. I rushed down.

“My wife was freed after a sum of N5,000 was collected from her, while I was detained. I was led to Yusuf’s home in the neighbourhood of Ikotun and he fled on sighting me in handcuffs. I was subsequently moved to Alakara Police Station in Ojoo area of Ibadan, Oyo State. I was held in the cell for six days and I paid through my nose.

“The Investigating Police Officer (IPO), a female Inspector, told me that I would have to pay to regain my freedom. I told them how I got the phone in my statement and that they should arrest Yusuf but they insisted that I would have to pay for my bail.

“I told them I had no cash on me but I had some money in my Access Bank account. Knowing full well that I brought my ATM card with me to the station, they took it from me before they locked me up in the cell.

“The IPO dashed out and returned with a POS machine through which she asked me to pay the sum of N80,000. I had no option but to comply right there in the cell.

“I thought that I would be freed after that, but the policemen continued to extort me, using the POS until I coughed out additional N40,000 twice, making the total amount they collected for bail N160,000. That was how my account was emptied.

“Initially, they held me incommunicado. When she later demanded another sum of N10,000, I told her my account was empty. At this point, she gave me a phone to call anyone who could give me the money, following which I called one of my brothers on the phone.

“My father, who intercepted the call, came to the station and got annoyed when he learnt that I was forced to pay via a POS device brought by the policemen handling the case.”

How to curb menace — Security experts

A human rights activist and Executive Director of Centre for Constitutional Rights Initiative, Kolapo Lawal, said the channel for complaints must be re-engineered to perform to its optimum capacity, to boost the confidence of people in reporting erring officers.

“Police authorities should take urgent steps to rejig its public complaints department with provision of adequate logistics and funding for optimum performance. This would ensure optimum performance of the unit in addressing complaints about erring policemen and ensuring they are sanctioned if found culpable,” Lawal said.

A legal practitioner, Ambrose Okafor, noted that corrupt officers could be weeded out of the Police Force if the X-Squad set up a few years ago to curb fraudulent practices by policemen is visible in every nook and cranny of the country.

“The anti-corruption unit called X-Squad should be adequately funded and manned by disciplined men to comb the length and breadth of the country for corrupt policemen who indulge in extortion of innocent motorists, commuter and residents,” he said.

By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

There were strong indications last night that the Federal Government may not reverse the new fuel pump price regime because it is determined to end the culture of fuel subsidy which officials said has gulped about N10.78 trillion in 14years.

Government is also not contemplating a review of the new electricity tariffs because the sector is already deregulated.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has however collected electricity Performance Improvement Plan from each of the 11 distribution companies in the country as a precondition for the new tariffs.

Organised labour and civil liberty groups are said to be continuing with their plan to launch a protest later this week over the fuel price increase and hike in electricity tariffs.

Sources said on Saturday that government planned to deploy savings from fuel and electricity subsidies for infrastructure development as part of efforts to make life comfortable for Nigerians.

A minister who spoke in confidence with our correspondent said government was determined to end the fuel subsidy regime because only a few Nigerians have been benefitting from it.

“There is too much corruption in the subsidy regime, including frivolous claims by some marketers,” the minister said.

He added: “With an average yearly spending of about N1 trillion, the Federal Government cannot continue with the fuel subsidy regime because it does not benefit most Nigerians.

“There is too much corruption associated with the Petroleum Subsidy Fund (PSF). Some marketers used to get paid for frivolous claims.

“Subsidy has been reduced to a matter of figures by these marketers without corresponding importation of petroleum products.

“It may look tough, but with declining income, it is necessary to take a tough decision to improve infrastructure and the welfare of Nigerians than to continue to bow to the whims and caprices of the few in the petroleum sector.

“Whatever is saved from subsidy will be deployed in the development of the country. We want to break the fuel subsidy jinx at once.

“The way it is now, our pump price is still the cheapest in Africa. We have also discovered that we are only subsidising other countries because of unending smuggling of petroleum products.

“In a small town near Badagry, there are 65 filling stations. You don’t need anyone to tell you that these stations are being used for smuggling of petroleum products.”

READ ALSO: Ekiti PDP, APC disagree over pump price hike

According to the Policy Brief of BudgIT in 2019, the Federal Government has spent about N10.78 trillion in 14 years.

The breakdown of past subsidies is as follows: 2006 (N257b); 2007(N272b); 2008(N631b); 2009(N469b) 2010(N667b); 2011(N2.11tr); 2012(N1.36tr); 2013(N1.32tr); 2014(N1.22tr); 2015(N654b); 2016(N24b); 2017(N145b); 2018 (N1.19tr) and 2019(N780b).

In April, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari, said Nigeria would no longer be paying for under-recovery or subsidy on petrol, especially due to the current development in the global oil sector.

He said: “There is no subsidy and it is zero forever. Going forward, there will be no resort to either subsidy or under-recovery of any nature.

“NNPC will play in the market place. It will just be another marketer in the space. But we will be there for the country to sustain the security of supply at market price.”

On the new electricity tariffs, the Minister said: “It is beyond the Federal Government because this sector has been reformed with generation and distribution deregulated. And there are laws guiding these generation and distribution companies.

“And the tariffs are graduated in a manner to protect all consumers. We actually do not have blanket tariffs.”

The Nation also gathered that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Thursday issued an order to the distribution companies to go ahead with the implementation of the new electricity tariffs.

The NERC has also obtained Performance Improvement Plan from each of the 11 distribution companies in the country as a precondition for increase in tariffs.

A top source said: “While we are allowing new electricity tariffs, the DISCOs also owe consumers an obligation of good service. The NERC has collected Performance Improvement Plan from the DISCOs. We will monitor them based on their performance improvement template.

“It is not yet over too for consumers because they can file complaints within 60 days on the new tariffs by their DISCOs.”

The Federal Government on Wednesday increased the pump price of petrol to N151.56 per litre, up from N148, the third increase in three months.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and civil liberty groups across the country are said to be intensifying their plans to launch protests across the country this week over the increase in fuel price and hike in electricity tariffs.

The TUC vowed that there is no going back on the planned protest.

Agency Reporter

Ike Shorunmu, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, on Saturday said late former Super Eagles defender Ajibade Babalade died because medical attention was late in coming his way.

Shorunmu told newsmen in Ibadan that Babalade died at the University College Hospital (UCH) gate in Ibadan on Friday after he was denied treatment by a private hospital.

Late Ajibade Babalade during his time at Super Eagle

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the 48year-old Babalade died after suffering from cardiac arrest.

“He was denied treatment by the private hospital before he was referred to UCH. At the first hospital, he was rushed to in Ibadan, he was rejected by the doctors and referred to the UCH.

READ ALSO: Critics made us win —Ike Shorunmu

“But on his arrival at the UCH premises, he gave up the ghost at the gate. May his soul rest in peace, ” Shorunmu said.


The former goalkeeper said he was informed of Babalade’s death after the day’s Jumat service.

“I went to the mosque for Jumat service. So, I switched off my phone. But immediately I put it back on, I got a message from one of his in-laws that I needed to be at his place.

Ajibade Babalade

“So, I went with my wife, but on our arrival, the family broke the news to me. I’m very sad as we speak now. We last spoke on Wednesday when he celebrated his son’s birthday,” he said.

(NAN)