Africa Magic has announced the hosts for the 7th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
The Television Host and Media Personality, IK Osakioduwa will return as host of this edition and will grace the stage with a new female co-host, Amina Abdi Rabar.
Amina Abdi Rabar is a top Kenyan TV and Radio Presenter. She began her radio career with Homeboyz Radio and later moved to Capital FM where she hosts Capital In The Morning, the station’s flagship show. As a TV host, she has worked on various shows on the DStv platform such as; MNET’s Lifestyle and Entertainment Show Mashariki Mix, Moments on Ebony Life TV, Maisha Superstar on Maisha Magic East and currently The Turn Up on Maisha Magic East.
Abdi Rabar has also worked with various brands as an ambassador, hosted a variety of music concerts, corporate events, award shows, product launches and gala dinners.
“We are excited to present Amina Abdi Rabar as the new female co-host of the 7th edition of the AMVCAs. She is vivacious, full of wit and has a very cheerful personality. We look forward to her and IK bringing some magic on stage as we gather to celebrate the best in film and television”, said Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Channel Director, Africa Channels.
All is now set for the seventh edition of the awards billed to hold in Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday, 14 March 2020. The event will be broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv from 4pm WAT. Follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag #AMVCA7.
The 7th edition of the AMVCAs is sponsored by Amstel Malta.
Salah’s brace takes Liverpool closer; Boga the boogeyman for Roma
SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv enjoyed another great weekend of football action, with the continuation of the 2019/20 Premier League, La Liga and Serie A campaigns.
Once again African stars were at the heart of some of the key narratives in these major European leagues. The prime example was Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, who netted two goals in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Southampton on Saturday to move a step closer to the Premier League title.
The Pharaohs forward scored in the 71st and 90th minute, wrapping up the scoring after earlier goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson had put the Reds on the path to an amazing 24th win from 25 matches.
And following a defeat for Manchester City away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Liverpool now need only six further wins from the 13 remaining rounds to secure the Premier League title – something that would only add to the incredible legacy that Salah has established at Anfield already.
Elsewhere in England’s top flight, Mbwana Samatta notably became the first Tanzanian to score in the Premier League, though it proved only a consolation in Aston Villa’s 2-1 loss at Bournemouth which leaves them placed precariously above the relegation zone.
In Italy’s Serie A the headline shock result was Sassuolo’s impressive 4-2 victory over Roma which featured a key goal from Ivorian forward Jeremie Boga. The 23-year-old West African has now scored six times in the league for his club and prove a key figure as they push toward mid-table safety.
The weekend’s Serie A action also featured a goal for Nigerian-born Bobby Adekanye in Lazio’s 5-1 win over SPAL, while Moroccan Sofyan Amrabat was red-carded for Hellas Verona in their creditable 1-1 draw away to a Milan team featuring Franck Kessie in midfield.
The top African performance in La Liga came from Nigeria’s Kenneth Omeruo, who scored his first goal of the season in a 2-1 home win for Leganes over Real Sociedad. The Madrid side remain in the relegation zone but have significantly boosted their survival hopes.
Elsewhere in Spain, Djene Dakonam and Allan Nyom once again proved reliable performers for Getafe as they defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at San Mames Barria to consolidate their status in the UEFA Champions League places.
Don’t miss the 2019/2020 football season on DStv and GOtv. Visit www.dstv.comand www.gotvafrica.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream matches on DStv Now.
Getafe’s Allan Nyom (C) celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between CD Leganes and Getafe CF in Madrid, Spain, 17 January 2020. EPA/Rodrigo Jimenez
Sassuolo’s Jeremie Boga jubilates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match US Sassuolo vs AS Roma at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia, Italy, 01 February 2020. EPA/ELISABETTA BARACCHI
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool.
Adetayo Bamiduro, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of MAX (Metro Africa Xpress), a motorcycle ride-hailing service, talks to SIMON UTEBOR about the impact the ban of activities of okada and keke in some local councils in Lagos will have on the company
Q: Though the restriction of activities of keke (commercial tricycle) riders, okada riders (commercial motorcyclists), and motorcycle ride-hailing services like MAX and Gokada, will first start from 15 local councils in Lagos, how much effect do you think it will have on your business?
Regarding the ban recently announced in relation to commercial motorcycles and tricycle operators, no distinction was made between the formal operators like us and the informal operators who do not typically wear helmets or pay attention to regulations. Therefore, pronouncing a blanket ban that affects everybody, including those who are working very hard to contribute towards the greater Lagos vision will definitely impact on us and threaten our survival as a business. It has been quite a traumatic period for us and we are hopeful that the government would reconsider its position on this.
Q: But you can still operate in many other local councils, at least till the pilot scheme is extended to other areas, as the state government said?
It is not just about us (the formal operators) – it is also about the commuters as well. The areas where the total ban has been enforced, the users and commuters in those areas relying on this service to move around are going to be severely affected. The areas where the ban has been promulgated are the most important areas for this business in Lagos because those areas constitute the commercial nerve centres of the state.
So, if a driver is completely restricted from operating there, in that case, we estimate that the incomes of the drivers will reduce. At least, they will lose close to 80 per cent of their income due to this restriction. It, therefore, means that this is quite a serious ban.
Q: It also means that the company will also lose heavily…
Absolutely, our company exists because of our drivers, so whatever impacts our drivers – no matter how small, impacts us.
Q: The Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, Sec 15(1) says motorcycles with 200cc engine and above are exempted from the restriction. Do you think that means you have the right to ply the highways and bridges as the law hasn’t been changed or repealed?
By the letters of the law, it exempts us because our motorcycles are above the 200cc engine required by the government. However, the government has control over critical state resources, including law enforcement. There is the law itself, the letters of the law and there is also the implementation and the intention of an announcement.
A press statement was released by the government and that person who released it cannot just be dismissed because it was made by the government. For us, even though by the letters of the law we clearly should be exempted, but the announcement that has been made brings us a lot of discomfort.
Q: Do you think it was unfair to have included you and other motorcycle ride-hailing services in the ban?
As MAX, I will say unfairness is not the best word to use. I will say it is not the most effective way to do it. We know that the government also wants the success of the people of Lagos – it wants to make the best decision given the information available and all we have asked for is to have the opportunity to provide additional perspectives to the government and also an alternative that we strongly believe is in the best interest of the government. It is not so much about being unfair, it is more about: is this the best way to solve the problem that the government has correctly identified? We believe there is a better way to do this.
Q: Before you and other motorbike ride-hailing companies came on board and invested heavily, what kind of commitments did you get from the state government?
We have had a few conversations with the officials of the government – both the past administration and the current administration – and they have seemed very impressed with what we have done and some of the results we have demonstrated.
First of all, we restored the culture of safety helmet in Lagos that was long gone in the last 20 years. That alone was quite impressive. Not only that one, we upgraded the quality of the vehicles to comply with the laws and regulations. Also, we have invested in technology as well, which ensures the safety of commuters and Lagosians. So, Lagosians have grown to absolutely love the service. All we are saying is that the problem that we are solving is a real problem that Lagosians feel. Why we understand the concerns that the government has raised, most of the concerns are legitimate concerns. The way to go about it in our own opinion and with all things considered is to properly regulate the industry rather than enforce an outright ban.
Q: It was reported that services like yours have had to pay N25m to government for every 1,000 bikes brought in. How true is this and was there any mention that the restriction might come in the future?
In the engagements we have had with the government, we have had a lot of progressive conversation around regulation, around licencing, and around security and safety, etc. The conversations were quite clear that the government wanted to reform the industry. The reforms were targeted at ensuring that every single okada rider would comply with government regulations in terms of engine capacity, safety helmet, being branded and all of that.
In fact, during one of the conversations we had with a senior civil servant, he mentioned to us that we should make more investments to be able to meet the needs of commuters and Lagosians. It was based on that and other engagements that we decided to double our investments to be able to satisfy Lagosians and importantly, to help government to achieve its vision of modern motorcycle hailing services. It came as a shock to us that those conversations have been temporarily abandoned and a decision was made that completely disregarded any conversations that we had in the past.
Q: You did not reflect the issue of N25m licencing fee for okada hailing services…
At some point in the middle of last year, a senior civil servant did talk about licencing and also threw out a figure. What is not clear to us is whether that figure had gone through the necessary approvals which we don’t think it had, to be honest. But yes, someone in government did mention N25m as a suggestion but that was never formally communicated to us, at least not any of the ride-hailing operators that we know of. So, N25m was mentioned but it wasn’t concluded at that time.
Q: That means that you have not been paying to the government for bringing in motorcycles for your business…
Let me clarify. We did not pay any money to the government in terms of licencing as a company for motorcycle hailing because licencing regime has not been implemented yet. But we pay taxes to government as a legal entity; even our drivers do. And every driver on our platform pays over N30, 000 annually for registration and licences. Beyond that, we also pay taxes to Lagos State Inland Revenue Services and also Federal Inland Revenue Service. We also pay taxes to the unions. In fact, government played a very significant role in brokering a conversation between us – formal operators, National Union of Road Transport Workers and okada unions. So, our drivers also pay okada unions N500 per day in order to operate. There are taxes here and there that we pay but in terms of specific licencing fee, that has not been agreed yet.
Q: With the restriction, are you considering going to other states, especially as the government said this is just a pilot scheme and that it could be extended to other councils?
Right now at MAX, we are currently operational in four states in Nigeria. We are in Kano State and we are growing very quickly in that state; we are creating about 300 jobs every single month in Kano. We are operational in Ondo State, Ogun State and in Ibadan, Oyo State. We are not just a Lagos State-based company; we are a Nigeria-focused company. We are actually a West Africa-focused company. Our mission is to solve the problem of transportation in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Q: How much have you invested in the state?
In terms of equity investment and shareholders, MAX has put in close to $10m (about N3.6bn) in the state. And in terms of financing, things that have been done cost well over $5m (about 1.8bn) in the business that has been mobilised for providing micro loans to okada and vehicle operators in the state. We have very big plans for Nigerians as a whole and we have very big plans for Lagos as well.
Q: You recently purchased electric motorcycles, what plans do you have for them and other bikes with the restriction?
This is a case of a responsible company that cares about the environment and we have good innovations – the first to actually introduce electric motorcycles into commercial usage in Nigeria. If this ban goes ahead and government does not relent, then we will be forced to deploy those electric motorcycles to other parts of the cities and probably other parts of Nigeria as well. It will be our joy to see Lagosians enjoy electric mobility and we are hopeful the government will reconsider its decision so that we can continue to innovate in the state.
Q: One of the reasons given by the government for taking the action was increasing rate of accidents. They said Lagos State University Teaching Hospital recorded 1,200 accident cases in 2019 with 500 being motorcycle-related. Do you agree that okada riders ride recklessly in Lagos?
As for the statistics that were quoted by the government spokesperson, a lot of them are factual and of course, they have genuine cause for concerns. As a responsible corporate citizen and as a resident in Lagos, those statistics that were quoted are the same statistics that made us to start this business – which is that people need to move around and to move around in a way that is safe.
To give you some facts to back up the impact we have had in Lagos, in two and a half years of operating the hailing service, we have completed close to two million rides (two million trips) and out of the two million trips, we have had roughly around 100 incidents, and out of that 100, only seven of them were serious and none of them resulted in fatality.
So, if you look at our numbers, you can see that using a MAXokada is safer than entering a commercial bus in Lagos based on the statistics. We are more than capable to address the concerns that the government has genuinely raised.
Q: It is believed that many of the reckless traditional okada riders were some of those absolved by MAX, Gokada, Opay and others. Where is the difference?
I can speak for our company, MAX, with reasonable level of assurance and Gokada as well. You will never find an untrained rider on our platform. Every rider on our platform goes through detailed security screening and customer screening. In fact, we require them to produce police reports that they have not been involved in criminal activities before they can join us.
In addition to that, we get the details of two guarantors for every rider. We take down their BVN as well and within our company, we have ex-security operatives that work with us and we make sure that every rider on our platform has proper background checks. Since we became operational, there has been no criminal report about any of our drivers, not one.
Q: How many of your workers and riders is the restriction likely going to affect in terms of job losses?
The ban has the potential to affect up to 2,000 riders on our platform. If you look at us and Gokada for example, that number could easily go to anywhere between 4,000 and 5,000 and that is the immediate job loss. But when you look at other indirect jobs that can be lost as a result of this, that figure could skyrocket to as high as 20,000, so the impact is not trivial and that can be quite severe.
Q: How many jobs have you created with your MAXokada initiative?
In total, we have created well over 2,000 jobs and we have through our work, activities and investment, supported well over 72,000 indirect jobs.
Q: What motivated you to go into the business?
First and foremost, it is absolutely because of our undying love and passion for our country and for its people. Last year, Nigeria was announced as the country with the largest number of poor people in the world. Those are very shameful statistics. I felt a deep personal sense of shame when the announcement was made. Whenever I travel, meet with people or go to conferences or events, one question we keep getting is ‘what is the problem with Nigeria? Why is the country experiencing so many challenges and so much poverty?’ So for us, it is a question of genuine concern.
In fact, my co-founder and I moved back from the United States to Nigeria to start this company. And the question we sometimes get is among all the things you could have done, why okada?
We came here to create a social infrastructure that would impact as many people as possible and we found out that okada is something that could easily raise the standard of living of the people without them having to learn too many things. What we also saw from our experience internationally is that a job that you do does not have to be the job you do forever. People typically need a job to at least get to the next level. So, in the US, you can work as a delivery driver on a bicycle or even on a motorcycle and that also happens in the UK and other places. What we have done is to create a socio-economic ladder which people at the very bottom can use as their first step towards progress in life and that is one of the reasons why we started this social enterprise.
Q: How many commercial motorcycles do you have in you have in your fleet?
We have well over 2,000 motorcycles in our fleet.
Q: What do you think the government should have done instead of banning okada on the affected roads?
We don’t assume to have monopoly of knowledge – nobody does. We also recognise that the work of governance is very difficult – limited resources, limited time and unlimited needs. There are cries from all sectors of the society pulling at the government over their different needs. So, we understand the predicament that the government faces but we are here to support. All we are asking from the government is to open their hands to help them help us, and help them help the people.
Q/ Would you describe the ban as a reactionary approach?
I will say the ban was implemented from a position of attempting to solve problems. Where we think the government has the opportunity to do better to regulate instead of banning, that is the area where we are available and willing to support the government. The ban has come across to a lot of us as reactionary and we still feel that this decision can be improved. We are hopeful that the government will reconsider its decision, bring in stakeholders that can help provide a lasting solution to this problem and we hope that our phones would ring very soon.
Q: Should the government refuse to listen to your appeals, what is the next step?
If they refuse to listen to our appeals or request, we are already delivering impact in many areas and also many other regions, so I guess to the extent that government is willing to cooperate with us, we will absolutely support the government and the good people of Lagos State and we can’t do beyond what the government asks to do. We are hopeful that they will consider that and allow us to contribute towards the greate Lagos. However, of course, we are not limited in our operations only to Lagos – we operate across several states in Nigeria and we will continue to invest in other states across Nigeria. (Punch)
Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State has just enrolled his six-year-old son, Abubakar Al-Siddique El-Rufai into primary one of Capital School Malali, Kaduna, a public school, in fulfilment of a promise he made in 2017.
El-Rufai in a state broadcast in December 2017, promised to enrol his child in a public school when he turns six years.“The move is part of reforms to revamp public schools in the state to make them more competitive. We are determined to fix public education and raise their standards so that private education will become only a luxury.
“As we make progress, we will require our senior officials to enrol their children in public schools. And I will by personal example ensure that my son that will be six years of age in 2019 will be enrolled in a public school in Kaduna State, by God’s grace,” El-Rufa’i had said.
Briefing newsmen shortly after he enrolled the child, El-Rufai explained that it was a commitment that had been fulfilled.
“I made that commitment because I believe that it is only when all political leaders have their children in public schools that we will pay due attention to the quality of public education.
I went to a public school like this. The school I went to is not as good as this one, but here I am, because of the quality teaching I got.
“I intend to ensure that all our public schools offer quality education, and so we are encouraging all our senior public servants to send their children to public schools.
Once the public schools are improved to a point they are nearly as good or even better than private schools, no one will waste his money taking his child to private school,” he said.
Ummi El-Rufa’i, the mother of the child said: “l am glad that we can send a strong message to our leaders and the elites, that we need to start making things work from within our homes. By the time we start attending public hospitals and send our children to public schools, the system will get better. This is a very huge step,” she said.
On his part, the little child said: “I am sad that I will miss my old school, my friends and my teachers. But I have to help my father keep his promise”.
FBRA Partners Trashusers, Lagos State Government to Rid Agege of plastic waste on World Clean-up Day
The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) partnered Trashusers, a plastic waste collection organisation and Lagos State government in ridding Agege community of plastic waste as part of its strong commitment to environmental preservation during this year’s World Clean-up Day.
The clean-up exercise focused on cleaning drainages, streets and the major canal in Agege was held on September 21, 2019, this year’s World Clean-up Day. It resonates FBRA’s resolve in intensifying awareness on waste separation for recycling and measures of curbing environmental pollution caused by food and beverage packaging waste.
The exercise was embarked upon by volunteered staff of member-companies of the Alliance(FBRA), which is the Producer Responsibility Organisation for the food and beverage sector in line with the Extended Producer Responsibility. Other partners includes: Trashusers, a private plastic waste collection organisation, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LASESC), the Community Development Association (CDA), Olusanya, Oke koto, Agege, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and volunteers.
Commenting on the clean-up initiative, the Technical Lead, FBRA, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, said the initiative was aimed at reinforcing the consciousness on responsible waste management to Nigerians that the environment should be free from waste pollution, especially those from food and beverage packaging which hardly degrade.
She said the Alliance has been at the forefront of its advocacy role of educating the populace on proper waste disposal and the need for a clean environment through waste separation, proper disposal and recycling, which can also enhance job and wealth creation along the value chain.
According to her, the Agege clean-up initiative would reawaken the consciousness among inhabitants of the community that their environment where they live, and work is paramount to their wellbeing and should be preserved for healthy living.
Onyemelukwe who is also the Head, Public Affairs and Communications of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, explained that if proper waste management is adopted, diseases, flooding that comes with indiscriminate waste disposal will be eliminated thereby promoting a healthy lifestyle.
On the partnership with FBRA, the Managing Director, Trashusers, Seun Bode, said it is an opportunity to advance his course on waste collection and recycling in the pursuit for a cleaner Lagos. He commended FBRA on its advocacy role through community campaigns on recycling with the recent Ojo neighbourhood initiative as well as Orile buy-back scheme.
Attesting to FBRA’s level of commitment, the Chief Scientific Officer, LASEPA, Agboola Muyideen, who was satisfied with the waste cleared from Agege canal, commended the Alliance and Trashusers for keeping to their vision of ensuring environmental conservation.
He said LASEPA is highly delighted to collaborate with FBRA, as the Agency believe that waste management in Lagos with over 20 million inhabitants should be a joint effort between the government and producer responsibility organisations in the state.
“FBRA has taken its clean-up initiatives to an admirable height which shows that much can be achieved if effective collaboration is ensured between government and the private sector, a move intended by Lagos State through its reform agenda on waste eradication,” Muyideen pointed out.
While eulogising the clean-up exercise, Head of Olusanya, Oke Koto, CDA, Bishop Julius Olusanya, who was present with his members, affirmed “it is a good thing and that is why we have lent our support to it. I have the belief that people in my CDA are very reasonable and they will adhere to measures aimed at curbing waste pollution
Last year, FBRA embarked on a clean-up exercise at the popular Arena market in Oshodi, in commemoration of the World Clean-up Day. The campaign was used to enlighten traders, shoppers and members of Nurses-of-air Foundation on crucial issues relating to proper waste disposal and separation of plastic from metal and food waste, recycling, healthy lifestyle and other measures aimed at curbing pollution.
Founded in December 2013, the Alliance has membership drawn from responsible and forward-thinking companies which include Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (Manufacturers of Coca-Cola brands), Nigerian Breweries Plc, Seven-Up Bottling Company Limited, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Intercontinental Distillers Limited, International Breweries Limited, Tulip Cocoa, and Prima Caps and Preforms.
About FBRA
FBRA was founded in 2013 to operate as a self-regulatory initiative for the recycling of used food and beverage packaging waste into synthetic fibre and other uses.
It consists of responsible and forward-thinking companies such as the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited/Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Seven-Up Bottling Company Limited, Nestle Nigeria Plc. Guinness Nigeria Plc and Intercontinental Distillers Limited, International Breweries Limited, Tulip Cocoa, and Prima Caps and Preforms.
Established as the PRO for the food and beverage sector, it ensures the success of the EPR policy of the Federal Government. Its mission is to recover and recycle food and beverage packaging waste and thereby create a sustainable recycling economy that will stimulate employment, innovation and wealth creation.
From Left: Seun Bode, Managing Director, Trahusers; with Edidiong Peters, Public Affairs Specialist, Nestle Nigeria Plc; Agharese Lucia Onaghise, Executive Secretary; both of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA); Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, also Technical Lead, FBRA; and Osifebo Olusegun, Assistant Marshal, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC); during the World Clean Up Day commemoration at Agege Community in Lagos on Saturday, September 21, 2019.
From Left: Seun Bode, Managing Director, Trashusers; with Tobi Ogunpehin, Corporate Communications, Nestle Nigeria plc;Edidiong Peters, Public Affairs Specialist, Nestle Nigeria, both members of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA); Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, also Technical Lead, FBRA; and Osifebo Olusegun, Assistant Marshal, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC); during the World Clean-up Day commemoration at Agege Community in Lagos on Saturday, September 21, 2019.
From Left: Seun Bode, Managing Director, Trashusers; with Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, also Technical Lead, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA); Gbenga Adebola, Spokesperson, Private Sector participation (PSP) Operators; Agharese Lucia Onaghise, Executive Secretary, FBRA; and Gideon Fakolade, Managing Director, Retreasure; during the World Clean-Up Day Commemoration at Agege Community in Lagos on Saturday, September 21, 2019.
From Right: Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Coca- Cola Nigeria Limited, also Technical Lead, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA); with Edidiong Peters, Public Affairs Specialist, Nestle Nigeria Plc; Tobi Ogunpehin, Corporate Communications, Nestle Nigeria Plc; both members of FBRA; Seun Bode, Managing Director, Trashusers; and Agharese Lucia Onaghise, Executive Secretary, FBRA; during the World Clean-Up Day commemoration at Agege Community in Lagos on Saturday, September 21, 2019.
Legendary musician King Sunny Ade celebrated his 73rd birthday yesterday, Sunday, September 22nd 2019.
We wish King Sunny Ade a happy 73rd birthday. KSA, he has taken African music to the world and brought great pride to Nigeria and Africa.
Let us celebrate him
Zimbabwe’s government has announced a date for Robert Mugabe’s funeral.
A funeral for the longtime leader will be held on Saturday, September 14th and a burial ceremony will be held the following day.
This announcement comes amid a row over where the former president will be buried.
A government memo declared the funeral will be at Harare National Sports stadium on Saturday, September 14th but gave no location for the burial to follow the next day.
Members of the late Mr Mugabe’s family are battling with the ruling Zanu PF party over its plan to bury the former leader in a cemetery for heroes of the liberation war in the capital.
Mugabe has a grave ready next to his first wife Sally in Heroes Acre, a North-Korea designed graveyard also home to prestigious Zanu PF supporters.
However, some of Mr Mugabe’s family want him interred in their rural village in Zvimba district, about 50 miles northwest of Harare.
“We want him buried here. Heroes, for what?” Mr Mugabe’s cousin, Josephine Jorincha, told AFP in the village of Kutama.
Mr Mugabe’s nephew, Leo, who is the family’s head of burial preparations, told the Telegraph that he was negotiating with village chiefs over the final site for Mugabe’s burial.
He said that Mr Mugabe’s toppling in a 2017 coup by his former right-hand man Emerson Mnangagwa had rendered the former dictator ambivalent about being buried in the Zanu PF shrine. However, Leo said that he believed Mr Mugabe would eventually be buried in Heroes’ Acre.
He said: “I am sure he will be buried at Heroes’ Acre. We are with the chiefs, we have to consult.”
President Buhari departed Abuja today Sunday August 25th, for Japan ahead of the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development
The conference will hold from August 28th to 30th.
President Buhari is accompanied by Governors Babagana Zulum, AbdulRaham AbdulRazaq and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Borno, Kwara and Lagos States respectively; ministers and other top government officials.
The President is expected back in Nigeria on Saturday, August 31.
It was a rich showcase of colours, culture and tradition at this year’s Ojude Oba Festival which held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on August 13, 2019.
The Ojude Oba, (which in Ijebu dialect means, “the king’s forecourt or frontage”, is a major festival in Nigeria that began over 100 years ago. It brings together all sons and daughters of Ijebuland in Nigeria and diaspora for a carnival-like celebration of the traditional, cultural, spiritual accomplishments and other values of the Ijebu nation.
During the Festival, various age groups (popularly known as the Regberegbes), indigenes, their friends and associates from far and near – all in their colourful costumes and riding on horses, thronged the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland to pay homage to him amidst prayers and other fun-filled activities.
Sponsors of the Ojude Oba Festival and foremost Nigerian financial institution First City Monument Bank (FCMB) congratulated the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, chiefs, age groups, all indigenes, friends and well-wishers of Ijebuland on this year’s festival.
The Bank reiterated its commitment to support activities that promote and add value to Nigeria’s culture and heritage which are also capable of boosting tourism, trade and the hospitality sector. FCMB’s participation was as usual grand, exciting and rewarding for the thousands of people within and outside the country that graced the fiesta.
In a goodwill message to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Adetona, the Founder of FCMB Group, who is also the Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, Otunba (Dr) Olasubomi Balogun, CON, expressed his gratitude to the paramount ruler for his selflessness, distinguished and exemplary leadership for the 59 years he has been the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, which makes him one of the longest reigning monarchs in Nigeria.
In the same vein, the Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, congratulated the monarch for upholding the values of Ijebuland and raising the status of the event over the years. He stated that, ‘’the Ojude Oba Festival is a rallying point to promote the sustainable growth and development of our community. We recognise that celebrating our heritage is an important part of our national identity, a means of educating visitors and future generations about our history and an opportunity to measure our growth, development and sustainability.
Hence, for us at FCMB, the Ojude Oba Festival is not just another event. It is a pride to us; being a major platform through which we reaffirm our commitment to the community and promote our nation’s cultural diversity. We will continue to support all activities of the State with focus on the economic and social development.
We are committed to the longevity of the Ojude Oba Festival and are proud to be associated with its grandeur’’.
For more information about FCMB, please visit www.fcmb.com
Some pictures from Ojude Oba 2019 are shown below:
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