The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 594 (April 5 - 18 2023)

TheTrumpet
Africans now have a voice... Founded in 1995
V O L 29 N O 594 A P R I L 5 - APRIL 18 2023
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NHS
Healthcare
Support
Worker loves
the variety
her job offers
Russia's Vladimir Putin and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa 2018 (Credit - www.kremlin.ru, CCA 4.0 Licence)
ICC arrest warrant
for Vladimir Putin:
A king-size
dilemma for
South Africa
By Sascha-Dominik (Dov) Bachmann
Continued on Page 2>
Health Care Support Worker - Deborah
Olusanya
Healthcare support workers
in the NHS play a vital role
in providing excellent care
to patients, so if you want to gain
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healthcare professional, such as a
nurse or midwife - helping patients
on their journey back to full health.
Healthcare support worker of
almost 2 years, Deborah Olusanya
shares her top reasons to consider
the role:
It offers variety - I love the
variety that the job provides. It’s a
hands-on role – one minute you
could be taking blood pressure and
the next lending an ear to an
anxious patient.
It’s so rewarding - by helping
people with their care and recovery
Continued on Page 4

Page2 TheTrumpet APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
News
ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin:
A king-size dilemma for South Africa
Continued from Page 1<
South Africa's President Ramaphosa
meeting Russia's President Putin on the
side-lines of the first Russia-Africa Summit
in Sochi, Russia 2019.
(Photos SA Presidency - GCIS)
The International Criminal
Court (ICC) has issued an
international arrest warrant
for Russian President Vladimir Putin
for alleged war crimes regarding the
unlawful deportation of children from
Ukraine to Russia. Such acts are war
crimes under two articles of the Rome
Statute, which established the court.
ICC arrest warrants against sitting
Heads of State are rare.
Putin faces arrest if he sets foot in
any of the 123 signatory states to the
statute. Of these, 33 are African states.
The issue could come to a head in
August when South Africa is set to host
the 15th summit of the Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa (BRICS)
bloc in Durban.
As the head of a member State,
Putin has been invited to attend. But as
a member of the court, South Africa is
obliged under Article 86 of the ICC
statute and domestic law to cooperate
fully by arresting the Russian President.
This is not the first time the country
has faced such a dilemma.
In 2015, Sudanese President Omar
Al Bashir visited the country to attend a
summit of African Union Heads of
State. In terms of South Africa’s ICC
obligations, it was obliged to arrest Al
Bashir, who had been indicted for
violations of international humanitarian
law and human rights law in Sudan’s
Darfur region. The government, then
under the presidency of Jacob Zuma,
refused to arrest him, citing immunity
from prosecution for sitting Heads of
State under international law.
The arrest warrant for Putin has put
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s
government between a rock and a hard
place. Complying with its domestic and
international obligations by executing
the arrest warrant would alienate
Russia. This would have bilateral
consequences – the country is still
considered a friend by the ruling
African National Congress based on the
Soviet Union’s support during the
struggle against apartheid – as well as
ramifications within the BRICS, given
Moscow’s strong ties with Beijing.
It is not unreasonable to argue that
Ramaphosa’s government would want
to tread carefully to avoid any such
tensions.
On the other hand, welcoming
Putin, thus underscoring South Africa’s
independent foreign policy, would see
the country lose international
credibility.
Continued on Page 3<
PEER & CO
IMMIGRATION SPECIALISTS
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Immigration, Appeals,
Deportations, and Removal cases.
* Judicial Review. * Prison and
Detention Centre Legal Visits.
* British Citizenship Applications.
* Visas and more...
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Birmingham: 0121 554 0565
London: 020 7183 3706
Watford: 01923 901150
Emergency: 07833 675415
Email: shiraz@peerandco.com
Head Office: 420 Witton Road,
Aston, Birmingham B6 6PP

News
APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023 TheTrumpet Page3
ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin:
A king-size dilemma for South Africa
Continued from Page 2<
One likely effect is that South Africa
might lose preferential trade terms. For
example, it could jeopardise its
treatment of exports to the US under
the African Growth and Opportunity
Act (AGOA). AGOA has been used
recently as a punishing tool against
Ethiopia, The Gambia and Mali for
“unconstitutional change in
governments” and “gross violations of
internationally recognised human
rights”.
Importantly, South Africa’s trade
with the US far exceeds that with
Russia.
The dilemma
When the Zuma administration
refused to arrest Al Bashir, it landed the
government in judicial hot water. South
Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal
found that it had violated both
international and domestic law.
Following the ruling of the Supreme
Court of Appeal, Zuma’s government
notified the United Nations Secretary
General of its intention to withdraw
from the Rome Statute. This ill-advised
move was challenged in the High Court
in Pretoria. It ruled that the notice of
withdrawal was unconstitutional due to
the absence of prior parliamentary
approval. Consequently, the
government “withdrew from the
withdrawal”.
In 2017, the ICC found that South
Africa had failed in its obligations
under the Rome Statute towards the
court by not arresting and surrendering
Al Bashir. The court, however, decided
Continued on Page 4

Page4
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MEMBERS:
APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
Tunde Ajasa-Alashe
Allison Shoyombo, Peter Osuhon
News
ICC arrest warrant for
Vladimir Putin: A king-size
dilemma for South Africa
Continued from Page 3<
not to pursue the matter further for
pragmatic reasons. It also reasoned that
to refer South Africa to the United
Nations Security Council for
noncompliance “would not be an
effective way to foster future
cooperation”.
In the event that Putin attended the
upcoming BRICS summit and
Ramaphosa’s government did not arrest
him, it would mean that South Africa
was flouting domestic legislation as
well as its own constitution. Article 165
(5) of the country’s constitution makes
it clear that the government is bound by
court orders and decisions.
How should South Africa respond to
the dilemma?
At present the government’s
response is not clear. On the one hand,
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson said that
the country was aware of its obligations
to arrest Putin and surrender him to the
ICC.
On the other hand, Naledi Pandor,
the Foreign Relations Minister,
confirmed the invitation to Putin to
attend the BRICS meeting. She noted
that cabinet would have to decide on
how to respond in view of the ICC
warrant.
The government would want to
balance its ICC obligations, domestic
responsibilities and its historically
friendly relations with Russia carefully.
Unless it is hell-bent on defying its own
court decisions and laws, there are
options available to avoid another
round of international condemnation,
and that would help it avoid potential
court battles by civil society for noncompliance
with the country’s own
laws and court decisions.
Options
Firstly, South Africa should
continue to extend an invitation for
Russia to attend the summit. But,
through diplomatic channels, request
that the Russian delegation be led by its
foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. Lavrov
has in essence become the face of
Russia on the international stage since
the start of the war in Ukraine.
Secondly, during the COVID
pandemic, it became clear that physical
presence at international gatherings for
Heads of State could be substituted
with virtual attendance. The UN
General Assembly set a good
benchmark for this when Heads of
State submitted video statements due to
pandemic restrictions. Putin could
attend the BRICS summit virtually.
The need to sign summit
documentation by the Heads of State is
not an impediment to virtual
attendance. Putin can sign the
documents electronically or after the
summit if a non-electronic signature is
required.
The ball is now in the South African
government’s court. The hope is that it
makes the right decision, one which is
in the best interests of the country and
its people – not Russia or the likes of
the US, especially as neither major
power is a signatory to the ICC’s
statute. Neither should prescribe to
South Africa what it should decide.
Most importantly, the government
must not trample on its own laws and
court decisions. Compliance with the
constitution must be the priority.
Making a decision that is in the
interests of South Africa and its people
would also provide guidance to the
other 32 African ICC signatory states,
should they ever be faced with a similar
dilemma in the future.
• This article was co-authored with
Sasha-Lee Stephanie Afrika (LLD),
Attorney of the High Court of South
Africa and former lecturer at
Stellenbosch University and
University of Johannesburg.
• Sascha-Dominik (Dov) Bachmann
is a Professor in Law and Co-
Convener National Security Hub
(University of Canberra) and
Research Fellow (adjunct) - The
Security Institute for Governance
and Leadership in Africa, Faculty of
Military Science, Stellenbosch
University - NATO Fellow Asia-
Pacific, University of Canberra.
• This article is republished from The
Conversation under a Creative
Commons license. Read the original
article.
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NHS Healthcare Support
Worker loves the variety
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Continued from Page 1<
I am making a huge difference to our
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It gives great flexibility – which is
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If this sounds like the role for
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APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023 TheTrumpet
Page5

Page6 TheTrumpet APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
News
NHS England and Stroke Association
re-launch stroke-saving campaign
With new research revealing that
more than 1 in 4 (26%) of Black
people in England, Scotland and
Wales wouldn’t be confident in spotting the
signs of a stroke; NHS England and the Stroke
Association are re-launching the F.A.S.T.
campaign.
The campaign which has already
previously helped to save many lives is
coming against the backdrop of around
100,000 strokes in England, Scotland and
Wales every year, and around 33,000 strokerelated
deaths.
A stroke is a medical emergency and
Gloria Ekeng
every minute is vital. The campaign highlights
the fact that if you know what to look for, it
could save someone’s life.
Fewer than 2 in 3 (63%) said that they
would dial 999 as a first step if they noticed
one of the key signs. It is vital that we become
more aware of what to spot and what to do –
not only for ourselves, but for the people
around us who we love and care for. Those
extra precious minutes gained from acting
quickly can increase the chances of recovery
following a stroke.
The F.A.S.T. campaign is a memorable
way to spot the signs of a stroke and take
immediate action:
· Face – Has their face fallen on one side?
Can they smile?
· Arms – Can they raise both arms and keep
them there?
· Speech – Is their speech slurred?
· Time – Even if you’re not sure, call 999.
You should call 999 if you notice even one
of these signs.
Professor Ade Adebajo needed a year of
intensive rehab before he was able to return to
work at Barnsley Hospital, where he had a
stroke in 2015. “Because of the F.A.S.T.
campaign, I was able to work out what was
happening to me and inform a colleague
before I slumped into unconsciousness - it
helped to save my life. It’s so important that
we’re all aware of the signs of stroke and
know how to act quickly. Those few minutes
can make such a difference.”
Other medical issues that are common in
the Black community can also increase the
likelihood of having a stroke.
Gloria Ekeng, Stroke Nurse Consultant
and Founder of Stroke Care International
said: “High blood pressure, diabetes and
sickle cell are significant risk factors for
stroke, so it’s all the more important for Black
people to watch out for the symptoms – in
themselves and in the people around them.
The more vigilant we are, the more lives we
can ultimately save.”
Professor Adebajo’s story is just one
example of how recognising the signs of a
stroke can be life-saving, but there are
Professor Ade Adebajo
countless more that show how important it is
to understand what is happening and do
something quickly.
Professor Adebajo said: “Being able to
act quickly in response to a stroke could save
the life of someone you know. If you find
yourself or anyone else showing any of the
symptoms – in face, arms or speech – please
get help straight away by calling 999, even if
you’re not sure. It’s better to be safe than
sorry.”
Remember, if you notice any single one
of the signs of a stroke, call 999 immediately.
By getting someone faster access to
emergency treatment you can give them the
best chance of survival and recovery, and be
a Stroke Saver for our community.
Visit www.nhs.uk/ActFAST
for more information.

APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023 TheTrumpet
Page7

Page8 TheTrumpet APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023

Events
APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
TheTrumpet
Page9
Bunmi Adediji clocks 50 (2)
London-based entrepreneur - Mrs Bunmi Adediji celebrated her Golden Jubilee recently.
Her family rolled out the drums to appreciate God’s goodness in her life.
The commemoration featured: a morning prayer, a Zumba session, two evening parties and a celebration of praise.
Below are some pictures from the first evening party.
Continued on Page 12

Page10 TheTrumpet APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
Food & Drink
Tilda hosts a special evening of
flavours to celebrate Ramadan
Ramadan is the holy month of
rejuvenation and reflection which
brings with it moments of
togetherness and sharing for families and
friends.
To mark the onset of the holy month of
Ramadan - a special time of holy
significance for 1.9 billion Muslims across
the world including over 3.9 million in the
UK; Tilda hosted a special evening of
flavours in partnership with TV chef
Parveen Ashraf (@parveenthespicequeen)
and food writer Zaleha Olpin
(@zaleha.olpin).
While Ashraf gave a tribute to her
Pakistani heritage on a platter with her hero
dish ‘Chicken Biryani’ using Tilda Grand
Extra Long Basmati, Zaleha educated and
delighted the audience about authentic
tastes of Malaysia with her classic ‘Nasi
Goreng’ using signature Tilda Pure Original
Basmati. The audience witnessed an
evening interspersed with family stories,
Ramadan rituals and memories of cooking
rice.
Tilda’s Managing Director - Jean-
Philippe Laborde, began the evening by
wishing everyone Ramadan Mubarak and
said “Ramadan is a special time for the
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communities and as a brand it is an equally
important time for us as we want to make
sure that our range of products enables
home cooks to observe and enjoy their
culinary cultures. Be it expert traditional
cooks or explorers of world cuisine, Tilda
is at the heart of Ramadan celebrations”.
Parveen’s Iftar spread also included the
must have Chana Chaat Cups and a cooling
cucumber raita. Zaleha’s spread included
Pai Tees (crispy top hats with vegetable
filling) and Kerabu Ikan (watercress and
fish salad). Rich aromas of saffron wafted
through the room and converged with
aromatic lemongrass through the evening.
Both chefs made sure there were plenty
of options for vegetarian and vegan guests
as well. Zaleha’s Nasi Goreng Kerabu was
a vegetable fried rice dish served with
chunky slices of Tofu. And Parveen brought
to the table a vegetarian version of her
Biryani made with succulent pieces of
jackfruit and sweet potato. To find the
recipes from the menu served on the day,
keep an eye on Tilda’s website.
Talking about her secret ingredient,
Parveen Ashraf emphasised that “having
the right ingredients always helps create
wonderful family recipes, but one thing
which makes any recipe special is the love
you put in it while cooking. I have been a
fan of Tilda since I was a child as my
mother always cooked with Tilda Basmati,
and today it gives me immense pride to
serve my Pakistani heritage to everyone
through this collaboration”.
Zaleha’s Malaysian flavours were an
absolute delight for people, especially when
she spoke about the special ingredients
which had gone in to enhance the flavours,
like turmeric leaves, torch ginger flower,
lemongrass and many more. Talking about
her menu she said “A big part of Ramadan
is all about sharing and I was so proud to
have been able to share a bit of my
Malaysian culture at the Tilda Flavours of
Ramadan event. The vibrant venue set the
mood for guests as they enjoyed an array of
Malaysian Ramadan favourites such as Pai
Tee, Kerabu Ikan, Kuih Lopes and my
showstopper dish, Nasi Goreng Kerabu, all
using a brand that my household loves,
Tilda.’’
No meal is complete without a dessert,
and the evening culminated with a generous
serving of coconut creamed kheer made
with Tilda Fragrant Jasmine rice, topped
with pistachios and rose petals and Kuih
Lopes (sticky rice dessert with sugar
syrup), made with the newest member of
Tilda ready to heat microwaveable rice
Tilda's Biryani pack
family, Tilda Sticky Rice.
The host chefs mingled with the guests
and talked about their special cuisine for the
evening as they joyfully served the meals
they had prepared with such warmth and
passion.
An eclectic mix of communities
celebrate Ramadan in the UK including
Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Indians, Arabs,
Turks, Kurds, Persians, Africans,
Malaysians, Indonesians, and several
others. The beauty of Ramadan celebrations
lies in the diverse range of flavours and
cuisines that are brought together by
various communities. While each
community brings their unique flavours to
the table, rice remains a fundamental
ingredient that ties them altogether. Tilda
has been bringing flavoursome and
wholesome meals to the dinner tables, for
over 50 years in the UK.
This Ramadan, explore the flavours of
Persia, the aromas of Jordan, the tastes of
Afghanistan, the delicacies of the Middle
East, the comforts of Bangladesh, the
vibrance of Africa, the wholesomeness of
Somalia and much more as Tilda promises
to elevate your plate.

Food & Drink
APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023 TheTrumpet Page11
ASDA celebrates its biggest Ramadan
with 150 new product lines
As the holy month of Ramadan
progresses, kitchens are buzzing
with preparations for Iftars and
Suhoors. Families and home cooks are
busy looking for recipe ideas to add a
variety to their mealtimes.
At supermarket giant - ASDA, there
is something for everyone, a wide range
of brands and products, which promises
to add a taste of happiness to this joyous
occasion at affordable prices.
ASDA hosted a special event recently
in collaboration with Zubda Malik
(@kitchen_ diaries_ by_ zubda), to
celebrate its biggest Ramadan yet -
featuring 150 new product lines.
The Ramadan recipes of Zubda - a
food enthusiast, content creator and food
influencer, are available on Asda’s Good
Living website and includes a delightful
fusion of flavours from Turkey, the
Middle East, Pakistan and the
Mediterranean. All the recipes have been
created with ingredients bought at Asda,
offering a wide range for all Muslim
shoppers. From Adana Kebab made with
Haji Baba Halal lamb mince, to Masala
Fish Pakoras using 2kg KTC gram
flour (now available for £2.50), to
Spinach and Feta Cheese Borek, Asda
has everything you need this Ramadan,
available under one roof.
Be it scratch
cooks or people
looking for more convenient options,
shoppers are in for a treat with Asda’s
fresh Halal produce and frozen ranges.
From Super Chick Fillets, Popcorns to
Jahan Charcoal Cooked Kebabs, there
are exciting offers at Asda for your
Ramadan shopping.
Talking about her family favourites,
Zubda shared that “my iftars are
incomplete without chaats, kebabs and
pakoras. My kids look forward to the
Iftar every evening in the hope of trying
new dishes every day. So, I am
constantly trying out new recipes and
ensuring I serve a variety to my family.
With Asda, I don’t have to go to 10
different stores to get my shopping
done.”
She is particularly pleased with the
range of seasonings available as they are
versatile and can be used to enhance the
flavours of any recipe. A range of
Dunn’s River and Tropics seasonings
are now available in Asda, whether you
are looking to create the classics like Jerk
Chicken or to lift the flavours of your
Iftars with BBQ or Oxtail seasoning.
With an endeavour of encouraging
everyone to try out new recipes this
Ramadan, Zubda has created Ouzi rice,
a Jordanian rice dish, prepared using
Laila Basmati rice (10Kg pack now
available at £14.50) and lots of almonds,
cashews and pine nuts.
And for those with a sweet tooth,
Zubda’s homemade Kulfi Cheesecake is
a perfect fusion of Pakistani Kulfi and
the classic cheesecake, served with a
garnish of Pistachios and Rose Petals.
Asda is making every effort to ensure
that the community is able to enjoy the
celebration, by adding newer products to
the range every year, making the
shopping experience hassle free. This
year the brand has strengthened its
association with small businesses and
their inspiring stories, providing them
with a platform to make their products
available to a much larger audience.
An Asda spokesperson said, “At
Asda, you can shop with ease and
confidence, knowing that we have
everything you need to celebrate this
holy month with your loved ones. Don’t
miss out on our exclusive Ramadan
offerings and visit us today.”
This Ramadan, let Asda add a taste of
happiness to your celebration with its
special range, amazing offers and the
convenience of shopping under one roof.

Page12 TheTrumpet APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
Events
9

Opinion
APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
More notes on the elections
TheTrumpet
Page13
The prevalence of the comic spirit
is one of those distinctive features
of Nigerian life and society – one
of those things that make us who we are
– our capacity to turn every season, every
occasion, serious, not so serious, even
sombre, into an opportunity for mirth,
that is - plain rambunctious, defiant or
deprecating laughter. In my earlier life as
a teacher of comic theory, it was an
interesting time teaching the special veins
of wit and humour and how the aesthetics
of laughter defines national character and
culture, a people’s capacity for wordplay,
and satire or parody. This trend,
embodied in the Nigerian character,
North or South, East to West is in part
responsible even in an electronic age, for
the fantastic humour that Nigerians create
on social media. There was so much of
this on display during the recent Nigerian
election and indeed perhaps, a
documentation of the process would be
incomplete without recalling some of the
highlights of the humour that marked it,
from the macabre to the grotesque, the
irrational to the verbal magic of some of
the key political players and their
supporters. This account is merely
representative; it is by no means
exhaustive.
The place to begin is the verbal gem
that the Presidential candidate of the All
Progressives Congress, then an aspirant,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu dropped in
Abeokuta on June 2, 2022 when he used
certain words which may well end up as
part of Nigeria’s political lexicon viz:
“Emilokan.” Literally, the Yoruba word
means “it is my turn” or “I’m next”.
Asiwaju Tinubu had categorically told his
audience that it was his turn to become
President of Nigeria, having helped the
incumbent President Muhammadu
Buhari to gain power. Highly rated as a
kingmaker in Nigeria’s power politics,
Tinubu on that occasion announced that
the kingmaker was tired of anointing
others, he would rather ascend the throne
personally. He was firm, assertive and
throughout the season that followed, he
did not waver despite criticisms that his
was an expression of a sense of
entitlement and disregard for the right of
the electorate to choose. Tinubu’s
supporters felt inspired by his confidence.
To illustrate his determination, Tinubu
said when Buhari failed thrice to become
Nigeria’s President – O lu le, once, twice,
thrice, he was the one who told the
President to wipe his tears, and he helped
him in 2015 to achieve his dream. In
other words, the auto-suggestion by the
APC Presidential aspirant was that it was
pay-back time – one good turn, as the
cliché states, deserves another. He
wanted his goodwill reciprocated. If
anyone was in any doubt, Tinubu turned
towards the sitting Governor of Ogun
State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and told his
audience that even “Eleyi” (This One)
could not have been Governor without
him.
The three phrases in Yoruba and the
underlying rhetoric captured public
imagination and caught on like wildfire.
Musicians in various genres have turned
Emilokan into lyrics – each singer
adapting the phrase to suit his or her taste
and creativity. The National Association
of Seadogs – the Pyrates Confraternity,
during the group’s 70 th celebration in
September 2022 came up with an
adaptation of the Emilokan phrase in a
highly personal, satirical song. Professor
Wole Soyinka, father-figure of the
Confraternity dismissed the song as
distasteful. In a subsequent statement, the
group said it was not out to mock or
discriminate against the subject and that it
was apolitical. The apology was rather
late. Disc jockeys, musicians, notably the
Afro-beat singer, Dede Mabiaku had
done their own re-mix versions of the
song. Several other remixes also showed
up on social media platforms. But as
many would recall, Tinubu’s Emilokan
turned out to be prophetic. Days after the
Abeokuta incident, he went on to win his
party’s primaries in Abuja scoring 1,271
votes. He defeated 13 other contestants,
with some of the original total of 23
aspirants stepping down for him before
the commencement of voting. The closest
person to him – Rotimi Amaechi, then
Minister of Transportation scored 316
votes! Tinubu also received the
endorsement of President Muhammadu
Buhari who raised his hand at several
campaign rallies and who voted for him
on February 25, enthusiastically showing
off his ballot paper to prove that he voted
for the APC, even if that gesture
amounted to a violation of the Electoral
Act 2022. Asiwaju Tinubu was later
declared winner of the Presidential
election by Nigeria’s Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC)
with 8,794,726 votes, beating 17 other
candidates. Four political parties – PDP,
LP, AA and APM and their candidates
have since gone to the Presidential
Election Petition Tribunal to challenge
the results.
Anyone who is interested in a position
now borrows the phrase - Emilokan in the
hope that just as Asiwaju Tinubu willed
his ambition into reality, their own
dreams would also come to pass. The
other day, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator
Orji Uzor Kalu, freshly re-elected (Abia
North) generated not a little laughter
when he too announced that it is now his
turn, and the turn of his village, Igbere, to
produce the next Senate President of
Nigeria. Our democracy is now
becoming “turn by turn” but let’s see if
the Emilokan magical word would work
for Senator Kalu. In Ogun State, Tinubu’s
host who was called “Eleyi” (This One)
has been re-elected. Prince Abiodun can
now confidently say that he is more than
an “Eleyi” in Ogun State, having secured
a second term without any Godfather
pulling all the strings for him.
Next to Tinubu’s verbal inventiveness
would be the memorable exertions of the
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike
and his colleague-PDP-Governors –
Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde
(Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and
Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) who took a
principled stand that it was the turn of the
South to produce Nigeria’s next
President, and that it was wrong for their
party to have elected a Presidential
candidate from the North, and also the
Chairman of the party from the North in
the person of Senator Iyorchia Ayu. They
wanted Ayu to step down as party
Chairman as the minimum pre-condition
for dialogue. The party refused. Wike was
accused of sour grapes, having lost his
bid to be the party’s Presidential standard
bearer at the primaries. The G-5, as the
group was known stood its ground. It
later expanded into a bigger body known
as the Integrity Group. Publicly, they
taunted the PDP and their presidential
candidate Atiku Abubakar. Wike, the
obvious leader and main spirit openly
identified with members of the APC and
Labour Party. Whereas he invited
members of those two parties to Rivers
State to commission projects and treated
them to generous receptions, he snubbed
the PDP candidate and members of his
own party at the state level who were pro-
Atiku.
He made it clear that he would only
support the PDP in the State elections,
and that he and his colleagues in G-5
would not leave the party. Daniel Bwala,
PDP Presidential Council spokesperson
derisively referred to the G-5 as the
Jackson 5. Other PDP spokespersons –
Bashorun Dele Momodu and Senator
Dino Melaye were also convinced that
the PDP would not be affected at the polls
by the G-5 rebellion. In the just
concluded general elections, the PDP
paid heavily for this disunity within its
ranks. On February 25, it lost in States
where it should ordinarily have won
because the five Governors did not lift a
finger to help their own party’s
Presidential candidate. In Enugu, Abia
and Benue the PDP Governors lost their
bids to go to the Senate - in a karmic
sense perhaps. In Oyo State on March 18,
Governor Seyi Makinde, also of the G5
survived and was re-elected; in Rivers,
Governor Wike fulfilled his promise of
installing his own successor (a puppet?)
although other parties in that election
insist that what happened in Rivers State
was not an election.
Before, during and after the election,
the G5 would be remembered for
introducing to the grammar of politics a
song titled: “As e dey sweet us, e go dey
pain dem.” It is a triumphal song of
defiance and self-assertion. Wike gained
much attention with his unique style of
dancing to this song and with his usual
riposte: “Enough is Enough”. When the
BY REUBEN ABATI
dust settles, Wike will not be forgotten for
his many colourful displays, sometimes
bordering on the farcical and the
grotesque. For example, drinking a 40-
year-old bottle of whiskey at 11.30 am
and boasting that he would even drink a
50-year-old bottle. Rotimi Amaechi who
originally accused Wike of using State
resources to consume alcohol has not said
anything further on that matter. Any other
response has been swallowed! Wike’s
response of course would probably be:
“As e dey pain dem, he go dey sweet us”.
This line has gained currency across the
country. When Alex Otti was declared
winner of the gubernatorial election in
Abia State, after a suspension of the
collation of results to resolve alleged
irregularities in Obingwa LGA, his
supporters trooped to the streets in
jubilation. One of the songs on their lips
was: “as e dey sweet us, e go dey pain
dem.” Nigerians have not heard the last
of that song.
Yet another creative figure on the
scene is the current Governor of Osun
State, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the
PDP. The Osun Gubernatorial election
was held on July 16, 2022, and he was
declared winner. The APC challenged the
victory at the State Election Petition
Tribunal. The three-man panel at that
Tribunal upturned the election, and
handed victory to former Governor
Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC.
Adeleke and the PDP promptly filed an
appeal at the Court of Appeal, which has
now ruled in favour of Adeleke,
upholding his victory. The APC has
vowed to go all the way to the Supreme
Court. A major thing in Nigeria today is
to tell aggrieved election losers to go to
Court! Governor Adeleke says he is
confident that the Supreme Court would
rule in his favour. With Seyi Makinde of
Oyo State having joined the G5, and
former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti
aligned with the same group, the lot fell
on Adeleke of Osun State to lead the PDP
in the South West. On February 25, he
won Osun State for Atiku. On March 18,
the PDP further won 25 out of the 26
Continued on Page 14 >

Page14 TheTrumpet APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
Opinion
More notes on the elections
Continued from Page 13<
INEC Chairman - Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Photo - INEC)
seats in the Osun State House of
Assembly, losing only in
Boripe/Boluwaduro LGA where former
Governor Oyetola hails from. But what is
most noteworthy about Governor
Adeleke is his passion for dancing. He
became popular as a Senator of the
Federal Republic for his dancing
prowess. He and his erstwhile colleague,
Dino Melaye turned dancing into a tool
of political communication. I have it on
good authority that the first day he
reported for duty as Governor, the civil
servants of Osun asked him to dance for
them.
The Osun State Election Petition
Tribunal in the lead judgement delivered
by Justice Terse Kume, in fact mocked
him for always dancing to “Buga” – the
song by Kiss Daniel. The Court of
Appeal through Justice Mohammad
Shuaibu while acknowledging that a
judge can speak “obiter” was however of
the view that this comment by the lower
court was “uncalled for”. The truth is that
Governor Adeleke loves to dance. He has
even added drumming to it. There is a
video in circulation showing him, in the
company of others, drumming away with
a Bandiri local drum. When he came to
The Morning Show (TMS) on Arise TV
on Monday, March 27, I had raised the
question about dancing and drumming,
and whether he is planning to launch a
musical band, like his sons - B-Red and
Sina Rambo - and his nephew, Davido.
His response was that there is a time for
everything, thus echoing Ecclesiastes 3:
1 – 11. He also quoted Shakespeare’s
Macbeth. I was tempted to ask him to
show our viewers a few dance steps. But
I let him be. Without doubt, he will be
noted for the colour lent to contemporary
politics by him and the likes of Dino
Melaye - who has since added acrobatic
falls to his displays and who now says he
wants to be the next Governor of Kogi
State.
There is possibly no way I would
leave out: “Eluu Pee 74, Eluu Pee 75, 76,
77, Obi 78, Kererenke 79, Obi 80, Obi
Nwannem 81...” – a very catchy tune
created by Mr. Kleb and Obidients to
promote the Labour Party and its
Presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The
word is a play on the local, Igbo
pronunciation of the 12th and 16 th letters
of the English alphabet. Turned into a
song, it became an instant hit. The
imitative pronunciation was not an issue
but the sub-text, and in many instances,
Obi’s supporters rounded up the Eluu
Pee, antiphonal-responsorial with another
song - “Obi kererenke, Obi”. This is an
old folk song adapted with reverberating
effect as Disc Jockeys and party members
turned it into a popular song from Nigeria
to Ghana, to Kenya. Peter Obi joined the
Labour Party on May 27, 2022. In less
than one year, he has transformed a
hitherto marginal party into a votewinning,
game changer in Nigerian
politics. This should be a useful case
study for students of the making of
political parties in Africa.
The general, on-cycle elections of
2023 have been concluded except in
Kebbi and Adamawa States still declared
inconclusive and a few outstanding
constituencies in the National Assembly,
and over 100 election petitions already
filed but one remaining highlight is how
the candidate of the PDP, Pastor Umo
Eno won the Gubernatorial election in
Akwa Ibom State by promising the
people: “Happy Hour,” every Friday. His
promise is that every Friday, selected
restaurants and bars in the State would
serve the people food and drinks at a
subsidized rate to make the people happy.
In his acceptance speech after his
declaration as Governor-Elect his key
message to the people was: “Happy Hour
is Here”. It has been reported that indeed,
last Friday, even without a formal takeover
as Governor, a “serve them round”,
“come and eat”, Happy Hour was
declared in the State with people enjoying
pepper soup, edikang ikong, tombo and
other delicacies at cheaper rates. Pastor
Eno has a programme of action called
“Arise Agenda” but he has successfully
found his way to Government House by
grabbing the people through their
stomachs. Can he sustain it? How would
he ensure fairness, equity and
transparency? And would Akwa Ibom
close its borders every Friday, because if
the “food is ready” programme is
sustained, no one should rule out the
possibility of people in neighbouring
States and even farther away showing up
on Fridays in Akwa Ibom. We are
effectively in the season of hunger,
hypocrisy and political opportunism.

News
APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
TheTrumpet
Page15
Can you share your
experience of
Adoption?
We’re looking for people to
feature in a new public
campaign to recruit Adopters
and highlight the many variations of
support available to the families who
adopt. Support can come in many forms -
whether it is professional guidance
through the adoption process, therapeutic
support for your child, peer-to-peer
support from fellow parents and adopters,
or an invaluable listening ear from your
friends or family.
We’d love to hear from a variety of
voices who can speak passionately and
positively about the kind of support
they’ve received as an adopter - before,
during and after the adoption process
itself.
· Parents of adopted children,
especially who have adopted one of
the following groups, to talk about the
support they received from their
peers, family, friends, or professionals
– (support can be in any shape or
form, from WhatsApp groups, online
forums, to regular in person
meetings):
· Brother and sister groups
· Older children (age 5+)
· Children with additional / complex
needs
· From a Black background.
· Social workers who build strong and
invaluable relationship with adoptive
parents as a form of essential support
(with option to feature alongside
adoptive family).
· Friends and extended family of
people who have adopted, to talk
about their role supporting them on
their journey and decision to
adopt (with option to feature
alongside adoptive family).
· Adopted adults / and or older
children to discuss the support they
received during their journey and the
vital role this played in their
wellbeing and development.
Featuring in the campaign could include:
· Taking part in a recorded interview,
which will be used on the You Can
Adopt social media and in press.
· Talking about adoption or speaking
with media about the adoption
journey.
Life stories must therefore be happy
to tell their story publicly. The strong
preference is for families to be shown in
the films and in media, but anonymous
stories and name changes can be
considered.
Families will need to be available
to film in mid-April, with the campaign
launch planned for June.
· If you are willing to share your
Adoption experience, please contact
Kreshany of MMC via Email:
kreshany@mmc-uk.co.uk or
Telephone: 07415 730881.

Page16 TheTrumpet APRIL 5 - APRIL 18 2023
News
Nigerian Senator, wife and one other,
convicted of organ harvesting
Alandmark prosecution - the
first of its kind in the United
Kingdom, has found
Nigeria’s Senator Ike Ekweremadu,
his wife - Beatrice Nwanneka
Ekweremadu, and Obinna Obeta,
guilty of human trafficking for the
purpose of organ harvesting.
They were found guilty after a
six-week trial at the Old Bailey.
The London Metropolitan Police
Specialist Crime Command’s
Modern Slavery and Child
Exploitation team successfully
achieved justice for a vulnerable
Nigerian victim caught up in a plot
to remove his kidney.
Leading investigating officer,
Detective Inspector Esther
Richardson, from the Met’s Modern
Slavery and Child Exploitation team,
said: “This conviction sends out a
clear message across the world, the
UK will not tolerate the international
industry in illegal organ removal.
“We could not have achieved this
conviction without the help of one
man, the victim survivor. I commend
him for his utmost bravery.”
60-year-old Senator Ike
Ekweremadu and his 56-year-old
wife Beatrice Nwanneka
Ekweremadu who both reside in
Abuja, Nigeria were found guilty of
conspiracy to arrange / facilitate
travel of another person with a view
to exploitation – namely organ
harvesting - Section 2 Modern
Slavery Act 2015.
51-year-old Obinna Obeta of
South London - who was described
as the medical middleman - was also
found guilty of the same offence.
They will all be sentenced on a
date to be confirmed at the same
court.
25-year-old Sonia Ekweremadu –
the planned recipient of the organ
was found not guilty.
The court heard how the male
victim who is approximately 21
years of age, came from a remote
village in Nigeria. He was deceived
into being trafficked to the UK for
the purpose of having his kidney
removed and then donated to Sonia
Ekweremadu. He was led to believe
he was being brought to the UK to
Ike Ekweremadu
earn money for his family.
He was provided with a passport
and also provided with a medical
travel Visa. He had previously been
taken for blood tests in Nigeria
which he believed were for his Visa
requirements. These were instead to
determine if he was a medically
suitable match to Sonia
Ekweremadu.
On 20 February 2022, the victim
was brought to the UK in the
company of Isaac Onwudiwe
Ekweremadu, and taken to Obeta’s
flat in South London.
On 24 February 2022, the victim
attended his first medical screening
at the Royal Free Hospital in
London. The court heard how it
became apparent to the doctor
carrying out the screening that the
victim had limited understanding of
why he was there. After several
appointments, the victim realised he
was to donate a kidney. The
Consultant picked up the fear and
panic this caused the victim. The
hospital went on to decline to
complete the procedure.
The victim returned to the address
in south London. He stated that the
mood in the property had changed
significantly and he was treated as a
‘slave’. A few days later, he
managed to escape the property,
becoming homeless for around three
days.
On 5 May 2022, he walked into
Staines Police Station and stated: “I
don’t know anywhere, I don’t know
where I am. I was sleeping three
days outside around, for someone to
help me, save my life.”
The victim continues to be
Obinna Obeta
safeguarded and we are working
closely with partners on future
support.
Detectives from Specialist Crime
Command’s Modern Slavery and
Child Exploitation Unit began their
fast paced investigation to
understand how this vulnerable man
had come to be in London.
DI Esther Richardson, added:
“This shows the Met’s commitment
to tackle exploitation in all its forms
and we can only succeed by working
with partners both in the UK and
overseas.
“I would also like to thank our
colleagues in the CPS, the Human
Tissue Authority and other partners
who have worked so hard with us.
“We do understand the challenges
and no two cases are the same.
Teams within the Met’s Modern
Slavery Command understand this
and we will ensure victims are
supported, signposted and
safeguarded with the help of
partners.
“Modern slavery is all around us.
We need the public’s help in
identifying potential victims of
trafficking and exploitation to bring
offenders to justice and protect the
vulnerable.”
Detectives discovered Obeta’s
mobile phone contained extensive
involvement in this offence. He
recruited the victim and had
significant communications with
him.
They also discovered an
application for a six-month Visa for
the victim. The application stated:
‘Senator Ike Ekweremadu is
sponsoring my medical treatment to
Beatrice Ekweremadu
enable me to donate an organ to
Sonia Ekweremadu in Royal Free
Hospital, London, UK.’
It also stated: ‘I would be
donating an organ to my closest
cousin (Sonia) in appreciation for her
sacrifices towards me, my family
and community. I am willing to put
my life on the line for her to live and
continue her good service to
humanity.’
The Ekweremadus’ paid a health
tourism company in the UK to
facilitate the medical arrangements
between the Ekweremadus’ and the
Royal Free Hospital. They initially
paid a £10,000 start-up fee, the total
required would be in excess of
£80,000.
Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown
Prosecutor, said: “This was a horrific
plot to exploit a vulnerable victim by
trafficking him to the UK for the
purpose of transplanting his kidney.
“The defendants showed utter
disregard for the victim’s welfare,
health and well-being and used their
considerable influence to a high
degree of control throughout, with
the victim having limited
understanding of what was really
going on here.”
On 21 June 2022, detectives
arrested Ike and Beatrice
Ekweremadu at Heathrow Airport.
On 12 July 2022, Obeta was arrested
at his home address. They were all
later charged as above. Sonia
Ekweremadu was also charged as
above by postal charge requisition.
Enquiries continue.
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