Editha Francis is a Nollywood actress and producer. She has featured and produced many movies including Elina, Ogwuma, Ruse, Keeping Faith, and Boss Lady Nightmare. Her films Cryman and Onye Obi Nkume are currently showing on DSTV. She tells OLAITAN GANIU her favourite things.
Massage, body exfoliation, facials, manicures, and pedicures are some of the ways to maintain and enhance your beauty regularly. Beautiful and well-nourished skin is something we all crave and this can be achieved by spending time at the Spa.
There are several luxurious places you can go to relax, reflect, and immerse yourself in personalized treatments. One such Exclusive Spa destination is the SRS Collection in partnership with Apples and Oranges Total Body Therapy ‘The Luxury Biologique Recherche Paris certified Spa, which recently launched the PIer Harbour Spa, a waterfront location at 14 AJ Marinho, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Distinguished guests, beauty and lifestyle connoisseurs, socialites, celebrities, and influencers across various demographics and guests of SRS Collections gathered this month at the Pier Harbour Residences and Spa for the official opening by the CEO and founder, Mrs Bola Tinubu.
Guests were treated to a tour of the private and exclusive waterfront spa location, to see facilities and the serenity of the environment.
According to Wumi Jubril, the CEO of SRS Collection, “We are launching the Pier Harbour Spa, it is the second in the collection and we are excited about this”
Beatrice Eneh, the founder and CEO of Apples and Total Body Therapy while taking guests on the tour educated the guests in detail about Biologique Recherche Paris Treatment methodology is based on unique and personalized skincare protocols adapted to the Skin Instant of each individual with treatments for face and body done by a certified therapist who adapts protocols unique to suit individual client needs with sustainable results.
Beatrice Eneh stated that; “Biologique Recherche’s Methodology has earned an enviable reputation for effectiveness, thanks to its winning combination: a clinical approach to personalized skincare; unadulterated, concentrated and practically raw products; and complex formulas applied with original and rigorous treatment protocols. Its holistic approach to skin – as an organ that’s directly connected to all the others – brings a particularly groundbreaking vision to all the techniques specific to the brand. We are privileged to have therapists who have been certified by Biologique Rechereche with expertise in an advanced understanding of skin physiology”.
The Spa provides many services including a Vichy shower, hammam, facial peels, body treatments, manicure and pedicure and alot more.
Yemi Alade, popularly known as Mama Africa, is a Nigerian Afro-pop singer-songwriter with quite an outstanding and impressive style and taste in clothes. She is a huge fan of Ankara outfits and Afrocentrism plays an important role in her dressing style.
She is famous not only for her voice but also for her African fashion. In 2016, she was appointed brand ambassador for Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and Africa Fashion Week London respectively. She often wears skirts, dresses, bold jewelry, oversized earrings, chunky bracelets, and colorful scarves. All her clips and photos contain a rich representation of African fashion and style. She has promoted African fashion in many ways and participated in international events many times, creating different impressive looks in Ankara. She is known for wearing African textiles with pride, complementing them with beautiful hairstyles of various styles and colors.
The Afro-pop singer has been at the top of her game in showcasing the best trending African Ankara designs. Yemi Alade has walked the red carpet at some of the world’s most prestigious events, including the Met Gala, the Grammy Awards, and the Cannes Film Festival. At each event, she attracted attention with her unique and outstanding appearance. At the 2018 Met Gala, she wore a custom dress by Nigerian designer Toju Foyeh, decorated with delicate beads.
At the 2019 Grammy Awards, Yemi Alade wore a red dress by South African designer Gert-Johan Coetzee. The dress is inspired by the traditional Zulu colors of red, black, and white, and features intricate beads and feathers. It is a bold and beautiful statement about African culture and tradition. At the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, Yemi Alade once again attracted attention with her fashion choices. She wore a custom-made dress by Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo.
The dress is made from Ankara fabric, a traditional African textile, with intricate embroidery and beading. It is a bold, colorful choice that perfectly reflects Yemi Alade’s unique style. At each of these events, Yemi Alade served as a shining example of how fashion can be a form of self-expression and storytelling. She shows that fashion is not just about the latest trends but also about connecting to a deeper sense of identity and culture.
At New York Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2020 event, Yemi Alade wore an edgy aso-oke blazer from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection and styled it with an orange jumpsuit. Her total package at the event includes a pair of yellow earrings. Her fashion choices offer a vibrant and captivating mix of modern and African designs.
What makes her unique is that she complements her African-inspired looks with the right accessories. She likes to wear brightly colored outfits and favors bold colors like blue, red, and yellow. Yemi Alade never fails to use her fashion style to promote her culture. Her fashion choices have also been influential in the world of pop culture.
Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire is a human rights and criminal justice lawyer. He contested for the national chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (ACN) in 2018 but eventually stepped down for Adams Oshiomhole. He has held various positions in the party right from the days of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before it metamorphosed into the APC. He was the secretary of the ACN, UK Chapter from 2006 till 2012 He was also the chairman of the APC UK (2012-2013) and the chairman and convener of the Progressives Solidarity for Asiwaju, a pro-Tinubu campaign support group. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, he bares his mind on several issues, including the performance of the Bola Tinubu administration so far, concerns being raised by Nigerians, the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the last general election, as well as the chances of the APC in the forthcoming governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi
What is your assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s first 100 days?
President Bola Tinubu should be given a pass mark for his first 100 days in office because he has initiated a lot of policies that have put our country in the right direction. The president took bold steps in initiating some pragmatic policies that have put the country in the right direction. You could see that from the first day; he hit the ground running. He removed the subsidy right from the day of his inauguration. We have also taken steps to cushion the effects of the withdrawal of petroleum subsidies on the poor.
When you look at the harmonization of the foreign exchange market, if you look at the tax reform that he has put in place, and quite a lot of policies that he has put in place now, you would see that these things were done within the first 100 days. We could see that the president himself had taken the country and marketed the country to the entire world. We have now begun to have a positive image of Nigeria; we are now a proud nation in the comity of nations. This is what we need from a president who has mapped out what to do as soon as he comes into office.
He has also been able to initiate all these policies and we could see that more and more investment-friendly policies have been put in place and that these have encouraged investors to come to Nigeria. I would say he has done tremendously well within the first 100 days.
What do you make of the claim by Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that they won the 2023 presidential election?
It is quite unfortunate that in this part of the world, we have bad losers; people usually embark on a propaganda of illegitimacy, after losing elections. How can a person who could only garner 25 per cent in 16 states be crying wolf? Even Atiku who came second was only able to garner 25 per cent in 21 states; you tell me how on earth can you make such people president? On what grounds are they expecting to be declared president by INEC?
By every standard, the propaganda they have embarked upon is to delegitimize the entire process that was carried out by INEC on February 25. There is no genuine claim in what they have embarked upon because they have continued to blow the wrong side of the trumpet and try to hoodwink Nigerians, particularly those who are innocent.
However, there were complaints about the manner the election was conducted. Against this background, how would you rate INEC’s performance in the exercise?
I would say the election conducted on February 25, 2023, by the INEC was one of the best it has ever conducted. This is bearing in mind that during the period of this election the commission faced a lot of challenges; in the area of insecurity and scarcity of naira notes because of the redesigning policy that was carried out. Amid this, INEC was able to carry out one of the best elections in the history of Nigeria. This is because when you look at the fact that somebody like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could lose Lagos to the LP and former President Buhari could lose Katsina to the PDP and some other states in the Northeast and the North-central to the main opposition party. You tell me the person who would have rigged the election as a result of having to monopolize what is in their state is one of the leading opposition candidates, Peter Obi, who scored 93 per cent of the entire vote cast in his region, the Southeast. When you look at these challenges I enumerated, I believe INEC should be given kudos and rate them to have performed 70-80 per cent in their performance.
Opposition parties are not as vibrant as they used to be. What does this portend for the country’s democracy?
It is not a healthy development to have a one-party system; we need to have a viable opposition party that can suggest alternative policies and put the ruling party on its toes. Unfortunately, the PDP and the LP are just playing to the gallery, garnering support on social media by attacking personalities. They go after personal issues, and there is no single iota of opposition in them. They have not come up with alternative policies; they have not come up with anything that Nigerians will say is a viable opposition. That’s why we are where we are.
Why has it been so difficult for your party to resolve the lingering crises it is embroiled in several states? Critics say it is going the way of the former ruling party, the PDP.
We have some challenges here and there in the party, but that is not to say that we are following the path of the PDP. This is because we have a party that is growing stronger by the day and we are resolving some of the problems as they come as well. We also have in place conflict resolution mechanisms within the party to resolve some of these problems. So the issue of fragmentation would not come in at this point at all.
What do you think your party can do to avoid going the way of the PDP?
As I said, we have a conflict resolution mechanism. That is the best way for the party not to fall apart; because it will ensure that inclusiveness and everyone is carried along. There is also the need to have a reward system at the party. The reward system is key and is done everywhere in the world, particularly in the United States and the UK. Here, there is what we call a reward system for the party loyalists and the people who have worked so hard for the party.
Governors and their deputies have continued to be at the loggerheads. What is the way out of this perennial crisis?
Regarding the situation with the governors and their deputies, our constitution is the root of the issue, because there is a lacuna there where the deputy is left as a spare tyre. But, where the governor is not available, the deputy comes on board. Outside that the deputy keeps watching; they are in the back seat. There is a need for a constitutional review to give some specific roles to deputy governors to ensure that some of the loopholes are plugged, particularly to take care of where a governor begins to act like a demi-god and begin to treat the deputy like a nobody.
We do understand that the deputy and the governor have one ticket; they are both elected into office and as a result of that they are one and it is not fair for one to be treating the other as a spare tyre or as a nobody. There should be a role carved out for deputies and also to limit the power of the governors. This is the responsibility of the National Assembly.
This particular situation has demeaned the value of that particular office of the deputy governor. Today, the deputy governor is more or less like a beggar. Imagine seeing a deputy governor begging the governor openly, particularly when it is obvious that he is being unjustly treated.
While many have commended the APC for its policies, others have also criticized the party for the slow implementation of its policies, especially those that affect the masses. How do you explain this?
When you have a new government in place, a situation where manifestos were developed and policies designed along those lines, the implementation is a result of what the president and ministers must have met on the ground. There are enormous differences between the proposed policies and when you get to the office, the reality on the ground is different. The reality on the ground must have slowed down the implementation of policies. We have seen that some of the policies that have been developed take a lot of time to implement. The public needs to be a little bit patient when you have good policies in front of you.
The government needs to do more by letting the public, the electorate know that these policies need to come into play but they should be a little bit patient with them. In the long run, the policies will surely have positive impacts on the citizenry, and whatever the hardship, whatever they have been going through will be cushioned by these policies as the implementation goes on.
Right now, the country is divided along tribal lines…
We had an unfortunate situation in the last election where some leaders were whipping up sentiments; religious and ethnic sentiment, instead of focusing on their policies, and manifesto. The campaign of the LP candidate particularly was full of propaganda; he did unveil his manifesto until a few weeks before the election. All their propaganda from day one was to capitalize on the religious and the ethnic.
Similarly, the PDP was also whipping up ethnic sentiment in the north against other candidates. It came up with so many lies. These were unhealthy for the entire country; it is unhealthy for our nation, and this could degenerate. We pray that in the future we have leaders that will contest an election based on issues, not on ethnic or religious issues.
Some people had assumed that the APC would zone its Senate Presidency to the Southeast, but surprisingly; it went to the South-south. Would you say your party made the right decision?
On this issue, there are two different schools of thought. The first school of thought said look the Senate President must come from the Southeast because we should appease the Southeast because they were not able to produce President and Vice President or whatever but the other school of thought made it quite clear and very logical, according to them, the Southeast has produced so many Senate Presidents in the past than any other region in the entire South and our party, the APC did not have enough vote from the Southeast to justify being given Senate Presidency. Those were the two topical issues that were being argued by the two schools of thought.
So the party came together and said this should be zoned to the Southsouth it had only produced a Senate President once and has also contributed so much as well to ensure they won or had their 25 per cent in that region.
What are the chances of your party in the off-season elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states?
Our chances are bright, the issue here is that I won’t just say our chances are bright, particularly in Kogi and Imo where we currently have APC governors, one going for a second term and the other bowing out. In these two states, our chances are far higher because they have produced and delivered what is in their manifesto. In the case of Imo, for example, he is going to do well and Governor Hope Uzodimma will be returned as the governor of that state because he has performed; he has delivered.
Looking at the other two, where we have fresh candidates, Bayelsa, and Kogi states, our chances are also good. In Kogi State, there is an existing governor who was elected on the platform of the APC but we have a division in the party there. For example, we know that some of our APC members moved to other parties in Kogi East, and in Kogi West. As a result, we might be losing some pockets of votes, but that does not mean we are not going to win the election. But, it is going to require a lot of hard work for us to win.
In Bayelsa, we have seen that we have a former governor contesting who is also a strong candidate. So, there is every likelihood that he is going to beat the PDP candidate, who is the sitting governor there.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Jamilu Mohammed of the PDP against an earlier ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal which had declared the 2023 Election Conducted for the Faskari/ Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency as inconclusive.
The Nation recalled that the INEC had earlier declared Jamilu Mohammed, the winner of the election but in a ruling by the Election Petition Tribunal which sat in Katsina, declared the election inconclusive and INEC was ordered to conduct reelection in 20 polling units of Faskari and Kankara Local Councils.
The Court of Appeal, however, in its ruling delivered by the Presiding Judge, Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein upheld the position of the Tribunal in declaring the election inconclusive while also surcharging Mr. Jamilu Mohammed a fine of N300,000:00 to be paid to the APC candidate in the Election, Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki.
Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki, who previously held the post of Deputy Speaker in the Katsina State House of Assembly, had contested the House of Representatives election on the APC ticket
The Appeal Court further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections in 20 polling units within 30 days.
The Court of Appeal, Kano State Division, has fixed November 6, 2023, to hear the appeal filed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf challenging the nullification of his election by the Kano Election Petition Tribunal.
The hearing will be on Monday in Abuja, the Court of Appeal said.
Governor Yusuf, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are the applicants, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Nasiru Gawuna are defendants. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is also a party in the suit.
The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had on September 20 nullified the election of Governor Yusuf by declaring 165, 663 of his votes invalid, saying the ballot papers were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
INEC had declared Yusuf the winner of the March 18, 2023 election after he secured 1,019,602 votes against his opponent Nasiru Gawuna who secured 890,705 votes.
However, after the tribunal deducted the 165,663 votes from Mr Yusuf’s tally, his votes were reduced to 853, 939, which were over 30,000 votes less than the 890,705 votes polled by Gawuna who is the candidate of the APC.
Consequently, the court declared the APC candidate the winner of the governorship election and ordered the INEC to withdraw Yusuf’s certificate of return and give Gawuna a new one.
But Mr Yusuf and his party the NNPP as well as INEC have since appealed the tribunal’s judgement.
As the last days, months perhaps, of the Godwin Obaseki administration is idling away, Edolites will again be on the lookout for a new helmsman to lead the state to its rightful place amongst its other peers that make up the Nigerian Federation.
Governor Obaseki, who may have done his best as the 5th democratically elected governor of our dear state will hand over to his successor come the 13th of November, 2024. Many have obviously thrown their hats into the ring, while a number of others who are the big masquerades are still weighing up the decision on whether to run or not. While it is not in doubt that amongst the first and second categories lie a number of capable administrators and accomplished persons, a number of Gen Z people will be looking for more accomplishing values amongst these aspirants. Unlike other past generations X and Y, Gen Zs are passionate about who governs us and radically enthusiastic in righting the wrongs meted out on the poor people of Edo State, who have been at the mercy of such poor administrations, most notably, this outgoing one.
To the Gen Z’s, we are no longer moved by the sharing of monies, bags of rice, beans, spaghetti, noodles, salt, and cash, neither are we moved by highfalutin
speeches with nerve-racking slogans immersed into such a discourse or speech. We won’t be traded like the votes of our fathers and elders. Pained by the failure of the state to revive its glory days in security, education, infrastructure, experienced last in the days of Comrade Adams Oshiomole and previously in the days of Ambrose Ali and Brigadier General Sam Ogbemudia, efforts which put our state not only in the frontlines of developed states but also on the global stage, this Generation Z intends to restore such, using our votes.
Obaseki’s successor must be someone who will be in sync with the political sensitivities of the average Edo youth who are desirous of a sweeping action in a whole lot of sectors in which our generation would be the immediate beneficiaries.
We need someone who has been connecting with us via mentoring, cross-fertilizing of ideas at various foras and has rallied around the issue of youth empowerment, not just paying lip service but providing action where it is needed.
Such a person in Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu meets all the criteria and the following
Experience and political knowledge: Ize-Iyamu having served in various political and leadership roles throughout his career is likely to be the most experienced to lead the state in 2024 and such strategically positions him well to lead the state effectively.
His outlined vision and development agenda is one of a kind. From his venture into politics and even now, Ize-Iyamu has shown a more than strong commitment to the development and progress of Edo State and its citizens. In his numerous engagements with the average Edolite has always outlined comprehensive plans for improving infrastructure, economic growth, education, healthcare, and job creation. These sectors are the crux of the yearnings of Gen Z voters as governor, we believe he would have the opportunity to implement these plans and bring massive positive changes to the state.
Ize-Iyamu also has displayed strong leadership qualities: His high sense of dedication, integrity, and commitment to a better Edo State is quite inspiring and despite the few setbacks he has consistently shown his ability to mobilize support and build coalitions on ideas and policies that will surely outlast any generation. Such resourcefulness is what is needed if we are to effectively manage the affairs of the state and deliver the hopes of the common man in the state known as Nigeria’s heartbeat.
Having fleetingly dwelt on or mentioned youth empowerment earlier as criteria required by Gen Zs, it is important that I expound on the topic which has been so heavily trivialized in our clime. Youth empowerment for us goes beyond the mere purchase of wheelbarrows, tricycles, buses, and cars for youths with little or no skills! Its scope has grown above the outdated delivery of sewing, grinding, and other accessories that we can think of. What skills do these youths have to manage such a business? Most times, these contrived startups fail from the word go leaving such youths trapped in the vicious cycle of unemployment and crime.
Ize-Iyamu has demonstrated a commitment to empowering the youth. He has initiated and collaborated on numerous front, programmes aimed at equipping young people with skills and entrepreneurial training to enable them to become self-reliant. Ize-Iyamu’s youth empowerment approach is all-encompassing as it leaves out no set of youths but is built on developing the skill set of such youths which is what Edo needs now if it is to ever become competitive as a state and wean itself from the ugly situation it finds itself in.
On education, which is another key factor crucial to the support of Gen Zs, Ize-Iyamu again has shown a dedication to improving the quality of education in Edo State. As an ordinary citizen, he has advocated for increased funding for education, as well as the provision of necessary infrastructure and resources in schools, teacher training, and staff welfare inclusive. He understands that it is not fair to arbitrarily raise the fees of state government-owned academic institutions, scaring away the children of the poor from access to such. Ize-Iyamu will prioritize quality education at all levels and is poised to bring back the glory days of education as it then was in old Bendel State.
As I conclude, it is important for readers to know that the decision to run for governor is a personal one; however, the ideal reason for public service has never been borne of personal gain or comfort. Knowing that Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu shares these sentiments is a guarantee that the Orhionmwon-born politician will readily rise to meet the challenges of the Edo people, particularly we the Gen Z population, we await such a day as History will too.
• Imahe is a budding fashion entrepreneur and writes from Benin, Edo State.
A Chieftain of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has reiterated his unwavering commitment and dedication to the development of Nigerian youth, saying this has been the driving force behind his venture into partisan politics.
Ajadi made this declaration during an interview programme on a Lagos based radio, Kennis 104. 1 FM which was anchored by the renowned Broadcaster, Kenny Ogungbe at the weekend.
Ajadi revealed how his generous initiatives have already left significant impacts on the lives of Nigerian youth, particularly those in Ogun state.
He however said he still believe that he can do more for the youth through his involvement in politics.
Ajadi who spoke on his involvement in the human rights activities, also recalled his history of vocal advocacy for the liberation of youths from the oppressive tendencies of various governments, which he said ultimately motivated his entry into politics.
According to him, “I have the history of organizing protests to advocate for youth’s liberation from government’s injustices. However, recognizing the limitations of protests, I decided to join a political party with the intention of effecting change through good governance.”
Ajadi, who was the NNPP’s gubernatorial candidate in Ogun state during the March 2023 election, underlined his unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes.
He said that he had already positively impacted millions of people through philanthropic deeds and expressed a fervent desire to expand these efforts through his political platform.
He said his ultimate goal is to extend humanitarian assistance to every nook and crannies of the country.
He took a critical stance on the prevalent practices within some political parties, where power is often concentrated in the hands of a selected few, leading to the exclusion of many.
It was a carnival of love as the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Saturday, November 4, paid a condolence visit to family of late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Majesty, Dr Ado Ibrahim.
While addressing sympathisers at the Palace of the late Ohinoyi, in Okene, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan noted the monarch was a greater lover of Ebiraland.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the senator, Arogbonlo Israel, on Saturday, November 4.
She said: “I have always come into this palace as a little girl but today it’s with an heavy heart that have to be remanded outside the palace, God knows why. Thus, as the walls of this palace are held together by pillars, our father, His Royal Majesty, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alh Ado Ibrahim was a great pillar to me and for that we are here to pay our last respect and appreciate him for being a great support to our electioneering struggle and it’s success today. May soul rest in peace.
She also extended her deepest gratitude to the people of Ebiraland for their massive support during the electioneering period that saw her emergence as Kogi Central Senator.
The highlight of the visit was the warm reception accorded Senator Natasha with a great show of street credibility by the people.
Born on February 7, 1929, Abdulrahmanhman Ado Ibrahim was the fourth traditional ruler and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.
With a strong foundation in Islamic knowledge, Dr Ado Ibrahim was an economist with international education, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School in 1954 and 1959, respectively.
His Royal Majesty (Dr) Ado Ibrahim passed on at the age of 94 on October 29, 2023.
The statement read: “Good evening, esteemed indigenes of Kogi central. I stand before you today, not within the walls of the palace, but outside its gates. I have been denied access, but that will not deter me from joining you all to pay last respect to our late king.
“The denial of access to the palace is not just a personal affront, but a symbol of the larger challenges we face… freedom from intimidation and respect for humanity. It is a reflection of a system that seeks to silence those who dare to speak up, who dare to challenge the status quo.
“The sight of you all before me is awe-inspiring. The sheer number of people gathered here is a testament to the power of unity and the strength of our voices. It is overwhelming, and it is intimidating, but it is also a reminder that I wasn’t alone in our fight for justice and progress.
“I am Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, and I have dedicated my life to serving the people of Kogi central and the entire Kogi state, I have fought tirelessly for the rights and well-being of our community as an ordinary citizen and I will continue to do so, regardless of the obstacles placed in my path now as your senator.
“Furthermore, we as Ebira people will strive to uphold the visionary principles and community developmental goals our late father HRM envisioned for Ebiraland.
“However, while we call for and promote peace, we shall not shy away from demanding accountability from our government . The fight for economic development and social justice is a far cry from being achieved….but it’s possible.
“So, let us march forward, united in our purpose, and unwavering in our determination. Let us show the world that the power of the people cannot be denied. Together, we will create a brighter tomorrow for kogi Central, kogi state and Nigeria at large. Thank you for your unwavering support.”
On October 16, Abdessalem Lassoued, a 45-year-old Tunisian national, has opened fire on a group of football fans from Sweden. Two people were shot dead and one was injured during the attack.
The unexpected follow-up to this story was given by Abdessalem’s acquaintant when he recognized him by the photo in the news.
A French citizen, originally from Algeria, Ayuob (name changed at the request of a witness), read his manifesto, in which he said that he met Abdelssalem at Azov training camp. Ayuob remembers that 6 months ago he took a leaflet from a street promoter somewhere in France (he prefers not to disclose his living location). The leaflet called to enter a mercenary service for Azov battalion.
As far as we know, Ayuob didn’t know anything about Azov battalion before this, and his main purpose in the war zone was to earn money.
The battalion was formed of volunteers, football hooligans and far-right extremists in May, 2014 in Mariupol to fight separatist-minded groups in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. On numerous occasions, Azov fighters were accused of Nazism propaganda, war crimes, excessive cruelty and the use of radical methods of warfare.
Ayuob told that his recruitment began as he filled out a questionate at azov-france.fr. Then, a curator contacted him and guided Ayuob through the paperwork and organization of the transfer.
According to Ayuob, the camp itself was located in Lviv region of Ukraine and the training was focused on preparing for extremist activities rather than military operations.
„In training, we were taught how to create homemade bombs, explosives, and how to carry them into crowded places. We also underwent psychological training, where we were taught that the enemy must be eliminated by any means, that if we want to eradicate the enemy, then we need to destroy their entire families, including children and women.“
Once, Ayuob continues, the camp was visited with inspection by the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky himself.
It was at this extremist training camp that Ayuob met Abdessalem, who is accused of shooting Swedish fans in Brussels.
According to Ayuob, they became close during training, but Ayuob decided that he did not want to wait for the end of the contract, since the training contradicted his worldview, but Abdessalem decided to stay. They did not keep in touch and Ayuob did not know anything about the fate of his former comrade until he saw his photo on the news. At that moment, he realized the profound influence that the camp has on the minds of recruits. He believes that it was the Azov camp that finally radicalized Abdessalem and led to this tragedy.
“Apparently, all the psychological and training courses that we took in the camp of the Azov battalion strongly influenced him and changed his consciousness. After all, the goal of the course in the camp is to get obedient extremist soldiers who will kill not only the Russian military, but also Russian civilians, women and children.
It’s a pity that it ended this way. I sincerely sympathize with the families of the victims. That’s why I decided to record this confession to warn the French and people from other countries not to volunteer for the Azov battalion. They will make a terrorist out of you, rather than a warrior.“