DTN-1-5-19 by Dailytimes

May Day: Labour leader charges NASS on anti-corruption bill

Saraki salutes Nigerian workers, as PDP cautions APC, FG against bullying, victimisation Ngige hails Nigerian workers

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos, Tunde Opalana & Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja

As labour unions mark Workers Day today, the newly elected members of the https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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9th Assembly have been charged to pass the Anti-Corruption Bill into law in order to save Nigeria as soon as they resume. The National Secretary of Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu, Continued on page 3

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2019

VOL. 3

NO. 935

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Finally, NASS passes 2019 Budget, increases estimates by N90bn g 5 Allocates N160bn to minimum wage payment Approves N23.6bn severance package for lawmakers, aides, N10bn for humanitarian intervention in Zamfara

L-R: Patrick Pouyanne, Group CEO/Chairman, Total, presenting a model of the Egina FPSO to Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, during a visit of Total Management to the Vice President at the State House, Abuja... on Tuesday.

Daily Times g 5 appoints Aliu Akoshile as MD/ Editor-in-Chief

Defection: g 6 Saraki, Dogara, 53 other defectors know fate May 17

g 6 Investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest in Nigeria rose to $90.9bn in 2018 - Osinbajo

IMF predicts dual growth for Nigeria, Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Africa amid rising uncertainty g 14

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 1, 2019

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PDP: Secondus delegation fails to save Short News ex-minister in Plateau FG announces plan to establish new

The delegation dispatched by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uche Secondus on Tuesday failed to save the suspended Chairman of Plateau state chapter of the party, Chief Damishi Sango. The 16 -member state executive committee of the PDP had last week suspended Sango and his deputy, Amos Gombi, for alleged disrespect to elders, sidelining members of the state executive and misappropriation of campaign funds. In his stead, the party in the state nominated the Vice Chairman, Plateau North Senatorial District, Chris Hassan, as acting chairman, pending the determination of the allegations raised against Sango and his deputy. But, Chief Secondus, had on Monday sent a five-man committee led by Theophilus Dakashan to Jos, the Plateau

state capital to mediate in the leadership crisis rocking the party. The delegation which arrived the state on Monday met a brick wall in its efforts to reverse the suspension of the former sports minister and his deputy with a reliable party source disclosing that the mediation meeting which began around 3.00 p.m. ended around 7.00p.m. without any success. The source disclosed that the peace committee communicated the concern and disposition of the party’s national headquarters over the crisis brewing in the state chapter of the party, but that the state executive bluntly informed the delegation to allow it do the needful and complete it job. The Vice Chairman, Plateau Central Zone, Benedict Shiknuhul said that “we told the delegation that they should allow the seven-man committee the state executive council committee set

up on Monday to investigate Sango and whatever may be the outcome of its investigation should be fully implemented.’’ He further disclosed that the delegation relayed Secondus message to the state chapter, where it called on members to sheath their swords and let peace reign, adding that however, “the executive council committee said no to anything that will stop the seven-man committee it set up to investigate Sango over all the allegations levelled against him. “If at the end of the investigation our suspended chairman is found wanting, he might go six months or a year suspension or at worst be removed as chairman of the party as stipulated by our party constitution. “Again, if Sango is not found guilty of all the allegations, of course, the suspension will be lifted for normalcy to return in the state chapter of the party,’’ he stated.

counter terrorism unit in Kaduna Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

The federal government has announced that it plans to establish a new counter terrorism unit base in Kaduna state. Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who made this disclosure during a meeting of Northern Traditional Rulers in Kaduna state on Tuesday, said that the aim is to provide additional manpower and firepower in the renewed fight against criminal elements, especially along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway Adamu also called for the adoption of a potent crime management strategy modelled on the concept of community policing in which policing functions are citizens-centered and community driven. He stated that even though the police have achieved major successes in addressing security and safety threats in recent times, especially since the launch of ‘Operation Puff Adder,’ a citizens-centered and community policing approach will lead to more sustainable successes in the management of internal safety and security threats. According to him, the community policing model envisaged for the country will involve the establishment and utilization of the special constables as provided for in the Police Act. He reiterated that the special constables model, mirrored after the police community support officers’ standard in the United Kingdom policing architecture, will be tailored to align with the existing traditional security structure in Northern Nigeria.

Train kills 4, crushes tricycle in Lagos Chioma Joseph, Lagos Four persons on Tuesday lost their lives when a tricycle collided with a speeding train at the Iju-Ishaga area of Ifako Ijaye Local Council Development Area of Lagos at about 7 am. The tricycle which had five persons on board had attempted to drive past the railway track when its tyres got stock on the track. The train which was on top speed crushed the tricycle resulting in the death of the four persons while one person escaped unhurt. Confirming the incident, the Lagos state Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) advised motorists, tricycle operators and other road users against reckless driving, over speeding, as well as for them to be vigilant, especially when driving through the railway crossings to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. General Manager LASEMA, Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu said, the agency received the distress call about the incident at 6:52 am. This he said, prompted the immediate activation of the agency’s response team and other stakeholders to the scene of the incident. Tiamiyu said that “preliminary investigation gathered at the scene of incident revealed that a tricycle with five people on board had a collision with a moving train resulting to the death of four persons (three adult males and one adult female), while one adult male escaped unhurt. “The agency’s response team and other stakeholders, which includes the Lagos state Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Lagos state Ambulance Service, the police and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit were responders at the incident scene. The dead bodies were recovered and handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit to be moved to the mortuary.”

Stop blame game, accept responsibility, AEDC tells TCN Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja L-R, Akwa Ibon state governor Emmanuel Udom, governor elect of Imo state Emeka Ihedioha, Ekiti state governor Kayode Fayemi, Delta state governor Ifeanyi Okowa,Oyo state governor Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson, President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, Vice president Yemi Osinbajo, former governor of Ogun state Segun Osoba and governor of MaryLand USA Martin J.O Malley during the induction of new and returning Governors at the banquet hall presidential villa Abuja. PHOTO BY ANAYO OPARA

Tribunal hears N6bn tax evasion case against ABU

The North West Tax Appeal Tribunal sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday began hearing in the N6.1 billion tax evasion case brought against the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, by the Kaduna state Internal Revenue Service (KDIRS). The state revenue service had on January 16, 2014, instituted the case against ABU for failure to implement in full the Pay-AsYou-Earn tax table and remit same to the service from 2007 to 2012, amounting to N6.1 billion. ABU had earlier requested for out-of-court settlement and the tribunal chaired by Umar Adamu granted the request and adjourned the case till April 30 for report of settlement or hearing. Counsel to the state revenue

service, Francis Kozah, informed the court that the revenue service held series of meetings with the management of the institution, but regretted that both parties failed to reach any substantive settlement and therefore, prayed the court to commence hearing on the five-year long case. The counsel through his first witness tendered before the court the tax audit report 2007 to 2012 which was admitted in evidence and equally, tendered the demand notice to the tune of N6.1 billion in respect of the audit report served on the respondent. Thereafter, he prayed the tribunal to ask the institution to pay all outstanding PAYE arrears, including interest and penalty as stated by law.

But, counsel to the university, Christopher Ikpa, requested for a new date to cross examine the witness, a request that was opposed by the prosecution counsel who argued that the witness written disposition has been with the respondent since February 27, 2019. Immediately Kozah made his submission, the defence counsel collapsed following an undisclosed illness, a development which forced the prosecution counsel to accept Ikpa’s request on health ground and asked the court to grant the adjournment as requested. Chairman of the tribunal granted the request and adjourned the case till May 23 for cross examination.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has strongly warned the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to steer off blame games, especially as its excuses was not in tune with standard engineering practice as it relates to the cause of Sunday’s fire outbreak at the Apo sub-station which destroyed a 45MVA transformer and several other fittings. The warning followed an earlier statement by the TCN that the fire incident was caused by a feeder with history of tripping belonging to the AEDC. In a statement signed by the AEDC General Manager, Corporate Communications, Oyebode Fadipe, he expressed displeasure that instead of doing a root cause analysis of the immediate and remote cause of the fire outbreak, TCN has resorted to blame game with a defense that is not in tune with standard engineering practice. According to the statement, the basic explanation is that whereas the 33KV line belongs to the AEDC, the protection system at the source belongs to the TCN. Further explanations by AEDC showed that “for a transformer to go up in flames, both the line and transformer protection apparatus belonging to TCN failed completely,” adding that it is the reason for the total failure of their protection architecture that should be investigated.

Ondo arsonist who killed 8 family members nabbed Reveals why he committed the crime

Adewale Momoh, Akure Deji Adenuga, who is suspected to have set nine members of his erstwhile girlfriend, Titi Sarumi ablaze in their sleep has confessed to committing the crime. With eight of the family members confirmed dead, Adenuga, a palm wine tapper who was popularly known as “Davar” was paraded at the headquarters of the Ondo state Police Command on Tuesday. It was gathered that Adenuga had in 2013 escaped from the Olokuta Medium Prison, Akure, when he was standing trial for killing his first wife. On April 23, Igbodigho community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state was thrown into mourning following the action of Adenuga after he set a family of nine ablaze. Five members of the family were reported dead while three others were confirmed dead two days while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Confessing to the crime, Adenuga said that he was jilted by his erstwhile girlfriend, Titi. This made him to set the family house ablaze in the middle of the night. According to him, Titi’s elder sister, Jumoke compounded the no love lost relationship between him and his estranged girlfriend, alleging that she was using Titi to defraud him.

Opinion 8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 1, 2019

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Buhari: A public servant on a private

Ademola Adeoye

The first time President Buhari left for the United Kingdom for medical treatment; those who are being paid to speak for him did not want Nigerians to know, as if PMB is a tin-god who cannot take ill. As far as they were concerned, Nigerians did not deserve to know, but when “baba” returned from the first long trip to the UK that did cost Nigerians about 104 days (and till now, how much was spent on him in the UK is still a mystery), PMB uncovered the nakedness of those who are being paid to speak for him, saying that he had never been that sick in his life. Since that time, I stopped listening to those—who speak for President Buhari, because they have completely betrayed my trust. They are being paid to speak for Mr. President, not to either fool or misinform Nigerians. Nigerians are being led same way in every Administration. It is always the more you look, the less you see. I remember when madam Patience Jonathan took ill and was flown abroad, those who were paid to speak for her husband told Nigerians a lie that she did not take ill, but when she returned to the country, the woman herself told our precious people that she was terribly sick. The question is; how can our people trust those who daily lie to them? Or is falsehood a component of integrity and being law-abiding?

When President Buhari took over power from Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, he was advised to restore the lost public-trust by ensuring there is a departure from the way those before him did run their lackluster, bland and uninspiring administrations, running a transparent government, but since he got to power about four (4) years ago, he too has been maintaining the status-quo, rubbishing the given advise. Backtracking a little, on the 7th of May, 2017, PMB did transmit a letter to the National Assembly, telling them that the vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo would “coordinate the activities of the government” in his absence. This was quite different from the first letter he transmitted same year in the month of January—when he wrote the National Assembly that the vice President— would “perform the duties of my office” while he was away. The reason behind the veil of the way the second letter that was sent to the Senate was written—is shrouded in secrecy till this moment. Time and space would fail me, mentioning some of the things Osinbajo did while he was away (in the UK) that he did reverse when he returned to “Aso Rock.” In Nigeria, the baton of power is never truly passed on, the President travels with it to anywhere he goes to even if he is going to

be there for three (3) years! The two previous letters that were sent to the Senate were made public, but on the current private visit to the UK, I challenge anyone who has seen the letter that was transmitted to the Senate to make it public. And I equally challenge anyone who has the evidence of PMB’s official handing down the sword of power to Professor Yemi Osinbajo—to make the document public. It is safe to conclude that Mr. President did not do the right thing before traveling out of Nigeria for an unknown reason. What an illegitimate trip! I never expected PMB to leave Nigeria for the UK on a private visit at such a time as this. No one, who truly loves his people, would leave the country (for an unknown reason) at a time they are being killed and abducted on a daily basis. If it is for medical treatment, Nigeria is rich enough to fly those who are attending to him into Nigeria, for him to be treated on the inside of Aso Rock. It is morally and legally incorrect for a public servant to leave Nigeria for the UK on a private visit. Those who are still as water and quiet now would have taken GEJ on if he were in power now, disrespecting and trivializing the people of Nigeria and our constitution. Did President Buhari fly

to the UK using a private aircraft or one of the aircraft bought and being maintained by Nigerians? Where is he staying in the UK? A private residence or the house bought and being maintained by Nigerians? No one is asking questions and fighting for what is right anymore, because those who are superior to the constitution of Nigeria are in power right now. Keep the show of shame on Entertainingly and drolly, it is not a twist of fate and quirk that Tinubu, Adams Oshiomhole, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and others are also in the UK on private visits! Beyond “baba” being in the UK probably for the usual medical treatment, I guess they are all in the UK—our real Federal Capital Territory—for a crucial political-meeting. I guess “baba” is compiling the list of those who would play in the second-half of his unimpressive administration. And I foresee that most of those who have been speaking blindly for “baba” because of appointments are going to become his duplicitous and phony enemies—when they eventually fail to make Buhari’s team that has no laurels to its credit like a foreign football club I do not want to mention. To make PMB’s final “tokunbo” list, it is either you go to the UK on a private visit or someone goes there on your behalf. Interesting days are ahead.

Don’t cry for me Nigeria!

Emeka Oparah

I’m going be very unironic and blatant here: Nigeria may be totally finished, if good men and women do not step out and step forward to cause, make or lead the change we desperately need. Generally speaking, things are getting worse. I actually thought otherwise, but you’ve got to forgive me because I am only human. Am I not? We are in big trouble-bigger trouble,if we do not join hands to take this big elephant out of the room. I will thank you to patiently read this because it is a rather very long post. Thank you. After a looooooong Friday, I thought I would simply take a shower, jump into my Orthopaedic bed and sleep under the influence, having had my due earlier. But No. I couldn’t. I was restless instead. Something was bothering me. I could not immediately discern or figure it out until I elected to do what my doctor warned me not to do: facebook while in bed! And that was it! Nigeria, my Nigeria. And so, the first post I saw was that of my Egbon and mentor, Olusegun Patrick Odegbami, yes, the same Segun Odegbami better known in his hey days as “Mathematical Odegbami”. A skillful footballer, a gifted writer and a talented presenter, Egbon decided last year to dabble into the murky waters of Nigerian politics. I remember the night he invited me to Pa Tunde Oyelana’s Club in South East London. Having missed an opportunity to watch England’s last game at Russia 2018 with him days earlier, I could not but honor his invite. And I’m glad I did. He and I and Dayo Olomu, Wole Odegbami (his younger brother) and a host of other Nigerians had a good time sipping from Baba Oyelana’s divine tapestry of great home music while sipping as ardently at our unique choices of “poison”. Right there in the din of the music, banter and alcohol, we had time to talk about his plan to stop complaining and do something serious about leadership in Nigeria, starting from his home state, Ogun. Was I impressed? Absolutely. Was I concerned? Most definitely. Did I express my feelings? Trust me. One thing actually inspired me to believe that Egbon knew what he was doing. He said and I want to paraphrase him, since I can’t recollect his exact words: Let it not be that we just stood aside and watched things go from bad to worse! I liked that. I thought that was a very wise saying indeed, a great thought. It reminded me of another wise saying: “evil prospers when good men do nothing.” I wished him well, took his words for it, took him aside, took his

measurement for some Ethelberts and took off. It was indeed a good night. Not long after our return to Nigeria, he launched his governorship campaign under the umbrella of Labour Party. I don’t know where he gets his energy and inspiration from, but Odegbami published a diary of his political activities, which came almost daily at a time. He was probably the only one who did. Others may have kept theirs but he religiously published his. I never missed reading his diary. How could I even do such a thing, when he (and I) have the good fortune of good social media skills-and so told his story on Facebook and shared it via WhatsApp. It was unputdownable! Segun Odegbami wrote with amazing dexterity akin to his incredible runs down the flanks during his days in IICC Shooting Stars and the Green Eagles. He told his story as it unfolded, as it is, making sure he metaphorically took you along his political journey, vivid, lucid, believable, emotive. I followed the twists and turns of his foray in politics. In a way, it sounded mostly like a tale of woes. Perhaps, it was, because it all ended woefully. Still, it was a delightful experience following him through his stories. The games, intrigues and disappointments which culminated in his failure to win will make for an excellent case study in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Or a book. Looking at the total picture of what eventually happened in Ogun State and indeed across various states in Nigeria, Segun Odegbami’s story is a story worthy of being documented in book for beginners in the game of politics. He himself calls it Rapid Results College of Politics so named after the now extinct Rapid Results College, Lagos, which provided educational materials for private students studying for both O (Ordinary) and A (Advanced) Levels of the GCE (General Certificate in Education) Examinations. I remember my father studied for A Levels with the assistance of Rapid Results College and I had the good fortune of inheriting his books and notes when I went to Government College Owerri for my A Levels and registered for Religious Studies and Government, two of the subjects he studied in his own era. Lest I digress, Odegbami’s experience in the Rapid Results College of Politics is a lesson to most of us, bystanders, who may want to throw our hats (and hearts) in the political ring now or in the future. Just so I can end this commentary without tiring you out, let me recommend for

your serious contemplation to read him, especially his latest “My Political DiaryDay 50” as well as Day 49. I had the goose pimples reading through them just like I did when I read the chilling story of how he was snookered by the Labour Partyand he had to hurriedly dash to Ikenne, in the dead of night, to the home (read tomb) of the late sage, Pa Awolowo, for consolation and inspiration. Odegbami is a master storyteller who knows how to grab and keep his readers. You will not regret reading from number 1 to 50 of his diaries. You will not only get a foretaste of the unforgiving, slippery, treacherous, wicked and dangerous world of Nigerian politics, you will learn useful lessons to help you avoid some of the mistakes he made. Believe you me, “My Political Diary” is a book right there. Most importantly, I direct you to the unfortunate fact that we, Nigerians, are obviously not ready for democracy. We are not ready for change. We are not interested in the future, both our own future and the future of our children. We do not even care about now much less then. I mean tomorrow. Read Odegbami: “I have wholeheartedly devoted the last 15 years of my life trying to uplift the people and to develop the environment. My determination, then and up till now, has been to make Wasimi Orilea great environment, the best rural community to live, work, school and invest in Ogun State, so that my people may prosper and find true happiness. The Wasimi Orile election became my ultimate litmus test. If I was going to lose every other election, not this one. Now, how do you explain this to anybody? Or rather, how does one justify this kind of wickedness, treachery and meanness? But then, it is what it is. Many other politicians have been through similar experiences and many more will go through it. However, is this the way our cow will get to Umuahia? Hell no! I once read about Osita Chidoka’s gubernatorial campaign in 2017 in Anambra. A well-packaged campaign with all the attributes of excellency, brilliance and determination but devoid of raw cash, it collapsed like a pack of cards. Like Odegbami, young Chidoka couldn’t muster anything reasonable in terms of votes, even from the volunteers team that worked for him.someone said his votes were less than half the number of the volunteers meaning that the volunteers were not registered voters or they were not from Anambra State or the just didn’t vote for him or did not vote at all! Now, that’s tragic.

Thinking through Odegbami’s very emotional words, one would think again before investing in his people. The reason reason people make social investments, we were told, is to earn the goodwill of the people and the blessings of the Great Architect of the Universe. Let’s say the Great Architect has blessed Odegbami in many ways. Why won’t his people reciprocate his good gestures by rewarding their son with their votes? Rather, they ditched him and pitched tents with politicians who bought their conscience with some Naira and some Kobo. It cannot be denied that the people are hungry neither can be concealed that politicians have deliberately kept them so hungry they can come whenever they like with tokens to buy their votes, their conscience, their birthrights. Sad. Shameful. See, my dear friends, we have to change Nigeria or it will go up in smokes before our very eyes. The signs are there, telltale signs: money politics, badly or poorly managed elections, political violence, ethnic and religious intolerance cum bigotry and a disappointing tendency by the masses, the poor, the followers, to compromise on every honourable tenet and collude with their traducers to ensure that good men, good women, do not get into public service. Add to these the ballooning population due to poor or non-existent family planning culture. We have a ticking time-bomb right under our feet, ladies and gentlemen. In closing let me say, the experiences of people like Odegbami or Chidoka or even Festus Odimegwu and Pat Utomi will not and should not deter good people from getting involved. We will not run away from a battle because of the fear of death. We will not feed our chicken to the wolves because of noise of their cries of hunger. As we say in Mbaise, if we storm hell in large numbers, we will use our feet to stamp out the fire. Let us go there!!! Things are well and truly getting worse. The followership is acting no differently from the leadership-and that is extremely dangerous. I don’t feel. I don’t feel good about what happened to my brother, Segun Odegbami, but then the fall of Constantinople, for those of you who studied European history, is indeed a blessing in disguise. He who fights and runs away, they say, lives to fight another day. Bro, there’s great plenty yet to come from you. So, do NOT give up. Congratulations for staying till the end! I’m proud of you. Do not forget to cash in on this one-with a book. I can be your publisher or marketer.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 1, 2019

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Editorial Commentary

A “private visit” to Her Majesty the Queen

Times Guest Columnist Reuben Abati

“You look dull. I hope you are good” “What else can the son of man do, with all the problems on someone’s head in this country?” “What happened? Your team messed up in the Premier League? Is your problem David De Gea?” “No” “May be the Arsenal coach then, because that match Arsenal played against Leicester City, during the weekend, the entire team, from Manager to the reserve bench should be placed on transfer when the window for transfers open. I should ask sef, which one is your team?” “My problem is not football, please. I am not one of those who lose their heads over football in the UK, when they don’t even know the name of a single football team in Nigeria. I just can’t stand our people’s obsession with everything European. It is a kind of colonial mentality. Neo-slavery.” “Please don’t moralize. We live in a global village. People are free to make their own choices. If I buy a television set with my own money, I can watch whatever I like on it. So, what is your problem? What’s on your mind?” “I am actually thinking of going on a private visit abroad.” “So, what is stopping you? Go ahead.” “You know how it is. I don’t want a situation where I will now travel and people like you will start carrying placards, complaining about how I travelled without telling close friends.” “Ah come on, my friend. Must you joke with everything? When last did I even see you? If you travel quietly and you come back, what can anybody do about that? Sometimes, it is even good to hide your movement. You know our people and their bad belle, envy and evil eye.” “I think it is just sheer courtesy to let close friends know one’s movement. It is our culture. Otherwise, you would think I am anti-social and that I am stingy. As I don tell you now, even if na small chocolate, I go buy bring for you, make you too taste something from the abroad”. “Well, good for you. But as for me, I don’t know about other people, every man with his own hustle. So where are you going?” “You can’t know my company better than me. I work there. I know my worth. But it is not your fault. I tell you something, you begin to offer advice. I am sure you are one of those people going about saying President Muhammadu Buhari cannot go on a private visit.” “That is not it. I am a Constitutional purist. A President can only be absent from duty within the purview of the law. The law is what the law giver says it is, just as company rules and terms of contract are sacrosanct.” And what happened? I think this whole problem has been created by his spokespersons. I think they should just have told us that the President is going on a short leave. He is entitled to vacation. But I also guess they have called it private visit, because they don’t want appointment seekers and contractors to disturb him. All those sycophants who are always seeking the eyes and ears of Presidents have been tactically told to keep off. You must always see things in context.” “That is not an excuse to disobey the Constitution. The president cannot embark on classified trips. He cannot go on secret missions. That is unknown to the Constitution.” “Would you be satisfied if you suddenly see him going to Selfridges to shop, or having a meal at a restaurant? You want to see him. Fine. I just hope you people will not come again and say he is using Nigerian money to have fun” “No. He cannot go to Selfridges. He will have to explain the source of the money.” “There you go. Please can we talk about something else. Last, last, everybody will be okay in this country,

because it looks like everybody is depressed. It is just the level that differs. People who have not seen N500 thousand in their lives will be shouting, our money, our money” “You are just a government apologist.” Yes, I am. It is only government apologists that win elections in Nigeria. At least for now. And for your information, my long-term plan is to go and run for election in my state, Bayelsa state. That is why when you were talking about company rules and contract, I just dey look you. See in our state, the House of Assembly has just passed a bill that says every lawmaker in that state who ever served is entitled to a life-time pension. Next election in that state, I am there oh, my brother. N500k for life, every month. Even if I die sef, I will tell my family not to let anybody know, so they can keep paying the money into my account. I will just go on a private visit to heaven.” “Countriman will not sign that bill into law. He must not do it. It is a vexatious piece of legislation.” “Who is Countriman? And what is your own? Are you from our state?” “Seriake Dickson, your Governor is the man we all call Countriman. Look, we must insist that politicians must have jobs that they do. The job of the legislature is to make laws for order, stability and good governance, not to make selfish laws that establish a rent-collection system for lawmakers. I have it on good authority, anyway that Governor Dickson has rejected that bill.” “You don’t know what you are talking about. Your countryman must not try any such thing. The House of Assembly will override his veto. Leave matter. You see, in this country, everybody is looking out for himself. You are busy quoting Constitution. That is why you are still struggling. Listen to yourself. If you give yourself hypertension, you are on your own oh. All these people with whom you make noise, you’d be surprised some of them are collecting rent somewhere. That is Nigeria for you. I am a pragmatist.” “Certain things are just not right” “And you are the one going to correct those things that are not right. Something that Tafawa Balewa could not do. Something that Gowon could not do. Something that Murtala Muhammad died for. Obasanjo and Buhari put head, more than twice. Na you and your noise-making go solve Nigerian problem? I beg.” “I am a patriot.” “Very good, congratulations. What you don’t know is that every country has its own identity and culture. Look at New Zealand and Sri Lanka. On March 15 in Christchurch, New Zealand, two mosques were attacked, 50 persons were killed. The leadership of that country has used that tragedy to turn around their country, and reflect deeply. They changed gun permit laws. Prime Minister Jacinta Arden is leading a campaign for open, secure and safe internet, to check extremism and bigotry. On April 21, in Sri Lanka, terrorists struck again killing more than 300 persons. The President of Sri Lanka has fired the defence chief and the police chief. Here in Nigeria, people are killed daily, abducted, brutalized. Have you seen or heard that anybody has been fired? Get real, man. If you are a patriot, be real.” “We need a people’s revolution in this country. We need to rescue young men like you from those who have captured your minds and the Nigerian state.” “Oh, sorry. I see you have been busy watching television. The people who talked about revolution in the last elections in Nigeria lost woefully. Wake up, man. You better don’t go and talk revolution with Nigerian policemen when next they flag down your vehicle. Your revolution can earn you a bullet in the leg.” “Leave me alone. Look at you. You keep talking about Nigeria as if you are from Guinea Bissau.” “Don’t worry hen. I will you buy something from London… Bye.”

Our POSITION

Beyond passage of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill Last week Tuesday, the Senate passed the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill which the House of Representatives had passed almost a year ago. The bill if transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari and receives his assent before the 8th National Assembly winds up in the first week of June this year, will definitely upgrade the funding of Nigeria Police. As it is now, only the Federal Government is legally responsible for the funding of the Nigeria Police, even though we all know that States Government, some corporate entities and individuals are bearings some of its day to day running expenses if not the larger part of it. The Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill is meant to address the inadequacy in funding of police particularly the training of its personnel and acquisition of modern equipment that would enable optimal and effective policing of the country. One of the major objectives of the bill is to improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force. This point was further stressed by President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who presided over the Senate that belatedly passed the bill. He was very clear in his remark that by the passage of the bill the National Assembly had fulfilled its promise to pass it before expiration of the 8th Assembly. “By passing this bill, we will be creating big strides towards providing and improving security and policing in our country. We agree with him that “one of the major concerns about our police has always been the issue of funding”. We believe that this bill will provide leeway for the funding needed for training, recruitment and equipment. It will also act as a relief to the Federal Government who had borne the burden all these years. Technically, the bill is aimed at providing a legal framework for the management and control of the special intervention funds established under the Act for the training of personnel of the NPF. The trust fund should also be utilised to enhance the skills of the personnel

of the Police in order to ensure their effectiveness in the overall performance. Needles to state that constant improvement in the performance of their duties is what the country is craving for. We also expect that the trust fund would be used to ensure that the NPF has the necessary operational equipment, instructional materials, build and maintain police stations and living quarters. We therefore appeal to the President to consider assenting the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill as soon as it is transmitted to him to avoid it been elapsed in June this year. Though, we are not expecting that the bill may contain contentious provisions, we plead that in case there is any, it should be resolved hastily. The management of the police force should be thinking how to make best use of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill and safeguard it to ensure that it is not bedeviled by graft and all forms of vices.

S i g n at u r e Publisher

Folio Communications Plc

Acting News Editor Henry Omunu 08033047507 The opinions expressed in the articles published in this newspaper are solely those of the authors. Articles may be reproduced, provided that the original source is indicated.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 1, 2019

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Insecurity: 7 persons feared killed Short News within 48hrs in Rivers Reps probe killing of Boys Memoye Oghu, Port Harcourt

The level of insecurity, particularly to lives and property in Rivers state has taken another worrisome dimension as no day passes without one or more souls being dispatched to the great beyond More than seven persons have been reportedly sent to their early graves in less than 48 hours in the state since April 27, heightening fears of insecurity in the minds of many residents, not only in Port Harcourt, the state capital, but also throughout the state. Two days ago in Eneka, a suburb of the Port Harcourt in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, a group of gunmen in a Toyota SUV vehicle, all attired in black stormed a football viewing centre in the area and opened fire on unsuspecting football fans watching a Premier League game. According to eye witness accounts, the unknown gunmen who arrived at the viewing centre, disembarked from their

vehicle and without saying a word to anyone began to spray bullets on the unsuspecting football fans. “We thought they were security operatives because sometimes they do come to watch games here too. But, we were surprised when they started shooting at everyone. At end of their operation, five people were dead and several others injured,” an eyewitness who refused his name in print informed our correspondent. A visit to the venue of incident by our reporter, shows that the viewing centre was still in disarray with broken bottles of beer, upturned chairs and blood stains all over the floor. It was further gathered that one of the victims whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, but was described as a 22 -years -old man, hoping to gain admission into any of the tertiary institutions in the state has since been buried. All efforts to speak to the deceased elder brother proved abortive. That same day in the early hours of Sunday morning, some gunmen reportedly invaded Edeoha community in Ahoada

East Local Government Area of the state and killed more than three persons as well as injuring others. No one knows the motive of the attackers, but many in the community believe it may not be unconnected with cult gang rivalry. A resident of the community, Mr. Ogo, told our correspondent on phone that one of the victims died on the way to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. There are unconfirmed news of killings and kidnappings across the state as at the time of filing this report. However, the state Police Spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni confirmed that only three persons were killed in the football viewing centre incident. He further promised to get back to us on the Edeoha killings. Meanwhile, the state police command has advised motorists to avoid the East - West Highway, now considered a den of robbers, killers and kidnappers by diverting to the Owerri - Port Harcourt Road from Elele Alimini once it is after 6pm.

Brigade members in Gombe Henry Omunu, Abuja

The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the killing of 11 members of the Boys Brigade during an Easter procession in Gombe state. This resolution follows the adoption of a motion sponsored under matters of urgent public importance by the Chairman, House Committee on Electoral and Political Parties Matters, Rep. Aishatu Dukku. Rep. Dukku while recalling the April 21 incident, said the innocent boys were in a procession, when a car rammed into them, killing 11 of them instantly and injuring several others. According to her, there were allegations that “the driver of the car who was later identified as an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps shot at the boys before ramming his car into the procession. “The driver of the car had a heated debate with the children before they made way for him to pass, only for him in a feat of rage, to turn and drive into them,” she lamented while praying the House to investigate the matter. After adopting the motion, the House mandated its committee on internal affairs to carry out the investigation and make appropriate recommendations to the House within two weeks. The House however, extended its condolences to the government and people of Gombe state.

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Rep c’ttee threaten to arrest RMAFC boss over snub Henry Omunu, Abuja

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee probing the processes of collecting, maintaining and usage of data by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on Tuesday threatened to issue a bench warrant to arrest the acting Chairman of the revenue sharing commission, Shettima Abba-Gana for failing to honour its summons. Chairman of the House ad hoc committee, Rep. Mark Gbillah, who issued the threat at the hearing organized by the committee, explained that Shettima’s non- appearance at the hearing is an indication that he does not respect the constitution of the country. Rep. Gbillah, said that the RMAFC had earlier written the ad hoc committee, requesting for the removal of the committee’s chairman from the probe panel in order not for the commission to be investigated. He declared that the House

committee has been calling for the proper assessment of documents regarding data collection processes and maintenance in the disbursement of revenue to states. Present at yesterday’s hearing were representatives of Bauchi, Benue and Plateau states out of 36 states representatives expected, while among the key stakeholders summoned by the ad hoc committee, only the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) sent representatives. Dismayed by the lackadaisical attitude of states and agencies summoned by the committee to the ongoing investigation, a committee member, Rep. Usman Muhammad said that “while we are working, some institutions are not really ready to work for the country to be great again. The non-support to the federal government by stakeholders is a sabotage.” Responding to the queries by the committee, the Benue state Commissioner for Finance and Economics Planning, David Olofu, said the revenue sharing formula

is lopsided and advised that it should be properly looked into to avoid crisis in the country. The representatives of the three states present at the hearing admitted that the indices approved in 2013 has since been in use for the revenue sharing formula. Similarly, the representatives of the apex bank and the FIRS, Abubakar Kure and Abdulazeez Mustapha respectively, stated that they have not had any interface with the RMAFC as required in the Act except through Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings. “The CBN has not had any interface with the RMAFC as requested by the Act. However, if they request any detailed information from the CBN, we are ready to provide. All information ever given to the RMAFC are in hard copies,” said Kure, who is the acting director, banking and services department at the apex bank. Stakeholders at the hearing, however, advised that the RMAFC move from analogue to electronic means of transmitting data.

Short News Alleged gang-rape: Court denies 2 varsity dropouts bail

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has denied two dropouts of Babcock University, Don-Chima George, 25 and Olusegun Rasak, 28, bail for allegedly drugging and gang-raping a 24-year-old woman in a hotel in Lekki, Lagos. Justice Abiola Soladoye, while ruling on their bail application, said the applicants had not provided any compelling circumstances which would warrant them being granted bail. “It is without doubt that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty as provided for in Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. “Not withstanding this, the court is still vested with the duty to consider the weight of facts in the affidavit placed before it viz-a-viz the charge and proof of evidence placed before the court. “In exercising my discretion, I am, therefore, of the considered view that the applicants have not placed any compelling or exceptional circumstances to warrant this honourable court to exercise its discretion. “Bail is denied to the applicants and this honourable court shall give this case accelerated hearing,” Justice Soladoye said. The two accused persons, George and Rasak are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape and are alleged by the prosecution to have committed the offences on February 3, at Delankaster Hotels, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The prosecution said the defendants, while at a nightclub, allegedly mixed the complainant’s (name withheld) drink with a substance that rendered her unconscious and thereafter, they took the complainant to George’s father’s hotel, where they allegedly took turns raping her while videotaping the the entire incident. According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 258 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015. During the bail hearing held on March 27, Dr Jide Martins, the Director of Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had appealed that the court should deny the defendants bail due to the nature of the offences.

Amosun assures of hitch-free transition in Ogun on May 29

All is set for a smooth transition of government in Ogun state on May 29, as a joint transition committee made up of representatives of the outgoing government and that of the Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, held its maiden meeting in Abeokuta. The 26-member committee, with 15 members from the Gov. Ibikunle Amosun government and 11 from the governor-elect, met at the conference room of the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. In her address, Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, said the meeting was necessary to ensure a seamless and peaceful transition. She charged members of the committee to be committed to the assignment in the interest of the people and the state. Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, who led representatives of the outgoing administration, assured that they would be handing over a truthful and realistic account on May 28. “We would be in position to hand over a comprehensive hand over notes to you on May 28,” Adeoluwa said, adding that the government has made ready the Government House and the Presidential Lodge, while all government quarters will also be made available on or before a week before handover date. He dispelled earlier reports in a section of the media that the Amosun government was not disposed to setting up a transition committee, as it was not ready to hand over. Adeoluwa stated that “there is no iota of truth in this, as our government had started the handover work since December 2018, even before the elections.” Deputy Governor-elect, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who led the team of the incoming government, in an interview with newsmen, said “the meeting was to further cement the seamless transition between the incumbent government and the incoming one.

Atiku praises Nigerian workers on May Day Tunde Opalana, Abuja L-R: Member Adhoc Committee on Investigate into Data collection Processes Maintenance Usage, Mr. Muhammad Usman; representative of Speaker House of Representatives , Mrs. Binta Bello; and Another Member, Mr. Mark Gbillah, during a public hearing on the data collection Processes Maintenance Usage revenue Mobilization allocation and fiscal commission in Abuja... on Tuesday. Photo: Balogun Temitope

Jukun/Tiv crisis: Group rejects composition of peace committee The Wukari Local Government branch of the Tiv Cultural and Social Association, Taraba state on Tuesday rejected what they described as a one -sided peace committee in resolving the perennial Jukun/Tiv crisis in the area. This is contained in a press statement issued in Jalingo and signed by the association’s Chairman, Elder Paul Igo and Secretary, Mr. Anthony Shembee respectively. The association in the statement condemned the senseless killings and destructions occasioned by the Jukun/Tiv crisis which largely affected the Tiv people of Taraba state and faulted the non-inclusion of Tiv people of Taraba state origin

in the peace committee. “We commend the move by the government of Taraba and Benue in constituting a peace and reconciliation committee that would bring lasting solution to this lingering crisis. “In as much as we commend the initiative to constitute a peace committee, we reject in its entirety the non-inclusion of a Tiv person from Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba state in the committee. “We want to place it on record that Kente, where the crisis started is in Taraba state and the public should note that Ikyaior, GborGbor, Iorlumun Nege, Ioryina TorMusa and Tar-Orshi among other

communities that were burnt down in the crisis by Jukun youths are all in Taraba state,” the association stated. The body noted that the noninclusion of the Tiv people of Taraba state in the committee was a deliberate move by some actors to sell a wrong narrative to the public that the crisis is between the Jukun of Taraba state and the Tiv of Benue state. The association which said they viewed the non-inclusion of the Tiv people from Wukari council in the committee as an oversight on the side of the government of Taraba state called for a review of the committee’s membership.

Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday congratulated Nigerian workers on this year’s Workers Day, saying that the workers’ unions in Nigeria have been a critical partner in the economic development of the country. Atiku, in a goodwill message personally signed by him, noted that “the labour and sweat of Nigerian workers constitute the engine and lubricants of our economic growth and national development.” The former Vice President eulogized the various labour unions in Nigeria for being dependable watchdogs that serve the interest of the people. “Over the years, the various labour unions in Nigeria have played pivotal intermediary role between the government and the people and the most recent of which is the agitation for increased minimum wage of N30, 000. I congratulate the labour unions in Nigeria for this feat and I believe that with the same kind of determination, it is possible to further improve the lots of the Nigerian worker. “With the efforts and creative energies of Nigerian workers, I believe that it is very possible to create economic buoyancy in Nigeria and redefine our destiny in the world as a centre of prosperity and refuse to be the capital of the world’s poor people. “I want to join several other well-wishers to celebrate with Nigerian workers on today’s Workers Day and also to assure the labour unions of an acknowledgement of their great sacrifices for the country,” Atiku said. The former Vice President therefore, urged the organized labour under their various professional unions to embrace the paths of peace, harmony and national unity in all their engagements with employers of labour and governments at all levels.

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NAFDAC debunks prevalence of substandard drugs in Nigeria Kasara Chukwuma

Director General, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has described a report that says that about 70 per cent of drugs in Nigeria are substandard as false and fake news. Addressing journalists on the fake report in Lagos on Tuesday, Adeyeye gave reasons why the report was false. She explained that “it is fake news because it is not true. The statement is irresponsible and whoever that said that, has no data nor scientific proof or evidence to back up his claims. We work with data in anything we do in the agency and we have them. In the said report, there were no data to back up the 70 per cent claim and we all know that data cannot lie. “We have not seen any local

pharmaceutical company that produces fake products. NAFDAC does a lot of work in terms of monitoring substandard and falsified medicines and we have devices to protect our essential medicines from counterfeiters.” The NAFDAC boss, however, stated that a study jointly carried out by NAFDAC, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department for International Development (DFID) in 2005 revealed that fake medicines stood at 17 per cent in the country. She added that a survey conducted by NAFDAC in 2017 and 2018 on some widely used drugs showed that Nigerian medicines were 98 per cent wholesome. Also, the Safe Medicines Foundation through its founder and former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ahmed Yakasai, refuted the

claim, insisting that it was impossible for 70 per cent of drugs in Nigeria to be fake. Speaking at the press briefing, Yakasai said “the statement is unreasonable and it is not possible. The foundation wholly supports NAFDAC’s rebuttal of the erroneous report that 70 per cent of drugs in Nigeria are fake. “This was the fake news that misquoted the keynote address speaker at the 91st annual national conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Umuahia, Dr. Andrew Nevin. Instead of writing 17 per cent, they murdered the figure and presented the fake one. We are worried and dismayed that the same fake figure is resurfacing again and again.” He urged the federal government to adequately fund the agency to be able to operate as a modern regulatory body.

12 News

Short News Lai commends Fashola on successes recorded in power, infrastructure Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the landmark achievements recorded by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola made his work easier in propagating the successes of the Buhari administration to Nigerians. He stated this while delivering his goodwill remark at the public presentation of a book titled: “Proof of infrastructure delivery across Nigeria; a three-year special report of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in Abuja. The minister commended the former Lagos state governor, noting that as the information minister, he has always been proud to tell the world the achievements of the Buhari administration, especially in the area of infrastructure. “The ministry of power, works and housing has actually helped me a lot because right from the beginning, they have always given us things to say on this administration’s achievements. “It is on record that when the federal government information managers are addressing the media, we are proud to tell the world the achievements of this administration, especially in the area of infrastructure,” he said. Speaking, Fashola, said that the ministry had delivered on its mandate as the country has since become a construction site, adding that its short term goal was to ensure that work commences and that all abandoned projects are revisited so as to recover all the construction jobs lost over the years. He said that in the power sector, the ministry has been able to improve on the electricity supply everywhere in the country. “The simple question is that, are you spending more on diesel or petrol for generators today? The costs are coming down, power supply is going up and the job is not finished. “We are consumers too, yes, the light will go off sometimes, but the good thing is that we have the capacity to bring it back. For the housing sector, our short term objective was to get people back to work and currently, we are building in 34 states and concluding plans to start the second phase.

Ejoor: Nigeria has lost great, patriotic citizen, says Okowa Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

L-R: Member House of Representative Committee on appropriation, Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu; Chairman of the committee Hon Mustapha Dawaki and chairman House of Representatives press corps, Mr Umar Mohammed Puma during the committee’s briefing on the passage of 2019 budget by the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday. PHOTO: Balogun Temitope

FG flags off basic healthcare fund in 4 states Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

As a follow up to the presidential launch of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in January, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has announced that the pilot scheme of the programme would be flagged off in Osun, Niger, Katsina and Abia states. Speaking on the development in Abuja, Prof. Adewole said that the programme was the federal government’s direct response to addressing the inequalities in accessing quality healthcare and eliminating out of pocket expenses

for primary healthcare services in order to improve health outcomes in Nigeria. To achieve that goal, the minister explained that the fund would provide one primary healthcare centre per ward, identified by state governments with operational budget to enable the facilities improve service delivery. Also, the scheme would reimburse facilities for delivering specified package of services which include, ante-natal care, delivery, including Caesarean sections, family planning, treatment of children under five, malaria treatment for all and the screening for non- communicable

disease. He stated that the programme also makes provision for increased public health emergency response to ensure that Nigerians receive emergency medical treatment when the need arises, adding that services covered under the programme would be delivered in both public and private health facilities. According to the minister, the scheme will be funded through not less than one per cent of the consolidated revenue fund as stipulated in the National Health Act, 2014, provides room for funding from donor organizations and from other sources.

Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has said that Nigeria has lost a great and patriotic citizen in the person of the late Maj. Gen. David Akpode Ejoor (rtd), who died on February 10. Okowa stated this at the service of songs and night of tributes for the former military governor of the defunct Midwest Region which held in Victoria Island, Lagos. Gov. Okowa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah, said he felt greatly touched by the news of Ejoor’s transition because “he was a respected senior citizen, a strong pillar and a leader in the Urhobo nation, the state and indeed, our dear country. We have no doubt, lost a great, honest, straight forward and patriotic citizen.” He described the late general as a “detribalized elder statesman who stood for the unity of the state and indeed, Nigeria throughout his life time. He was dependable. He exhibited astonishing intelligence in handling issues. He was always on the side of peace. We should be inspired by his legacies,” he said, adding that “he was one of the finest officers of the Nigerian armed forces.” The service of songs and night of tributes led by the military chaplain marked the beginning of a week-long obsequies for the late general as announced by his family. It was attended by an array of military officers, top dignitaries from the Urhobo nation, members of his famous Old Boys Association of Government College, Ughelli and a host of other dignitaries. Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai, who was represented by Maj. Gen. Martins Enendu, said though by tradition, the army keeps its tribute till the graveside ceremonies, he nevertheless noted that “if we have inherited an army that is solid, it is because of the foundation laid by fathers like the late Gen. Ejoor.”

Ndigbo forum urges Ohaneze to remain apolitical

A Pan-Igbo political pressure group, Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), has urged Ohaneze Ndigbo and its affiliate wings to remain apolitical to function effectively in the Igbo socio-cultural space. President of NUF, Augustine Chukwudum, who made the appeal in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu, noted that Ohaneze, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization was drifting away from the ideals of its founding fathers. He stated that the recent interference of Ohaneze Youth Council (OYC) on the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) leadership crisis was misguided, insisting that the OYC does not have any right to tell APGA members how they should run their party affairs. “This is the time for us, Ndigbo, all over the world to call Ohaneze and its wings to order as things are already going out of hand. NUF is raising this alarm so that the group should stop using Ndigbo for political interest. “We all know what happened before the 20l9 presidential election where Ohaneze leadership endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without the consent of prominent Igbo sons and daughters as well as nobles. “That is why we must call them to order for them to know their function as a purely socio-cultural group,’’ he said.

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FAAN commences rehabilitation of old Abuja airport terminal as flights move to new terminal Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will soon start the rehabilitation of the old Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) following the movement of all flights emanating from the terminal to the newly constructed and commissioned CCECC terminal. FAAN yesterday, announced that it has stopped international operations from the old terminal with British Airways ending the relocation from the old to the new terminal. Thirteen (13) Airlines including, ASKY, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airways, RwandAir, Emirates, Air France, Air Peace, Lufthansa, African World Airlines and Air Cote d’Ivoire have been relocating since the 6th of January, 2019 with British Airways sealing flights to the old terminal. FAAN in a brief statement signed by Mrs Henrietta Yakubu announced,” Management is pleased to announce the arrival of British Airways to the new Abuja International airport terminal today, April 30, 2019. “Management wishes to inform passengers, airport users and the general public, to note that, this historic movement marks the end of international flight operations at the old terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Meanwhile, with this relocation, it is assumed that works on the old terminal will fully take effect to bring it to standard for domestic operations. Managing Director of FAAN, Engineer Saleh Dunoma said as much during the commissioning of the Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal on October 26, 2018, where he said domestic operations will move there. Same might happen at the Abuja Airport, with the relocation fully done, however, it is not a slam dunk as Northern Regional Manager, and Abuja Airport Manager, Alhaji Sani Mahmoud that government would renovate the terminal and afterwards issue a policy statement on it.

How Nigeria recorded $90.90bn Investment Announcements in 2018 The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ms Yewande Sadiku, said the country recorded about 90.90 billion dollars “investment announcements’’ in 2018. Speaking at an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Sadiku explained that the announcements did not necessarily translate into actual investment but served as business investment indicators into Nigeria. She said that announcements were made for 92 projects across 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory, in mining, manufacturing, transportation, construction and other sectors, from foreign investors. Sadiku said that the commission also generated more than N5.6 billion during the period from business registration of foreign companies. She said that the revenue generated in 2018 had an unusual rise when compared to N4 million generated in 2013 and N29.11 million recorded in 2014. According to her, the success is due to NIPC new style of operations that have moved from being reactive to being proactive, thereby putting in place initiative and measures to enhance the investment climate in Nigeria. “It is important that we promote investments that are all-inclusive. I think that we should promote foreign investments as well as domestic investments”, she said. Sadiku said that government had not understood the entertainment industry and was missing in the investment opportunities in the sector, especially the revenue.

L-R: Head, Personal Banking, Wema Bank Plc - Mr Abiola Afolayan; Chairman, Mojec International Limited, Mrs Mojisola Abdul; Managing Director, Mojec International Limited, Ms Chantelle Abdul; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & South Directorate, Keystone Bank Limited, Yemi Odusanya and Group Head, Retail & SME, Unity Bank Plc, Mr Olufunwa Olugbenga Akinmade at a press conference and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding ceremony between Mojec and the partner banks on the rollout of prepaid meters, held in Lagos on Monday, April 15, 2019.

IMF predicts dual growth for Nigeria, S’Africa amid rising uncertainty Says AfCFTA will deeper trade integration

Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that the two major economies in Africa - Nigeria and South would have a duality in growth performance and prospects in 2019 amid elevated uncertainty within the Sub-Saharan region. Aggregate growth is set to pick up from 3 per cent in 2018 to 3.5 per cent in 2019 and stabilize at slightly below 4 per cent over the medium-term - or about 5 per cent, the IMF said. The Fund disclosed this on Tuesday during its Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa in Abuja, tagged, “Recovery Amid Elevated Uncertainty.” But the 4 and 5 per cent growth, the IMF explained, excluded the two major economies, Nigeria and South Africa. About half of the region’s countries, mostly non-resource-intensive is expected to grow at 5 per cent or more, and see a faster

rise in income per capita than the rest of the world on average over the medium term, the IMF said. According to the Fund, it is important for the policy uncertainties that are holding back growth to be addressed for the lion’s share of sub-Saharan Africans to enjoy improved standards of living. The Fund further stated that external and domestic headwinds are weighing on growth prospects. It observed that global expansion is losing momentum, including in key trading partners such as China and the euro area; trade tensions remain elevated; global financial conditions are volatile and have tightened somewhat relative to October 2018. The IMF said that and commodity prices are expected to remain low. On the domestic front, climate shocks are likely to impact agricultural output in southern Africa, while policy uncertainty is weighing on growth prospects in several countries, the IMF warned.

According to the IMF, debt vulnerabilities remain elevated in some countries. It also observed that weaknesses in public balance sheets are also weighing on countries’ external positions, with reserve buffers below levels typically considered adequate in more than half of the countries in the region. The IMF further noted that high nonperforming loans continue to put a strain on financial systems, while weaknesses in public financial management systems are manifesting themselves in large domestic arrears with potential effects on growth and domestic financial systems. “The familiar challenge of finding ways to address human and physical capital investment needs are being complicated by declining fiscal space and a less supportive external environment. “Central to resolving this challenge is building fiscal space, enhancing resilience to shocks, and fostering an environment conducive to sustained, high and inclusive

growth. “Meeting this challenge would be even more difficult if the downside risks to growth materialize (for example, if global growth is even weaker than envisioned in the current baseline). “This underscores the need to accelerate reforms and calibrate the size and pace of policy adjustments to ensure that any shift in policies are consistent with credible mediumterm macroeconomic objectives, available financing, and debt sustainability”, the IMF said. On African Continental Free Trade Area, (AfCFTA), the Fund called for the implementation of the Agreement noting that it will enhance the contestability of markets and create an environment that fosters a dynamic private sector and address salient constraints to business operations and deeper trade integration by improving access to and the provision of financial services and basic services including health and education.

FG, States, LGAs share N617.566bn in March Motolani Oseni A total sum of N617.566 billion has been distributed as Federal Allocation for the month of March 2019 among the Federal Government, State Governments and Local Government Councils. A communique issued by the Technical sub -Committee of Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) released at the end of the meeting in Abuja on Tuesday indicated that the Gross statutory revenue received is N446.647 billion lower than the N478.434 billion received in the previous month by N31.787 billion. This is even as revenue generated from the Value Added Tax (VAT) stood at

N92.181billion during the month under review, this represented a decrease from the N96.389 billion generated from the previous month with N4.208 billion. There was also N653 million from Exchange Gain, N13.085 billion from Forex Equalization; N55.000 billion from Good & Valuable Consideration as well as N10 billion added by NNPC. These, therefore, brought the total revenue distributable for the current month to the sum of N617.566 billion. Consequently, from the Net Distributable Revenue for the month, Federal Government received N257.758; States received N168.254 billion; Local Government Councils received N126.575 billion, while the Oil Producing States received N49.823 billion representing

13 per cent derivation of Mineral revenue. The cost of collection, transfer and FIRS Refund came up to N15.156 billion. Furthermore, the distribution of the Value Added Tax (VAT) realized, is thus: the Federal Government received N13.274 billion representing 15 per cent; States received N44.247 billion representing 50 per cent while the Local Government Councils received N30.973 billion also representing 35 per cent. The communiqué also showed the breakdown of allocation from the statutory revenue generated as Federal Government N208.394 billion representing 52.68 per cent; States Government N105.700 billion, Local Government Council received N81.490 billion.

The communiqué further explained that Federation Crude oil export sales increased by about 49.18% due to the increase in lifting volume, which resulted in increased Federation Revenue of about $240.23 Million. Also, the average crude oil price increased from $63.62 to $79.06 per barrel. However, lifting operations were adversely affected by production Shut-in, Shut -down at various Terminals due to technical issues, leaks and maintenance. There was also a remarkable increase in revenues from Oil Royalty, Import and Excise Duties increased, while Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) decreased significantly. The balance on Excess Crude Account is $183 Million.

Business Times 15

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 1, 2019

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Oba of Lagos lauds Terra Cubes, commends quality Mutiat Alli

L-R: CSO Keystone Bank, Mr Clement Ezeifedikwa; Divisional Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications Keystone Bank, Mrs Omobolanle Osotule, Ag. MD/CEO, Keystone Bank, Mr Abubakar Danlami Sule; Lagos State Commissioner Of Police, Mr Zubairu Muazu and Divisional Head, Corporate Services, Keystone Bank, Ms Olayemi Sule, during a courtesy visit to the CP, Lagos State Police Command on Thursday.

Profit Taking: Equities Market sheds N136bn in one day Temitope Adebayo Due to sustained profit taking in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the equities market segment on Tuesday recorded a depreciated market capitalisation of N136 billion to close at N10.959 trillion. The All-Share Index (ASI) shed 361.32 basis points, representing a dip of 1.22 per cent to close at 29,159.74 basis points. Yesterday’s performance was influenced by price depreciation in medium and large capitalised stocks, among which are, Nestle Nigeria, Dangote Cement, Stanbic

IBTC Holdings, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) and NASCON Allied Industries. Analysts at Cordros Capital Limited noted that “In the absence of a positive catalyst, we guide investors to trade cautiously in the short term. However, stable macro-economic fundamentals and compelling valuation remain supportive of recovery in the mid-tolong term.” Analysts at APT Securities and Funds Limited said that “The NSE-ASI extends negative outlook amidst good fundamentals. However, the positive first quarter result had an ample effect on company’s stock prices. Therefore, there is still room for more up days.

Investors are thereby encouraged to take a medium to long term position in fundamentally justifiable stocks.” However, market breadth was positive with 26 gainers against 19 losers. Japaul Oil & Maritime Services, UACN Property Development Company and Caverton Offshore Support Group recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent, each to close at 33 kobo, N1.65 and N2.97, per share. Forte Oil followed with a gain of 9.97 per cent, to close at N35.30, while Dangote Flour Mills rose by 9.94 per cent to close at N18.80, per share. On the other hand, Cutix led the losers’ chart by 9.76 per cent, to close at N1.85, per share. Goldlink Insurance

followed with a decline of 9.09 per cent to close at 40 kobo, while CCNN declined by 8.79 per cent to close at N14, per share. Unity Bank declined by 5.88 per cent to close at 80 kobo, while NASCON Allied Industries down by 4.74 per cent, to close at N18.10, per share. Also, the total volume traded went up by 91.51 per cent to 543.92 billion units, valued at N8.2 billion and exchanged in 4,682 deals. CCNN traded with 132.33 million shares valued at N1.86 billion. FBN Holdings followed with 68.78 million shares worth N497.25 million, while Unilever Nigeria traded 50.47 million shares valued at N1.56 billion.

Oil price bounces back after Saudi reassurance Mathew Dadiya, Abuja Oil prices have rebounded on Tuesday after two days of declines, pushed higher by turmoil in Venezuela and the insistence by Saudi officials that the OPEC production cuts would be extended in the second half of 2019. Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih told the Russian press that OPEC+ should maintain production cuts in some form through the end of the year. Oil prices bounced on the news. As of Tuesday morning, of opposition leader, Juan Guaidó had reportedly launched an attempted military coup. “The definitive end of the usurpation started today,” said Guaidó. “The National Armed Forces, today, brave soldiers, patriots loyal to the

constitution, have heeded our call.” The reports suggest that some generals in the armed forces have ordered their troops to back the coup. At the time of this writing, it was unclear how successful the campaign would be. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service said that the Trump administration’s plan to open up the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for drilling did not adequately consider the impacts of oil spills, climate change and the welfare of polar bears. The Interior Department is hoping to hold a lease sale later this year in ANWR, but Fish & Wildlife (which is housed within Interior) said the environmental assessment and permitting process was flawed. That could open up the lease plan to litigation. ExxonMobil interested in making more acquisitions in the Permian, according

to the FT. A senior VP at Exxon told analysts on an earnings call last week that he “would be surprised if over time we did not pick up more Permian acreage.” The comments come in light of the battle between Chevron (NYSE: CVX) and Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) for Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC). Whoever wins that bidding war will substantially increase their presence in the Permian. Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway said it would invest $10 billion into Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), although contingent on the company winning the bidding war for Anadarko Petroleum. Occidental’s bid for Anadarko is viewed as more generous than that of Chevron (NYSE: CVX), at least at the moment, but to date, Anadarko has seemed to prefer Chevron. That could

change with the backing of Buffet. Similarly, regulations on seismic activity and the influx of cheap LNG has all but killed any hopes of getting fracking off the ground in the UK. A UK government liaison between industry and local communities just resigned her post, blaming post, environmentalists from stifling development. Meanwhile, Iraq is set to be the world’s fourth-largest oil producer by 2030, adding more than 1 mb/d over the next decade to top 6 mb/d, according to a recent IEA report. If it succeeds, Iraq would only trail the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Russia. However, Iraq will need large volumes of water for oil field injections to realize these goals. “Without it, production rates could struggle to climb much beyond their current levels,” the IEA said in its report.

May Day: Ngige salutes Nigerian workers Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, yesterday felicitate with Nigerian workers on the occasion of 2019 Worker’s Day. In a statement made available to The Daily Times, the minister said the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Another 100 Years of Struggle for Jobs, Dignity and Social Justice in Nigeria” aligns with the vision and efforts of

President Muhammadu Buhari, to not only uplift the lots of the Nigerian worker but to also leave a legacy of a buoyant economy capable of creating a sustainable abundance for the people. “On behalf of the Management and the staff of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment as well as its parastatals, I wish to send warm felicitations to the Nigerian workers on the occasion of 2019 Worker’s Day. “The uniqueness of this year’s event manifests eventfully in its coincidence

with the Centenary celebration of the International Labour Organization (ILO) which Nigeria proudly pioneered as the first Country Office in Africa sixty Years ago, in Lagos, 1959. “While I sincerely salute the resilience of the nation’s workforce and its numerous contributions to national development, we owe plentiful accolades to the most labour-friendly President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who took practical steps to douse

the restiveness in the labour force he inherited four years ago due to unpaid salaries and allowances. “He released bailout funds at the State and Federal level, and capped it all with a New National Minimum Wage for the Nigerian working class in public and private sectors.” However, Ngige expressed optimism that things will get better in the ‘Next Level’ even as he wished the workers a productive and fulfilling the Worker’s Day celebration.

The traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu has given his royal blessings and commendations to Terra Seasoning Cube (a brand from the stable of TGI Distri Limited). The product, which was formally unveiled to the media a few days ago in Lagos, received praises from Oba Akiolu, where he disclosed that reports from his household revealed that Terra Cubes are of first-rate quality and possesses all it takes to dominate the market in a very short period of time. “I am sure that you will catch the whole market in a short period of time. Since you brought some of the products to me, many people in my household have tried it and informed me that the cubes are of excellent quality. I am very happy for TGI Group because anything they produce is always of top quality and keeps Nigerian consumers in mind”, the Oba said. The monarch gave his blessings when a delegation from TGI Group visited him at his palace as part of the activities to launch the seasoning brand into the market. The delegation was led to the palace of the respected monarch by Mr Rahul Savara, Group Managing Director of TGI Group (Parent company of TGI Distri Limited, West African Cubes (WACUB) Limited, WACOT Limited, Cormart (Nigeria) Ltd, Chi Farms Ltd, among others). Other members of the delegation were Mr. Sunil Sawhney (Managing Director TGI Distri & WACUB), Dr. Onyekachi Onubogu (Executive Director – Commercial), Mr Govind Agarwal, Marketing Manager and Mr. Anayo Nweje, Sales Manager, all of TGI Distri Limited. While introducing the delegation to the Oba, Mr Sunil Sawhney said: “We are here to seek your blessings for our new product, Terra Seasoning Cubes, a product designed with the Nigerian consumer in mind and undoubtedly one of the best in the market.” He further informed the monarch that Terra Seasoning Cubes are made up of very wholesome ingredients, locally sourced and specially designed to meet the palate requirements of Nigerians in terms of aroma and flavour. On his part, Dr. Onubogu said: “We want to launch our new product across Nigeria and we thought it right to seek your blessings before we go in with all the fanfare. Terra Seasoning Cubes is being rolled out nationwide in two variants of Beef and Chicken flavours. Initially, we are introducing two SKUs of 50-cubes pack and 25-cubes pack. As an introductory offer, we are giving 5 free cubes with thec50-cube pack and 2 free cubes in the 25-cube pack. Terra Seasoning Cube is produced by West African Cubes (WACUB) Limited, a subsidiary of TGI Group at its ultra-modern plant in Sagamu, Ogun State. TGI Distri Limited is the sales, distribution and marketing arm of TGI Group Companies’ Consumer Products and is the marketer of Terra Seasoning Cubes, Big Bull Parboiled Rice, Renew Starch, Shine All Dishwashing Liquid, Shine All Scouring Powder and many other notable Brands.

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After defecting from PDP to APC, Lagos lawmaker says, I’m ready to return to my profession Stories Patrick Okohue The Last Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, Hon. Dipo Olorunrinu, has said that he would resume his profession after his tenure in June. Olorunrinu, representing AmuwoOdofin Constituency I at the Lagos Assembly announced his defection to APC during plenary citing lack of structure in the main opposition party, PDP as reason. The first term lawmaker, who resisted all pressure to defect alongside seven of the PDP lawmakers that moved to APC in 2017, lost his seat with 278 votes to Mrs Mojisola AlliMacaulay of APC during the March 9, general elections. Speaking with NAN on Tuesday, Olorunrinu said: “I am a developer by profession. I am going back to my business and I will be running politics alongside with my business. “Politics, to me is the ability to impact and affect lives. Politics is service not a profession, I am going back to the reality of life. I will continue serving the downtrodden even outside public office. “The day I lost election with 278 votes was a Sunday, I said to myself life moves on even if I lost it with one or two votes. For me, service to ordinary people is an in-born thing, we will continue to serve school children, youths and others.” According to him, his free school bus services resumed operation on Monday after the Sunday he lost

Dipo Olorunrinu election because of his love for the people. “I didn’t say because I lost election, the school buses should stop. They are still working till today; you can make your findings in my constituency. “It is not the children that didn’t vote for me, these are the people we are in government for. Most of them knew I lost election. We win some, we lose some. When we lose, we are not losers, but we lost to know how not to win again. “God crowns every effort and He alone chooses leaders. I have served the people and set a standard of what good representation should be. I have always been a man of the people,” the lawmaker said. Olorunrinu, who expressed

readiness to support the new lawmaker-elect, Alli-Macaulay, said that he had a good relationship with his predecessors and that this has enabled him to succeed as a lawmaker. “I am not going out to see the new lawmaker-elect for my seat because if she fails, it will affect the people who I have dedicated these four years of youthful service to. “The best thing I can do is to add up her (Alli-Macaulay) administration and I know she is an enlightened person and that she has something to offer. “I have related well with members of the APC, APGA and others in my constituency, I am not a party fanatics. My concern is how governance will benefit the masses,” he added.

CACOL backs Senate on call for refund of N14.3bn Asks EFCC, ICPC to wade in by Minister, NEPZA The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), has given its support to the directive of the Nigerian Senate to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelemah and the acting Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Terhemba Nongo, to return N14.3bn (Fourteen Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira) to the coffers of the Federal Government. In a press release issued by CACOL’s Coordinator for Media and Publications, Adegboyega Otunuga on behalf of the chairman of the anti-graft organisation, Mr. Debo Adeniran, he remarked that, “The Senate has just made a revelation to the effect that over N13bn Naira was diverted from the 2017 budget of NEPZA.

“The directive was contained in a letter written by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Mohammed Sabo representing Jigawa South West. This money was allegedly transferred from NEPZA’s account domiciled with the country’s Central Bank (CBN) to a private firm’s account. “The senator revealed some of the actions taken to prevent this fraud, including writing a letter, through his committee to the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, not to release the money that, unfortunately was released in contrast to the advice from the Senate. “According to the letter written by the Senate committee to the CBN Governor, the said money was transferred from NEPZA’s account to the account of Nigeria Economic Zone Company, NEZC, contrary to relevant constitutional provisions (1999 as amended)

which are contained under Section 80(2)(3 and (4) and Financial Regulation, sections 313 and 314 as well as relevant Senate Standing Order. “Though, the Senate gave a stipulated timeframe within which this order must be obeyed, failure of which it intends to apply its legislative sanctions against the Ministry and concerned company, CACOL as an anti-corruption organisation with total disdain for any corruptive acts, especially by government officials directly or through proxies, agencies or their representatives, believe that these allegations and the amount involved is weighty enough to attract the interest and intervention of relevant antigraft agencies in the country, with a view to investigating and redressing these anomalies, where relevant,” CACOL said.

Gani Adams to southwest governors, monarchs: Call Olugbo to order The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has called on the Ondo State governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, other governors in the South West and leading monarchs in the region to should call the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan to order for installing some persons as Yoruba Obas in the Diaspora in his palace in Ugboland, against the position of monarchs across the region. Adams who said the action of the Olugbo was a desecration of Yoruba culture and tradition, noted that it was a shock to millions of Yoruba when they heard that the monarch installed some characters as Yoruba Obas in the Diaspora. He said, “As the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, I swore during my installation in January 2018, to always protect the name and project the image of Yorubaland. That is exactly the purpose of my intervention at this moment. “What Akinruntan did is a complete desecration of our culture, tradition and value and I urge South-West governors, especially Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, and Yoruba monarchs to please call him to order immediately before it is too late. “This impudence is fraudulent; a clear and present danger that can destroy our tradition if something urgent is not done immediately. “In November last year, I was a keynote speaker at an event in Ile Ife, where the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi met over 300 monarchs, while the Alaafin of Oyo, His imperial majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, sent a powerful delegation, to a threeday- meeting, organized under the auspices of Heritage Forum to discuss all the pertinent issues in Yorubaland. “After the meeting, which was held at Ife Grand Resorts, all the royal fathers present at the gathering issued a communique, where they unanimously agreed that nobody should parade himself as Yoruba Oba in the Diaspora. They condemned the act, adding that nobody has the right to install an Oba outside the shores of Nigeria. “What Olugbo did, he did it single handedly, against the wishes of all the Yoruba Obas in Nigeria as a whole. “A good example of this historical hiatus happened not long ago, when some surrogates came from France,

asking the Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi to install them as Yoruba Oba in France. But rather than toeing the path to perdition as Olugbo just did, the Iwo monarch resisted, saying he will never go against the wishes of the Yoruba Obas. Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi knew what was right from what was wrong. “I am delighted to say it anywhere that Yoruba history is rich in all ramifications. Nobody has the audacity to distort our history. “For instance, one can only become an Oba either by hereditary or by conquering territories. None of the newly installed Obas in Olugbo’s Palace has a history of being related to royalty, either by blood (hereditary) or by conquering a territory. “In Yoruba history, Ile Ife remains the cradle of our existence, with over 99 percent of the race migrating from Ile Ife. Apart from Ile Ife, Oyo has always been a foremost institution in Yorubaland, with Oranmiyan being the great progenitor. The two ancient towns occupy the most prominent position in Yoruba history. So, who among the great Yoruba indigenes and Progenitors migrated from Ugbo land? It is a story for another day,” Adams said. He advised Oba Akinruntan to learn from Yoruba history, saying that, “If Akinruntan is a student of history, he will know that those who tried to betray the Yoruba race never ended well. “Against all known laws and customs of our land, Akinruntan ‘crowned’ three characters living abroad who are not even known by Yoruba living at home and abroad, as traditional Rulers. The three ‘chiefs’ have no royalty in their blood. The three characters are, according to Akinruntan, the Oriade of Georgia, Oba Bernard Shola Akinrimisi; the traditional ruler of Yoruba in Liberia, Oba Omobolaji Ogunkoya,Oodua Gbadewolu I and the traditional ruler of Yoruba in the Republic of Ireland, Oba Saheed Ibrahim Adufe. “As the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, I want to tell Akinruntan that he only crowned these characters as chiefs in his domain, not as Yoruba Obas in the Diaspora, because he doesn’t have the power. It is fraudulent, it is an affront on our history and we will not allow anybody to distort our history,” he said.

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 1, 2019

SPORTS TIMES g

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Andy Ruiz set to fight Anthony Joshua on June 1st

A m e r i c a n heavyweight Andy Ruiz is set to be announced as Anthony Joshua’s opponent on June 1st, according to reports. Joshua is looking for a new opponent for his United States debut in New York following Jarrell Miller’s failed drugs tests. Eddie Hearn, AJ’s promoter has suggested that Ruiz has confirmed personal terms and only a few

formalities are preventing the announcement. Hearn has spoken out on what we can expect from the fight. “He will entertain you, give it his all. Even if it means getting sensationally knocked out, he will rather do that than not do it,” Hearn said. “I couldn’t afford a guy who I thought may not be good enough or game enough to entertain the fans. I had to pick a guy in my heart who I

thought will do everything to become world heavyweight champion at the Garden.” Ruiz, 29, has 32 wins from his 33 professional fights, having been beaten by Joseph Parker, by majority decision, in 2016. Joshua defeated New Zealander Parker last year, taking his WBO crown. Ruiz only fought last on April 20th, beating German Alexander Dimitrenko, who retired after the fifth round.

AFCON: Austin Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Tijani Babangida get new NFF appointments Three former Super Eagles players, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and Tijani Babangida have received new appointments from the Nigeria Football Federation. The NFF in a press statement on Tuesday said the trio have been appointed as scouts and motivational figures for Nigeria’s campaign at the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt this summer. According to the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, the three legends will monitor the activities of the Super Eagles’ opponents leading to the finals in Egypt and report to Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr. They will also continue their assignment in Egypt during the championship. “Okocha, Kanu and Babangida served Nigeria meritoriously as players and we believe they have the capacity to excel in

this particular assignment. They will also serve as role models for our young team in Egypt,” Mr Sanusi told thenff.com on Tuesday. Okocha was a key member of the much–fancied Golden Generation, which qualified Nigeria for her first FIFA World Cup finals, won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time on away soil and impressed in reaching the Round of 16 at Nigeria’s debut in the World Cup in 1994. The team was named the second most entertaining team of the finals behind champions Brazil. The flamboyant midfielder also captained the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was named Player of the Tournament. He played in three FIFA World Cup finals for Nigeria. Kanu narrowly missed the cut for the

1994 FIFA World Cup, but captained the Nigeria U23 team to win Africa’s first Olympic football gold in Atlanta, USA, in 1996 and was a member of the squad that finished as runners-up in the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations. He also played in three FIFA World Cup finals for Nigeria. Babangida was Nigeria’s alternate player at the 1994 FIFA World Cup but featured at the 1998 finals in France where he scored Nigeria’s only goal in the Round of 16 defeat to Denmark. He was also a member of the squad that finished as runners-up in the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations and is currently President of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) – the globally– recognised body of Nigerian players. The Super Eagles are in Group B alongside Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar at the 2019 AFCON.

Nigeria’s Kenneth Omeruo excited to make La Liga Team of the Week Kenneth Omeruo is pleased to make the Spanish La Liga Team of the Week following his impressive performance in Leganes’ 0-0 draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday. The Nigerian defender played for the full duration of the game in his 28th appearance for Mauricio Pellegrino’s men and helped his side keep the Celts at bay. The result ensured the Cucumber Growers climbed to the 13th place in the league standings. Omeruo has been rewarded for his outstanding displays in the game with a spot in the star-studded list. The 25-year-old defender is joined by Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, Levante goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez, Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo

Martinez, Real Betis’ duo of Zouhair Feddal and Giovani Lo Celso. Also included are Eibar’s Pedro Leon, Espanyol’s Sergi Darder, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos and Real Sociedad’s Willian Jose. Impressed by his inclusion in the list, the on-loan Chelsea player has taken to the social media to celebrate the achievement. “See my teammates, Team of the Week La Liga,” Omeruo posted on Instagram. “Big deal for me, all God, we go again on Friday.” Omeruo will be expected to play a significant role for Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, scheduled for June and July. The Super Eagles are in Group B along

Lionel Messi to receive prestigious Catalan award Barcelona star Lionel Messi is to be awarded one Catalonia’s highest distinctions, the Creu de Sant Jordi. The award was created in 1981 by the Catalan government to recognise individuals who have successfully contributed to the identity of the region. Messi is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, amassing five Ballon d’Or trophies and enjoying spectacular success at Barca since making his debut in 2004.

He has won 34 major honours – more than any other player in the club’s history – and is their all-time record goalscorer with 598 goals across all competitions. Only Xavi has made more appearances for Barca than Messi, who has played 682 times for the senior team, having first joined the academy as a 13-year-old. Messi is expected to line up for the LaLiga champions on Wednesday when they welcome Liverpool to Camp Nou for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Poland 2019: Flying Eagles draw 3-3 with Freiburg in test game Nigeria U-20 team had to come from behind twice to pull a 3-3 draw with the U-23 team of German Bundesliga side Freiburg in their first warm up game in Germany. The Flying Eagles are in Germany for three weeks to prepare for the World Youth Championship which will take place from May 23 to June 15 in Poland. Maxwell Effiom, Manchester city youth team Tom Dele-

Bashiru and Norway based Jerome Akor scored Nigeria’s goals. It was Nigeria’s first friendly since arriving Germany on Sunday. The Paul Aigbogun’s lads are expected to play more friendly games during their three- week stay in Ingolstadt. The West Africans have been drawn in the same group along with Qatar, USA and Ukraine.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2019

VOL. 3

NO. 935

N100

Why Tiger Woods’ comeback is an Easter story Jack Graham

Last weekend, I had the privilege of witnessing one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. It was the win by Tiger Woods at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. You had to be there to really know how powerful and emotional it was. We all felt the momentum crescendo until the second that 1.620-ounce golf ball rolled into the 18th hole and every person in the stands erupted in cheers. Even the toughest and manliest of us had trouble holding back tears. Woods had not won a major tournament in over 11 years, and seeing him burst in a shout of celebration — eyes shut, arms up in the air — made all of us who were present realize just how much he had to overcome to get to that moment. But I have to admit it: I was a doubter. Two years ago, Woods could barely walk due to paralyzing back issues. His personal and very public failures over the years had taken him to the bottom and left him with deep emotional wounds and scars. He had four back surgeries and in the process became addicted to pain meds. Many people thought he was done winning major tournaments. At one point in 2017, he even admitted to Jack Nicklaus, who is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time that he had given up on himself. Yet somehow he persevered through the pain and rose to the top of the sports world again. Today nobody talks about him as if his career was dead. Instead, they are talking about how he is one

PGA Tour win away from matching golf legend Sam Snead’s record and three wins from catching up to Nicklaus’ majors record. “He’s got me shaking in my boots,” Nicklaus said Sunday after Woods’ win. But beyond being one of the most incredible moments in sports history, I believe Woods’ comeback is actually a reflection of an even greater comeback story. Easter is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. People in my church, along with millions of Christians in America and across the world, will gather to remember and reflect on the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection and its significance in our lives. Easter is the greatest comeback in history, because Jesus’ resurrection gave all of us a chance of redemption. No matter how terrible your mistakes are or how deep you think you’ve fallen, there is always hope in Jesus. His resurrection reminds us it’s never too late for a new beginning — as long as you’ve got breath in your lungs, your story is not over. Even when you’ve hit rock bottom, you can make a comeback and find forgiveness. If you are struggling to endure the pain in your life, I invite you to find a church near you and go to one of their Easter services. Just like Tiger Woods at the Masters last Sunday, it could be the day you make the greatest comeback of your life. Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church and the host of PowerPoint Ministries.

Tiger Woods

TIMES Cartoon

Culled from Fox News

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