DTN-1-9-18

Ex- Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama quit Lille by g 22 mutual consent https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

dailytimesnigeria

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

Fake drugs menace:

VOL. 3

NO. 741

N100

321 stores sealed in 28 states PCN wants Nigerians to demand registration status of drugs facilities

‘Drugs sold in unlicenced facilities can’t guarantee quality, efficacy’ Akam James, Yenagoa Apparently taking a proactive action to curb the menace of fake drugs in the country, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has disclosed that 321pharmaceutical stores in 28 states of the federation have been sealed over alleged cases of quackery, non-compliance with regulatory laws and lack of registered personnel to handle medicines in their premises.

The PCN also stated that a total of 427 pharmaceutical premises and Pay Per

Million Volume stores (PPMVs) were visited by its inspection and monitoring team with 36 pharmacies and 285 Pay Per Million Volume stores (PPMVs) sealed over alleged improper handling of controlled substances, unhygienic Environment and poor documentation and dispensing ethical/ prescription drugs without presence of a pharmacist.

The PCN Director, Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs. Anthonia Iruya, who confirmed the development during a media briefing on Friday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Buhari assures German Chancellor Merkel of respect for rule of law g 3

2019: Atiku weeps for Nigeria as he accepts g 5 nomination form from supporters

Cancer-causing agents: SON warns importers of school uniform materials

NBA rejects FG’s stance to subject rule of law to g 3 national security

g

15

My pretty face, nice g 11 boobs part of my selling point - Ruth Eze

2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

...321 pharmaceutical stores sealed in 28 states

Continued from page 1

State capital, said though 13 pharmacies were given compliance directives for various offences, the inspection tour and sealing of affected pharmaceutical stores is the first phase of the process and further action will follow in due course.

She said the PCN observed during a field tour of Bayelsa State that while many people go into sale of medicine without following due process, “others do not have the

requisite knowledge or skills to handle all categories of medicine”.

“The PPMVs on the other hand are by law restricted to handle over the counter drugs (OTC) that have proven safety margin,” she added.

She also called on the general public to always ask for the registration status of facilities by requesting for licences from pharmaceutical outlets to safeguard themselves from patronising quacks.

She noted that it is required by law for all pharmaceutical facilities

to register with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and to ensure continuous licensure of same to legally key into the drug distribution value chain.

“The implication of nonlicence is the fact that drugs sold in such facilities cannot be guaranteed to have same quality and efficacy as set by the manufacturer since the unregistered facilities have not been subjected to regulatory control that will promote the maintenance of integrity of such products down the value chain,” Iruya stated.

3 News

PHOTO TIMES

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her official visit to Nigeria at the State House... on Friday.

NBA rejects Presidency’s stance to subject rule of law to national security Says rule of law central to a democracy

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has disagreed with the Presidency on the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest over the rule of law.

NBA said on Friday that it rejects the presidential statement on Sunday subordinating the rule of law to national security, adding that “the rule of law is central to a democracy and any national security concerns by the government must be managed within the perimeters and parameters of the rule of law.”

This was part of a communiqué issued on Friday in Abuja by the NBA at the end of its 2018 annual conference.

The communiqué, which appears as a response to the statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari at the opening of the NBA conference on Sunday, “that rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest,” also frowns at the present growing trend whereby government decides on which court orders to obey.

The NBA maintained that the court has exclusive duty under a democratic dispensation to interpret the 1999 Constitution

(as amended) and other laws, and government and the citizenry must comply with court orders at all times until set aside.

The conference also raised objection to the issuance of executive orders in respect to matters already in court and observes that any such order is a breach of the principle of separation of powers.

It however, counsels that executive orders be issued for good governance and to manage operations of government, and not to encroach or usurp upon the constitutional powers of other arms of government, lest executive orders become attempts at decree-making.

The communiqué stated that Nigeria’s democracy can be better strengthened by an independent judiciary.

Consequently, the NBA called for a budgetary arrangement that allows for funds to be directly allocated to the judiciary at Federal and State levels.

On the part of the Judiciary, the conference welcomed the ongoing reforms in the Justice Sector especially as it pertains to technological innovations that will improve access to justice by the citizenry.

The conference acknowledged that strength

of character is required for the building of strong institutions.

In this regard, the NBA urged government and civil society to invest in the rebirth, through ethical, moral and value reorientation, of a new type of citizen.

The conference called for the institutionalisation of higher standards for transformational leadership and in this regard, called for new laws to set higher standards of academic qualifications for political office holders in Nigeria.

On good governance and transition, the conference advocated for structures that can aid Good Governance and, in this regard, called on NBA members to use the already existing skills of advocacy and persuasion to encourage citizens to vote for competent leaders.

It said candidates must accept election outcomes rather than encourage violent protests.

The conference called upon the Executive and Legislative arms to learn to practice mutual respect for their respective functions as a tool for building institutions and achieving sustainable development.

In this regard, public interest must be enthroned as a central pivot of governance, and the current bickering must be reduced to the barest minimum.

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) during his departure for China ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Corporation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja ... on Friday.

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal (right) and others during Tambuwal’s collection of nomination form to contest presidential seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja ... on Thursday

Buhari assures German Chancellor Merkel of respect for rule of law Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that his administration will always uphold the sanctity of the rule of law in governing the country while assuring the visiting German Chancellor, Angel Merkel that all agreements would also be fully respected.

Buhari gave the assurance

on Friday when he received the German Chancellor, who was accompanied by top government officials and a business delegation, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In his remarks during a bilateral meeting, the President said unity and harmony in every society can only be preserved by observing the rule of law, and ensuring that agreements reached in good

faith are followed through to the mutual benefits of countries.

Buhari told Chancellor Merkel and members of her delegation that the rule of law embodies all the rightful mechanisms for conflict resolution, both within the country, and in dealing with all foreign partners, assuring that his administration remains

Continued on page 5

R-L: Director General, Saraki Presidential Campaign Organisation, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, with the National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.) after obtaining the Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms on behalf of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for the 2019 presidential elections at the PDP Headquarters, Abuja...on Friday.

4

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

2019: Atiku weeps for Nigeria as he accepts nomination form from supporters Saraki picks nomination form

Tunde Opalana, Abuja Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday, wept when he listened to the plight of Nigerians, as he accepted the presidential nomination form bought on his behalf by his supporters.

Atiku betrayed his emotion and shed tears at his campaign secretariat in Abuja, when one of his supporters, Princess Adekemi Adesanya, narrated the plight of Nigerians and lamented the state of the nation while presenting the expression of interest and presidential nomination form bought by supporters to the former vice president.

He was impressed that his supporters, majority of who are young Nigerians repose confidence in him as someone capable of being instrumental to addressing the many challenges they are currently passing through.

Atiku said, “The event of today is significant; it’s historic because this is the only time in my political career that young men and women in this country have come together without my knowledge or even consent to contribute their own hard earned money to buy me a nomination form and expression of interest ‎form.

“But, you could have seen one of the people who spoke; the lady who spoke virtually succeeded in getting me to weep. This is because she aptly described the challenges every Nigerian is facing in this country today, and she believed honestly and sincerely from the bottom of her heart that I can be an instrument of addressing those challenges.

“And believe me, addressing those challenges‎ are possible because we have brought young men and women; Nigerians who have got the talents, who have got the education, who have got the experience, who have got all what it takes to honestly turn this country around.

“But putting together such talented ‎young Nigerians requires leadership and it is that leadership we have not been fortunate enough to have on a consistent basis so that this country can take its rightful position in Africa and indeed, the world.

“So, for such a woman to believe that I have got those leadership qualities and including those of you who have brought out your monies to buy this form is one of the most serious challenges I have ever faced in my political career”.

Promising to complete the crossnationwide bridge-building process started by his political mentor, the late Gen Musa Shehu Yar’Adua, the Waziri Adamawa said he has what it takes to take Nigeria out of the political and economic woods and put the nation back on the path of prosperity.

He hoped that the good gesture of his supporters will translate into his nomination by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently, winning the February 2019 presidential election “so that together we can make Nigeria work”.

Atiku added further that “on the day that I will submit my nomination form, let us overwhelm the PDP secretariat and bring Abuja to a standstill to the extent that the PDP will have no alternative than to give me the ticket”.

Adai Edwin Adai, who led the Atiku Support Group to buy the form on his behalf, said that the nation is tired of President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government and was optimistic that Atiku is the man that can correct the many wrongs of the APC administration and the ills of the society.

He discarded speculations that Atiku may dump the PDP, saying that the former vice president will remain in the party even if he loses the presidential ticket to another aspirant.

One of the arrowheads of the

support group, Oladimeji Fabiyi said that Atiku as a democrat who has contributed immensely to the building of the current democratic dispensation will not do anything to derail the process.

He said, “He is a member of the PDP and he will not do anything antidemocratic, adding that Atiku has the capacity, the experience and wealth to pursue his presidential ambition and that he is not under any threat to dump the PDP. It is instructive to note that Atiku’s four cardinal campaign thrusts are job creation, employment and empowerment opportunities, unity of the country and security of lives and properties.

Meanwhile, Senate President, Bukola Saraki has crowned his presidential intention declaration by picking the PDP nomination form The Director General, Saraki Presidential Campaign Organization, Mohammed Wakil, on Friday picked the expression of interest and nomination forms on his behalf at the PDP secretariat in Abuja.

Atiku

5 News

2019: PDP’s primary election will be credible – Jonathan Former President Goodluck Jonathan has assured aspirants to elective positions in 2019 general elections of level-playing ground in the primaries to be conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He gave the assurance while receiving former Governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Atihiru Bafarawa, on Friday in his office in Yenagoa.

Jonathan said that with a free and fair primary election, any aspirants that lost would not be aggrieved but would support others for the progress of the party.

He said that Bafarawa was one of the aspirants he trusted, because of what he had done in Sokoto state as governor.

“As leaders, we must plan for our grandchildren; we don’t have to plan for ourselves, but for the society to grow.

“When you plan for your grandchildren, you do things properly; you will not be in a hurry and the society will grow.

“The more people are interested, the

better for the party. If you have only two aspirants in a political party, it is not too good for democracy,” the former president said.

Earlier, Bafarawa, a presidential aspirant in the 2019 election under PDP, had said that Jonathan was instrumental to his becoming a member of PDP in 2014.

He said that he was in Yenagoa on a consultation visit to the former president, to seek his advice and support, as a democrat.

“Jonathan is a real democrat who showed leadership by example of accepting defeat in order to ensure the unity and survival of democracy in the country.

“Jonathan was instrumental to my joining the PDP because of respect and trust.

“I did not join politics for the sake of money or personal interest. If I lose at the primaries, I will not leave the party, but work with whoever emerges as winner, for the sake of the party.

APC clarifies stance on primaries for 2019 Tom Okpe, Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified its position on the mode of choosing its candidates for the various elective positions for the 2019 general polls, insisting that direct primaries will be adopted in picking the party’s presidential flag bearer and indirect primaries for other positions.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state and his Plateau state counterpart, Simon Lalong had told newsmen on Thursday after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that the ruling party had adopted both direct and indirect primaries.

Briefing journalists on Friday at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena said that “primary elections into all elective offices shall be by direct primaries.

“NEC resolved to adopt the direct primaries for the nomination of the presidential candidate and all other primaries.

“The party’s constitution though provides for indirect election and consensus. However, the use of indirect primaries is conditional and

dependent on logistic impediments, peculiarities and need of a given state that makes it unable to use direct primaries.

“The state executive committee shall in consultation with aspirants and other critical stakeholders of the party in a given state forward for the consideration and approval by the National Working Committee (NWC) if indirect primary is to be adopted? “The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the party’s primary elections; state Houses of Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the governorship elections.

“The request for indirect primaries must be signed by majority of the state executive committee and critical stakeholders in attendance at the meeting where such resolution is reached,” he explained.

Justifying the party’s position further, the APC spokesman added that “direct primaries will ensure fairness; create a level playing ground for contestants; eliminate corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ultimately ensure full participation of party members at all levels”.

President Buhari reaffirms ...German Chancellor Merkel of respect for rule of law stance on irregular migration Continued from page 3

focused on delivering a peaceful, economically viable and politically stable polity to all Nigerians.

The President also said that Nigeria remains grateful to the German government for the fair treatment of migrants.

According to Buhari, Nigeria looks forward to improving its trade figures with Germany, which had taken strong interest in investing in the country and supporting the government in providing effective services in security, education and job creation.

The President said his administration instituted reforms in the economy to make it more internationally attractive and business friendly for investors, noting that infrastructure development had been a priority, especially in power supply, road and rail constructions.

President Buhari said the economy was

already responding to the diversification reforms and the stimulus of the government as growth is now largely driven by the non-oil sector, and urged German investors to take advantage of the Nigeria’s friendly climate and political stability.

Buhari said, “I enjoin you to invest in Nigeria because this is the best time to do so.”

President Buhari noted that the successful political transitions since 1999 were clear indications of the country’s stability and preparedness to welcome more investments that will bolster the economy.

Speaking at the meeting, Chancellor Merkel said Germany is prepared to further strengthen bilateral and business relations with Nigeria, which, according to her, controls 60 per cent of the ECOWAS economy.

The German Chancellor said the population growth and opportunities in the economy can always be explored to

improve the employment situation in the country.

She said the three memoranda of understanding signed during the visit represent a starting point for a healthier and deeper partnership with Nigeria in the areas of security, trade, immigration and education.

The federal government signed a memorandum of understanding with Volkswagen of South Africa for the manufacturing of Volkswagen vehicles in Nigeria, while Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) signed a memorandum of understanding with Petkus Technologies GMBH for the supply of seed and grain processing machines.

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture also signed a memorandum of understanding with the German -African Business Association on fostering trade and investment between the two countries.

Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has once again reiterated Nigeria’s stance against irregular migration when he told visiting German Chancellor, Angela Merkel that government does not support Nigerians trying to enter Europe illegally, stating that those caught would be “at his or her own risk”.

The president said “Any Nigerian found in Libya or anywhere on his way to Europe through illegal means will be brought home and we will send him back to the local government.”

This comes on the heels of the recent repatriation of 165 irregular migrants from Libya, earlier this week.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday arrived Nigeria and was received

by President Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja; her visit to Nigeria ends a three day tour of three West African countries, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.

Mrs Merkel’s visit focused on strengthening economic development

and containing illegal migration.

After the closed door meeting, both leaders addressed the press briefly, during which Mrs Merkel called for a free, credible and fair election in the fourth coming 2019 polls.

“I appeal that the fourth coming elections in Nigeria should be free, fair and credible. It should not result to chaos or complete breakdown of law and order.

A credible election is an important aspect of democracy and good governance,” she said.

The German leader said she was aware that Nigeria faces a lot of development and her county is posed to help solve these challenges, adding that co-hosting the great Chad conference with Nigeria is one of the steps taken address these issues.

As part of plans to increase the number of Nigerians studying in Germany, She revealed that 1200 Nigerian students are studying in my country, and efforts are underway to boost the number.

She touched on boosting Nigeria’s power generation capacity and economic growth.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Pope’s representative applauds Short News Ugwuanyi’s leadership style Insurgency: NBA advocates Moses Oyediran, Enugu The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi has applauded Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his closeness to God and exemplary leadership style, which has brought peace and good governance to the state.

The Apostolic Nuncio - Pope Francis’ representative in Nigeria – spoke in Enugu, when he led a delegation comprising a Cardinal, Archbishops, Bishops and Priests of the Catholic Church to pay a courtesy visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi at the Government House.

The clerics were in the state for the Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Ernest Obodo as the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, which took place on Friday at St. Paul’s Parish, Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

Most Rev. Filipazzi, who was warmly received by Gov. Ugwuanyi, informed the governor of the purpose of his visit

and also commended him for his faithful service to the church and to the residents of Enugu State, irrespective of religion, state of origin and ethnicity.

The Pope’s representative described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “a good governor” and “a father of the family”, adding that he is inspired by the governor’s good works in the state and his commitment to the development of the church.

His words: “You (Ugwuanyi) have faithfully served the church; you are a good governor; you are a governor for everyone living in this state, Catholic and non-Catholic; from every group you are the father of the family for everybody and of course things are not separated. I think you have found inspiration in your work as a governor; I also feel you belong to the Catholic Church”.

Archbishop Filipazzi, equally appreciated the collaboration between the governor and the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, stressing that the emergence of the first Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese would enhance the evangelical duties of the church in the state.

In his goodwill message, Gov. Ugwuanyi thanked God for the success of the event and equally expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for finding Most Rev. Obodo worthy of elevation to “this important position”.

The governor, who welcomed the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria and other revered clerics of the Catholic Church to the state, expressed joy that the Episcopal consecration was one of “the most glorious and significant” of all the many outstanding events that have happened in the state, saying that the reason was because “it is all about God”.

Congratulating Bishop Onaga and the entire Catholic Diocese of Enugu on this milestone achievement, Gov. Ugwuanyi stated that it “is another testament to the remarkable growth and progress that the diocese has made since its creation in 1962”.

He therefore, thanked the Catholic Church in the state for the spiritual support, wise counsel, encouragement and leadership that it has offered his administration since inception.

massive education for youth Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has urged the federal government to embark on massive education of youth in conflict zones as part of the strategy to fight this scourge.

The advised is contained in a communiqué issued by NBA at the end of its 2018 annual conference in Abuja on Friday.

It advised the government to see the link between insurgencies and security threats on the one hand, and poverty and lack of education on the other hand and adopt the following steps to attain global best practices in human capital development in the country for the eradication of insurgency.

“Escalation of investment in youth education and health because the youth are the future, and guarantee of national prosperity; and massive education of youth in conflict zones as part of the strategy to fight this scourge.”

The association frowns at the near absence of governance in these conflict zones and calls for significant increase in the annual budget for education in line with the United Nations recommendation.

Abia PDP to hold mega rally Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed September 12, for its mega rally.

Briefing newsmen at the party Secretariat, Umuahia, on the readiness of the party for the event, PDP State Chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, said PDP National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus and other members of the national working committee are expected to attend the event.

He said the essence of the rally was to showcase the party’s strength and tell the entire globe that Abia State remains a PDP state, whose Secretariat also remains functional.

“Abia is a PDP state with a lively party Secretariat. You hardly see a flag hovering around other parties in the state, no life there; but the PDP is always busy. Our party is a living political party”, the state party boss said.

2019: INEC must conduct free, fair election - ADP R-L: Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke; Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Most Rev. Ernest Obodo; the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Most Rev. Antonio Filipazzi; Catholic Archbishop of Benin and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Augustine Akubueze; Ex-Governor Peter Obi, and the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, during the Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Obodo as the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, yesterday.

NEMA lauds military participation in disaster mgt

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says it is very impressed with the quality of military involvement in disaster managements and support of victims.

Its Director General, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, while assessing facilities at the Disaster Response Unit of the 119 Operation Base of the Nigeria Airforce, Sokoto on Friday, promised that the agency would continue to support such efforts.

Represented by Air Commodore Akigbe Iyamu, Director in charge of Disaster and Response, Maihaja said that NEMA would continue to partner with the military’s disaster response section to ease disaster management.

He stressed the need for collaborative efforts on disaster management among all tiers of government, noting that NEMA, which was supposed to focus on disasters with high magnitude,

had been compelled to look into lesser incidents.

He said that the visit was to assess military formations’ readiness to respond to disasters with a view to look into ways to assist them.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olanisakin, in a remark, expressed the military’s readiness to partner with NEMA and other security agencies to maintain peace before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

Olanisakin, who was represented

by Gen. Habila Vintenaba, Director, Psychological Warfare, at the Defense Headquarters, said that the visit was to assess the readiness of the established disaster response point in the base.

“We want to assess the unit’s readiness for prompt response to emergency situations,” he said.

He said that military collaboration with NEMA would provide timely response to

all forms of disasters and its management with desired professionalism in line with global practice.

The CDS, however, advised politicians to desist from actions that would put national security in jeopardy, urging them to embrace dialogue toward resolving their differences.

“Politicians must constantly educate their supporters on the need to ensure peace at all times,” he said.

Earlier, Group Capt. Jibrin Usman, the Brigade Commander, had informed his guests that the base had recorded disasters such as flood, fire and thunderstorm in Sokoto and Kebbi States.

He also said that his men had helped in evacuating some of the victims and provided security in places razed down by fire to avert looting by hoodlums.

Usman identified major challenges to inadequate equipment and manpower training.

Tom Okpe, Abuja As the 2019 general election approaches, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must take necessary steps to conduct free and fair elections.

The National Chairman of the party, Engr. Yabagi Sanni also said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led government is unprepared to steer the ship of Nigeria political scene successfully as such, the electorates should jettison the party in the coming elections.

The ADP in a resolution after the 4th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party held in Abuja on Friday maintained that the party shall neither condor nor accept elections that fall short of globally accepted standards, adding that INEC should embark on early preparations to ensure that acceptable elections are held in 2019.

Life expectancy increases in Africa - WHO The World Health Organization (WHO), said life expectancy across Africa had improved significantly, but national health systems must be improved to ensure that services are provided to those who need it most.

WHO, in recent report released during the 68th session of the WHO Regional Committee in Dakar, gave an insight about state of health in the African region.

The report revealed continued improvement, with the continent seeing the biggest jump in healthy life expectancy – time spent in full health – anywhere in the world.

The life expectancy jumped from 50.9 years in 2012, to 53.8 years in 2015, according to the report.

Speaking at the launch of the report, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said: “I’m proud that Africans are now living longer and healthier lives”.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Group wants Senate to declare Ogbuorji’s seat vacant Moses Oyediran, Enugu The National Executive Council of Isuokoma Political Vanguard (IPV) has called on the leadership of the Senate to declare the seat of Senator Soni Ogbuorji representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, who recently defected to the ruling APC vacant for what the group described as “a decision based on his selfish grounds but not for the interest of the zone”.

The group maintained that Senator Ogbuorji failed to consult the people of his senatorial district before defecting to APC, pointing out that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is not facing crisis both in the state and at the national level when he defected to another party.

The decision to declare Ogbuorji’s seat vacant was taken after critical examination of political development in Ebonyi State in their national executive meeting held in Enugu.

The group described the defection as an act of sabotage aimed at distracting Gov. Dave Umahi’s second term ambition as well as his rapid development projects in various parts of the state but pointed out that instead, “he has committed political suicide”.

In a communiqué signed by their leader, Comrade Matthew Onwuta and the Secretary, Victor Ogbu, the group disclosed that Ogbuorji’s defection was characterised by desperation, over ambition, believing that his movement to APC would fetch him the governorship position in

Ebonyi State without considering the fact that he has no political structure to match the incumbent, Umahi.

The communiqué stated that Ogbuorji since he became a senator, he has not been able to attract meaningful federal presence to his senatorial zone because the Federal roads in his zone such as Okposi, Onicha, Isu, Amagunze, Akpugo/Agbani and Okposi, Isu Ngbanaeze roads have remained dilapidated for close to eight years as a senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone at the Upper Legislative Chambers.

The group therefore declared their support for Gov. Umahi’s second term bid, saying that his second term in office would not only bring more development but reposition Ebonyi in the comity of states.

7 News

Short News Germany repatriates 27 human remains to Namibia Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja Germany on Friday led a delegation of 70 people to Namibia for a ceremony to hand over the remains of 27 human beings to the Namibian authorities.

This is the third time Germany is repatriating remains of Namibians that were used for scientific experiments many decades ago, a situation that many have termed racist and an action the German government admits was a crime to humanity on the part of German past leaders.

Addressing the country on Friday in a ceremony to mark the final laying to rest of the remains, the Minister of State for International Cultural Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Michelle Müntefering described the killings of these innocent Africans as Genocide, expressing regrets that they had to die the way they did.

Democracy: FCT minister lauds Nigeria’s progress Idu Jude, Abuja Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has lauded Nigerians for the progress the nation has made in cultivating democracy in the country.

According to him, there has been opening of the democratic space, decentralization of governance processes and the Rule of Law both in the nation’s capital city and the country at large.

The Minister made the declaration in Abuja at the ECOWAS consultative meeting on decentralization of governance processes in member states.

The minister remarked that the voyage towards decentralization of governance processes and powers in Nigeria predated even the adoption of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supplementary protocol by member states in 2001.

Woman pleads guilty to possessing human parts

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (left) and GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham, during a courtesy call on the governor in Government House, Asaba.

Sokoto confirms 9 deaths from suspected gastroenteritis outbreak The Sokoto State Government has confirmed nine deaths due to what an official suspected to be cases of gastroenteritis in seven Local Government Areas of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr Mustapha Ali, on Friday in Sokoto, listed six of the affected LGAs as: Illela, Sabon-Birni, Gada, Goronyo, Isa and Tureta.

The Daily Times reports that most of the LGAs border Republic of Niger.

Ali stated that the situation is under control, as the state and federal government officials had

been deployed to the affected areas while medications and other aids had also been made available.

He, however, debunked the claims that it was an outbreak of cholera, noting that experts had since taken samples for laboratory test in line with standard practice.

According to the PS, preliminary investigations reveal that the deaths may be due to the consumption of contaminated water, as rain is at its peak in the affected areas.

Ali said 80 patients were hospitalised in Tureta town and its suburbs, adding that all the deaths

are those recorded within the primary health care centres and hospitals.

Nonetheless, he insisted that it was irrational to attribute other deaths to the gastroenteritis, as routine deaths occurred daily naturally at different places.

Ali also confirmed the death of one person, which occurred at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Gandi village.

He cautioned people against unwholesome food and water consumption and urged hospital workers to be on the alert by living up to the expectation of their services.

A 40-year-old woman, Folake Falade, pleaded guilty to being in possession of human parts and charms at an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday.

Falade, of no fixed address, appeared before the court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful possession.

She pleaded guilty.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Oladele Adebayo, had told the court earlier that Falade committed the offences on Aug. 27 at about 7.00 a.m. at Cele-NISER Bus Stop in Aiyetoro on the LagosBadagry highway.

Adebayo alleged that the accused was found in possession of human parts, charms and a picture of a boy, the apparent victim whose body parts were found in rotten state.

The offences contravened Sections 238 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr O.O. Olatunji, remanded the accused at the Ikoyi Prisons and adjourned until Sept. 4 for facts and sentencing.

NGO donates incubator, consumables worth N3m to Kogi hospital An NGO, Tiny Beating Hearts Initiative (TBHI), on Friday donated an incubator, medical equipments and consumables worth about N3 million to Kogi Specialist Hospital (KSSH), Lokoja.

The Founder/Executive Director of the NGO, Mrs Petra Onyegbule, handed over the items to the Management of the hospital on behalf of the organisation in Lokoja.

She said that the initiative was borne out of her desire to alleviate the sufferings of pre-term mothers, and to give premature babies in state the chance to healthy living.

“The most traumatic experience I have had in life was when I gave birth to a pre-term baby at 25 weeks of pregnancy in 2009. I almost ran away when I first saw my baby because she didn’t look like a human being,” she said.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Saraki’s declaration: I have been vindicated – Oshiomhole …Says his ambition almost ruined APC

Tom Okpe, Abuja National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the recent declaration for the president of the nation by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has vindicated his earlier comment.

The ruling party chairman had earlier accused Saraki of planning to destroy the APC because of his inordinate ambition, thereby, charged APC members in Kwara State to jettison their personal ambitions and work towards ending the reign of Saraki in Kwara politics as the nation heads towards 2019.

Oshiomhole stated this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, shortly after a meeting of leaders of the party in Kwara state led by

the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed.

Addressing the Kwara delegation, Oshiomhole said: “When I was saying that all these defections is not about APC but the personal ambition of these people, they took hired writers to say I was being too hard. But Saraki’s declaration has vindicated me. Thank God he has moved on because his inordinate ambition was almost destroying our party but he has failed. These are not principled politicians but bread and butter politicians who can go extra miles to pursue their selfish ambition and never think about the well-being of Nigerians.

“As things stands today, APC remains the darling of the Nigeria people. Because PDP was the vomit of yesterday, our people will not chew it back today, not under three and half years. People have not forgotten and people will never forget. In fact, what a senior palace chief in Nigeria said this generation of Nigerians will not forgive the

PDP in a hurry. Even to say you want to forgive you must do reparation.

“The damage they did to our economy, the damage they did to our electoral process, even the culture of rigging was institutionalized by them. They introduced do or die politics. They are the ones buying weapons for young people to become thugs while their own children are schooling abroad. They introduced all these vices”.

Oshiomhole who declared that reclaiming Kwara state from the grip of Saraki is a task that must be done, directed the APC leaders to ensure they conclude the election of executives from the wards to the state this weekend saying, “the last time I spoke with the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he told me we have accomplished 80 or 85 per cent and that for me is not good enough because we don’t have more time. So this week we must achieve hundred per cent by whatever means. If you can’t do it, we have to help you get it done.

Short News Dogara denies endorsing any aspirant for 2019 Henry Omunu, Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Friday denied claims that he had endorsed some aspirants to vie for elective offices in the 2019 general elections.

Dogara, while reacting to recent claims that he had endorsed some aspirants seeking elective offices in his constituency, described such rumours as “untrue and very wicked”.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, Dogara specifically denied ever asking anyone to contest the Bogoro Constituency seat in the Bauchi state House of Assembly.

“As a policy, I do not interfere in such processes. My constituents and political associates know that. I have never endorsed anybody and have never asked anyone to seek elective office under the platform of any political party,” he declared.

Dogara advised reporters to always confirm stories before publishing them, and urged people spreading rumours about him to desist from doing so.

PDP dissolves Kano exco, constitutes caretaker c’ttee Tunde Opalana, Abuja The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissolved the Kano state executive committee of the party with immediate effect.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan in a statement on Friday, said the decision was taken at the end of its meeting on Thursday, August 23.

Consequently, a caretaker committee has been constituted to pilot the affairs of the state chapter of the party.

However, details of the caretaker committee would be made public in due course the party stated.

The statement said all members of the party in Kano state and across the nation should be guided accordingly.

25-year-old remanded over alleged rape

R-L: Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson during Saraki’s condolence visit to the governor over the death of his mother in Yenagoa Bayelsa State on Friday.

Saraki’s declaration not to implicate ‘Not Too Young to Run’ group - Aide Tunde Opalana, Abuja The leadership of the Not Too Young to Run group has been told not to consider in bad good light, Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s using the auspicious occasion of meeting with young political aspirants to declare his presidential ambition.

Saraki’s spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu in a statement said the Senate President’s declaration on Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, venue of the young politicians with leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was done in good faith and not to implicate the group as partisan.

He said that “it is true that the Not Too Young To Run leadership had no prior knowledge of the content of the Senate President’s remarks.

However, the announcement by the Senate President that he intends to throw his hat into

the ring to contest for the Presidency was made in good faith to young PDP aspirants, partly as a symbolic act of encouragement.

“It was not the intent of the Senate President to put the group or its leadership in an invidious position. The Senate President appreciates the contribution of the group to the development of our democracy and will continue to work closely with young people across the country in order to make Nigeria a better place for all.

The group had on Thursday, after Saraki’s declaration distanced the body from the declaration, insisting that the town hall meeting of the group was not to promote youth candidacy and democratic party primaries.

Its coordinator, Samson Itodo said the movement scheduled three town hall meetings with the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties with the first holding on August 30, in Abuja with the leadership of the PDP.

“The movement expressed its disappointment with Senator Saraki for usurping a platform designed for young aspirants to dialogue with party leadership to advance his personal political ambition. We strongly condemn this act by the President of the Senate and dissociate ourselves from this political move.

“As noted earlier, the movement reaffirms its identity as a non-partisan citizen led movement dedicated to the defence of democracy, political inclusion and transformative leadership. The movement restates its commitment to sustain its engagement with political parties to ensure youth candidacy and democratic party primaries,” said Itodo.

The event had in attendance the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, Senator Bukola Saraki, and Udeh Okoye, the national youth leader of the party. It was also attended by young aspirants registered under the Ready To Run platform.

Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday remanded a 25-year-old man, Azeez Isiaka, who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl.

The Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, ordered that Isiaka should be kept in the Ikoyi Prison pending advice of the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the case.

The accused, who resides at Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, is facing a count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge.

Earlier, the police Prosecutor, Anthonia Osayande, submitted that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 10 at Ide Village, Ibeju Lekki.

Osayande said that the accused lured the girl to an uncompleted building and had carnal knowledge of her.

Daily Times reports that rape contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The case has been adjourned until Sept. 29 for the DPP’s advice.

FG receives 165 irregular migrants from Libya Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja The federal government has received a group of 165 irregular migrants from Libya, bringing the total number of Nigerian irregular migrants repatriated so far to 3801.

The migrants arrived Lagos via the Murtala Muhammed international airport, on Thursday and were received by the Nigerian delegation along side international partners.

Among them were the 109 Nigerians in Libya, who recently sent a video asking for help from the Nigerian government to return home.

The Charge De Affair Entitire of the Nigerian embassy in Libya, Alex Kefas disclosed this to newsmen, in Abuja on Thursday, where he revealed that the repatriation of this set of irregular migrants was postponed twice, due to logistical challenges encountered in the process of repatriation.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

9 News

3,269 female AYP tested HIV positive, Short News sexual related diseases in Nasarawa Governor Abubakar’s wife Augustine Kuza, Lafia Three thousand, two hundred and sixty nine (3269) female Adolescents Young persons (AYP) are reported to have been infected with HIV/Aids virus and other sexual related diseases in Nasarawa state in the first half 2018.

The Nasarawa state ministry of health, staff, Dr. Peter Attah, stated this while presenting a report to journalists on Prevention to Mother and Child Transition (PMTCT) and Adolescents Young persons (AYP) support seminar, organised by UNICEF in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA) Kaduna, at Keffi Local Government Area of the state.

According to Attah, young persons from the ages of 14 to 19 years in the

first half of year 2018, who were Counselled, Tested and Received Result (CTRR), show that out of 75, 435 tested, 1086 persons were discovered positive.

“As at the end of June 2018, about 4,245 AYP on ARVs are infected, out of which male are 976, while the female with 3269.

“This shows that the female are the most affected group of 9.7 percent of the whole affected persons in the state and all within the adolescent’s age.

Attah who was there at the instance of UNICEF cum NOA, Kaduna office also reported that, in 2017, National Health Survey shows that only 29 percent of women and 27.9 percent men between the ages of 15 to 24 could identify ways of preventing sexual transmission of HIV and reject major

myths around transmission.

The high rate of the virus in AYP, according to the presenter was said to be lack of sex educational, early sex initiation among others.

The health practitioner enumerated strategies to end the HIV/ Aids epidemic to include strict implementation of youth friendly centres, HIV/ Aids consulting and testing units and prevention of PMTCT in the state.

Also, he said the Government should strictly implement the national target commitment of 90 percent, treatment coverage of 50 percent, and testing rate, among people by 2020.

He therefore called on both stakeholders and the media in the state to support the fight by sensitizing the general public on the bad effect of the pandemic.

promises to tackle drug abuse

The Bauchi State Governor‘s wife, Mrs Hadiza Abubakar on Friday promised to collaborate with stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse in the state.

Abubakar made the pledge at the closing ceremony of two-day capacity building workshop for members of Bauchi state Drugs Control Committee and Ambassadors on Drugs Prevention and Substance Abuse in Bauchi.

She said the workshop was organised by office of the governor’s wife and Ministry of Social Welfare, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with a Consultancy firm, House of Recovery, to create awareness on dangers of drug abuse among youth.

Abubakar, who was represented by the wife of the deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Amina Katagum, lamented that cases of drug abuse by youth in the state was on the increase.

Rainstorm: Affected schools get relief materials in Ondo About 28 schools across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State that were affected by the May 5 rainstorm that wrecked havoc in the state have been given relief materials by the state government.

The relief materials which was distributed to cushion the effect of the damage done by the rainstorm was given out to principals of schools at the Owena Mass Transport Company Limited, Akure, through the office of the deputy governor.

The State Commissioner for Education, Mr Femi Agagu said the distribution of the materials by government became necessary due to the magnanimity of the damage done.

He also disclosed that the state government has approved another batch of relief materials which includes blocks, long span aluminium, roofing sheets, ceiling, cash gifts and many more.

Speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Rev Akin Asaniyan said government will continue to give facelift to education in the state so as not to lack anything.

He called on the schools to prioritise what they want to do and make good use of what was given them.

Rivers monarch kicks against granting amnesty to criminals

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Magdalene Ohenhen (middle); Permanent Secretary, in the Ministry, Mrs. Stella-Maris Imasuen (left); and the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Mrs. Flora Enarhome (right), at God’s Own Orphanage, off Siluko Road, in Benin City, Edo State.

FCTA moves to complete Airport Road dualisation Idu Jude, Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says it is ready to complete the dualisation of the Abuja Airport Road popularly known as Bill Clinton road for easy flow of traffic from the Abuja airport.

The administration, made this known Thursday during stakeholders’ meeting preparatory to the closure and diversion of flow of motorists.

Speaking to journalists in this regard, the executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engineer Jibril Umar, revealed that the reason for the meeting was to prepare the minds of the people and visitors who come to Nigeria on the proposed road diversion.

According to the executive secretary, the stakeholders’ meeting

was necessitated by the nature of the road being an important gateway into the city and by implication into the country.

His words, “we are aware that lots of contributions can come from stakeholders involved in the axis, to enrich their knowledge and be properly guided while the construction works go on”.

Engineer Jilbril, further observed that the effort will also provide best services to residents and enhance the output of what is going to be done.

Also throwing more light on the technicalities, Director of Engineering Works in the FCDA, Engineer Hadi Hassan said that the contract under review was awarded to CCECC in March, 2018 having been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), due to its urgent need.

He said that the road remains an important route, as it’s a principal

gateway to the city from the airport through the city centre.

He asserted that the work to be done, will involve partial closure of the road, which will have motorists diverted to another routes.

According to engineer Hassan, the construction work will last for eight weeks to end by October this year, stressing that the second segment, will entails the closure of the outer bound.

He also said that the carriage way will be opened while the work is ongoing just as it will introduce one regular U-turn to ease movement.

Meanwhile, commuters are advised to use Abuja light rail to and from the airport to reduce traffic volume on the axis.

Stakeholders like FAAN, NCAA, Ministry of Aviation, NSA, FRSC, Property owners, organisations along the area, UN Mission, FCT Water Board attended the meeting.

A second class traditional ruler in Rivers, Chief Mene Nule, has advocated the stoppage of granting amnesty to criminals by federal and state governments.

Nule told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that rather, the criminals should be made to face justice.

The traditional ruler, who is the Chairman, Taabaa/Bua Baa Council of Chiefs in Khana Local Government Area of the state, said “granting of amnesty by federal and state governments to criminals should be stopped.

“The criminals should be made to pay for their crimes.”

He maintained that granting of amnesty to dubious characters would continue to encourage criminality in the society.

FG pledges to support traditional herbalists The Federal Government has pledged to support research and create liaison with traditional healers with the knowledge of plants to develop, formulate and commercialise research findings into medicinal products.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said this on Friday in Abuja while addressing newsmen to mark this year’s African Traditional Medicine Day. Ehanire noted that the theme, “Local Manufacturing of African Traditional Medicine Products in the African Region”, was apt.

He stressed that 25 to 45 per cent of pharmaceutical drugs in use today were derived from traditional medicine plants in different parts of the world.

According to him, indigenous people all over the world, including Africans, treat common diseases and ailments, using medicinal plants in their traditional practices.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Mass defection hits Delta PDP after Uduaghan’s exit Nosa Akenzua, Asaba About 7, 000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, including two aides of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, have dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The defecting members, mainly from Oleh community and its environs in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, defected alongside Mr. Lucky Arumare, special assistant to the governor on youths and community development, Mrs. Uyoyou Edhekpo, special assistant to the governor on women mobilization.

They said that their decision to dump the PDP was based on alleged high handedness, and continued imposition of candidates by the

leadership of the party in the state, declaring that “the PDP as a party portends evil with fake ideologies”.

Speaking at the Oleh Primary School ground where the defectors formally announced their exit from the PDP on Thursday evening, they vowed to mobilize against the PDP in the state and the local government area, adding that their defection from the PDP was an indication of victory for the APC. Receiving the defectors, the state Chairman of the APC, Prophet Jones Erue boasted that Governor Okowa will be shown the way out during the 2019 general elections, alleging that there has been decay in infrastructure, and under development in the state in the past three years.

“Governor Okowa is a serious apology to Delta state. He will be shown the way out from Government House by Delta people through their

votes.

The people have concluded to enthrone an APC government come 2019 in Delta state. PDP has nothing to offer to the people of Delta state,” the APC chairman stated.

Arumare, the former aide to Governor Okowa, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the other defectors, alleged that the PDP operates as a “cult group”, adding that members who are not part of the cult group were not recognized in the scheme of things.

He said that “we have dumped the PDP. We will not go back to the party that operates like a cult group.

We were tired and moved into light where we can pursue our political careers. We will shock the party come 2019 with our votes. APC has transparent ideologies that we will operate with”.

Short News Akeredolu distributes cocoa, cashew seedlings to Ondo farmers The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Friday distributed 450,000 high yielding cocoa seedlings and 25,000 Brazilian jumbo cashew seedlings to farmers in the state.

Speaking at the event held at that Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) the governor stated that the distribution was part of his administration drive at repositioning the state as the leading producer of Cocoa in the country.

Governor Akeredolu who noted that it is only agriculture that can pull the country from her myriads of economic challenges urged the youths to embrace agriculture adding that his administration will help farmers to easily access bank loans to ease the stress of finance.

He said: “It is our desire that other tree crops like cashew, oil palm, rubber, kola nut, coconut etc, will witness similar development in the State.

Abia primary school cooks hounour Ikpeazu Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that the ongoing free school feeding programme for primary schools initiated by his administration in 2016 will be sustained and scaled up.

The Governor gave the assurance while speaking at Michael Okpara Auditorium, during a special reception organised in his honour by Abia Primary School Cooks Association (APSCA).

He said the social investment programme has directly touched over 5300 women and 11,000 others indirectly in addition to 600,000 pupils that are benefitting from the programme.

He said the essence of the programme is to ensure that pupils are healthy as well as to develop their mental faculty and to reverse the drift from public to private school.

APC will retain governorship seat in Osun - Tinubu

Residents of Benin City at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, along Asoro Slope, Ekehuan Road, in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State.

Balarabe Musa quits active politics Former Governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa on Friday said he will no longer participate in active politics due to failing health and old age.

Musa told the 54th National Executive Committee meeting of the People Redemption Party (PRP) holding in Kaduna that he has consequently opted not to seek for the post of the national chairman of the party.

“In this regard, it is appropriate to inform

members that this will be the last time that I will personally be chairing NEC as our party’s national chairman. Due to declining energy and failing health, it has become necessary for me to vacate the seat for young and fresher blood.

“But not just young and fresher blood, but qualitatively, demonstratively younger and fresher blood more robustly and combatively committed to all the ideals our party, the PRP has always stood for.

“I shall, however, always

remain available for party assignments within the limits of my fading energy and failing health,” he added.

Musa thanked the party members for their support and urged them to remain resolute in promoting the ideals of the party, which is centred on the emancipation of the downtrodden.

The NEC meeting is expected to ratify the party’s news constitution, zoning formula, guidelines for candidates, among other issues.

The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says the party is in the advantageous position to retain Osun governorship seat in view of the performance of the outgoing governor of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Sept. 22 for the conduct of the Osun State governorship election.

The APC chieftain stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of APC South West Caucus at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday night.

According to him, the administration of the outgoing Osun state Governor, Rauf Aragbesola, has put in place good foundation for the party to retain the governorship seat in the state.

2019: Direct primaries remain most credible, transparent - Sen Sani As political parties prepare for the 2019 general elections, Senator Shehu Sani (APC/Kaduna), has said that direct primary elections were the most credible and transparent process of determining candidates.

Sani, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said that direct primaries would minimise the influence of money in deciding flag bearers.

The senator was reacting to the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Council meeting, held on Thursday in Abuja.

While noting that Nigerian politics had not lived up to expectations, Sani said that indirect politics had particularly “bastardised the national political space”.

“Direct primaries are the only channel through which politics of principles and ideas can flourish; whoever fears direct primaries fears the people.

“The only way we can instil political discipline and integrity is for political parties to adopt direct primaries. It is the most honourable thing to do.

“Direct primaries are the only way to minimise litigation and crises arising from illegal and parallel congresses,” he opined.

The APC had, at its NEC meeting on Thursday, adopted direct primaries to choose its presidential candidate for the 2019 elections.

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 1, 2018

11

My pretty face, nice boobs part of my selling point - Ruth Eze Although Ruth Eze is a graduate of Business Administration, she has a strong passion for acting and ready to do exploit. In this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, the Imo State-born actress talks about her sex life, passion and how she has managed to conquer the fiercely competitive Nigerian movie industry.

Enjoy…

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Ruth Eze. I’m from Imo state.

We are five in our family. I am a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Benin City, Nigeria, but I ended up becoming an actress.

How long have you been in the industry as an actress?

I have been acting professionally for the past 6 years, but since I was a child I have been dramatic. My mother told me that when I was a baby girl, I love drama, dancing, anything that would entertain people.

If you loved entertainment this much, why didn’t you go ahead and study that in school?

I also love business, statistics to be precise.

Actually acting is an inborn thing; I know I have what it takes to be a good actress.

However, I would be going to London very soon to do my Masters, which would be on Theater Arts.

Which movie shot you to limelight?

Pregnant Hawkers gave me the leverage.

Then Painful Betrayal with Yul Edochie also brought me in the spotlight.

We know the industry is flooded with lots of upcoming stars, what stands Ruth out?

My reactions are my strength. My pretty face and nice boobs are also part of my selling point. All the directors I work with often tell me that I have good facial expressions while interpreting a story.

You just mentioned that your boobs are part of your selling points; do you also get harassed because of your endowment?

Yes, of course. Plenty times. But I am a much matured person. I know how and when to draw the line. Sexual harassment to me is not a problem at all. In fact I even like it when men stare and admire my boobs (laughs). Lots of people are not as endowed

as I am, so I am excited to be this heavily endowed up here (points at boobs) How about sex for role or money role, have you ever been a victim?

No! Not all. I know sexual harassment exists, but I have not been in involved. As for money-for-role, that often happens in Asaba and it’s not fair on upcoming stars. I hear lots of people have fallen victims. Anyways, I strongly believe that, if you are thick, and know what it takes to be a good actress, nobody would want to exploit you. You can be harassed by any producer because you know your games well.

Ruth is a very beautiful lady, who is the lucky guy behind all these beautiful smiles?

I am still very single and ready to mingle.

What kind of man would win Ruth Eze’s heart?

I want a hardworking and honest man.

I am very honest; I don’t entertain lies and deceit. I don’t like men that depend on women to feed them. I want a very happy guy, who would also be caring and romantic.

Hardworking, caring, how about a rich pocket?

Of course, I want a comfortable guy.

Chubby, dark and handsome (Laughs). I am obsessed with dark guys.

In five years’ time where do you see your brand?

I want to be married with kids. I want to be with my family. I really love family. I also want to be one of the most popular faces in Nollywood.

Will you quit acting for marriage?

Never! No man born of a woman can ever stop me from acting. I love being in the movies, it makes me happy. So why would a man that claims he loves me deprive me of my happiness. Even when I’m pregnant, I will still be on location. That is just it; in

essence marriage cannot make me quit acting Which of your male celebrate colleagues do you have a crush on?

I love John Dumelo; he is dark and cute. In my mind, I have married him over and over again. He is my prefect kind of guy. In fact he is my every day crush.

So you can marry a non-Nigerian?

I don’t do tribalism or have issues with inter-states or inter-country marriages, if Majid Michel was fair, I would have gone for him. He is also a very nice guy. We have worked together in some movies. Majid is humble and encourages upcoming stars in every way he can.

When was your first kiss?

Well, it was when I was in boarding

secondary school in Kwara State. It was a Muslim school. His name is Lai; a rich kid from a rich home. We didn’t really date, but you know (laughs). He gave me my first kiss.

How long can you stay without sex?

It depends. I can stay long without it. I can stay 6 months without a man but I go dey do touching body oh (laughs). If my guy is not here or based abroad, I have no choice than to endure and do ‘self-help’.

Do you subscribe to sex toys?

I don’t do sex toys. Believe me, you won’t find any of those funny stuffs in my bedroom. I do my ‘touching body’ by myself. However, I don’t judge anybody that is helping herself with sex toys. I don’t take life too seriously. If you know whatever rocks your boat, do you it well; have fun, be happy. Life is too short to be a hypocrite.

Gist 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

AMVCA 2018: Who wins what tonight?

Award airs live on DStv, GOtv Adekunle Gold, Cobhams, Falz to thrill audience Stories by Mutiat Alli History will be made tonight as top filmmakers will walk home with the prestigious AMVCA award plaque as they all converge at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island Lagos, venue for this year’s edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

The AMVCA, which debuted in 2013, is the biggest celebration of film and television talent across Africa.

Now in its sixth edition, the show promises to be even bigger with top contenders from across the continent vying for honors in the voting and nonvoting categories.

Co-hosted by South African media sweetheart, Minnie Dlamini-Jones, and Nigerian on-air-personality, IK Osakioduwa. For two years, the lovely duo has thrilled guests and viewers as hosts of the AMVCAs with their brilliant synergy, charm and infectious wit.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Channel

Director, Africa Magic said: “We are delighted to once again celebrate outstanding achievements in the African film and television industry on the platform of the AMVCAs. As always, we promise a night filled with exciting and stellar performances led

by some Africa’s biggest names in the music industry. Our viewers at home will not miss a moment of the event, as they can tune in to all Africa Magic channels on Saturday, 1 September to see who wins the coveted AMVCA titles.”

Award-winning musicians including song writer and producer, Cobhams Asuquo, rapper and song writer, Falz and highlife singer, Adekunle Gold, will perform live at the event.The night promises an exciting and diverse lineup of stellar performances as viewers will also get to see live on stage the SEKI traditional dance troupe .

On the other side, there will be a classical performance by Omo Bello, the award-winning Nigerian soprano and a special performance by singer and Big Brother Naija 2017 alumni, Bisola Aiyeola.

The 2018 AMVCAs is brought to viewers across the continent by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice Africa and the sponsors, Airtel and Konga in partnership with Lagos State Government

AFRIMA 2018: Full list of nominees released As public voting begins today Democratic Republic of Congo-born international recording artiste and rapper, Maître Gims and South Africa’s fast rising songstress and songwriter, Shekhinah, have received seven nominations each to emerge highest nominated artistes for the 5th edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA. This was made known when the African Union Commission, AUC, and the International Jury of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA released the highly anticipated full list of the Regional and Continental Categories of the annual awards ceremony to the public recently.

Closely following the top contenders are Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz and Ethiopia’s Betty G who each earned six nominations; while Simi (Nigeria) and Nasty C (South Africa) got on the 5th AFRIMA nominees list with five nominations apiece.

In its position as the biggest awards event on the continent, AFRIMA rewards the continent’s music professionals in 36 Regional and Continental categories including four new awards categories namely African DJ of the Year; Best African Dance/Choreography; African Lyricist/ Rapper of the Year and Best African Act in Diaspora, introduced in June 2018 by the African Union and the International Committee of AFRIMA to give room for expansion and inclusiveness in the African music industry.

The Regional Category, which consists of Best Female artistes and Best Male artistes in the five regions of

Africa, features 79 nominees while the Continental Category which honours exceptional work in different African music genres, boasts of 260 nominees with both categories making up a total number of 339 music professionals and songs nominated for the 2018 edition of the continental awards.

Commenting on the final nominees list for the 5th AFRIMA and how the jury arrived at finding the best musical works within the year under review, AFRIMA Juror representing Eastern Africa, Mr. Tabu Osusa, said, “This year, AFRIMA registered a record number of entries in its competition.

We were very pleased to notice that mostly new talents have entered the competition. The 13 jurors had a hard task going through over 8000 talented

and creative entries.

Nigeria’s Simi has earned five nominations namely: Album of the Year (For Simisola’ released in September 2018), Artiste of the Year, Song Writer of the Year, Best Artiste in African Pop, and Best Female Artiste in Western Africa.

Public voting will commence on the AFRIMA website today Saturday, September 1, where both continental and regional nominees in the 36 AFRIMA awarding categories will compete against one another for the coveted 23.9 carat gold-plated AFRIMA Trophy. Nominees will depend on their fans and followers spread across the globe to vote for them in an open voting process via the AFRIMA website, www.afrima.org

Kwitee to feature Yinka Davies in E.P concert September 9 Self styled music artiste, Kwitee will next month host fans and friends at a tribute concert at the Hard Rock Cafe, Oniru in Lagos. Tagged ‘The Man Kwitee: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong’, the event which has gathered momentum holds on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

Kwitee the trumpeter and multitalented instrumentalist will also drop his new E.P titled Don’t Quit.

He will perform with his live band, Kwitee and the Cosmos. The artiste who hails from Abia State is not alone in serenading the audience at Hard Rock Cafe, he will be ably aided with the guest artiste, the eclectic Yinka Davies who will bring all her energy and sonorous into the concert.

Other guest artistes include the talented Dunnie and Maka. Kwitee who is ready to bring his best performance on that Sunday night says “guests

should get ready for surprises as the night of The Man Kwitee: A Tribute to his mentor, Louis Armstrong promises to keep the audience at the edge if their seats as various creative performances hold sway.

Born Okwi Godwin Iguwe, Kwitee was born and brought up in Warri, Delta state, started his musical career at the age of 9 as a percussionist. He eventually became a front-line drummer at the age 11. Having being introduced to various rhythm and time signatures, Kwitee chose the trumpet as his major instrument, where he has made a name for himself.

The bearded dude has worked with great musicians such as; Dr. Ron Kenoly, Lionel Peterson, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Patoranking, Brymo .Kwitee has proven himself in the music industry as a renowned trumpeter and prolific songwriter.

Art X Lagos announces dates for its third edition

18 Galleries to display over 50 renowned Pan-African Contemporary Artists

ART X Lagos, West Africa’s premier international art fair, will hold from 2nd to 4th November 2018 at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. ART X Lagos is one of the most important art fairs on the continent, showcasing the best and most innovative contemporary art from the African continent and Diaspora, with the intention of widening Nigeria’s connection to the international contemporary art scene.

The inaugural edition of ART X Lagos in 2016 welcomed 5,000 visitors to The Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, and last year’s edition saw the figures double to close to 10,000. Over the past two years the fair has welcomed representatives of international institutions such as the Tate Modern, Zeitz MOCAA, and the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian, while hosting some of the country’s most prominent dignitaries including His Highness the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The 2018 edition of ART X Lagos will

feature a selection of Africa’s leading established and emerging artists, speakers and performers. Further detailed information will be announced in September 2018.

Eighteen leading African galleries will participate at the Fair and include: Addis Fine Art (Ethiopia), Afriart Gallery (Uganda), Arthouse – The Space (Nigeria), Artyrama (Nigeria), Bloom Art (Nigeria), Circle Art Agency (Kenya), Gallery 1957 (Ghana), Nike Art Gallery (Nigeria), Nubuke Foundation (Ghana), Out of Africa Gallery (Spain), Retro Africa (Nigeria), Signature Beyond (Nigeria), SMAC Gallery (South Africa), SMO Contemporary (Nigeria), Stevenson (South Africa), TAFETA (UK), Thought Pyramid (Nigeria) and Tiwani Contemporary (UK).

ART X Talks, curated by Missla Libsekal, will hold on Saturday November 3rd and Sunday November 4th 2018. The program will include a special talk by a keynote artist who will be announced in September.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

13 Society Gist

Chief Rasaq Okoya celebrates Eid-el-Kabir festival in style The annual celebration of Eidel-Kabir must have come and gone but the glimpse and glamour of the celebration lingers on. Oluwanisola Estate, along Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos was filled to the brim as Chief Rasaq Okoya and his amiable wife, Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Shade Okoya, hosted Muslim faithful in all round celebration.

Aside the fact that the most respected couple were unavoidably absent, the sons and daughters of the Okoya’s family welcome everyone and entertained every invited guest.

It was indeed a celebration that will last long in the mind of the entire attendees.

Aside entertaining guests present with both local and intercontinental dishes with exotic wine, arrangement was also made to take food to less privilege homes.

In case you don’t know, Eid al-Adha is an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) to follow Allah’s (God’s) command to sacrifice his son.

Muslims around the world observe this event.

Between ex-Speaker Ikuforiji and Gov Ambode Isaac Oguntoye, Lagos Contrary to the news making the round that the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were planning to use him as the Governorship candidate in the 2019 election in Lagos, former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has come out to debunk the report.

Ikuforiji, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists, described the

report as the handiwork of detractors and mischief makers within the party bent on creating an illusion where no exists.

He said: “There is no iota of truth in it and this is just the handiwork of crooked persons who unfortunately we have found ourselves in the same boat with.

“They are just out to make mischief because it is their own stock in trade. After they have tried all means to push the Governor and they have seen that with God and his performance, he is a popular

Governor and there is not much they can do with him.

“Now they want to start creating trouble with anyone that they feel is in good relationship with him and of course I know the unscrupulous person who started this whole thing.”

Downplaying the report suggesting that he was eyeing Ambode’s seat, Ikuforiji recalled that he had in 2016 thrown his weight behind the Governor to perform beyond expectations that would earn him a well deserved second term.

The Cece Yara Foundation launches ground breaking child protection online directory In a bid to provide community information and access to hundreds of child protection services, The Cece Yara Foundation has launched the Cece Yara SafeKids Directory - a web based/ online portal which provides information on police stations, State Child Protection Units, medical services, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, free legal services and mental health care at a click of a button.

Recent reports have shown a rise in child sexual abuse with 1 in 4 girls, as well as 1 in 10 boys experiencing before they reach the age of 18. The Cece Yara Foundation has been the light at the end of the tunnel for sexual abuse cases - fighting for the rights of children, non-offending families as well as amplifying societal prevention awareness via field and media initiatives.

Being the first of its kind in Nigeria, the online portal will serve as a vital information hub for individuals or organisations seeking child protection

services offered by the police, medical practitioners, mental health care providers, legal advocates, shelter providers and other credible child focused organisations in the country.

Mrs. Bola Tinubu, the Founder Trustee of the Foundation stated that “We were committed to building the most complete and accurate database of Child Protection Service Providers in Nigeria from Day One and it has taken a lot of hard work, and research hours to verify all entries. This Directory will go a long way to support speedy reporting and response to child sexual abuse and other cases of abuse. This portal will be regularly updated by a team of dedicated data volunteers.”

On the functionality of the directory, the Foundation’s Research and Data Analyst, who also is the brain behind the design and development of the directory, Mr. David Adeleke said, “the web directory is user-friendly, and with the understanding that

majority of the end-users will be accessing these services from their mobile devices, the directory offers maximum compatibility with mobile devices”.

It is important to know that the impact of child sexual abuse can be profound and last a lifetime. However, easy access to help will drastically reduce the risk factors and promote protective factors that will ensure the well-being of children and families.

The directory can be accessed on the Foundations website (www. ceceyara.org) and currently has close to 200 listings of child specific service providers in Lagos state. It is being expanded daily and will eventually serve other states of the federation.

Listings can be filtered by Local Government Area, service categories and keywords. Phone can be dialed automatically from the web page, while addresses can also be searched using Google Maps.

Femi Davies revamps Lagos nightlife with Liquid Lounge Plus Femi Davies is one of the most respected journalist turned businessman. Penultimate Friday, the industrious chap officially launched Liquid Lounge Plus formerly known as Liquid Lounge on Ogundana Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos, the state otherwise known as the entertainment capital of Africa.

The once popular club originally owned by Lagos Hilton Hotel, now known as Liquid Lounge Plus and under a new management has been revitalised, re-modelled with an exquisite sports bar, lounge and restaurant named Metro-Reverb Bar and Kitchen.

Its pre-existing features which set it apart like the ample parking lot and water-tight security among others, which made the club the darling of fun lovers and revellers, have been re-jigged and reinforced.

“We are proud of the work we have done with Liquid Lounge Plus. And as a testimony, there’s no one that has been here that did not commend the renovation works and interior design

carried out here. Many thanks to Hannax Consulting, an architectural and engineering consultancy firm, for the great work.

“We took our time to painstakingly put together a complete entertainment experience that gives more than just a dance club, for our clientele and we also have space for events.”

He said the club will now be a melting pot for elites and entertainers, and the corporate, cultured and cosmopolitan centre.

The club was officially declared opened by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in line with the state’s pursuit to develop and promote tourism.

The event, which is powered

by Martell, featured star artistes like Small Doctor, Mr Real, top Nollywood Stars, DJ Consequence and several new raves who thrilled guests.

Liquid Lounge Plus is located at Ajayi Street, Ogundana, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos

14

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, September 1, 2018

Trino Studios screens first feature film, ‘Sylvia’ A new and exciting thriller movie titled, ‘Sylvia’ was recently premiered at the Silverbird Galleria leaving members of the audience with a feeling of satisfaction that yet with the movie, the industry is gaining its ground back with telling good stories.

From the producer of award winning short films ‘Las Gidi Cops and The Encounter’, comes Sylvia movie which offers an enthralling thriller drama that will indeed set the movie industry ablaze Sylvia movie centre on the cause

and effect nature of relationships, mental health and the real versus the surreal world with this compelling story.

The movie which featured a stellar cast that includes Ghanaian actor, Chris Attoh who played the role of Richard, Zainab Balogun as Sylvia, Ini Dima Okojie as Gbemi, and Udoka Oyeka as Obaro, Radio Host, Lolo amongst others.

Chris Attoh stars as Richard the protagonist. Richard has always existed between the real world and a fantasy world; home to his friend

and lover Sylvia (Zainab Balogun).

Filled with passion and love, the two devotees embark on a journey of commitment.

Time and life goes on leaving Richard in a dicey situation. He is now faced with the decision on a future and full commitment, either to the real world with its demands or the surreal world that houses an increasingly frustrated Sylvia.

Events unfold leading Richard on a downward spiral. The movie ends shockingly and unforgettably.

Produced by Ekene Mekwunye

Nollywood actress Meg Otanwa writes emotional letter to Theresa May Welcome to Nigeria!

It is apparent that the Federal Government of Nigeria is excited at the trades, exports and foreign investment opportunities your visit aims to bring.

Why such level of excitement I dare to ask. Could it be because of what you stand for?

You stand for the mighty Great Britain and her people, working to implement an array of policies for workers, women, people below the poverty line, young, old and the general welfare of the people of Great Britain. You have spent your time in office pursuing such.

For these reasons you are celebrated and revered globally as one of the most powerful women of our time. It is in this light that I write to you. Seeing as you are a world leader, a woman and a mother.

Coming from North-central Nigeria, I am too familiar with stories of deprivation of education for the girl child. You see, life is twice as hard for her up north as it is for those in other parts of the country.

The girl child appears to be defeated on every front. She grows up being

taught to clean, cook and cater to her father and brothers and in the event that she makes it into the four walls of classroom, she faces even a bigger monster.

On the night of 14th. April 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from a secondary school in Chibok in the North-eastern part of the country. It was an event that shook and traumatized the world at large as we all carried the “Bring Back Our Girls” placards demanding their release.

Some of these girls were never to be seen again. This incident, coupled with other challenges are enough to deter these innocent girls from the pursuit of an education but no, many courageous and brave young girls forged on in the quest for a brighter tomorrow through education.

On February 19th 2018, the monsters struck again, this time, it was at Government Girls Science and Technology College Dapchi. One hundred and ten (110) school girls abducted. Five lost their lives.

A few weeks later, the girls were released with the exemption of Leah Shuaibu.

Leah, a Christian had refused to renounce her faith even in the face of death. She is still held in captivity because of her beliefs and what she stands for.

For how long will our girls continue to live in fear? For how long will they be left unprotected and accessible to the monsters who crawl to them at night?

How much longer and how many more girls will be taken from their families?

Madam Prime Minister Theresa May, as an activist, I challenge you, as woman I plead with you, as a sister, I implore you and as a human being, I demand empathy through action.

SEEK THE RELEASE OF LEAH SHUAIBU as you go about your diplomatic negotiations and discussions with our president from one leader to another.

We know that where there is a will, there’s a way; If Imam Abdullahi Abubakar of Plateau State could save about 300 Christian lives from blood thirsty Fulani herdsmen by rolling in the mud in sheer determination, how much more the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces who has sworn to protect the life of every Nigerian.

Please help us BRING LEAH HOME.

and directed by Daniel Oriahi, the movie which is written by Vanessa Kanu, has a remarkable original musical composition which synchronizes every scenes of the movie together.

In a chat with the producer of the movie who disclosed that it took a period of three years to put together the finished product of Sylvia movie with an estimated budget of N50M. In his words ‘The movie industry is at the stage where movie production should not be based on just the production

value alone but for the value and technical output.

Expected to hit the cinema come September 21, 2018, the 104 minutes movie is sure going to be a delight to watch as it scores good ratings in picture quality, sequence, technical flow, character choice amongst others.

Although the movie started on a low pace, a style the director of photography used in gripping viewers to anticipate the next scene which sure is a must watch.

The movie sure gets a 7/10 ratings.

BUSINESS TIMESg Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

15

Asky, Dana Air partnership produces B737 - 700 aircraft Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Chairman of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Director of Home Finance in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Olubunmi Siyanbola and the Director of Revenue, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Sulaiman Nasidi Tahir, during the FAAC meeting in Abuja... on Thursday

Cancer-causing agents: SON warns importers of school uniform materials Ladesope Ladelokun The Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Osita Aboloma, has warned importers of school uniform materials into Nigeria about some cancer-causing substances found in some school uniform materials made by two China-based companies, Sing Shun Fat School-Clothier Company and Zenith Uniform Company.

The SON Director-General, in a statement disclosed that the azo dyes which were found in some school

uniforms in Hong Kong contained up to 173 milligrams and 41 milligrams per kilogram of the tested samples respectively, which were well above the maximum allowed in the standard.

Use of the 4-amino azo dye have been banned in Europe, Japan and other parts of the World prior to the finding.

He alluded to a circular on the subject from the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation stressing that SON will continue to work with other sister agencies like the Nigerian Customs Service and the nation’s Security apparatus to protect Nigerians from the negative effect of substandard products.

According to the statement, azo dyes could release carcinogenic substances known as aromatic amines when they mix with sweat, which accounted for the ban on the use of the dye in many countries of the world.

The SON Chief Executive advised importers of school uniform materials in Nigeria to endeavour to undergo the process of conformity assessment of such materials prior to import, through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria off-shore conformity assessment programme (SONCAP), in order to avoid bringing them to the country.

He further advised Nigerians to report any suspected uniform materials that may already be in the country to SON for necessary, sampling, laboratory tests and analysis to be carried out at its Textile and Leather Laboratory in Kaduna for necessary regulatory action.

The Statement concluded that all international accredited firms (IAFs) undertaking the off-shore conformity assessment programme on behalf of the SON all over the world have been put on alert regarding the cancer-causing substance in school uniform materials and other clothing materials to be imported into Nigeria.

Apapa Gridlock: LASG acquires land for trailer park Lagos State Government has acquired a large land at Ojo for construction of a trailer park to tackle gridlock in Apapa and other areas caused by indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Ladi Lawanson, revealed in Lagos that the construction would ease traffic significantly.

“Recently, we got information that

there is land available around Ojo. “We found a land that can potentially be used to take some of these trucks off the roads; the logistics involved is being borne solely by the Lagos State Government,’’ Lawanson said.

He said that the government would soon begin construction of the trailer park to complement other efforts being put in place to ensure that trucks would be off the roads.

The official said that gridlock in Apapa had defied solutions for a long period because of lack of holding bays.

According to Lawanson, road and port infrastructure in the state are overstretched because they have not been developed incommensurate with the growth of Lagos State population.

He revealed that the Apapa ports took care of about two-thirds of daily cargoes in and out of Nigeria.

The commissioner said that construction of the truck park would be one of the ways of tackling the problem of overstretched infrastructure.

“Because of the importance of petroleum products to the nation, Lagos will continue to bear the brunt for the rest of Nigeria.

“That is why are calling on the Federal Government to give Lagos a special status,“ he said.

As part its ongoing partnership with Asky, Dana Air has introduced a Boeing 737-700 aircraft to its fleet to operate its ‘early bird’ flights between Lagos and Abuja from 10th September, 2018 The airline in a statement by its Media and Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, said ‘we are pleased to announce the commencement of our ‘’early bird’’ flights from Abuja to Lagos on 10th of September, 2018. The service will be operated using a Boeing 737-700 aircraft from our partners Asky.

“The introduction of the Boeing 737-700 aircraft is part of our ongoing partnership with Asky airlines and it will operate two daily flights from Abuja to Lagos at 7.02hours and 16.11hrs and a return service from Lagos to Abuja at 8.55hrs and 18.03hrs.”

“Our guests can now rely on us for multiple flights between Lagos and Abuja, and can now visit Abuja or Lagos very early and return conveniently from both destinations to the warm embrace of their families.’’

Kingsley said the early bird service was in response to the yearning of its esteemed guests who have continually requested for an efficient early morning flight option from Abuja to Lagos and the flights have been timed conveniently for its guests “We are glad to have been able to review our service to meet the demands of our teeming guests and we are also excited to announce the addition of a Boeing 737-700 aircraft from our partners Asky to our fleet. Our route and fleet expansion plan is still on course and we are committed to maintaining our operational efficiency by providing seamless and world-class services to at all times.’’

According to him, the addition of the B737-700 aircraft to operate its newlyintroduced flights between Abuja and Lagos only shows the airline’s commitment to providing its guests more options, convenient timings and more comfort.

Business Times 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

NSE: Equity transactions sustains bearish trend as index down by 0.68% Motolani Oseni Equity transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) ended on a negative note on Friday with the market indices dropping further by 0.68 per cent.

The market capitalisation shed N87 billion or 0.68 per cent to close at N12.722 trillion against N12.809 trillion posted on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index, which opened at 35,086.67, lost 238.22 points

or 0.68 per cent to close at 34,848.45 amid price losses.

An analysis of price movement indicated that Total Oil led the price losers’ table with a loss N2.3 to close at N189.7 per share.

Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of N2.1 to close at N97.9, while GTBank dipped by N2 to close at N36.

Glaxosmith declined by 9k to close at N13.1 per share, while Zenith Bank also lost 65k to close at N21 per share.

Conversely, Okomu Oil led the

price gainers’ table, gaining N35.75 to close at N76.95 per share.

FlourMill came second with a gain of N1.3 to close at N24.3, while Stabic IBTC appreciated by 75k to close at N48.

Air services and Eternal Oil appreciated by 5K each to close at N5.5 and N6.7 per share, respectively.

The volume of shares traded, however, increased by 35.24 per cent as 384.893 million shares worth N9.79 billion were traded in 4,070 deals.

This was against the 284.596 million

shares worth N3.44 billion exchanged in 3,303 deals on Thursday.

Diamond Bank was the most active, exchanging 102.82 million shares valued at N124 million.

Zenith Bank followed with 47.77 million shares worth N997.18 million, while GTBank traded 36.40 million shares valued at N1.34 billion.

Dangote Cement traded 25.29 million shares worth N5.3 billion, while Stanbic IBTC traded 19.86 million shares valued at 953.08 million.

‘OPEC pumps 32.79m bpd in August, highest in 2018’ Motolani Oseni with Agency The 15-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has pumped 32.79 million barrels per day in August, up 220,000 bpd from July’s revised level and the highest this year, Reuters survey showed on Friday.

OPEC and allies agreed in June to boost supply as U.S. President Donald Trump urged producers to

offset losses caused by the renewed sanctions on Iran and to dampen prices LCOc1, which this year hit $80 a barrel for the first time since 2014.

In June, OPEC, Russia and other non-members agreed to return to 100 percent compliance with oil output cuts that began in January 2017, after months of underproduction in Venezuela and elsewhere pushed adherence above 160 percent.

Top exporter Saudi Arabia, which promised a “measurable” boost in its own output, said the decision would

ADVAN inaugurates working committee Godwin Anyebe The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) recently in Lagos inaugurated members of its working committee. The committees which will be the engine room for the association’s programs for the next two years are- Public Sector, Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy, Membership and Value, Data, Insight and Content and Education, Capacity Building Committees.

Speaking on the Agenda of the committees, Mr. Wasiu Abiola 1st Vice President of the ADVAN said that the committees will drive the association’s agenda of creating an empowered future in Marcomms today for Advertisers and the Industry as a whole.

“The committees will work with the Executive Council of the Association to provide and implement strategies for increased membership value, strategic stakeholder engagement, as well as source for the most relevant data to aid effective marketing planning.” Wasiu said Mr. Benson Evbuomwan the Chairperson for the Education and Capacity Development Committee speaking on the focus of the committee he was leading said “A key focus for my committee will be to provide needed education for marketing professionals not

just in the marcomms field, but rather a holistic capacity development approach that will help ADVAN members garner the right skills to function in any capacity of a C-level Executive and even beyond.”

Other Members of the Association’s Committees Include: (Membership and Value Committee) Mrs Bridget OyefesoOdusami, Stanbic IBTC Bank; Mrs Nnenna Osi-Anugwa, Unilever Nigeria; Mrs Roseline Akure Abaraonye, Hayat Kimya Nigeria; Mr Rotimi Oyesiji, NASCO ; Mr Kola Oni ,AXA Mansard Insurance.

Members of Education and Capacity Development Committee are: Mr Onome Asagbra, Dufil Prima Foods; Mr Omotunde Adenusi, Nigeria Breweries Plc; Ify Kagho, MTN Communications.

Those in Data, Insight and Content Committee includes: Mr Gerald Osugo, 9Mobile Nigeria; Mr Austin Osokpor, Ecobank; Mr Adeola Oluwatobi, 9Mobile Nigeria; Nwando Ajene, Nestle Nigeria Plc;Tolulope Adedeji and Mr Bayo Adekanmbi, MTN Communications.

For the Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy Committee, members are : Mr Victor Jolaoso, Nigerite; Mrs Hannah Oyebanjo, Redwood Consulting; Mr Yinka Ijabiyi, First Bank Nigeria; Mrs Bukola Bandele, HPZ Nigeria; Mr Uche Onwudiwe,Guinness Nigeria;

translate into an output rise of about 1 million bpd.

Even so, OPEC’s adherence with supply targets has actually risen to 120 percent in August from a revised 117 percent in July, the survey found, because extra barrels from Saudi and others did not fully offset losses in Iran and declining output in Venezuela and Angola.

The biggest increase in supplies this month has come from Libya, whose output remains volatile due to unrest.

Production at the Sharara oilfield, the country’s largest, increased after the restart of a control station that had been closed due to the kidnapping of two workers, and other fields also pumped more.

The second-largest increase came from Iraq, where southern exports reached a record high.

Shipments also increased from the north, leaving Iraq as OPEC’s least compliant member in August according to the survey.

Saudi Arabia, after a big increase in June output, apparently backtracked on plans for a further boost in July and cut supply last month to 10.40 million bpd. Supply has edged up to 10.48 million bpd in August, the survey found, still lower than June’s 10.60 million bpd.

Supply in Nigeria, which like Libya is exempt from the OPEC supply cut pact because its output is often curbed by unplanned outages due to unrest and conflict, rose by 30,000 bpd.

Among countries with lower output, the biggest drop of 150,000 bpd was in Iran. Exports fell as returning U.S. sanctions discouraged companies from buying the country’s oil.

Production also slipped in Venezuela, where the oil industry is starved of funds because of economic crisis, and in Angola due to natural decline at oilfields.

Despite these decreases, OPEC output in August has risen to the highest since September 2017 according to Reuters surveys.

This partly reflects the addition of Congo Republic to OPEC in June, not just increases by existing members.

Before Congo joined, OPEC had an implied production target for 2018 of 32.78 million bpd, based on cutbacks detailed in late 2016 and Nigeria and Libya’s expectations of 2018 output.

According to the survey, OPEC excluding Congo pumped about 310,000 bpd below this implied target in August.

MultiChoice announces 20 students for Talent Factory Academy Mutiat Alli MultiChoice has released the list of 20 students selected chosen as the first intakes of the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy. The candidates were chosen after a two-month long process of shortlisting candidates from over 3 000 entries from Nigeria and Ghana.

This was followed by a rigorous interview and adjudication process by a group of film and television industry experts and MultiChoice regional Academy Director, Femi Odugbemi.

The 20 future filmmakers were selected based on their industry-related qualifications and skills, as well as their passion to narrate Africa’s unique stories. Those selected include Idongesit Amba, Allen Onyige, Gilbert Bassey, Precious Iroagalachi, Nanret Paul Kumbet, Akpera Mnena, Umm’salma Saliu, Ugwu Uchenna Eileen and Sonia Nwosu. Others are Moses Akerele, Metong Minwon, Bolaji Adelakun, Joseph Adeniyi, Kemi Tamara Adeyemi, Tochukwu Nwaiwu, Blessing Bulus from Nigeria and Edmund Kobby Asamoah, Henry Konadu Denkyira, Irene Dumevi Yaamoakoa, Patience Esiawonam Adisenu from Ghana, who will represent the West African region at the Nigeria-based MTF Academy from 1 October.

MultiChoice will sponsor the students’ tuition, accommodation and stipend for the duration of their training in each the academy.

“As a company that is deeply rooted in Nigeria, we understand that many young, aspiring filmmakers have the capacity to learn and strengthen their skillset to give back to their communities but may not be financially equipped to do so. The MultiChoice Talent Factory focuses on making sure that those gems are nurtured, and their talents developed to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s creative industry,” said John Ugbe, Managing Director.

The MTF Academy students will be provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell authentic African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling.

“From the thousands of applications received, it’s evident that there’s a strong desire to learn from and work with other African creatives. Not only will the MultiChoice Talent Factory be a springboard to a career in the entertainment industry, but it will also create a closely-knit community of African professionals with a willingness to narrate Africa’s stories to the world,” said film director and producer, Odugbemi.

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbola Ashiru; Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr Demola Sogunle at the official commissioning of the $250 million Gateway Brewery in Sagamu, Ogun State.

POLITICS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

g17

Lack of continuity in government policies, bane of Nigeria’s development –Iheanacho Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, a maritime, oil and gas industry player is also a politician and former Minister of Interior. In this interview with PATRICK OKOHUE, Iheanacho speaks about what the government can do to create a growth focus business environment and how the economy can grow through continuity in government policies.

What do you think are the challenges facing governments at all levels that they are unable to ensure sustainable development?

There are many things responsible for that. You have to use my Imo state as an example.

We have major problem of unemployment and if youths are unemployed, then they are restive, so, I think those issues need to be dealt with in terms of policies that can be contemplated at the state administration level. So how do you get youths to work? You can make policies that would attract manufacturing businesses down to the state through the provision of land, through the provision of the favourable tax environment, through the provision of fixed infrastructure. If the state has the resources to prepare an area where there would be infrastructure, where there would be light as such like, then it would be easier for businesses to integrate and come home, certainly what we need is to be able to manufacture most of the things that we need and consume locally. If we now achieve self satisfaction at the state level, then we can export some of them and out of state and that would continue to generate employment in manufacturing those things that we export. In a nutshell that is what we really need.

But what you have said, can it be replicated at the national level?

Absolutely, I used our state as an example. What I have said for Imo State can be done in every state if you focus on politics that would attract manufacturing capacity into an area and that would create a related opportunity for youths to acquire employment. If they have employment, they have buying power. If they have buying power, they have satisfaction and so on and so forth. This is basically what it is. Development will not come on its own. Somebody has to engineer it. Somebody has to develop a business plan for manufacturing certain things.

Somebody has to develop a plan for finding resources, financing, somebody has to develop a plan for how to market those things.

So these things really must be thought of very carefully, planned for and executed.

You are a player in the oil and gas and maritime sector. If you

Iheanacho

look at Apapa where you operate from, coming into Apapa these days, is not a joke, from whichever end and people have said it is because of the congestion in the ports. What can the government do to change the narrative?

The problem of congestion in Apapa is really worrying. If you really look at it critically, you will understand why it is there. A port has a finite capacity in terms of the volume of goods that can pass

‘

through it. In terms of the type of goods that can be handled. The related interland and its associated infrastructure of roads, bridges and all of those things also have a finite capacity, so now if you develop port infrastructure and the associated road network and all those things bearing in mind a particular volume and if that volume grows overtime, and if the type of cargoes also changes, say from general cargoes to containers,

It really would be very nice if we embarked on policies everybody can see clearly result in growth, in the economy, result in growth in the manufacturing capacity. That is the only way that we will continue to grow. If we make a transition from a net consumer of goods that are imported to one that are absolutely manufactured here to create a self sufficiency and export that really would create prosperity overall.

,

if you do not make provisions for all of these changes, then you have the type of problems that we have currently.

So the thing is that infrastructure around the port has not grown in relation to the growth in trade and the character of that trade, so one of the things that would do at this point in time is to have a good look at all the properties that clutter the entrance to the ports. There are lot and lots of properties if you start from say Livepool Road Roundabout, going towards the port itself, you know, if you start from Apapa Police Station going to the port itself and carryout a proper review of all the properties around there, and the relevance of all those properties to the business of the ports, you will find out there are lots and lots of obsolete structures that can be acquired.

Government should really look at that possibility. Acquire those properties, demolish them, redevelop the port interland and so you would have sufficient volumes to contain the trucks and sufficient structures also to deal with the changed character that goes through the ports. But everything must be done by someone who has foresight and who has an understanding of how this works because of input and output equation.

But some people have also suggested that developing the Calabar Port, Warri Port, and Port Harcourt Port and all of this areas to ensure that importers from that region don’t have to come to Lagos could be a solution, don’t you think so?

That’s not the way it should be done. Sometimes in the past, a decision was taken to change the structure of the ports and the market between which the port services were delivered. And what happened at that time was that there was a decision taken to privatise some ports and also privatise terminals within the ports so that people would be at liberty to develop terminals to cater for the troop of certain types of goods. If we had carried on that way, what would have happened would have been a situation where ports in a certain range would be competing with one another. So, for instance, if there is congestion in Lagos as there is now, then the managers of the port in say Port Harcourt if Port Harcourt to say is an independent port, they would now be at liberty to specify the conditions and pricing for using their port. And if you think that the price for using Lagos port for instance is n100.00 you say alright, we would accept N50.00, so the importer now will see how that would work out for him.

Is it better for me to go through Lagos, pay a N100.00 and then I’ll then spend so much time on the queue or is it better for me to go to Port Harcourt and pay lesser amount, and you then look at that savings that you have made and then it would determine. So you would have used the market structure to reorder the way that goods arrive and depart from Nigerian ports, but unfortunately that privatisation exercise, commercialisation exercise which we embarked upon two years ago is no longer there. Nobody is adhering to it because we have had successive changes in port administration, everybody does what they want, so people always fall back to the easiest way, so Port Harcourt we want it to continue to be administered from Lagos, Calabar, it would be administered from Lagos or Warri will be administered from Lagos, so the benefits that would be realised through the enthronement of proper competitive practices between different port managements is lost.

Is it that government lack political will to do some of these things?

Somebody has to bring it to the attention of the government or maybe if they look in their archives and really send people to research the type of management that we have in the ports in the past. Then they could design from such scrutiny exactly what has happened in the past and what is happening now. But if there is discontinuity between administrations, say this political party was there, oh everything that they’ve done is not correct, we would have the problem that we have here.

The way it is in Nigeria, you were in government at a time, are we running the system in a way to help the economy grow?

Well, everybody has ideas as to how they can create welfare, how to grow the economy. People don’t have the same ideas, so different administrations have different ideas, so I am thinking that the current administration has its own ideas as to how this economy will grow. The only problem I have is that there seems to be quite a lot of hardship across the land.

Businesses are really not thriving.

It really would be very nice if we embarked on policies everybody can see clearly result in growth, in the economy, result in growth in the manufacturing capacity.

That is the only way that we will continue to grow. If we make a transition from a net consumer Continued on page 18

Politics Times 18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Approach Supreme Court to declare Saraki, other defector’s seats vacant, Arise tells Malami Gbenga Sodeinde, Ado Ekiti A former member of the upper chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Ayo Arise, has called on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to as a matter of urgency and necessity, approach the Supreme Court on the need to declare the seats of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and other defecting senators vacant.

Arise, who is a senatorial aspirant in Ekiti North for the 2019 National Assembly election, said that the only solution to the current logjam and political uproar in the country now is for the executive arm of government to be bold enough to uphold section 68 (1) g. of the constitution to declare the seats of all defecting senators vacant.

Arise, an erstwhile Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, made the call while speaking

on a television programme monitored in Ado Ekiti.

He said: “According to section 68 (1) g. of Nigerian Constitution, Dr Saraki and others who have just decamped from their original parties without a valid reason as prescribed by the constitution are no longer members of the National Assembly and by extension, Saraki has ceased to be the President of the Nigerian Senate.

“Therefore, it is now imperative for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to do the needful by approaching the Supreme Court to save the country from the ongoing defection-mentality which has now become a recurring practice in Nigerian politics, especially in the build up to every election.”

Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 at the Senate, said the issue at stake was far beyond individual or a group of people, but rather a constitutional matter in order to move the country

forward, saying: “Nigeria will forever remain underdeveloped politically if we fail to do what is right by adhering to the tenets and dictates of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Law is not a respecter of anybody and it must not be held contrary in Nigeria, hence the need for the law to take its course in the latest development and set the record straight once and for all. This will go a long way at bringing sanity and sanctity into the nation’s democracy.

“The Supreme Court, in the case between Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and Ondo State House of Assembly and others, had unambiguously settled the issue of defections, when it defined the difference between factionalisation and fractionalisation of a political party and explained the reasons that can warrant the defection of any elected member of the national or state assembly without suffering the consequences as stated in section 68 (1)g of our constitution.

“It stated that fractionalisation of a party could not have warranted any lawmaker to change his or her party but held that, factionalisation through which a legislator can decamp must be in conformity with the section 68(2) of the constitution which states that, there must be a division in the party.

“What factionalisation or division means here is that, there must be a parrallel executive from the national to the ward level within the affected political party before the constitutional requirements that permits defection without forfeiture of one’s seat could be met.

“And as at today, there is no such ground in the APC to allow Saraki and others to change from the party through which they became legislators without losing their seats in the National Assembly.

They could participate in a new election to fill their seats in their new parties.”

On the possibility of having the INEC budget for the 2019 general elections

Sen Arise

passed into law because of the current stand-off between the National Assembly and the Executive arm, Sen. Arise noted that, the constitution allowed the

President to spend up to 50 per cent of previous budget proposal in the event of a delay in passing a current budget by the lawmakers.

‘Lack of continuity in government policies, bane of Nigeria’s devt’ Continued from page 17

of goods that are imported to one that are absolutely manufactured here to create a self sufficiency and export that really would create prosperity overall.

There is something you were pointing out about the lack of proper transition from one government to the other.

I am not entirely sure about how that issue has to be addressed, because if you had a body you know maybe the council of states who are there and they are supposed to be above all administrations and so when a new government comes on board, they can sit the government down and say please whatever you do, don’t dump everything that these guys have done. Look at the good things and so on to add to it. Take for example the situation that we in the power sector where successive administrations have spends billions and billions of dollars chasing what is now becoming like a fathom objective of having self sufficiency in the availability of power. If successive governments did not dump what the other people had invested in, then you could say outright this power situation we need to spend so much going forward and we need not re-award the contract to

somebody else, but to go back to the same person who was doing it. Say this is where you are, sit down now, call the person from the last administration, this is how much you say you paid this guy and we’ll now know that you are acting based on the requirement for us to do the best for our country, not a requirement for us to compete, to say oh this man is PDP, this man is APGA, this man is this. No. We put the requirement of our country first and above all else and above party loyalties.

Don’t you think that a situation where there is lack of independence in the arms of government that implement laws and policies and melt out punishment to those who are found wanting, that the lack of independence of certain bodies make it difficult for them to put their feets down that certain things must be done right?

You see when people talk and they emphasise the need for punishment, I think it’s really not the right thing to say. That’s my own way of talking about development in the country. If people do things and do it wrong, if you have the opportunity, come and do it right. But don’t emphasise the requirement to go backwards and punish

them. No there’s no need to punish them. Do the right thing so that people can see for themselves the difference between what you have done and what that person has left undone.

So all I can say is that we just do not seem to emphasis for the requirement for us to be competitive, for individual resource persons to have capacity, because if we did, then issues around where one comes from, issues around federal character, all of those things will be relegated to the background.

All we have to do is get maximum benefits for all Nigerians for any penny that we spend on their behalf.

But why do you think this is difficult to do? To get things done properly because successive governments come, make promises, at the end of the day, perhaps when they were coming the intention was good, at the end of the day, we are back to where we were?

It is really a very sad situation to be in. You know when you look at neighbouring countries like Ghana, just down the road, just go to Ghana, come out of the airport, you will see one small area and the amount of development that they have managed to build in that area, not only in terms of physical infrastructure, but in the way things are done,

because in defined analysis, what you really want is to see processes that work. So you see that the Ghanaians are absolutely making giant strides. Somebody really said something to me the other day that absolutely struck me. I never ever thought about it and he says to me, have you ever seen a Ghanian minister or a Ghanian civil service person or a Ghanaian coming from Ghana to Nigeria to have a weekend? I was so surprised because actually it doesn’t happen. The reason why it doesn’t happen is that Nigerians now like to go to Ghana, weekdays, weekends they can relax.

There is no crime, there is no problem, everybody is making headway and then when you expect that they would have been coming to see us like we like to go to America, because the tendency is, in an area, people like to go to the most advanced places, but nobody comes here because people only come here if there is an opportunity to make mega dollars.

They come over here to come and enjoy. We have to address this issue. There are some basic requirements that we need to engender in our society, relaxed atmosphere, convivial atmosphere for people to enjoy, a reduction in poverty in our land, because our people are absolutely wretched, poor,

a conducive environment for businesses to grow, institutions, the growth of businesses that are already in existence, the growth of businesses that want to enter markets, we really need all of those things.

And perhaps these things revolve around creation of jobs?

Absolutely, you can’t go beyond it. We are wasting money on things that are not really very important. You know we should be paying a lot of attention to developing private sector capacity in the oil sector mostly. We should be talking about deregulation in the petroleum products industry, because a lot hangs around deregulation, it’s because we have a system where billions and billions and trillions are being paid out in subsidy, up until recently it was very apparent that money was being paid because private sector operators were in the industry and they were importing and buying and of cause incurring cost which have to be, but now you see we have a situation where I think the NNPC is doing most of that work.

But it doesn’t mean that the subsidy is still not being paid. The subsidy is being accrued so that it’s not appearing to you, because you don’t see money going, but in terms of resources that ought to reside in

government’s hand that subsidy is absolutely eating it all up. So we really need to make those structural changes to our economy and I think the issue of deregulation must be tackled head on.

We cannot continue to pretend that by subsidising petroleum products that we are helping the masses.

The masses don’t derive any benefit from it. The person who derives the greatest benefits from subsidising the fuel is the person who drives into the filling station and fills up his tank and most of the time it’s a private sector person who owns his car or a bus owner who has a bus service. The poor man is sitting inside and there is no mechanism that will compel the owner of the bus to transfer that subsidy to the poor man, because if you think that the owner of the bus will wake up one day and say oh I’ve just bought fuel cheap let me give you discount, no, he takes on top of whatever he has so the poor man continues to remain poor.

So we must recover that money and that money could very well go towards paying lots of programmes that would really impact the lives of poor people.

ARTS & CULTURE TIMES g19

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Ooni to unveil Ojaja Fashion Institute as he signs MoU with Jordanian Prince Chris Onuoha His Imperial Majesty the Ooni of Ife will be declaring open another initiative from the House of Oduduwa Foundation called the Ojaja Fashion Institute during Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) that holds on September 16, 2018.

According to the CEO of the house of Oduduwa foundation, Prince Jide Fadairo; “The establishment of Ife based Ojaja Fashion Institute is a landmark and unprecedented development for young people based in a rural environment.

The primary focus is to develop the fashion clothing making skills of young people to not only develop a new skill-set for themselves, but also to enable them to cater for their collective community in terms of manufacturing for event-based occurrences such as the numerous cultural festivals, weddings, funerals and corporate events prevalent in their society. The bigger picture and vision of this initiative is to eventually develop the group into commercialized manufacturing both for fashion demand but also state and federal requirements for uniforms and so on.”

Continuing, Prince Fadairo said; “An initiative of this nature has not been engaged thus far to develop the skill levels of young people which hitherto have only been available in major cities like Lagos and Abuja. It will therefore fill a significant gap in this category and moving forward; will place the members of the institute in good stead for the future. Another unique element of fashion design is that it offers the students the exciting opportunity of not only creating contemporary trends but to also develop numerous young entrepreneurs into the informal and formal sectors.”

Prince Fadairo stressed further that a career in fashion designing begins the process where the Ojaja Fashion Institute trainees may develop into the higher stages of fashion industry. “These fashion designing students could take up positions as fashion designers, fashion coordinators, stylists, merchandisers, textile analysts, pattern maker, production managers, production managers, store managers and fashion illustrated and if interested they could also become fashion journalists,” Fadairo concludes.

However, in continuation of His imperial majesty’s effort to bring meaninsful development to his people, the Arole Oodua and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has established a business partnership with an Arab billionaire, His Excellency, Honorable Sharif Ahmad Bin Jaber Al Natour to create massive job opportunities for the youths in Yorubaland and in Nigeria in general.

The partnership between Ooni Ogunwusi and the Jordanian business mongul cum philatropist was formally announced during an unveiling ceremony that took place at the Ile-Oodua palace in Ile-Ife on Monday August 27, during which they both signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The wealthy Jordanian prince based in Morocco who owns Global Trade

R-L: Chairman of GDTC Investment and investor in Green Projects, Sherif Ahmad Bin Al-Natour; President Muhammadu Buhari and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) during their visit to the President at the State House, Abuja.

And Development Corporation (GTDC) group that recently disbursed US$800m fund for commercial ventures in livestock, sugar and sugarcane in North Central Timor Global conglomerate was in the country on a 3 day visit to meet the Ooni and President Muhamadu Buhari on various areas of possible collaboration.

GDTC is a global company with presence in over 176 countries of the world with immense investment in human development and infrastructural facilities.

Al Natour said he has visited Ooni of Ife because of the king’s efforts in unifying the Africans in Diaspora through his peace and unity agenda.

He further stated his commitment to build green cities in Nigeria under the auspices of GDTC Investment Nigeria Limited as a collective instrument of social, humanitarian, industrial and commercial projects to provide happiness and new lease of lives to millions of Nigerians through his partnership and collaboration with Ooni Ogunwusi through GDTC Investment Nigeria Limited.

“I have met many kings and world leaders but Ooni of Ife dazzles me most. I love him so much. I follow his activities a lot. He goes around the world to unify Africans in Diaspora through his peace and unity agenda.

I also love his Youth development quest. That is why I am here at Ile-Ife to partner with him on green energy and green environment for the benefit of the good people of Yoruba and Nigeria.” Al Natour said He went further to admit Ile-Ife as his second home and assured that with the MoU, the technological hub in its first phase is expected to facilitate massive employment of youths in Nigeria.

“I have built schools, hospitals

and houses around 168 countries in six continents of the world. My focus now is to come home which is Ile-Ife to partner with this globally respected monarch who preaches peace around the globe. Ooni is not just my business partner; he is also my father who has assured me of his unflinching support to invest heavily in the continent in the area of Agriculture and renewable energy technology that will promote international trade in Africa. With this MoU signed today with Ooni, our planned technological hub in its first phase will surely facilitate massive employment of youths in Nigeria.” Al Natour assured.

Ooni Ogunwusi while signing the MOU expressed optimism that the project would spur development across Nigeria and Africa at large. He explained that his partnership with the international business magnate was fastracked to ensure that the success of the project can start benefiting the teeming unemployed youths as soon as possible.

“I am very proud to be associated with the new birth of GDTC investment in Nigeria. I will work with you on a very long time basis not on a short time basis. We need a lot of investments to make sure that things are properly done

“

in this part of the world. We need a lot of private and public partnership for large transactions, provide jobs for the youths, provide a lot of humanitarian services for them. We need to also see how to reform the mindset of our youth very positively. I am so impressed with the green energy and green city you want to partner with us which will help our teeming youths to be gainfully employed.

“We are blessed in Nigeria to have a philanthropist like you who wants to start philanthropic works in our country, starting from this kingdom of Ile-Ife which is the traditional home for the Yoruba people and which is the source of your forefathers too.”

“Because I want my people in Yorubaland to benefit from this gesture; that was why I first brought you home before taking you to meet with Mr. President in Abuja,” Ooni said.

The Spiritual leader of Yoruba race globally and Co-chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria said Nigeria needs a lot of public private partnership (PPP) to boost the country’s economy, describing wealth as vanity if it cannot be used for humanity.

“This life is full of vanity and the only thing you can do to be remembered for is your service to humanity.” Ooni said.

We are blessed in Nigeria to have a philanthropist like you who wants to start philanthropic works in our country, starting from this kingdom of Ile-Ife which is the traditional home for the Yoruba people and which is the source of your forefathers too.

”

Classified MRS OBIJIOGU GRACE Formerly known and addressed as MISS IZUKA UZOAMAKA GRACE Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBIJIOGU GRACE UZOAMAKA. All former document remain valid, General public and Authority concerned please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Abiola Abigail Now wish to be known and addressed as Adekanbi Abiola Abigail.All former documents remain valid General public and WEMA BANK to note.

IDOWU WAKILU Formerly known and addressed as IDOWU WAKEEL AJAGUN Now wish to be known and addressed as IDOWU WAKILU AJANI.All former documents remain valid General public and Authority concerned please take note

NWANKWO MERCY I formerly known called and addressed as OVILI MERCY CHINENYE. Now wish to be known called and addressed as NWANKWO MERCY CHINENYE. former documents remain valid.

General public take note

Adekanbi Abiola

UWAKWE EBERE I, formerly known and addressed as ONAGA EBERE., now wishes to be known and addressed as UWAKWE EBERE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

MRS CALISTA IJEOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CALISTA IJEOMA NJOKU, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS CALISTA IJEOMA CHIDI. All former documents remain valid.

BANKS and General public should please take note.

NZE SAMPSON I, formerly known and addressed as NWANZE SAMPSON NKEMAKOLAM, now wish to be known and addressed as NZE SAMPSON NKEMAKOLAM. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

EFFIONG BEATRICE

I, formerly known and addressed as BEATRICE JAMES MARTINS., now wish to be known and addressed as EFFIONG BEATRICE JAMES. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OHAJI NKIRUKA

I, formerly known and addressed as EJIOFFOR LYDIA NKIRU, now wish to be known and addressed as OHAJI NKIRUKA LYDIA.. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

ADEYEMI TEMITOPE I formerly known and addressed as ADEYEMI TEMITOPE GOLD now wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI TEMITOPE HAWAU all former document remain valid general public should please take note

MRS. CHINEDU ULOMA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OBASI EMMANUELA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHINEDU ULOMA EMMANUELA. . All former documents remain valid.

BANKS and General public should please take note.

NGWU EMMANUEL

20

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

Johnson Funmilayo Formerly known and addressed as Miss Fadaka Abosede Elizabeth. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Johnson Funmilayo Elizabeth.All former documents remain valid General public and Authority concerned please take note.

OHAJI NKIRUKA

I formerly known and addressed as EJIOFFOR LYDIA NKIRU now wish to be known and addresed as OHAJI NKIRUKA LYDIA. My correct date of birth is 28TH OCT. 1978 .All former document remains valid, Banks and general public take note.

CHIKE CHEKWUBE

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIKE CHEKWUBE NANCY, now wishes to be known and addressed as CHIKE CHEKWUBE EVELYN. All former documents remain valid.

BANKS and General public should please take note.

NNAJI JOSEPH

I, formerly known and addressed as ENEH JOSEPH AMAECHI, now wishes to be known and addressed as NNAJI JOSEPH AMAECHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OGWU MARIUS

I, formerly known and addressed as MARISON OGWU NWOKORO and OGWU MARISON NWOKORO, now wishes to be known and addressed as OGWU MARIUS NWOKORO. My correct date of birth is 9/10/1984.

All former documents remain valid.

BANKS and General public should please take note.

MRS UGWU CHINWE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ONYEAMA CHINWE GLORIA, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS UGWU CHINWE GLORIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ODOEMENA EBUKA I, formerly known and addressed as ODOEMENA CHUKWUEBUKA EMMANUEL,now wish to be known and addressed as ODOEMENA EBUKA EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

MRS OTARERI HAPPINESS I, formerly known and addressed as ANI HAPPINESS IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OTARERI HAPPINESS IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

MRS EKUFRE WILLIAMS

ANICHUKWU ROSEMARY I, formerly known and addressed as OGBODO ROSEMARY , now wish to be known and addressed as ANICHUKWU ROSEMARY. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OBODO FRANCA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AGU FRANCA OGOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBODO FRANCA OGOCHUKWU . All former documents remain valid. Banks and General public should please take note

This is to certify and confirm that CHIBUGO NWOSU and CHIBUGO UKAMAKA EJISOBY-NWOSU refers as one and the same person now wish to be known and addressed as CHIBUGO UKAMAKA EJISOBY-NWOSU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKORIE CHIOMA SUSAN l formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR CHIOMA Now wish to be known and addressed as OKORIE CHIOMA SUSAN DAMILOLA. All former document remain valid, general public kindly please take note.

ALAGA OLALEKAN I formerly known and addressed as ALAGA OLALEKAN IBRAHIM wish to be known and addressed as ALAGA OLALEKAN NURUDEEN. All former document remain valid, general public kindly please take note.

Mrs. Chukwuebuka Maureen

WE formerly known and addressed as NWAFOR HENRY IZUCHUKWU NWAFOR CHISOM GABRIELA NWAFOR JANE-FRANCES CHINAZA NWAFOR PERPETUA UCHECHI NWAFOR FELICITY UGOCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as EGBUHELU HENRY IZUCHUKWU EGBUHELU CHISOM GABRIELA EGBUHELU JANE-FRANCES CHINAZA EGBUHELU PERPETUA UCHECHI EGBUHELU FELICITY UGOCHI. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

ANYAJI ROY

EBEH STELLA

I, formerly known and addressed as EBE STELLA CHIDIMMA, now wishes to be known and addressed as EBEH STELLA CHIDIMMA. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

Mayowa Ajoke

Formerly known and addressed as Mayowa Ajoke SALAWU Now wish to be known and addressed as Mayowa Ajoke ILORI .All former documents remain valid General public and Authority concerned please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ANYAJI ROY CECIL IFECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as ANYAJI ROY CECIL. My correct date of birth is 08/08/1996. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME:

FAMILY CHANGE OF NAME

MRS SALUFU ESTHER

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS JOSHUA ESTHER CHIWENDU, now wishes to be known and addressed as MRS SALUFU ESTHER CHIWENDU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NWAFOR EMMANUEL

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EKUFRE MATHIAS EKPO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKUFRE WILLIAMS BENJAMIN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note

BABATUNDE HAKEEM I formerly known and addressed as TUNDE AKEEM YUSUF now wish to be known and addressed as BABATUNDE HAKEEM REMILEKUN,that my correct date of birth is 01/05/1983 and not 01/11/1982 all former document remain valid general public should please take note

MRS EKOH

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EZEH DORIS ROSEMARY and EZEH CHINENYE DORIS ROSEMARY, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKOH DORIS CHINENYE .. All former documents remain valid. BANKS and General public should please take note.

MISS LIADI RASHIDAT

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS AJALARURU RASHIDAT NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS LIADI RASHIDAT OLABISI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

I, formerly known and addressed as ANIKWE BLESSING, now wish to be known and addressed as NWAFOR EMMANUEL EZICHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NGWU COLLINS OGECHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NGWU EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

This is to confirm that the names: ENWEREUZO ELIJAH CHIBUIKE and NWANKWO ELIJAH CHIBUIKE refer to one and thesame person,now wish to be known and addressed as ENWEREUZO ELIJAH CHIBUIKE.Former documents remains valid.The general public should please take note

SIKIRU AMINAT

Formerly known and addressed as OYEYEMI OLUWASEUN AJOKE Now wish to be known and addressed as SIKIRU AMINAT AJOKE.My date of birth is 20th July 1983.All former documents remain valid General public and Authority concerned please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obi Maureen Chioma , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwuebuka Maureen Chioma . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Akanbi Samuel

I Formerly Known as Olufemi Samuel Olufemi Wish Now To Be Called Akanbi Samuel Olufemi. All former document remain valid general public should please take note

EZUGWU CHIAMAKA

I formerly known and addressed as NWOBODO CHIAMAKA NANCY now wish to be known and addressed as EZUGWU CHIAMAKA NANCY all former document remain valid general public should please take note

CAVEAT EMPTOR

The General Public is hereby Notified that the properties, assets, goods, wares and businesses of the estate of Mr John Nwerem Nwanneka (deceased) are not for sale, lease, pledge, transfer or to be dealt with in a manner such that proprietary and beneficial title, rights, interests of the estate Mr John Nwerem Nwanneka (deceased) in the said properties, assets businesses whatsoever are permanently or temporarily alienated, suspended, transferred or otherwise altered.

These properties, assets, and businesses comprised in moveable and immoveable items such as landed properties, cars, shops, chattels, fixtures, etc. are located particularly in Lagos, Anambra, Abia States, etc., Nigeria and elsewhere. Anyone who deals with any of the said properties, assets, wares, goods and businesses of Mr John Nwerem Nwanneka (deceased) in the manner described above in disregard of this notice does so at his/ her own risk and should not expect to, as the case may be, transfer or acquire equitable or legal title, rights, ownership, benefits over the said properties, assets, goods, wares, businesses, etc.

Signed L. U. Agu, Esq. Solicitor to the Estate Mr John Nwerem Nwanneka

MUHAMMED BALA MALA

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MALA MOUD , NOW WISH TO BE CALLED AND ADDRESS AS MUHAMMED BALA MALA . ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Chilaka Odigonma I formerly known and addressed as Onyeabo Ogadinma Steven now wish to be known and addressed as Chilaka Odigonma Stephen all former document remain valid general public should please take note EZUGWU CHIAMAKA I formerly known and addressed as NWOBODO CHIAMAKA NANCY now wish to be known and addressed as EZUGWU CHIAMAKA NANCY all former document remain valid general public should please take note

MOTHER’S ELITE FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. LADY MOTHER DAN -EGWU (LSM) 2. SIR DANIEL EGWU (kSM) 3. OkOBIRIBA SAM WARMATE 4. MOTHER OLUCHI DAN -EGWU 5. DANIEL DAN-EGWU 6. MRS INE PETERS 7. PROF REBECCA IWUCHUKU 8. DANIELLA DAN-EGWU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: I.TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF AGED PERSONS IN NIGERIA. 2.TO PROVIDE QUALITY LIFE LONG SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AGED PERSONS. 3. TO PLAN AND ORGANISE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES INCLUDING BIRTHDAYS, WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, VISITATION FOR THE AGED PERSONS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: CHAIRMAN. 23/8/I8 TURSDAY

BALA SUCCESS FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

TRUSTEES: 1. DR. BALA SUCCESS ABRAHAM 2. ABE ARIIKE ABOSEDE 3. MR ABASS AKINOLA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO ASSIST AND SUPPOR THE LESS PRIVILEGE IN THE SOCIETY THROUGH SKILL ACQUISITION AND ENTERPREURSHIP PROGRAM. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA, P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. KINGSLEY ONOJAKPOR.

free space

free space

FOREIGN TIMES

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

g21

South Sudanese rebels ‘approve’ peace deal with govt

Bobi Wine ‘blocked’ from leaving for torture treatment The family of Robert Kyagulanyi, a Ugandan pop star-turnedopposition legislator, fears for his safety after he was blocked from boarding a flight to the United States and brought to a government hospital where he was detained, his lawyer said.

Kyagulanyi, whose stage name is Bobi Wine, was stopped while trying to board a flight at Entebbe airport on Thursday.

He was reportedly on his way to the US to receive treatment for his injuries from alleged torture, his lawyers said.

Wine’s detention at the hospital remains a worry for his family now, said his lawyer Robert Amsterdam.

“When the very doctors who supervised the torture are being asked to opine on his medical condition, there’s absolutely no way we or anyone competent would agree to that,” said Amsterdam, speaking to Al Jazeera from the British capital, London.

“There’s no independent body here.

These are doctors connected to Ugandan special forces. We are not going to let them near him. We know that they injected him with God knows what when he was being he was tortured before.

“Burn marks are showing up on his body. We want to get him out. We want to get him to an independent clinic for assessment.”

Kyagulanyi’s Ugandan lawyer Nicholas Opiyo said that police “violently abducted” the politician and put him in a police ambulance at the airport.

“The Uganda Police have violently

blocked Bobi Wine from travelling outside of the country in spite of the court declining to do so when being released on bail earlier in the week,” said Opiyo. “This is absurd, to say the least.”

Kyagulanyi’s wife, Barbara, said in a Facebook post that security forces “manhandled” her husband, who “groaned in pain” as he shouted for help.

Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The 36-year-old opposition leader was freed on bail on Monday but faced no travel restrictions after he and more than 30 other legislators were arrested over an incident in which the president’s motorcade was pelted with stones and Kyagulanyi’s driver was shot dead.

A lawyer for Kyagulanyi called the charge false.

Fresh protests across Kampala took place on Friday with Kyagulanyi’s supporters burning tires and setting up barricades across streets.

“There’s a huge military and police presence at this [government] hospital,” said Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi, reporting from Nairobi, in neighbouring Kenya.

“Kyagulanyi’s personal doctors recommended that he needs further treatment, but police say they do not have that instruction,” she said.

The police action has escalated a political dispute between the government of longtime President Yoweri Museveni and a youthful generation that fears he intends to rule for lifeafter 32 years in power.

Kyagulanyi emerged as a powerful opposition voice among youth

frustrated by Museveni, especially after the constitution was changed last year to remove an age limit on the presidency.

The singer won a parliament seat last year without the backing of a political party.

On Thursday, another legislator, Francis Zaake, was barred from boarding a plane to India, with authorities saying he was a suspect in a criminal case.

Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said on Twitter that Zaake, who has not been charged with a crime, escaped police custody “and should be arrested at the earliest”.

After the outcry over Kyagulanyi’s treatment at the airport, Opondo said both he and Zaake can travel “after government doctors have examined them to ascertain their medical conditions”.

Both men had been hospitalised with serious injuries they said they sustained at the hands of security forces during detention.

Kyagulanyi’s lawyer Amsterdam said the “authorities were not legally justified” in barring his client from leaving the country.

“We’ve seen this before in other countries where there has been torture, governments are very concerned about that information getting out,” he told Al Jazeera.

The speaker of Uganda’s parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, in a letter to Museveni this week described Zaake as “gravely ill” and said Kyagulanyi “has visible signs of torture and beatings”.

The government has denied the allegations of torture.

Germany to raise funds for Palestinian refugee agency Germany will provide additional funding for the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency and has appealed to other EU members to do the same following a cut in US aid, its foreign ministry said Friday.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has been struggling to balance its books since the United States announced in January it was cutting its annual funding by $300 million (260 million euros).

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a letter to European Union colleagues that the agency was a “key factor

for stability” in the Middle East whose breakdown could entail an “uncontrollable chain reaction.”

Maas did not say how much money Germany would give in addition to 81 million euros it has already provided so far this year, but appealed to the EU to jointly support the agency to make up the deficit.

The foreign ministry confirmed the content of the letter.

UNRWA director Pierre Krahenbuhl said Thursday that the agency needs $200 million to continue its work until the end of this year.

The agency supports some five million registered Palestinian refugees and provides schooling for 526,000 children in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

But UNRWA has warned it currently only has the funds to keep its 711 schools open for the next month.

Jordan’s foreign minister said Thursday that his country would host a fundraiser at the United Nations headquarters in New York on September 27 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to keep the agency afloat.

South Sudanese rebels have approved a peace deal with Juba that is expected to be formally signed at a summit of regional leaders.

Sudan’s Foreign Minister AlDirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, who is mediating the negotiations, said rebels had signed a key document aimed at ending the country’s devastating five-year civil war on Thursday.

“By signing this document today, we have reached the conclusion of these negotiations, which consisted of two rounds, one about the outstanding issues and the other on the subsequent issues,” Ahmed told reporters in Khartoum.

“The final signing of the peace deal will happen at a summit of IGAD,” he added.

Rebel leader Riek Machar had caused anxiety among negotiators on Tuesday by refusing to sign, but the agreement went ahead.

Remaining rebels concerns are expected to be fully addressed later by the East African regional bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The rebels had differences over the functioning of a proposed transitional government, how many states the country should be divided into, and on the writing of a new constitution.

The peace deal agreed earlier this month allowed for the creation of a transitional government.

“The concerns of these parties will be discussed at IGAD summit,” Ahmed said.

The warring parties have already inked several agreements, including a permanent ceasefire and a powersharing deal that will see Machar return as first vice president.

Civil war Sudan has been instrumental in brokering peace talks between South Sudan’s warring factions.

South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013, shortly after independence in 2011, after President Salva Kiir accused Machar, then his deputy, of plotting a coup.

Years of civil war has left tens of thousands of people dead, and about 4 million South Sudanese have fled the fighting.

Previous agreements have collapsed after warring parties failed to respect them and numerous ceasefires have been broken.

South Sudan resumed pumping 20,000 barrels a day of crude oil from the Toma South oilfield last week, where production had been suspended since 2013 due to the civil war.

Income from oil accounts for 98 percent of the country’s budget.

Washington pays tribute to McCain, Trump absent A bitterly divided US Congress came together on Friday to commemorate the late Senator John McCain, remembering him as a tenacious fighter for his ideals who never lost his sense of humor or his ability to inspire others.

Leaders from both parties gathered in the US Capitol Rotunda on Friday to honor McCain on the third of five days of memorial celebrations in Arizona and Washington for the Vietnam War hero and two-time Republican presidential candidate.

President Donald Trump was missing from the ceremony, a result of the animosity between the two men that lingered even after the Arizona senator’s death on Saturday from brain cancer.

Trump will also miss Saturday’s service at the Washington National Cathedral, where former President Barack Obama, the Democrat who defeated McCain in 2008, and Republican President George W. Bush, who beat McCain in the 2000 Republican presidential primary, will pay tribute to McCain.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who often fought with

McCain over issues such as campaign finance reform and Obama’s health care overhaul, praised him as a “generational leader” in the Senate.

“He would fight tooth and nail for his vision of the common good. Depending on the issue, you knew John would either be your staunchest ally or your most stubborn opponent,” McConnell said.

“At any moment, he might be preparing an eloquent reflection on human liberty or a devastating joke, served up with his signature cackle and that John McCain glint in his eye,” he said.

Friday’s events in the Capitol also will feature remarks by fellow Republicans Vice President Mike Pence and House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, marking McCain’s 35-year career in Congress.

After the ceremony, the public will pass through the Rotunda for six hours to pay their respects to McCain by filing past his coffin, which was brought into the Rotunda and placed atop a pine board catafalque originally constructed in 1865 for President Abraham Lincoln’s casket.

SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

2019 AFCON Qualifier: NFF advance team off to Seychelles

A two-man advance party of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to depart for the capital city of Seychelles ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles will on Sept. 8 take on the Pirates of Seychelles in a crucial AFCON qualifying match at the Stade Linite, Victoria.

NFF’s Director of Communications Ademola Olajire on Friday in Abuja said the advance party led by the Director of Competitions, Ayobola Oyeyode, will depart

the country at the weekend.

“The advance party has been mandated to engage with the officials of the Seychelles Football Federation on all matters of logistics regarding the comfortable stay and conducive preparation atmosphere for the Super Eagles ahead of the match.

“Matters such as accommodation, feeding, local transportation, training pitch and security will be addressed. The team will also assess the match venue and pass information to the Eagles’ technical crew.

“Nigeria-based members of the Super Eagles’ technical

g22

crew and backroom staff will depart Nigeria on Sunday, to prepare for the arrival of the players who are expected to start arriving on Monday.

“Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa will travel with the crew that will fly from Abuja,’’ Olajire said in a statement.

NAN also reports that the Seychelles Football Federation had already scheduled the Group E, Matchday 2 encounter for the Stade Linite in Victoria, which is capital city.

The match kicks off at 4.30 p.m. Seychelles time (1.30 p.m. Nigeria time) on Sept. 8 (NAN)

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama quit Lille by mutual consent 36 year old former captain and goalkeeper of the Nigerian team Vincent Enyeama has left French Ligue 1 side Lille following the mutual termination of his contract with the team.

Enyeama was injured for majority of last season although he was deemed surplus to requirements by former coach

Marcelo Bielsa alongside ten other first team players.

He returned for pre season training with the team in preparation for the start of the French Ligue 1 and many thought he will see out the remaining one year of his contract at the modest French side.

However, the club released a statement earlier today

Europa League: Arsenal drawn with Sporting Lisbon The complete draw for the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League group stage, made in Monaco on Friday: Group A: Bayer Leverkusen (GER), Ludogorets (BUL), FC Zurich (SUI), Larnaca (CYP) Group B: Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), Celtic (SCO), RB Leipzig (GER), Rosenborg (NOR) Group C: Zenit St Petersburg (RUS), FC Copenhagen (DEN), Bordeaux (FRA), Slavia Prague (CZE) Group D: Anderlecht (BEL), Fenerbahce (TUR), Dinamo Zagreb (CRO), Spartak Trnava (SVK) Group E: Arsenal (ENG), Sporting Lisbon (POR), Qarabag (AZE), Vorskla Poltava (UKR)

confirming they have part ways with the former Nigeria number one who has been at the club for seven years.

Both parties agreed to terminate the remainder of his contract making him a free agent and initial reports has it that a couple of teams are already weighing up move for ace shot stopper.

Group F: Olympiakos (GRE), AC Milan (ITA), Real Betis (ESP), Dudelange (LUX) Group G: Villarreal (ESP), Rapid Wien (AUT), Spartak Moscow (RUS), Rangers (SCO) Group H: Lazio (ITA), Marseille (FRA), Eintracht Frankfurt (GER), Apollon (CYP) Group I: Besiktas(TUR), Genk (BEL), Malmo (SWE), Sarpsborg (NOR) Group J: Sevilla (ESP), Krasnodar (RUS), Standard Liege (BEL), Akhisar Belediyespor (TUR) Group K: Dynamo Kiev (UKR), Astana (KAZ), Rennes (FRA), Jablonec (CZE) Group L: Chelsea (ENG), PAOK Salonika (GRE), BATE Borisov (BLR) and Vidi (HUN) First round of matches on September 20.

Golden Eaglets arrive Niamey for WAFU Zone B U-17 tourney The contingent of Nigeria’s U-17 boys Golden Eaglets has arrived in Niamey, Niger Republic for the WAFU Zone B U-17 Tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the tournament which is expected to run from September 2 to September 15, serves as the qualifying competition for the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

Ademola Olajire,

Nigeria Football Federation’s Director of Communications, said on Friday in Abuja that some of the players and officials departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the early hours of Friday.

Olajire said: “A total of 16 players and members of the technical crew as well as backroom staff departed Abuja aboard an ASKY Airline flight.

“The remaining four players as well as Head Coach, Manu Garba and Team Administrator, Sirajo Hassan, who could not travel on Friday as there were not enough seats available on the flight, will fly from Abuja on Saturday.’’

NAN also reports that a new format had been approved for the competition at the CAF Extra-Ordinary General Assembly which took place in Rabat in July 2017.

The new format sees countries in each regional block gather in one country within the block to play a qualifying tournament as against the old format of home-and-away qualifying series.

Only the winning team from each of the blocks (apart from the block of the defending champions that will produce two teams) will qualify for the final tournament slated for Tanzania next year.

The Eaglets will play their first match of the tournament on September 3, against their Burkina Faso counterparts before taking on Cote d’Ivoire on September 6 and Benin Republic on September 9.

Host Niger Republic will trade tackles with Ghana’s Black Starlets and the Baby Hawks of Togo in the 7-Nation WAFU Zone B.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, September 1, 2018

23 Sports Times

Football: Bolt makes Mariners debut in friendly Olympic sprint champion, Usain Bolt, came off the bench to commence his football career with Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in a pre-season friendly at Gosford on Friday.

However, Bolt later conceded that he would need more time to get up to speed.

The 32-year-old Jamaican, who is hoping to win a professional contract ahead of the Mariners’ 2018-19 A-League campaign, was greeted by a crowd of nearly 10,000 as he stepped onto the pitch.

The match played at the team’s base north of Sydney, saw Bolt coming in as a substitute in the 72nd minute against an amateur select side.

With the Mariners already leading 6-0, a relaxed Bolt pulled off a few step-overs on the left wing and was inches away from connecting with a close-range tap-in.

There were a few heavy touches and the occasional loss of possession in the final few minutes, which showed Bolt still has plenty of work to do.

After the Mariners sealed a 6-1 victory, Bolt acknowledged that he would need at least, four months to build up his fitness levels and perform at his peak on the football pitch.

“Probably four or five months… to get fit, two months. Four months from now, I’ll be playing like one of the guys,” he said.

“It was good; it was what I expected.

I was a bit nervous, but as soon as I got on the field it went away.

“My fitness is much better. The more I play, listen and train the better I’ll get,” he said.

Bolt’s attempt to transform himself from global athletics superstar to professional football player has generated huge publicity for the struggling Mariners, who finished bottom of the 10-team A-league last season.

It has also drawn scepticism, with Adelaide United coach, Marco Kurz, questioning Bolt’s open-ended trial, saying the A-League should focus on recruiting proven talents and improving Australian youngsters.

(Reuters/NAN)

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘furious’ at losing to Luka Modric for UEFA player of year

Cristiano Ronaldo was hopping mad at losing out to Croatia star Luka Modric for the UEFA Player of the Year, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri revealed on Friday.

Real Madrid and Croatia midfield star Modric beat his former teammate Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to the prize which was awarded on Thursday in Monaco.

“Yesterday he (Ronaldo) was very angry, and it’s only normal,” said Allegri.

“He scored 15 goals in the Champions League and won the trophy with his teammates.

“The attitude of Ronaldo shows how much he continues to strive and work to be still the best. This is an advantage for us.”

Allegri added that the choice of Modric was “a personal choice” of those who voted “and, as such, must be respected.”

Ronaldo, 33, had the consolation of being awarded the prize for best striker

chosen by journalists and Champions League and Europa League coaches from last season.

Modric’s success, after he was named the best player at the World Cup, means that the 32-year-old should be among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, a prize dominated by Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over the last decade.

Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the world player of the year award, signed for Italian champions Juventus this summer from Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($116.5 million).

The Portuguese superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes slammed the decision as “simply ridiculous”.

“He scored 15 goals, carrying Real Madrid to the Champions League win once again,” Mendes told Portuguese daily Record.

“This is not the winner, he’s (Modric) the best player in the world in his position,” said Mendes.

Ronaldo had won the UEFA award three times in the previous four years.

Hockey official sets 2020 Olympics target for Team Nigeria Jose Mourinho: I’m still ‘one of Prof. Edigba Agbo, the Technical and injected a lot of young blood into the corporate bodies, so when we want to talk greatest managers in the world’ Director, Nigerian Hockey Federation team. to them, they usually are not willing to on Friday said Nigeria will be ready to compete favourably with the best in the world at the 2020 Olympics.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2020 Summer Olympics, is expected to hold in Tokyo from July 24 to Aug. 9.

Agbo who spoke to NAN in an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing Nigeria Hockey Super League in Abuja on Friday said he was impressed with the quality of the teams participating at the ongoing tournament.

He said that with the teams’ level and quality of play, he was confident that the future was bright for the game in the country.

“Let me start by saying, we are operating the tournament on a very low budget as we have really been strapped for cash.

“Outside the budgeting problem, I am really happy that we had the tournament because, for one thing the skill levels this year have surpassed that of last year, but that is not even my joy.

“My greatest fulfillment is that the age of the teams is dropping as there are so many younger stars demonstrating extremely brilliant talents.

“So, they are giving us hope that in the next two to three years we would have finished overhauling our national team

“The skill levels that are coming up are much higher than the ones that are going out, so we believe that give or take by the year 2020 we should be up there competing with South Africa,’’ he said.

He noted that the country’s ranking was not really impressive at the moment as it had dropped significantly from what it used to be in the past.

“In November last year at the Nations Cup held in Egypt, our women came third after defeating Namibia in the third/fourth place play offs.

“However, in terms of ranking, the International Hockey Federation ranks us fourth behind South Africa, Ghana and Kenya.

“For the men, we are number five embarrassingly because we used to be up there in both the men and women category; it used to be South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.

“The lack of resources to train our teams made them begin to go down, but we are optimistic that we are going to grow our team” he said.

The technical director called on corporate organisations to help in the sponsorship of the federation’s programmes as it would help to empower the youth and make argument for the reduction of their tax by government.

“Hockey is not an attractive sport to

listen to us.

“We have most of the times through our own personal sourcing, run our programs, and this year’s Super League was not an exception.

“We would really be happy to have corporate bodies partner with us to develop Nigerian hockey.

“If they feel that they can partner with us and give us the resources, they are at liberty to put in their monitoring systems and conditions to evaluate what we are doing.

“If they are not satisfied at the end of the day, they are free to pull out, but they need to give us a try,’’ he said.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says he will be “one of the greatest managers in the world” even if he does not win the Premier League at the club.

United have lost two of their first three league games, their worst start to a season since 1992-93.

Defending his record, the 55-yearold said he was “the only manager to win titles in Italy, Spain and England”.

He also said finishing second in the top flight last season was “one of his

greatest achievements”.

“I had great success last season and that’s probably what you don’t want to admit,” the Portuguese added.

“Two seasons ago we had a fantastic season because we won the Europa League. We won it because it was our level. We are the last team in England to win a European competition.

“I’m the only manager to win eight titles in Italy, Spain and England – not small titles – and my second place last season was one of my greatest achievements.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

Charles R. Swindoll

https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

dailytimesnigeria

www.facebook.com/dailytimesngr

FLASHBACK in Times: September 1, 1958

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 741

N100

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS Plc. Corporate Office: 9 Osun Crescent, Maitama, Abuja Email: info@dailytimes.ng; DTNcontent@gmail.com Managing Editor: BONAVENTURE MELAH, Tel: 08036062975, Editor: TONY AMOKEODO, Tel: 08111811228, Email: tonyamok@gmail.com