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Anambra schoolgirls win gold at World Technovation challenge in US Mathew Dadiya with agency report Five Anambra schoolgirls from Regina Pacies Secondary School, Onitsha, who represented Nigeria and Africa at the World Technovation Challenge in the Silicon Valley in San Francisco, United States of America, on Thursday night, won the Gold Medal in the contest.

The team, led by Uchenna Onwuamaegbu Ugwu, defeated representatives of other technological giants including the USA, Spain, Turkey, Uzbekistan and China to clinch the gold medal.

The Anambra schoolgirls, who have now become Africa’s Golden Girls, are made up of five brilliant girls. They are Promise

Nnalue; Jessica Osita; Nwabuaku Ossai; Adaeze Onuigbo and Vivian Okoye.

The world champions, who are reported to be attracting a lot of attention in the world’s greatest technological hub, won the Challenge with a mobile application called the FD-Detector which they developed to help tackle the challenge of fake pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

Under the tutelage of Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu, the CEO of Edufun Technik STEM, the Golden Girls spent five months researching and developing FDDetector which swept through over 2000 competing applications to get to the finals in San Francisco.

Technovation is a programme that offers girls around the world the opportunity to CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Oshiomhole to Saraki: APC will impeach you through legal, g 3 democratic norm

NASS invasion: FG planning to frame us, Saraki, Ekweremadu allege g5

We did not freeze Benue Govt accounts – EFCC g5

4 killed as cultists renew Singer Niniola has got a g 11 rival clash in Bayelsa g 10 body to die for – Bode Blaq

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Anambra schoolgirls win gold at World Technovation challenge

Continued from page 1

learn the programming skills they need to emerge as tech-entrepreneurs and leaders.

Every year, girls are invited to identify a problem in their communities, and then challenge them to solve them by developing Andriod applications that would address those problems.

About 115 countries participated in the qualifiers but only 12 teams from all over the world were selected as finalists for the pitch in Silicon Valley.

The girls will also be attending Field trips, life-changing workshops including a networking session during their one week stay in USA.

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano had personally sent the schoolgirls off to the US in a brief ceremony at the last State Executive Council Meeting where he charged the girls to put Nigeria and Africa on the global technological map with their rare talent.

It is instructive to note that the Anambra schoolgirls developed a mobile application called ‘FD Detector’ to tackle the problem of fake pharmaceutical products in the country.

The young Nigerian girls were selected from 2,000 mobile app developers to represent Africa at the world pitch.

This is the first time a Junior Nigerian team will emerge among the finalists to visit Silicon Valley and

the Nigerian teenage girls will be pitching their app to investors in Silicon Valley, California.

Technovation is a programme that invites girls to identify a problem in their communities and then challenge them to solve them by developing apps.

According to Team SaveA-Soul, Nigeria has one of the largest markets for fake drugs.

The teenage girls from Anambra State also plan to partner with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), using the app, to tackle the menace of fake drugs.

The team, on Thursday night, came first at the finals after facing judges from different parts of the world.

Oshiomhole to Saraki: APC will impeach you through legal, democratic norm Tom Okpe, Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has disclosed that the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki’s impeachment will be done through legal and democratic norm.

He said Saraki’s leaving the party has no political consequences on the APC as he claimed that the Senate President did not win his local government during the 2015 Presidential election.

The party Chairman noted that Saraki, who joined the party as a Senator, emerged Senate President under the auspices of the same party, should have honourably resigned his position as the leader of the National Assembly before his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Oshiomhole, who stated this during a press conference at the National Secretariat of the APC in Abuja on Friday, was reacting to Saraki’s recent assertion that all he had been doing were in the interest of the nation.

Oshiomhole said: “He is not the rightful guy in town to occupy the office of the Senate President of the Federal Republic as he has been acting on personal interest and ambition; his

emergence as the leader of the National Assembly is a clear pointer so, if he will be impeached, it will be done through legal and democratic norm.

“Unfitted attempts he has made and his unsubstantiated allegations to the effect that the event of last Tuesday was an attempt to carry out illegal impeachment, how can a presiding officer arrive at such a conclusion that there was a plan to carry out illegal impeachment. Until an action takes place, how can you determine the status?

“But it is lawful to impeach anyone including the President of the Senate, the deputy president of the Senate, if the number required to do so is present, so he cannot preempt it. As they say, you don’t have to be a pathological liar before you understand this. Once you start with one lie, you will need serious of lies to support that one lie.

“I don’t want to use the word lie to characterise the action of the statement of the Senate President. But let us look at the fact, from their own statement, they said they were aware that the Senate President was to be illegally impeached and therefore, they mobilised thugs, their journalists, cameramen and videos to the Senate that they had told the

world they had adjourned till 25th of September, Meanwhile, about 15 PDP senators were in the Senate and for the event, they imported hundreds of thugs that molested one or two of our members that they sighted in the premises of the Senate.

“In order to evade the lies, I asked you as defendants of democracy, did you find any APC senator in the Senate?

So, if APC senators were not in the Senate but only PDP senators, what is the basis of the false report that there were attempts to carry out illegal impeachment?

“In any case, Saraki is not going to be the first Senate president to be impeached and I doubt if he is going to be the last but definitely he will be impeached according to law and to democratic norms.

“The only way Saraki can avoid impeachment is for him to do what is honourable which again leads to the issue of character. We saw Senator Akpabio who was the PDP leader in the Senate, once he made up his mind to leave the PDP, even before announcing his defection; the first role is to inform the PDP as a man of honour; I hereby resign from this office. So, Senator Saraki has demonstrated neither character nor being a man of honour”.

3 News

PHOTO TIMES

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, middle, flanked by the Mogaji Jimeta, Alhaji Umaru Dikko and the senator representing Adamawa South, in the Senate, Ahmad Abubakar, at the commissioning ceremony of the Bagole-Kofare Erosion Control works in Yola... on Friday

Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, receiving a certificate from Faculty Chairman Executive Education, Harvard Kennedy School, Mr Roger Porter after he successfully completed Senior Managers In Government Programme from Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.

L-R: APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; National Woman Leader, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa and National Treasurer, Alh. Adamu Fanda at during a press briefing at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja...on Friday.

L-R: Mr Isichei Osamgbi, Head, Corporate Communication, NIMASA, exchanging pleasantries with Mr Chris Allagoa, Captain Port Harcourt Golf Club, while Dr Kingsley Akinroye, Executive Director, Nigerian Heart Foundation looks on at the venue of the Press Conference held in preparation of the forth coming NHF Charity Golf Tournament to be held in Rivers State next month.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

5 News

NASS invasion: FG planning to frame us, Saraki, Ekweremadu allege Tunde Opalana, Abuja Senate President, Dr, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, have raised the alarm over what they called the Federal Government’s alleged plot to implicate them and their colleagues in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for last Tuesday invasion of the premises of the National Assembly by men of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement jointly signed by their media aides, Yusuph Olaniyonu and Uche Anichukwu, the two legislative leaders stated that after receiving the interim report submitted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the Presidency on Friday constituted a closet panel to review the report and submit a final recommendation.

According to Saraki and Ekweremadu, the mandate of panel is to turn facts on the head and blame the invasion of the National Assembly on the two leaders of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, who will then be presented as having worked in tandem with the sacked Director

General of the DSS, Mallam Lawal Daura, to stage the parliamentary security breach.

The statement reads in part, “We have been reliably informed that instead of the Presidency to set up a public inquiry or judicial commission to probe last Tuesday’s early morning invasion of the National Assembly as being demanded by the general public, they have commenced a process of manipulation and fabrication.

“The Presidency has set up a closet panel, which would work to a predetermined conclusion in which they will now claim that the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President worked in collusion with ex-DG of DSS, Lawal Daura, to stage the invasion.

“They want to shield the fact that the previous night before the invasion and up till the early hours of Tuesday, there was a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators and that the plan was for them to be moved in a coaster bus into the National Assembly complex later that morning for them to purportedly remove us and select a new Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

“Their plot only failed because the media, particularly social

Saraki media, Nigerians and international community responded very swiftly as some legislators who came into the complex were refused entry by gun-wielding, hooded security operatives.

“Now, they want to turn the facts on its head and blame us for their botched plot against democracy.

We are hereby alerting all Nigerians and members of the international community that the present Nigerian government will stop at nothing to destroy, suppress and incapacitate

We did not freeze Benue Govt accounts - EFCC Andrew Orolua

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has faulted the claims of Benue State government over the alleged freezing of its banks accounts.

The agency added that the only step it took was to caution the banks in view of continuous massive withdrawal on seven accounts despite ongoing investigation since 2016.

A top source at the commission disclosed this to The Daily Times on Friday night.

The source further explained that the caution on the banks was through an instrument- Post No Debit (PND), saying that the PND could only lasted for 72 hours.

The source said: “Contrary to the false

alarm and spurious allegations by Benue State government, the commission did not freeze its accounts.

“What we have done is to urge the banks to exercise caution over suspicious transactions and massive withdrawals on the seven banks accounts despite investigation by the EFCC since 2016.

Over N23billion had been diverted from the accounts.

“In this case, there will be PND on the accounts which will only last for 72 hours.

“So the claims of Benue State government are false while massive withdrawals are still ongoing despite investigation on seven accounts.

“Please note that most of the withdrawals exceeded the threshold of cash withdrawals of N5 million for individuals and N10 million for corporate

organisations, thereby engaging in money laundering.

“How can the state government justifies the cash withdrawals of N500million in a day all in the name of security.

“All the invited directors of finance and cashiers invited had confessed how they withdrew cash and disbursed on directives while they were directed to destroy the documents.

“I also wish to state that only the court can grant order to freeze bank accounts of states where facts are placed before it over money laundering and suspicious withdrawals.

“Please note that a petition from the former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, triggered ongoing investigation into the bank accounts since 2016.”

Growth: FG directs MDAs to implement UNFPA programmes Mathew Dadiya The Federal Government has directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to implement United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) support programmes and projects in line with its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

The Deputy Director, International Cooperation, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Dr Sanjo Faniran, gave the advice at a meeting of stakeholders on UNFPA supported programmes and projects in Abuja.

Faniran said that the meeting was to ensure that MDAs activities supported

by UNFPA were in line with priorities of the government in area of reproductive health, family planning, population development, education and other sectors of the economy.

“UNFPA has mandate to support reproductive health, family planning and population development in Nigeria as it does globally and this component is one of the priority programmes in the ERGP that Nigeria is implementing since 2017,’’ he said.

The deputy director, who said that ERGP was expected to run from 2017 to 2020, urged MDAs to ensure resource utilisation and proper implementation of UNFPA support programmes and projects to achieve

ERGP. He said that his ministry was sensitising MDAs on the need to put their counterpart funds in the budget to enable UNFPA released its own for programmes implementation.

Faniran also underscored the need for UNFPA to find a way of enhancing its capacity in area of work plan preparation and implementation.

The Director, Reproductive Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Kayode Afolabi, who commended the UNFPA support programmes, said the programmes assisted in building capacity of health personnel to educate huge number of people on family planning.

Ekweremadu the opposition. This is their new tactic and plot as we approach the period of the 2019 polls.

“We hereby reiterate our earlier position that the coup against democracy as represented by last week’s invasion must be probed through an independent judicial commission of inquiry which will produce a comprehensive report. We

reject any manipulated and fabricated investigation.”

The presiding officers added that they have also uncovered a sinister plot in which the government plans to use the anti-graft and security agencies to incarcerate them and some members of their families from next week, all in a bid to break their will and effect their removal.

Smuggling, threat to Agric development efforts – FG Tom Okpe, Abuja Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has expressed concern over smuggling which has become a threat to agricultural development in the country.

The Minister stated that if not checked it will become a clog in the agricultural sector, cautioning that social problems will continue to fester in the country if the problem is not promptly nipped in the bud as all efforts of Government in the area of job creation through agriculture will be reversed.

Senator Lokpobiri spoke while on a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Governor, Senator Adekunle Amosun in his office in Abeokuta on Thursday identifying Ogun State as one of the areas that is badly affected by smuggling, however, appealed to the governor to do everything possible to address the issue.

The minister also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking steps to combat the challenge, urging states living in the border areas of the country to take measures to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in this regard.

“The Federal Government has a challenge of smuggling. All the efforts and achievements recorded both in the fishery sector and in the rice sector, which we are doing excellently well but will be reversed if we do not combat the issue of smuggling”.

“Ogun State is one of the areas that is badly affected by this issue of smuggling; it has a whole lot of problems; it affects our daily

existence as a country because today we have been able to create a lot of jobs through agriculture and if smuggling is allowed to continue, the likelihood is that, there will be reversal raising more social problems”, he said.

The minister revealed that one of the measures put in place by the Federal Government to combat smuggling was the setting up of the committee headed by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Oshibanjo, which he said is working round the clock to ensure that we combat the menace.

“The Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that we collaborate with the Republic of Benin, Niger and Chad to check this problem; that is why the President of Benin visited the President of Nigeria a few weeks ago”.

Ogun State governor in his remarks expressed his concerns on smuggling saying that, “We are not unaware of those challenges that smuggling poses to our agriculture and that is why we are insisting that all our porous borders remain closed”.

Amosun regretted that his state has the highest number of unmanned borders in the country disclosing that he was already discussing with the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau and the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede as well as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs services, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) on ways of mitigating the impact of the problem both in the short and long term basis.

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

NAFDAC to check unregistered, counterfeit products with new compendium Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos To combat the influx of unregistered and counterfeit products in the country, Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof.

Moji Christianah Adeyeye is to launch a new set of compendium of all registered Drugs, processed food, cosmetics, packaged water, medical devices and chemicals.

The Publishing of the new NAFDAC compendium which is a directory of all registered regulated products is said to be one of the major landmark achievements of Prof. Adeyeye since her assumption of office 9 months ago.

The NAFDAC compendium

which was originally known as NAFDAC green pages was last published about 10 years ago.

The compendium was first introduced by the late Director – General of NAFDAC, Prof.

Dora Akunyili as part of her concerted efforts to equip Nigerians with appropriate information that will help them distinguish between fake and unregistered Drugs, processed food and other regulated products.

Participants at the forthcoming two-day consultative meeting include Farmers, Manufacturers, Importers, Marketers of Animal feeds and poultry products, food products, cosmetics, pesticides, medical devices, herbal products and chemicals.

The consultative meeting

will also afford the Director – General of NAFDAC opportunity to interact with the stakeholders to tackle some regulatory issues and challenges facing the food, herbal, medical devices, veterinary, chemical and allied industries.

Prof. Adeyeye will also announce her new policy measure to combat the influx of unregistered and counterfeit regulated products into the country.

The Director General stressed that the Agency takes very seriously the issue of attendance and participation of stakeholders at the consultative and therefore urged all Chief Executives Officers of invited companies to be physically present at the meeting.

Short News

Daura’s sack hasty, says N-ADC Chairman Protem National Chairman, New African Democratic Congress (N-ADC), Chief Precious Elekima, has described sack of Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Lawal Daura, as “a hasty decision’’.

N-ADC is a group which on Tuesday, pulled out of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Elekima told news men in Abuja that he expected the Federal Government to investigate issues surrounding Daura’s actions in connection with security siege at National Assembly on Tuesday, before sacking him.

The operatives of the DSS had as early as 7 a.m. blocked the entrance of the National Assembly preventing lawmakers, workers, contractors and visitors from gaining entry into the complex.

Osun governorship: Babatope begs PDP members to unite A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope, on Friday urged all members of the party in Osun to put aside all differences and rally round Senator Ademola Adeleke to win the September 22 governorship election.

Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation, made the appeal in an interview with journalists in Lagos.

He urged party members to see Wednesday ‘s ruling of an Osogbo High Court which failed to stop Adeleke’s candidacy as a victory, not for Adeleke alone, but for the party.

The plaintiffs, Rasheed Olabayo and Idowu Oluwaseun, had sought the order of the court to disqualify Adeleke based on his educational qualification.

HIV/AIDS: UNICEF, NOA task media on public enlightenment

L-R: Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero; Chairman Board of Trustees, Benin Cultural Heritage Centre (BCHC), and Enogie of Evbuobanosa and Abudu, Prof. Gregory Akenzua; President of BCHC, Ehi Ighile and a guest, Prince Victor Eweka; during the launching of the Edo Language Summer School for Children, at the Ogba Zoo, Airport Road, Benin City.

FG partners Ogun to promote fisheries – Lokpobiri Tom Okpe, Abuja

The Federal Government has reiterated its readiness to partner Ogun State in the growth of fisheries in the country for being a viable State in agriculture.

The Minister of state for Agriculture and Rural development, Heineken Lokpobiri stated this while commissioning four projects built by the Ministry in Eriwe, Ijebu-Ode, saying that Government is particularly interested in Ogun State because, “If agriculture succeeds in Ogun, agriculture has succeeded in Nigeria”.

The commissioned projects include a feed mill, cold room, fish market and the processing

unit.

The projects intended to make the estate a real fish farming cluster where the farmers will fully appropriate all the advantages of fish farming value chain is reputed to be the biggest fish farm in Africa with over 3,000 fish ponds scattered over an estimated 156 hectares of land and an average fish farming production turnover of about 2,500 metric tons annually with income generation of about N2 billion annually.

The minister particularly appreciated the efforts of the Eriwe community in fish farming, which he noted, has assisted the Government grow the fishery sector in Nigeria.

“When the present administration came to power,

the local production of fish was only about 600,000 metric tons, but with the support of the likes of the Eriwe community, that figure has been increased to about 1.1 million metric tons which represents almost 100 per cent increment.

“There is still a lot to be done because our national demand is about 3.5 million metric tons and we are producing about 1.1 million metric tons, which means that we are only producing about one third of our national demand”. He said.

With the successes recorded in fishing, the people of Eriwe community have began to diversify into other agricultural projects, like, poultry and piggery which they have also acquired land outside the estate for cocoa plantation.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Friday called on media organisations to focus reports and programmes on issues that help address HIV/AIDs among Adolescent and Young People (AYPs) in Kaduna State.

Media and External Relation Officer, UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, Malam Rabiu Musa, made the call in Zaria, Kaduna state, at a One-Day Meeting with journalists.

The meeting was organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with support from UNICEF on Prevention of Mother-ToChild Transmission and AYPs support on HIV/AIDS in the state.

Musa said that Kaduna State Government, UNICEF and development partners are doing a lot to address the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS among AYPs in the state.

UNESCO trains Ebonyi teachers on early childhood care, support activities The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has organised a two-day capacity building workshop for teachers in Ebonyi on early childhood care and support activities services.

UNESCO National Education Programme Officer, Abuja Regional Office, Mrs Ngozi Amanze, who read the organisation’s regional director’s address, noted that the workshop was being organised for teachers in Ohaozara and Onicha Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state.

Amanze remarked that it was UNESCO’s policy thrust to complement existing efforts by states and non-state actors, in implementing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services in participating countries.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Niger partners Zenith Bank on ICT centre Joseph Inokotong, Abuja Niger State Government and the Zenith Bank of Nigeria Plc have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build 100 capacity Information Technology Centre (ICT).

Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello who signed the MOU at the Government House in Minna, the state capital assured that the state government would ensure continuous partnership with bank.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Jibrin Baba Ndace, said the Governor noted that the project would go a long way to provide job opportunities for the teeming youths, improve the Internally Generated

Revenue of the state and as well add value to the educational sector of the state.

“As part of your Corporate Social Responsibility, you have decided to give us a very special ICT centre and from the master plan it will have positive impact.

“We sincerely appreciate this support as it will engage the youths in terms of empowerment and at the same time improve education.

“Apart from increasing our IGR in the state it may also provide job opportunities for few people.

“Whatever business or structure that comes into the state even if it employs one person it is something. It means taking one person out of the labour market. So we will try to encourage and support

interventions like this,” said Governor Sani-Bello.

He commended the bank for the support given to the state government in times of needs.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the bank, Malam Umar Ahmed said that the construction of the 100 capacity ICT centre in the state was part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility to the state.

The Executive Director of the bank stated that the aim was to enhance learning, youth empowerment and social development of the people of the state.

He then assured that the contractor who is to handle the project would soon move to the site, adding that the bank still has more areas in which it intends to intervene in the state.

7 News

Unilag Foundation School targets 7,000 for JUPEB test No fewer than 4,800 university admission seekers have applied for the School of Foundation, University of Lagos, in the 2018/2019 academic session.

The Director of the school, Prof. Timothy Nubi, told the news men on Friday in Lagos that the school would receive more than 7,000 applications before the close of sales of the forms on August 17.

Students, who successfully complete the foundation programme, will be offered direct entry into the 200 level of degree programmes through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

According to Nubi, preparations for the smooth conduct of entrance examination into the school have already been concluded.

The examination is administered by the Joint University Preliminary Examination Board.

Voter registration: Larger turnout in Oyo as CVR deadline draws near The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State said it had started recording larger turnout of eligible voters registering or coming to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

INEC had fixed August 17 for suspension of the ongoing continuous voter registration which commenced on April 27, 2017.

According to the commission, the suspension will allow for enough period for consolidation of data and running of Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for detection and identification of multiple registration.

INEC offices visited included Ibadan Southwest, Egbeda and Ibadan North, Akinyele, Ona-Ara and Ibadan Southeast local government areas.

Court remands 4 over alleged extortion, constituting public nuisance

National sales manager (3 wheeler), Deji Olaniyan; MD/chairman Simba Group, Chief Vinay Grover; Business Head simba Group, Manish Rohtagi and Deputy Business Head simba Group, Vivek Pendarhkar during the Simba Group press conference in Lagos...at the Weekend.

Photo: Olatunji Wale

Apapa gridlock: Importers want Eastern ports open for cargoes Some importers on Friday appealed to the Federal Government to open up the seaports in the Eastern flank of the country to decongest ports in Lagos.

The importers said that the designation of the Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri ports for cargo transaction would bring the perennial traffic at the Apapa Ports to an end.

The traders told journalists in Lagos that they were experiencing hardships in getting their goods out of the Apapa ports.

An importer and also the President, Association of Progressive Traders (APT), Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, Mr Jude Okeke, said the concentration of cargo import on Apapa ports negates the ease-of-doing business.

Okeke expressed fear over the unending traffic situation along the port’s axis.

“Do not be surprised that we will wake up one day and containerladen trucks will overrun the whole of Lagos city with no access roads for commuters.

“The Federal Government can do a lot of good to the importing public by opening up the other ports that have been fully utilized over time,’’ Okeke said.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kudi Cosmetics, Lagos, Mrs Vivian Akubueze, said that it was not wise for cargoes laden with goods meant for Eastern Nigeria to berth at the Apapa ports.

Akubueze said that such cargoes with its goods should be routed to the ports in Calabar and Port Harcourt.

“Common sense ought to tell us that when cargoes transporting goods meant for other parts of the country berth in Lagos, importers will pay

additional money to transport their goods to their destinations.

“This will cause tear and wear to the nation’s road networks as well as push the cost of such goods up in the market,’’ Akubueze said.

She said that it had taken her about two weeks to get her goods out of the Apapa ports after the Nigeria Customs Service had released them.

She, therefore, appealed to the government to come to their aid and halt the rising cost of goods by allowing cargoes to berth in other ports apart from Lagos.

Also, Mr. Gab Ayodele, who deals in industrial chemicals, said that it cost him a lot to transport its products from the Apapa ports to Calabar where his clients were.

“If the Calabar port is functional, that will save me some cost and time,’’ he said.

A Karu Upper Area Court on Friday remanded four persons in Keffi Prison over alleged extortion and for constituting public nuisance at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja and its environs.

The Judge, Umar Mohammed, ordered that they should be remanded until August 27 if they failed to meet their bail conditions.

Mohammed granted them bail in the sum of N20, 000 and a surety in like sum each and ordered that each of them must be a civil servant on any grade level.

The accused: Anthony Anchie, 28; Okechukwu Eze, 28; Jamila Audu, 20; and Chikezie Ori, 37; of no fixed address are being tried for joint act, extortion, belonging to a gang of thieves, constituting public nuisance and idleness.

INEC lists factors hindering prosecution of electoral offences The National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified three major factors hindering successful prosecution of electoral offences in the country.

INEC National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, listed political interference, lack of human and material resources as some the major factors.

She stated this on Friday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, at the opening of a two-day training on prosecution of election offences for the commission’s legal personnel and police officers.

The workshop was organised and sponsored by European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).

Over 100 INEC legal personnel and Police officers drawn from the six geo-political zones of the country are attending the training.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

A’ Ibom elders berate Sen Akpabio for defecting Isaac Job, Uyo

Akwa Ibom elders who are members of People Democratic Party (PDP) have listed excessive demands, impunity and treachery as dubious tendency of former senate minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

They said these have posed great burden to the State and chided the Federal Government for freezing the State’s bank account on the day senator Akpabio defected to All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom.

Addressing a press conference in Uyo yesterday, the Elders under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Leaders of Vanguard led by Senator Anietie Okon told correspondents that Akpabio defection has left Governor Udom Emmanuel to remain focus with steady financial resources instead of distraction from Akpabio who played the role of a godfather as a ploy to plunder State treasury with insatiable demands from the state government including using state funds to finance legal battle

whenever he was apprehended by Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC).

The Elders who was accompanied by Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Obong Bassey Inuaeyen, Hon. Ndueso Essien Dr. Emmanuel Ukpong among others further accused Akpabio of playing hypocrite when he made negative comment against Governor Emmanuel in his defection speech yesterday as the Governor sacked two commissioners who went to the airport to receive Akpabio.

The Elders maintained that Akpabio’s defection was a great relief to PDP in view of political burden of managing a man who was facing daily threat of prosecution from anti-graft agencies which became unbearable for the party.

Senator Okon also refuted claims by Akpabio that he defected to APC as a move to take Akwa Ibom and SouthSouth to the centre stage of development in Nigeria as false and incredible.

He said “As the highest revenue contributor to the economy of Nigeria, we do not need Akpabio to take us to the centre. Both politically and

economically, Akwa Ibom, nay, the South South geo-political zone is already the hub of developmental train in Nigeria. When a man is fighting for personal survival and relevance, but claim to be fighting for the interest of the masses he should be reminded that no man runs away from his shadow,” the Elders caution.

On the freezing of the account of the state government the Elders quoted section 34 of the EFCC Act and submitted that the federal government acted on illegality.

“When a man is fighting for personal survival and relevance, but claim to be fighting for the interest of the masses he should be reminded that no man runs away from his shadow”.

- A’ Ibom elders

Short News Political noise will not deter me - Gov Bindow Tom Garba, Yola The Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla Bindow, has reiterated his resolve to remain focused in his determination to consolidate on his achievements of the last three years.

He restated this against the backdrop of mounting political challenges in Adamawa State and the prevailing political situation across the Nation.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Macaulay Hunohashi, noted that when the present administration took over on May 29th 2015, Adamawa State could best be described as a “failed State” because not only were civil servants owed 7 months’ salary arrears, but basic infrastructure such as road network, modern drainage system, among many, were alien to the people of Adamawa State.

Police arrest car snatchers in Edo Titus Akhigbe, Benin-City Operatives of zone 5 police command have arrested a suspected fake soldier for car snatching.

The suspect was reportedly arrested in Anambra State while attempting to dispose an unregistered Toyota Picnin Vehicle suspected to have been stolen from its owner in Benin City, Edo State.

Police zonal spokesman, Emeka Iheanacho stated this while parading the fake soldier and eight others for car theft and illegal possession of firearms.

According to Iheanacho, “during interrogation, the suspect claimed to be a soldier and brought out a fake warrant card No. 05/NA/57/2141L/CPL Adelabu Lukman attached to NATRAC Engineering Regiment of the Nigerian Army, Kotangora”.

Cattle breeders to organise peace workshop in Nasarawa

Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, addressing journalists at the State Police Headquarters, in Benin City, on the foiled robbery attack on a bank in Igarra, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. . . on Friday

Gov Shettima flags off N550m construction equipment for Kala-Balge Highway Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima on Friday launched 15 heavy duty construction equipment worth N550 million (five hundred and fifty million naira) dedicated for construction of a highway from Ngala to Kala-Balge local government areas through Rann, the latter’s headquarter in the northern part of the State.

The equipment include sets of heavy lifting cranes, graders, excavators, tar boilers, bulldozers, smooth, steel and pneumatic rollers, shift foot compactors, water tankers and hundreds of spare parts, all recently acquired by the Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) which has been boosted with series of

equipment under a new management that is led by a civil engineer, Ahmed Satomi.

Shettima described communities in Kala-Balge as the most marginalised of the 774 local government areas in the country.

He said the geographic location of the local government along the shores of the Lake Chad with difficult topography has made successive government in the Borno State to neglect the council, a development that is reducing the area to a near outcast.

The Governor cited that due to lack of roads, it is impossible to access many communities in Kala-Balge during the rainy season. This he said, not only

threatens socio-economic mobility but also makes the council vulnerable to security hostage situation.

Governor Shettima directed BORMA to immediately deploy the equipment to focus on completing the road within the year.

He also promised to liaise with security agencies to get military collaboration to support deployments and construction works.

The Agency’s Chairman, Engineer Satomi told Governor Shettima to expect the completion of all earth works within the next five months after which the roads will be tarred.

He promised to deliver the road before Governor Shettima completes his tenure in May, 2019.

The Nasarawa State chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), is to organise a workshop to sensitise members on the need to embrace peace, its Chairman, Alhaji Hassan Husaini, has disclosed.

Husaini told news men on Friday in Lafia that the workshop was part of the measures initiated

by MACBAN national leadership to educate cattle breeders on advantages of peaceful co-existence.

“I recently attended a workshop on conflict resolution skills organised by the Federal and Nasarawa State governments; my intention is to use the workshop to step-down what we were taught,” Husaini said.

He said that officials of the association from the 13 local government and 18 Development Areas would participate in the workshop to be held in Lafia.

‘Unilorin working hard to host National Youth Games Ahead of the National Youth Games beginning on September 7, the Chairman of the University of Ilorin Sports Council, Prof. Uche Eke, says the institution is renovating its sports facilities to ensure a successful outing.

Eke told journalists Friday in Ilorin that a new squash court was on the verge of being completed.

He said the institution was working hard to put everything in place in order to receive Nigerian students from across the country.

“We expect to welcome many of these children back to the university in the future, so we must give them the best now,” Eke said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

My govt is on top of security challenges - Gov Ikpeazu Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Abia Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu says his government is on top of the security situation in the State adding that the security situation has made it possible for the State to be hosting many conferences.

The Governor stated this while declaring open the 46th/11th Biennial Conference of the Methodist Church Nigeria, held at the Wesley Cathedral of Methodist Church Nigeria, 38/46 Park Road, Aba, with the theme “Strive for Peace & Holiness” According to him, his administration has not achieved all that it sets out to achieve and expressed confidence that

in the days ahead the government would meet the set goals.

Dr. Ikpeazu called on Christians to continue to strive for peace and Holiness.

The Governor, who launched the Prelate’s address also announced a donation of bus to the women’s fellowship of the church.

In his address, the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Kalu Uche condemned the lack of adequate security in the country, appointment of security chiefs from one side of the country and called for total overhaul of the security chiefs.

The Most Rev. Uche said Methodist Church Nigeria supports restructuring of Nigeria and creation of State Police and encouraged Methodist members to offer themselves for elective

positions as well as urged every eligible citizen to obtain PVC to enable him vote in 2019.

He condemned the mindless killings of innocent Nigerians in all parts of the country and commiserated with the saints over the killings, including the members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) who were killed by the military last year.

The man of God called on conference to go back to the old time religion, pray fervently for the growth of the church as well as ensure that the church grows through individual families.

He commended the the Governor for his efforts in fixing Abia, particularly, Aba and informed that the theme of the conference was tailored to draw people close to God.

9 News

Short News NLC decries gale of defections, urges politicians to safeguard democracy

The Bayelsa Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged politicians to stop the gale of defection and play politics by the rules to safeguard democracy in the country.

The state Chairman of NLC, Mr John Ndiomu, gave the advice in an interview with journalists on Friday in Yenagoa.

Ndiomu decried the gale of defection from one party to another and urged political actors to focus on what would drive development for the people.

The chairman cautioned against repeating the old mistakes, stressing that defection would not impact on national development in any form like job creation and provision of basic amenities.

2019: Bafarawa pledges allegiance to PDP

Former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, has said he will remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) even if he fails to emerge the flag bearer of the party in 2019 presidential elections.

Bafarawa who is seeking to become Nigeria’s President under the PDP disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja.

He ruled out the possibilities of unseating the Senate president, Bukola Saraki before the end of his tenure in 2019, saying good governance and party supremacy must be respected at all times.

Bafarawa said he welcomes the entrant of new aspirants for the PDP’s presidential ticket.

Prelate commends FG over LGs financial autonomy

Anambra schoolgirls after winning gold at World Technovation challenge in the United States

Original inhabitants laud FCT Minister on inclusive govt Idu Jude, Abuja

The original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, for what they described as fair representation of the indigenes in the current FCT Administration.

This applause came on the heels of world indigenous day celebration, which took place on Thursday in Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the Abuja Indigenous Association, their Cocoordinator, Alhaji Usman Shuaibu declared, “We want to thank the Minister of FCT for carrying the indigenous people of Abuja along in the affairs of the Territory. Since the inception of Abuja, no Administration had really carried our people along like the present Administration. In

fact, we have never had it so good like this before”.

Malam Shuaibu also praised the minister for ensuring that infrastructures and other social amenities get to the rural communities and satellite towns of the FCT. He said: “Let me also thank the minister for providing infrastructures and social amenities in the interior communities of the FCT. The minister has done his best to ensure that dividends of democracy reach people at the grassroots. This is a feat to be commended”.

The leader of the group further used the occasion to appeal to the minister to use his good office to inform President Muhammadu Buhari to consider an indigene of FCT for ministerial appointment.

In her remarks, Mrs. Nancy Bulus, who is the President of the National Council for Women Societies, FCT extolled the record of the current FCT

Administration towards ensuing an inclusive government.

She urged the Administration to support the emergence of women as candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

Responding on behalf of FCT Minister, FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa thanked the group for supporting the present FCT Administration, and praised the group for continuous receptiveness and peaceful coexistence with other Nigerians.

The Permanent Secretary further used the occasion to disclose that soon, the Administration would send some of the indigenes abroad for training on railway engineering and administration.

He assured the group that the current FCT Administration would continue to address issues that affect them in line with the law of the land.

The Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN), Dr Samuel Uche, has commended the Federal Government for its efforts to grant financial autonomy to local governments across the nation.

Uche made the commendation during the opening session of the MCN 46th/11th Biennal Conference with the theme “Strive for holiness and peace, without which no person can see God” held in Aba. “We believe this will enhance grass roots development and the prompt payments of workers’ salaries.

“We, therefore, appeal to those at the local government levels not to divert funds accruing to them into white elephant projects.

“Our gathering at Aba is also meant to pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of government and the international community, especially our beloved country, Nigeria,” he said.

Only 24% infants are exclusively breastfed in Nigeria – Health Ministry The Federal Ministry of Health says in spite of the health and economic benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to mother and child, only 24 per cent of infants are exclusively breastfed in Nigeria.

The Assistant Director, Nutrition Division, Family Health Department in the ministry, Mrs Chimay Thompson, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abuja.

Thompson said exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life without water, infant formula, liquid or food had proven to save lives, improve women and children’s health and boots lifelong productivity.

She said Nigeria is predominantly a breastfeeding nation with 97 per cent compliance.

However, Thompson said millions of mothers and infants were now losing the benefits as only about 23.7 per cent of infants less than six months were exclusively being breastfed.

News 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

‘Current socio-political challenges place enormous burden on NYSC’ Moses Oyediran, Enugu

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, says the current socio-political situation in the country has placed enormous burden on corps members.

Kazaure also said that such burden would serve as a motivation to achieving the ideals of the scheme.

The Director General said this in Enugu on Friday during a working visit to the NYSC orientation camp in Awgu, Enugu State.

He was represented at the event by the Director of Community Development Services and Special Projects, Mr Ysuf Ehoda-Adi. Kazaure charged corps members not to rest until they contributed in bequeathing to generations unborn ‘a unique country’ where citizens would have equal opportunities.

He said that as harbingers of a united

Nigeria, corps members needed to contribute to the development of their host communities.

“The NYSC holds out a unique hope that the tendencies of divisions that have held the country down cannot win.

“The collective challenge for all is to diffuse our differences and challenges to ensure that we carry the elements that will make us serve our nation well as well as shed primordial sentiments.

“The greatness of this country must be our collective objective until we bequeath to generations unborn a unique country they can be proud of,” he said.

Kazaure urged the corps members to be good ambassadors of their respective institutions of higher learning, adding that their contributions in initiating development projects would bear such testimonies.

He reiterated the resolve to ban all social gatherings without express permission by NYSC management at relevant levels due to unfortunate

incidences involving corps members.

“You will not have the liberty of engaging in social gatherings and travelling without express permission.

We cannot afford to further lose corps members in death”, Kazaure said.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Ahmed Ikaka decried the state of facilities in the orientation camp.

Ikaka said that they could no longer pretend that all was well in the camp.

“Our camp may not be the best but it is the first being the premier NYSC orientation camp in the country established in 1973.

“Some of the structures here were erected in the 1950s and predate the scheme. Since 1973, this camp existed without perimeters fence,” he said.

The state coordinator said that most of the hostels were a sorry sight and needed to be upgraded with modern facilities.

He said that no fewer than 247 ceiling fans at the cost of N2.7 million were needed for all the rooms in the hostel.

Short News

Gov Umahi to meet stakeholders on taxation Edward Nnachi, Abakaliki Worried by alleged outcry of heavy taxation in the state

by Ebonyians, Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi has announced his administration’s readiness to meet with strategic stakeholders of the state to discuss issues arising from revenue collections to put an end the groaning and sufferings of traders and market women.

This is even as the governor has revealed that the state government hardly rakes in N25 million monthly from taxes and levies paid by business owners and others in the state.

Until now, there have been reports of alleged heavy taxation and illegal collections of fees by people known as revenue collection contractors, licensed by the state government to collect various taxes on its behalf.

Amnesty office empowers 150 ex-militants from Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta Akam James, Yenagoa No fewer than 150 Niger Delta ex-militants drawn from Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states were yesterday empowered with starter packs according to their skills by the presidential amnesty office at the amnesty training centre in Orubiri community of Kolokuma /Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State.

The special adviser to the president on Niger Delta amnesty, and coordinator amnesty office, Prof Charles Peter Dokubo, said the initiative is to empower Niger Delta ex-agitators, adding that everybody captured in the programme no matter where he or she is from will be carried along and empowered accordingly.

Prof Dokubo disclosed that, “The programme is to ensure that our people are empowered and make them lay their hands on meaningful ventures”.

FCT security: Minister solicits police partnership Idu Jude, Abuja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (3rd left); former Head of State, Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon (4th left); the celebrant, Chief Akintola Williams (seated); Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I (3rd right); Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun (2nd right); Chief Chris Ogunbanjo (2nd left) and others during the 99th birthday celebration of Chief Williams at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. . . on Thursday

4 killed as cultists renew rival clashes in Bayelsa Akam James, Yenagoa A suspected cultist, Mr. God-do-well, from Delta state, has been murdered in cold blood by rival cult gang members in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.

God-do-well, aged 34, was cut and left in the pool of his own blood by a rival gang numbering about 40 at the Bayelsa state slaughter site, Swali ultra modern market on Friday.

The cultists allegedly went on rampage after three members of their gang were killed on Tuesday afternoon at about 4pm at two locations of the market.

Angered by the death of their members, they stormed the markets shot sporadically to scare meat traders, dragged the deceased and slaughtered him in front of the helpless traders.

DailyTimes gathered that on

Tuesday afternoon, a gang known as “Islanders” raided the area due to some unsettled crisis between them and “Bobos” a rival group.

According to a petty trader, it was a terrible situation on Tuesday afternoon when hoodlums stormed the market, around the yam zone; a middle aged man was killed with a machete stocked to his head. The next street after the market, two others of the same gang were also killed same day, we now leave in fear for the unknown because we don’t know their next moves.

“We are not secured because these cultists are always in this area and there’s no security patrol team around, they usually come to the market smoke Indian hem, gamble and sometimes rob traders of their monies”.

Another eye witness who pleaded anonymity said the deceased was released from prison custody recently and told people that he has renounced cultism, hence he was hustling at the

slaughter site to earn a living, but some people said they still see him after work with some boys in the area.

“I think they just got him to unsettle his gang, all those boys are always seen around this market on a daily basic. They know themselves because they are always in the market area. They either come to harass people for monies or beg for meat to cook, they even sometimes assist in slaughtering the cows to earn money.

I heard people say they call it scores counting”.

Traders in the market who were in mourning mood, pleaded with the security agents to come to their aid, adding that if the police can come and mount their van at the market to secure them during their morning slaughtering period they will even take care of their welfare.

When contacted, spokesperson, Bayelsa state Police Command, ASP Asimin Butwats, his phone lines were on but he never picked his calls.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has solicited the support and partnership of the FCT Police Command to check insecurity and vandalism of public assets in the Territory.

The Minister, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Umar Jibrin, made the call while on courtesy visit to the new FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, recently.

The Minister expressed concern on the high rate of armed robbery and kidnapping on Bwari-Jere-Kaduna highway and the vandalism of street-lights, electricity cables, manholes and outright burning of transformers.

He therefore sought for maximum support from the police boss to stem the tide.

NCWS tasks youths on rebuilding Nigeria The National President, National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Dr Gloria Shoda, has urged Nigerian youths to support the rebuilding process of taking Nigeria to greater heights.

Shoda asked the youths to announce their presence and demonstrate capacities to reposition the country in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

She enjoined them to stay true to the course of innovative thinking towards nation-building.

Speaking ahead of the International Youth Day, Shoda said that the youths have a responsibility not only to themselves but to their communities and the country at large.

The International Youth Day is marked on Aug. 12, every year.

According to her, Nigeria possesses a huge youthful population that offers so much potential, which must not be wasted.

11

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Singer Niniola has got a body to die for -Bode Blaq How has your sojourn to the Nigerian music industry been for you?

It started 2017, during service; I met a friend that really believed in me. Femi Akindipupo. So we co owned the label. I have been writing for a long while, but my first time of entering the studio was in the ending of 2016, and I recorded like 3 jams and it took us about 5 6 months to pick the one. I dropped my first single April 2017, we shot a video for that and that came out about August. By September I dropped “Party animal” and since then I have dropped five songs. So the journey has been a buildup. We are just building up.

Towards the time you dropped Party animal, DJ Lambo also dropped her song party animal which she featured about 2/3 people. Where you guys copying yourselves or was it a coincidence?

DJ Lambo has been using the term party animal for her brand for a while now. And I think there have been a couple of songs named party animal like this Jamaican guy.

Bit when the idea of party animal came, it came from the chorus.

I was sent the verse by Femi; the title wasn’t picked by me. We could have changed the name but with what the song was, party animal was the name for it and u think I did justice to the name party animal on that song. .

B e f o r e anybody can make it, you must have gone through struggles, hustled and all that. What hustles did you go through?

Was there ever a time, you wanted to just quit? Was there a time, when people shut the door in your face?

Or was it just smooth for you?

I ’ v e humble

beginnings. I have been in this creative aspect of life since way back, from drawing comics back in school, I practiced as a visual artist throughout my university days, I would draw portraits for 10K, 15k.

So one thing about creativity is that nobody wants to give you free hand, I could draw a nice big portrait for someone and the person, because he doesn’t have money to pay will say, it’s not fine, he doesn’t like it. So am used to proving myself. I know am good but all the same, I have to prove myself. So when they shut the door, we break it.

Nigerian alternative/hip-hop musician, self-taught sketch artist and painter, Ogungbemi Olabode Stephen popularly known as BODE BLAQ is one of the fastest growing artistes currently in Nigeria with a unique style of music that sets him apart from others. The Ekiti born musician forayed into music way back from secondary school miming to songs of Tupac, Eminem and lil Wayne.

Cornered recently, he spoke with MUTIAT ALLI about the journey so far, leaving Micro Biology for music, crush on singer Niniola, why every musicians is keying into Afrobeat sound as against hip-hop amongst others.

They will just be killing my ideas if I keep writing songs for them.

What’s your genre of music?

My genre of music is quite elaborate in the sense that the kind of music I love putting out in particular is Alternate music like the likes of Black magic, Falz. I like communicating with my music. I’m pretty good with rapping too. I rap; I sing buts it’s more of afro pop and alternate music in general.

Do you have an album yet or is it still in progress?

I have more than 100 songs but no album.

You are new on the music scene and you co own a label. Aren’t you biting more than you can chew?

My friend and I co-own the label. He is the only friend that has believed in me all through. Even when I didn’t have a song, he was the one that kept pushing me. It’s like just us against the world. I wanted to be a lecturer at some point but he believed in me all through.

What did you study in school?

I studied Micro Biology.

For someone who studied Micro Biology and then you became an artist, which is painting, then you ventured into song writing and now you are an a musician, why in God’s name did you study science to start with?

The problem was that I was blessed with too much. During Common entrance, I got the best result in Epe local government because I did my primary school there. I was quite intelligent and my parents wanted me to study medicine, JAMB jam me, so I found myself in Micro Biology and I never liked the course till like maybe final year.

Since all

through, I have been a social person, I used to do show even if Oshogbo wasn’t a really big town for

Are you in a relationship?

Yes, with my music. entertainment. I finished from Osun state university but did pedigree in LAUTECH. So I have been on the creative side all along. Micro Biology was just a phase. I knew I wasn’t going to go for the lab coat all along. The creativity in you can’t be stopped by some microorganisms.

Look at you, you had the best result in common entrance, did good in sciences’ and then you look at your father and say dad I want to do music, did it go down with them that easy or did you have to run away from home?

Actually I have been a get out sight since university days. I can remember we having six months break in school and I didn’t spend up to two weeks at home.

Like ever I schooled in Federal Government College Ikenwo and went to Osun state. It was like I had another family around there. So like I never used to be the type that comes home. I have like three half caste sisters from Germany, one of them got in the paper at age 7 for playing violin, the second one was the Second Runner up in the voice Germany so my whole family has a musical history. It was quite hard for my mum at first but at some point they just had to leave it. There was a video that went viral when I just got my piercing and my mum was mad at me. She brought us up to be well reserved.

Being a reserved guy how well is it working for you?

They brought me up to be reserved but me personally, am a tout on my own.

Why did you dump song writing when you could actually be making money from that and be behind the scene?

My voice particular made me do that. I don’t see anyone that can command the kind of tone that I command. When I spit those bars and kill those lines.

What are the qualities you think girls see in you?

The voice and then some will say the lips but we still have to beg for kisses.

What do they say about your lips?

The fact that it is pink gets them thinking. My skin color is also one of it.

What’s the hardest breakup that has hit you?

I don’t give them the chance. Once I see the signs I just pull out. I think it happened once in secondary school and since then it’s never happened.

If you are to pick a Nigerian female celebrities crush, who would be on your list?

I think the only person doing it for me is Niniola.

Apart from the fact that she has got a body to die for; her physique is damn gorgeous and more importantly she has her own style and she does alternate music too Don’t you think you can face a relationship and also face your music? Don’t you receive pressure from your parents to get a girlfriend even if you aren’t getting married soon?

The pressure is always there. But you have to make them understand that it will happen when its time.

Music is a very jealous career..

These days, even popular music stars are also doing Afrobeats; does that mean that musicians are gradually abandoning Hip-hop?

We don’t own Hip-hop, but we own the Afro music.

That’s why many musicians are doing an Infusion of Afro in their songs. We can’t be English more than the English. We add our traditional drums, sounds and African rhythm. They are all trying to spice it up because the market abroad is always demanding. Music fans always look out for something new. So people are trying to put new elements in songs to give it a new song, at the end of the day, it’s still entertaining. Some people even add Chinese sounds, all to achieve same motive.

Life & Times 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Gist

Daniel Cole, TBoss, Hilda Dokubo, Segun Arinze others attend The Island movie premiere Island is a fiction which creates a perception of corruption in the nation’s security which intent of challenging patriotism amidst corrupt influences. Shot in Kaduna and major parts of Lagos, the movie featured a stellar cast making it a production to look out for.

TBoss

It was all glitz and glamour at the official premiere of ‘The Island’ movie held at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Palms Mall, Lekki. The well attended event had the presence of talented superstars that includes Segun Arinze, TBoss, Femi Adebayo, Mavin singer, Di’ja, Ossy Achievas, Craze Clown, Yaw, MC Senator, Pencil, Hilda Dokubo, Bisola

Aiyeola, Ushbebe to mention but few.

The Island Movie opened in cinemas across the nation yesterday Friday August 10, 2018 as the movie is created primarily to showcase the best of Nigerian culture and to give viewers an in-depth, enjoyable cultural experience whilst celebrating the efforts of the Nigerian military force.

The

Daniel Cole

Niniola makes history as first Nigerian female artiste to land 1 million listeners on Spotify

With a better a way to start, the movie already bagged a total of 10 nominations at the coming Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF).

Directed by Toka Mcbaror and co-produced by the duo of Daniel Cole and Freda Francis

Niniola makes history today with over 1million listeners on Spotify, making her the first female Nigerian artiste ever to cross the 1million mark.

The AfroHouse singer released her debut album ‘This is me’ in November 2017 to critical acclaim and fan praises with Maradona leading the trend with over 1.7 million streams on Spotify.

The music streaming platform, which measures artiste popularity with listenership, has solidified

Niniola’s music as staple among music lovers crowning her with the coveted title of the most popular Nigerian female artiste.

Niniola is a singer and songwriter with a vocal range that can break glass and has created a music genre for herself called AfroHouse- a blend of AfroBeat and House music.

Her debut album ‘This is me’ lists songs like Saro, Magun, Maradona and Sicker which are have been receiving a lot of airplay and topping charts.

Fans react to Bobrisky having menstrual pain Singer Waje joins cast of Telenovela, Battleground Singer and songwriter, Waje has joined the cast of popular M-net Telenovela, Battleground as she is expected to play the role of Anu Sobowale, a fun and energetic character.

In a statement by Waje’s media team, Buki HQ, more should be expected from the One Naira singer.

“It’s exciting watching Waje step out of her persona and assumes a new one for television, and you can expect a

masterful balance of pure joy, energy, and sass as she brings Anu Sobowale to life. It’s a television series you absolutely don’t want to miss,” the statement reads.

Battleground, a family drama that traffics in relationships, betrayals, infidelity, politics and romance with over 100 episodes, will be showcasing the acting abilities of Waje as she plays the character of Anu on the telenovela.

Nigerian internet personality, cross dresser and male Barbie Idris Okuneye better known as Bobrisky is all out get his fans talking.

Known for creating attention, he recently took to his instagram page to reveal to fans why he has not been sleeping well in recent times.

Bobrisky disclosed that he has started experiencing some female monthly problems which is depriving him of enough sleep.

The cross dresser has come out to reveal that he has started his monthly menstrual flow and now experiences serious cramps.

His post reads: “I can’t sleep I

have menstrual pain.” That was not all; the young man also seized the opportunity to share some cute pictures ahead of his birthday.

In a swift line, fans took out time to react to his post and here are some of the funny reactions from his over 535,000 followers. ‘Brobstar wrote ‘You are sick, how can a man have menstrual pain?

Putting on make-up and wigs doesn’t automatically mean you have a uterus and ovaries. No surgery in the world can change that.

Official Solence wrote ‘Mental Health needs to be taken serious in this country

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

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Mixed Grill

Hon. Adedamola Kasumu gets endorsement for second term One of the greatest phenomenon occurrences in life that has brought progress to humanity is change. Change in making the right decisions which invariably transform nation through good governance by the right choices of representatives. This is what best described the love bestowed on the industrious and ever-dynamic Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon. Adedamola Kasumu who gave account of his 1160 days in office. ARK as the young and vibrant politician is fondly referred to was welcome with warmness by the political stalwart of Ikeja constituency 2 as they held 2018 constituency stakeholder meeting with Theme “Towards Peaceful and Credible Elections” the theme according to organizers was in furtherance of the unflinching commitment of the leadership of the house under the partnership of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa in ensuring that people have meaningful representation through good governance.

Rapper BlackPope buries Dad All roads will lead to Avutu Obowo Local government area of Imo state today Saturday as Hiphop star, BlackPope buries his late father Dr. Alexander Nwahiri Alia who died May 5, 2018 at the Living world Hospital Imo state was until his death an influential son of the Umuofueke Umuaguagba of the Alia clan.

BlackPope, a talented rapper based in Lagos got attention with his ‘Success’ single featuring singer Jaywon. He has been in

the game long enough and he is among the entertainers knocking on the doors of stardom currently.

The rapper has announced that, quite a number of his colleagues in the industry will be going with him to the eastern state of Imo for the burial on Saturday 11th August, 2018.

Dr. Alexander Nwahiri who died at the age of 90 years will be buried at the Alia’s compound Umuafuoeke Umuagbuagba in Imo state.

The event, Hon. Kasumu was endorsed by the youth and elders of the constituency to carry on the good work he started.

“Since the last stakeholder meeting in 2017, the house have continued to improve on law making drive and process by reviewing and amending the old legislations and initiating new ones where necessary to meet current needs. And till date, we have considered forty-one 41 bill and passed thirty into law which are effectively addressing various challenges and developmental activities in the state.”

Hon. Kasumu reiterated It will interest you to know that Hon. Kasumu sponsored two executive bill in 2017 Titled; A bill for a law to provide for establishment of Lagos State sports commission and for connected purpose (2017) and a bill for a law for establishment of Lagos State sports trust fund and for connected purpose with the approval of Mr. Speaker and the coorporation of other legislators these Executive bills were passed in January 2017 and signed into law of Lagos state by His Excellency, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode on 1st February 2017.

In case you don’t know, ARK is the only First term lawmaker to achieve this feat in the 8th Assembly.

Under the new Lagos State sport trust fund, Hon. ARK has facilitated two major sport facilities to Ikeja constituency 2.

This facility is known as ASTRO TURF and will be built for the benefit of all at Ikeja, Adeniyi Jones Primary School and Agidingbi Junior Grammar School opposite Mega Chicken or Babs Fafunwa Millennium Grammar school Ojodu.

Meanwhile, contrary to the erroneous impression being circulated, Hon Kasumu operates an open-door policy giving a standing instruction that anyone from Ikeja constituency 2 who is identifiable should be given free access to his office.

Tapping Ogun goldmine with Oglabot initiative Ogun State though ranked far behind Lagos State in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), have some opportunities lying fallow and untapped within the State where huge revenue can be generated.

For residents and business owners around Ogun/Lagos border towns, theirs is a story of ‘siddon look’ after years of protests against the deplorable developmental conditions within their abodes with little or no plan for rural-urban integration by the State government. Their numerous attempts at getting the government attention have failed to yield desired results, thereby putting the responsibility to the residents to provide many basic infrastructures like electricity, water, roads, drainages, etc for themselves.

These communities include Akute, Ijoko, Ojodu,Ibafo, Alagbole Sango, Agbara, Denro/Ishashi Ogijo, Arepo, Ota,Lusada, Itele, Olambe, Oke Aro, Agbado among others are on the other divide of Lagos State, which effectively places them on the map of Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria.

Various abandoned projects of Governor Ibikunle Amosun led administration are scattered in these Lagos-Ogun border communities. While the Amosun administration underwent a voyage of ambitious projects far taller than its dreams by embarking on multi-billion naira bridges, and in the process, demolished many houses; it has left many erstwhile landlords uncompensated and homeless, till date.

Also imagine, Orunkole community in Mowe with over 200,000 habitants with no government electrification, in fact the entire Mowe Community has just one public primary school for over 500,000 residents.

That is why the locals, from feelers, are now looking forward to the emergence of a new governor come 2019, whose antecedents can be traced to factual accomplishments

and total participation Worthy of recommendation in this respect is Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, widely known as GNI, being an investment banker and seasoned administrator, who know how to dig deep in finding solutions to developmental issues.

Having gone ahead of his peers in the race for Ogun 2019,the African Democratic Congress (ADC) aspirant have in his manifesto a special focus on Border Towns through the proposed creation of Ogun Lagos Border Town(OGLABOT) Development Commission with a view to making available social and physical infrastructures in our Border Towns to accelerate and sustain their integration and development.

With Ogun people’s mandate, OGLABOT will transit to Border Town Development Commission(BTDC) which will be saddled with accelerating the development of these towns in all facets; physical and social infrastructures, educational and offering of its potentials to neighboring Lagos State with a view to making the residents feel government impacts and also generating revenue for the state government.

Aside from the above, the residents of these communities would be able to identify with their own government, enjoy a sense of belonging and can participate in their own turnaround socially, business wise that will enhance their financial independence and individual development. This will in no small measure boost revenue base of the state but also generate a positive profile for her among the comity of states in the federation.

Apart from hailing from the Yewa area of the state, which has never produced a governor, having graduated with a First Class category in Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting (B.Sc Accounting) from University of Ife (now OAU) and with great accomplishments both in the Private and Public sectors such like from near zero revenue, the Ogun State Government generated revenue in excess of N1billion from investment management activities during his tenure in Gateway Holdings Limited, amongst other notable achievements Ogun State needs somebody like a committed and tested Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka with intellectual and right exposure coupled with homegrown solutions to most of the challenges confronting the state.

Society 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Retirement age is 65 in civil service, Femi Adebayo advices youth to partake in politics Ahead of the general elections and the recently passed bill on the not too young to rule; prolific actor Femi Adebayo who doubles as the Special Adviser to the Kwara state government on entertainment has urged Nigerian youths of the need to be fully active in politics noting that it is time youths of nowadays take over administrative process and political roles.

Sighting the fact that the required retirement age in the civil service is pegged at 65years; Femi said ‘Let’s tell those grandfathers to go and sit down that the youths are fully prepared to take over’.

On his take on the recent political saga in the country, Femi disclosed that irrespective of the fact that we still have in our midst good politicians; the bad eggs amongst them will always cover the good works of the good ones amongst them.

Femi was recently cornered at the premiere of the island movie where he played a major role.

Stories by Mutiat Alli

The Basement Gig presents TBG summer fest The Basement Gig, a monthly music concert, which showcases the finest emerging music acts, will be holding a special summer edition tagged ‘’TBG SUMMER FEST’’ on August 23rd, 2018 at The FreeMe Space, Ikate Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos.

This edition promises to be fun filled with thrilling performances by Zamir, King Perryy, Leriq, Grey C, Blaqbonez, Omagz and Marz & Barzini.

The “TBG Summer Fest” is scheduled to kick off at 3pm with

an array of games, food, drinks and music from of the best DJs in the land - DJ Jizzi, Dj Crowd Kontroller and the official DJ for The Basement Gig, DJ Six7even.

The event will be hosted by the official chaperone of The Basement Gig and media personality, Kemi Smallzz; alongside the super energetic media personality, Sheye Banks.

The Basement Gig is an initiative of The Zone Agency and supported by Zebra Stripes Networks, MTV Base, FreeMe Digital, Farabale Africa and Kraks TV.

Drug peddlers attack ‘No to drug initiative’ ambassador Over the past few years the Nigerian government and NGOs alike has taken dramatic steps to improve country’s reputation as an international trafficking centre at the forefront of stemming the rising cases of drug abuse in the country is the ‘’No To Drugs Initiative‘’.

The not-for-profit making organization NTDI overtime has put together symposia and conferences on drug related issues from time to time from secondary schools to the markets as well as Universities and drug infested communities around the city of Lagos and other states across the federation thereby raising public awareness on the destructive

effects of drug abuse in the society at large.

Overtime, a correlative fall in drug abuse has been measured immensely around the areas where NTDI activities are very visible and this doesn’t seem to go down well with the major drug peddlers hence they resorted to attacking the office of the NGO, not yet satisfied they went to the extreme by attacking the most visible Ambassador of the NGO , afropunk singer Osas Randawest Omoruyi and he only escaped being lynched just by a whisker but the secretary to the NGO wasn’t so lucky, she was however battered by the drug peddlers but suffered minor bruises

Again, female photographer snaps Fashola Photography Foundation top prize For a second successive time, another budding female photographer has emerged winner of this year’s photography contest organized this year by the Fashola Photography Foundation (FPF) and curated by Temple Management Company (TMC), a pan-African talent agency and event company.

Ebun Akinbo, a young talented full-time photographer based in Lagos shone high among a group of 10 finalists to snap up the top prize of Canon Camera as well as an exclusive exhibition at the Lagos Photo Festival holding in October this year.

The duo of Oyedeji Fawaz, 2nd runner-up, and Nnamezie Asogwa, 1st runner-up won, Apple Mac Book Air and Nikon Camera, respectively. Other contestants who participated include Anthony Onyejesi, Ralph Eluehike, Adedokun Oluwatoyin, Akhenebiri Joshua, Adekunle Bryan, Christopher Nelson and Stephanie Ugwu.

It would be recalled that last year, the duo of Vivian Nwobi and Kehinde Yusuf emerged winners and underwent a month-long training course at the New York Film Academy.

The winners were unveiled at a private ceremony which held in Lagos and was hosted by children of the late Alhaji Ademola Fashola. They were led by Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing (PWH), Babatunde Raji Fashola, his wife, Dame Abimbola Fashola, brother, Tokunbo Fashola among other members of the family.

While accepting the prize, Ebun said, “I want to thank my colleagues, without you, I wouldn’t have won. You brought out my real self. It never looked like a competition, it was like a team bonding exercise. I am excited to be a winner.”

Commending the winner, ex-Governor Fashola saluted her humility and sportsmanship for acknowledging her co-finalists. He added, “I would like to say this especially to my siblings that women have really taken over. “While the prizes were announced, nobody felt any sense of shortcoming but that of fulfilment for having participated.

Ebun Akinbo, winner getting her prize from Mrs. Abimbola Fashola For me, that is a very important spirit and value for our nation today and I feel privilege that my family is involved with something that is contentious yet not acrimonious.

They are very strong values. A sense of competition; the nation needs it. Our communities and homes will thrive with competition and it will increase productivity.”

It was the climax of a one-week free intensive workshop where the budding photographers were exposed to street

photography, documentary-making, video art and portraiture, as well as developing curatorial and technical skills.

The exercise was helmed by professionals including Uche Okpa Iroha, Charlotte Langhorst, Adeola Olagunju, Uche James Iroha, Isaac Emokpae and Tam Fiofori. Other facilitators include Emmanuel Oyeleke, Oyinda Fakeye, Abraham Oghobase, Lukman Olaonipekun (Lukesh) and Logor Oluwamuyiwa Adeyemi.

BUSINESS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Fruit juice not linked to obesityNutritionist Godwin Anyebe

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Aviation: How Nigeria, others unlocking Woman emerges potentials of Africa’s air travel market that completed the building and presently managing the new Dakar Airport in Senegal, Yildirim Ören, in a recent interview in Accra, Ghana, said Africa’s aviation sector growth would exceed global average in the near future.

Incidentally, West Africa is where the huge market lies in the continent because the sub-region has the fastest growing countries in the continent.

This explains why major carriers in the continent like Ethiopia Airlines, South Africa Airways, Air Maroc, Kenya Airways are battling to raise their market share.

But West Africa is the home of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. It is not only that Nigeria is the most populous country in the continent, but it has citizens who like to travel and in creating consumer market in the country, Nigerians travel all over the world to import goods to meet the ever growing taste of Nigerians.

At the Routes Africa Conference 2018 in Accra, it was considered

that ECOWAS countries would work towards having uniform charges. This would fully open the huge market in the West Coast and boost connectivity and bring down the fares. Instead of travelling to Dubai and other Asian countries and Europe, Africans will grow their own market and patronise themselves.

Oren of SUMMA Airports, which is now building several airports in Africa, said, “The aviation sector in Africa is booming and has very good light for the future and we are very much excited about this.”

“We are also excited to commit these investments in African countries because we believe in the growth of the sector. We will do our best to support the aviation sector in Africa and we will continue in this business.”

SUMMA operates the Dakar Airport in Senegal while also constructing the Niamey Airport in Niger and Khartoum Airport in Sudan, all under Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) contracts of between 25 and 30 years operating

periods.

Oren also noted, “But I believe intra-Africa traffic is the more key factor of this because intercontinental traffic will not support it. It is needed but intraAfrica traffic is very important.

For this, the infrastructure should be very strong and also the airline companies should be very strong.”

Nigeria being the most populous in Africa would have benefitted more from the open sky if it has strong, competing airlines.

Analysing air traffic movement in West and Central Africa, most passengers come from Nigeria and moving to other countries in the sub-region to do business.

Tourism is also growing in the continent, so Nigerians are also travelling to Kenya, South Africa, even Ethiopia and Egypt for tourism The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema acknowledged that Nigerian airlines would benefit if there would be uniform charges and equal opportunities given to airlines in the region.

Motolani Oseni A nutritionist and wellness advocate, Dr. Bisi Abiola has explained that fruit juice has no link with obesity. Nigeria and few other African She also noted that human countries are taking advantage of system absorbs fruit juice the huge air travel market, which faster than whole fruits, as many believed would contribute the digestive system needs to immensely to the growth of the work harder to break down region’s economy. fiber contained in the latter.

Presently, the cost of travelling Abiola made these from Lagos to Dakar is as high as observations in her monthly the cost of travelling from Lagos healthy living and wellness to Dubai. This is because the dialogue. The platform is growing market has the poorest air aimed at demystifying the connectivity in the world. myths around fruit juice The International Air Transport consumption.

Association (IATA) has projected According to Dr Abiola, that the number of airline 100 per cent fruit juice is passengers in Africa will more a better option for those than double in about 20 years time, whose digestive systems based on a growth rate of about 5.6 cannot sustain the pressure per cent. of breaking down solid foods IATA said the rate would raise and fibre. the African number to about In the maiden series of the 200-million passengers per annum, discourse tagged ‘Fruit Juice: exceeding that of the global annual Myths and Facts’, Abiola compound growth rate, which it stated: “Drinking fruit juice estimated at 3.6 per cent. such as Chivita is good for Also, the Director of SUMMA you because your body Airports, the Turkish company absorbs the nutrients faster.

“In addition, fruit juice comes in handy if you are unable to keep solid food down or recovering from illness. On the fun side, juicing is a delightful way to relax and enjoy with your friends.”

According to the nutritionist, fruit juice contains minerals needed by human system to remain healthy. For example, a glass of Grape juice has been said to be a great choice for managing weight and controlling blood sugar.

She therefore encouraged individuals to develop a healthy culture towards fruit juice, which, according to her, has the capacity to boost public health.

L-R: The Chairman of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry “Orange juice, for instance, of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, and Director, Home Finance, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Olubunmi Siyanbola, during the FAAC meeting presided over by is full of calcium and a the Minister on Friday, 27th July, 2018. healthful dose of Vitamin C. Fruit juice consumption helps you to get closer to your daily recommended fruit. And fruit juice has no scientific link with obesity.

“It is advisable to have a The Minister of Finance, Mrs. role of stakeholders in building one’s foundation on monthly basis by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), glass of fruit juice instead of Kemi Adeosun, yesterday developing insurance & a shallow ground.

She added that this had to retirees and quantum sweetened soda, which often said with the various pension sectors.”

The minister, represented become necessary because of claims paid in a year by developmental contains high fructose syrup economic difficult for your body to initiatives of the Federal by the Deputy Commissioner nobody knows the day of his insurance firms.

NAIPCO conference is would Government and its for Insurance, Finance and death and it process,” she explained.

George be disastrous for anyone to the only forum that brings Abiola, who is also the agencies, Nigerians need to Administration, Managing Director of build a solid financial plan Onekhena, said life insurance leave dependents without both pension and insurance operators, their regulators Indulge Nigeria Limited, for the future through life holds the key to wise financial benefits.

Speaking on the challenge and stakeholders together to planning and is a panacea for said juice-cleanse aids insurance planning.

Mrs Adeosun made this poverty alleviation among facing insurance and pension discuss their affairs. weight loss. She, however, The conference played warned that the exercise is a known at the third National Nigerians, including those at operators in Nigeria, she said people hardly tell the a key role in settling the crash diet and that its impact Conference of the National the grassroots.

She urge Nigerians not to public when they get benefit crisis that arose last year could only be sustained if the Association of Insurance individual involved does not and Pension Correspondents neglect life insurance, even from these two sectors citing between the two sectors in as it is a common habit, instance of quantum of Annuity administration and return to his or her normal (NAIPCO) held in Lagos.

It had as heme: “The noting that this is equal to retirement benefits paid on management. lifestyle.

Adeosun wants Nigerians to embrace life insurance

winner of N500, 000 in betking’s raffle draw Mutiat Alli

A middle aged woman has emerged winner of N500,000 in the recently concluded World Cup Predictor Jackpot by fastest growing sports betting platform, BetKing.

The winner, Omolade Abimbola, who was selected randomly by an electronic draw in July, 2018m was all smiles, when receiving her winning price during an official presentation at BetKing office on July 20 in Lagos.

Expressing her admiration and gratitude to BetKing, Abimbola said that her love and passion for football brought her into sports betting; and even though her friends found it strange.

“At that point, I knew God had answered my prayer.”

She added gleefully, as she spoke to journalists. Abimbola believes the winning would help her invest in some business ideas, and stated her desire to keep staking on the Playground for Kings.

In her closing words, she advised punters to register on the BetKing platform to join several other winners like her, as the Premier League season draws near.

Also at the presentation was BetKing’s Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Ruby Chuku. She stated that the Playground for Kings empowers everyone, irrespective of gender.

“The Playground for Kings is not designed for men only. If you are an adult man or woman who loves sports and is excited about predictions then BetKing is designed for you. We look forward to welcoming other punters out there who want to join the league of winners at BetKing.”

Business Times 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Forex: CBN injects $327m, CNY 69m into Retail SMIS Motolani Oseni The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Friday, August 10, 2018, injected the sum of $327 million into the interbank retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS).

This is in addition to the sale of Chinese Yuan (CNY) 69.7million in the spot and short-tenure forwards.

The figures obtained from the CBN on Friday showed that the US dollar-denominated interventions were only for concerns in the agricultural and raw materials sectors.

Mr. Isaac Okorafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications at the CBN, said that the exercise which was in tune with the CBN guidelines, were for the payment of Renminbi denominated Letters of Credit for agriculture as well as raw materials.

He added that the sales in the Chinese Yuan were through a combination of spot and shorttenored forwards, arising from bids received from authorised dealers.

While noting that availability

of Renminbi was sure to ease pressure on the Nigerian foreign exchange market, Mr. Okorafor attributed the relative stability in the foreign exchange market to the intervention of the CBN as well as the sustained increase in crude oil prices in the international market.

He further assured that the CBN would remain committed to ensuring that all the sectors continue to enjoy access to the needed foreign exchange by Nigerians.

Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N360 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market,

while CNY 1 exchanged for N53.35.

It should be remembered that CBN, on Friday, July 27, 2018, injected the sum of $340.

5million into the interbank retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales and CNY 69.85million in the spot and short tenored forwards.

NSE: Investors lose N287bn amid persist profit taking Following persisted profit-taking by investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Friday, the market capitalization shed N287 billion or 2.17 percent to close at N12.941 trillion against N13.228 trillion on Thursday.

Similarly, the NSE said the All-Share Index lost 786.19 points or 2.17 per cent to close at 35,446.47 compared with 36,232.66 on Thursday.

Dangote Cement topped the laggards’ chart, losing N14 to close at N214 per share.

Total trailed with a loss of N5 to close at N185, while Lafarge Africa lost N1.90 to close at N28 per share.

GlaxosmithKline shed N1.70 to close at N15.30, while ETI declined by N1.10 to close at N21.05 per share.

Conversely, Mobil Oil led the gainers’ table, gaining N6 to close at N176 per share.

International Breweries came second with a gain of N1 to close at N32, while Eterna gained 45k to close at N6.55 per share.

FBN Holdings appreciated by 10k to close at N9.60, while Oando also increased by 10k to close at N5.55 per share.

In spite of the drop in market indices, the volume of shares traded closed higher as investors bought and sold

192.99 million shares valued at N2.03 billion exchanged in 3,025 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 188.26 million shares worth N1.29 billion achieved in 2,795 deals on Thursday.

United Bank for Africa was the most active stock during the day, exchanging 52.10 million shares worth N496.19 million.

Transcorp came second with 18.52 million shares valued at N21.63 million, while Courteville sold 14.73 million shares worth N3.07 million.

Zenith Bank traded 11.83 million shares valued at N279.11 million.

Agritech initiative: Nigeria, others to benefit from World Bank, AfDB $1bn financing Mathew Dadiya, Abuja The African Development Bank (AfDB) has disclosed that it is currently working with the World Bank, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to mobilize $1 billion to scale up agricultural technologies across Africa under a new initiative called Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT).

Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB president, made the disclosure during a keynote speech delivered at the 2018 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C. He said TAAT is taking bold steps to bring down some of the barriers preventing farmers from accessing latest seed varieties and technologies to improve their productivity.

“With the rapid pace of growth of the use of drones, automated tractors, artificial intelligence, robotics and block chains, agriculture as we know it today will change,” he said, adding, “It is more likely that the future farmers will be sitting in their homes with computer applications using drone to determine the size of their farms, monitor and guide the applications of farm inputs, and with driverless combine harvesters bringing in the harvest.”

Adesina specifically sue that

farmers across the continent be given new technologies with the potential to transform agricultural production.

He said technology transfer was needed immediately and that evidence from countries like Nigeria demonstrated that technology plus strong government backing would always yield positive results. ”Technologies to achieve Africa’s green revolution exist, but are mostly just sitting on the shelves. The challenge is a lack of supportive policies to ensure that they are scaled up to reach

millions of farmers,” Adesina said Adesina cited the case of Nigeria, where policy during his tenure as the country’s minister of agriculture, resulted in a rice production revolution in three years.

“All it took was sheer political will, supported by science, technology and pragmatic policies…Just like in the case of rice, the same can be said of a myriad of technologies, including high-yielding water efficient maize, high-yielding cassava varieties, animal and fisheries

technologies,” Adesina said.

Adesina used the opportunity to advocate for African universities to adapt their curriculum to enable technologydriven farmers and to focus on agribusiness entrepreneurship for young people, emphasizing the need to rise beyond theories to application.

Through its innovative Enable Youth initiative, the African Development Bank has in the past two years committed close to US$ 300 million to develop the next generation of agribusiness and commercial farmers for Africa.

Air Peace Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah (6th left), Director of Flight Operations, Capt. Wellingotn Eyimina (6th right), Safety Manager, Capt. Godfrey Ogbogu (4th right), Cabin Services Manager, Florence Opia (3rd left), Chief Security Officer, Mr. Monsuru Akinbola (2nd left), IT Infrastructure Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Nwankwo (left), Team Lead Commercial, Mr. Ugonna Agubuokwu (4th left), Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, Liberia Airport Authority, Paula Fares Harvey (5th right) and other guests cutting the cake to mark Air Peace’s inaugural flight out of Abuja, Lagos and Accra into Roberts International Airport, Monrovia, Liberia

Ease of doing business: Obaseki slashes C-of-O processing fee to N50, 000 In what real estate operators and business owners have described as a major turnaround for ease of doing business in the state, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has slashed to a minimum of N50,000 the cost for processing Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O), assuring a 30-day turnaround for processing land titles.

Obaseki, who disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing work at the Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) office in Benin City, said that the development is made possible as a result of the deployment of Geographic Information Service (GIS) technology by the state government in processing land titles.

According to him, “We are drastically reducing the cost of obtaining C-of-O. The minimum will be N50, 000.

That means that we have come down drastically from the current rate of about N300,000 to slightly about N50, 000.”

He explained, “Our hope is that Edo will be one of the foremost states in Nigeria where you can come in, buy land and within 30 days, you have all the documents and titles to the land. If you want to sell, we will ensure that granting of approvals such as building approvals follow the same speed.

“What that will do is that investors will find out that it is much easier to do business in Edo because of the speed at which we can register titles and the speed at which people can obtain licences.”

Obaseki said the state government would not relent in providing a conducive working environment for workers in the state, adding, “The idea is to improve the work experience of public officers and public servants. Their offices should be more comfortable than their homes so that they can spend more time at work and be more productive.”

He urged staff of the agency to imbibe the culture of maintaining facilities, noting that “maintenance is key to keeping the standard.”

The Managing Director, EDOGIS, Arch.

Frank Evbuomwan explained that titles for land, C-of-O, governor’s consent, mortgage consent, among others, are processed at the new office site.

“Very soon, we will start the process of recertifying C-of-O and issuing of new C-of-O. The processes here are automated,” he added.

POLITICS times

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

APC crisis: Aggrieved members set to join SDP in Imo Following the various crisis rocking the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a group of aggrieved members of the party, under the aegis of Good Governance Forum (GGF), has reportedly consulted with the state leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a bid to formerly decamp to the party.

This was disclosed in a statement by the publicity secretary of SDP in Imo state, Godsent Chilos, on Friday.

The statement quoted leaders of the group as saying that, with the events unfolding in Imo APC, it will be very difficult for the party to win elections in Imo State come 2019.

The statement also reported the leaders of the aggrieved APC group as saying that their membership cuts across the 27 LGAs and the 305 wards in Imo State.

Chilos quoted them as saying, “Our attraction to SDP is as a result of the grassroots strength of SDP, also SDP’s commitment to restructuring of Nigeria and operation of open government when elected to power, adherence to the principles of internal democracy, harmonious co-existence and respect to the democratic rights of members.

“We think that SDP is the only party in Imo State that has brighter chances of winning the governorship of Imo State including majority in the State House of Assembly in 2019, because APC and PDP has failed imolites.

“We shall formerly announce their defection to SDP before the end of August 2018 in Owerri,” he said.

Godsent Chilos

Obasa to electorates: Your PVC, only access to elect credible leaders The Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudshiru Obasa has appealed to the people of his Agege constituency to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) as it is their only access towards voting credible leaders in the 2019 general elections.

Rt. Hon. Obasa, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting where he gave account of his stewardship to his constituency, saying PVC confers power on the electorate as a key stakeholder in the development of democracy.

“The only way to make impactful contribution to the development of democracy is for us all to obtain our PVC. If you have not registered, you still have a few weeks to do so. We have held series of meeting with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Agege to give

them support on how to ensure a seamless registration process,” the Lagos Assembly Speaker who is also the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, noted.

He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to mobilise as many people as possible to collect their PVCs for them to participate in the electoral process.

Speaking on the theme: “Towards a Peaceful and Credible Election,’’ Rt. Hon. Obasa enjoined political leaders and party supporters to conduct themselves in ways that would promote peace and unity during and after the elections.

“We also urge religious leaders and parents to contribute to the success of the elections by preaching against violence of any

Obasa

form.

“The electoral process is one of the most important features of democracy with voters as the major stakeholders.

The electorate must have confidence in the electoral

process for them to participate,” he said.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker also called for a community-based security trust fund for people to donate voluntarily to support the government in

ensuring security of lives and properties.

According to him, security should be a collective responsibility of everyone in Lagos State.

“It is work for us all; paying attention to happenings around us, reporting strange activities and not shielding criminals helps to ensure everyone is safe. Let’s not keep quiet,” he said.

He called on various Community Development Associations to monitor the works of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps in order to measure their performance.

“LNSC was not created to work in collaboration with the police by gathering intelligence on criminals within neighbourhoods and reporting them for arrest and prosecution. The thieves stealing parts of parked vehicles live in our communities,’’ Obasa said.

Daura’s sack should be a lesson for overzealous security agents, – Ex-Lawmaker A former member of the National Assembly, Sen. Ighoyota Amori, has advised security agencies to learn from Tuesday’s constitutional breach at the National Assembly, saying it was lesson for being overzealous.

He told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that rather than professionalism, the incident demonstrated partisanship and abuse of power by Department of State Service (DSS).

Amori, who is the Political Adviser to the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), commended the Acting President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo, for the timely reaction “which saved Nigeria from ridicule before the international community.

“The prompt sacking of the Director-General of DSS by the acting President restored Nigeria’s honour and immediately obliterated the odium the security operatives’ action brought on the country.

“The acting President acted very well in checking that coup against democracy.

He did quite well to restore the

country’s integrity,” he said.

He said that overzealous and partisanship of security agencies would not be tolerated, adding that “from what we have seen in the incident, this country is just too big for anybody to paint black.”

Amori said “what happened in Nigeria on Tuesday was a big shame to the country. They were wielding guns and barring everybody as if

they were going to war.

“Imagine the number of members of the international community that condemned the action. It was a minus for the country.’’

He urged the Presidency to take serious steps to check the excesses of the security apparatus, saying “I don’t think that they are doing the APC government any good by their actions.

“The security agencies

are more in the news than politicians and government.

“In civilised societies, we never saw what happened in Nigeria there; it is because our own people are not exposed.

“In the UK or US, you never heard of an IG or so, but here, every day, the IG, DSS and others are all over the place.

It is hardly heard of in any society,’’ the former lawmaker said.

Amori

2019: Oyo SSG joins guber race The Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Alhaji Ismael Alli on Friday signified his intention to vie for the governorship seat of the state to succeed his boss, Abiola Ajimobi on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alli said he decided to join the governorship race after what he described as “due and diligent consultations” with party leaders, elders, his principal, Governor Abiola

Ajimobi, other stakeholders and his immediate family.

In a letter of introduction to convey his intention to the stakeholders, Alli said his years of service jointly with other stakeholders in the Ajimobi administration had prepared him well enough to build on the unprecedented terms of the incumbent governor.

The letter dated August 6th, 2018 reads in parts, “For half a decade, I have served, together with you, under the astute and

architect-builder of modern Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Within this period, we have jointly gained tremendous knowledge about critical governance issues and become highly schooled in service-delivery to the citizenry. We have also actualised plans and projects to promote the socio-economic status of our state and our people.

“It is therefore with this sense of responsibility that I humbly convey my aspiration and offer my

candidacy for the service of our state as its next governor. This shall be at the expiration of the unprecedented and highly impactful two-term tenure of our distinguished and acclaimed leader.

“Taking off from the foundation laid by our mentor, we shall ensure the continuous security, safety, welfare wellbeing and prosperity of the citizenry; as we further the engendering of inclusive growth and development of the state.

Politics Times 18

Nwosu

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Madumere

Araraume

2019 Imo guber: The aspirants, their chances Aham Nwankwo, Owerri No doubt Imo State is one of the states to be watched in the 2009 General Election in Nigeria.

This is so because Imo State is a state where no political party can authoritatively claim it holds sway. The people of Imo State can vote out a sitting governor, can equally vote in a young or a virgin politician.

Imo was a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state until 2011 when the incumbent governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, won and became the governor on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). In 2015, he, the governor, won for the second term from an opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), now the ruling party both in Nigeria and in Imo State.

Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha defeated a sitting governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who became the governor of the state through the Progressive People Alliance (PPA), but in less than one year, he quickly joined the then ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This means, since the inception of the present civilian rule in the year 1999, four different parties have won the seat of the Douglas House (Government House, Imo State) viz; PDP 1999 and 2003, PPA 2007, APGA 2011 and APC

2015.

Looking at it from the foregoing, it is not going to be an easy job for any political party to assure the members or aspirants that Douglas House next year belongs to them. Imo State has been a case of while two elephants are fighting over the grass, a smaller or an unexpected animal will from nowhere come to grab and eat the grass.

Again, with the present political situation in Nigeria with defection and impeachment fully in season, anything can happen and Imo is one of the states that “defection and impeachment” is not a new thing to the people and their politicians. Chief Ikedi Ohakim won as Imo State governor in 2007 through PPA but defected to PDP without wasting much time.

Owelle Rochas Okorocha became the governor in 2011 through APGA and later defected to APC; Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, one of the inevitable aspirants, had for few years now defected to APC, after being a two-time senator of the Federal Republic through the PDP. Two different deputy governors have been impeached too, since 2011, Hon. Jude Agbaso and just recently, Prince Eze Madumere.

As the 2019 general election gradually draws closer, a lot of people, sophisticated politicians have conspicuously and emphatically indicated interest

for the occupation of Douglas House. Presently, there are over fifty (50) governorship aspirants jostling to get the ticket of their respective parties, to contest for the number one seat of governor of Imo State. More than 25 aspirants from APGA; PDP has over 10 aspirants; APC equally followed PDP with not less than 10 aspirants; UPP has 4 aspirants already; Maja 1 for now; Fresh Party 1 for now, and so many others.

It is very clear that the three major parties that are expected to grab the position of the number one citizen of Imo State are APC, APGA or PDP, but since it is Imo State, no party can be sure of it until it is announced by INEC. In fact, speculations have started going on in Imo State that this time around, it is going to be a surprise again, a situation where the big and notable parties will be fighting to get Douglas House, a smaller party will unexpectedly take it.

What makes Imo guber 2019 very serious, complicated and uncertain is not because of the numerous number of people, but because there are seasoned and sophisticated politicians who are very zealous and serious to replace Okorocha and there are equally vibrant new aspirants who the people of Imo State may decide to taste their abilities and capabilities.

Without mincing words, the

fact that Imo State governor has singled out his son in-law who is equally his chief of staff, has worried a lot of Imolites who believe that this is a way of asking for third term bid; deputy governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, who was recently impeached is bluntly bent on making sure he replaces his former boss.

Apart from Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, son in-law of the incumbent governor and Prince Eze Madumere, immediate past deputy governor of Imo State, other aspirants from the same party, APC include Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, contesting for the third time, Sir Jude Ejiogu, former SSG to Okorocha, Mr. Chima Anozie, Peter Gbujie, not forgetting another in-law to the state governor, Hon. Ololo and a host of others.

From APGA, we have the C.E.O of ABC Transport, Mr. Frank Nneji, Chief Ikedi Ohakim - former governor of Imo State, former Commissioner of Information to Okorocha, Hon. Okey Eze, regular aspirant from APGA, Hon. Ike C. Ibeh, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, David Mbamara, Steve Nwoga, Barr.

Humphery Anumudu, to mention just a few.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have big names like Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha – former Deputy Speaker of House of Representative, Sen. Athan

Achonu, who comes from the same Community/LGA with the State PDP chairman, Hon. Tony Nwulu, Sen. Sam Daddy Anyanwu, who has never lost any meaningful election in his life, and Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru – Obia Ozuma Ndi Igbo, among others.

Two United Kingdom based businessmen, Chief Nnaemeka Lawrence Nwankwo and Prince Eleazar Onyewuchi Ogbonna, Chidi Okoro, etc are among the United Progressive Party (UPP) governorship aspirants in Imo State. Ken Ojiri, who contested in 2015 through Accord Party is still waxing strong to ensure he becomes the next governor of Imo State. Collins Osuagwu from SDP, Aloysius Osuji from Maja party are equally in the race.

With the sophisticated names listed in PDP, APC and APGA, getting the ticket from these three major parties is not an easy task, one can even decide or quickly look for another party and wait for Imo usual surprise than to be in APGA, PDP or APC jostling for the ticket.

Another conspicuous thing here is that some former Commissioners of the incumbent governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, are in the race; his two in-laws (one married to his sister, one married to his daughter) are equally scrambling for the ticket; his former deputy governor (impeached recently) is in the race and others who have directly or indirectly worked

‘

Ohakim

Ihedioha

with or for the governor are also zealously interested to replace Okorocha at the end of his tenure in 2019.

In terms of zoning, among the three political zones in Imo State, Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe zones, since 1999, almost 20 years that Nigeria has had this present democracy, Orlu zone has ruled for about 16 years (Chief Achike Udenwa and Owelle Rochas Okorocha).

Okigwe zone has ruled for a bridged or divisible four years; Owerri zone has not tasted the Douglas House seat, so these and more equally make the quest for who replaces Okorocha, a tough one. It is obviously hard for any party to ascertain now who gets the running ticket to aspire, in order to be the next governor of Imo State.

It simply means, each party has a lot of things to consider, in order to ensure that the people’s choice or an unbeatable person is given the ticket to contest on the platform of the party. Already the ruling APC has two parallel executives, aspirants or groups, which will make it difficult for them till the last day.

Whoever emerges as the flag bearer of any of the parties is going to be lucky because Imo is not usually determined or won by ruling party or big party. The jostle for ticket in every political party in Imo State is not only difficult, but also uncertain for who gets the ticket of his/her party to be the next governor of Imo State.

Another conspicuous thing here is that some former Commissioners of the incumbent governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, are in the race; his two in-laws (one married to his sister, one married to his daughter) are equally scrambling for the ticket; his former deputy governor (impeached recently) is in the race and others who have directly or indirectly worked with or for the governor are also zealously interested to replace Okorocha at the end of his tenure in 2019.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

CPK urges APC to take speedy judicial action against dissolved Balogun-Fulani led exco Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin A group under the auspices of Congress of Kwara Progressives (CKP), has urged the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take speedy and judicial action that will end the agitations of the dissolved Ishola Balogun-Fulani led executives in Kwara state.

The dissolved executive members still lay claims to the structure of the party in the state through litigation.

CKP in a communiqué at the end of its political summit in Ilorin, the state capital urged all progressives’

social/political groups in the state to join APC to actualise their dreams come 2019 elections in the state.

The communiqué was signed by the convener of the summit, Hon Dele Shittu.

The communiqué reads: “Concerted efforts coupled with serious mobilisation, sensitisation and proper organisations be made towards the 2019 elections in the state to enable APC win the state from those holding it to ransom.

“It was agreed upon that purposeful, progressive and a clear vision government must be enthroned in the state after the current and dynastic government

must have been seen packing in 2019; that all prospective aspirants into elective positions under the platform of the APC in the state to tread softly by subsuming their individual interest into the larger and collective interest of the party and the state.

“Members were also implored to adopt fairness, equity and unity of purpose in all their activities in the state.”

The group also advocated a replication of this kind of political summit in all the 16 local government areas of the state, adding that would ensure cohesion, unity and progress of the APC in the state.

19 News Extra Short News Population Commission urges Nigerians to register all births Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja The Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Eze Duruiheoma San, has appealed to Nigerians to fulfil their civic responsibility by ensuring the proper registration of all births and deaths cases through the Civil Registration and Vital statistics (CVRS) system of the commission.

Duruiheoma was speaking at the maiden African Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) day commemoration in Abuja on Friday, where he stated that birth certificate is the first legal identity of a child as well as a fundamental human rights, every parent owes the newborn.

He noted that Africa Union and indeed Nigeria have identified the critical role of effective and continuous universal data collating of citizens, as a direct indicator of development in the continent.

Eid-el-Kabir: Don’t increase rams’ prices, cleric urges traders The Chief Imam of Area 10 Jumma’ah Mosque in Abuja, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, on Friday advised traders against increasing the prices of rams and foodstuffs ahead of preparations for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the country.

Al-Yolawi gave the advice while delivering his Jumma’at sermon entitled, “First 10 days of ZhulHijja” (12th month in the Islamic Calendar), in Abuja.

He said that the first 10 days of Zul-Hijja were days which Allah selected and made so distinctive among the remaining days of the Islamic year.

Al-Yolawi advised Muslim traders to use the opportunity of the 10 days to earn more reward by reducing the prices of rams and foodstuffs in the country.

Jigawa spends N27m to clear drainage Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah retd, (centre) and Hon. Fred Agbedi (left) in a discussion during a meeting of PDP Stakeholders at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.

Photo by Lucky Francis.

Stop attack on personalities, tackle economic woes, Ex-Ebonyi SSG tells Gov Umahi Edward Nnachi, Abakaliki

Former Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh has asked Governor David Nweze Umahi to concentrate on addressing the numerous economic challenges facing the State, instead of attacking personalities.

Prof. Odoh, who had last weekend defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), at a rally in Abakaliki, gave the admonition Friday while reacting to allegations by the state government that he was responsible for the sack of a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Chief Ogodo Ali Nomeh who, equally hails from the same Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.

Umahi had during the swearing-in of Chief Nomeh as Commissionerdesignate for a yet-to-be-assigned portfolio in the state on Thursday, in Abakaliki said his decision to sack Nomeh was informed by what the “exSSG told me in a private discussion”.

‘If Governor Umahi can shamelessly claim that he sacked his commissioner on the basis of an alleged verbal communication with me, it stands to reason that his judgment is not only questionable but extremely faulty.

Otherwise, how could a man with a sound mind entrusted with the fate of over three million people take such a weighty decision hastily, carelessly, and without due consideration.

“His Excellencies are not expected to act without clarity of thoughts and logic. This is the trouble with the present government. All his policies are not only ill-conceived but ill-motivated. The present Governor’s attempt at cover up is both cheap and demeaning of his status”, he said.

Recalled that the ex-state government’s scribe had on April 2nd this year in a rare display of courage, tendered a resignation letter to the government after putting in about 30 months in service.

According to him, “It is only regrettable that whilst this blame-game and buck-passing is daily on, in the state, the people now live on less than $200 as it’s per capital income.

“Investors are rarely attracted to economic environments with this kind of ridiculous ranking,” he said.

His words: “These issues include but not limited to: total collapse of public institutions of State, inoperative bureaucracy with Ministries having no Permanent Secretaries, near closure of the Local Government system in the State and over-centralized control of MDAs.” He added that public infrastructures are all concentrated in mainly two locations; the Governor’s Uburu hometown and the Abakaliki Capital City with no serious efforts being made to drive developments down to the grassroots.

The Professor of Geophysics further accused the government of deliberately introducing policies of starvation, redundancy and unproductivity in the State’s Civil service, pointing out that pensioners and retirees have long been abandoned to fatalistic resignation.

While further accusing the government of over-taxation, Odoh urged Governor Umahi to address issues.

Jigawa Government on Friday said it had spent N27 million to clear drainage in parts of the state to prevent outbreak of communicable diseases.

Director, Community Mobilization in the state Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Mohammed Wada, disclosed this to news men in Hadejia.

He said each local government council received N1 million for the exercise.

Wada also said that the exercise was aimed at keeping the environment clean and to prevent flooding, especially during rainy season.

“As part of effort to keep the environment clean and to prevent flooding, the state government released N27 million to local government areas for the programme,” he said.

‘INEC to go after perpetrators of multiple registrations in Adamawa’ The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to fish out, soon, perpetrators of multiple registrations in Adamawa for prosecution.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Kasim Gaidam, gave the promise in an interview with journalists in Yola on Friday.

Gaidam expressed worry over multiple registrations by some people in the state, adding that such development would not be allowed to continue.

“As the last minute for the suspension of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) approaches, the Commission has noticed multiple registrations in the state.

“According to our data verification system, we have found so many duplication of registration.

“The case is so much in the state and the Commission will close the registration on Aug. 17, 2018,” Gaidam said.

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

PVCs collection: INEC solicits Ebonyi lawmakers support to mobilise electorate The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says no fewer than 71,462 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected in Ebonyi.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof. Godswill Obioma disclosed this when he led management of the commission on a courtesy visit to the speaker and members of the Ebonyi House of Assembly on Friday in Abakaliki.

He explained that the visit was part of the commission’s engagement process with critical stakeholders ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He explained that out of the 77, 487 PVCs ready for collection, less than 10, 000 had been collected as at August.

OKOLI MADUKA

He said that the apathy to collection of the voter cards in the state was unacceptable, adding that the visit is to brief the lawmakers on the development as well as solicit support for effective public sensitisation.

“We decided to visit the speaker and members of the house of assembly to solicit for their cooperation and collaboration with a view to reaching out to the public and sensitise them on the need to collect their PVCs before the 2019 general elections.

“It is unfortunate that out of over 77000 PVCs released by our national headquarters from the 2017 and 2018 registrations to Ebonyi, only about 6,025 PVCs have been collected.

“We are here to solicit your EMMANUEL FAITH

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MRS ASOGWA MAUREEN

cooperation, collaboration and support in mobilising and sensitising eligible voters in your various constituencies who registered and are yet to collect their cards to come forward and get them.

“With less than 200 days to the general elections, it is important that all eligible voters in the state who are yet to obtain their voter cards should go to INEC offices in various local government areas to collect them.

“Collection of PVCs will AMURE TOPE SAMUEL

continue until one week to the general elections, while the CVR exercise will end on Friday, Aug. 17.

“We have extended the time for registration, while Saturdays and Sundays have been included in the registration days to enable more people to be captured in the exercise,” Obioma said.

He said that over 13,5000 voters had registered within the first quarter and first phase of the second quarter of the 2018 registration.

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FOREIGN TIMES

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

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Zimbabwe: Opposition challenges election result in court Zimbabwe’s opposition coalition has filed a legal challenge to results of the country’s recent election, in a move that delays the inauguration of Emmerson Mnangagwa as president of Zimbabwe.

The MDC alliance filed their paperwork with Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court on Friday, alleging the result of the July 30 vote had been rigged in favour of incumbent Mnangagwa, the leader of the ruling ZANU-PF party.

“Our legal team successfully filed our court papers.We have a good case and cause!!” MDC leader Nelson Chamisa said on Twitter.

Party lawyers arrived at the court in the capital, Harare, with plastic boxes full of paperwork.

“We will rest when this country is liberated,” Jameson Timba, the MDC’s chief election agent, told journalists standing outside.

Zimbabwe’s electoral commission has

said Mnangagwa won the election, the first without long-time president Robert Mugabe on the ballot form, garnering 50.8 percent of the vote against 44.3 percent for Chamisa.

Chamisa has claimed he won 56 percent of votes and called the election “fraudulent, illegal and illegitimate”.

“The MDC alliance say some of the evidence they have shows forms that have been tampered with, figures changed here and there - and they’re going to present that in court,” said Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from Harare.

Judges have 14 days to rule on the case, delaying the inauguration of Mnangagwa which was scheduled for Sunday.

“If [the judges] think the evidence is weak they could throw the case out fairly fast. They could also just say that they need time to go through the evidence, which could take a couple of days,” Mutasa said.

Mnangagwa, who took over after a military intervention in November 2017, had vowed the first elections after the conclusion of Mugabe’s 37-year rule would be free and fair.

EU observers said that the ZANUPF candidate had benefitted from an “un-level playing field” and some voter intimidation, though international monitors largely praised the conduct of the election.

On August 1, clashes broke out between security forces and opposition supporters. Six died after soldiers opened fire on the protesters in a response the opposition alliance called “disproportionate and unjustified”.

On Thursday, opposition figure Tendai Biti was detained by Zimbabwean police after Zambian authorities rejected his bid for asylum.

Police were looking for Biti and eight other opposition leaders for allegedly fomenting violence following the disputed national election.

Romanian expatriates stage anti-govt protest in Bucharest Romanians who live abroad flocked to an anti-government protest in Bucharest on Friday, urging the left-wing government to resign and call an early election.

The expatriates, some of whom drove across Europe to attend the demonstration, are angry about how Romania is governed. Many of the estimated 3 million Romanians living abroad say they left because of corruption, low wages and lack of opportunities.

More than 1,000 protesters waved Romanian and European Union

flags, booed and yelled “Justice, not corruption!” outside government offices in the capital.

Protesters briefly scuffled with riot police when they tried to break through a police line guarding the government offices. At least one man was detained.

The protests were to continue into Friday evening.

Since the Social Democrats won power in 2016, Romanians have regularly protested government moves to put in new laws that critics say weaken the nation’s fight against corruption.

Sudan ruling party chooses Bashir as candidate for 2020 Sudan’s ruling party has chosen President Omar Al-Bashir to stand for re-election in 2020, state media reported Friday, even though the constitution allows only two five-year terms.

The National Congress Party’s advisory council announced Bashir as its candidate after an overnight meeting held in Khartoum, the official SUNA news agency reported.

The veteran leader has been in power

since a 1989 military coup but has only faced contested elections since the new constitution went into effect in 2010.

“The National Congress Party’s shura council has approved President Omar Al-Bashir as the party’s candidate for the presidential election in 2020,” SUNA reported.

The council’s chief Kabashor Koko said that the decision to choose Bashir, who won previous elections in 2010 and 2015, was

taken by the party at all levels.

“We have decided to adopt all necessary procedures for him to run in the 2020 election,” he told reporters after the meeting.

Not only the constitution but also the NCP’s charter allow only two presidential terms, and both will have to be amended if Bashir stands again.

Previous presidential elections have been criticized by human rights groups as Bashir has faced no realistic challengers.

Trump doubles metal tariffs on Turkey as lira falls by 20% US President Donald Trump has doubled US tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminium, as the precipitous fall of the Turkish lira accelerates.

In a tweet, Mr Trump said the currency was weak against “our very strong dollar”, adding that “US relations with Turkey are not good at this time”.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech that the drop was part of a “campaign” led by foreign powers.

Relations between the two Nato allies have grown strained in recent months.

The two countries are at odds on a range of issues, from how to fight the so-called Islamic State to how to punish the alleged plotters of a failed 2016 coup in Turkey.

Most recently, President Trump issued sanctions on top Turkish officials over the ongoing detention of a US pastor who is facing terror and espionage charges in Turkey.

In the past 24 hours, the lira has lost around 20% of its value. It had already fallen more than 40% in the past year.

In a televised speech on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip

Erdogan called on citizens to exchange foreign currency and gold for lira, calling it an “economic war”.

“This is a domestic and national struggle,” he said, as the lira continued to fall.

In a veiled attack on the US he added: “Some countries have engaged in behaviour that protects coup plotters and knows no laws or justice.”

“Relations with countries who behave like this have reached a point beyond salvaging.”

After he spoke, Mr Trump tweeted that aluminium tariffs “with respect to Turkey” would be raised to 20% and steel to 50%.

The reaction from global currency markets to the rift between two Nato allies caused the euro to slump to a 13-month low and pushed the dollar to a one-year high.

The Turkish Trade Ministry responded that the additional tariffs were against the rules of the World Trade Organization.

“Turkey expects other member countries to abide by international rules,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that the US remains an important trade partner.

SPORTS TIMES Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

Giwa-led NFF distances self from Pinnickled elective congress timetable

President of a faction of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress, Chris Giwa, on Friday said his board would have nothing to do with the adjusted 2018 NFF Elective Congress time-table.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Electoral Committee set up by the Amaju Pinnick-led faction of the NFF had on Thursday rolled out a new time-table.

It would have led to elections into the NFF Executive Committee 2018-2022, scheduled for Sept. 20.

Giwa, while reacting in a statement in Abuja, said the time-table should be disregarded, as “it

has no place in law and was not sanctioned by our legally-recognised board’’.

He warned those still parading themselves as members of electoral committee to desist from doing so as they were in breach of the laws of the land.

“We want to give the last warning, and strongly too, to the electoral committee members to stop forthwith their illegal actions and face the reality that the legally-recognised board did not sanction this electoral timetable,” he said.

Giwa also warned the committee to stop issuing statements on any purported election

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or be ready to face the long arm of the law soon.

“Our being quiet should not be misconstrued as ignorance of the law, as the enrollment order of the Federal High Court, Jos dated June 5 states inter alia: “That an order is granted to First and Second Applicants setting aside all acts, resolutions and or decisions made or taken by the Executive Committee of the NFF purportedly elected on Sept. 30, 2014.

“Including the purported “ban’’ of the Executive Committee elected on Aug. 26, 2014 from all football activities, as illegal, ultra vires, unconstitutional and null and void.’’

Aminu committee will do good job of bringing harmony into NFF family, official says A former Green Eagles player, Arthur Egbuna, on Friday expressed confidence in the ability of the Abdulmumini Aminu-led committee to ensure peace reigns within the Nigerian football family.

Egbuna told newsmen in Awka that the committee with the calibre of its members would definitely unite all members of the warring factions.

“With the calibre of people like Aminu, there should be a way out of the dispute.

“When I heard of Aminu’s appointment as Chairman of the

committee, I became convinced that Youths and Sports Development Minister Solomon Dalung has done a good job by making such a highlyregarded man to head the committee.

“And this is because it is time we resolve this matter, instead of allowing sa situation that can lead us to being suspended from international football by FIFA,” he said.

The former international urged both Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa not to adopt any hard stance at this point but rather think of making

concessions.

He said making concessions was now necessary in the interest of the country’s football-loving citizens.

“I am appealing to both of them to support the efforts of the committee for the matter to be resolved without wasting much time.

“There should be a ground shift by both parties in the interest of our citizens who so much love football, which is the only thing that unites us more as a nation,” Egbuna, who is the Senior Special Adviser to the Anambra Governor on Sports, said.

FIFA bans former African Player of Year Bwalya Zambia’s former African Footballer of the Year, Kalusha Bwalya, has been banned from the game for two years by world governing body FIFA after an investigation into his links to banned Qatari official Mohammed Bin Hammam.

The adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee on Friday said that they had banned Bwalya, a member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for two years from all footballrelated activities.

FIFA said in a statement that they had been investigating the 54-year-old Bwalya since February 2017 .

“Focused principally on the benefits that Bwalya had received from Mr Bin

Hammam.

“The adjudicatory chamber found Bwalya guilty of having violated Article 16 (Confidentiality) and Article 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

“A fine in the amount of CHF 100,000 ($100,573.2) was also imposed on Bwalya.”

Bwalya, was voted African Player of the year in 1988 and later went on to be coach of the Zambia national team and president of the Zambian Football Association. He was not immediately reachable for comment.

Bin Hammam was banned for life from football by FIFA in 2011 for his part in a cash-for-votes scandal. The Qatari has denied any wrongdoing.

2018 AYG bronze medal proof of Nigeria’s shooting sport capability, federation president says President of Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSF), Lonsdale Adeoye, on Friday in Abuja said Nigeria can win medals in the shooting sport if talents were well harnessed.

Adeoye, while speaking with the media on the federation’s performance at the 2018 African Youth Games (AYG) said it was now clear that Nigeria could be champions in the game.

It will be noted that Nigeria at the AYG held in Algeria in July won a bronze medal through Agera Champion in the men’s 10 metres air rifle.

“What happened in Algeria is an eye-opener for the federation.

Some issues at Algeria went beyond our expectations.

Therefore, there was the need for damage control.

“We went to Algeria with eight shooters only to be told there would be just two main events — the 10 metres air rifle and air pistol.

“We trained before travelling under natural air, but the competition exposed us to a fully indoor arena with air-conditioned range.

“So, if training for a few hours after other countries had undergone daily rehearsal could earn us a bronze medal in less than a week, definitely we can beat the rest of the continent in that category,’’ Adeoye said.

He however said efforts were

on to put in place international facilities.

“We are glad to announce that with the support of the Federal Government and other stakeholders, we are going to build fully indoor 10m range, with 15 target points, in Abuja.

“Also, the President of African Shooting Federation has promised to provide electronic targets once the range is ready.

“With that, we can even host international competitions in shooting which will further contribute to the development of the game in Nigeria,’’ the federation president said.

Speaking also with the media in Abuja, Umar Liman, a

member of the NSF board, said he was in line with NSF board’s determination to further develop the game.

He said it was in view of this that he was pledging to provide all the cement bags and loads of sand required to build the range promised by Adeoye.

“I am going to provide all the cement and sand required for the project, so that the shooting sport can further develop under the present board.

“I therefore urge other stakeholders and sports sponsors to support the game so that Nigeria can be the hub of the shooting sport on the continent,’’ Adeoye said.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, August 11, 2018

23 Sports Times

I am fulfilled seeing MoC athletes representing Nigeria, says founder Founder of Making of Champions (MoC), Bambo Akani, an athletics consulting firm and club, says he feels fulfilled that some of his athletes were already winning medals and making history, continentally and internationally.

Akani was reacting to Joy UdoGabriel’s feat of a bronze medal in the 100m and a gold medal in the women’s 4x100m relay in the 2018 Confederation of African Athletics Championships (CAA) in Asaba, Delta.

He told newsmen in Lagos that the essence of establishing the firm in 2012, and his dream of nurturing talents to represent the country were gradually being fulfilled.

“I feel especially pleased and proud of Udo-Gabriel’s exploits at her 1st African Senior Championships, winning the 100m Bronze and 4x100m relay Gold all at the age of 19.

“These are the kind of possibilities that we had in mind for young Nigerian athletes when we inaugurated the MoC Track Club three years ago.

“It’s amazing that in that time, she has gone from the fastest schoolgirl in Lagos to become an integral part of Nigeria’s 4x100m relay Senior Team that will now also represent Africa in the 4x100m event at the IAAF Continental Cup in Ostrava,’’ he said.

Akani said he was elated to see that athletes discovered by MoC were representing Nigeria and doing the country proud.

“Joy Udo-Gabriel has now won six medals for Nigeria in just three competitions: 4x100m Bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Australia, the 100m, and the 200m Gold.

“And the 4x100m Silver at the West African U-20 Championships in Ghana and now the 100m Bronze, and the

4x100m Gold at the African Senior Championships in Asaba.

“She isn’t the only MoC athlete coming up, Jeremiah Jakpa also represented Nigeria for the first time in the men’s 200m in Asaba.

“And there is a long list of other MoC athletes knocking on the doors of the Senior, Junior (U-20) and Youth (U-18) National Teams,’’ he said.

Akani said that a lot of people thought that the idea was going to go down the drain but with these achievements, we have proved them wrong.

“A lot of people thought that it is impossible to combine Athletics and Education in Nigeria, but we’re beginning to prove them wrong.

“Udo-Gabriel is testament to that; she is a first year student at the University of Lagos, and in the time she’s been enrolled at the university, she has already won 6 medals for Nigeria.

“Imagine what that medal count for the nation could be by the time she graduates in a few years. It’s important to note that going abroad does not improve an athlete.

“It is the know-how of a stellar coach and the support of a good scholarship programme that makes all the difference.

“We have provided these things in Nigeria, with the likes of Olympic medallist Deji Aliu, who is Joy’s coach and the MoC’s Head Coach in Lagos, and Joy’s scholarship sponsor, the ARCO Group,’’ he said.

Akani said that he hoped that more sponsors would come in to support MoC athletes like Joy and Jerry, and also more scholarships for other athletes at the MoC Track Club.

“We’re happy to be developing athletes for the glory of Nigeria and we hope to see them represent our great nation at the 2020 Olympics and beyond,’’ he said.

Letsball Football tournament kicks off in Port Harcourt Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt The third edition of the Letsball Football Competition for young boys in the Niger Delta kicks off today at the football pitch of the Port Harcourt Club.

Announcing the commencement of the tournament, the Project Manager of Fordaw Organization, Mr. Carlton Thompson-Wakama, said that the competition was aimed at taking the youths off the street and engaging them in meaningful activities to reduce the rate of crime in the Niger Delta region.

A press statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by Carlton Wakama noted that football was the most popular sport in Nigeria.

It stated: “we decided to host this tournament to enable individuals from Port Harcourt of ages 16-22

showcase their talents, as well as use the event as a platform for recruiting young talents.”

This year’s tournament involves youth clubs from Port Harcourt as well as clubs from the other parts of the Niger Delta. The competition is kicking off with 16 teams set to trade tackles at the football pitch of Port Harcourt Club.

The teams include Ohis FC, Geo Black Boys, Alpha FC, Swat FC, Young Stars and Gladiators. Others are Los Blancos, Tuto Tekkers, Fantastic Five FC, Zenith FC, Amadi FC, ForDaw Allstars, Silver Stage FC, Shooting Stars FC and Golden Warriors FC. Carlton Wakama stated that the competition will soon become a national event as he urged Nigerians to support grassroots youth football.

He said “The tournament is meant to Promote good physical health, provide the platform for scouting people of Port Harcourt who aspire to be footballers; help build good

relationship between youths of Port Harcourt and increase social activities in Port Harcourt.

“It is targeted at students in senior secondary schools and undergraduates in university. We have had a rise in attendance over the years with an attendance of about 1000 spectators at the last tournament held at Port Harcourt Club and hope to expand even more at this year’s tournament,” he stated.

He said that the tournament, which would help to engage the young ones during the long holiday by developing social interaction and networking through sports, had been running since 2016 when the first edition was organized.

Carlton Wakama promised that this year’s competition would be memorable as the organisers were working on improving the various aspects of the event. “We are working on making it better for the players and spectators,” he assured.

Unilorin working hard to host National Youth Ahead of the National Youth Games beginning on Sept. 7, the Chairman of the University of Ilorin Sports Council, Prof. Uche Eke, says the institution is renovating its sports facilities to ensure a successful outing.

Eke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ilorin that a new squash court was on the verge of being completed.

He said the institution was working hard to put everything in place in order to receive Nigerian students from across the country.

“We expect to welcome many of these children back to the university in the future, so we must give them the best now, ” Eke said.

The don said that the volleyball, handball and tennis courts were also

receiving attention to make the games a memorable one.

It will be recalled that the management of the university and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development had signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding in October 2017 to host the National Youth Games (NYG) from the current fourth edition.

Seamaster ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open: Fans express delight with Qaudri’s performance A disable table tennis player, Ibrahim Soares told NAN that the he was impressed with the services exhibited by the Portugal-based player whose game thrilled the Aruna Quadri fans club and other spectators.

Soares said that in spite of the fact that he played well, Quadri still played to show that he had his unique style of play, which he applied to silence Antonino.

“We are here to cheer players but our focus is on our own Quadri, we believe in him and he has proved himself by beating the Italian player flat,” he said.

Lawal Kehinde, another physically challenged member of Aruna Fans club, said the members were happy with his performance and he had proved that he deserved to ITTF 18th ranking position.

Kehinde, who was wearing the Aruna Quadri branded T-Shirt, said Quadri had been very supportive and that members would continue to support him as he was progressing in the tournament.

“Quadri is a talented and focused player, that is the reason he has been improving in the world ranking, his performances are outstanding. So, we will continue to support him,” he said.

Atinuke Shoremilekun, another fan of Quadri, described him as a fantastic player that had a strong fans club and had enjoyed cheers from spectators in the hall.

“Quadri’s game is like a must watch because of his impressive performance which has earned him increasing following anywhere he is competing.

We are happy for him,” she said.

Biola Adesope told NAN that he would continue to pray for Quadri and that he was confident that he would come out tops in the men’s single event at the end of the tournament.

It was reported that the 46,000 dollars prize money tournament holding from Aug. 8 to Aug. 12, has 169 players from 27 countries competing in men’s, women’s singles, men/ women’s doubles and U-21 men and women events.

Pep Guardiola: I’ve been favourite for years Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is relaxed about his team being Premier League title favourites once again.

City won the title with a recordbreaking 100-point haul last season and although Liverpool have been tipped to challenge this term, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp says his team are ‘Rocky Balboa’type underdogs.

Having previously managed Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Guardiola is used to high expectations.

When asked if he was happy for City to be favourites, he said: “Since nine years I live with that situation, it’s no problem.

“Since nine years, every season – except the first when I arrived at Barcelona.

“We won the triple and, since then, we are the favourites, so thank you – you are so kind!”

Regarding the challenge of winning back-to-back titles, Guardiola added: “That is not the target, the target is tomorrow, then Huddersfield [on August 19] – in April, May we will see how is our level.

“I am not focused on back-to-back. If we play good and are consistent like last season, we have a chance to repeat.”

Riyad Mahrez was City’s only high profile acquisition but Guardiola is fine with that, and said: “We believe we have a good squad.

“I said many times, we cannot spend

every season what we spent last season.

“We decided to spend, because we should spend, because we had seven, eight players more than 31-years-old.

“I am so happy with the team and, from last season, I said maybe one more player, maybe two.

“Another point, we don’t have more money to spend – that is the truth.

“We could not spend more than we have done this season. Maybe next season we will go to the transfer window a little more active.

“We [already] spent a lot on young, young players for the next seasons.”

Guardiola says key players Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling are both available to face Arsenal on Sunday, after returning to training on Monday following their respective runs to the World Cup semi-finals with Belgium and England.

“Raheem and Kevin arrived in a

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