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Sex-for-mark: Wild, wild sex on Nigerian campuses

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 651

N150

Varsity students, others cry out I’m in-charge, nobody can stop me - Lecturer Ladesope Ladelokun Caged for long by fear of the unknown, a leaked audio tape revealing how a pastor-professor allegedly demanded five rounds of sex for a pass-mark was the tonic

she needed to find her voice.

Unlike some Nigerians that have expressed disbelief and outrage over the alleged sexcapade of the now suspended Prof. Richard Akindele of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,

Osun State, Faith is not one to be shocked by tales of philandering lecturers and their restless nozzles.

The 22-year-old undergraduate of Ebonyi State University laments the

Continued on page 5

Alex Okoli:

Not every movie must appear in cinemas

g L2 & L3

Buhari returns after medical treatment in London g6

Nigeria’s capital importation hits $6.30m in Q1 – NBS g B1

Gov Sani Bello seeks welfare of magistrates, judges g6

My wife had sexual affair with Bishop, deacon, pastor cries out g6

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Wild, wild sex on Nigerian campuses Edo agog as Continued from page 1

disgusting and brazen attempt to deliberately offend the sensibilities of female students by randy lecturers.

Faith, for example, said a lecturer from History and International Relations department (name withheld) at EBSU, bragged about his sexual prowess and dismissed his female students as cold in bed, not even sparing anyone the lurid details of his account of the thundering sex he had with some before he was reportedly suspended.

Also, another female undergraduate of Imo State University (IMSU) reveals the strategy deployed by one of her lecturers to do the wild thing. The fair, chubby 200 Level student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a Human Anatomy lecturer, having known how poorly students have done in his tests and examinations would deliberately give assignments and ask that they be submitted individually.

According to her, there and then he would tell female students to help themselves by having it with him by choosing their preferred choice between his office and a hotel.

“There is this lecturer that takes us in Human Anatomy.

He is dark, short and potbellied. He doesn’t joke with his assignment and attendance but I think it’s all to keep eyes off him. He doesn’t know how to teach or should I say lecture?

Then, when you go to his office to submit your attendance, that’s where he picks his girls. He asks us to submit individually and he is usually attracted to slim, fair girls.

“If he likes you, right there he would request for sex or ask you to arrange your meeting with him in a hotel. If you agree, he would sleep with you and also make sure you fail if you don’t bribe him, but if you refuse, he would make sure you continue failing his course till it becomes a spill over.

She added: “If he says you will fail, there is nothing you can do to change his mind, not even sex which he would accept. He would always say “I’m in-charge, nobody can stop me.” He tells us stories about his childhood, his growing up, et al. After all that he will tell you that he is in-charge and there is nothing anyone can do, not even our VC. ” For a Psychologist, Dr. John Etim, Nigerians should not lose sight of the fact that male students are also sexually harassed by female lecturers.

Etim tells the story of a close friend during his days at the University of Calabar.

“I had this acquaintance who was compelled by one of our young female lecturers then to sleep with her. She knew this guy was a cultist and that was enough instrument of blackmail for her. She didn’t stop with him. This guy’s friends also got her laid and she generously blessed them with marks.’’

Concerned about the spate of reported and unreported cases of sexual harassment by lecturers across Nigeria, stakeholders in the education sector have expressed worry over what they describe as a cancer that could spell disaster of monumental proportions in the sector.

With no Nigerian university among the first 1000 in the world, according to openness ranking of world universities for the first half of 2018 by Webometrics, some observers have said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has a lot in its bag of worries beyond the perennial demand for funding of the nation’s higher institutions of learning, else certificates from the nation’s institutions may soon not worth more than a piece of paper.

Commenting on the effect of sexual harassment on the nation’s higher institutions of learning and the scandal involving an OAU pastorprofessor and his student,

Head, Department of General Studies at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr. Dele Omojuyigbe, said: “The audio tape stinks. The content is unbelievable with the alleged voice of the pastor-professor demanding five rounds of sex from the female student for a pass mark in one course.

It became so ridiculous at the point where they started negotiating the grade to be awarded, whether a ‘C’ or a ‘B’ like two traders in Jankara market. Haba! Reprehensible is any event in academia which demeans examination value on the scale of moral inexactitude, and damned is the the aberrant don who converts exam scores into sex baits for female students. Call it high ethical deficiency or intense professional misconduct, and either description will be right“.

Omojuyigbe, however, called on students sexually harassed by lecturers to err on the side of caution in order not to expose their institutions to public infamy.

“Checks and balances abound in tertiary institutions that can address knotty issues, which is why ignoring public protocols entrenched in any institution’s rules and regulations must never go unpunished. Students should learn to build trust in their institutions’ authorities until proved wrong.

“Sexual harassment is evil.

It destroys the essence of education but there are enough mechanisms to punish any culprit within the system,’’ Omojuigbe added.

Speaking with The Daily Times on the matter, former Dean, Faculty of Science at Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Prof.

Kunle Teniola, said students and lecturers share the blame when it comes to sexual harassment by lecturers on campuses.

He explained that a great number of students directly or indirectly seduce lecturers, but maintained that there

can’t be justification for sexual misconduct on the part of lecturers. Teniola described it as evil, unethical and a sad commentary on the nation’s education system.

Meanwhile, human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, expressed worry about lack of systemic protection for students sexually harassed by lecturers.

According to him, cases of sexual harassment of female students by male lecturers are rife in our tertiary institutions due to a number of factors which includes the absence of effective internal mechanisms in institutions through which victims can make report of such incidents.

He added: “It has also been worsened by the lack of systemic protection for female students who have the courage to expose randy lecturers. There is a general climate of intimidation foisted on students by the institutions and lecturers which has forced victims into silence. Apart from fear of victimisation, most victims are afraid of stigma. I have been contacted by a number of female students who have been sexually assaulted and harassed by lecturers.

Unfortunately, none of them was willing to seek redress despite my assurances.”

On the way forward, Effiong said: “As a solution, I recommend that an independent taskforce should be established in all tertiary institutions which should be constituted by people of integrity drawn from the National Human Rights Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, the Civil Society, ASUU and the Students Union.

“I also recommend that every institution of learning should have a whistle – blowing platform where sexual harassment can be reported.”

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu - Akeredolu (middle), Mrs. Lilian Adesokan (2nd left), Mrs. Ibidunni Ogunleye (left), Dr. (Mrs.) Opeyemi Fadare (right) and Mr. Adedamola Ayeni (2nd right), at the second edition of the African Women in Agriculture (AWA), 2018 Summit in Marrakech, Morocco.

participants arrive Benin for Okpekpe Road Race

Obaseki restates commitment to successful outing

With a few hours to the commencement of the 2018 edition of Okpekpe Road Race scheduled for Saturday, May 12, enthusiasm is at a fever pitch in Edo State, host of the first 10-kilometer International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label road race in Nigeria.

Social and economic activities have witnessed positive spike from the Benin Airport, through the ancient city and to the communities hosting the event, as participants, including Elite and local athletes, sports journalists, sponsors, supporters of the event and dealers in souvenirs arrive the state for the event.

Investigation showed that hotels in Benin City are fully booked and late comers are resorting to smaller lodging facilities in the city while operators of outdoor bars, taxis, guest houses and relaxation spots are counting their gains.

The Okpekpe international 10km road race, currently in its sixth year, is the only road race recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) in Nigeria.

The number of endorsements by corporate organisations has raised the profile of the event, the latest being the Nigerian Breweries Plc. The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Friday restated his administration’s commitment to a successful race and assured participants of adequate security.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor’s assurance is coming after he had earlier encouraged Edo

indigenes and other Nigerians to register and compete in the 10km Road Race because of the inherent benefit of building an army of home-grown longdistance runners to represent the country in similar competitions within the country and overseas.

Obaseki noted that much as the state is happy to play host to athletes from East African countries and other parts of the world, the competition also presents an opportunity for Edo indigenes to prove their mettle and strive to clinch the top prize.

“As Nigerians, we are known to never give in easily in contests. So, this competition presents another opportunity for us to put up a challenge and compete to win the top prizes,” the governor said.

According to him, “Edo State is blessed with planes and conditions that can groom people for longdistance races. Highlands such as Somorika Hills can groom athletes to favourably compete in this competition. It even presents a good training ground for many others who would like to participate.

He added, “The Okpekpe road race is one of our emerging sports and tourism assets and we need to tap from this unique opportunity to build grassroots sports and project ourselves as a welcoming and sportsloving people.”

Describing the backing of Nigerian Breweries as a big boost, spokesman for the race, Dare Esan was quoted as saying that the company is “coming in as a Friend of the Race.

It is a massive boost for the image of the race to have a pioneer brewing company support an event in which history will be made on May 12, 2018.”

News 6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

My wife had sexual affair with Bishop, deacon, pastor cries out A pastor’s wife, Mrs Uzoamaka Ibeneme, on Friday, lost her 21-yearold marriage, when an Igando Customary Court in Lagos, dissolved the union on grounds of adultery.

Mr Akin Akinniyi, the court president, who delivered the judgment, said the petitioner, Pastor Joshua Ibeneme, was adamant in spite of the mediation by the court and family intervention.

“Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several interventions, the court is, therefore, left with no option but to grant him his wish and pronounce the union dissolved.

“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Pastor Joshua Ibeneme and Mrs Uzoamaka Ibeneme dissolved today.

“Both of you will henceforth cease to be husband and wife, each of

you should go on his or her separate ways unmolested.

“The court wishes both of you well in your future endeavour.

“Any squabble between both you from now on shall be treated as criminal and any violation of this judgment will be regarded as contempt of court and will attract imprisonment without option of fine,” Akinniyi ruled.

Earlier, the petitioner, a 53-year-old pastor, Joshua Ibeneme, had approached the court to end his 21-yearold marriage to his wife, Uzoamaka, who he said, was messing around with his church members.

“My wife had sexual affair with two of my church members, a deacon and a bishop. Both of them were telling my other members that they slept with my wife because she enticed them.

“Whenever I return from

a trip, my last born always tells me that men came to pick and drop my wife.

Even God told me to divorce her or else she will destroy my ministry,” he claimed.

The petitioner said that his wife denied him sex for five years.

“My wife starved me of sex for more than five years; whenever I want to sleep with her, she would give one excuse or the other and in fact, she has moved out of my room to a separate room.

“But she gives it to my members freely,” the pastor said.

The pastor said that his wife was always mocking and embarrassing him in public places, telling people about his sexual performance.

He said that Uzoamaka always accused him of having affairs with any female member, who came to the house for counselling.

“She accused them of dating me and also went to their houses to fight them.

Her behaviour has chased many members away from my church,” he said.

He begged the court to divorce the loveless union, claiming he was no longer in love with his wife.

However, the respondent, Uzoamaka, denied having sex with their church members but accused her husband of infidelity.

“It is women that cause our frequent fighting, they are the problem in our home and my husband’s lust for them is very high.

“I never slept with the two men, who claimed that they slept with me, they just wanted to tarnish my image, my husband is dating the wife of the deacon”.

According to her, the pastor calls her derogatory names in the public such as “prostitute”.

The 45-year-old teacher said that she starved her husband of sex because she hated sex, adding that she married him because she wanted children.

The mother of three, however, begged the court not to grant her husband’s wish for dissolution of the marriage as she was still in love with him.

Buhari returns after medical treatment in London Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja from London after a successful routine medical check-up in London.

The President, who arrived Abuja on Friday, had initially planned to return on Saturday but decided to reduce his stay in the United Kingdom (UK) by a day.

The presidential aircraft conveying Buhari and some of his aides landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe

International Airport, Abuja, at about 7pm.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello and a representative of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, were at the airport to receive the President.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, was among other government officials that received the President.

Buhari had departed Abuja for London on Tuesday, May 8 for a routine medical checkup.

President Muhammadu Buhari during his arrival at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja...on Friday Photo: State House.

Gov Bello expresses commitment to magistrates, judges welfare Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has said that the state government is committed to the welfare of magistrates and judges in the state.

Bello, who was represented by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Nasara Danmallam, stated this on Friday at the maiden Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Niger State Chapter Annual Week in Minna.

Governor Bello said, “Let me assure you that this government is committed to your welfare

and will do everything it has promised to do.”

According to him, the welfare of magistrates is of paramount importance as they are critical parts of the foundation of the judiciary.

He commended the state chapter of MAN for shelving its planned strike to demand for upward review of salaries; provision of official vehicles; and payment of promotion arrears.

“I will like to thank MAN and the Sharia Court judges for agreeing not to embark on

strike.

“Some of the things you are asking for cannot be done overnight, I hope you will continue to be patient.

“All the issues are being addressed and I am aware that just yesterday, parts of the backlog of your allowances were paid.

“This is to demonstrate our commitment to solving all these issues you have raised,’’ the governor said.

He lauded the cordial relationship between the executive and the judiciary

since the inception of his administration.

“I want to commend the existing cordial relationship between the judiciary and the executive.

“I know over the past few years, we have really put the judiciary under pressure as some of you served in our Commissions of Inquiry.

“We hope you will continue to give us all the necessary assistance we need to move the state forward,” Bello added.

Earlier, the State Chairman of MAN, Mr Gimba Gabi, called

for frequent training to help magistrates keep track with the dynamics of law and practice.

Gabi also appealed to the state government to improve the standard of living of lower court judges through prompt payment of their entitlements and provision of conducive working atmosphere.

Also speaking, the Chief Judge of Niger, Justice Maria Dzukogi, noted that there were 86 magistrates’ courts across the state with jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases.

Dzukogi, represented by

Justice Ahmed Bima, urged magistrates in the state to live above board by acting within the confines of the law.

She frowned at the disturbing trend of magistrates granting bail in matters relating to capital offences, which they had no jurisdiction to entertain, urging them to desist from it.

Dzukogi urged magistrates to build a judicial system that would safeguard truth, fairness and justice.

The theme of the MAN week is titled: “Enhancing the quality of justice delivery in the courts.”

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

7 News

N2.9bn fraud: Court to hear Kalu, others defence May 30 Peter Fowoyo A Federal High Court, Lagos on Friday fixed May 30 for a former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, and other accused persons to open defence in their ongoing trial over alleged N2.9billion fraud.

Justice Mohammed Idris, gave the date when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) closed its case after the conclusion of cross -examination of the EFCC’s last witness by the defence lawyers.

The court admitted the statement of a former Abia State ALGON Chairman, Chinedu Melechi, wherein he disclosed that expenditures in the joint account of state and local governments are either statutory or by resolution.

The EFCC’s witness, Chidi Chukwuka, had on Thursday told the court that in line with code of conduct for public office holders, Dr. Kalu declared his assets at both his first term in office in 1999 and upon his reelection in 2003.

While being cross-examined

by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN), the witness disclosed that a petition authored by a former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, against Dr. Kalu, was the basis of the

investigation carried out by his team.

The witness said he was not aware that Senator Abaribe was impeached while serving as Deputy Governor to Dr. Kalu by the Abia State House of Assembly.

He added that his team was also not concerned about the fact that there might be ‘bad blood’ between Abaribe and Kalu owing to the former’s impeachment.

“We are not conscious of the fact that there might be

bad blood between the 1st defendant (Dr. Kalu) and his impeached Deputy. We only looked at the issues raised in the petition without any emotion”, the witness said.

The witness further declared that contrary to insinuations contained in the petition, a $1.7m Potomac, Washington house, bought by Dr. Kalu in 2003 was funded from an offshore account in the United States.

He added that the former governor did not write

anything concerning the Potomac house in his statement to the commission because he was not questioned about it.

The anti graft agency in the charge alleged that while Dr. Kalu was governor of Abia State, he siphoned funds running into over N2.9 billion from the state’s treasury.

The ex-governor was accused of diverting state funds into the account of Slok Nigeria Limited, a company, the EFCC claimed was owned by Kalu and his family members.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 17 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2003 and punishable under Section 16 of the same Act. The EFCC accused Slok Nigeria Limited of conniving with one Emeka Abone, said to be at large, to help Kalu retain the allegedly stolen funds in its accounts, when Slok Nigeria Limited “knew or at least suspected the said Orji Uzor Kalu to have engaged in a criminal conduct.”

The EFCC said the company is liable to punishment under Section 16 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004.

The second defendant, Udeogu, was accused of helping Kalu to pay part of the allegedly stolen funds into the account of Slok Nigeria Limited with the defunct FinBank Plc. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 427 of the Criminal Code Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

Tambuwal approves construction of 100 low cost housing units Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has approved the construction of a 100 unit of housing estate for low-income earners in the state.

The state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Bello Gwuiwa, disclosed this saying that, the construction of the housing unit will be done via direct labour, said, it’s part of the state governor’s effort towards alleviating the living standard of the less privileged.

Gwuiwa, added that, Tambuwal has approved that all non-indegenes residing in Sokoto state government quarters are eligible to pay and own same.

Speaking while briefing journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting, commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Jabi Kikgori affirmed that the state has approved 158 million for the construction of Sokoto state university e-library.

River State Governor Nyesom Wike (middle), addressing journalists after on-the-spot assessment of damaged Rivers State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt. . .on Friday

Lassa fever emergency ends in Nigeria –Minister Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, on Friday announced the end of the emergency phase of Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

Adewole, who made the announcement at a press conference in Abuja stressed that although the threat was minimised, it does not mean that the fight was over.

He said, since the beginning of January 2018 the country has experienced the largest Lassa fever outbreak in history.

He noted that in May 2018,

423 confirmed cases of Lassa fever were recorded with a total of 106 deaths. ‘‘The Lassa fever outbreak provided an opportunity for us to review and strengthen our public health system across disease preparedness, detection, surveillance and response. ‘‘The Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), activated an Emergency Operation Centers that worked extensively to coordinate outbreak response

activities. ‘‘The end of the outbreak does not mean we will no longer record cases of Lassa fever. Given the epidemiology of the disease in Nigeria, there will still be reports of cases. ‘‘However, we are now better prepared and have a stronger response architecture,” he said.

He added that the National Lassa fever working group at NCDC will remain active, ensuring Lassa fever cases are detected early, treated with an increased level of awareness across the country.

The Minister further said that the ministry was also aware of the recent outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo .

According to Adewole, NCDC is currently coordinating a national working group that is assessing and managing the risk in Nigeria. ‘‘Over the last few years, we have strengthened our health security infrastructure to effectively prevent, detect and respond to infectious diseases including Ebola,” he added.

Adewole also mentioned that the Federal Government

has launched its project for regional disease surveillance systems enhancement (REDISSE) to shore up response to epidemics.

He said that the World Bank set up the REDISSE project to cover all West African countries in the wake gaps shown by the 2014 Ebola outbreak in the region.

According him, the 90m dollar project was aimed at strengthening disease preparedness and response in these countries, including Nigeria.

News 8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Buhari to open C’Wealth Africa anti-corruption agencies conference President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday, May 14, 2018, declare open in Abuja, the 8th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa.

This was contained in a statement issued by the

Head, Media and Publicity of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),Wilson Uwujaren.

The 5-day conference which is jointly organised by the EFCC and the Commonwealth Secretariat will be a forum for discussing burning issues of asset recovery and return.

It will also afford the relevant stakeholders in the fight against corruption the opportunity to establish and strengthen ties with Law Enforcement Agencies in Commonwealth Africa.

The conference will foster collaboration in anticorruption efforts in the region

and promote peer learning and exchange of best practices in the fight against corruption.

President Buhari will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. Also expected at the conference is Ms. Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth and Thabo

Mbeki, former South African President.

The Association of the Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa is a network of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa established in 2011 by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

FG to establish farm managers training centers Tom Okpe, Abuja

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe has revealed that the Federal Government is ready to establish Farm Management Training Centers across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Ogbe, made the disclosure

at the unveiling of the John Deere SMART model farm in Gwagwalada, Abuja on Friday, stressing that John Deere Tractor Manufacturers would be engaged to offer capacity building to interested persons to realize optimum yields and increased productivity in their farm operations.

He noted that the triangle of cooperation between John

Deere, Nigerian Agricultural Mechanization and Equipment Leasing Company is the way to go for mechanised farming to encourage youths to embrace agriculture noting that, “the old have to give way to the youths, as they need to farm to feed themselves”.

Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Mechanisation, Dr. Ahmed

Adekunle pointed that the Partnership between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) with John Deere is an initiative of the Minister that has come to reality to deliver on the farm mechanization program of the Federal Government, explaining that this initiative is aimed at increasing production

per hectare and attracting financing provided by John Deere to the Ministry.

The Managing Director of John Deere Sub-Sahara Africa, Mr. Mark John Von Pentz noted that the John Deere SMART model being introduced into the country is an eco-system approach that focuses on improving yields of the smallholder farmers.

Ikpeazu inspects roads in Aba Sunday Nwakanma, Umuahia Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, on Friday undertook an inspection visit of some roads under construction in Aba, expressing satisfaction that the roads are not flooded despite the rains.

The roads inspected by the Ikpeazu included the Port Harcourt Road, Faulk’s, Osusu Road as well as the Ifeobara basin.

The Governor who embarked on the visit hours after returning from his annual vacation outside the country expressed his happiness that work was going according to plan.

He was particularly excited with the strategy employed by the contractor to control traffic at brass junction of Faulk’s road, stating that his government must do something about the street trading at Ariaria market end of the road.

“Any impediment to free flow of traffic and street trading will be restricted.

Traders should enter the free zone or inside the markets, otherwise they will be visited by the government. “ The Governor was conducted round the project sites by the Permanent Secretary of Ministry Works, Elder Richard Meals.

It would be recalled that Faulk’s Road which is being undertaken by Setraco Construction Company, is now through to the federal express road at Aba.

Organisers of 6th Okpekpe Road Race finalising preparations for the event . . . on Friday.

Obaseki, 10 W’Bank Directors, inspect completed power plant Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that with the 450MW Azura-Edo Power Project now on stream, the state is looking at attracting more investors for the Benin Industrial Park and technology innovation hubs, which would benefit from the conducive business environment and guaranteed power in the state.

Obaseki, said this during the visit of 10 World Bank Executive Directors to the Edo-Azura Power Plant, near Benin City, the Edo State Capital.

According to the Governor, “Power is the key to industrialisation and development. We need to extend the benefits of this investment.

Now that we have power, what are we going to do with it? The next set of projects are those that have to rely on this key infrastructure we have just created. So, we would be looking at the Benin Industrial Park, building infrastructure to encourage and support manufacturers to come in. We are looking at innovation hubs; we want to use the factor and advantage of 24/7 electricity to encourage technology groups and companies to be located in Edo State.”

Noting that other social amenities will benefit from the power project and World Bank’s continued support to the state, he said, “We are looking at our educational system.

We are looking at getting the power to our schools so that we can increase the standard and quality of our education. We have finished the design of a couple of other projects. We want to get partners like the ones who have developed this project, to work with.”

On opening up the state for investment, he said, “Our role as a government is to enable things happen. Edo State government will not put taxpayers’ money in projects that the private sector can handle. As a government, we will create the enabling and supportive environment to ease doing business in a place like Edo. We want to attract more private sector investors, who will bring their money and in

that process create jobs and help us improve our economic wellbeing.

World Bank Executive Director, Angola, Nigeria and South Africa sub-group, Ms. Bongi Kunene, said that the institution was ready to partner with the state as long as projects are in line with the Bank’s focus, noting that the Edo-Azura power project is an example of a solution to a key problem in the country.

According to her, “The project is transformational. It gives us a scope of what we can do together. We are delighted to see solutions. We would want to commit ourselves to projects that make sense and are in line with our focus.”

President Condoles CAN over Secretary’s death President Muhammadu Buhari joins the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Christian community in Nigeria in mourning the passing of the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Musa Asake.

The President, while commiserating with the family of the late Reverend, prays that God Almighty will comfort all those who mourn the departed, and grant his soul eternal rest.

NAPTIP arrests 2 tour operators for trafficking 96 Nigerians National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested two operators of two travel and tour agencies based in Abuja for allegedly trafficking 96 Nigerians to Saudi Arabia.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations of NAPTIP, Ms Stella Nezan, in Abujaon Friday.

It indicated that the suspects were arrested for allegedly trafficking of 96 Nigerians to Saudi Arabia using the 2017 Hajj exercise.

She gave the names of suspects as Mr Ibrahim Wali, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Family Travel & Tour Limited and Mr Musa Jubril, Chairman and Chief Executive of Divine Travel & Tour limited.

She recalled that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) recently, in a letter of complaint against “Family Travel & Tour Limited which applied for and got allocation to take 450 persons to Saudi Arabia during the 2017 Hajj Exercise’’.

According to her, months after the Hajj operations ended the company, has been unable to account for the 96 people and all attempts to get the company to bring them back has proved abortive.

“In the course of the investigation, Wali alleged that his friend Jubril, used his company to transact the business, the two suspects are making useful statements as investigation continues” she said.

NAPTIP warned travel and tour operators in the Country to desist from recruiting innocent Nigerian for sexual and labour exploitation, adding that their actions were inimical to the development of the nation.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday May 12, 2018

Politics

9

Contributions of civil Society in Nigeria to present democratic dispensation, an overview Patrick Okohue The role of Civil Society groups in the development of the nation’s democracy since the return of democratic rule in 1999 came under close scrutiny recently at the second annual lecture of the Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, (CFR), Professorial Chair in Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University held recently at Ijebu-Ode, with the chair-holder, Prof Ayodele Olukotun delivering a paper on ‘Civil Society and Governance in Nigeria’s Evolving Democracy, 1999-2018.’

Olukotun who x-rayed the activities of civil society in Nigeria leading to the return of democracy noted that the vibrancy that characterised the civil society in Nigeria shortly before the emergence of democracy in 1999 has been weakened by a plethora of vices including poverty, corruption, ethnicity, infiltration, partisan politics, influence of donors and career pursuits of main protagonists in that segment.

This is the stance of Prof Ayodele Olukotun, chair-holder of the Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, (CFR), Professorial Chair in Governance of the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, which he shared, while delivering the second annual lecture on ‘Civil Society and Governance in Nigeria’s Evolving Democracy, 1999-2018,’ at Ijebu-Ode. Prof Olukotun in the paper decried a situation where most civil society groups, including NGOs are merely survivalist and in other cases one man driven, “Most civil society groups, NGOs inclusive are limited in capacity, funding and resource profile (human capital), and are in many cases one-man or one-family organizations, which spring to life when a new tranche of donorfunding is received.”

This peculiarity has reduced “real locus of civil society activism to spontaneous protest movements led by charismatic leaders, such as Tunde Bakare, Femi Falana, Wole Soyinka, Joe Oke-Odumakin, etc, some of whom are also active in the political arena.”

Speaking further at the event which was attended by government officials, frontline traditional rulers in the South West and some top players in industry and academic including the deputy governor of Ogun State, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, former

L-R: Prof Ayodele Olukotun, Chair-Holder/Guest Lecturer; HRM Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo; HRM Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona,The Awujale of Ijebuland; Olori Oluwakemi Adetona; Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor of Ogun State; Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo,The Alake Of Egbaland and Mr Folu Aderibigbe, Director, Globacom, at the 2nd Annual Lecture of the Professorial Chair in Governance at the OOU, themed, Civil Society and Governance in Nigeria’s Evolving Democracy 1999-2018 held at Ijebu Ode Ogun State governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Publisher of Vanguard newspaper, Sam Amuka Pemu among many others, Olukotun reasoned that government, political power seekers and holders, have also connived to castrate the hitherto vibrant civil society segment with outright infiltration and poisoned carrots in the form of feigned activism and political positions.

He pointed out that the civil society is also a reflection of the larger society, which explains “the fact that it is all too often as factionalised as the political public sphere. Ethnic and religious conflicts, partisanship, corruption, cooptation by state actors and the locational concentration of civil society activities in the South West are factors that come into play.”

This partly he added accounts for why each ethic segment now has a sociocultural group, to speak up for her people, though it might be at the detriment of the larger Nigerian society. He thinks that this is partly why ethnic sociocultural groups are gaining increased prominence lately.

“Indeed, the visibility of ethnic associations, such as Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo and Arewa Consultative Forum suggests that a divided nation has merely reproduced a divided civil society.

For example, it is doubtful if the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid by the Coalition of Civil Society

Organisations for Good Governance and Democracy is representative enough of the opinion of civil society organisations across the country.”

Proliferation, lax-legislation, weak morals and lack of strong ideologies, policies or conviction are other factors that he said combine to weaken civil societies in Nigeria.

These have made them susceptible to external ideologies, smart arguments and donors, locally and internationally.

Prof Olukotun states that “there has been a long argument about the ideological orientation and intellectual origins of both the concepts of civil society and governance, with radical scholars insisting that they partly represent the agenda of western donor countries and market-led economic activists intent on globalising neoliberal economics.

“We do not need to be detained by these objections here, especially if we draw a distinction between the

“

economic and political dimensions of the usage of the two concepts.

What is important is that they both emphasis non-state actors and their relationship to the state, which is deemed crucial for effective and efficient state structures, and that for our purpose civil society is considered flexibly to include not just formal NGOs but also social movements, ethnic associations, religious groups, and community based associations.”

Recounting that the success of the civil society under military regimes in Nigeria might have been traceable to adversity, or necessity being the mother of invention, he calls to mind the modus operandi and success of those years.

“Necessarily, because of the high tide of repression, several of these groups, including a section of the media, had to operate underground, devising hit and run tactics to evade censorship. This, of course, was truer of what has become known as

One of the questions frequently asked in the wake of Nigeria’s transition to democracy is whether civil society has gone to sleep or has lost its brio and patriotic fervor demonstrated under the military.

The question assumes salience with respect to the incorporation of many civil society activists into functioning parties or governmental sinecures in some cases to shut their mouths or buy-off their activism.

”

the Guerilla Media than formal civil society institutions.”

He recalls with pleasure that, “the advocacy of those years culminated in what has been called the June 12 Movement, motley of civil society associations, labour, religious groups, students and other informal groups that arose to protest the annulment of the June 12 election by Ibrahim Babangida in 1993.”

He commended the few civil society groups that have shown doggedness, uprightness and principle through pro-people initiatives, researches and fights, and are making positive impact, although obviously less so than the heroic exertions during the military autocracy in 1980’s and 1990’s. “A few NGOs, such as Action Aid Nigeria, linked to international organisations are well resourced and able to undertake research on social and economic issues as a form of evidence-based policy advocacy.”

Also in recent years, the Social Economic and Accountability Project founded in 2004 has been quite visible in public advocacy especially in the area of anticorruption, he noted, adding that it succeeded in securing court judgment in respect of the stoppage of public officials earning double pay in the form of pensions, as well as being currently on the payroll.

“This has led to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for example, forfeiting his pension

Continue on page 12

Politics 10

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Osun guber: I’m the best candidate to beat- Ayoade Lawal

are going to pull as much company from agro-allied to support us, so they will come in there and create a lot of employment opportunities.

The government is going to partner with them and encourage them and build a lot of industry from there. We will also look at the wood and steel sectors, because when you talk about industrialization, your ability to use steel and wood plays a very important role, so we are going to look at bringing a lot of wood steel investment companies over there.

If we focus on those areas we will make the environment conducive.

Also, when you look at areas in agro-allied and tourism, they are very important sectors. In fact tourism cut across different areas too, we talk of accommodation, and all these things come around tourism too. So, we are going to leverage all these together and make things comfortable.

At a time Osun State is in dire need of industrialisation in order to compliment the aggressive infrastructural development of the current governor, Mr Ayoade Afolabi Lawal, an engineer and frontline gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun State, recently held a session with newsmen in Lagos and he speaks on why it is important to attract real investors to the state, develop education system, among many others. MOTOLANI OSENI was there for The Daily Times We know that Nigerian politics is about cash, how financially buoyant are you or how do you intend to launch your political ambition at this point?

Politics in Nigeria is not different from any other politics all over the world, as long as we are under a democratic environment, I will tell you that. When it comes to finance, we have supporters, we have those that believe in our dreams and they have been supporting us day by day. We will not go beyond our limit. However, personally, I will keep doing my own, will keep financing what I can finance and with what my supporters can do, we are good to go.

Considering other contestants, what are your chances of winning and what is your relationship with the present governor?

Well, first of all we operate in an environment where there is freedom of speech; there is freedom to contest and not to contest. The other political aspirant has a right to contest just as I have the right to contest. I am showcasing myself, and I would advice they showcase themselves. But, at the end of the day, it’s going to be the choice of the people. And every society gets a type of leader it needs at a particular time.

So, I believe our democratic structure keep evolving every day, whatever type of leaders we get, shall be the measure of the reflection of what the society want at that particular time. My current relationship with Governor Rauf Aregbesola, he is our leader, he is the governor of the state, I would say he is the type that favors nobody, there is no special relationship, he is the leader of the party, and he remains like that.

If you are asked to step down for others to showcase themselves, are you ready to step down?

In the current dispensation, we have internal democracy which goes thus, we know this is battle that we go to the primary and at end of the day outcome of the

result would determine who the party picks. So, I don’t see a reason why somebody would say he or she wants me to step down, for what?

Why do you think the people of Osun State will choose you above every other candidate, and what have you considered doing to convince the people both in the primary and the general election?

First of all, we at different stage in life think differently, I have seen things in life and I have a burning passion to make it work. I have work experience and I run businesses, I have gone to different parts of the world, I have seen different things, I have met different people, I have seen how things work and how things don’t work and I believe I can leverage on that and the fact that I have dealt with quite a number of multinationals. I have work experience with Chevron, and different multinational groups and I have worked for Nigerian companies too. And I have seen what it means to be unemployed, I experienced it too, when you leave the university and you don’t get employed. I know the psychological effects. I know what it means when your fortune change overnight and how it is also difficult to manage success.

I have had my own fair share of life, I feel for the average Nigeria youth. I know how many CV I get every day and I know how many I try to put to work. I know why at times I just have to retain some workers even when business is not doing well and I know how to look for ways to propel them even when business is doing well to make them know that look, it doesn’t mean you can’t get to a better place, I encourage people, if you are with me today I can only wish for you to be the best.

So, I see myself as someone that can help in aggressive human capital development and also to manage our resources in a responsible and optimal way.

When you say there is no money, don’t let us always believe that

Hon Taiwo there is nothing. So, I believe with the experiences I have had over the years, I can leverage on this, with the little network I have, because I believe that we keep networking, we can bring a full internet idea for people to drive our state forward.

Considering your experience with multinationals and connections that you have across the world, what are the strategies that have been put in place in ensuring that Osun State can actually be compared with other

states, in terms of infrastructure and economic development?

When I get there by the special grace of God, I am going to leverage on a lot of multinationals, most especially the producing company and see how we can bring them in to start up producing different products in Osun State.

We are going to start with agoallied industry, because if we look at the agro allied industry, there are a lot of potentials in that area. If you look at Edo State for example with Cresco and Como oil, so we

“

I have seen things in life and I have a burning passion to make it work. I have work experience and I run businesses, I have gone to different parts of the world, I have seen different things, I have met different people, I have seen how things work and how things don’t work and I believe I can leverage on that and the fact that I have dealt with quite a number of multinationals. I have work experience with Chevron, and different multinational groups and I have worked for Nigerian companies too. And I have seen what it means to be unemployed, I experienced it too, when you leave the university and you don’t get employed.

”

Tell us what you would do differently from what Governor Aregbesola has done?

Fine, he has done a whole lot of road networks which are strong infrastructural development. My own regime should build industries and Governor Aregbesola has the road to the industries. We need to build different industries all round the local governments, encourage the cottage industry where old men, women and children, everybody will be gainfully employed, everybody doing one thing or the other. That means we have a dynamic society.

If you lose at the primary election, would you support the party’s flag bearer or go to another party to contest?

It is not in my agenda to move around, I think where I am I fight my battle, you win some, you lose some.

What are the considerations for the upcoming election as an aspirant, looking at calls for zoning in the ruling party APC? It is a welcome development, I am from Osun West and if you look at the country as a whole even the mindset of the people, there is always a mindset of rezoning arrangement. If you look at my state in all fairness, the people of Osun knows we are pushing it to the West.

As a governorship aspirant and a father, what are your plans in educating the children of Osun State, so that they can be compared with their peers across the country?

It saddens me when I look at the education situation in Nigeria now, and what saddens me basically is the fact that the level of knowledge that we used to have seems depreciating everyday among the upcoming children.

What I mean by that is, when you go back and see a child of primary three those days, you could easily say he can do this and that. But

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturdday, May 12, 2018

11 Politics

Sagay faults Senate under Saraki leadership

Accord Party vows to sack APC, PDP in Kogi

Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof.

Itse Sagay has described the Nigerian Senate under Bukola Saraki’s leadership as the worst in Nigeria’s history.

Sagay, while reacting to the recent problems between the Senate and the Inspector General of Police, said that the Senate had a vendetta against the IGP. He revealed that he was not a fan of the current Senate and accused it of abdicating its responsibilities.

Why speaking with another newspaper, Sagay said, “You know I have never been impressed by this Senate. It’s probably the worst we have ever had since the return to civilian rule. They are more concerned about exercising vain authority and power than in actually doing anything substantive for the country.

“These are people, the whole

The Kogi State chairman of the Accord Party, Alhassan Adakeke has expressed the resolve of the party to retire the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the political space of the state come 2019.

Adakeke who spoke on Friday in Lokoja during the inauguration of the leaders’ Consultative Forum of the party, said both the APC and PDP have failed people of the state in the last two decades, hence their resolve to send them parking.

He said by today’s inauguration, Accord Party is being repositioned to be the engine room of major opposition parties in the state, adding that the party is in fruitful discussions with the Labour Party, the United Labour Parties and the National Coalition Movement for the adoption of the party as a platform for its political activities towards the new change.

He charged those inaugurated to work assiduously in their various local government areas and communities to ensure resounding victory for the party come 2019.

A potential governorship aspirant under the platform of the party, Prince Abdullahi Muhammed, aka, Elephant, said the party was poised to spring surprises come the next election.

On his part, a House of Representative aspirant for Idah Federal Constituency under Accord Party, Egbunu Amanabo Yusuf said he would ensure effective representation for the people if he eventually actualises his political ambition come 2019.

Saraki Senate – who would adjourn sitting and go to the Code of Conduct Tribunal in solidarity with their President. For everyday they go, the work of legislation is suspended.

And they owe a duty to this country to make the laws for the order, peace

Saraki and good government of Nigeria.

“Each time they abandon their legislative duties, they are in fact committing a breach of their obligation, apart from the fact that doing that sort of thing is infantile.

“As if that was not enough, the

whole Senate packed themselves again to visit Dino Melaye in the hospital. How rational is that? Why can’t they send a delegation of two or three people who would report back? So, it’s like a showoff of power and intimidation.”

Edo Deputy Gov explains why APC congresses peaceful

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, has said that the state had peaceful Ward congresses because former Governor Adams Oshiomhole returned democracy to the people.

Shaibu who spoke to reporter in Benin City members of the APC had been imbibed with the spirit of carrying out consultations before going into any contest.

The deputy governor said the journey

Shuaibu

to the conduct of peaceful congresses started in 2008 when Oshiomhole took over governance in the state.

According to him, “Oshiomhole was able to take the party to a level where everything became organized and peaceful and where respect was observed across the state.

“Democracy was returned to the people and the party members understand that you don’t do things without consultation with the people.

The idea of relating with the people and let the people make their input is what we have consolidated and it was shown in the congresses.

“Everybody has to make input and if you say you want to go into full Congress; people have to come out to contest. If you want to go into consensus, it means all stakeholders must agree on one person. That ability must be seen to be free without any bias. That is what we have done.”

‘I’m the best candidate to beat’ Continued from page 10 now, tell a primary class student and say my friend can you recite the times table, and he can’t even recite 2×2. And then you are like what is this? We are killing our educational system because we want technology, it pains me.

What is happening in the west has actually crept in here, because a lot of them uses calculator. I personally would want to teach some basic subjects once in a while to encourage the teachers and students and also put in necessary training program to upgrade the teachers they have in those schools. Then go back to that traditional way of teaching, get text books, let them do more of writing and not using more of phones and calculators, especially the primary school and secondary school pupils, so that they will come back to that traditional old way. Also, we have to do programs to encourage hard work, such as quiz competition to encourage the brilliant ones to know that there is reward for hard work

Most aspirants do say, they will only contest once, but you find out that they go for second term once they get into office, how many times do you wish to contest for election and concerning the agriculture, a whole lot of youths now do not want farming, how do you intend to run it or how do you want to upgrade agriculture in Osun State?

For your first question, if the people see the works done the first time and they request I contest for the second time, I will surely go.

Concerning farming, we now have what is called mechanised farming, so as to make it easy for today’s youths to use machines to cultivate lands. We would bring in all these machines and train them on their usage.

As a political aspirant in a time like this, how do you hope to empower the youths and what means are you using to do your own consultation in Osun?

Empowerment is not about giving out material things, it is

about giving the little I know on how to fish I pass over to you, so that you will be able to fish for yourself. And empowerment comes in an intellectual form, you grab it then you use your hands and leg to execute. You cannot give what you do not have. So, I advocate empowerment through training and feeding our brains. We need to look at the youths and see what a person can do, because some of the youths are not employable, but you have to help them, how do you help them? It is by telling them the truth. Empowerment is the ability to know that you have this skill and it is set to bring food to your table. It is now left for you to use that skill sense to climb on your own financial management for your own life style. The ground of most people is here in Lagos and this is where most of us earn our living. I stayed back for this program and next week I would be there. There should be a way you balance things.

Some people believe that the APC has failed in their promises

to the nation, so, what are the chances of APC wining among other parties in Osun State?

I would not agree that APC has failed us, naturally we have people with different views. Some will say APC has done well, others say they have not done well, but of course it is when we go to the polling booth that we know the true situation. Basically, we all know what happens within the economy. We have been operating a mono-economy, it is not that we are diverting. So it will not be mono economy again, if you look at oil going as low as $85 per barrel, if you have money coming down at a period where a government came in, definitely you know things will be a bit tight. Now I believe that things seems to be getting better, the oil is getting back up and at the same time we have been able to do one thing. We have been able to diversify. A lot of people are now thinking of exportation of cash crops. I personally would be of the view that we can’t actually say we have not done well, so we thank God things are going well.

APC by the special grace of God, we are going to win the election come September 2018.

The complaint of the economy is a general one, people have the right to criticise, but when criticising let us be constructive, challenge is everywhere and I believe that APC will still win in Osun State by the special grace of God. What measure do you think the Federal Government should put in place to stop the herdsmen killing across the country?

This whole herdsmen farmer’s thing is becoming highly sinister and it is a painful thing that this is what the country is experiencing at this particular period, but I would encourage the Federal Government and the Police Force to do more on community policing.

Know your neighbour and your environment. Surveillance has to be aggressive and intensified. So, community policing must become effective and the security authority must be penalised whenever they are given information and do not act on those information.

Politics 12

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Why I stepped down from Ekiti governorship race – Ojudu One of the frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Senator Babafemi Ojudu has said that his decision to step down from the race was informed by recent developments which has made the race very volatile and that he was not ready to see any person in the state loss his or her life on account of his ambition.

Ojudu in his open letter to the people of the state noted that, “We do not believe in engaging in an unfair contest and I am not ready to step on blood to get to power. As I have reiterated at different times in the course of the campaign, this was never about me. It was not about an ambition but a mission to give a new lease of life to Ekiti State and the people.”

While arguing that his decision to run for the office of the governor was informed by his desire to give the people of the state a better lease of life, Ojudu said, “It was about safeguarding the future of our children, our grandchildren, great grandchildren and even generations yet unborn.

There is no doubt that we all love this land, that every one of you had best hopes and aspiration for this beautiful state we call ours and that above all, this state should wear a new look, be adorned with a new reputation and have a new image of itself.

“One other important lesson I learnt in the last one week is that one can only truly appreciate the true intent of one’s co-travellers on a journey when the

Ojudu chips are down. At this point, I would like to appreciate the co-aspirants who were open to discussions aimed at resolving the imbroglio.”

He commended some other coaspirants for their conduct throughout the race, noting that they have further enriched and elevated his knowledge

of them, “I must not fail to mention in particular my dear brother, Congressman Bimbo Daramola who worked assiduously with me in the attempt to find a solution albeit unsuccessfully, to what appeared as a stalemate – pushing for the Option A4 method of primary election, which the NWC Chairman opposed vehemently.”

According to him, “All my life, I have fought injustice and sought the good of the whole. Therefore, this injustice perpetrated against Ekiti people by the NWC Chairman cannot be allowed to stand. This is why the fight will continue, not as an aspirant but as a party reformer. As a leader and party chieftain, I will inspire a new generation of leaders - of young professionals, businessmen and technocrats to re-enter our politics and change this state.

“Only then can we have men and women of honour who will take Ekiti out of the wilderness and restore her to her pride of place. At the national level, I will continue to support Mr. President in ensuring party reforms.

I will work hard to ensure that never again is our party thrown to desperate men who feed on monetary inducements and undermine their own party.

“This movement continues, but I would be stepping down immediately as a governorship aspirant to focus on this new mission,” he said.

Contributions of civil Society in Nigeria to present democratic dispensation, an overview Continue on page 11

from the Kwara State Government, where he was a governor. Similarly, the NGO successfully obtained a court judgment in July 2017, compelling government to publish the names of alleged looters, as well as the amount recovered from them, a ruling to which government adhered eventually in late in March, 2018, although in haphazard and politically slanted manner.”

While calling for a reawakening of civil society activism, he notes that “one of the questions frequently asked in the wake of Nigeria’s transition to democracy is whether civil society has gone to sleep or has lost its brio and patriotic fervor demonstrated under the military.

The question assumes salience with respect to the incorporation of many civil society activists into functioning parties or governmental sinecures in some cases to shut their mouths or buy-off their activism.”

He however cautioned that, “we must not exaggerate the point, for, in a democracy or semi democracy, as ours is frequently called,

the existence of representative institutions, such as the legislature, as well as the activities of political parties tend to take the shine off civil activism, which is now usually reserved for extreme circumstances.

“That said, it must be factored that democracy has not brought change to Nigeria, governance remains shallow, disconnected from the people, reprobate, cynically self-interested and is symptomised by sham elections in which people are voting without choosing,” he laments.

He further reasoned that the there is the challenge to sovereignty posed by the Boko Haram insurgency, whose defeat appears to be no more than a rhetorical claim; and the recent upsurge of atrocity killings by bandits believed to Fulani Herdsmen in several parts of Nigeria, arguing that “if there was a time when civil society should come into its own to ameliorate the crisis of governance, it must be now.”

He reminded activists and social crusaders to take their roles seriously, because “civil society

is crucial to the establishment of good governance to the extent that it invokes state society relations, issues of legitimacy of the public realm, how policies are framed and implemented, as well as how consensus and consent are brought about.”

“My reason for focusing on civil society in this lecture is that, despite the fact that it mirrors state decay, it often provides a counter-narrative to the failure of the Nigerian state to operate a minimal social contract between it and the people.”

Giving kudos to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, donor of the chair, Prof Olutokun states: “As the Professorial Chair matures, it will come to be seen as one of the important legacies of His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Sir, Dr) Sikiru Adetona, the originator and driving spirit of the endowment.”

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Globacom Nigeria Limited, Chief Mike Adenuga, sponsor of this year’s lecture, noted that this year’s topic is aimed to set the tone for the

2019 general elections and help the people in the preparation for the election.

Adenuga who was represented

by Folu Aderibigbe added that the lecture will contribute in no small measure in enhancing and enriching the political space.

Also speaking, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, representaed by his deputy, Mrs Ononuga noted that the institution of the chair has helped in no small measure in promoting good governance as well as quality academic research in Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU).

Appealing to the Federal Government to do everything within its powers to end the incessant killings by herdsmen across the country, the sponsor of the Profesorial chair and Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona reasoned that if the government succeeds in building first class infrastructure such as hospitals, roads and the rest and the people who are to use them are killed, there will be no need for it.

OYSIEC to conduct election in 4,783 polling units, 5,260 points today The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has announced that it will conduct election in 4,783 poling units and 5,260 polling points in today’s local government election in the state.

OYSIEC Chairman, Mr. Jide Ajeigbe who made this disclosure during a press conference on Friday in Ibadan, the state capital also announced that 12 political parties are participating in the election.

He said that the commission in addition with its staff will make use of over 10,000 adhoc staff.

Ajeigbe said, “The election will hold in 4,783 polling units and 5,260 polling points in 610 wards.

“Over 10,000 adhoc staff apart from staff of the commission are to conduct the election. 12 political parties are participating in the election.”

The Forum of Civil Society Organisations monitoring the conduct of the election during the press briefing enjoined political parties and candidates participating in the election to play the game by the rule.

Team leader of the forum, Mrs. Yemisi Ige who spoke on behalf of 12 organisations monitoring the election said that 12 CSOs including European Union have been accredited to monitor the election.

Ige flanked by Comrade Josephine Abdulrasak, Team Secretary, however urged the political parties and their candidates to display maturity during and after the election.

Ige said, “We conclude by saying that all the participating political parties and candidates should display maturity and also put on the spirit of sportsmanship during and after the election. In every context there is always a winner and a loser.”

Ige while commending the commission for what she described as wonderful preparation commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state for his readiness to conduct the election.

She said, “We commend the electoral management body OYSIEC for a wonderful preparation in preparing all the necessary logistics and material on time. We commend the state government especially Governor Abiola Ajimobi for taking the bull by the horn to conduct a local government election in Oyo State, when some state governors are complaining of poor allocation from Federal Government.”

TIMES SPORTS

Rohr

Saturday, May 12, 2018

disappointed by snub from Germanborn Jordan Torunarigha Golf: ‘Super group’ fizzles as Woods, Fowler, Mickelson struggle

Basketball: NBBF hails Milo for 20 years of grassroots competition FIXTURES SATURDAY MAY 12, 2018 SPANISH LA LIGA Real Sociedad vs Leganés Alavés vs Athletic Bilbao Deportivo La Coruña vs Villarreal Eibar vs Las Palmas Getafe vs Atlético Madrid Girona vs Valencia Real Betis vs Sevilla Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo

ASO Table Tennis: 8 cadet, junior winners to get scholarships

World Cup

England friendly will give Eagles pyschological boost

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA Mainz 05 vs Werder Bremen Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Hannover 96 Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart FC Schalke 04 vs Eintracht Frankfurt Hamburg SV vs Borussia Mönchengladbach Hertha Berlin vs RB Leipzig SC Freiburg vs FC Augsburg 1899 Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund VfL Wolfsburg vs 1. FC Köln ITALIAN SERIE A Benevento vs Genoa Inter Milan vs Sassuolo FRENCH LIGUE 1 Amiens vs Metz Angers vs Nantes Bordeaux vs Toulouse Lille vs Dijon Monaco vs Saint-Étienne Montpellier vs Troyes Nice vs Caen Paris Saint Germain vs Rennes Strasbourg vs Lyon

FIXTURES SATURDAY MAY 13, 2018 PREMIER LEAGUE Burnley vs AFC Bournemouth Crystal Palace vs West Bromwich Albion Huddersfield Town vs Arsenal Liverpool vs Brighton & Hove Albion Manchester United vs Watford Newcastle United vs Chelsea Southampton vs Manchester City Swansea City vs Stoke City Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City West Ham United vs Everton SPANISH LA LIGA Espanyol vs Malaga Levante vs Barcelona ITALIAN SERIE A Bologna vs Chievo Crotone vs Lazio Fiorentina vs Cagliari Torino vs SPAL Hellas Verona vs Udinese Atalanta vs AC Milan Roma vs Juventus Sampdoria vs Napoli

Flying Eagles train for first time in Bissau

NFF monitoring Ebola before DR Congo friendly

Times Sports 14

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

NFF monitoring Ebola before DR Congo friendly

Jo Bonfrere: I don’t expect major surprises in Super Eagles World Cup list Former Super Eagles coach Jo Bonfrere has said he does not expect any surprises when Nigeria’s provisional squad list for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is announced next week.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr said he will release Super Eagles provisional squad on Monday, May 14.

There have been speculations over who eventually gets the nod for Nigeria’s sixth World Cup finals appearance.

But Dutchman, Bonfrere Jo, who took the U23s to an unprecedented Olympic Games Soccer gold medal win in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, reasoned there was no need to speculate since it is normal the coach would stick with players who helped him secure the World Cup ticket.

“The players I’m expecting to see in the Super Eagles squad list?”, Bonfrere rhetorically fired back when he was called him up.

“Of course, Nigerian players, who are everywhere in Europe. They are all doing good in their clubs.

“But at this point, you don’t expect new players in the team. World Cup is about four weeks so am I expecting new players into the Super Eagles?, No. “There is no time for that. You played qualifiers, you played friendly games, you seen these players, what they can bring into the team.

“So, now, it takes extraordinarily exceptional players to get into the team for the World Cup at this moment”.

Aside his gold in the 1996 Olympic Games, Bonfrere won silver medal for the Super Eagles during the Nations Cup in 2000 jointly hosted by Nigeria and Ghana.

Nigeria’s football federation says a World Cup warm-up match will be cancelled if doctors advise it, after a fresh outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Super Eagles are due to play DRC in a friendly on May 28 in Nigeria’s southern oil city of Port Harcourt, before heading to Russia for the finals in June.

At least 17 people have died from the disease so far in the country’s ninth known outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever since it was first identified in the mid-1970s.

Nigeria’s health ministry on Wednesday ordered emergency measures to be put in place to screen visitors from the DRC and neighbouring countries.

One official at the NFF said: “We

will stop the game on medical advice because we cannot risk any lives.

“But in the meantime, the visiting team will be fully screened on arrival in the country for the game. Both CAF and FIFA have been informed of the situation.”

Seven people died of Ebola out of 19 confirmed cases in Nigeria in 2014. The country was praised for its response to the disease, which killed at least 11 000 elsewhere in West Africa.

At the time, CAF rescheduled matches for the African Cup of Nations involving the worst-hit nations Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Fans attending a match between Nigeria and the Republic of Congo in September that year were subjected to temperature checks.

2026 World Cup: Morocco plans to go ahead win or lose bid

Morocco’s head of bidding, Amrani

Morocco will complete many of the plans in its 2026 World Cup bid even if they do not host the finals.

The Moroccan bid is up against a joint one from USA, Mexico and Canada, with Fifa’s members voting on 13 June.

Hicham El Amrani, Morocco’s bid chief, insisted its plans will carry on even if they lose the vote.

“We’ll carry on the projects because it is for the good of our country and continent, not only to host the World Cup,” he told BBC Sport.

“We are interested in one thing – winning, but even if we don’t win and we lose with fair play and that will be fine.

“At the end of the day we will have given our best, we will have showcased what

World Cup:

Morocco is about.”

Among the Moroccan infrastructure plans are the modernization and building of motorways, new high speed trains and an increase in airport capacity.

The north African nation will also use 14 stadia for the tournament, five of which will be the renovation of existing structures and the building of nine new ones.

Six of the new stadia will be ‘modular’ meaning the capacity can be reduced after the tournament.

El Amrani said he is not concerned about whether African nations will vote for Morocco’s bid.

While nations like Algeria, Kenya and The Gambia have publicly given their backing to the plan, the South African government has said it does not support the bid.

The political stance means that the South Africa Football Association has been forced to backtrack on their initial stance of backing the bid and insist no decision has been made yet on who to vote for.

“Even if Africa has always acted

in unity, unity does not mean 100% of all the member associations, this is part of the democratic process,” he said.

“Nobody is forced to vote Morocco if he believes that it doesn’t serve the country or the country’s football interest.

“That doesn’t mean that we don’t have the vast majority of the African continent. Same thing within Europe, within Asia, where we have some countries supporting us, others not.”

He also dismissed the fact that some Fifa officials returned to the country for a second visit after the task force’s initial inspection in April.

“They simply needed more time, because time was always very limited. They needed to have some clarification related to stadiums and accommodation,” he added.

“The task force didn’t come back, but some members of the administration of Fifa came back to seek some additional information that we could not put in the bid book, because they were not allowing us to put it in the bid book.

England friendly will give Eagles psychological boost – Ogenyi Onazi Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi said the Eagles will be in a good frame of mind to confront England on June 2 as the match and others lined up for the national team will boost their confidence for the World Cup starting June 16.

Nigeria host the Leopards of DR Congo in Port Harcourt on 28th May, before a prestige clash with England’s Three Lions at Wembley Stadium in London on 2nd June and an encounter with the Czech Republic in Vienna on 6th June.

“We are not focusing on any particular game; we are getting ready to face all the teams that we have to play before the World Cup. It is the right mentality to approach the games.

“I have been asked several questions about the match against England, but I tell people that the England match is very important,

just like the other matches that we have to play. What is key for us is to get into the right psychological state to confront every opposition that lie ahead, including those that will be waiting at the FIFA World Cup,” Onazi told thenff.com on phone from his base in Turkey.

He said the players remain humble despite their victory over Argentina and Poland in previous friendlies.

“For us, humility and hard work will be the winning words going ahead. Our preparation is going on well and we are happy with that.

At the World Cup, we will come up against different teams with different styles and approaches of play. It is important that we are adequately prepared and we appreciate the games that the NFF has lined up for us,” said the Trabzonspor of Turkey ace.

Ahmed Musa eyes UEFA Champions League spot with CSKA Moscow Leicester City loanee Ahmed Musa has said he hopes to help his Russian club CSKA Moscow secure a UEFA Champions League ticket on Sunday.

CSKA Moscow are third with 55 points from 29 games, a point behind second-placed Spartak Moscow.

On Sunday, CSKA Moscow host struggling side Anzhi, while Spartak Moscow host Dynamo Moscow in the last game of the season.

“It’s obvious we can’t win the league again, so my target now is to help my team secure a ticket to play in UEFA Champions League,” Ahmed Musa said.

The World Cup-bound forward has scored five goals in nine games since his arrival in the winter from the Premier League.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

15 Times Sports

Lobi Stars

FIFA won’t block US aiming for NPFL championship, territories from voting says Solomon Kwambe for 2026 World Cup host

Rohr disappointed

by snub from Germanborn Jordan Torunarigha Coach Gernot Rohr was left disappointed after Germany youth star Jordan Torunarigha turned down the opportunity to play for Nigeria at the World Cup. The 20-year-old, who was born in Chemnitz to Nigerian parents, has represented Germany at different youth levels but is uncapped at senior international level.

The Hertha Berlin defender has committed his international future to the reigning world champions.

“It’s disappointing because he was presented with a great chance to play in the World Cup if only he was interested,” Rohr told BBC Sport.

“I’ve followed his progress, I believe he would have made positive contributions to the team.

“But we must really respect this young boy’s decision now and wish him well.”

The highly rated Torunarigha has risen from Hertha’s youth set up and progressed into the Hertha Berlin first team in the final months of the 2016/2017 campaign.

He has made 14 appearances for the two-time German champions this season.

His decision comes as a big blow to Rohr’s desire to provide cover for his defence in Russia.

Torunarigha’s father, Ojokojo, played for Nigerian professional side Shooting Stars of Ibadan in the late 1980s and in the German second tier with Chemnitzer FC during the mid 1990s.

His rejection rules out the possibility of lining up alongside another German-born defender Leon Balogun, Netherlands-born duo of William Troost-Ekong and Tyronne Ebuehi at this year’s Fifa World Cup in Russia.

Lobi Stars defender Solomon Kwambe has told ScoreNigeria.com. ng his club are ready to run the race to win the league title this season.

The Makurdi outfit lead the NPFL standings halfway through the season with 37 points from 19 matches.

“It is true that we are leading the table now, we hope to win

it,” rightback Kwambe told SCORENigeria “The league now is just like a race who gets to the finish line wins the race. I can’t say who the winners will be for now, but I believe Lobi stand a better chance to win the league.”

Kwambe, who has been capped severally by the Super Eagles, said hard work and God have been

behind Lobi Stars bouncing back to top reckoning.

“I believe what keeps us there at the top is God,” he said.

“Our coach Solomon Ogbeide and his assistants are doing a good job with us.

“And our hard work and determination all have combined to take us to the top.”

FIFA will not block U.S.-governed territories from voting in the 2026 World Cup contest where a United States-bid is taking on Morocco.

The bidding nations — the U.S. along with partners Canada and Mexico, as well as Morocco — are excluded from the June 13 vote by up to 207 federations at the FIFA Congress.

In a letter to FIFA, Morocco raised questions over whether American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands would be conflicted in the vote. Although governed by the U.S., the quartet is considered to be four separate football nations by FIFA so each has a vote.

But FIFA bidding regulations puts the onus on congress delegates to declare if they feel conflicted in the vote rather than being barred due to their political status.

FIFA told The Associated Press on Thursday that “at the time of writing, no member association has notified FIFA about its intention not to perform their duties in connection with the bidding procedure for the hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” Morocco has also asked FIFA to make sure that FIFA Council members Sandra Fruean, Sunil Gulati and Victor Montagliani leave the room whenever World Cup 2026 issues are discussed, as they are from American Samoa, the U.S. and Canada, respectively.

Promising access to the world’s largest market and a host of top-class venues, the United bid is thought to be the preferred option of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The bid’s projected profit would be welcome as Infantino looks to fund the development handouts he promised national associations when elected in 2016.

Flying Eagles train for first time in Bissau

The Flying Eagles will have their first training at the September 24 Stadium in Bissau this evening ahead of tomorrow’s U20 AFCON qualifier against the home team.

“The boys are fine and in high spirits,” a team official informed SCORENigeria “Everyone is looking forward to the match after a hectic training camp.”

The Nigeria U20s lead by coach Paul Aigbogun arrived Bissau late Thursday night after they connected from Morocco.

Israel-based goalkeeper Akpan Udoh is the only overseas-based player on the 20-man Flying Eagles squad.

Hosts Young Djurtinhos of Guinea Bissau, who shocked out Sierra Leone in the previous round of the qualifying series, have

named as many as nine Portugalbased pros for tomorrow’s game.

This is understandable as they were colonised by Portugal, Portuguese is the country’s official language and the West Africans still keep close ties with their former colonial masters.

Kick-off time tomorrow is 5pm Nigerian time.

The return leg will be played in Nigeria the following weekend.

FIFA President, Infantino

Times Sports 16

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Hotels - L e i s u r e - TREASURES SUITES & CONFERENCES

Plot 66, 1st Avenue by Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Opp Federal High Court, Abuja HOTEL INFORMATION With facilities uniquely designed to cater to guests comfort at every level, Treasure Suites is located at Plot 66, 1st Avenue by Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District, Opposite Federal High Court, Abuja, Nigeria. It boasts business related amenities such as a business centre and 2 meeting rooms.

It features 45 rooms categorised into Suite, King Suite and Deluxe Single Room. All rooms provide conveniences such as airconditioning units, refrigerator, coffee/tea making facilities, flat screen TV with satellite reception, sofas, free bottled water, in-room safe, hair dryer, desk and a private with shower and free toiletries. Some of these rooms also have a balcony.

Complimentary breakfast is served daily between 8 AM and 11 AM. Alongside the swimming pool with pool umbrellas and sun loungers, the hotel also has a fitness centre/gym where guests can engage in workout sessions. The on-site restaurant specialises in local and continental delicious cuisine and the bar serves a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks which guests can enjoy and unwind at the lounge. Free Wi-Fi and self-parking are also available at the hotel which has a tight security network. It boasts business related amenities such as a business centre and 2 meeting rooms.

Cubana Suites

Barcelona Hotels, Abuja

20 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja

23 Blantyre Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II

HOTEL INFORMATION Cubana Suites, located at 20 Yedseram Street, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria, is a 3-Star hotel that overlooks Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Golf Course.

HOTEL INFORMATION Barcelona Hotels, Abuja is a 4-Star hotel located at No 23 Blantyre Street, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja. It is situated in the heart of town and enjoys proximity to a number of public and private owned institutions.

Cubana Suites offers rooms with modern interior decor. The rooms are equipped with tile flooring, an air conditioner, work desk, telephone, flat screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, armchairs, balcony with a view of the pool and an en-suite bathroom with toilet paper, towels and linen provided free. Categories of rooms available are Cubana Classic, Superior Deluxe, Executive Deluxe and Supreme Deluxe. It offers complimentary breakfast with an option of room service.

Continental food options are offered at the restaurant while a wide variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks can be ordered at the bar on-site. A swimming pool is also available on the premises.

Barcelona Hotels, Abuja offers a number of spacious and tastefully designed rooms which come in the categories: Standard, Superior, Executive, Executive Twin, Diplomatic, Ambassadorial, Ministerial, Barcelona, Senatorial and a Presidential Suite. Each of these rooms comes with top quality facilities such as flat-screen television with a full cable subscription, sofas, luxurious bed, wireless internet connection, luggage storage and en-suite bathroom with shower facilities.

Barcelona Hotels Abuja also offers guests banquet, event and conference halls; a rooftop sit-out with a breathtaking view of the environs; a restaurant that offers a wide range of tasty dishes plus continental breakfast; an adequate parking space; a 24-hour power supply; gym facilities; a swimming pool and guaranteed security.

Additional services rendered by the hotel on request include concierge, laundry/dry cleaning, currency exchange, express checkin/check-out, car hire, room service for limited hours, luggage storage and airport shuttle.

Cubana Suites also offers services such as 24-hour front desk, 24 hours power supply, concierge service, luggage storage, cleaning services, daily maid service, ironing service, dry cleaning/laundry service, a meeting/ banquet facility and round-the-clock security.

A cache of extra services are also available to guests and these include: an elevator, a business centre, sauna, laundry and dry cleaning services, car hire services, airport pickup, daily newspaper delivery, housekeeping, valet service, room service, lawn tennis facilities, concierge, spa, Chinese cuisines, ballroom and casino.

Interesting Places to Visit near Treasure Suites Federal High Court (1.1 km) Harrow Park (1.8 km) Turf Arena (1.5 km) Durban Neighbourhood Park (0.95 km) Silverbird Cinemas (2.0 km) DHL Express (1.8 km) The nearest airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, is only 37 minutes away.

Interesting Places To Visit Near Cubana Suites Millennium Park (4.5 km) Silverbird Cinemas (5.5 km) National Mosque Abuja (5.0 km) IBB Golf Course (7.5 km) Aso Rock (7.6 km)

Places Of Interest Near Barcelona Hotels Abuja Berger flyover Federal Ministry of Finance GSM village NAFDAC Wuse market

Terms and Conditions Check-In: From 09:00 am Check-Out: Until 12:00 pm Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: Children are permitted to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Cards accepted: Visa, MasterCard, and Cash Payments only.

Terms and Conditions Check in: from 12:00pm (Identification required) Check out: from 12:00pm Pets: not allowed Payment: Cash, Cards Smoking: In designated areas.

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 12:00 PM (ID Required) Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer free Wi-Fi? A: Treasure Suites offers free Wi-Fi to all checked-in guests.

Q: Does Treasure Suites have a swimming pool?

A: There is a swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer complimentary breakfast?

A: Treasure Suites offers its checked-in guests complimentary breakfast.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Treasure Suites? What type of equipment are available?

A: Yes. A modern and well-equipped gym is available at the hotel.

Q: Does Treasure Suites have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Treasure Suites.

Q: What is the check-in and check-out time at Treasure Suites?

A: Check-in and check-out hours are 12:00 PM and 12:00 PM respectively.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer shuttle services?

A: Treasure Suites renders airport shuttle service on request.

Q: Does Treasure Suites offer car hire services?

A: Treasure Suites renders car hire service on request.

Q: Does Treasure Suites allow pets?

A: Pets are not allowed at Treasure Suites.

TREASURES SUITES is a top-class hotel in Wuse, Abuja

Grand Cubana Hotel No. 6 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Grand Cubana Hotel offers a budget friendly accommodation in a very scenic environment at No. 6 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. It is appropriate for both business and leisure travellers.

All rooms are fully air-conditioned and fitted with king-sized beds, flat screen TV sets with satellite reception, wardrobes, refrigerators and an en-suite bathroom. These rooms can be categorised into Alcove, Standard Deluxe, Superior Deluxe, Executive Deluxe, Business Royal, Ambassadorial, Grand and Presidential Suites.

Grand Cubana Hotel has 24hours electricity and room service is available on request. The bar and restaurant provide guests with a variety of meals and drinks. The event hall is fully equipped and appropriate for social and corporate gathering; an outdoor pool and a fitness centre are available on-site. Parking is free and security is guaranteed.

Grand Cubana Hotel has a business centre and offers additional services such as laundry/dry cleaning, concierge, luggage storage, airport pickup and car hire.

Interesting Places To Visit Near Grand Cubana Hotel Utako Motor Park (0.7km) Patsy Plaza (0.35km) O’neal Centre (1.1km) Rock of Ages Mall (2.6km) Terms and Conditions Check In: From 3:00 PM Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Grand Cubana Hotel offers free Wi-Fi to all checked in guests.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Grand Cubana Hotel? What type of equipment are available?

A: A gym is not available at the hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel have a swimming pool?

A: There is no swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Grand Cubana Hotel.

Q: Does Grand Cubana Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. Guests will be charged for breakfast orders.

Grand Cubana Hotel is a budget hotel in Jabi, Abuja

FAQs

Q: Does Cubana Suites offer free Wi-Fi? A: Yes. It offers free Wi-Fi to guests.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have a swimming pool?

A: Yes. It has a swimming pool.

Q: Does Cubana Suites offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. It does not offer complimentary breakfast.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Cubana Suites?

A: Yes. It has a fitness centre/gym.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have a restaurant?

A: It has a restaurant with delicious delicacies.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have on-site parking? Is it free?

A: Yes. It is free.

Q: Does Cubana Suites offer airport pickup or shuttle services?

A: No. It does not offer airport pick-up/ shuttle services.

Q: Does Cubana Suites allow smoking in rooms?

A: No. It disallows smoking in rooms.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have an event centre/conference rooms?

A: Yes, It has an event centre.

Q: Does Cubana Suites accept cash, cheques, cards and bank transfers?

A: It accepts cards and cash.

Q: Does Cubana Suites have hair dryers?

A: No. It does not provide hair dryers.

Cubana Suites is a top-class hotel in Maitama, Abuja

HOTEL INFORMATION Sandralia Hotel is a high-class hotel in Abuja offering a mixture of luxury, elegance and comfort.

This hotel offers free Wi-Fi, adequate parking space and it’s situated at 1, Solomon Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria.

L a r

Way,

Sandralia Hotel gives guests the opportunity to experience the Piano Lounge. The Piano Lounge is a trendy and stylish bar offering an eclectic and original cocktails and drinks list with an accompanying menu of light bites. You can listen to beautiful Nigerian and international music every Monday to Friday from 9:00 PM to 1:30 AM performed by the hotel’s in-house band.

The conference rooms and facilities can accommodate any business or social event, from an intimate luncheon or a sumptuous reception to an executive meeting, with space to accommodate up to 300 persons for meetings and receptions. The restaurant offers a wide variety of a la carte and buffet services for both African and international cuisine at affordable prices. Furthermore, highly trained professional staffs are always on ground to give guests the best of hospitality services. The hotel also features a well-equipped gym for guests who fancy workout and body fitness exercises, a swimming pool for guests to take a relaxing dip in. An outdoor tennis court and playground are available on-site.

Additional services such as airport shuttle, laundry/dry cleaning, car hire, 24-hour room service, ironing and concierge, can be rendered by the hotel on request.

Q: Is there a swimming pool at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: There is an availability of an outdoor pool for guests to utilise at Barcelona Hotels Abuja.

Q: Are there fitness facilities at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: There are fitness facilities plus a well-equipped gym at Barcelona Hotels Abuja.

Q: Is there an internet facility at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: Yes. It offers free Wi-Fi in each room category.

HOTEL INFORMATION The Missouri Hotel is located at No 8, Missouri Street, off Colorado close Minister’s Hill., Abuja, Nigeria. It is one of the luxury hotels in Abuja with its dynamic blend of artistry and elegance. The staff guarantee a warm reception. The Missouri Hotel is close to Millennium Park and National Mosque, Abuja. It is an 11-minute drive from Shoprite and 38 minutes from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

All the rooms at The Missouri are uniquely and stylishly designed to the guests taste. Each room is air-conditioned, fitted with an ornate Persian rug, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, armchairs, sofa and an en-suite bathroom. Tea/Coffee facilities are available in the rooms.

Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is available to all guests. A variety of dishes with buffet options and drinks can be ordered at the on-site restaurant and outdoor bar. Special diet menu is available on request. The dining room is available.

The Missouri Hotel has a beautiful garden where guests can relax. The hotel offers airport shuttle at an extra charge. Dry cleaning, room service, 24 hours front desk service and car hire services are rendered. There are designated smoking areas. Concierge services are rendered.

Interesting Places to visit near The Missouri Hotel Millenium Park (11 min) Shoprite (13 min) Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (38 min) National Mosque (12 min) National Stadium (13 min)

Interesting Places to Visit near Sandralia Hotel National Mosque (11.7 km) Magic Land (16.3 km) Abuja Stadium (10.9 km) National Hospital (9.9 km) Federal Secretariat (10.2 km) Millennium Park (10.8 km) The Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport is only 10 minutes away.

Terms and Conditions Check in - From 12:00 pm (ID required) Check out - By 12:00 pm Payment - Cash, MasterCard, Visa accepted Cancellation - Cancellation policies vary with room type.

Pets - Not Allowed Children - Babies and Kids under 10 stay free.

Please note that non-refundable rates can only be booked via card prepayments and reservations made on these rates cannot be refunded.

Terms and Conditions Check-In: From 2:00 PM (ID Required) Check-Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children not older than 2 are allowed to stay free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Barcelona Hotels Abuja offer shuttle services?

A: Yes. It offers such services.

8, Missouri street, off Colorado close Minister’s Hill.

It is equipped with 102 tastefully furnished rooms categorised into Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Executive Room and Suites. These rooms are designed with modern in-room amenities such as premium beddings, air-conditioning units, tea/coffee making facilities, flat screen TV with satellite channels, mini bar, work desks, plush sofas, ornate lampshades and an en-suite bathroom with free toiletries.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Sandralia Hotel offers free Wi-Fi to all checked-in guests.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel have a swimming pool?

A: There is a standard outdoor swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. Guests will be charged for breakfast orders.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Sandralia Hotel? What type of equipment are available?

A: Yes. A modern and well-equipped gym is available at the hotel.

FAQs Q: Is there an event hall at Barcelona Hotels Abuja?

A: Yes, there is a well-equipped and spacious event hall at Barcelona Hotels Abuja.

The Missouri Hotel

No 1. Solomon Lar way, Jabi

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Sandralia Hotel.

Q: What is the check-in and check-out time at Sandralia Hotel?

A: Check-in and check-out hours are between 2:00 PM and 12:00 PM. Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer shuttle services?

A: Sandralia Hotel provides an airport shuttle on request.

Q: Does Sandralia Hotel offer car hire services?

A: Sandralia Hotel renders car hire service on request.

Sandralia Hotel is a luxury hotel in Jabi, Abuja.

FAQs

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Yes. It offers free Wi-Fi to each guest.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have a swimming pool?

A: No. It does not have a swimming pool.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. It does not offer complimentary breakfast.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at The Missouri Hotel?

A: No. It does not have a fitness centre/gym.

To u r s

Afri Hotels

Plot 281 Herbert Macaulay Way, Opposite National Defense College HOTEL INFORMATION Situated at Plot 281 Herbert Macaulay Way, Opposite National Defense College Afri Hotel Abuja is a citadel of excellence and homeliness. Its location sets it strategically between various places of interest like Millennium Park and other businesses.

The rooms at Afri Hotel come in a wide variety of choices. They include: Afri Standard, Royal, Deluxe, Ambassador, Super Diplomat, Luxury Suite, Exotic and Executive. Each of the 100 room is fitted with top class features such as television sets with satellite channels, a microwave (on request), refrigerators with free bottled water, work tables and chairs, air conditioners, private bathrooms, free toiletries, and hair dryer.

Free continental breakfast is served daily to guests at Afri Hotel. The on-site restaurant serves well prepared and tasty meals and of course you can relax in the lounge after a stressful day. The in-house barbeque grills and coffee shop are stocked to suit the guests looking for variety in their cuisine.

Guest at the Afri Hotel may also make use of the outdoor pool for a relaxing swim or simply enjoy the on-site bar/lounge and terrace. A Gym/Fitness centre is available for those looking to stay in shape and keep fit. There is also a business centre and free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the premises. For guests interested in holding meets, office retreats and other cooperate events, the conference centre at Afri Hotel is available and well equipped to meet those needs.

Afri Hotel also provides a variety of other services such as airport shuttle, 24-hour front desk & room service, daily housekeeping, laundry service, concierge service, free newspapers in the lobby, luggage storage, porter/bellhop, for the comfort of its guests. The hotel complex comes with various levels of security with a presence of professional security guards. Parking at the hotel premises is safe and free.

Interesting Places to Visit Near Afri Hotel Nigerian National Mosque (2 km) National Hospital Abuja (3.1 km) Federal Secretariat (3.2 km) National Assembly (3.9 km) Millennium Park (4 km)

BARCELONA HOTELS is a top-class hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja.

Sandralia Hotel

17 Times Sports

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have a restaurant?

A: It has a restaurant with delicious delicacies.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel have on-site parking? Is it free?

A: Yes. It is free.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel offer airport pickup or shuttle services?

A: Yes. It offers airport pick-up/shuttle services.

Q: Does The Missouri Hotel allow smoking in rooms?

A: Yes. It has designated smoking area.

The Missouri Hotel iis a top-class hotel in Maitama, Abuja

Terms and Conditions Check-in : From 7:00am Check-out: At 12:00pm Payment: Card, cash deposit required at check-in Government-issued photo ID required at check-in Minimum check-in age is 18 Pets: Max is 2 pets per room Children: Cribs/infant beds available at a surcharge Rollaway/extra beds available at a surcharge Guests must contact the property in advance to reserve a crib (infant bed)/rollaway bed

FAQs

Q: Does Afri Hotel offer free Wi-Fi? A: Yes, Wi-Fi is available and for free Q: Does Afri Hotel have a pool?

A: Yes, a pool is available at the hotel.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have a restaurant?

A: Yes, a restaurant is available onsite.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have onsite parking? Is it free?

A: Yes, self-parking is available/free.

Q: Does Afri Hotel offer airport pickup or shuttle services?

A: Yes, airport shuttle services are available.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have an event centre/conference rooms?

A: Yes, an event centre and conference rooms are available.

Q: Does Afri Hotel offer room service? What are the hours?

A: Yes, 24-hour room service is available at the hotel.

Q: Does Afri Hotel allow pets?

A: Yes, pets are allowed at the hotel. A maximum of 2 pets per room Q: Does Afri Hotel have cribs?

A: Yes, cribs are available at a surcharge.

Q: Does Afri Hotel have irons?

A: No, irons are not provided in the rooms.

Afri Hotels is an affordable hotel in Central Business District, Abuja

Kryxtal Suites 120, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 HOTEL INFORMATION Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2, is an exclusive boutique hotel located opposite GLOBACOM Headquarters in Abuja and a few seconds from KFC. This hotel is very well appointed and its one of the reference points in the Wuse area of Abuja for visitors and Abuja residents.

It is situated at 120, Aminu Kano Crescent, Opposite Glo Office, Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria.

Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 has 20 exclusive spacious bedrooms categorised into Classic, Deluxe and Superior. Each room is very well fitted with exceptional facilities such as air-conditioning units, flat-screen TV with international channels, a reading/dressing table and an en-suite bathroom with slippers and free toiletries.

Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 has some awesome facilities such as free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel, uninterrupted power supply, a 24-hour front desk service, and a restaurant and bar where guests can order from a wide range of meals and drinks. Free private parking space is also available within the hotel complex and it’s well guarded by security personnel. It has a banquet hall/meeting rooms for various meetings, conferences and events.

Laundry/dry cleaning, car hire, airport shuttle, a 24-hour room service, safety deposit boxes, luggage storage and concierge are made available on request. An ATM is available on-site Interesting Places near Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 Cameroon Embassy (2 km) Afro-Asia Garden (0.4 km) Ecowas Court (0.7 km) City Park (0.6 km) Globacom Office KFC The nearest airport to the hotel is the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport which is about 23 km away.

Terms and Conditions Check In: From 12:00 PM (ID Required) Check Out: By 12:00 PM Cancellation: Cancellation policies vary according to room type.

Children: All children not older than 12 are allowed to stay for free.

Pets: Pets are not allowed.

Payment: Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted here.

FAQs

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer free Wi-Fi? A: Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offers free Wi-Fi to all checked-in guests.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 have a restaurant?

A: A restaurant is available at Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 have a swimming pool?

A: There is no swimming pool in this hotel.

Q: What is the check-in and check-out time at Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2?

A: Check-in and check-out hours are between 12:00 PM and 12:00 PM

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer complimentary breakfast?

A: No. Guests will be charged for breakfast orders.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer shuttle services?

A: Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 renders airport shuttle service on request.

Q: Is there a fitness centre/gym at Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2? What type of equipment are available?

A: No. A gym is not available at the hotel.

Q: Does Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 offer car hire services?

A: Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 renders car hire service on request.

Kryxtal Suites Wuse 2 is a budget hotel in Wuse 2, Abuja

Times Sports 18 Times Sports 18

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018 Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

TRACKDOWN

Performance status of Nigeria Professionals abroad

Players who may not make Rohr’s World Cup List Brown Ideye’s first start in three games didn’t go according to plan as Malaga fell to a 3-0 defeat by Alaves. The onloan forward’s performance was so poor he was hooked off at the break in what was a terrible opening half for Albicelestes. Ideye hasn’t scored in almost three months and it’s looking highly unlikely he’ll make the Nigeria squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Chidiebere Nwakali was excluded from the Aberdeen squads that played out to successive stalemates against Hibernian, at the weekend, and Rangers, on Tuesday night. The midfielder was knocking on the door to secure a fringe role in the Super Eagles squad, but that now seems unlikely with his lack of appearances at club level.

Sone Aluko performed respectably as Reading secured a goalless draw at Cardiff City which confirmed safety in the Championship. The wideman hasn’t pulled up any trees all-season long and he’s unlikely to be selected in the final 23-man squad.

Henry Uche Agbo - Having suffered the ignominy of being substituted at halftime in Standard Liege’s 3-1 win at Gent due to a first-half booking, Uche Agbo would have been delighted he played 90 minutes in the Reds’ 5-0 thrashing of Genk. His versatility gives him the edge in securing a backup role in the Nigeria side, but you sense he needs to play more consistently.

Two goals in three games saw Olarenwaju Kayode’s name thrown into the discussion for forwards vying for a place in Rohr’s final selection, so it would have been disappointing for the Manchester City loanee to miss out of Shakhtar Donetsk’s 2-1 win over Zorya at the weekend. He will still hope to make an impression in the closing stages of the season to get the Nigeria manager’s attention.

The first change in this weekly ranking sees Joel Obi drop a place to ninth following his continued absence through injury. The midfielder missed out on Torino’s impressive 2-2 draw at Napoli which more or less confirmed the latter wouldn’t secure the Serie A title this season. Obi’s injury woes might see him miss out of Rohr’s squad by a hair’s breadth.

Sports Bet Corner Safe Bet

Don’t stake on one ticket

Real Madrid - Celta Vigo-- 1 Inter - Sassuolo-- 1

Schalke - Eintracht Frankfurt--1x Bayern Munich - Stuttgart--1 & Over(1.5) Hamburg - Monchengladbach--Under(4.5) Freiburg - Augsburg-- Under(3.5) Real Sociedad - Leganes--1 Strasbourg - Lyon--2 Monaco - St. Etienne--Under(4.5) Following his impressive performance in relegated Malaga’s 2-1 loss at Real Betis, Isaac Success would’ve been disappointed by being dropped to be bench against Alaves. He didn’t make it onto the pitch for the duration of the game, either, and his chances of making a late push into Rohr’s side appear bleak.

Galatasaray - Malatya Bld Spor--1 Atiker Konyaspor 1922 - Goztepespor--1 Levante - Barcelona--2 Fiorentina - Cagliari--1 Crotone - Lazio--X2 Sampdoria - Napoli--X2 CSKA Moscow - FC Anzhi Makhachkala--1 FC Zenit St Petersburg - Ska-Khabarovsk--1 Aalborg - FC Copenhagen--X2 Celtic - Aberdeen--1 FC Zorya Lugansk - FC Dynamo Kiev--X2 Osmanlispor - Besiktas--X2 Young Boys Bern - FC Lugano--1X

Stake what you can afford to lose

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Federation president urges NGOs to sponsor para-sitting volleyball championships The President of Nigeria ParaSitting Volleyball Federation, Rilwan Mohammed, on Friday urged nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) as well as other public-spirited bodies to sponsor the federation’s activities.

Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the major problem the federation had been battling with was lack of sponsors for its programmes.

He said the federation has lined up programmes but has not been able to execute them because of lack of funds.

“For example, we always have players who will participate in our competitions, but our greatest problem is lack of funds to convey them from one state to another.

“We should be organising about three or four events in a year, and this is the best way to make our game popular.

“So, we need support from the Federal Government, philanthropists and lovers of our game, especially private organisations,’’ the federation president said.

Mohammed disclosed that the federation would organise its national championship on Dec. 3 to mark the “World Disability Day’’ in Kaduna.

Hamilton has designs on Miami layout Formula One world champion, Lewis Hamilton has cast an expert eye over the proposed layout for a street race grand prix in Miami next year and was not impressed.

The Mercedes driver indicated at the Spanish Grand Prix on Thursday that he had been underwhelmed by what he had seen so far.

“I don’t get why, for example, in golf, all the great golfers design golf courses,” the Briton, winner of 63 races and four world championships, told reporters.

“You have not got any of the top racing drivers in history having ever designed a race track, and I don’t get it.

“Not that any of us are designers, but they haven’t asked for our input.

“Miami is a super-cool place and I was very excited to hear about it, but when I saw the layout I was like, meh.

“I think it could be a lot more fun,” he added.

The City of Miami Commission and Miami-Dade County unanimously granted their preliminary approval on Thursday for a proposal to authorise city manager Emilio Gonzalez to negotiate a contract with Formula One by July 1.

The decision was welcomed by the sport.

“We are very pleased to have received preliminary approval towards bringing a Formula One grand prix to Miami,” said Sean Bratches, Formula One’s commercial managing director.

“Formula One in Miami represents a fantastic opportunity to bring the greatest racing spectacle on the planet to one of the world’s most iconic cities and we are delighted that the journey is under way.”

City commissioner Ken Russell posted a potential track layout on Twitter last week with most of the course in the port area and featuring a loop around the downtown American Airlines Arena along Biscayne Bay. “You have got two of the longest straights, but maybe when you drive it will be fun,” Hamilton said.

“I dread the thought of a street circuit like we had in Valencia, which wasn’t a great street circuit.

19 Times Sports

Madrid Open

Record for Rafa, Del Potro ousted, Anderson through World number one Rafa Nadal set a new record of winning 50 consecutive sets on a single surface by beating Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-3 6-4 on Thursday to reach the Madrid Open quarterfinals.

The Mallorcan surpassed John McEnroe’s previous record of 49 consecutive sets on carpet which had stood since 1984 by seeing off 13th seed Schwartzman and claiming a 21st consecutive win on clay.

Nadal will face Austrian Dominic Thiem in the last eight on Friday in pursuit of a sixth Madrid Open title after beginning the claycourt season by winning an 11th Monte Carlo Masters and lifting the Barcelona Open trophy for the 11th time.

Nadal said he was unaware of the record.

“These moments I don’t go out there and think about these kind of things.

I just think about my opponent, what I have to do to keep on going. That’s all,” Nadal told a news conference.

“When my career is over, these are things that are going to be there for always. They are big records. It’s difficult to be able to win 50 sets in a row. But I’ve done it. Let’s not talk about that any more and let’s continue on what we have ahead.”

World number six Juan Martin del Potro crashed out of the tournament after Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic came back from a set down to beat the Argentine

3-6 6-4 7-6(6) in the third round.

Del Potro looked in complete control as he converted two break-point opportunities to take the opening set but Lajovic, ranked 95th in the world, dug deep to stay in the contest.

A break midway through the second set was enough for Lajovic to force a decider before he wrapped up his first career victory over a top-10 opponent in the tiebreak.

“It’s for sure my best win, and definitely one of the best

matches I’ve played,” the Serbian said. “I still am not believing it 100 percent, but I know I deserved to win today.”

In the quarterfinals, Lajovic will meet South Africa’s Kevin Anderson who overcame German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-6(7).

Britain’s Kyle Edmund followed up his surprise win over Novak Djokovic by defeating world number 10 David Goffin to reach the last eight of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first

time in his career.

The 23-year-old broke his Belgian opponent’s serve twice in the opening set and once in the second, to seal a 6-3 6-3 victory in an hour and 12 minutes.

“I managed my game very well,” the Briton said. “My game is better the better I manage it and pick the moments not to be aggressive.

CONFIDENCE BOOSTER Edmund will next face Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov, who achieved a 6-4 6-4 win over compatriot Milos Raonic.

“It was definitely one of my best days on clay,” said 19-yearold Shapovalov, who is ranked 43rd in the world, 19 places below Raonic. “To be on the court against such a legend for me, and for my country, it was an honour.

“What (Raonic) does for our country, for tennis, for these past couple years, it’s incredible. To beat him, it was a huge confidence booster for me.”

American John Isner also advanced to the quarterfinals after overcoming Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in a tight match 7-6(9) 7-6(3) 7-6(4). He will play German Alexander Zverev, who beat Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-4 6-2.

Basketball: NBBF hails Milo for 20 years of grassroots competition

A Board Member of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Sam Ahmedu, on Friday urged corporate bodies to emulate Nestle Nig. Plc. which recently celebrated 20 years of organising basketball championships at the grassroots.

Ahmedu told newsmen in Lagos that Nestle basketball tournament at the grassroots had blossomed into a `spectacular theatre of dreams’ for many youngsters.

“We are very happy and can only render praises to its leadership; Nestle has supported basketball for 20 years and provided many youths the opportunity to showcase their talents.

“Due to Nestle Milo Basketball Championships, we have confidence that in many years to come, we will continue to discover more players for national teams and club sides,’’ he told NAN. Similarly, the Managing Director of Nestle Nigeria Plc., Mauricio Alarcon, told NAN: “The motivation to keep doing what Nestle does is basically to see youths develop in the right manner.

“The youths are the core areas of our reach and we would do anything within our power to see that we bring the best out of them.

“Nestle Milo, as a prominent global brand, has been at the forefront of the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria for 20 years.

“We are very proud of this.’’

Alarcon said that the organisation had used the basketball championship as a metaphor to teach school children values such as determination, confidence, discipline, teamwork and respect.

“We are very proud of the many talents who have blossomed to local and international stars; we are forever committed to the future of children yet unborn,’’ Alarcon said.

NAN reports that no fewer than 9,000 schools across the 36 states and FCT took part in the 2018 edition.

The championship commenced earlier in the year with state preliminary games where, out of over 9,000 schools, 74 comprising boys and girls teams, qualified for the regional conferences.

The conference finals were held in Benin, Abuja, Ilorin, and Ibadan, over a period of four weeks.

The national finals were held in Lagos from

May 3 to May 10, where six male teams and six female teams took part to challenge for national honours.

At the end, Father O’Connell Science College, Minna, and St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa, went home as champions of the tournament.

Both schools were the 2017 champions.

Winning the championship back to back was a major achievement in the competition’s history.

The team from Bayelsa defeated Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan, 47-21 points in the girls’ category while the Niger boys beat Gen. Murtala Muhammed College Yola, Adamawa, 60-59.

The first teams went home with N150, 000, sports kits and branded products from Nestle Milo, winners’ medals and their trophies.

The second placed teams from Oyo and Adamawa went home with N120,000, sports kits and branded products from Nestle Milo, and other consolation prices.

Tony Nelson, the Head Coach of the victorious Bayelsa team, told NAN that the victory was achieved with hard work and support of the school and the state.

“I use the opportunity to thank my players for their hard work; indeed it is a great thing to, once again, emerge as champions.

“We could not have done it without support from our management and the sport council of Bayelsa; indeed, it is a noteworthy achievement.

Emmanuel Tanko, the Head Coach of the victorious Niger team, attributed the team’s success to determination and discipline to achieve at the end.

“It is a great feeling to be crowned champions.

“I say a big thank you to Nestle Nigeria for the opportunity provided for this young ones to be discovered; indeed they are the future champions of the sport,’’ Tanko said.

(NAN)

20

TIMES SPORTS

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Eric Cantona to make Old Trafford return alongside Usain Bolt for Soccer Aid Eric Cantona will return to the Old Trafford pitch when he takes part in Soccer Aid for UNICEF on June 10.

The five-time Premier League winner will play in the Soccer Aid World XI alongside sprinter Usain Bolt, who had a trial at Borussia Dortmund in March.

“There is no place like home,” said Cantona, who played for Manchester United from 1992 to 1997. “Knowing I am coming back to Old Trafford is a special feeling and I am looking forward to seeing the stands full of familiar faces.

“My message is this: Soccer Aid for UNICEF is a game like no other because of the support you give it. I am coming back to make the June 10 match the best ever and I want you to join me.”

Among the players joining Cantona and Bolt on the World XI will be Robert Pires, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Yaya Toure.

Brazilian banks allowed to close for World Cup games Brazilian bankers can breathe a sigh of relief: they’ll be allowed to close up and watch the national team in the World Cup on television.

Financial authorities in Latin America’s biggest economy have told all banks they can arrange their working hours around the far more important live coverage of the “selecao’s” matches in Russia.

Banks “may change the opening hours of their branches on the days of the Brazilian football team’s matches at the FIFA World Cup in Russia 2018,” the Central Bank said on Wednesday.

The usual mandatory minimum of five hours opening will be reduced to four, the Central Bank said.

Brazil’s much-fancied team kicks off its campaign on June 17 against Switzerland at 1500 Brazilian time.

That’s on a Sunday, but the next two games in Group E, against Costa Rica and Serbia, will be in normal banking hours.

Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup history, with five titles.

Sol Campbell: Arsenal defence needs a leader Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes the club must address a lack of leadership in defence.

The Gunners will finish a disappointing Premier League campaign in sixth place, with Arsene Wenger’s 22-year reign as manager to end this summer.

Wenger’s side have been particularly feeble in defence, conceding 51 goals, only three less than relegated duo Swansea and West Brom with one game remaining.

“Arsenal needs a really big tackler,” said Campbell, who won two Premier League titles in his first three seasons with Arsenal after joining in 2001.

“I think they’re desperate for someone who can head, tackle… a good passer, who can really bring the back four voice.

They lack voice.

“They need someone who’s very vocal, who can start ordering people around the backline.”

Golf: ‘Super group’ fizzles as Woods, Fowler, Mickelson struggle The so-called ‘super group’ at the Players Championship turned into a super flop as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler fizzled in the first round on Thursday.

Woods was best of the bunch with an even-par 72, but that was hardly what the PGA Tour had in mind when it grouped the best two players of their generation with the popular Fowler at TPC Sawgrass.

What started as a massive early afternoon gallery thinned out to only a few hundred spectators by the 15th hole,

although considerably more waited at the island-green par-three 17th for some end-of-day fireworks.

They instead saw damp squibs as Mickelson and Fowler both found water at the 17th for matching double-bogeys.

Woods, meanwhile, safely negotiated the penultimate hole with a par, only to yank an iron tee shot into the water at the par-four 18th, his safety-first strategy backfiring.

He did well to salvage bogey, ending the day six strokes behind the six tied for the lead, who include world number one

Dustin Johnson and Swede Alex Noren.

Woods at least gave fans one moment of excitement, when he rolled in a 20foot putt for eagle from the fringe at the par-five ninth.

“Boy, it was nice to turn the round completely around there,” he said, before assessing the gallery.

“They were into it early. Towards the back nine it started getting a little sparse.

I think they might have tipped back a couple and got a little sleepy.”

The quality of the golf did little to keep fans awake.

Serena Williams signs on for WTA in San Jose

Former world number one Serena Williams will open her summer hardcourt season at the WTA tournament in San Jose, California, July 30-August 5.

“I am looking forward to opening my summer season at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic and competing in the new venue,” Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, said in a statement posted on the tournament website.

“This tournament plays an historic role in women’s tennis, and as a California native the fans in the Bay Area have always been incredibly supportive.”

The tournament formerly known as the Bank of the West Classic and held in Stanford, California, is moving to the campus of San Jose State University this year.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova and defending champion and US Open finalist Madison Keys have also committed to play in the event that is part of the build up to the US Open.

On Wednesday, the 36-yearold Williams pulled out of next week’s Italian Open in Rome, a tournament she has won four times.

That followed her withdrawal from Madrid and raised doubts as to

whether she’ll be ready for the French Open in Paris May 27June 10.

The American tennis star made her return to the court in February, six months a f t e r giving birth t o her daughter Olympia, but has admitted she is struggling to get fully fit.

Yaya Toure wants to stay in Premier League

Manchester City great Yaya Toure confirmed he wanted to extend his career in the Premier League amid talk he could leave England following the season.

Toure, 34, will leave City at the end of the season after eight campaigns – including three Premier League titles and an FA Cup success – at the club.

But instead of opting for a lucrative deal abroad, the 101-time Ivory Coast international said his preference was to stay in England.

“Of course, I want to stay in England,” Toure told UK newspapers.

“I have maybe one or two years more to play.

To go to China or Abu Dhabi, it looks for myself to get more money.

“Of course, people are going to be happy to get more money, but that’s not my point of view.”

Toure confirmed there had been interest from other clubs, but he needed time to consider his options.

“I will have to take time, thinking as always to choose the right one,” he said.

“Definitely there have been other clubs but I have to compare all the situations and if it’s good for me or not.”

However, Toure has also said he would love a return to one of his former clubs in Barcelona, where he won La Liga and the Champions League.

He also hinted at a possible reunion, or at least an opportunity to go head-to-head, with ex teammate Andres Iniesta in Asia.

Salah promises Liverpool fans: This is ‘just the start’

Mohamed Salah has reassured Liverpool fans his stunning first season is “just the beginning” of his time at the club despite speculation over interest from Real Madrid.

The Egyptian collected awards in Liverpool on Thursday after being voted player of the season by both the club’s fans and his teammates before boarding a flight to collect the Football Writers’ Association’s award in London.

The 25-year-old has scored 43 goals in all competitions since arriving from Roma last summer, a return that has seen him heavily linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid, who face Liverpool in the Champions League later this month.

But Salah, who needs just one more goal to become the

outright record-holder for the most strikes in a 38-match season in the Premier League, appears content with life at the club.

“I’m very happy here, everything is fine,” he said. “Of course I have got ambitions for the future with Liverpool. As you can see we had a great season, now we are in the Champions League final and everyone is excited.

“It is just the start. This is my first year here and it is the same for some other players. It is just the beginning.”

Liverpool cannot focus all of their energies on Real just yet, with the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League still not settled.

A point in their final match, at home to Brighton on Sunday, will be enough to secure a top-four finish, after which all eyes turn to Kiev.

Salah, who was last month crowned Professional Footballers’ Association players’ player of the year, won the writers’ award ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Harry Kane.

Speaking in London, he said: “I was here four years ago (with Chelsea) and a lot of people were saying he couldn’t play in the Premier League. I left Chelsea but it was always in my mind to come back to make them wrong. So I make them wrong.

“I’m not the same player. I improved a lot in Rome but I can’t say everything is me. The teammates are maybe different. The coach is tough and they always help me inside and outside the pitch.”

ASO Table Tennis: 8 cadet, junior winners to get scholarships The winners of the just-concluded ASO Table Tennis Championship in the cadet and junior categories are to be awarded scholarships up to the university level, says Olusegun Ajuwon, Chairman, Aso Table Tennis Club.

Ajuwon told the newsmen on Friday in Abuja that four players in the cadet and another four from the junior categories would benefit from the scholarships.

According to him, the best eight of the cadet and junior players would get scholarships up to the university level as an encouragement from the club.

“We want our young players to combine playing table tennis with education, and I think the scholarships will go a long way to encourage them,’’ he said.

Ajuwon said athletes discovered at the 13th edition of the championship would be handed over to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for grooming and exposure to mandatory competitions.

“I am happy that the President of NTTF is here to watch the game, and the national coach has been with us since the

commencement of this championship and I know they will do the needful.

“Our major problem is lack of sponsorship for the championship and what we have decided is to hold a special fund raising for the 14th edition, and we hope to raise enough funds.

“We are appealing to sports loving individuals to support the championship.

“We will also talk to corporate bodies for sponsorship. We are going to be more aggressive in looking for sponsors for the next edition beginning from now,’’ he said.

Naby Keita: RB Leipzig made me a better player before Liverpool move Naby Keita is hoping to sign off in style at RB Leipzig as the future Liverpool midfielder will play his last Bundesliga game on Saturday against Hertha Berlin.

Keita, 23, will join the Champions League finallists this summer after Liverpool met the £48 million release clause in his contract with Leipzig in August.

The transfer fee will depend on Leipzig’s position in the Bundesliga. Going into the final game, they can still qualify for the Champions League, but they could also fail to reach a European competition altogether if results go against them.

According to kicker, the fee will be €60m should Leipzig miss out on Europe, €68m should they qualify for the Europa League and €75m if they can overtake Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim to make it to the group stages of the Champions League.

And Keita, returning from a suspension, does not plan to make himself cheap for Liverpool.

“I always strive for the best,” Keita told kicker.

“That’s why I would rather see us move up the table.”

Keita, like Leipzig, did not match his impressive first season in the Bundesliga but still managed nine goals and seven assists in 38 games across all competitions. He also was sent off three times — once in the DFB Pokal and twice in the Bundesliga, forcing him to miss the victory against Wolfsburg on May 5.

“We went through different stages this season

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Features

21

Best camera phone 2018: The top smartphone snappers around These are the top smartphone cameras to choose from It’s tough to work out the best camera phone on the market - there are so many smartphones to try out, so how on earth will you be able to work out which has the best snapper on the back?

The good news for you is that TechRadar tests them all thoroughly, putting them through their photography paces in all manner of lighting conditions and scenarios to help you work out which phone will give the right pictures for you.

Before choosing, it’s worth thinking about what you want from a camera phone. Do you want something that’s great at taking outdoor snaps and aren’t bothered if it’s good in low light? Is a great quick pic with friends more important than a really powerful sensor that takes amazing shots when you put the effort in?

It’s also worth thinking about battery size and screen quality - if you’re going to be heading out all day and doing longer photography sessions, you’ll need a battery that can keep up.

And if you’re mostly going to look at your photos on the phone, then a phone with OLED screen technology can really make your snaps pop - but if it’s social media, or even printing out your photos, that’s your plan then you’ve got a wider array of options.

We’ve listed all that information below, along with some of our top test snaps so you can make the right decision when it comes to choosing your next camera phone.

1. Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL Simply the best camera phones around Release date: October 2017 | Rear camera: 12.2MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8 | Autofocus type: Phase detection and laser | Weight: 143g / 175g | Dimensions: 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8mm / 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm | Battery size: 2,700mAh / 3,520mAh | Storage: 64GB / 128GB The Google Pixel 2 duo have decent sensors on the back, but amazing software processing - and both cameras are identical.

That means you can take an average picture, and instantly watch it improve before your eyes as the phone stitches together multiple images. Despite only packing a single lens, the Pixel 2 pair can both take stunning portrait shots, bringing some real definition to the mix.

The camera software isn’t always the best, with a tiny bit of lag in taking the picture (and waiting for the software to kick in) but the optical image stabilisation is a real boon.

The larger screen and longer battery life on the

Google Pixel 2 / Pixel 2 XL

16MP and 13MP | Front camera: 5MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.6 and f/1.9 | Autofocus type: Phase detection and laser | Weight: 158g | Dimensions: 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.3mm | Battery size: 3,300mAh | Storage: 64GB The LG V30 is a camera that takes the best of LG’s sensors and puts them to good use - it’s at its best when things get dimmer. Not in true low light, but if there’s a little bit of illumination the V30 really comes into its own, taking sharp and swift snaps when you need them.

The 16MP sensor is the main affair here, and when you just want to take a quick snap it works well. On top of that, the second sensor is a wider-angle affair, so you can get in more of the image you’re trying to snap.

We also really like how LG has worked to explain the more complex settings to you, allowing you to learn how to use the professional mode and get more out of your smartphone photography.

The selfie camera isn’t quite up to the same standard - a shame when last year’s V20 was so competent - but overall, this is a great snapper attached to a top phone.

Best camera phones

Pixel 2 XL will attract those looking for a more premium smartphone, but it is rather more expensive as a result.

But if you want the best pictures from a phone - we’d point you in the direction of the aptly-named pixel.

Very close to the best smartphone camera around Release date: September 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.7 and f/2.4 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 195g | Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm | Battery size: 3,300mAh | Storage: 64GB The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 camera is one of the very best we’ve tested for a number of reasons: firstly, because the dual sensors are impressive and powerful.

The blurred background, the telephoto lens, the speed of snapping - these are all the things we’re looking for on a top-end smartphone.

The longer battery life and the improved screen mean you’ll be able to keep taking photos over a longer time, and enjoy them with more vivid colors too.

The thing that we love about Samsung phones is that nearly every snap you take comes out looking clear and crisp, even in low light, which is what you want from an expensive phone... and the Note 8 certainly is.

Samsung has put so many modes on here, but also made the automatic settings incredibly easy to use... it’s touch and go between this phone and the Pixel 2 for best camera phone, so either will certainly satisfy you.

3. Samsung Galaxy S8 / Galaxy S8 Plus A slightly cheaper, but brilliant, cameraphone duo Release date: April 2017 | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.7 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 155g / 173g | Dimensions: 148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm / 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1mm | Battery size: 3,000mAh / 3,500mAh | Storage: 64GB The Samsung Galaxy S8 pair are the two best phones on the market at the moment, helped ably by their excellent cameras.

They might only be single sensors, which means portrait mode isn’t easily achieved (and the reason they’re not top of this list) but if you don’t care about that, then we’d recommend these phones.

The S8 is well-designed and fits more nicely in the hand for more comfortable photography, but the larger S8 Plus is longer-lasting and packs a more expansive screen.

The sheer range of camera settings is to be applauded here - as is an easy selfie mode - but overall, it’s the fact that a quick automatic snap always looks so good in our opinion.

These are great, great camera phones - definitely check them out.

4. iPhone X The best iPhone camera around Release date: October 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 7MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8 and f/2.4 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 174g | Dimensions: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm | Battery size: 2,716mAh | Storage: 64GB / 256GB The iPhone X has the best camera ever seen on a device from Apple - and that’s on both the front and back.

The rear double sensor is capable of taking some stunning pictures in low light or bright scenes, capturing a lot of detail and erring on the side of natural colors.

Combined with the OLED screen, that brings a lot of vivacity to images, with the results still looking great on social media. The combination of two 12MP sensors, one being telephoto and both packing optical image stabilisation, is a nice move, and you’ll find the speed of snapping desirable.

The front-facing TrueDepth camera is also very capable, bringing clear selfies and also allowing you to take blurred background snaps without using a second sensor. It’s not the best camera on the market, but the iPhone X is easily the best Apple’s ever created and is very close to the top.

5. Huawei Mate 10 Pro A fantastically versatile smartphone snapper for enthusiasts Release date: November 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP and 20MP | Front camera: 8MP | OIS: Yes (on 12MP) | Rear camera aperture: f/1.6 and f/1.6 | Autofocus type: Phase detection and laser | Weight: 178g | Dimensions: 154.2 x 74.5 x 7.9mm | Battery size: 4,000mAh | Storage: 128GB The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is another step forward for a brand looking to really focus (sorry) on its photography performance.

The interesting thing is the Mate 10 Pro has the weakest performance in ‘standard’ light of all the cameras on this list - it’s a phone for the more professional user, as the name suggests.

Getting close, or using the phone in low light, will result in some great shots - and that’s a lot to do with the fact Huawei is combining monochrome and color sensors into its handset for the best mix of lowlight and rich images - and the results bear out.

The Aperture Mode also allows you to fit far more into the frame, so while Mate 10 Pro isn’t the best snapper overall in a smartphone, it does reward those looking to put effort into their photos - and it’s a sensor bolted onto a really rather decent camera too, with simply sensational two-day battery life.

A great alternative choice with strong snapping abilities Release date: September 2017 | Rear camera: Dual

7. iPhone 8 Plus Most of the power of the iPhone X camera for a cheaper price Release date: September 2017 | Rear camera: Dual 12MP | Front camera: 7MP | OIS: Yes | Rear camera aperture: f/1.8 and f/2.8 | Autofocus type: Phase detection | Weight: 202g | Dimensions: 158.4 x 78.1 x 7.5mm | Battery size: 2,691mAh | Storage: 64GB / 256GB The iPhone 8 Plus is only behind the iPhone X because it’s got a slight higher aperture on the second sensor, meaning low-light photography isn’t quite as good.

Apart from that, the main camera images are almost identical to those shot from the more expensive phone, and you’ll be pleased with the results time and again. Portrait mode continues to improve and can bring some stunning results, and while the frontfacing camera isn’t TrueDepth-enabled (so you can’t do blurred-background selfies) it’s still very good.

On top of that, the iPhone 8 Plus has another big advantage over the competition: you can record 4K in crisp 60 frames per second, or super slow motion video at 240 frames per second.

If you can’t quite afford the iPhone X but want a great camera from an Apple phone, this is the place to look.

Source: www.techradar.com

Samsong Galaxy Note 8

News 22

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

EFCC graduates 314 cadets undergraduate of Ebonyi State University laments the disgusting and brazen attempt to deliberately offend the sensibilities of female students by randy lecturers.

Faith, for example, said a lecturer from History and International Relations department (name withheld) at EBSU, bragged about his sexual prowess and dismissed his female students as cold in bed, not even sparing anyone the lurid details of his account of the thundering sex he had with some before he was reportedly suspended.

Also, another female undergraduate of Imo State University (IMSU) reveals the strategy deployed by one of her lecturers to do the wild thing. The fair, chubby 200 Level student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a Human Anatomy lecturer, having known how poorly students have done in his tests and examinations would deliberately give assignments and ask that they be submitted

individually.

According to her, there and then he would tell female students to help themselves by having it with him by choosing their preferred choice between his office and a hotel.

“There is this lecturer that takes us in Human Anatomy. He is dark, short and pot-bellied. He doesn’t joke with his assignment and attendance but I think it’s all to keep eyes off him. He doesn’t know how to teach or should I say lecture? Then, when you go to his office to submit your attendance, that’s where he picks his girls. He asks us to submit individually and he is usually attracted to slim, fair girls.

“If he likes you, right there he would request for sex or ask you to arrange your meeting with him in a hotel. If you agree, he would sleep with you and also make sure you fail if you don’t bribe him, but if you refuse, he would make sure you continue failing his course till it becomes a spill over.

She added: “If he says you will fail, there is nothing you

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OKOLO PEARL

can do to change his mind, not even sex which he would accept.

He would always say “I’m incharge, nobody can stop me.”

He tells us stories about his childhood, his growing up, et al. After all that he will tell you that he is in-charge and there is nothing anyone can do, not even our VC. ” For a Psychologist, Dr. John Etim, Nigerians should not lose sight of the fact that male students are also sexually harassed by female lecturers.

Etim tells the story of a close friend during his days at the University of Calabar.

“I had this acquaintance who was compelled by one of our young female lecturers then to sleep with her. She knew this guy was a cultist and that was enough instrument of blackmail for her. She didn’t stop with him.

This guy’s friends also got her laid and she generously blessed them with marks.’’

Concerned about the spate of reported and unreported cases of sexual harassment by lecturers across Nigeria, stakeholders in the education sector have expressed worry over what they describe as a cancer that could spell disaster of monumental proportions in the sector.

With no Nigerian university among the first 1000 in the world, according to openness

ranking of world universities for the first half of 2018 by Webometrics, some observers have said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has a lot in its bag of worries beyond the perennial demand for funding of the nation’s higher institutions of learning, else certificates from the nation’s institutions may soon not worth more than a piece of paper.

Commenting on the effect of sexual harassment on the nation’s higher institutions of learning and the scandal involving an OAU pastorprofessor and his student, Head, Department of General Studies at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr. Dele Omojuyigbe, said: “The audio tape stinks. The content is unbelievable with the alleged voice of the pastor-professor demanding five rounds of sex from the female student for a pass mark in one course.

It became so ridiculous at the point where they started negotiating the grade to be awarded, whether a ‘C’ or a ‘B’ like two traders in Jankara market. Haba! Reprehensible is any event in academia which demeans examination value on the scale of moral in-exactitude, and damned is the the aberrant don who converts exam scores into sex baits for female students.

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Call it high ethical deficiency or intense professional misconduct, and either description will be right“.

Omojuyigbe, however, called on students sexually harassed by lecturers to err on the side of caution in order not to expose their institutions to public infamy.

“Checks and balances abound in tertiary institutions that can address knotty issues, which is why ignoring public protocols entrenched in any institution’s rules and regulations must never go unpunished. Students should learn to build trust in their institutions’ authorities until proved wrong.

“Sexual harassment is evil.

It destroys the essence of education but there are enough mechanisms to punish any culprit within the system,’’ Omojuigbe added.

Speaking with The Daily Times on the matter, former Dean, Faculty of Science at Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Prof.

Kunle Teniola, said students and lecturers share the blame when it comes to sexual harassment by lecturers on campuses.

He explained that a great number of students directly or indirectly seduce lecturers, but maintained that there can’t be justification for sexual misconduct on the part of lecturers. Teniola described it as evil, unethical and a sad commentary on the nation’s education system.

Meanwhile, human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, expressed worry about lack of systemic

protection for students sexually harassed by lecturers.

According to him, cases of sexual harassment of female students by male lecturers are rife in our tertiary institutions due to a number of factors which includes the absence of effective internal mechanisms in institutions through which victims can make report of such incidents.

He added: “It has also been worsened by the lack of systemic protection for female students who have the courage to expose randy lecturers.

There is a general climate of intimidation foisted on students by the institutions and lecturers which has forced victims into silence. Apart from fear of victimisation, most victims are afraid of stigma. I have been contacted by a number of female students who have been sexually assaulted and harassed by lecturers. Unfortunately, none of them was willing to seek redress despite my assurances.”

On the way forward, Effiong said: “As a solution, I recommend that an independent taskforce should be established in all tertiary institutions which should be constituted by people of integrity drawn from the National Human Rights Commission, Code of Conduct Bureau, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, the Civil Society, ASUU and the Students Union.

“I also recommend that every institution of learning should have a whistle – blowing platform where sexual harassment can be reported.”

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

23 News

30 awaits hangman’s noose in Anambra

Alphonsus Nweze, Awka

Controller of the Anambra Command of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mr. Emmanuel Nwakeze, has said that 30 condemned inmates are waiting the hangman’s noose in the State.

Nwakeze, who spoke during an interview with journalist in Awka, the State capital, said the number include 1,761 inmates of the prisons in the State.

He said 1,574 inmates out

of the 1,761, which constitute 78 percent of the inmates in prisons are currently awaiting trial for various offences.

He said 48 of the inmates in four prisons spread across the State are women.

The Controller said t Awka prison houses 374 inmates; Onitsha Prison has 887 inmates; the Nnewi Prison has 282; while the Aguata Prison has 218 inmates, stressing that 65 percent are citizens of the State.

He said those inmates, who had paid fine options of their punishment or served their jail terms have been released.

“Other are still awaiting conclusion of their trial and so they still have to remain in prison custody until the court pronounced otherwise,” he said.

He denied the allegations that prison officials extorts money before taking inmates to court, saying it was absolutely impossible for the allegation to

be true.

According to him, under his watch no prison official will ever extort money from prisoners for any reasons whatsoever .

The Controller said congestion is the major challenges facing the command because it creates room for unhealthy environment that can lead to out break of cholera, tuberculosis and other related killer diseases.

He appealed to State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, NGOs, philanthropists to provide the command with waste disposal tanks for the evacuation of wastes they generate in the premises, one electric transformer to give the prisoners sense of belonging, ambulances and other life saving amenities that is needed to work with to take good care of the inmates.

“We have little vehicles that take them to court and

bring them back as at when due, we also have few clinics that look after the sick ones among them, so am making an appeal to public spirited organizations and individuals to come to our help”, he said.

He commended the Controller General, Alhaji Ja’ Afaru Ahamed for his care on the welfare and promotion of over 13,000 officers and other measures put in place to decongest the Nigeria prisons across the Country.

Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Uja Tor Uja with the Leader of Delegation, Police Officer’s Wife Association POWA FCT chapter, Hajiya Hauwa Sadiq during her courtesy visit to NCPC in Abuja.

Committee shifts Oyo APC LG Glo’s Prof Johnbull promotes congress to Sunday Nigerian products Oyo State All Progressives Congress local government congress earlier slated for Saturday (today) has been shifted to Sunday.

The Congress Chairman, Alhaji Musa HaliluAhmed, who disclosed this at a press conference on Friday, said that the shift became inevitable following the clash of the congress with the local government election being conducted by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) the same day.

The press conference was attended by the State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; and other state executive committee members, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; and other party

leaders across the state.

He further explained that the restriction of movement during the LG election would pose a serious logistics challenge for the officials involved in the conduct of the congress, as well as candidates and delegates participating in the APC congress.

The chairman said that all the stakeholders, including the party’s leadership and security agencies agreed to the shift in the date of the congress Halilu-Ahmed said “We decided, backed with the decisions of the party stakeholders in the state and security agencies, that the local government congress should be postponed till Sunday. The restriction on movement on Saturday is

a major reason if we are not going to infringe on the right of members to exercise their voting rights.

“We first called on the Commissioner of Police (Mr. Abiodun Odude) to intimate him about what we met on ground. He has related with his men and other sister security agencies and they said they would be constrained to provide manpower and other required components for the two events on the same day.”

The chairman urged party members interested in obtaining forms for the local government congress to visit the APC state secretariat, in Oke Ado, Ibadan, where he said that adequate security has been put in place for a hitch-free exercise.

The TV satire sponsored by the grandmasters of data, Globacom, “Professor Johnbull” in a new episode aptly titled “Made in Nigeria” has added its voice to the clamour for people to buy home-made goods and services instead of exotic ones.

The episode is billed for broadcast this Sunday on DSTV Africa Magic Family and GOTV Channel 2 at 6.00 p.m. with the repeat broadcast scheduled for Thursday at 9.30 p.m. on the same TV channels.

In the new episode, members of the cast unanimously agree that made-in-Nigeria products are not of inferior quality, as most goods in the Nigerian markets carrying

foreign labels are in actual fact made in Nigeria.

Professor Johnbull is also scheduled for broadcast on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes at8.30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday, with Anambra Broadcasting Service airing same at 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.

Posers to be resolved by viewers include: Can Nigerian goods compete favourably with foreign ones? Why do manufacturers put foreign labels on goods produced in Nigeria? Why does Jumoke storm out of a party in anger after donning an expensive foreign dress? Who makes Elizabeth to shine at the

party?

Featuring the protagonist of the series, Professor Johnbull, acted

by Kanayo O. Kanayo, Jumoke (Bidemi Kosoko), Elizabeth (Queen Nwokoye), Flash (Stephen Odimgbe), Jeroboam (Osita Iheme), Ufoma (Bimbo Akintola) and Abadnego (Martins Nebo), Made in Nigeria will depict Jumoke’s nascent character portraying her as not just pretentious but also a patriotic and amenable personality.

Jumoke’s closing remarks and her campaign for local contents as well as the concurrence of Professor Johnbull are high points viewers should not miss in the episode.

News 24

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

We observed aircraft flying over Synagogue church before building collapsed -Police Peter Fowoyo A Lagos High Court, Igbosere on Friday heard that a Police patrol team observed an aircraft flying low over a Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) building at Ikotun Egbe, just before it collapsed on September 12, 2014.

An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Alaba Yahaya Haruna, yesterday testified before Justice Lateef LawalAkapo as the first defence witness (DW1) in the trial of the Registered Trustees of SCOAN and four others.

Also sued are the two engineers who built the collapsed structure: Messrs

Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, together with their companies, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Limited.

The church opened its defence to a onecount charge of building without approval brought against it by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), following the dismissal of its no-case submission on March 8, 2016.

Aside SCOAN’s onecount charge, the other defendants are facing 110 counts of involuntary manslaughter in the collapsed building which killed 116 people.

Haruna, Area

Commander of the Eastern Ports Command, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ikotun Egbe Police Station, Lagos, at the time the building collapsed.

In his examination-inchief by SCOAN Trustees counsel, Mr Oluseye Diyan, the witness relived the incident stating that: “On that fateful day on September 12, 2014 at about 12:30 hours, there was a radio communication from the police control room at Ikeja that they were receiving calls from the public of an aircraft flying at low altitude over the church. I was directed by the Area Command to confirm the incident and monitor the

aircraft’s activities.

“I wanted to go out and direct my men to watch out for the aircraft when I received another report of an airplane flying at a very low altitude. I went outside but I couldn’t see it, by that time it had gone. I received a call later from Inspector Lucky Ugbaja, stationed at the church, that one of the church’s buildings had collapsed.”

He continued that the radio room had earlier radioed the Police Airport Command to confirm whether it was carrying out any activity in the SCOAN vicinity.

Haruna said when he arrived at the church’s premises there was a

large crowd and the few policemen there were trying to manage the situation.

More onlookers kept trooping in and the crowd spilled to the roads outside the church, causing serious traffick gridlock.

“We were overwhelmed,” Haruna told the judge, adding that he called for more policemen, which was provided.

He said his men cordoned off the scene in an attempt to restrict entrance to only those who could assist the church members and other worshippers in the rescue operation.

According to him, the floors of the collapsed building were lying one on the other “and the church

L-R: New Customary Court of Appeal judges: Justice Mikhail Oyafajo; Justice Tajudeen Abdulganiyu; Justice Abimbola Olatunji-Daniel; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and Chief Judge of the state, Justice Munta Abimbola, during the inauguration of the new judges, at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan... on Friday. Photo: Governor’s Office

members and others at the scene were engaged in rescue operations which lasted about seven days.

“Those I met there were SCOAN worshippers, they were bringing out so many people from under the rubble. Most of the victims were alive. Some were injured, some were not. “...Later the Red Cross, Life Savers, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) arrived and joined us in the rescue.”

The witness stated that the LASEMA General Manager complained of difficulty in gaining access to the scene of the collapsed building because of the crowd and that the journalists in his entourage were denied access, following which he apologised and ordered his men to let the journalists in.

During Cross Examination by prosecution counsel Dr Babajide Martins, Haruna insisted that he could not recall any instance when LASEMA officials, or the then Commissioner for Physical Planning, Mr Toyin Ayinde, were prevented by the church members from gaining access to the collapsed site.

“Apart from the LASEMA GM who said he had a Herculean task passing through the crowd, no other had problems passing through”, he stated.

When Martins asked him why he concluded that the rescuers were church members or worshippers, Haruna said: “commonsense suggests that they are church members.”

Meanwhile Justice LawalAkapo adjourned further proceedings till June 28, following the prosecution’s application for an adjournment.

World Cup: Court declines to stop Super Eagles Supporters Club Andrew Orolua, Abuja Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday declined to bar the Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club from parading themselves as a supporters club in the country.

The Nigeria Football Supporters Club had through an ex parte motion approached the

court seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Eagles Supporters from parading themselves or operating as a supporters club.

Justice Tsoho in a ruling yesterday declined the request, instead, he ordered the applicant to put the Eagles Supporters on notice by serving them with the court processes.

“Having considered

affidavit evidence and arguments of all counsel, I hold the view that the applicant’s application is not sustained, and it is therefore struck out.

“Prayer one as couched by the applicant, is no doubt bereft of logic,” the judge said.

The judge said that by the averrements in the affidavit in support of the motion, the applicant

failed to prevent the complained anomaly and could therefore not hold anyone responsible.

The judge added that the second relief sought by the applicant was already a completed act as the eagles supporters had already been registered and incorporated by the CAC. “The law is trite that already done or completed

acts or events cannot be restrained; prayer two is not grantable as the act sought to be restrained is already completed.”

Justice Tsoho opined that the alternative was for the applicant to seek nullification of the incorporation of the eagles supporters.

The applicant in their originating summons had asked for an order

of perpetual injunction restraining them from parading or purporting to be the Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club.

The applicant also asked for an order for interim suspension of the incorporation of the Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club by the Corporate Affairs Commission, the second respondent in the suit.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

For the Record

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Adewole @ 64: The lucky son Nigeria is proud to have Kazeem Akintunde He came to the world in a rush. His mother, a trader had gone to the market when she went into labour. A vehicle was arranged to ferry her to the hospital but the child was too impatient to have a feel of the world. She was delivered right inside the vehicle. That child happens to be Nigeria’s current Health Minister, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole.

For many who knew him while growing up, either in Ilesa, Ibadan or Akure in Ondo State where he completed his primary education, Adewole was always in a rush to get things done. He had to traverse three States of Oyo, Osun and Ondo States for his primary education due to the fact that he was always on the move with his Uncle, who was then a staff of the Cocoa Marketing Board.

His love for Medicine germinated after a tour of the old Wesley Hospital as he was captivated by the neat environment he saw.

What he did was to return to his father’s shop to recreate the neat environment and to act as a ‘Doctor’ attending to imaginary patients. When his Uncle noticed what he was doing, he made up his mind to support the young Adewole in the field of Medicine but what fascinated the young man then was the flying object in the sky - The Airplane.

“I wanted to become an aeronautic engineer but my teachers in Secondary School and our Guidance Counsellor were able to guide me towards Medicine with their subject combinations for me”.

Since then, his life has been a roller coaster, in the field of Medicine, which he took by storm, leaving an indelible mark where ever he touched.

Early Beginning Adewole was born on May 5, 1954, at Ilesa, Osun State. His parents were traders. He attended Ogudu Methodist Primary School, Ilesa, where he spent one year, and Methodist School, Oke Ado in Ibadan, where he also spent another year before completing his primary education at St Mathias Demonstration School, Akure. He later attended Ilesa Grammar School, where he obtained a Grade 1 certificate with distinction in 1970 and Higher Certificate, HSC, in 1972.

In October 1973, he enrolled at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, where he obtained an MBBS degree and in 1978, won the Glaxo Allenbury prize for outstanding performance in Paediatrics.

In 1978, the same year he graduated from the University of Ibadan, he joined the University College Hospital, Ibadan. In 1979, he left the hospital for Sokoto for the compulsory one year of service in the National Youth Service Corps. On completion of his service, he worked for a year as a medical officer at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan, before returning to the college hospital as a senior house officer of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He held the position for one year before he was appointed registrar in 1982. In 1985, he left Nigeria for a research fellowship in the department of Medical Oncology at Charing Cross Hospital, London.

Following the completion of the fellowship programme, he returned to Nigeria to join the Royal Crown Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, where he spent four years before returning to the University College as Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.

He began his academic career as Lecturer, grade 1 at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, where he became a senior lecturer in 1992. On October 1, 1997, he was appointed a professor of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, the same year he was appointed a professor of medicine, and he became a member of the University Senate. In 1999, he was appointed as acting head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. He served in that capacity for one year. On August 1, 2000, he was appointed as the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Dentistry, a position he held until July 31, 2002.

On August 1, 2002, he was appointed as Provost, College of Medicine and while serving in that capacity, he was also a member of the committee of provosts and deans as well as chairman, university campus committee on AIDS. He also served as Chairman of the committee on evaluation of academic staff in 2004.

On 1 May 2010, he became an adjunct professor at Northwestern University in Chicago. In December 2010, he was appointed as the 11th substantive Vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, succeeding Olufemi Bamiro, a Mechanical Engineering professor.

Between 1989 and 1992, he was an editorial adviser to the Nigerian Medical Journal and in 1997; he became a member of the editorial board of the Nigerian Journal of Medicine.

He has published over 180 scholarly articles and tens of books and has contributed to hundreds of other books as well.

Adewole As A Unionist Adewole started his career as a leader of men’s rights from secondary school when he was appointed the Secretary of the Students’ Representatives’ Council at Ilesa Grammar School. He has not looked back since then. At the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, he was influenced by Dr. Kayose Obembe, the

former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, who encouraged him in the early 1980s to contest as the SecretaryGeneral of the University of Ibadan Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors.

He served in that capacity for one year. In 1984, he was elected President of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria and led a nationwide strike that resulted in his dismissal by the then military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari.

When Buhari declared him wanted, Adewole went into exile. He worked at the Cancer Campaign Research Institute in London, where he authored four papers. He later returned to Nigeria and was elected deputy Secretary General of the Nigeria Medical Association in 1988. In 1990, he was elected Secretary General of the NMA. He held the position for only two hours, and in 1993, he was elected chairman of the Oyo State Chapter of the NMA. In March 1992 he was elected Secretary General of the Confederation of African Medical Associations and Societies, and after his tenure ended in August 1997, he was elected Secretary of the African regional task force on the control of gynaecological Cancers.

Adewole As A Minister In an ironical twist of fate, the same President Muhammadu Buhari, who, in 1984, declared Adewole wanted for leading Doctors on a Nationwide strike, found him worthy to be appointed Minister of Health on his second coming as a civilian President.

Indeed, he was a bit surprised, when, on October 12, 2015, he was nominated as a Minister of the Federal Republic. Expectedly, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), lauded his nomination and described him as “a round peg in a round hole”.

The chairman of the union, Professor Olusegun Ajiboye, described his nomination as a “right step towards the change that Nigeria needs by appointing change agents who have achieved global recognition in their chosen academic careers and have unblemished administrative record”.

Dr. Ademola Aremu, the National Treasurer of the Union, said that the story of Prof. Adewole, “’IFA’, as we popularly call him, is the story of someone who has been destined to serve humanity. His achievements as a provost of the College of Medicine made him to receive overwhelming support from the university community when he indicated interest to serve on the university governing council and later on as Vice chancellor. As Vice chancellor, he totally turned the university around in terms of staff and students welfare, academically; University of Ibadan unarguably became the best in Nigeria and one of the best in Africa”.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the University of Ibadan Senior Staff Association of Universities, Wale Akinremi said “The nomination of Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole as a minister was received by the university of Ibadan community with great enthusiasm. We can vouch for his professional pedigree and administrative competence”.

Since his assumption of office, Professor Adewole has gradually changed the narrative in the health sector as he anchored his programme on the revitalisation of the Primary Health Care system in the country which he described as the bedrock for our health care development.

Under his watch, Professor Adewole has transformed the health care system in the country. The implementation of the National Health Act 2014; development of National Health Strategic Health Development Plan; implementation of the Universal Health Coverage; scale up in malaria control: under which an increase in coverage with LLINs to over 69% from 42% in 2010 as well as steady increase in awareness, availability and use of ACTs in the treatment of malaria in children were carried out.

Aside that, he has ensured the development/review of relevant policy documents to incorporate up to date strategies for addressing health issues. For example, the National Malaria Operations Research Agenda (2017-2020); Nigeria Standard treatment Guidelines (NSTG) as well as the Nigerian Essential Medicine List (6thedition) etc.

Primary Health Care Revitalization project under his watch has received top priority. To date, over 4,000 PHCs have been upgraded.

The World Bank provided funds to support the upgrade of 1400 PHCs, UNICEF paid for 774, while maternal, new-born and child health support the upgrade of 954 PHCs. State Governments are also supporting the PHC upgrade in their States. His desire is to ensure that 10,000 PHCs are renovated in the next few months. He has been reaching out to state governors to key in to the programme.

There has also been an improvement in storage of Health Commodities through the ‘Warehouse In A Box Project’ in Lagos and Abuja, strengthening of leadership and governance in health data management in the country through the inauguration of National Health Data Governance Council (NHDGC) including provision of infrastructure to strengthen the health information system, increase in access and availability of child spacing commodities and counseling in order to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity and improve child spacing, while new Family Planning (FP) Logo, the ‘GREEN LOGO’ has also been launched.

It is to his credit that there is now an improved response to health emergencies in the country through the provision of medicines, treatment, ready response and care to IDP camps while partnership

Prof. Adewole

and collaboration with the private sector, has shown tremendous promise, bringing about support in the face of dwindling resources. Examples include the joint support by the European Union, UNICEF and WHO of 70 million Euros to scale up maternal and child health care delivery in Bauchi, Adamawa and Kebbi States and strengthen health systems in Anambra and Sokoto states; the MTN Foundation’s ‘Yellow Heart initiative’, meant to provide free health care services to underprivileged women and children in six states of Oyo, Ogun, Niger, Kaduna, Cross River and Abia which is presently in the first phase.

There is now swift response and containment of disease outbreaks across the country. For example, polio outbreaks in Borno and Jere IDP camps were successfully contained.

The actualization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund which is meant to increase the fiscal space and overall financing to the health sector to assist Nigeria achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is set to take off. The pilot scheme is presently being implemented in Abia, Niger and Osun States.

In addition, the ‘Save One Million Lives Project’ to make resources available to States for health programme implementation based on performance has been strengthened and rejuvenated, while initiation of the ‘Primary Health Care Under One Roof’ project, which is meant to remove fragmentation and lack of coordination in PHC management and service delivery has been put in place.

Under Adewole’s watch, eight tertiary hospitals has been selected from the six geo-political zones for upgrading to provide services on cancer treatment, cardiology, renal and orthopaedics.

Support for increase in the knowledge of HIV status by Nigerians through the launch of HIV self-testing (HIVST), which is an innovative way to help achieve the United Nations 90–90–90 treatment targets – which provides that 90% of all people with HIV should know their status by 2020, is being implemented while the ‘Tertiary Health Institutions Intervention’ Project which covers- 21 Federal Teaching Hospitals, 31 Federal Medical Centres, four Specialist Hospitals and 14 Fistula and Cleft lip/palate Centres have been given top priority.

The provision of free surgical and laboratory services to all fistula patients in all Federal Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) in the country came under Professor Adewole’s watch while the supply of medical equipment to medical centres e.g. provision of 26 dental chairs to Federal Medical Centres and their outstations across the six geopolitical zones of the country to strengthen oral health service delivery is ongoing.

The ministry has also supplied and upgraded six orthopantomogram machines in six dental schools across the six geopolitical zones to facilitate the development of human resource for oral health while at the same time, providing support to local drug manufacturers.

Of recent, the Ministry of health under him provided 8000 free surgeries and free cancer and Hepatitis B screening for indigent Nigerians under the Rapid Result initiative (RRI) while Health, Nutrition Emergency Response in the North East is been pursued with vigour.

In October last year, the federal government took delivery of two multipurpose truck for Tuberculosis treatment tagged ‘Wellness on wheels (WOW)’, for the eradication of TB in Nigeria.

Also recently, President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval to the ministry to add 50,000 HIV patients on treatment which has greatly expand access to treatment, testing and management of the disease in the country.

As he clocks 64 today, it is our hope that the man who came to the world in a rush would not depart as hastily and would be around to see the fruits he has planted in the health sector germinate for all Nigerians to see.

Happy birthday sir!

Kazeem Akintunde is the Special Assistant, Communication and Strategy to the Honourable Minister of Health

News 26

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

5 News

NJC okays appointments of CJs for Kebbi, Katsina states Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), has approved the appointments of Justice Elizabeth A. Karatu as the new Chief judge of Kebbi State High Court and Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar as new Chief Judge of Katsina State

High Court, Also approved was the appointment of Hon. Kadi Alhafiz Mikail Abubakar as the grand Kadi Katsina State.

The judges’ appointments were approved at its 86th meeting of the council held on 8th and 9th May, 2018.

Other judicial officers whose appointments were approved

are the President, Customary Court of Appeal FCT, Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Saddeeq, While Bilikisu Gambo Yusuf and Ishaku Usman were appointed judges of Niger State, High Court.

Mr. Musa Mustapha, Baba Gani Karumi and Waziri Alhaji Abubakar were also named as judges of Borno State High

Court while Husaini Alhasan Saidu, Zubayr Saliu and Ruth Alolo Alfa were also appointed judges of the Kogi State High Court.

Two new judges: Muhammad Haruna and Fatima Musa were also named as new appointed judges of Gombe State, High Court while Ahmad Muhammad Gidado,

Mustapha Lalloki, Dalha Bashir Ahmad and Atiku Muhammad Bello are the new Kadis Shara Court of Appeal, Gombe State.

Mr. Julie Abieyuwa Anabor appointment as a member of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Abuja was also approved by the NJC. Her appointment, if approved by the President, will gives the tribunal full

complement of its membership of two members and a Chairman.

A statement by the NJC’s Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye, stated that the newly appointed candidates will be sworn-in after the approval of the President and their respective State Governors as the case may be.

FG introduces AIMS, replaces GES scheme –Minister Tom Okpe, Abuja The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has disclosed that the Federal Government is to introduce a new agricultural program, Agriculture Implement and Mechanization Scheme

(AIMS) as a substitute to Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES).

The Minister made the disclosure on Friday in Abuja during a visit to the SMART Model Farm Site

by John Deere Tractors Manufacturing Company.

Ogbeh revealed that the GES scheme can no longer

be sustained, because most State Governors failed to comply with the 25% counterpart fund for their farmers resulting in the accumulation of debt to the Federal Government.

He said: “The new programme would focus on Agricultural Mechanization and Provision of Farm

Implement based on Public Private Partnership (PPP) that will assist the big and smallholder farmers to have access to hire and own sophisticated tractors that are capable of doing 15 hours in the farm”.

The Minister appreciated John Deere International and the team of technical

experts from the Ministry for their initiative at taking agricultural mechanization to Nigerian farmers.

He said, “The acquisition of tractors would go a long way in increasing productivity and reduce the risk of manual farming, thereby making farming attractive to Nigerian

Representative of President Muhammad Buhari, IGP Ibrahim Kpotun-Idris inspecting guards of honour during the passing out parade of 314 EFCC Detective Superintendent Course 7 at the Nigerian Defence Academy Parade Ground, Ribadu Campus, Kaduna . . . on Friday.

youth”.

The Managing Director of John Deere Tractors Manufacturing Company, Mr. Jason Brantley, in his opening remarks, said that the tractors have a very strong horse power and was designed to solve the problem of Nigeria farmers and increase the level of productivity in the nation’s agriculture sector, which will result in food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Director, Federal Department of Agriculture in the Ministry, Dr. Mohammed Babandi, who was represented by the Director Agricultural Mechanization, Engr.

Owolabi Olusegun disclosed that the Minister has been working tirelessly in search of partners that will supply tractors to Nigerian farmers and this prompted the Department to explore possible ways in both software and hardware in proffering solutions to myriad of problems facing Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

The Chairman Association of Tractor Owners and Hiring Facility of Nigeria,(TOFAN) , Alhaji Danladi Garba, also disclosed that his association has been assisting Nigerian farmers across the six geopolitical zones in cultivating and harvesting with the few tractors at their disposal saying that, “his association is ready to partner on this new initiative”.

Our rebranding efforts yielding results -PDP Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that its rebranding efforts and reform strategies are yielding results as the party remain focused on returning to power come 2019.

The party assured that the concerns raised by Nigerians including erstwhile members and former President Olusegun Obasanjo in particular , in respect of the party’s past conduct , have been extensively addressed in the refocused and repositioned PDP. Its reforms and rebranding efforts, particularly, the full entrenchment of internal

democracy, all-inclusiveness and re-engineered mechanisms for good governance, the PDP claimed have returned the party to the much desired political platform that represents the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians ahead of the 2019 general election.

The party’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbodinyan in a statement on Friday said in the last five months, since the coming of the new leadership, under Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP had undergone extensive re-engineering in direct responses to suggestions, criticisms and wide-range of constructive counsels from Nigerians across board.

He said the transparent processes, leading to the peaceful conduct of an open, credible, free and fair governorship primary in Ekiti State , at a time when other political parties are enmeshed in impunity-induced crisis and violence, is a loud testimony of the democratic credentials and principles of the repositioned PDP. Ologbodinyan said, “The reconciliatory efforts of the Governor Seriake Dickson’s committee as well as the rebuilding of the party, through the Contact and Integration committee, are yielding tremendous dividends as manifested in the mammoth

crowd that graced our rallies in Jigawa, Katsina and Osun states.

“Our party remains the only political platform with genuine followership and structure in all the electoral wards across the local government areas, states and the six geo-political zones in the country. It is also instructive to add that majority of Nigerians still identify with the PDP as the vehicle for national cohesion, unity, economic prosperity and personal freedom of our citizens.

“Furthermore, our initiative towards the nation’s economic recovery has commenced with the development of a robust and all-inclusive blueprint that will reopen the currently locked-

down economic space, redirect the productive energies of our citizens through deliberate wealth creation policies and opportunities in all sectors.

“Moreover, the repositioned PDP, remains resolute in defending the rights and freedom of Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnicity, creed or political persuasions, against the unrelenting impunity, violations and dictatorial proclivities of the dysfunctional All Progressives Congress (APC) and its incompetent Federal Government. This is in spite of the harassment and persecution of our leaders and members as well as unbridled smear

campaign against our party.

According to him, the repositioned PDP remains the best channel for the coalition of true democrats who are desirous of removing Buhari Presidency from Aso Rock, through the ballot, come 2019.

The PDP ,therefore, beckoned on all good spirited Nigerians, including those in other political folds, to jettison all personal interests and rally on the rebranded and peopleoriented platform to rescue the nation from the “shackles of deceits, beguiling, hunger, starvation, bloodletting and wanton killings which have become the hallmark of the APC administration”.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Killers of immigration attaché in Sudan won’t go unpunished - FG Adebisi Oyindamola, Abuja Federal Government on Friday said that it would do everything possible to ensure that those behind the assassination of a Nigerian Immigration Attaché I, Mr Habibu Almu, in the country’s Mission in Khartoum, Sudan, are made

to face the full wrath of the law.

The government also strongly condemned the assassination Almu, at his official quarters on Thursday, in the Sudanese capital.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Dr Tope EliasFatile, in Abuja, described

the killing as “unfortunate”.

It stated that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received an official report from our Mission in Khartoum, Sudan on the death.

“The untimely death of the officer is certainly a great loss to our country.

“The Federal Government

sympathises with the family members of the deceased on this unfortunate incident,” he said.

He said that the Mission was working very closely with host authorities in their investigations over the incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

...Re-inaugurates National Child’s Rights Implementation Committee Federal Government has re-inaugurated the National Child’s Rights Implementation Committee (NCRIC ), to boost the observance and popularisation of the provisions of the Child’s Rights Act, Act, 2003.

Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, noted that Nigeria

inaugurated NCRIC in 1994.

She said that due to funding constraints, the committee has not met since 2010, but since its establishment, NCRIC, has recorded landmark achievements in the promotion and protection of the rights of children in Nigeria.

According to her “the committee in collaboration with the Ministry and UNICEF spear-headed the domestication of United

Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and AU Charter through the passage of the Child’s Rights Act on July 31, 2003.

“To further underscore the importance of the committee it has also been recognised as major structure in the implementation of the Child’s Rights Act.’’ She said that the Ministry collaborated with the Rule of Law and Anti- Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of the British

Council, to to reconstitute the membership as well as inaugurate the committee.

Priscilla Ankut, Gender and Social Inclusion Manager of RoLAC, who spoke, lamented that only 24 states had domesticated the Child’s Rights Act. Dr Macjohn Nwaobiala, who responded on behalf of other members, said since the committee has been reconstituted, it should not be allowed to go moribund again.

PDP condoles Bode George over son’s death

By Jude Idu Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condole with the former National Vice Chairman (Southwest) and former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Chief Bode George over the death of his son, Dipo.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan in a condolence message, commiserated with Chief George on behalf of the chairman, Prince Uche Second us and members of PDP. He said the news of Dipo’s death came with rude shock.

“Our hearts bleed and we are extremely saddened by the

loss of this promising young man who was known for his love for humanity and lofty dreams for a better Nigeria.

“Indeed, our party is sorrowed that Dipo died at a time the lessons he must have learnt from his father would have been of immense benefit for our nation, particularly, among

the younger generation of Nigerians.

“Our hearts and thoughts go to Chief Bode George, his entire family as well as the Lagos state Chapter of the PDP even as we continue in prayers that the Almighty God, in His mercies, grants all of us the fortitude to bear this painful loss”, he said.

27 News

FRSC warns Nigerians against fraudulent recruitment

By Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said it has not commenced a fresh recruitment exercise, warning that advertisements placed on some websites were fake and handiwork of fraudulent individuals who want to fleece unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned income.

In a statement made available to by Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem on the development, the Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has ordered that a public alert be given to innocent Nigerians to disregard the false information being peddled by the fraudsters in the social media.

“The attention of the been drawn to reports that the Corps has advertised and has started a fresh recruitment exercise. A fake FRSC website has been created by some fraudsters in this regard to fleece unsuspecting applicants of their hard earned money.

The Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has therefore ordered that a public alert be given to innocent Nigerians to disregard the false information

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu - Akeredolu (middle), with others during the Excursion and tourism tour to the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir, Morocco.

being peddled by the fraudsters in the social media,” he said.

Kazeem stated that the activities of the fraudsters are being investigated by relevant authorities. He added that the organization was using this medium to clarify that FRSC is at the moment not conducting any form of recruitment and will make it a public knowledge through major newspapers and other relevant media whenever such recruitment exercise is to take place as already approved by the Federal Government.

The Corps spokesperson however stated that the Corps Marshal clarified thus: “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously given approval for the recruitment of qualified Nigerians into the services of the Corps, but the advertisement has not been made public yet.

According to him, “the Corps has established mechanisms to achieve a smooth exercise and these established processes are presently undergoing scrutiny to ensure a flawless and smooth exercise.

When we are ready, the public will be properly informed through adverts in the national dailies”.

Kazeem therefore called on the general public to discountenance the current portal linked to the Corps and has been in circulation in the internet and other media platforms.

He further stressed that whenever the Corps is recruiting, information on such will be readily made available through the following official platforms.

He added that the Corps can also be reached through a toll free line 122 amongst other GSM lines for any confirmation or clarification on recruitment and other matters concerning the organisation.

News 28

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Chamber of commerce prioritises influx of American businesses to Abuja

By Tunde Opalana, Abuja Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is set to woo American businesses into the city of Abuja under a well planned programme for 2018/2019.

Executive President, FCT Chapter of NACC, Mr. Chris Shaiyen, said this during the second General Meeting of the Chamber for year 2018, held at the Bayelsa Guest House, Abuja on Thursday.

Also, Shaiyen, said the Chamber is planning to have a survey of industrial capacity utilisation of the territory.

This, he said, is part of plans to strengthen the FCT chapter of the chamber and make it more viable.

According to him, the leadership of the Chamber in the FCT is ready to make it prominent in facilitating investment partnership between Nigerian and

American businesses.

“By virtue of our position in the nation’s capital, we are ready to make the FCT chapter at par with Lagos and Kaduna chapters and we have rolled out set of development projects towards achieving that”, he said.

Addressing members, he said the chamber will make contacts with potential business partners in the US using a project team from a variety of discipline to do market studies that will show market size for each investment areas and how to develop them.

“We have since the last meeting tried to mobilise our members, especially the dormant ones, to woo them back by making them know series of advantages that abound in their membership if the chamber.

“We have upgraded our websites to avail members with needed information

on how to expand their businesses and to attract partnership or direct foreign investment from our American partners.

“We serve as a portal for the American business concern to find suitable and appropriate companies to partner with in Nigeria.

“As far as doing business with American companies is concern, our chamber is the first point of contact.

So, we midwife and match businesses together,’’ he said.

As part of projects in the pipeline, he said the chamber shall provide a credible platform for members to attend trade shows in states of America and provide assistance.

“We have the plan to visit the. Vice President, the Ambassador of America at the US Embassy here in Abuja, the FCT Minister as well as the Minister of Trade and Investment.

“Part of our plan is that before our next meeting we are going to seek appointment with the Commercial Attache of the American Embassy to come and give a talk during our next meeting. This will boost the morale of members and greatly assist them in making investment decisions. This will at least give members confidence that “We will also pay adequate attention to training and education to put members on the right investment pedestal.

To develop capacity building services for business advancement especially Small and Medium Enterprises.

“Another is best job creation and business development project. This is because Chambers of Commerce are a force for economic growth, job creation and prosperity.

The chairman added that NACC is looking at corporate

Lagos to deploy 10,000 CCTV cameras for Smart City project

By Benjamin Omoike Lagos State Government on Friday said arrangements are in top gear to deploy additional 10,000 High Definition (HD) CCTV cameras across the state as part of the comprehensive Smart City Programme designed to provide a 24-hour driven economy.

Speaking at the annual Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hakeem Fahm, said the smart city initiative, which is on course, was intended to allow the people and companies operate in a safe and secure environment, thereby creating more jobs and increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), of the state.

Giving details, the Commissioner said the focus of the smart city programme basically includes provision of security and surveillance, implementation of a metro fibre network and e-Governance, adding that apart from HD cameras with gantries deployed in the first phase, other scope of the project involves integration of the deployed cameras with Centralised Emergency Command and Control Centre (CCC), provision of road signature structure and street lights across

the state.

“In the second phase of the project, we will be deploying 10,000 HD cameras, world class e-Government solution and data centre solution, one key alarm, metro fibre network to serve as backbone for communication and unified communications with smart phones for first respondent agencies such as police, fire service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), among others,” Fahm said.

He said the initiative would address security, transportation and infrastructure in a sustainable manner, adding that thousands of surveillance CCTV cameras would eventually be deployed across the length and breadth of the state.

“The security component will deploy thousands of surveillance CCTV cameras through the length and breadth of the state. The transportation component focuses on Intelligent Transport Service (ITS), and the connectivity component with provision of a metro fibre network through a major Internet Service Provider (IPS), that will eventually lead connectivity to various homes, offices and institutions in the state,” he said.

On activities of the Ministry

in the last one year, the Commissioner said it was gratifying to report major portals being developed such as driver’s licence processing and verification portals to ease the process of driver’s licence issuance and verification of

vehicle registration, education portals to enhance learning and registration of private schools, while Land Use Charge portal and Citizens Gate app, a platform where residents can engage with government online, were successfully implemented.

NIS begins nationwide sensitisation on ‘Passport To Safe Migration’ Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede has directed immediate nationwide commencement of the campaign on “Passport To Safe Migration’ recently launched by the NIS to promoting safe migration and protection.

The campaign, which is to immediately commence in the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, according to Babandede aims to sensitise Nigerians on key protection issues, including the impact of irregular migration and human trafficking.

The directive which was contained in a statement signed by the NIS spokesman, Mr. Sunday James, also emphasised the need for state and zonal comptroller’s to strengthen border control and intensify public enlightenment campaign against irregular migration.

“The border Patrol Corp have been tasked to intensify patrol along the border flanks, while all officers at land, sea and air control post are directly to ensure that all persons entering and departing Nigeria do so with a valid document

and through a recognised port.

“In view of the above and as part of the strategy to educate members of the public on the dangers of Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) and Trafficking In Persons (TIP) across all our service windows, the Service has directed the public to be educated on the risk of irregular migration as contained in the recently launched document titled ‘Passport to Safe Migration’.

The statement explained that henceforth, “Migrants applying for Passports and those crossing our borders will be given the booklet free of charge as a public enlightenment campaign strategy.”

Recall that the Nigeria Immigration Service under the ‘ECOWAS/ Spanish Fund on Migration’ produced the document.

“The general public is hereby enjoined to partner with the Service to educate travellers on the risk involved when they migrate in or out of Nigeria irregularly.

We hope this strategy and the effective enforcement of border control will reduce the risk of irregular migration,’’ it noted.

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu - Akeredolu (middle), Mrs. Lilian Adesokan (2nd left), Mrs. Ibidunni Ogunleye (left), Dr. (Mrs.) Opeyemi Fadare (right) and Mr. Adedamola Ayeni (2nd right), at the second edition of the African Women in Agriculture (AWA), 2018 Summit in Marrakech, Morocco.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

29 News

EFCC secures convictions of 278 officials in 16 months President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured over 278 convictions of corrupt officials between 2017 and first quarter of 2018.

Buhari, made this known

in a message to the passing out parade of 314 cadets of the EFCC Detective Superintendent Course 7 for 2017/2018, held at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

Represented by the Inspector General of Police,

Mr Ibrahim Idris, said 189 convictions were secured in 2017 and 89, including that of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the first quarter of 2018.

He congratulated the cadets for successfully completing their 13 months

training and admonished them to be courageous in dealing with corrupt officials.

The President then advised them to be upright, adding that “being officers of the EFCC does not confer immunity on you against arrest or prosecution as the

Ikpeazu tasks new HoS on productive Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has tasked the new Head of Service (HoS), in the state, Mr Onyi Wamah, to evolve programmes that will make the civil service to be more productive Ikpeazu, who stated this during the swearing-in Wamah as the sixth HoS of the state and three new permanent secretaries, said that the contributions of the civil service is critical

to the development of any state.

He pointed out that it was vital for the civil service to initiate programmes with a view to enabling the state government to achieve its developmental agenda.

According to him, “the Head of Service has the responsibility of galvanising the civil service toward supporting the policies of this government to continue to deliver the

dividends of democracy to the people.

“My special interest is in the fact that the civil service is the engine room that runs the government and everything that is achieved by the government takes its root from the civil service.

“This challenge to make the civil service more proactive and geared toward creating better life for our people is on your shoulders.”

Similarly, he urged the newly sworn in permanent secretaries, Jonathan Alozie, Emmanuel Ogbonnaya and Juliet Orji to make tangible contributions that would enable the state to become socio-economically developed.

Responding, Onyi Wamah thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve, and promised to live up to expectations.

CAN General Secretary, Asake dies at 68 General Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Musa Asake has died at the age 68.

Asake’s death was confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

by his younger brother Mr Philimon Asake.

He said that the late scribe passed away in the early hours of Friday, in his Abuja residence.

The deceased according to Philimon

had hypertension, adding that his late brother recently complained about pains in his legs and undergone physiotherapy few weeks ago before his demise.

“He even went to see

his doctor yesterday and came back home and has shown signs of improvement,” he said.

He said further details of the burial arrangements would be announced soon.

only currency that can buy the career you seek in the EFCC is integrity, professionalism and resistance to corruption.”

Besides, Buhari commended the Acting chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu for the

achievements recorded in the fight against corruption, adding that for the first time, the nation is witnessing the trial of judges, senior lawyers, serving and retired officers and former ministers.

NANS lauds directive on free tuition in Federal varsities National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the Federal Government’s directive that no Federal university should charge tuition fees.

Spokesman of NANS, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said in Enugu on Friday that the association received the directive with joy.

NANS, according to Okereafor ‘‘considers the position of the Minister of State for Education, Prof.

Anthony Anwuka, as a progressive-minded one.

“We salute the Federal Executive Council for listening to our demand for an affordable education for students.

“NANS is, however, calling on the Federal Government to extend this gesture to Federal polytechnics and colleges of education,’’ he said in a statement.

The spokesman also said that the Federal Government should consolidate its position by shutting down any university that flouted the directive.

Furthermore, he called on state governments to implement the same directive in state universities for the benefit of Nigerian students, and urged university councils and managements to desist from fixing fees that are unaffordable to most students.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Kayode Ogunnubi; Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja; Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Hakeem Fahm; his counterpart for Information & Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mrs. Kofoworola Awobamise and Special Adviser to the Governor on Information & Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku at the Y2018 ministerial press briefing as part of activities to mark the third Year in Office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday, May 11, 2018.

30

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Other Nations Around Us EVERY SATURDAY

Compiled by Bonaventure Melah; e-mail: bonamelah123@gmail.com; mobile: 08036062975

Beautiful Isreal Exciting tips about Israel

Jerusalem, ‘city of the great king’ 1. Israel has a population of 8.55 million (2016) 2. The country stretches 424 km (263 mi) from north to south, and its width ranges from 114 km (71 mi) to, at its narrowest point, 15 km (9.3 mi).

3. There are over 100 sushi restaurants in Tel Aviv making it the city with the most sushi restaurants per capita after Tokyo and New York City.

4. Israel has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship in the

world.

5. It has the highest rate of entrepreneurship among women and people over 55 in the world.

6. Israel was the first country to ban underweight models.

7. Israeli banknotes have braille markings on them.

8. Israel won the Eurovision song competition three times.

9. The last time they won, they were represented by a transgender pop star 10. Israelis consume the third most amount of vegetables and sweets in the

world.

11. When Golda Meir became prime minister of Israel in 1969, she was only the third woman elected to lead a country in the modern world.

12. The largest known dog cemetery in the ancient world was discovered in the coastal city of Ashkelon.

13. There’s a rollerblading party that happens every Tuesday night in Tel Aviv.

14. The country has the most Bauhaus buildings in the world.

15. Israel has 137 official beaches (but only 273 km of coastline).

16. In regards to its population, Israel has the highest ratio of college degrees 17. The same goes for the ratio of its museums 18. …and start up companies 19. Motorola developed the cell phone in Israel.

20. Voicemail technology was developed in Israel.

21. The first antivirus software for computers was created in Israel in 1979.

22. Israel has two official languages Hebrew and Arabic 23. Israel published more books

31 Other Nations Around Us translated from other languages than any other nation in the world.

24. The city of Beersheba has the highest number of chess grandmasters per capita in the world.

25. Only two countries began the 21st century with a net gain in their number of trees, Israel was one of them.

26. The opening scene of the Al Pacino film, The Insider was shot in Israel.

27. Haifa, Israel has one of the smallest subways systems in the world with a 1.8-km track and only four carriages — how cute!

28. Israel is one of only three democracies in the world without a codified constitution. The other two are New Zealand and Britain.

29. The Sea of Galilee — located .212 km below sea level — is the lowest freshwater lake in the world (and the largest in Israel).

30. The Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth.

31. People can easily float in the Dead Sea due to its unusual high salt concentration. It’s almost impossible to dive into it.

32. Israel is the only country to revive an unspoken language and establish it as its national tongue.

33. Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives is the world’s oldest continuously used cemetery.

34. El Al, Israel’s national airline, set the World Record for the most passengers on a commercial flight.

35. The world’s largest pepper was grown in Israel’s Moshav Ein Yahav, as recorded by The Guinness Book of World Records in 2013.

Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu

Israeli National Bird Hoopoe 36. Life expectancy at birth in Israel is at 82 years (two years more than the OECD average).

37. Eilat and the Hula Valley Reserve

are some of the best brid watching sites in the world 38. Israel’s has a national bird called hoopoe 39. Heart Tissue Regeneration is possible in the U.S. thanks to Israeli stem-cell technology.

40. A cooking oil developed in Israel is capable of breaking up cholesterol and other blood fats.

41. An Israeli company has developed the world’s first jellyfish repellent 42. Israel is one of only nine countries in the world that can launch its own satellite into space.

43. AOL instant Messaging was designed by an Israeli software company.

44. Yityish Aynaw became Israel’s

View of the Tel Aviv coastline

first Ethiopian Miss Israel in 2013.

45. Israeli scientists have discovered the cause of chronic bad breath and an easy way to fix it!

46. More than 44% of all lawyers registered in Israel are women.

47. Israel chose its first woman president of the Supreme Court, Dorit Beinisch, who served from 2006-2012.

48. Israel has the world’s second highest per capita of net books 49. A group of Israeli artists have started bus stop libraries that are available free of charge to commuters traveling across Israel.

50. Israel has a national flower called the Cyclamen persicum.

51. Over 60 million Israeli flowers are usually sent to Europe for sale on Valentine’s Day.

QUOTABLE QUOTES “People say that if you find water rising up to your ankle, that’s the time to do something about it, not when it’s around your neck.”

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FLASHBACK in Times: May 12, 1950

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2018

VOL. 3

NO. 651

N150

Published by FOLIO COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED. Operational Headquarters: Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos Corporate Office: 9 Osun Crescent, MaItama, Abuja Email: info@dailytimes.ng Managing Editor: BONAVENTURE MELAH, Tel: 08036062975, Email: bonamelah123@gmail.com

Editor: TONY AMOKEODO, Tel: 08111811228, Email: tonyamok@gmail.com

Business Times

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

WATTA to launch at Accra Weizo

Long out-waiting face of Lagos beauty pageant under way

Adeosun faults delay in 2018 budget passage

Nigeria records capital inflow of $6.3bn in 3 months – NBS Motolani Oseni

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday said Capital inflow into Nigeria stood at $6.3 billion as at end of first three months in 2018.

This development showed a rise of almost sixfold in the first quarter compared to a year ago; this followed last year’s liberalisation of the currency for foreign investors and steps to tighten liquidity to attract offshore funds. it is however, worthy of note that the nation’s capital imports have been growing especially as economic activity gains pace after Nigeria emerged from a recession last year. They rose for the fourth straight quarter since the second quarter of 2017.

Portfolio investment has been rising faster than direct investment which is still weak. The NBS said the strong growth in portfolio investment was due to money market yields.

Yields on treasury bills traded as high as 18 percent in the past. But the government has been working to lower its borrowing cost by repaying matured bills rather than rolling them over as it has done in the past. Bills now trade at rates of around 12 percent.

The fall in bond yields have prompted foreign investors to repatriate profits rather than re-invest them, putting pressure on the currency.

The NBS said most of foreign capital inflow in the first quarter went into the banking sector, followed by the telecoms sector and services sector. Britain

exported the most amount of capital to Nigeria, the

statistics office said.

Capital imports were more

than $5.3 billion in the third quarter.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer Transcorp Hotels PLC Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Vice President of NFF and Chairman of NFL, Shehu Dikko and Transcorp Hotel Manager, Ahmed AbdelGhaffar chatting during official opening Transcorp Hlton Cocktail at the Capital Bar Abuja. Photo by: Temitope Balogun

FRSC denies recruitment exercise, warns Nigerians against fraud

By Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said it has not commenced a fresh recruitment exercise warning that advertisements placed on some websites were fake and handy work of fraudulent individuals who want to fleece unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned income.

In a statement made available to by Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, Bisi Kazeem on the development, the Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has ordered that a public alert be given to innocent Nigerians to disregard the false information being peddled by the fraudsters in the social media.

“Our attention of been drawn to reports that the Corps has advertised and has started a fresh recruitment exercise. A fake FRSC website has been created by some fraudsters in this regard to fleece unsuspecting applicants of their hard earned money. The Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has therefore ordered that a public alert be given to innocent Nigerians to disregard the false information being peddled by the fraudsters in the social media,” he said.

Kazeem stated that the activities of the fraudsters are being investigated by relevant authorities. He added that the organization was using this medium to clarify that FRSC is at the moment not conducting

any form of recruitment and will make it a public knowledge through major newspapers and other relevant media whenever such recruitment exercise is to take place as already approved by the Federal Government.

The Corps spokesperson however stated that the Corps Marshal clarified thus: “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari has graciously given approval for the recruitment of qualified Nigerians into the services of the Corps, but the advertisement has not been made public yet.

According to him, “the Corps has established mechanisms to achieve a smooth exercise and these established processes are presently undergoing scrutiny to ensure a flawless and smooth

Access Bank projects further slow in April inflation to 12.56% The Economic Intelligence Group of Access Bank says it sees inflation rate (yearon-year) in April to sustain the downward trend started last year, easing to 12.56 per cent compared to 13.34 per cent in March.

The lender said though the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is scheduled to release the inflation figure for April 2018 on Sunday based on the Data Release Calendar available on its website, its methodology adopts an autoregressive analysis of past prices, while recognising all the assumptions used by the NBS in its computation of monthly composite consumer price index (CCPI).

“Looking in more detail at the drivers, our analysis indicates that the slower inflation rate in April reflects a moderation in food prices and continued stability in the currency.

“Food inflation, which makes up 51.8 per cent of the CPI basket continued its descent in April. Based on our survey, this mainly reflected declines in prices for staples such as yam and Irish potato which continue to benefit from robust supplies to the market from barns across the country as well relatively stable transport costs in the month. Processed foods such as pasta and milk also nudged slightly lower, enjoying support from stable transport prices,” the lender said in an emailed report.

It explained that April’s easing of price pressures also reflects stability in the core index which excludes farm products and energy prices, owing to improved forex liquidity and sustained CBN interventions. At the parallel market, the naira closed at N362/$ in the parallel market on April 30th same as a month earlier.

Business News B2

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May12, 2018

Adeosun faults delay in 2018 budget passage ...Says development’ll have impacts on economy Motolani Oseni

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the delay in passage of the 2018 budget would have some impact on the nation and cause some adjustments in implementation.

She said this during a news conference on Friday in Abuja, adding that the impact was because markets change and the cost of money in the market changes too.

Adeosun, however, said that the Federal Government would try to mitigate the effects of the delay.

“Honestly, we may need to realign some of the priorities now because what we thought we would be doing in January is now different from what we are going to do.

“So, we are going to have to look very closely to see where we would realign and re-prioritise, but we will carry on because most of the capital projects are multiyear projects so we will just continue.

“We are going to try and mitigate that impact as much as possible and focus on completing projects.’’

The minister said the fact that the 2017 budget cycle began late in the year had helped a great deal.

“What has helped us is the fact that the budget was passed late last year, and what we did was we just carried on with those

projects, we will close this year’s budget with capital expenses in excess of N1.5 trillion which is higher than last year.

“Many of these projects are multiyear projects, so hopefully, there will not be too much disruptions.’’

Adeosun said that the financial systems were not closed on Dec. 31, 2017 to allow for projects implementation to continue.

She, however, said she was optimistic that the 2018 budget would be passed soon.

On tax, she said the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and other tax authorities were doing a lot on enforcement of payment.

She said that the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), had helped in increasing the number of taxpayers captured in the tax base of the nation.

She said that the Federal Government recovered N13.8 billion from taxes through whistle blowers who gave useful tips about companies that deliberately underpaid their taxes.

“That is different for us because most of the whistle blowing in the past have been about stolen money, but with the extension of VAIDS and our general narrative about tax, we are getting far more tips on tax evasion.’’

She added that the 14 whistleblowers would be paid N439, 276 million in

Adeosun

May. According to her, cases are being prepared for prosecution for companies and individuals who refused to use the VAIDS window to remit their taxes once it closes on June 30.

Adeosun said that the Federal Government also sent out teams to visit some of its foreign missions to verify assets, adding that more than 108 landed properties were identified in various countries.

She said the properties do not necessarily belong to some of its foreign missions but that some of its agencies had some unrecorded properties abroad.

“Some have been abandoned and some are even in the process of being sold off but we have been able to stop them and we are going to revise procedures in that

regard,’’ she said.

The minister also commented on the recent stalemate in revenue generation between the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

She said that it was not healthy for the process as it showed the level of scrutiny by all parties concerned to ensure that the nation got the right revenue figures.

Adeosun also said the Federal Government would not allow revenue leakages anymore, adding that it was working to ensure that those leakages were blocked.

“We should not be too alarmed when there is a stalemate because it is all in the public interest to make sure that the monies that we are expecting into the federation account come in and we account for them properly.’’

On the issue of Nigeria’s debt profile, Adeosun said there was no cause for alarm as the nation’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio was 20 per cent and one of the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Where we do have a challenge is debt service to revenue which is because the interest cost was quite high and this is a function of two things.

“One is that most of the debt was short term so you are paying interest and compounding it.

Market indices rebound by 0.26% …As ASI gains 107.37 points Indicators of the performance of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rebounded by 0.26 per cent on Friday, after depreciating for four consecutive days.

Also, the All-Share Index appreciated by 107.37 points or 0.26 per cent to close at 41,022.31 compared with the 40,914.94 posted on Thursday.

The market capitalisation, which opened at N14.820 trillion rose by N39 billion or 0.26 per cent to close at N14.859 trillion.

Nestle followed with a gain of N10 to close at N1, 580, while Okomu Oil Palm added N4.95 to close at N90 per share.

Presco increased by N3.60 to close at N75.60, while CCNN appreciated

by N1. 95 to close at N29 per share.

On the other hand, Lafarge Wapco topped the losers’ chart, dropping 90k to close at N41.10 per share.

Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of 80k to close at N124.50, while UACN declined by 40k to

close at N17 per share.

Total Nigeria was down by 40k to close at N221.80, while Guaranty Trust Bank shed 25k to close at N44.25 per share.

A breakdown of the activity chart indicated that Guaranty Trust Bank was the most active, trading 25.93 million shares worth N1.15 billion.

Zenith Bank followed with an account of 22.16 million shares valued at N629.33 million, while Sovereign Trust Insurance traded 19.84 million shares

worth N3.97 million.

Fidelity Bank sold 16.85 million shares valued at N42.10 million, while Lasaco Insurance traded 10.57 million shares worth N4.24 million.

In all, the volume of shares traded closed lower as investors bought and sold 214.58 million shares valued at N4.23 billion achieved in 3,675 deals.

This was in contrast with a total of 244.92 million shares worth N4.09 billion exchanged in 3,804 deals on Thursday.

PIB: Obaseki proposes Livelihood Sustainability Programme for oil communities ... As Committee on PIB meets oil communities The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has decried the poor state of affairs in oil producing communities and has proposed a Livelihood Sustainability Programme to address the developmental gaps in the communities.

He made the proposition on Friday, in Benin City, while receiving members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), who are in the state to meet with stakeholders in oil producing communities to assess the impact of oil exploration in the communities.

Obaseki described the visit as timely, as the state was working on a bill that will deal with issues that affect oil producing communities in the state.

He said the state was also embarking on an enumeration exercise to ascertain the impact of oil exploration activities on oil producing communities.

“We want to have a tripartite arrangement involving communities, the state government and oil companies so that the situation in which host communities are abandoned will no longer exist. We want to have a livelihood sustainability programme in the communities” he stressed.

The governor added that, “The enumeration will involve a baseline study and an action plan that will guide the proper implementation of the tripartite arrangement.”

He told his guests that the state is planning to utilise the energy sourced from some of the communities to power companies that will be located in the state.

Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, said the visit was to allow oil producing communities in the state make input in the three petroleum-related bills in the National Assembly.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

B3 Business News

Nigeria’s capital importation hits $6.30m in Q1 – NBS

By Matthew Dadiya, Abuja The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that Nigeria’s capital importation in the first quarter of stood at 6,303.63 million dollars.

The NBS stated this in the Nigerian Capital Importation for First Quarter for 2018 released on Friday in Abuja.

According to the NBS, the value of capital imported in the quarter recorded an increase of 594.03 per cent, year-on-year and a 17.11 per cent growth over the figure reported in the previous quarter.

It stated that the quarter saw a continuous growth in total Capital Importation into the country, making it the fourth consecutive quarterly increase since the second quarter of 2017.

The report, however, stated that the increase in capital inflow in the quarter under review was driven mainly by Portfolio Investment.

According to the bureau, Portfolio investment grew from 3,477.53 million dollars in the previous quarter to 4,565.09 million dollars.

The report said the amount recorded by Portfolio investment accounted for 72.42 per cent of the total Capital Importation during the quarter.

According to the report, capital

Lagos to install over 10,000 CCTV cameras

By Ladesope Ladelokun

L – R: Tinuade Awe, Executive Director, Regulation, NSE presenting a replica of the closing gong to Hassan Usman, Managing Director/CEO, Jaiz Bank Plc during the Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the NSE in Lagos... recently

Importation is made up of three main investment types: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Portfolio Investment and Other Investments.

It said since the second quarter of 2017, Portfolio Investment had been expanding faster than the other two categories.

It added that Porfolio Investment was the largest component of the capital imported in the first quarter of 2018 at 35 per cent of total capital imported.

According to the report,

Foreign Direct Investment and Other Investment accounted for 3.91 per cent and 23.67 per cent of total Capital Importation into the country in the quarter under review.

In the first quarter, the NBS reported that FDI stood at 246.62 million dollars, falling by 34.83 per cent from the figure reported in the previous quarter, and growing by 16.67 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

It stated that Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria was still weak when compared to Portfolio Investment and Other

Investment, representing only 3.9 per cent of total capital imported.

The report noted that Equity Investment, a sub-category under FDI contributed 246.61 million dollars or 99.9 per cent of FDI during the quarter, while Other Capital under FDI contributed less than 0.001 per cent.

Meanwhile, the report stated that Portfolio Investment remained the largest component of total capital inflow into Nigeria in the first quarter of 2018.

Bringing American businesses to Abuja, our priority – NACC

By Tunde Opalana, Abuja The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is set to flux the Federal Capital city of Abuja with American businesses built around well planned programmes that involve crafted projects for the year 2018/2019.

Executive President of the FCT Chapter of NACC, Mr. Chris Shaiyen said the Chamber is planning to have a survey of industrial capacity utilization of the FCT, do business partner search opportunity to seek out sales and business partners in the United States using a direct and targeted approach.

This, he said, is part of plans to strengthen the FCT chapter of the chamber and make it

more feasible.

According to him, the leadership of the Chamber in the FCT is ready to make it prominent in facilitating investment partnership between Nigerian and American businesses.

The chairman said this during the second General Meeting of the Chamber for year 2018, held at the Bayelsa Guest House, Central Area, Abuja on Thursday.

“By virtue of our position in the nation’s capital, we are ready to make the FCT chapter at per with Lagos and Kaduna chapters and we have rolled out set of development projects towards achieving that”, he said.

Addressing members, he said the chamber will make contacts to potential

business partners in the US using a project team from a variety of discipline, do market studies that will show market size for each investment areas and how to develop them.

“We have since the last meeting tried to mobilise our members, especially the dormant ones, to woo them back by making them know series of advantages that abound in their membership if the chamber.

“We have upgraded our websites to avail members with needed information on how to expand their businesses and to attract partnership or direct foreign investment from our American partners.

“We serve as a portal for the American business concern to find suitable and appropriate companies to partner with in Nigeria.

The Lagos State Government said it had finalized plans to install 10,000 Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the state as part of measures to ensure that the nation’s economic nerve centre is secure against the activities of terrorists in the light of the threat of insurgency in the country The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, who made the disclosure while giving a breakdown of the 2016 budget, tagged ‘The People’ Budget’, said the government will also activate the existing 1,000 CCTV cameras already installed in the state.

According to him, “We will be expanding our ICT infrastructure statewide. Consequently, a budget of N9.6 billion has been approved for this purpose in 2016. This will include a Smart City project targeted at deploying technology to enhance security in the state. It will also aid our revenue generating efforts.

“We will be increasing coverage of CCTV installations in the state. Our goal is to have over 10,000 active cameras, connected by Broadband. The existing 1,000 cameras will be reactivated and these will be increased by an additional 3,000 cameras after the completion of the first phase of this project”.

Speaking on the need to beef up security and maintain law and order, the Commissioner said “We are all aware of the security challenges in the country, and to manage this in the state we have committed about N23.5 billion for the maintenance of law and order, and to support security services in the area of vehicles, security gadgets and logistics.

“We shall continue to enhance the welfare of our security agents by providing allowances, fuelling of patrol vehicles and giving adequate life insurance covers to motivate them in 2016.

We will provide more buildings for Police Area Commands in our state to enhance their performance. This budget also includes projects that will enhance security of lives and property in other areas of governance as previously enumerated.

“You will recall that this administration handed over equipment worth N4.765 billion to the Lagos State Police Command in the last quarter of 2015. In addition to the activities mentioned earlier, we have also made provisions for the completion of on-going court projects in Igando, Imota, Ajegunle, as well as Judges’ Quarters at Falomo, to complement those that had been completed.”

ICAO, NEPAD to aid African aviation development, modernisation objectives

By Idu Jude, Abuja The International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO, says the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD) have forged a new agreement to enhance the contribution of civil aviation in Africa.

The ICAO in a statement issued in Montreal Canada Thursday states that it is concerned on the social and economic development of the African Continent, and to promote related aviation infrastructure development and capacity-building in aid of sustainable

air transport for Africa and Africans.

“Working cooperatively is, and has always been, fundamental to the aviation sector,” stressed ICAO Council President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu. “This new framework with NEPAD will allow us to effectively address the development and modernization of quality aviation infrastructure in Africa, consistent with ICAO’s global and Africa regional planning and commensurate with the exponential traffic growth forecast here.”

According to the body, the new ICAO/ NEPAD Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) will formalize and deepen the cooperation between these two organizations, contributing to the implementation of the Declaration and Framework for a Plan of Action for Development of Aviation Infrastructure in Africa, which was adopted at the fourth ICAO World Aviation Forum (Abuja, Nigeria in November 2017).

The statement says, both organizations will now be working more closely together in facilitating the movement of persons and goods in Africa, mobilizing resources for aviation infrastructure development, implementing NEPAD’s “Move Africa”

initiative for the aviation sector, developing e-commerce, and training and retaining next generation aviation professionals and promoting gender equity on the continent.

“This collaboration will provide added value for both organizations and improve aviation infrastructure development in Africa,” said NEPAD CEO Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki. “It will help strengthen NEPAD’s understanding of the aviation sector, and importantly help us to ensure the inclusion of aviation projects in the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).”

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Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

TOURISM

Long out-waiting face of Lagos beauty pageant under way Motolani Oseni To illustrate on this argument, the longest out waiting most prestigious pageant today, Face of Lagos Beauty pageant, this unique competitions, Researchers have predicted that no fewer than 30 million people would have lived in Lagos by 2035 turning it into the largest mega city in African.

The pageant’s aims in showcasing uniqueness, strength and unify the diversity of our cultural heritage, creating awareness globally of our tourism, also creating long-lasting relationship among the youth in Lagos Nigeria.

The advice came from Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, She said, “The best thing that can happen to our youths, is to acquire skills that will bring succor and hope of sustainable engagement” the wife of the Governor of Lagos State while speaking during the closing/graduation ceremony of the Skill Acquisition and Vocational programme, organized by

the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), at the Sam Ethan Air Force base, Ikeja.

Face of Lagos Beauty pageant is targeted at ladies between 18-25years, who are prepared to take their future in their hands, to be transformational leaders, positively minded and involved in Public activities that can help sensitize millions of Lagosians and change their mindsets for good, also be more responsibly well co-ordinated, sensitive to their environment and condition as well as a carrier for the torch of hope for the youth in Lagos and the country as a whole.

As we hope to showcase the dress/fashion consciousness of Lagos (eko lo ni oge) to create and put the Spirit of Lagos in the subconscious minds not just our participants but all Lagosians.

Face of Lagos Beauty pageant is an initiative project of “Reel production global”,whom strongly believe the time has come to create a social and col-

lective future for the youth, rather than watching helplessly.

However, we are hereby seeking for investors/sponsorship from co-operate bodies and individuals, we believe that will

be a good platform to increase its brand profile, also connect to its tagged consumer, most especially the youth and Clients, “LAGOS” The commercial capital centre in Africa.

AfricaMonth: Why we should be paying attention to Nigeria’s travel market There’s an energy and dogged determination one feels when visiting Nigeria for the first time. It’s that palpable can-do, roll-upyour-sleeves, hurry-up-andwait atmosphere that is simply intoxicating.

There’s a true sense that anything is possible if you’re determined to succeed and ask for your place at the table. So, when Nigerians move, they move fast and they do so with a single-minded purpose, but in an effusively polite way. It is this dynamism and an economy fuelled by oil, that has led to it becoming a key regional player in West Africa.

One of the largest economies in Africa, and with a population of over 180 million people, Nigeria is the largest consumer

market in Africa.

While South African travel companies grapple with a tiny market of a few million outbound international travellers, predominantly corporate in nature, Nigerians travel internationally in their millions. In fact, travel is so loved by the Nigerian people that a Lagos-based tour operator once told me they would rather go hungry than not travel.

For Nigerians, travel is seen as a status symbol. They want to flash the Gucci bag they bought in London, the latest iPhone from 5th Avenue in New York, and the most sparkling rose gold they could find in Dubai.

An extremely positive, entrepreneurial nation, the Nigerians are brand loyal. Value for money is far more important

than price, and since cash is still a popular form of payment, travel bookings are very lastminute, reflecting their need to save up and book only once they have the disposable cash to pay for their travel.

Nigerians also generally take multiple trips a year and are willing to work around visa barriers if the process is favourable. Visa processes to the USA and South Africa quite often are a deterrent to outbound travel. It is not unusual for a Nigerian to cancel their travel plans the day before travel because their South African visa has not been issued in time.

Spend is expected to grow in the coming years as travel becomes increasingly attractive for the youth, especially those within the middle- to high-

earning brackets, with a desire for leisure holidays.

Fast-growing cities like Lagos show signs of an expanding middle class, driving the potential for the outbound travel market, while international airports at Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu are platforms for new outbound travel routes. Nigeria’s rate of urbanisation is also said to be one of the fastest in the world.

According to the African Development Bank, the Nigerian middle class accounts for about 23% of the population, with the majority living in urban centres, particularly Lagos. McKinsey puts the number of urban households with purchasing power and annual incomes over $10,000 at two million.

Lagos tourism masterplan ready – Ayorinde Lagos State government has said the State Tourism Masterplan, geared toward showcasing and promoting the state in terms of ideas, long-term investment, top-notch infrastructure and human capacity development; necessary for the expected competition among tourism destinations all over the world, will be ready at the end of May. The State’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said this at the yearly Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, even as he disclosed that the master-plan would be allencompassing, and would include ‘spiritual’ or religious tourism.

Ayorinde said the long-term strategic master plan, which is being prepared by Messrs Ernst & Young and to is delivered at the end of May 2018, will focus on six sectors that include.

According to him, the sectors are Culture and heritage; film; art and entertainment; business tourism; nature and adventure; medical and wellness; beach and leisure, saying that spiritual or religious tourism was not left out, even though it wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the plan.

The commissioner stressed that a thorough look at the breakdown proved that all sectors had been sufficiently covered, saying that when tourists come into Lagos, they would use facilities such as hotels and also places of worship – depending on how long they were staying in town.

He said such tourists would eat food in Lagos, buy products and do other related businesses in the city.

He said all of these would in no small measure affect all facets of the economy and increase the overall income of Lagos.

Ayorinde said the state’s proposal to UNESCO to be the global ‘Jazz Capital’ in 2020 was receiving favourable consideration, according to the Regional Director of the global body, pointing out that the state was ready for the hosting of three major literary festivals scheduled to hold in Lagos this year.

TOURISM B 5

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

WATTA to launch at Accra Weizo Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo The interim Board of WATTA will be announced and Inauguarated at Accra Weizo on the 23rd of June 2018 at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Accra.

Accra Weizo is one of the events geared towards getting West Africans to cooperate amongst themselves.

Four years after the launch of Accra Weizo as a West African Travel and Tourism platform for the growth of Seamless Travel in the ECOWAS region a new association for Private sector Players in the region has emerged.

At the launch of Accra Weizo four years ago the Vision was to turn the 15 countries and its 380million people into a Domestic Tourism Destination.

It has taken four years for the Organisers of Weizo to reach out to over 150 Travel and Tour Operators in West Africa from 6 countries enough to start a regional association that will drive Tourism in the region.

WATTA will be an association for any player in the Tourism and Travel environment.

West Africa is home to 15 countries of over 380 million people but Tourism and Travel is not the strong Suite of the Economic interaction in the region. The Region receives among the lowest Tourism figures per Capita in Africa. With a huge Population and over 40 Airports, Aviation is dominated by Companies from outside the Region. Accra Weizo is a Travel event now in its 4th edition aimed at creating a seamless travel environment in West Africa. It brings together Travel professional in West Africa.

The ECOWAS region despite a protocol of free movement has not grown Intra regional Tourism and Travel.

At Weizo this year the Honorable Minister of Aviation for Ghana Hon. Cecilia Abena Dapaah will be Opening the 4th Accra Weizo event on the 22nd of June with a Paper titled ‘Harnessing the Opportunities in Aviation value chain in West Africa’ The first day will be the seminar on Aviation and the Second day will be dedicated to ‘Travel, Tourism and the Internet’ session to grow Travel Business and destination. It will be taking place at ada Ekesi Hall at L a Palm Royal Beach Hotel The topics to be discussed on the first session of the event which is dedicated solely to Aviation in West Africa include.

“Interlining in West Africa, a possibility or a Mirage?” “ Integrating West African Airport System” “Standardizing Aviation Laws in West Africa for Regional Growth” “Why West African Airlines fail easily and the future”.

Confirmed panellists for that session are Capt. Ado Sanusi – Managing Director of Nigeria’s oldest Airline Aero, owners of the major MRO in the region, Chike Ogeah the Vice Chairman SAHCOL a leading Nigerian Owned Aviation handling and Logistics company, Alex Nwuba, CEO of Ghana based Smile Aviation and former CEO of Nigerian based Associated Airlines, Richard Kyereh from Africa World Airlines the leading Airline in Ghana. Other Airlines Chief Executives are expected to join the panel.

Because of the need to Organise

the Tourism products available in the region to encourage Intra regional Tourism Atqnews will be hosting an Award for the Top100 Hotels in West Africa.

There will also be a Hospitality panel made up of Top Hotel Managers in West Africa to discuss “The Adapting of International Hotel Standards to the African Environment” Already confirmed Panellists which is a

mixture of African and non-African Hotel Managers include Marigold Vivian Mingle of Ridge Royal Resort at Cape Coast. She was a former General Manager of La Palm Royal beach Hotel in Accra.

Pastor Emmanuel Geadda-Asando Vice President -Ghana Progressive Hotels Association, Sajid Khan.

General Manager, Tang Palace Hotel Ghana he is one of the most

experienced Hotel managers in West Africa having managed Fiesta Royal Accra, Golden Tulip Lagos, Golden Tulip Hotel Accra Ghana among others.

Malah Saleh is the CEO of Djembe Hotels and Balafon Hotels in the Gambia. Currently he is one of the biggest Hotel proprietors in West Africa. Topics lined up for day 2 of the event on the 23rd include.

Court lifts restraining orders on Lagos hotel occupancy, others law A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday issued a variation to its interim orders, restraining the implementation of the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

Justice Mohammed Aikawa had issued the interim orders on March 21 following a suit filed by Registered Trustees of Hotel Owners and Managers Association in Lagos, challenging the new Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Laws of Lagos State.

Joined as defendants are the Attorney General of Lagos State and the Federal Inland Revenue

Service (FIRS).

The plaintiff is urging the court to strike out the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law, Cap H8, Laws of Lagos State 2015.

The plaintiff also asked the court to restrain the defendants from enforcing the provisions of its new Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption (Fiscalisation) Regulations 2017.

The law introduces an increase in consumption tax in addition to a Value Added Tax on every purchase or service rendered by hotels, restaurants, fastfood outlets, bars and night clubs.

Justice Aikawa had on March

21, issued an interim order, restraining Lagos State from further enforcing the law pending the determination of the case.

At the last adjournment on April 17, counsel to the first defendant, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), had informed the court of his motion, seeking a variation of the court’s interim orders made on March 21.

Meanwhile, when the case was mentioned on Monday, Mr Olasupo Shasore (SAN), announced appearance for the plaintiffs and informed the court that he had reached an agreement with the defence counsel for a variation of the existing orders, pending determination of the suit.

He added that it was also agreed that no new measures would be introduced by the defendants until determination of the substantive suit.

In response, Pedro confirmed the position, and added that the restraining orders be lifted on the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law, Cap H8, Laws of Lagos State 2015 which has been in force in the state.

According to him, the restraining orders on the Regulation 2017 can be allowed to subsist pending determination of the suit.

He then moved his motion, seeking variation of the interim orders.

The court consequently ruled: “An Order is hereby made, varying the orders made on March 21, 2018.

“The variation shall be to the extent that the restraining orders against the first defendant from implementing the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Laws of Lagos State, be expunged from the said order, while retaining the restraining orders on Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption (Fiscalisation) Regulations 2017.”

The court added that no new measures should be introduced by the first defendant pending the determination of the suit.

Business Feature B6

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Republic of Congo and OPEC: A marriage of mutual convenience In January, officials from the Republic of Congo announced the country’s application for membership of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This is no small move. After years of challenges with the collapse in the price of oil, the Republic of Congo is emerging with a renewed agenda, focused on becoming an active voice on the global stage, rather than a silent victim of international oil price swings.

For Congo, OPEC membership means greater access to information, partnerships, contacts and a voice at the decision-making table. But, perhaps more than ever, it is OPEC that is to benefit from the rise in African political voices.

At nearly 2 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves in a vastly underexplored territory, Congo represents a sleeping giant amidst African oil producers. An improved business climate has brought profound benefits to the country’s oil industry. New developments by French oil company Total in Congolese territory are set to expand the country’s oil output from 280,000 barrels per day to 350,000 in 2018.

An enhanced sector outlook coupled with new discoveries and strong leadership by younger and more capable leaders is rapidly attracting the interest of investors across the world.

The election of Thérésa Goma to the position of director general of hydrocarbons in March is an example of a change in mentality, as is the ascendance of Jean Marc Tchicaya to the position of hydrocarbons minister — a younger and more dynamic figure than any of his predecessors.

Brazzaville is the host city of the headquarters of the African Petroleum Producers Organization, a club that has been gaining renewed relevance in recent years as African leaders search for intra-African cooperation on matters of energy.

Further, Congo has also been expanding its bilateral relationships with the likes of Angola, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, moving towards a new policy of gas utilization.

The entrance of Congo as an active voice in OPEC can bring a much stronger

The Republic of the Congo has suffered dearly during the oil collapse, and Congolese President Denis Nguesso has pledged that the country will no longer endure the effects of global decision-making in the oil industry without a voice.

In an official communiqué announcing the bid for OPEC membership, he stated that he wished to “place our country in the rank of the world’s leaders.”

foothold for the Viennabased organization in the African oil circle, and reinforce its capability to coordinate production cuts and joint-strategies across the continent when necessary.

For OPEC, this means greater representation, greater control over the world’s output, and in the end, greater power.

For Congo, the country will sit side-by-side with key oil giants, like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela; as well as Gabon, Angola, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, further reinforcing the strength of African voices amongst the cartel. It will be able to learn and contribute to policy and decision-making, and it will be ever more prepared to deal with the volatility of crude prices.

Congo’s bid for integration within the cartel also comes at a paramount moment for African foreign policy, as dependence on commodity prices and shifts in the international order have made ever more apparent the need for regional and intra-

continental cooperation.

OPEC’s new lease of life The successful results of the production cuts by OPEC have shown the cartel is regaining its standing on the international stage, demonstrating flexibility to new market realities.

Mohammad Barkindo, the Nigerian Secretary General of OPEC, spearheaded the landmark December 2016 agreement that saw the oil cartel and 11 non-OPEC members sign on to cut down 1.8 million barrels of crude oil per day (2% of global output), which has been extended until the end of 2018 and resulted in the progressive rising of crude oil to more sustainable prices that we witness today.

However, OPEC cannot sit idle on its own success.

The need for coordination with several non-members for any global strategy to work demonstrates how the organization needs to secure a wider net and solidify its position in order to continue to reach its goals. Its agenda

is aligned with that of African nations at a time when these players wish to have more control over the commodities they are so dependent on.

Congo’s move towards membership of OPEC is a major landmark step that should not only be greeted and celebrated by the cartel, but also be followed by other nations across the continent. As the world’s remaining frontier market for oil exploration, Africa is increasingly positioning itself as the linchpin region for the future of the world’s energy industry.

African nations cannot afford to not be at the negotiating table when the great decisions about their future are made, and neither can OPEC afford to keep them out.

NJ Ayuk is an energy lawyer, a Global Shaper with the World Economic Forum, and a well-known dealmaker in the petroleum and power sectors. He is the author of Big Barrels: African Oil and Gas and the Quest for Prosperity. He is the founder and CEO of Centurion Law Group and the Africa Energy Chamber of Commerce.

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

B7 Business Feature

Africa’s new debt binge: What are the risks?

Nonetheless, recent eurobond issuances by African countries have been met with huge interest.

A major reason for this is that “Africa has the highest sovereign eurobond yield in the world, at 6% compared to 5.5% for emerging markets and 4% for developing nations in the Asia-Pacific region,” says Ibrahim Sagna, director and head of advisory and capital markets at Cairo-based African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank).

“A supportive global backdrop, positive emerging market sentiment and yieldhungry investors means that African policymakers would be missing a trick by not capitalising on the attractive current rates on offer by international markets,” adds Ronak Gopaldas, director at Signal Risk, a consultancy.

Take the case of Senegal’s $2.2bn eurobond issuance in early March. The West African sovereign got more than $10bn in bids. Such is the interest that in mid-March Ghana upped its ambition: it now wants to issue a $2.5bn eurobond, $500m more than announced by its finance minister, Ken OforiAttah, in February.

And what does the sovereign need the money for? It wants to use $1bn to fund its 2018 budget and the extra $1.5bn to refinance existing foreign debt. Similarly, South Africa is expected to tap the dollar debt market for as much as $3bn soon. In mid-January, Angola also unveiled plans to issue a $2bn eurobond this year, as part of a broader economic plan.

African sovereigns that already have dollar accounts credited this year from eurobond issuances are Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya. In midFebruary, Egypt issued $4bn in eurobonds. With bids of $12bn, three times the amount sought, the authorities issued bonds of three tenors: a five-year tranche at 5.58%, 10-year tranche at 6.59% and 30-year tranche at 7.9%.

Just months before, Egypt secured a three-year $12bn loan from the IMF, in addition to $7bn in eurobonds raised in 2017. What did Egypt need the money for? To boost its foreign exchange reserves, is the official response. And judging from plans revealed by Egyptian authorities in September 2017 to sell at least $10bn in

eurobonds this year, there is likely to be another $6bn worth of issuances, including a likely euro-denominated one, before end-2018.

Five times oversubscribed In the same month as the most recent Egyptian issuance, Nigeria also sold a $2.5bn eurobond at yields of 7.1% on the 12-year tranche and 7.7% on the 20-year tranche. Orders were about $12bn; almost five times the principal amount on offer. Three months earlier, the West African sovereign had issued its third foreign currency bond of 2017, securing as much as $11bn in orders, almost four times the two-part $3bn issuance.

The Nigerian authorities have been clear on what the money from the dollar debt would be used for: to fund the 2018 budget and refinance

Five African countries are currently experiencing problems in servicing their debts, according to the IMF

existing debt. Of particular interest is the refinancing of the government’s local currency debt. Considering the potential foreign exchange risk, the plan is understandably controversial, although lower naira yields in the aftermath have vindicated the fiscal authorities’ position thus far.

In the same month of February, Kenya sold a $2bn eurobond at yields of 7.25% and 8.25% for the 10-year and 30-year tranches respectively.

The issuance came just weeks after a credit rating downgrade

by Moody’s and revelations that the IMF had for months blocked the authorities from accessing a much-celebrated $1.5bn emergency facility over disagreements on the authorities’ fiscal consolidation plans.

Despite all this, the sovereign received $14bn in bids, seven times the amount on offer.

Investors were also clearly unfazed by what was still a delicate political situation in the country and unresolved allegations that the proceeds from its $2bn debut eurobond issue some four years earlier were misappropriated.

Put together, thus far this year to mid-March, African countries have issued some $11bn in euro­bonds, just $7bn shy of total issuances last year. In light of warnings by the IMF and a loan default by

Mozambique to a foreign bank in 2017, a cautious reception to these latest issuances would not have been unusual.

Investment case is strong Judging from the order books, however, investors could not care less. They are not being irrational. African sovereign debt defaults remain the exception, not the norm; at least, not since the Paris Club of debtors forgave the predominantly African highly indebted poor countries (HIPC) about $40bn in debt in 2005. When you add in the juicy yields, some argue, the investment case is a no-brainer.

These new African eurobond issuances are aimed at securing what are still very attractive yields, as America’s Federal Reserve Bank continues on a monetary tightening path, with at least three interest rate hikes expected this year alone. Other global central banks have also signalled that the end of their quantitative easing programmes is in sight, with the Fed already ahead in paring its bond purchases.

So some of the new eurobond issuances by African sovereigns are pre-emptory.

But a chunky portion of these issues are for the refinancing of existing debt, in foreign and local currencies. Some are also motivated by political ends, as incumbent governments race

to complete projects ahead of crucial elections.

Verner Ayukegba, principal analyst for sub-Saharan African economics and country risk at London-based IHS Markit, thinks that some of the issuances are also aimed at “diversifying revenue away from oil and other resources (in the cases of Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana for instance) in light of their price volatility in the international markets.”

Regardless of the motivation, however, the risks are the same.

If caution is not exercised, the debt binge could eventually take African countries back to the dark days of old when almost all of some countries’ public revenue was used to service debt. With some African countries already devoting at least half of their annual revenue to servicing debt, this is not a far-fetched scenario.

So fears about debt sustainability are quite germane.

“Sustainability will depend on a country by country basis; Congo and Mozambique have shown the limits with defaults,” says Ayukegba. “Nigeria seems to still have a better chance due to better diversification in its economy and relatively lower debt to GDP,” he adds.

Examining the risks So in general, is there cause for concern? Afrexim­bank’s Sagna is conditionally optimistic: “If African sovereigns make effective use of the captured proceeds, there is a confluence of events which may just lay the basis of aligned interests. After all, the continent’s credit story is improving nicely after years of slow deterioration, and this growing appetite from global investors may have just found a quite hospitable home.”

Signal Risk’s Gopaldas adds a note of caution: “[Since] this is primarily a ‘search for yield’ play [for international investors] rather than a domestic one, any major change in the global economy from its current ‘Goldilocks’ scenario could drastically alter the equation and see debt servicing costs spike. If investors become more discriminatory with their capital, the spotlight will shift more to country-specific issues – here countries with ‘bad politics and bad economics’ could be in the firing line.

Authorities would therefore be well advised to guard against complacency.”

B8

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

Saturday, May 12, 2018

My plans for the year is to set a clear goals for myself - Alex Okoli

L2

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Life & Times

Alex Okoli:

Not every movie must appear in cinemas Paschaline Alex Okoli is a Nigerian actress who is quite bold and strong-willed. Although she had been labelled a snob and lesbian, but the Anambra State born actress is far from such unfounded accusations leveled against her. In this interview with MUTIAT ALLI, the script interpreter clears the air on her personality, her kind of man, premarital sex and lots more. Enjoy‌

Daily Times Nigeria Saturday, May 12, 2018

L3 Life & Times

My plans for the year is to set a clear goals for myself - Alex Okoli How has the year 2018 been for you?

So far, it has been so good. The year has been litty litty (if you know what I mean?)

What are your plans for the remaining of the year?

My plans for the year is to set a clear goals for myself.

Any plans to go into movie production?

For now, nope. Well, maybe before the year ends, something might come up in terms of going into production.

Aside Jenifas dairy, you are hardly seen in regular movies, why?

I do other movies too, but not constant.

Which movie brought you to limelight?

College girls, the pay was nothing to write home about, but in all I am grateful.

How supportive are your parents of your chosen career?

Well, my mum 1million percent from the scratch. But my dad was not having it the first time he knew about the movie stuff, but as a daughter that is as stubborn as her father, the old man had to accept by force, after much persuasion.

Talking about being stubborn, we have heard people say you are also snobbish, how true is that?

Wow! snub? Not true at all. Being stubborn and snobbish are two different things. People that don’t know me see me as a snobbish little lady. But, I can’t go about trying to make people understand me. If you know me - you know!

Aside movies what else do you do?

I run a cleaning company #Weclean. It is actually my personal little company.

How long have you been in it and how did you start?

I started last year. It is not easy you know. I’m that girl that loves success, so I try to venture into one or two businesses apart from acting.

Who are those you look up to in Nollywood?

Hmmm, I look up to my hardworking senior colleagues in the industry too numerous to mention.

So many stories surround the success of female celebrities, so many saying that they engage in kinds of promiscuity to live a luxurious lifestyle, what’s your take on that?

One sentence for this question is “people must talk”, no matter what you do or didn’t do.

It was once rumored that you are a lesbian, can you defend that?

Like you said it’s all a rumour. Not true at all.

What’s your take on same sex marriage?

No! I don’t think it’s right!

How about sex toys, it’s almost taking over the world?

I don’t support that either.

What do you think should be done to take Nollywood to a bigger height, just like their contemporaries?

The government should invest in entertainment industry.

The qualities of movies are dropping, which way forward?

Like I said it still government, because we have good filmmakers.

Even your colleague, Rita Dominic said the qualities of movies been shown in the cinemas are not worth it, is it the government’s responsibility too?

Yes, it is not every movie that should be in cinema. Let the quality of the film match the hype they always give it. Then, lack of fund. The government have not been supportive of the industry, most of the production you see out there are mostly self sponsored.

Another one is greed! Some individuals have the resources to make a quality movie but because they want to make enough profit, they’d rather make a low quality movie for high profit.

Not all Nigerian movies have poor picture quality and bad sound, there are exceptions. Some good and thorough movie producers are doing good works.

During your early days in the industry, can you share your encounter as a green horn?

My first encounter with Nollywood was in 2010, when I did waka pass in a movie directed by Kalu Anya and it starred the likes of Chika Ike among other actors. The movie was shot in Asaba, but at that, I was not ready to make it a career cos I was still in school.

What makes a good actor?

A good actor should be so convincing in a role that he can hold an audience captive and make them feel as if there is nothing but the story at hand.

Are you currently in a serious relationship?

Yes! I’m in a very serious relationship with God. Very serious.

At what stage do you want to get married?

When the time is right.

What kind of man do you want for marriage?

A man who will support me and encourage me to pursue my desires and dreams. A man that will make me feel comfortable expressing my thoughts and feelings openly to him without fearing his judgment or ridicule

routine? If yes, can you share?

Yes, I use egg white, lemon, and milk mixed with sugar to scrub face once in a while.

What could make Paschaline shed midnight tears?

When I miss home or things aren’t going the way I want it to, it makes me cry.

Have you been heartbroken? And did you deal with it?

Yes, I am human, but after 2 weeks I was back to normal.

Did that make you cry or starve yourself of food?

I was hurt to be honest, but I didn’t starve myself.

What turns you off in relationships?

Fake lifestyle, pretence and lies.

Single and ready to mingle?

It’s personal to me. Can we leave relationship matter, best known to me.

You have been with Funke Akindele’s production for years now, how best can you describe her?

She is an amazing woman.

What’s your opinion on premarital sex?

What’s your best fashion I’m not a saint ooooo but our bodies accessories? are to be temples of the Holy Spirit. St. Shoes and bags.

Paul indicates that sin of the body is serious compared to sins outside the Do you have a regular beauty body.

Where do you see your brand in a couple of years?

Well, I hope to have an acting school for young talents. I’m very passionate about helping people with my brand.

L4

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Tribute

Bob Marley 37 years after: Segun Arinze tasks reggae artists on genre

As the world mark 37 years of Bob Marley death, Nollywood veteran, Segun Arinze has called on reggae musicians in Nigeria to continue to use the genre to spread conscious and positive messages to correct the ills in the society.

Marley is one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one whose impact endures across generations of music fans around the world.

The reggae legend with 42 official releases, countless photos and videos of him captured both on and off the stage is the most celebrated reggae artist in the world.

Arinze, a.k.a “Black Arrow’’ said this in a telephone with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

The Onitsha born actor and graduate of Dramatic Art from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife also said that reggae had become a culture.

“Today is Marley Day; I called on Reggae musicians in Nigeria to continue to use the genre to send conscious and positive messages to correct the ills in the society like Bob Marley, Mandators, Andy Showman, Ras Kimono and others.

“However, the music industry is dynamic and changing; there are new styles and beat to reggae, so you need to adopt it but maintain the messages

that are philosophical and endearing to the heart.

“Even though Marley is gone, his music lives on; Reggae artists across the country should continue to spread the message,’’ Arinze said.

The talented actor with several endorsements also said that Marley’s legacies remained relevant in the 21st century, 37 years after his death.

According to Arinze, Marley’s songs are prevalent today adding that everything he sang about is still happening today.

“He is like a prophet; his songs inspire people up till today. I even listened to his songs yesterday.

“I just prayed and hope that his family

carry on with the legacy he left behind and continue to impact on the people and society.

“But unfortunately, he died at a very young age; he did not make it up to 40 years. I pray his soul continue to rest in peace and wish the world Happy Marley Day,’’ Arinze said.

His lyrics of timeless protest songs such as “Redemption Song” “War” “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Crazy Baldhead,” have fired up social and political movements.

Marley was born on Feb. 6, 1945 to a British Naval Captain, Norman and Cedella Marley.

Marley was posted to the Western Indies during the second War World when he met Cedella. She gave birth to young Marley when she was 18.

The reggae legend early life was spent in rural mountainous terrain of the Parish of St. Ann community of Nine Miles in Jamaica.

The residents of the community have preserved many customs derived from their African ancestry especially the art of storytelling as a means of sharing the past and time-tested traditions.

In the late 1950, he left St. Ann and returned to Kingston, the Jamaica’s capital.

The `One Love’ crooner had little Western education, but dropped out of school at 14 to learn welding.

After meeting and teaming up with a Reggae artist, Peter Touch, he quit welding and they jointly released a single titled, `Simmer Down’ which enjoyed airplay on the local radio.

Based on the success of the single, their relationship blossomed and in 1964, Marley and Tosh formed the `Wailing Wailers’ together with Bunny Livingstone Wailer, Junior Braithwaite, and Beverly Kelso.

Other members of the group were Rita Anderson (who later became Rita Marley in 1966), Judy Mowatt, and Marcia Griffith.

The musical group was popular in Jamaica as it performed in many shows across the country.

The group gained wider acceptance and in 1972 it was signed on by Chris Blackwell’s Island Records.

In 1973, they released their debut album titled “Catch A Fire’’ which launched them into super stardom.

With a successful music album, the group embarked on musical tour in Britain which was successful but turned out to be the turning point of the Jamaican based Reggae group.

After a successful tour, they came back to Jamaica and the group split with Peter Tosh and Bonny Walter opting out after alleging Marley’s domineering role while on tour.

Not perturbed by the split, Marley went ahead and got married to Alpharita Constantia “Rita’’ Anderson in Kingston, Jamaica, on Feb. 10, 1966.

Marley had many children: three with his wife Rita, two adopted from her previous relationships, and several others with different women. The Bob Marley official website acknowledges eleven children.

(NAN)

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

L5 Mixed Grill

Actress Sotayo unveils lip stain and clothing line

By Mutiat Alli With the trending growth in the fashion industry, beautiful Nollywood actress Tayo Sobola better known as Sotayo is sure moving with the trend as she recently launched two new brands ‘ A clothing line (Clean Stitches) and Lip Stain (Pop It) to her already growing businesses.

Present at the official opening includes the Hon. Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Former Lagos State Speaker, Rtd. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Marketing Communication Expert, Mr. Abisoye Fagade, YBNL Boss, Olamide, Lola Idije, Afeez Owoh, Dupe Jaiyesimi, Eniola Ajao amongst others.

On why it took her so long to make it public, Sobola disclosed that it was a matter of unveiling at an appropriate time and the fact that the clothing line will be clocking

a year in a month time, it was necessary to test run the product and the several services it tend to serve first before going public.

She said’ Clean Stitches is a bespoke clothing line that caters for both the female and male clientele as well as kids providing them with trendy styles that are solely unique to the brand while Pop It on the other hand is a just a branch from the several collections of our beauty products that we would be launching out soon’. Pop It comes in beautiful colors that will blend with all events and outfits.

Also, Tayo noted that with the launch of her new set of brands, it will not in any way hinder her acting career as that appears to be her first love.

Tayo Sobola is a Nigerian leading actress, producer and CEO of Sotee Entertainment with several movie productions to her credit.

Lanre Da-Silva, Adekunle Gold, Joke Silva, others billed to showcase at Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange in Paris

By Mutiat Alli Nigerian arts and culture takes centre stage in the heart of Paris as the Embassy of Nigeria hosts France business community and friends of Nigeria to an exhibition of some of Nigeria’s finest art, cuisine, fashion, music, film and traditional games, on the platform of the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange.

The Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange is a platform for promoting cultural exchange and diplomacy and aims to enhance social and economic collaboration between Nigeria and the world, by developing channels for commerce between Nigeria and France. The exhibition will take place at Le Pavilion Dauphine, Paris, Saint Clair on Saturday May 19, 2018.

The exhibition is a platform that demonstrates Nigeria’s interest in expanding economic and cultural bilateral relations with France. It reinforces the similar commitment expressed last year when the French Prime Minister received the Nigerian Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in Paris; and previously, when former President Francois Hollande attended Nigeria’s centennial celebrations in Abuja. This sentiment is underscored by the fact that in only his first year in office, President Macron will be visiting Nigeria to further strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria through trade and culture.

Indeed, Nigeria is France’s largest trading partner in Africa, with diversified exports spanning petroleum, pharmaceuticals, electronic and Agro-allied products.

During her Speech, The Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Irele said “Through the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange we are thus creating a forum

where participants can make enquiries, network and build useful links, in a relaxed setting. We invite participants to both experience the elements of Nigerian culture that will be on display, and to use the occasion to initiate conversations with representatives from the different industries which will range from fashion to pharmaceuticals, agriculture to real estate, finance to tourism, amongst others. These together represent a wide array of trade opportunities….”

The Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange will feature among its creative industry giants, including Bisi Silva (world acclaimed visual arts curator); Ituen Bassey (Fashion); Orange Culture (Fashion); Andrea Iyamah (Fashion); Lanre Da Silva (Fashion); Chef Tiyan and Chef Fregz (Cuisine); Kemi Lala Akindoju (Nollywood) and Adekunle Gold (Singer-Songwriter) The exhibition is proudly supported by Bank of Industry, Emzor Pharmaceutical, UBA, Total, Lagos State Government, CIUC Consulting, Institut Francais, NEPC, CCI France Nigeria, SJ Tours, Aart of Life Foundation, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Media Partners include Ebonylife TV, Bella Naija, Pulse NG, Channels TV, Wish Africa and Red TV.

Media Mogul Linda Ikeji set to launch online TV channel May 22 In a post she shared on her instagram, the media mogul said she wanted her new online TV channel to be to Africa, what Netflix, the world’s largest online content streaming service with 125million subscribers and 11 billion dollars annual profit, is to the world.

The 37 year old, who reportedly recently got engaged, said she had spent over half a billion Naira of her money so far to put the channel together. She indicated that the DSTV version of her channel will be launched later in the year, but said the online channel which will reach the world instead of being restricted to just Nigerians who live in Nigeria, was more of a priority to her.

According to sources close to the famed blogger, who has made so much money online, she will charge her subscribers a monthly subscription to watch all her

unique content which includes reality shows such as Oyinbo Wives of Lagos, Gidi Girls, King Tonto, Toyin Abraham: True and Bare, Ajegunle With Love, Football Wives, Ex-girlfriends of Nigerian Entertainers, Made In Gidi, Magodo Mums and their single friend, Ice Prince: Rise and Grind, Annabel: My life as a former Nigerian stripper, Highway Girls of Eko (a show on real life prostitutes) and TV shows such as Leading Ladies Africa, Verified, Double Trouble, Gossip Court, The Report Card, Bars, Phenomenons, Classics, and TV series such as Igwe Must Hear This and The Paranormal House on Brown Road.

Linda indicated that her company, Linda Ikeji Media, has also bought quite a number of TV series and movies from independent producers which her subscribers will enjoy on the Linda Ikeji TV platform.

Mixed Grill L6

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Seyi Shay, Vector, Chinedu Ikedieze, others collide in Biola Alabi Media’s new movie, Lara and the Beat Stories By Mutiat Alli Ahead of the grand release of the much anticipated movie from the stable of Banana Island Ghost (BIG) producers, Biola Alabi Media comes another amazing movie ‘ Lara and the Beat’ that will hit cinemas across the nation come July 20, 2018.

Cast and crew members alongside selected media were treated to firsthand premiere of the official trailer of the coming movie leaving a steaming urge in the minds of the viewers who can’t wait to catch a glimpse of the entire production.

The movie featured a star-studded line-up with singer Seyi Shay and Rapper, Vector Ogunmefun playing lead roles for the very first alongside stars includes Somkele Idhalama, Chioma Akpotha, Chinedu

Ikedieze, Uche Jombo, Lala Akindoju, Bimbo Manuel, Wale Ojo, Shaffy Bello, Saidi Balogun, DJ Xclusive, Toni Tones, Deyemi Okanlawo to mention but few.

Produced by Tolu Olusoga and directed

by Tosin Coker, Lara and the Beat tells the story of the young and beautiful Giwa sisters caught in the centre of a financial scandal with their parent’s media empire. The sisters are forced out of their privileged bubble, and must learn to build their own future and salvage their family’s past. The movie also tells a love story between Lara and Sal (a.ka The Beat), who helps find her voice and jumpstart her musical journey.

The movie further explores themes that includes financial literacy, family values, sisterhood, friendship, music, fashion, culture and love According to Biola

Alabi, Executive Producer and MD of Biola Alabi Media, “Lara and the Beat is a reinforcement of our promise and goal to continue to tell authentic African stories to local and global audiences.

Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), a major partner of the movie, believes that this handshake with the film industry is the best way to spread the vital message of civic duty and civic responsibilities.

“We have partnered with the movie, ‘Lara and the Beat’, because we identify so much with the movie industry’s power to tell our authentic stories, and indeed, Lagos State has an inspiring story to tell. Lagos is at the centre of this film and with the way the state is showcased you can clearly see taxpayers’ money at work.

Through

this partnership we want people to see why it is important to comply with civic responsibilities, as well as recognize how discomforting it can be when one fails to perform their civic duties,” said LIRS Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Subair.

Other partners for this movie include, FIRS, Fidelity, CloseUp, Knorr, M-Cash, Jumia, Kilimanjaro, Studio 24, Nuli, Distell, Dominos, Coldstone, and Keexs.

US-based music duo, ROZE, rocks Nigerian music scene with video of debut single The music duo of two brothers, Row, and Zuwa, known as ROZE, has made good the promise they made in January at a press conference in Lagos, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, to find their space in the music scene as they have released their debut single ‘The Whole Night’ accompanied by the video shot in Lagos by master producer, Clarence Peters.

The banging song “The whole night” which is lyrically rich with high-tempo sound was

officially released on all music platforms with its video on Monday, April 23, 2018 and it has since been enjoying rave reviews and views both for its audio-visual quality, creativity and dope delivery.

Eghosa Rodney Agbonayinma and Osazuwa Michael Agbonayinma are the two members of the music duo, ROZE, with their names being Row and Zuwa respectively.

They are children of politician and music lover, Hon. EJ, Mr and Mrs Ehiozuwa Johnson

Agbonayinma and Itohan Agbonayinma.

Born in Houston, Texas, January 11, 1998 and July 30, 1999 to NigerianAmerican parents, later relocated to the home country of their parents, Nigeria, where they did their primary and secondary school education. Once done with their secondary school education, they then moved back to their birth place Houston, Texas, where they are now studying Petroleum Engineering and Architecture at the University of Houston and Houston Community College in Texas, United States of America.

In their high school, Immaculate Conception College (ICC), both brothers were known for their musical talent in their class. Zuwa was known in his set to be one of the best rappers they had, while Row was known to be one

of the best vocalist they had. Ever since their childhood, both brothers have had a passion for music and affinity with several genres such as Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Country and many others. They always seem to mention how they do not restrict themselves from various genres of music.

They would, however, fiddle around making beats and writing songs, until it was noticed by their father who was surprised to know how talented they were.

Their father would go as far as taking them to recording studios to record the songs they had written. Their father, by their side day and night, would remain in the studio, supportive, as they worked with music producers. Their mother, elated by their talent, love, and passion for music, would play their songs joyfully.

The Hightunes Music Company debuts With the increasing rise in the number of talents in Nigeria presently comes the birth of a new record label’ The Hightunes Music Company’ that is ready to not just change the face of artiste management alone but contribute the success recorded in the industry at large.

For his passion for good music and the uniqueness in some artiste met over time, the CEO of the label Ekwueme P who is also a successful car business owner ‘ Pro Hub ‘ disclosed that there is the need to sign up budding artists to his label and help them achieve their dreams of becoming a superstar, thus this birth new label ‘ The Hightunes Music Company’. In his world he

said’ the new label will pay homage to the best of times in music history while keeping its focus wired tightly to the future’.

The Hightunes Recording Company is equally the brainchild of music industry veterans who share a refreshing and respectful love of music. The result is a progressive, twenty-second century music entertainment company in view, that utilizes cutting-edge Internet strategies, while establishing uncompromising principles With two budding artists already on board, the label is currently putting in place a grand entry event for the unveiling of the new acts that are set to change the face of music via their talent and beautiful sounds.

The much anticipated single by one of Nigeria’s best gospel and inspirational artistes who has bagged various awards in the gospel genre for his contributions and eloquence in the industry, KennySam, as he is popularly called it has released his “I Can’t Imagine,” single, a song cry to God for his goodness and mercy in his life.

Produced by ODJ, one of the finest producers in the industry, the song would inspire and uplift the soul of music lovers all over the world .It is certainly a gospel banger!

The celebrated gospel singer noted that the single is

an appreciation to God for all his had done in his life.

“I am saying this with all conviction, without God I would have no life at all.

Outside of Christ, there is no reality. There is no logic. There is no reason for anything.

Everything was made for Christ. My next breath comes from Christ and is to go back to Him. “We must fully depend on Jesus, without Him we have nothing, but with Him we have everything. When you don’t have Christ, you have no power over sin or Satan, and you don’t truly have life. This is the reality that inspired this song ‘I CAN’T IMAGINE’,” he explained.

KennySam drops new Gospel Single

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

L7 Event

Excitement as Castle Lite unlocks J Cole, others with a concert It was an experience of a lifetime at the Castle Lite unlocked musical concert headlined by multi-platinum selling American rapper, J Cole and a host of Nigerian international stars led by Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, among other artists, who thrilled the audience with so much energy on an extra cold stage. The Castle Lite brand, which is known for facilitating the performances of great international artists in Africa repeated the same feat at the Eko Hotels and Suite in Lagos, were the unlocked concert was staged. It was indeed a night of glitz, glamour and great music, combined with ice cold Castle Lite beer.

As is tradition with the brand, it seeks new and better ways of availing its customers new experiences in the leisure of beer drinking, an experience which it had done severally since 2011 with international music heavy weights like Kanye West, Drake, Timbaland, Travis Scott, Chance the rapper, Bryson Tiller, Whiz Khalifa and Nas, who shared the same plateform with other African artists.

An explosion of colourful lights and the sound of heavy equipment from the award-winning DJ Obi on the wheels of steel ushered in this year’s edition of the unlocked stage. The excitement in the air was palpable as fans rushed towards the stage dancing to the tunes coming out from the massive speakers hanging from the ceiling and in strategic places around the hall. In keeping with standards the brand is known for, the entire hall was transformed into a stage worthy of any world-class act. The theme of the night, ice cold, was replicated in the décor and aesthetics of the stage and the entire hall giving the feeling of being in a gigantic freezer. Then the digital stage began the count-down.

The first act was a dance group dressed in white, which performed with an energetic display that ushered in the pair of South Africa’s actress and media personality, Pearl Thusi and Nigeria’s AOP Do2tun, as hosts of the night. Needless to say, the duo gave a good account for themselves and were the perfect hosts. Dressed in a beautiful sequin short dress, Pearl made an attempt as speaking the Naija lingua which was well received by the crowd. Do2tun was no less entertaining as he fired the crowd up in anticipation for the entertainment lined up for the night.

To set the tone for the evening, a 10 minutes battle of the DJs between the famous duo of DJ Neptune and DJ Jimmy Jatt took off in earnest with wild appreciation from the crowd. They intermittently halted the music to allow the crowd mime along to the delight of every one. If it was a real battle it would have been an uphill task for the judges to pick a winner as they both showed why they are some of Africa’s best DJs. Following closely was the ‘battle’ between DJ Obi and DJ Xclusive. They began on a high note, sending the crowd into a wild frenzy until suddenly the sound went off. Being the professionals that they were, while they waited for the sound engineers to rectify the problem, they maintained the energy in the house and encouraged the crowd to mime the words to songs from old school music and back to the new school. Songs like 2Pacs ‘Califonia love’ Sisqo’s ‘Got to get it’, among other bangers.

After the displays by the DJs, the concert was unlocked with MI being the first act to do his thing. He sent the crowd screaming widely as they sang and rapped along with him. Even MI could not believe the love that was coming from the crowd. He ended his act with his famous duet with

Flavour ‘Number One’.

The next act to climb the stage was Ycee who thrilled the crowd with his popular hit, ‘Jagaban’ and ‘Too much source’. In between performances, Pearl and Do2tu entertained the crowd with their own version of the shaku shaku dance steps and a number of costume changes. To test true fans of J Cole in the building, the main act of the night, Do2tun called for a volunteer to free style one of J Cole’s music and the fan blew everyone away with his fluid rap of one of JCole’s hit songs from his album ‘KOD’. A true fan indeed.

Falz the Bahd guy took the unlocked platform next and his back up dancers dressed in black with red berets, displayed some earth-shattering dance moves that got fans screaming from the top of their lungs. Tiwa Savages performance was no less exciting as her sexy female dancers got a lot of people hot under the collars.

The hit jam ‘Malo’ got the crowd screaming and asking for more.

Castle Lite set out on a quest to provide a stage for an awesome mix of music and the pleasure of beer drinking while listening to a talented artist like J Cole, a mission which was achieved with so much success that fans are already looking forward to the next unlocked concert.

One of the biggest acts of the night came on after the stage was ‘warmed’ by DJ Jimmy Jatt who dished out a number of club-bangers setting the tone for the next round of performances. With sound mix

by DJ Spinhall, Wizkid took the stage and got his fans screaming with delight and singing alongside his band. His brand of music, which infuses afrobeat, appeals to both the young and the old. Although he complained about technical issues and the sound which dulled his performance a bit, he still gave a good account of himself.

Another big act was David Adeleke, aka Davido who stormed the stage with his DMW crew. His grand entrance will leave a lasting memory as it sent the crowd screaming and asking for more as they sang along. Some observers may insist that fans came mainly because of JCole and Davido and they wouldn’t be wrong, especially since his performance was everything, together with his band set.

Star of the show J Cole finally took the stage in the early hours of the morning.

After Davido’s performance, the chant ‘JCole’ rendered the air as they could not longer wait for him to take the stage.

The multi-platinum artist was himself surprised at the crowd frenzy especially as his songs were being sung and rapped fluidly. He performed for about an hour and sang most of the songs on his current album ‘KOD’ which was release bare three weeks ago.

‘KOD’ made music history by recording over 64.5 millions streams on Apple Music and 36.7 million streams on Spotify setting a new record on Apple Music for most album streams, eclipsing Drake’s views by almost a million streams.

J Cole also performed songs from his past albums like ‘Cole World’, ‘4YourEyezOnly’ and a number of tracks from the current album, ‘KOD’. Tracks like ‘Photograph, Motiv8 and ‘No Role Model’ got the crowd going wild and singing along. JCole himself expressed surprise at the crowd’s reception of his music which was release barely three weeks ago.

To say the Castle Lite unlocked concert was a huge success will be stating the obvious. A brand which encourages the coming together of international artists and home-grown music superstars to share the same stage deserves some accolades!

Daily Times Nigeria

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Rule Number One debuts in cinemas nationwide from June 1

L8 Mixed Grill

Rule Number One, a highly anticipated movie by Magson production is set to hit the cinemas on June 1st, 2018. It tells the story of the bond between two best friends with different personalities; one who is the life of the party and the other conservative. Their friendship is tested when a play boy who knows his game gets involved with both of them without their knowledge. Would their friendship survive this?

The film features Keira Hewatch, Chinonso Young and Bucci Franklin as the major characters with a special appearance by Omalicha of Rhythm 93.7 FM.

Keira Hewatch has a vast number of movies under her belt including the famous Lekki Wives and Fifty the Series

by Ebony Life TV. Chinonso Young is known for her role in Tinsel, Lekki Wives as well as My Mum and I among other projects while Bucci Franklin is prominent for his role in the TV series; AY’s Crib and Jemeji, an Mnet series.

Rule Number One, produced by Afurobi Oluchi and directed by Lyndsey Efejoku; is a Romantic-Comedy which portrays the true meaning of love and friendship in relatable real life events.

It would make you laugh and keep you entertained from start to finish.