DTN-12-6-19

Buhari’s govt driving Nigeria towards disaster, instability – Obasanjo

Accuses APC-led FG of corrupting anti-graft agencies

Motolani Oseni, Lagos Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is driving Nigeria towards “disaster and instability”.

Obasanjo said this in an exclusive interview with an online medium, Premium Times, at his Ibogun Olaogun https://plus.google.com/+DailytimesNgr/posts

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NASS leadership

ancestral home in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State recently.

The interview is part of a special magazine publication by the online medium, put together to commemorate Nigeria’s 20 years of democracy since 1999.

The former president fell apart with Buhari ahead of the 2019 general election and endorsed the Continued on page 3

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

N19.4bn arms fund: Court fixes July 1 for trial of Dasuki, g 3 others

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APC anointed candidates emerge winners Lawan now Senate president, Gbajabiamila, House Speaker Omo-Agege, deputy Senate president; Wase, deputy House speaker Buhari, PDP congratulate NASS new leadership

L-r: senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; and Clerk of National Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Sani- Omolori, during the inauguration of the 9th Assembly at the National Assembly in Abuja...on Tuesday

Strike out g 6 Atiku, PDP petition, Buhari tells tribunal

Corrupt politicians use looted funds in votes buying during elections 6 g – President

Tinubu to Nigerians: Let June 12 remind you to always pursue cause of g6 justice

EFCC secured 1,207 convictions in over 4 years, says Magu g 11

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‘Buhari’s govt driving Nigeria towards disaster, instability’

Continued from page 1

president’s closest rival and his estranged vice president, Atiku Abubakar. Abubakar, who served as vice president to Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007, was the standard bearer of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election.

Speaking during the interview, Obasanjo noted that although the country has made considerable progress since the new dispensation began in 1999, the pace at which it is currently moving shows the nation may be inching towards disaster and instability.

“I think we have no choice but to be on the path for sustainable development,” Obasanjo said.

“The progress we are making may be questionable—-Is it fast enough? Is it steady enough? Is it stable enough? Are we taking two steps forward and one step back or one step side-way?

“You can question that, but we have no choice but to be on (the) path for sustainable development. Any other thing will be a disaster. In fact, the pace at which we are going now is tending more and more toward disaster and instability and unsustainability.”

The former president argued that there is no confidence in the Nigerian economy today.

Rather, he said, the gains recorded in the past have been frittered away over the years.

Speaking on what went wrong, the former president explained that Nigeria has failed to do what is right to instill confidence in domestic and foreign investors. The ripple effect of the nation’s indecision, he said, manifests in the state of the economy.

Nigeria slipped into recession in 2016 after several contractions in the economy, amidst an unstable naira and rising inflation rates. By the second quarter of 2017, the nation slipped out of recession.

Although the government claims that the nation has been put on the path of sustainable growth, unemployment figures have also ballooned within the period.

“The problem is that we are just not doing what we should

be doing,” said Obasanjo, who supported Buhari of the All Progressives Congress when the retired general contested against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

“Nobody has that confidence, and we cannot develop Nigeria without that confidence in our economy.

Both for domestic investors and foreign investors.”

Speaking further on the state of the nation, Obasanjo argued that the present government that claims to be fighting corruption has “corrupted” the anti-graft agencies his government put in place. He claimed that between 1999 and 2007 when he held sway as president, his government “reasonably achieved” all the things he promised to achieve, including fighting corruption.

“I set up two (anticorruption) institutions,” he said. “I came with two laws that were not there before, to fight corruption. And those who claim they are fighting corruption today have not brought in anything different. If anything, they have corrupted those two institutions.

“And the institutions were open and independent. I never, never, as president had to say to either the head of ICPC or EFCC: ‘Oh, chase this person’.”

Obasanjo also said that despite the challenges faced upon the departure of the military, he tried to lay a solid foundation for the country upon taking over government in May 1999.

He said: “Nigeria was a pariah state. Within the first four years (1999-2003)… we actually hosted the commonwealth. And Nigeria which was kicked out of the Commonwealth became the host of a Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting (CHOGOM). We became the darling of almost all nations.

The economy started doing well.

“I remember on one occasion one day or one week, Chukwuma Soludo (then governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria) phoned me and said: “Sir, in one day, we had an inflow of $80 million”. From foreign direct flow; not money

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from our oil export or cocoa export. Just direct! And he (Soludo) said to me: “Sir, this is almost unbelievable.”

“I said we were not where I want us to be yet. I want us to be $100 million per day.

That means in five working days, that will be half a billion dollars. If we are making half a billion dollars a week of five working days; in 52 weeks, it will be $26 billion. It is possible.

I got debt relief.”

The former president, however, expressed worry about the present leadership R-L: Mallam Usman Balarabe; Kadaria Ahmed;, Mrs. Fatima Nahuche; Mrs Asia Mohammed Ahmed; Barr arrangement in the country Mohammed Babangida Umar and Prof. Yahaya Zakari with President Muhammadu Buhari when he received in today, saying the composition audience a delegation of Concerned Nigerians from Zamfara State to the Presidential Villa, Abuja ..on Monday sends a disturbing signal in a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria.

“I think there is a presumption in our constitution that our system will bring out competent leaders devoid of extremism, religious or tribal bigotry; leaders who understand what it takes to hold the country together and put it in high gear for development, unity and an inclusive and shared society.

“These are assumptions.

And if these assumptions come true, what is meant to be achieved in our country will be achieved. But the kind of situation you have now cannot allow those assumptions to become reality. Now you have a situation where three top officials of government will be United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Stuart Symington (R), presenting a plague to the former National Coordinator, from only two northern zones.

Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Dr Patrick Olabiyi, during the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan Ahmed Lawan (who has been for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Heroes Awards as part of activities to mark the 15th Anniversary of PEPFAR in Abuja ...on Monday night pencilled down as Senate President) is from the NorthEast, the acting chief justice of Nigeria is from the north-east, The President of the country is from the north-west. They are all from what we call the core north. How can you have that kind of arrangement and then be absolutely insensitive to it (lack of geographical diversity)?

“So the prescription that our constitution makes of the kind of leadership that should emerge, we have failed to achieve that with the present leadership we have in place.

L-R: South-west APC Woman Leader, Chief Kemi Nelson; inductee and Senator representing Lagos The Constitution expects the central, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; wife of Osun executive to care for the welfare State Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola; Director-General National Centre for Women Development and security of every Nigerian.

(NCWD), Barr. Mary Ekpere-Eta, and representative of First Lady Hajiya Aisha Buhari and her Senior But in the present situation, Special Assistant, Dr. Hajo Sani during the induction ceremony of Senator Tinubu into the Nigerian they don’t seem to care.”

Women Hall of Fame as the First Female to win a Senatorial seat in three consecutive parliaments at African Peace Mission Auditorium NCWD. Abuja.

N19.4bn arms fund: Court fixes July 1 for trial of Dasuki, others Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of an FCT High Court, on Tuesday, further fixed July 1 for trial to begin for former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Amb. Bashir Yuguda, in the alleged misappropriation of N19. 4 billion arms funds.

The EFCC charged Dasuki, Yuguda alongside former Governor of Sokoto State Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir and his company

Dalhatu Investment Limited.

The EFCC charged them with 25 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public fund to the tune N19.4 billion.

According to Baba-Yusuf, the Department of State Services (DSS) wrote a letter to the court alleging that Dasuki had refused to come to court.

The letter was in response to a court order on April

16 on the DSS to produce Dasuki at the next adjourned date.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Otalagbe, applied for a date to enable them regularise and knows steps to take before the next adjourned date.

Other counsel aligned with Atolegbe, though other defendants and their counsels were in court. BabaYusuf then adjourned to July 1 for hearing.

L-R: Former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami; All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu: President of Rwanda, President Paul Kagame; President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting Chairman EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu,during the National Democracy Day Anti-Corruption Summit, at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hilton, Abuja...Tuesday

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NASS leadership: APC anointed candidates emerge winners Henry Omunu, Tunde Opalana & Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

Presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly emerged on Tuesday, following the election of the anointed candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Senator Ahmad Lawan emerged as Senate President, Senator Ovie OmoAgege as deputy Senate President, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila as speaker of the House of Representatives and Rep. Idris Wase as deputy speaker.

The new Senate president, deputy Senate president and House speaker defeated their opponents in a keenly contested election while the deputy House speaker was elected unopposed.

In the Senate presidency election, Sen. Lawan scored 79 votes out of the 107 votes to defeat his sole rival, Sen. Ali Ndume, who polled 28 votes in a well coordinated and rancor-free election.

Voting for the office of the Senate President ended at 11.55am, but at 12.06 pm when Sen. Lawan seemed to have crossed the winning mark, there was a standing ovation by senators to herald his victory, even as the two contenders shook hands as a sign of no victor, no vanquished.

However, the immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu from Enugu West Senatorial District was dumped by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as he woefully failed to retain his position.

Ekweremadu, who scored 37 votes, was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) anointed candidate, Sen. Ovie Omo- Agege from Delta Central, who polled 68 votes.

If all PDP Senators-elect had voted for him, Ekweremadu would have gotten more than 44 votes going by the number of elected senators on the PDP platform.

In the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila had an easy sail as he won his election in a landslide. He bested his opponent, Rep. Umaru Bago from Niger State with over 200 votes, polling an astronomical 281 votes to Bago’s 76 votes.

President Muhammadu Buhari, and his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, were victorious as Senator Ahmad Lawan and Senator Omo- Agege, were elected Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively to lead the 9th Senate.

Sen. Lawan in accepting to run for the office said the election is an opportunity for senators to remain united and focused as representatives of Nigerians to perform mandatory and statutory constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking.

He said under his leadership, partisanship will not prevent the parliament from making legislative interventions to make Nigeria better, promising to work with all without letting political differences affect legislative duties.

Speaker Gbajabiamila in his acceptance speech said it is time for the House to move on, adding that there is more that unites House members than what divides them.

According to him, there’s much work to be done, declaring that “we must remain one nation in freedom and unity.”

He pledged to carry out reforms in the House and that it will not be business as usual.

“We’ll be shaking the table just a little.

The House must be reformed before the nation is reformed,” he said.

As his first major assignment after the swearing-in of other lawmakers, the speaker has appointed the former Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly, Sanusi Rikiji, as his chief of staff.

Speaking after the election, Sen. Ali Ndume pledged to work with the newly elected Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and his deputy, Senator Ovie OmoAgege.

The Borno South Senator said that he will work with Lawan in the interest of the country.

He described Lawan as a well experienced lawmaker, who is four years ahead of him.

He explained that he happily went into the election for the position of Senate President in line with democratic norms.

Ndume expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not see his action as a rebellion but as an act to deepen democracy in the country.

He asserted that his action made the election of Senate President credible.

Ndume said: “Ahmed Lawan is my brother who is well experienced having been here four years ahead of me.

“I will give him all the necessary supports. I insisted on contesting against him in order to deepen democracy.

“I hope the party would agree with me that what I did was in the interest of democracy and I do know that power belongs to God. It’s God’s will that my colleague becomes the President.

“I will do all I can with others for him to succeed because his success is our success.”

Ndume was the main challenger to Lawan in election that Senator Ahmed Lawan won 79 votes.

For Ndume, election time is over.

He said: “This is the time to settle down to face legislative functions.”

Also, former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, congratulated the newly elected presiding officers of the Ninth Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Senator Ovie OmoAgege on their elections.

This was also as he appreciated his colleagues, constituents, and Nigerians for their support, noting that he had made his point.

Ekweremadu, who took to his social media handles after the inauguration of the Ninth Senate, said: “I congratulate the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan and my successor as Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege on their elections.

“I specially appreciate my colleagues, who supported me as I vied for the office again to preserve the hallowedness and honour of the Senate and uphold equity as a priceless ingredient for building a Nigeria of our dreams.

“I have made my point and my colleagues have made their choice. It is now for us all to join hands across all divides to work for the success of the Ninth Senate and National Assembly as well as the peace and prosperity of our nation.

“I am deeply indebted in gratitude to the good people of Enugu West and wellmeaning Nigerians, whose support and prayers have seen me this far. They can rest, assured that I will continue to give them quality representation”.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the newly elected presiding officers of the ninth National Assembly, charging the winners to use their exalted positions for the higher interest of the country, her people, and for the growth of democracy.

Buhari described the emergence of the new leaders of the legislative branch of government as “a new dawn, different from duplicity and perfidy of the immediate past.”

The President, in his congratulatory message on Tuesday, said that the executive “does not desire a rubber stamp Legislature.”

He said: “While separation of powers is essential, collaboration among all Arms of Government should be the name of the game. Opposition need not be virulent.”

The President also saluted all the national legislators and their political parties for their display of patriotism and non-partisanship before and during the election.

He commended the transparent and fair nature of the voting process, adjudging it as a plus for the democracy in the country.

President Buhari noted that stepping into the Next Level, the legislature has a big role to play for the goals of the administration to be achieved.

He stressed that their emergence was for the ultimate good of the nation.

He urged contestants who lost out to be

Lawan

Gbajabiamila

gallant in defeat, and join hands with the victors who should exhibit magnanimity and eschew vindictiveness.

President Buhari further noted that “At the end of the day, we, the people, who elected our representatives at the national level, are the winners.”

Also, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the 9th National Assembly for its successful inauguration.

The party acknowledged the newly elected Senate President, Deputy Senate President; as well as the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively on their new positions.

In a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP also commended all those that made the contest robust for helping to deepen the nation’s democratic practice.

The party said it will always stand on the side of decency and utmost respect for the institution of the National Assembly and the values we hold as a people.

“Our party therefore charges the federal lawmakers, as representatives of the people, to place the welfare, wishes and aspirations of Nigerians above every other consideration by ensuring a strong and independent legislature that upholds the tenets of democracy and the dictates of our constitution.

“The 9th National Assembly therefore must work hard to save our nation from the prevailing despondency caused by the misrule of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, by effectively applying its statutory legislative instruments to guarantee good governance and fiscal prudence, curb corruption, check the excesses of the executive and protect the rights of Nigerians from incessant violations.

“Our party therefore charges the legislature to work only in the interest of our nation and resist the manipulations and pressure that might come from quarters that seek to undermine our democratic order.

“On our part, the PDP, as a party, will remain truly committed to the welfare of Nigerians. We shall continue to keep our focus on the quest for good governance, national cohesion and economic wellbeing of the people, even as we pursue our collective aspiration for the successful retrieval of our stolen Presidential mandate at the tribunal,” said the party Profile of Principal Officers: Senate President: Ahmad Lawan The new Senate president has 20 years institutional experience in the parliament. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1999 where he served two terms till 2007 during which he at different times chaired the House Committees on Education and Agriculture.

Lawan, who was elected for the fourth time as senator, was elected to the Senate in 2007 to represent Yobe North senatorial district.

In 2008, he was a member of the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Constitution Review. In 2009, he was chairman of the Senate committee on Public Accounts.

Lawan ran for re-election in Yobe North Senatorial District on the ANPP platform

in the 9 April 2011 election. He won with 92,799 votes, trailed by Hassan Kafayos Hussaini of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) with 76,960 votes. On January 10, 2016, he was appointed leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as Senate Majority Leader.

Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan was born in 1959. He received a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Maiduguri, a master’s degree in Remote Sensing from Ahmadu Bello University and a doctorate degree in Remote Sensing/ Geographic Information Science, from Cranfield University, United Kingdom.

Deputy Senate President: Ovie OmoAgege Omo-Agege’s political career started when he contested for a representative position at the Delta State House of Representative on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a contest which he lost.

In 2003, he was appointed as an executive assistant to the then Delta State governor, James Ibori, and later assumed the position of a Commissioner for Special Duties by the same governor.

He contested for the Senate in 2015 under the platform of Labour Party (LP), a party which he later left for the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.

The new Deputy Senate President attended St George Grammar school, Obinomba Obiaruku in Delta State. After graduating from the University of Benin in 1985, he was called to the Nigerian bar a year after in 1986.

Omo-Agege did his one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Kwara State.

He began his law practice in Lagos in 1987 at PAT OKUPA & Co. Three years after in 1990, he moved to the US where he worked in the capacity of a foreign associate at Charles O Agege’s law office in Los Angeles, California.

House Speaker: Femi Gbajabiamila Femi delved into partisan politics and offered himself up for service on the platform of the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was elected member of the House of Representatives from Surulere Federal Constituency 1, and clinched his party’s nomination for the seat.

His party leaders recognised his true commitment to party ideals and worked with him to emerge victorious at the general elections. His first term in the House demonstrated his true passion for issues concerning his constituents and Nigeria as a whole; he worked passionately to address matters of great concern to him and quickly earned a reputation as a true and brilliant legislator.

Upon his re-election into the House of Representatives in 2015, Gbajabiamila presented himself to his colleagues as an aspirant for the Speakership seat in the House.

He narrowly lost the election to the immediate past Speaker Yakubu Dogara in an election which Femi Gbajabiamila himself described as an act of God. Due to his wide acceptance within

the party and his members, he was overwhelmingly elected Leader of the 8th House of Representatives on July 28, 2015.

Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila was born on the 25th of June 1962. He attended Mainland Preparatory School and proceeded to Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos in 1973 for his secondary education and graduated around 1978. After completion of his secondary education in Nigeria, he enrolled at the King Williams College, Isle of Man, United Kingdom for his ‘A Levels’ where he graduated at the top of his class around 1980.

Upon his return to Nigeria, the young Olufemi was accepted into the University of Lagos, Nigeria for a three-year LLB (Bachelor of Law) degree programme.

He graduated with honors in 1983 and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and thereafter started his career with the prestigious law firm of Bentley, Edu and Co, a Lagos based law firm but established his own law firm, Femi Gbaja and Co. on Broad Street, Lagos where he was principal partner.

Deputy House Speaker: Idris Wase Hon. Idris Wase was elected into the lower chamber of the National Assembly in 2007 and is currently serving his third term as a member of House of Representatives, Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State.

A committed member of All Progressives Congress and a passionate public servant, Wase has spent his life in the Green-Chamber advocating for real solutions that are capable of expanding opportunity for all Nigerians.

Hon. Idris Wase has demonstrated to his constituents that good governance and quality representation is possible hence the positive impact to the masses, giving priority to Education, Health, Good Road and water as his legislative interest.

Also accredited to him are the following; Sponsorship of Students Scholarships, Infrastructural Development which includes: Solar Street lights, Hand pump and Motorized Bores-holes, Renovation of Primary Healthcare Centres, Building of Skills Acquisition Centres, lobbying for the Construction of Roads and Renovation of Secondary and Primary Schools, etc.

As the Chairman House Committee on Federal Character, he focused on many issues across the federal government, such as fixing the broken Federal Character Commission, strengthening National development, Holding Public Servants accountable through a bill he sponsored to repeal the Miscellaneous Offences, promoting job-creation by directly involving himself in making sure that the people he represents are given a chance in employment opportunities, and Infrastructural Development.

Prior to serving as member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Idris Wase worked with Bauchi State Ministry of Environment from 1988 – 2002, from there he proceeded to College of Education Gindiri as a Non-Academic Staff between 1996 -2005 where he held several positions.

Hon. Idris Wase was born on the 1st June, 1964 in Bashar District of Wase Local Government Area, Plateau State to the family of Mallam Idris. Growing up as a child, engaging in local farming activities was inevitable as that was the common practice in the early days.

He enrolled into LSB Primary School Bashar where he obtained His First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1978.

He then proceeded to Government Secondary school Mbar and he was later transferred to Government Secondary school Dengi the present day Kanam Local Government Area. In his quest for knowledge and pursuit for education, Hon. Ahmed Idris gained admission into Plateau state Polytechnic to study Civil Engineering in 1983, where he obtained a National Diploma in Civil Engineering in 1986. As a foremost writer Henry Ford will say ‘’He who stop learning is old whether at the age of twenty or eighty’’ Hon. Maje applied for a Higher National Diploma programme with the Kaduna State Polytechnic and bagged the Certificate in Civil Engineering in 1995.

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Strike out Atiku, PDP petition, Buhari tells tribunal Andrew Orolua, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday asked the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) sitting in Abuja to strike out the entire petition filed by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for being fundamentally defective.

Buhari made the prayer argued on his behalf by his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, at the resumed prehearing of the petitions by the five-man panel of justices of the tribunal.

Buhari, who also filed two other applications, prayed the tribunal to alternatively strike out 18 itemized paragraphs of the petitioners’ reply to the respondent’s reply to the main petition for being defective.

The president also prayed the tribunal to amend his response to the petition to reflect his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun’s address and email which the petitioners had claimed was an omission to cause mischief.

Also on Tuesday, the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) through its lead counsel, Yunus Usman, SAN, also in four separate applications challenged the competence of the petition filed by Atiku and the PDP. Usman told the court to strike out the petition because of the failure of the petitioners to join Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the running mate to President Buhari at the election.

He said as co-winner of the election, Osinbajo was a necessary party and omitting his name in the petition is fatal.

Usman further prayed the tribunal to strike out the petition because it is the duty of INEC to defend Electoral process, particularly, where the petition has failed to comply with paragraph 18 (1) of the first schedule of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

On its part, the All Progressives Congress (APC) through its lead counsel, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, in two motions, asked the court to strike out the petition on the grounds that the preliminary objection was not responded to by the petitioners.

Fagbemi, who had

Atiku

earlier withdrawn his first application filed on May 14, 2019, informed the court that the petitioners only replied and filed counter affidavit to the motion he had withdrawn. He therefore urged the tribunal to hold that his two other applications were unchallenged.

Responding, lead counsel to Atiku and the PDP, Dr. Levy Uzuokwu, SAN, orally applied to amend the heading of his response to the APC’s application that was struck out to apply to the two other APC’s applications.

He urged the tribunal to strike out APC’s objection to their petition.

Uzuokwu responding further to Fagbemi’s

applications said: “I do not think that it is simple as my brother thought as we have joined issues on the application he sought to withdraw”.

Atiku and PDP’s lawyer also prayed the court to dismiss the three separate applications filed by Buhari for lacking in merit.

The counsel equally prayed the tribunal to strike out all INEC’S applications.

Meanwhile, the tribunal on Tuesday struck out two applications filed by INEC and APC after they were withdrawn by the two respondents.

The tribunal chairman has reserved ruling on all applications heard to a date to be communicated to parties.

Corrupt politicians use looted funds in votes buying during elections- Buhari Mathew Dadiya, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said that illicit funds were mostly used in the 2019 February/March general elections in buying votes.

The President however warned that the growing trend of monetary inducement during elections would have dire consequences on the polity, if not checked.

Buhari said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Democracy Day AntiCorruption Summit, organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with its theme: “Curbing Electoral Spending: A Panacea for Public Corruption”.

He also argued that the dangers were that the influence of money may on the long run subvert free choices by voters and allows unprincipled individuals to gain access to leadership positions.

The Nigerian leader regretted that the recent political experiences have been characterised by the corrupting influence of money on party politics and electioneering processes.

“This unwholesome practice has dire consequences on our nations, in subverting the exercise of free choice by voters, elevated corrupt and unprincipled individuals to positions of leadership and entrenching the structures of democracy devoid of accountability,” he added.

While trying to buttress the ills of vote buying, he said electoral spending manifests in different forms, hence steps should be taken to decommercialise the political process so that true democracy can survive and thrive.

Buhari noted that even though the country was not in short supply of legal frameworks to combat reckless electoral spending; the provision of Section 90 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) explicitly puts a cap on the amount candidates for different political offices must expend on elections, failing which they are violating the law.

The speaking further, the President said: “Of greater significance is the provision of section 88 of the Act which prohibits a political party in Nigeria from ‘possessing any

fund outside or retaining funds or other assets remitted to it from outside Nigeria’.

“The philosophical underpinning of the above provisions and other related provisions of the Act is to prevent desperate politicians from buying their ways into political offices at the expense of low – spending law-abiding individuals”.

At the event attended by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, including famous anti-corruption advocate, Professor Patrick Lumumba, Buhari said going forward, his administration would unveil stern measures aimed at curbing corruption, part of which will involve abolishing of bank secrecy jurisdictions and crackdown of safe tax havens for corrupt assets.

While giving an insight into how he intends to fight corruption in his second term, Buhari said he would strengthen the capacity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-corruption agencies by providing additional material, organisational and logistical support.

This would also involve closing existing legislative

loopholes, facilitating collaboration with the judiciary, and strengthening criminal justice system.

Other measures the presidency would adopt includes enforcement of effective asset declaration by public office holders, ensure sanctions by professional bodies against lawyers, bankers, brokers, public officials, as well as individuals facilitating corrupt practices.

“We would ensure comprehensive support and protection to whistleblowers, witnesses and victims of corruption; adopt and formulate the policy of ‘naming and shaming’ all those who engage in corrupt practices while encouraging and honouring those who do not.

“This would also include educating, mobilising and encouraging Nigerians at the grassroots level to take ownership of the fight against corruption, while insisting on the unconditional return of looted assets kept abroad and further strengthening of international cooperation through information and mutual legal assistance,” Buhari stressed in his address at the summit.

Tinubu to Nigerians: Let June 12 remind you to always pursue cause of justice Commends NASS, Buhari for recognising nation’s new Democracy Day Patrick Okohue National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for passing and assenting to the law making June 12 the nation’s Democracy Day. Tinubu said that the recognition of June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day, against May 29 which has always been celebrated as Democracy Day since the nation returned to democratic rule, was a way of setting democracy free in the country.

According to him, choosing May 29 which he said was only the day of the handover of power from the military regime to elected civilian administration, as the nation’s Democracy Day, does not carry the weight of significance that June 12 carries in the country’s democratic sojourn and that it was only reasonable that June 12 was recognised.

Tinubu, who is also a former Lagos State governor, in a release he personally signed on the occasion of June 12 celebration, said what the country had been commemorating on May 29th of every year since the democratic restoration of 1999 has been the day of the handover of power from the military regime to the elected civilian administration.

He challenged the people to ensure that “June 12 must serve as a continual reminder to Nigerians on the imperative of pursuing the cause of justice in all spheres of our lives at all times as a necessary condition for peace, prosperity and progress. As we kick off from today the annual celebration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, let us renew our commitment to utilizing democracy as a vehicle for eliminating poverty in our land as well as providing prosperity and life more abundant for the teeming millions of our people.

“It was indeed his deep aversion to poverty and the avoidable suffering of the majority of our people that compelled Chief MKO Abiola to contest Nigeria’s presidency and thus his campaign slogan was “Farewell to Poverty”. The problem of poverty remains primal and fundamental in our land today. Indeed, at the root of the severe existential challenges, which confront the country today such as religious extremism, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, cultism, ritual killing, armed, robbery, communal violence and herdsmen/farmers clashes among other is the protracted economic crisis that has worsened poverty, unemployment and inequality in Nigeria over the last four decades.

“It is indeed incumbent on us all, particularly those in

positions of authority at all levels, to vigorously support President Muhammadu Buhari administration as it invests massively and on an unprecedented scale in the renewal and expansion of infrastructure as well as its various social intervention programmes aimed at uplifting the vast majority of our people out of dehumanizing poverty, political instability and insecurity,” he said.

Asiwaju Tinubu in the statement he titled “June 12: The Truth that Sets Democracy Free in Our Land,” said observing May 29 as Democracy Day delinks the country’s democratic experience since 1999 from the protracted and bitter struggle against military dictatorship from June 12, 1993, till the forced exit of the military in 1999”.

According to him, “without those who stoutly stood on June 12 and sacrificed life, limb, freedom, economic ruin, psychological devastation and more in the battle against tyranny, there would most certainly not have been any May 29, 1999, handover to commemorate.”

He urged Nigerians not to take the democracy they enjoy today for granted or do anything to threaten its existence because it was not won on a peaceful and comfortable “platter of gold”.

He said: “The power of truth to set men free from the limiting chains of falsehood and limiting superstitions is one of the most poignant spiritual verities that has proven to be valid across time and space over the last two millennia.

“In the realm of politics, the most fundamental truth that man has discovered is that power can be the handmaiden of progress and accelerated development only if it flows from the will of the electorate as determined in regular, free, fair and credible elections.

“This is why, in spite of its many flaws and failings man is yet to invent a form of government superior to democracy ‘the famed government of the people, by the people and for the people’.

It is thus understandable and indeed justified that Nigerians are elated that the country has recorded 20 years of unbroken democratic rule since 1999.

“Today, we commemorate the country’s emergent democracy in a way that is certainly more spiritually fulfilling and psychologically satisfying than has ever been the case since 1999.

“For, thanks to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the assent of the National Assembly, we are for the first time today celebrating our democracy as a nation on a historic day, June 12, which coincides with the day that the seed of today’s democratic sprouting was sown 26 years ago.”

News 7

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, June 12, 2019

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Oyo guber: Tribunal admits results Short News Tinubu felicitates with Nigerians on 1st June 12 of 495 polling units in 26 LGs Democracy Day

The Oyo state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has admitted results from 495 polling units and wards in 26 local governments as exhibits tendered by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Adelabu.

Adelabu is challenging the victory of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde in the March 9 governorship election in the state as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Counsel to the APC, Rolard Otaru (SAN) had on Monday tendered results from 266 polling

units and wards in 23 local governments before the tribunal which admitted them as exhibits.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the results of three more local governments were also tendered before the tribunal, bringing the number of results of disputed polling units to 495 in 26 local governments.

Otaru informed the court that the tendered documents were true certified copies of Form EC8 for different polling units and wards obtained from INEC in respect to the March 9 governorship election in the state. He urged the tribunal to admit all the documents tendered in evidence as exhibits.

Gov. Makinde’s counsel,

Kenechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and INEC’s counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), however, told the tribunal that they were reserving their objections to the admissibility of all the documents tendered by Otaru.

The three-man panel chaired

by Justice Sirajo Muhammed admitted the documents as exhibits, adding that the tribunal would now be sitting from Monday to Friday.

It would be recalled that INEC had declared Makinde as the winner of the governorship election in Oyo state after polling 515, 621 votes to defeat Adelabu of the APC who had 357, 982 votes.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial District has felicitated with all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and in particular, citizens of the senatorial district who along with other Lagosians, played courageous and significant roles in the events that made June 12, 1993 historic and consequential.

The senator stated that it has taken 26 years to witness the very first observance of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. She recalled that it was on June 12, 1993 that Nigerians from all tribes, walks of life and religious affiliations indicated their clear and resolute preference for democracy and all its ideals.

In a statement she personally signed and made available to Daily Times on Tuesday, titled: “A new beginning,” the senator saluted the man who personified everything lofty and laudable that June 12 now represents, the late Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola.

She commended President Muhammadu Buhari, whose government finally deemed it fit to recognise June 12 as the date that truly deserves recognition as Nigeria’s rightful Democracy Day. The statement reads in part: “I honour the men and women who sacrificed their freedom, resources, safety and properties in the struggle for the actualisation of the mandate of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola which was freely given on June 12, 1993 and thereafter for the recognition of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

Kwara shifts activities to mark June 12 Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin Kwara state government has shifted activities commemorating the June 12 Democracy Day in the state to Friday, June 14.

This to enable state governors, including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on the invitation of the federal government to join Mr. President and over 80 foreign leaders and dignitaries at the inaugural national commemoration of the day in the capital, Abuja, explained a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

“What this means is that the event slated for the Metropolitan Square and state banquet in Ilorin will now hold on Friday, June 14 instead of June 12.

“Kwara will nonetheless, observe the national holiday slated for June 12 as earlier announced by the federal government. There will be no new holiday on Friday,” the statement said.

The statement noted that many other states are also changing their own schedule of the event in order to join President Muhammadu Buhari for the inaugural June 12 commemoration in Abuja.

“We urge the Kwara public and all invitees (from outside Kwara) to the events in Kwara state to please take note of this slight change in the schedule,” it added.

Yobe court sentences man to death for killing girlfriend

L-R: Representative of the wife of the President, Dr Hajo Sani;Director-General, National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mrs Mary Ekpere-Eta; wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola; wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and the first woman to win a senatorial election in three consecutive parliaments, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, during the induction of 23 Nigerian Women Icons of Hope organised by the National Centre for Women Development, in Abuja recently.

Buhari advocates partnership, global alliance to defeat corruption Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for continental strategic partnership and a global alliance to successfully defeat corruption and corrupt practices in Africa.

The President made the call at the on-going national Democracy Day anticorruption summit with the theme: “Curbing electoral spending: A panacea to public corruption,” organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Buhari further stated that for the continent to consolidate true democracy and good governance, it must check the uncontrolled electoral spending and voter inducement during elections.

He therefore, urged all law- enforcement agencies and the judiciary in Nigeria and across Africa to tackle financial corruption in the political system.

“This summit therefore, has the potential of spurring us to action starting with the discussions and exchange of ideas among participants. It is also my hope that the participation of heads of African anti-corruption agencies in this summit

would enrich the discussion with valuable regional and continental perspectives.

“Let us remind ourselves of the Thabo Mbeki panel on illicit financial flows published a few years ago. Through corruption, Africa has lost over $1 trillion over the last 50 years, a figure surpassing all the combined development aid received by the continent during the same period.

“I want to remind us that political corruption is merely an extension of the larger corruption in the wider society.

Consequently, if we desire to curtail political corruption in public governance, then corruption must also be fought in the wider society,’’ he said.

Buhari said that African leaders must henceforth, see the anti-corruption fight not to an end in itself, but as an instrument not only to fight poverty, but also as a means to restore the right order of things.

The President, who gave assurances of his unwavering support and commitment to the fight against all forms of corruption in Nigeria and Africa, thanked the acting Chairman and staff of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu for organizing the summit.

In his remarks, the visiting President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, said he was proud of the achievements of Nigeria and

Nigerians abroad, adding that Nigeria has remained the leader of Africa.

He said that “I wish to call to mind the greatness of this nation Nigeria; the diversity, the creativity and ambition of Nigerians to represent Africa. The achievements of Nigerian sons and daughters here at home and in Diaspora, make our continent proud.

“Nigeria has always shown common course in Africa’s progress and prosperity and this does not go unnoticed. This country is truly the engine of Africa’s potential. This is how we see Nigeria. We stand in solidarity with your efforts built on all the assets with which this country has been blessed and we are investing in your success.”

Kagame suggested that the fight against corruption should be renamed as the struggle for transparency, public integrity and accountability.

According to him, taming corruption is a campaign that can be won because it is within the powers of human beings to end it, adding that “this is a campaign that can be won. Tolerating corruption is a choice not inevitability. It is within our power to end it. That is the most important starting point.

A Yobe High Court on Tuesday sentenced an applicant, Muhammed Adamu, to death by hanging for killing his girlfriend, Hauwa Muhammad, 24.

Delivering judgment, Justice A. Jauro, held that he found him guilty of murder under Section 221 of the Penal Code. Jauro held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that Hauwa was intentionally killed by the convict, The judge ruled that “by virtues of section 273 Criminal Procedural Code, when a person is sentenced to death, he be hanged by the neck to death. I therefore, sentence you Muhammed Adamu to die by hanging.

May God have mercy on you.”

Speaking to newsmen after the judgment, defence counsel, M. Dauda, said that he would carefully study the verdict and possibly file an appeal.

Also speaking to newsmen, the convict said that “I have been praying to God for the best judgment. I believe that it is the will of God for me and I believe this verdict is God’s choice. I whole heatedly accept it.”

On June 5, 2018, the police in Yobe alleged that Adamu killed his girlfriend, Hauwa, on May 29, 2018, during an altercation.

Police warn criminals to steer clear of Warri, environs

The police in Delta state on Tuesday warned all criminal elements to steer clear of Warri and its environs.

Commander of the Warri Area Command, Mohammed Garba, gave the warning when he led some police officers on a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Delta state.

Garba, who described himself as a “seasoned and sound operational police officer,” said he has held series of meetings with leaders of communities in Warri and advised their elders to caution their children.

The new area commander explained that the essence of the warning was to send signals to other communities in the oil-rich city that it would no longer be business as usual.

“I was deployed as area commander to Warri last three weeks and the first set of people I talked to was the Hausa community. I told the leaders to warn their children, if they have guns in their possession they should submit them to the authority, or else the law will take its course.

“I also warned them that if any of them is caught with a gun, he will be prosecuted accordingly. I will also send letters to other communities in my jurisdiction and visit them to ensure sanity returns fully in Warri and environs,” he said.

The police boss, who said he was familiar with the Niger Delta terrain, particularly Delta state, solicited the support and cooperation of the media to enable him to effectively execute his strategies.

Garba recalled how he was able to restore sanity to Warri many years ago, adding that “as a sound operational police officer, I can remember how we patrol from Warri to Agbor.

I carried out patrol every night and I worked with the press to succeed,” he said.

Opinion 8

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, June 12, 2019

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Ahmad Lawan: A party stooge or a national stalwart?

Ademola Adeoye

Yesterday, June 11, 2019, Nigerians and the rest of the world witnessed the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan as the Senate President of the 9th Assembly. Four years ago, the ruling party wanted him to be the Senate President of the 8th Assembly, but it ended up not working out because President Buhari was still learning his ropes in a context of our own version of shallow-politics. The only asset PMB came to the office with—was ‘integrity’, but he was very naïve and inexperienced when it comes to own adaptation of dirtypolitics.

Out of the blue, Bukola Saraki, a man who was thoroughly mentored in the real art of politics—defeated and outsmarted the ruling party—to emerge as the Senate President of the 8th Assembly. He was neither a party stooge nor a national stalwart, but there are a few things you cannot take from the Kwara-born politician.

When it comes to politics, he knows his onions. His four (4) years in office romanced turbulence, because he was not the anointed candidate for that office, but while myriad political winds were blowing, you could see him being so calm and unperturbed.

He is obviously gifted and smart, but like other politicians, he was only in power for what he could get!

Not many people believed Bukola would complete his days in office as the Senate President of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria. The embattled current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole boasted that he would remove him from office in two weeks!

But Saraki sat unmoved and firm—as the popular rock of Gibraltar. Today, Adams, the one who vainly boasted that he would remove Saraki under two weeks is now struggling to remain as the National Chairman of the APC! Now that the anointed-candidate of the APC has emerged as the Senate President of the 9th Assembly, like all the previous Assemblies, the common man is clearly not going to benefit and profit from it. The status-quo is going to be differently maintained. Ahmed Lawan just publicly did swear to the oath of office that he would be loyal to Nigeria and the Senate, but before he did all that, he must have done that of his political godfathers and party clandestinely. He is now torn between and among three interests!

Of course, the common man’s interests come last! If you think I am wrong, I will come back in 2023 to revisit this national-slip-up.

I have no issues with the emergence of Lawan, but it is heartrending and heartbreaking to take in that most of our Senators are puppets, and puppets are only loyal and committed to their puppeteers. As an effect of what just happened in the Senate, every Nigerian should bury

the dream of having an independent 9th National Assembly. It can never happen!

For the umpteenth time, with both the Legislative and Judiciary in the kitty, Nigeria is certainly going to run on one leg for the next four years and it is extremely dodgy for our burgeoning and embryonic democracy. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Party is now in control of both the Legislative and Judiciary!

A few minutes after Lawan emerged as the Senate President of the current Assembly, Ovie OmoAgege (the alleged sponsor of those thugs who did cart away a major symbol of governance in Nigeria) also emerged the Deputy Senate President of the same Assembly!

Ours is a very shameless nation.

Some blocks of months ago, some influential-rogues, without wearing masks, found their way into the Senate building and did cart away one of the sacred symbols of governance in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a MACE. It was a thing of shame and colossal national embarrassment. Till today, not one of those untouchable-thugs has been brought to book. It is clearly a realism that some Nigerians are above the law. And until the law that binds the poor man can also imprison the rich, we can never have a truly prosperous country.

The question is; were they only sponsored to rubbish the former Senate President? Having been to the Senate, I do know that ordinary people can never enter it without being permitted. Cameras are everywhere, so why is it that we are yet to be told and shown the names and photographs of those invaders and assailants? In Nigeria, the more you look, the less you are actually going to see.

Now that the alleged and suspected sponsor of those who did cart away a symbol of authority has become the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, expect a lot of anarchistic and unlegislated activities. It is not in those whom habitually break the rule of law to uphold it. Lawless people cannot build. The only thing they can do is to pull-down that which has been built.

Lastly, I want to speak (as clear as water) as a seer. Hear me; Nigeria is going to be ruled from Lagos, not from the “Aso Rock” that is comfortably seated in the Federal Capital Territory. Furthermore, in the next four (4) years, Nigeria is not going to be led, it would be ruled.

And in addition, Ahmed Lawan is not just a politician, he is a core party-man, so he is not going to lead the 9th Assembly; he is going to be led from the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

to the plight of women. It chronicles the culpability of the Nigeria state in not only tolerating this culture but actively promoting it. It is a story of helplessness and courage in the same breath. It invites us to do something and awakens the best in us to bravely confront these issues.

I have employed very strong words in this remark. I have also dispensed with the niceties required for an event of this stature. But how can we dwell on niceties when our women and girls are being raped routinely in a state sanctioned operation without any appreciable consequences for perpetrators? How do we begin to sound polite when wives and mothers are now fair game in the hands of unscrupulous security officials hiding under the cover of protecting the environment?

Where do we find the words to comfort parents whose infants girls are defiled by vile adults without an ounce of sympathy from agencies that are supposed to stand up for them? Perilous times like this require a different kind of language - A language of desperation and harsh truth.

In 2014, some very brave Nigerian women went to the ECOWAS Court of Justice to seek remedy for the abuse they have suffered in the hands of Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB. They argued that the discriminatory and arbitrary raid on women in Abuja in the name of

sanitizing the city was direct affront to their fundamental rights and a targeted abuse against women. The ECOWAS court agreed with them.

The court ruled that the raid was a breach of the fundamental rights of women and even awarded damages against Nigeria. Years after, Nigeria has not complied with any of the ruling in the judgment. If anything, a country that holds itself up as rule of law state is brazenly contravening the ruling of a regional court.

Nigerian officials are on record trying to justify disobedience of a valid court order, an order that only seeks to protect our women. What does this say about our country?

Every duty bearer in this hall today (and this include both government and citizens) must commit to changing this ugly narrative. What is happening to women and girls in Nigeria is despicable and barbaric. We have to make it stop. We need to change minds. We need to speak out for those without voice and lift those who are already trampled upon.

We don’t have a choice of inaction here. We are guilty and we are all victims. The interconnectedness of our destiny and mutuality of our humanity bind us in unbreakable bond. None of us can actually stand if anyone of us is down. Changing the fate of our women is the only way we can change our fate and the fate of this endangered nation.

We are all guilty

Udo Jude Ilo

I will be the first to admit my profound disappointment and shame that at this time in the life of Nigeria, we are gathered to discuss the brazen organized assault on women in Nigeria and Abuja in particular. That we are having this conversation is a grave indictment on our country. It is an embarrassing testimonial to our irresponsible disdain for women and our collective criminal silence in the face of this enterprise contrived to extort and profit off the misery of our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters in the name of sanitizing Abuja. There are times to be angry and profoundly so.

This is such time.

We are living witnesses to a value system that continues to disrespect, commercialize and subjugate women. We are living witnesses to unprovoked raids on women, labelled as prostitutes but without any information or arrest of their patrons. We now live in a city where our women cannot walk the streets in the evening without being harassed or arrested by security agencies who now possess supernatural powers to determine a woman’s trade or profession by just looking at them.

This assault on women now enjoys the institutional imprimatur of the Federal Capital Authority and the coercive resources of various security agencies in Nigeria. It will be then true to say that the Nigeria state is at war with women.

Permit me therefore on behalf of the menfolk to offer a long overdue apology to women and girls across Nigeria. I apologize for lack of appreciation and gratitude for the life you gave us by your blood and pain. I apologize for a prevailing culture that undermines the importance and significance of womanhood. I apologize for our ignorant prejudices that deceive us into believing we can amount to anything without women. I apologize for the violence, abuse and most shamefully for our silence in the face of the state sponsored and culture influenced subjugation of women. Our apology is meaningless without action. So this assault on women stops now. We will not keep quiet. We will not relent until we awaken the conscience of this nation to its fundamental duty of equal protection. We will not stop until we force this country back to the values of its constitution and the decency of a modern state. What is happening in Abuja and across the country is simply unacceptable. No nation can survive treating women this way. It is in our collective interest to save our women and in so doing, save ourselves.

We have invited you here today to view this painful documentary aptly titled Silent Tears. This documentary tells a story of a culture of exploitation and abuse of women in a society that is numb and apathetic

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, June 12, 2019

News

Editorial Commentary

June 12: Lagos Speaker commends Buhari, Tinubu, others for commitment to its ideals Alade Tasma The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for having the political will to declare June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day. He also commended the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who during his reign initiated the idea of making June 12, the real Democracy Day; as well as other South West governors, past and present who followed in his footsteps.

Rt Hon Obasa’s message which was contained in a statement signed by Chioma Anifowose, Press Officer to the Speaker is in commemoration of the new Democracy Day today,

Wednesday 12 June.

“We have to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for having the political will to right the wrong and for going ahead to sign the Bill passed by the National Assembly on the matter into Law. It shows the courage and commitment of a man who is hell bent on correcting the ills of the past.

“Going forward, we should also not fail to recognise and commend the pioneering efforts of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was the first governor to declare June 12 Democracy Day in the history of Nigeria.

After his historic declaration, other South West governors followed in his footsteps. We should therefore salute and commend their courage,” he said.

Rt Hon Obasa also acknowledged those who lost their lives and properties during the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate describing them as Democracy Heroes.

“We should also spare our thought for the Martyrs of Nigerian Democracy: Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola and his wife, Kudirat who lost their lives during the struggle,” he said.

The Lagos Assembly Speaker however stated that the ideal of June 12 lies not only in declaring it Democracy Day but the lesson learnt therein. “That election was a historic one: where millions of Nigerians voted in a peaceful atmosphere for one man.

The struggle to actualise the election results and mandate was a clear indication that the Nigerian people will always fight for their right and struggle to defend what is right,” Rt Hon Obasa noted.

He stated further that, “on behalf of my colleagues in the Lagos State House of Assembly, I salute Nigerians on this historic celebration and wish them more of such.”

Akinjide’s trial suffers setback as EFCC wants case transferred back Re-arraignment of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, over alleged money laundering could not take place on Tuesday as a result of prosecution’s request that the case be returned to the previous judge.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Akinjide alongside two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Adeseun and Olarenwaju Otiti.

The commission charged them on an amended 24 counts bordering on N650 million fraud and money laundering.

The defendants were first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan before whom they all pleaded not guilty, and were granted bail.

Trial begun before Hassan, with witnesses being led in evidence, but midway into a trial-within-trial, the case was transferred to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at the instance of defence.

The case was then adjourned until June 11, for re-arraignment of the

defendants.

When the case was called on Tuesday before Aneke, the defendants mounted the dock, and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), announced appearance for the first defendant (Akinjide), while Mr. U.U. Buhari announced appearance for the EFCC. Buhari then orally applied to the court for a transfer of the case back to Hassan.

However, Ayorinde raised an objection to the application, describing it as ‘ambush’.

Ayorinde argued that the prosecution ought to have made the application formal before the court and served it on the defence for it to reply.

He prayed the court to refuse the application, saying that it should be brought properly.

His submission was adopted by other defence counsel.

At this point, EFCC lead counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo walked into the courtroom and also announced appearance for prosecution.

Oyedepo argued that by the provisions of the Administration of Criminal

9

Justice Act, an application for transfer of a partly heard case must not be in writing.

He added that the case had already advanced to trial and parties at the stage of a trial-within-trial, before the case was transferred.

“Whether rightly or wrongly, this matter is going through turbulence; a case of 2016. Why should we start afresh?,” he asked.

In a ruling, Aneke upheld the submission of defence that the oral application was like `ambush’. He ordered the EFCC to bring a formal application to that effect.

The court adjourned the case until June 26 for hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC accused the defendants of unlawfully receiving money from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, in the build-up to the 2015 General Elections.

The money was said to have formed part of a total sum of 115 million dollars allegedly disbursed by Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 Presidential Election.

OUR POSITION Autonomy: The challenge before the legislature, Judiciary The Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (as amended) gave autonomy to the state legislature and Judiciary in a bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2018.

The amendment specifically meant the granting of financial autonomy and independence to Houses of Assembly and judiciary in the states. Hitherto, the funds allocated to them from the Federation Account go through the State Governments most of whom don’t transmit same to them. The law in essence, permits the funds due to the judiciary to be paid directly to the judiciary of those states, no more through the governors .

“And the funds standing in the credit of the Houses of Assembly in the states are now to be paid directly to the Houses of Assembly of the states for the benefit of the legislators and the management of the Houses of Assembly.”

It is unfortunate that since June last year when the bill was assented to, the law was not allowed to operate in the spirit and wordings it was meant to serve, due mainly to the awesome influences of State executive governors.

While commending the State governors’ pledge last week to implement full autonomy for state legislatures and the judiciary, it is essential to observe that it will strengthen democracy in the states. It will also promote accountability and transparency in governance.

Needless, however, to state that we abhor the roles played by the State governors in the last one year when this

law was put in abeyance.

Now, that the new law will be made to operate with the support of State governors, we expect the State’s Legislature and Judiciary to demonstrate sense of maturity, prudence and accountability in the management of funds that will be allotted to them.

Nothing short of this will be justified in the eye of the members of the public who have in the last decade craved for the independence of Judiciary and State Houses of Assembly.

It is important to sound note of warning that the electorate who are distressed by the unjustifiable bogus salaries and allowances of national lawmakers will not welcome such unwholesome practices at the state level.

On the part of the States’ Judiciary, it is an opportunity for the heads of Court in the States, indeed the judges to allay the fears of State governors that even without a string of financial control over them attached, they can deliver justice.

Financial autonomy to the States Judiciary should therefore not be harmed by reckless spending and fraudulent financial malpractices by the judiciary officials. Attempt to engage on such reckless spending would further put the Judiciary into public disrepute and loss of confidence.

In conclusion, we plead with the states governors to stand by their words of promise and to allow the autonomy granted by the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution to the State Legislatures and Judiciary to operate. After all, they have sworn to uphold the Constitution.

Folio Communications Plc Publisher

Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Aliu M. Akoshile

Fidelis Anosike

Chairman

Barr. Noel Anosike

Managing Editor

Head, Finance & Admin

Ag. Editor

Head, Advertisement

Ag. News Editor

Ag. Head, Production

Bonaventure Melah Sam Nzeh Henry Omunu

Abbas Abiri

Gbenga Adeosun Godwin Idagu

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

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10 News

Senate leadership election rekindles Short News Lagos trains 825 health workers hope in democracy, says activist An Enugu-based non -governmental organisation, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network says the transparent process of the election of the Senate leadership has rekindled hope in Nigeria’s democracy.

The President of the group, Olu Omotayo disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview in Enugu.

Omotayo, who reacted to the exercise, said that the conduct of senators in the election of the president and deputy president of the 9th Senate was commendable.

It would be recalled that senators had during the inauguration of the 9th Senate yesterday elected Sen. Ahmed

Lawan (APC), representing Yobe North as Senate president while Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (APC) representing Delta Central was elected as deputy president of the Senate.

Omotayo said that Nigeria had by the outcome of the exercise shown the world that it can do something in a transparent manner and urged the lawmakers to work harmoniously with the executive arm of government to move the country forward.

He said that both arms of government were bound to disagree at some point, but that national interest should always take pre-eminence, adding that “we expect the lawmakers to cooperate with the executive

arm of government to move this country forward.

“It does not mean that the Senate cannot check the excesses of the executive and vice versa, but we have to avoid a repeat of the ugly incidences of the 8th Senate.”

Omotayo said that the outcome of the election was expected as the ruling party has learnt its lessons from its experiences in the life of the 8th Senate.

“I cannot say that the leadership of the APC dictated for the senators on whom to elect. It is just a matter of party discipline. The APC is more in number in the Senate and we expected them to win,” Omotayo said.

on service delivery Benjamin Omoike, Lagos

In its bid to foster qualitative healthcare service delivery and increase patients’ utilisation of efficient and affordable health services in all state-owned health facilities, the Lagos state government is training 825 health workers on personal and work etiquette as well as professional core values.

Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Titilayo Goncalves, who made this known while addressing participants at a capacity training held in Ikeja, noted that the 825 health workers consist of core health workers and other professionals working in the health sector within the senior management cadre drawn from primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities as well as departments of the state Ministry of Health, Lagos state Health Service Commission and Lagos state Primary Healthcare Board.

“Although, nurses form the bulk of the participants, other core health workers like doctors, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and professionals working in the health sector like engineers, accountants, administrative and human resource officers and public affairs officers amongst others are also being trained,” the permanent secretary said.

Enugu assembly re-elects Ubosi as speaker Moses Oyediran, Enugu

Members of the Enugu state House of Assembly have re-elected the former Speaker, Edward Ubosi as the new speaker to pilot the affairs of the 7th assembly.

Ubosi is the member representing Enugu East Urban Constituency. He is serving his third term in the House. He was first elected to the assembly in 2011.

Also, a first term member to the House, Uche Ugwu, representing Udi North Constituency was elected the deputy speaker to replace Dons Uzogbado, the former deputy speaker from Oji River Constituency.

The former Leader of the Assembly, Melitus Ezeugwu representing Udenu Constituency was also re-elected into his position while the member representing Enugu South Rural, Mary Onyinye, also retained her position as the deputy leader of the House.

A new member representing Awgu North Constituency, Jane Eneh was elected chief whip while the former Deputy Chief Whip, Ethel Oyibo Ugwuanyi, retained her position.

Leader of the House, Ezeugwu nominated Speaker Ubosi to be re-elected while the member representing Nkanu West seconded the nomination.

Speaking after his re-election, Ubosi said that the day was not a speech- making day, but one to thank God for everything, adding that the first time he was made speaker he thought it was because of his stature as a tall man, but now he knows that it is God that made him leader.

My administration committed to positive change, declares Bauchi Gov Samuel Luka, Bauchi

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) with H.E Denis Sassou Nguesso ahead of the celebration of Democracy Day on June 12, 2019.

PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE

Army neutralises 9 Boko Haram social media operators Andrew Orolua, Abuja The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of nine social media personalities of the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP).

Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, who confirmed this in a statement, said the annihilation of members of the Boko Haram media team further confirms that the Nigerian Army has decimated the group and they no longer have freedom of action.

He gave the names of the killed Boko Haram terrorists as Abu Hurayra al-Barnawi, Ali al-Ghalam al-Kajiri, Abu Musab Muhammed Mustafa al-Maiduguri, Abu Abdullah Ali al-Barnawi and Abu Musa al-Camerooni.

The other terrorists killed, he said are Ahmed al-Muhajir, Abu Ali al-Bamawi, Abu Khubayb bin Ahmed alBarnawi and Abu al-Qa’qa’ alMaiduguri.

“The terrorist group is known for its online media propaganda and quest to maintain a virtual caliphate,” he said.

Boko Haram launched the insurgent attack using the media in 2009. It first started using the campaign with traditional media approach through propaganda films, many of them aimed at recruiting new fighters from Nigeria and neighbouring countries including Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

But, from 2014 their strategy changed into more use of social media platforms, videos, and creating multiple accounts like Facebook and Twitter platforms, mostly as a way to communicate with individuals.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has reiterated his government’s resolve to work towards changing the lives of the generality of the people of the state.

Governor Mohammed stated this at the swearing-in ceremony of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Muhammad Sabi’u Baba, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Kari and the Deputy Chief of staff, office of the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Bashir Yau. The governor, who said that the appointees were given the job based on their achievements, pedigree, sense of responsibility and loyalty, noted that “for our policies and programmes to be well coordinated, we need people of credible and exceptional character to be at the helms of affairs of the state.”

While expressing hope that with the qualities possessed by the appointees, they will discharge their responsibilities accordingly, the governor reminded them that their offices remain key arms of his administration where transparency and accountability must be prioritised.

“Government is all about security and improving the lives of the people. It is therefore, natural for the people to demand these basic needs from our government.

Foundation urges FG to protect rights of albinos Kasara Chukwuma, Lagos To effectively check the stigmatization and discrimination against persons living with albinism in Nigeria, the Onome Akinlolu Majaro Foundation has called on the federal government to formulate policies and laws that will promote and protect their rights.

Making the call in Lagos during an interactive session with newsmen on the just-concluded training workshop on albinism advocacy and human rights held in Senegal, the OAM Foundation’s Director of Logistics, Ugochukwu Orji, said if there were specific laws in place that address the issues of violation of rights of persons living with albinism, such laws would compel the society to treat them with respect.

Orji said the workshop which was organised by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa with 35 participants from West and Central Africa in attendance, vehemently condemned stigmatization and discrimination against persons living with albinism while urging leaders of African countries where rights of albinos are still been violated to obey international convention on human rights.

The rights of children, including those living with albinism are covered under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which has been signed and ratified across Africa.

Additionally, the 1999 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child was created to provide additional rights to protect and outlines the rights that African countries must ensure for their child population.

Orji appealed to the federal government to obey these international laws by domesticating them as well as ensuring their full implementation in order to guarantee the rights of persons living with albinism in the country.

News 11

Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, June 12, 2019

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EFCC secured 1, 207 convictions in over 4 years, says Magu Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said that the agency has secured 1, 207 convictions in four years and five months.

Magu, who also revealed that the battle against corruption will get tougher as the nation moves to the Next Level said, the anti-corruption campaign has achieved more results under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The convictions secured by the commission since the beginning of this administration reflect a positive progression. In 2015, the commission secured 103 convictions, 194 in 2016, 189 in 2017 and 312 in 2018. From January 2019 to date, the commission has secured over 406 convictions and

recovered several assets worth billions of naira.

“Despite this record, corruption remains a challenge in our country.

I believe that the fight against corruption requires a multistakeholder approach. The private and public sectors are critical players in this regard and I am glad some state governors are taking steps to establish institutional mechanisms to fight corruption. ‘’However, institutional mechanisms alone will not eradicate corruption; we must have the passion and the will to make a difference. The business environment will never be sustainable if we remain sympathetic to the destructive act of corruption.

“Our captains of industries should strengthen their corporate governance policies to reflect practical anti-corruption principles.

Thus, radical reforms are urgently needed for the business climate to attract foreign direct investments,” he added.

Magu expressed confidence that the EFCC will do its best to rid the nation of all forms of corruption, but however, stated that “as we move to the Next Level of the war against corruption, the arena will certainly get tougher because we are determined to rid this country of all sorts of corruption for the benefits of the current and future generations.

“We are not oblivious of the fact that corruption fights back but these threats will only solidify our resolve to make the frontiers of anticorruption war more formidable.

We all have a moral burden on the fight against corruption, as such; we must take full responsibility and ownership to the anti-corruption war.”

Short News Presidential panel refers Sen. Nwaoboshi to prosecutor for trial

The Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for recovery of public property has transferred to the director of public prosecutions of the federation to prosecute the case of alleged failure to declare assets brought against Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) by the panel.

In a letter accompanying the case file, dated June 7, the SPIP said it forwarded the case to the director of public prosecutions for further handling in furtherance of the inter-agency and collaborative efforts of federal government’s agencies involved in the anti-corruption war.

The letter signed by Dr. Celcius Ukpong, reads: “1 am directed to forward to you above named case file for further action. The above suspect is under investigation before us for possession of suspicious assets far and beyond his legitimate earnings.

“He has refused to declare his assets before the panel after lawful demand by the special presidential investigation panel. This refusal is contrary to and punishable under section 3(i)(a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act 2004.”

Nigerians urged to uphold moral values to check insecurity Isaac Job, Uyo

Nigerians have been charged to return to age long moral and cultural values observed in the past to assist in tackling insecurity confronting the nation.

Addressing the national conference on culture, peace and national security in Uyo on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Grace Gekpe argued that until Nigerians return to the old order of high moral values, the insecurity situation in the country cannot be checked.

Gekpe, who addressed the conference on the theme: ‘’The role of women and youth’’ organized by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation observed that Nigerians have lost the value of honesty, hard work, patriotism and attitude of good neighbourliness.

She said these qualities have been replaced by negative tendencies such cultism and uncontrollable quest for materialism occasioned by what she described as get- rich- syndrome prevalent in the society.

Gekpe, who was represented by Mrs. Memunat Idu-lah, deputy director, festivals and carnivals, Federal Ministry of Information said that no nation can make meaningful progress in a state of cultural disorientation and insecurity.

New emirates not meant to despise any personality – Rep. Isa-Dederi

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, (third from left in the group), today, Monday, June 10, 2019, vigorously commended and appreciated some of his media aides for what he described as “impressive performance”. They are Tony Amokeodo, SA (Media) to the Chairman (first from left in the group); Tony Orilade, acting Spokesperson of the Commission (first from right in the group) and the three Associate Editors of Zero Tolerance Magazine (the Commission’s Flagship): Tony Egbulefu (third from right in the group), Emeka Ibemere (second from right in the group) and Segun Adeoye (second from left in the group).

NAPTIP director cautions Nigerians on visa lottery Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja The Director (Intelligence) Public Enlightenment of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Orakwue Arinze, has called on Nigerians to shun investing in visa lotteries, saying they are scams.

Arinze made the call while briefing journalists at the oneday international conference on illegal migration and trafficking in person’s conference, organized by the Nigerian Young Professional Forum on Tuesday in Abuja.

He however, decried inadequate

funding of the education sector in the country, attributing it to why Nigerians patronise visa lotteries and indulge in illegal migration.

To avoid being swindles and other issues associated with such, he admonished those craving to go abroad by all means not to patronise visa lottery advertorials.

“I want state governors to invest more on education; free functional and accessible platform for quality teaching and learning. Any child that is out of the umbrella of educational protection can be picked by anybody.

“There is no visa lottery anywhere; it is a scam Nigerians

should stop investing in it. You see that thing called visa lottery, please run away; there is nothing of such. America visa lottery stopped a long time ago; there is no Canadian visa lottery, it is not in existence.

“To arrest anyone is not our priority response. The arrest is to educate Nigerians that those things are lies and scams,” he said.

The event, themed ‘Strengthening multi-stakeholder partnership and creating cooperation in curbing illegal migration and human trafficking,’ was attended by officials from diverse professional backgrounds.

The restoration of Gaya, Rano and Karaye emirates in Kano state is not meant to despise Kano emirate or any personality as perceived by some narrow-minded elements in the society.

Rep. Haruna Isa-Dederi, the House of Representatives member representing Karaye/Rano Federal Constituency and member, committee for the restoration of the three emirates, stated this at a news conference in Kano.

He said that “we should like to make it unequivocally clear that the restoration of these emirates has been the aspiration of the vast majority of people of the affected areas.

“The agitation for the restoration of Gaya, Rano and Karaye emirates was originally started by a committee of concerned indigenes of these emirates about 10 years ago.

“For logistic and operational reasons, the efforts by that committee slowed down. For about two years now, in its revival effort, this committee under the patriotic and able leadership of Alhaji Jazuli Muhammad Gaya, reignited the agitations.

“The upgrade and creation is not something new. The promotion of village heads to district heads or district heads to emirs has been a continuous affair right from the Fulani Jihad to the present day.”

Lawan will stabilise 9th National Assembly – APC chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, Chief Charles Airhiavbere, says the emergency of Sen. Ahamed Lawan as President of the Senate would stabilise the 9th National Assembly.

Airhiavbere said in Benin on Tuesday that Sen. Lawan has garnered much experience in legislation to enable him lead the Senate, declaring that his wealth of experience and ability to reach out to his former and current colleagues would help him stabilise the assembly.

“I expect Lawan’s emergence to be of benefit to the entire country because his people have continuously returned him to the National Assembly since 1999.

“I also believe that with the support of the senators elect that are being inaugurated, he will take the 9th Assembly to a higher level of achievements because we count on his experience,” Airhiavbere said.

Similarly, a former member of the House of Representative and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, Chief Sunday Emeyese, congratulated Lawan for emerging the new Senate President.

“The fact that he garnered substantial votes from not just the ruling party, but also from the opposition party is a welcome development and it’s good for democracy,” he said.

Edo state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said that it is the responsibility of the senators to elect their president and other principal officers, adding that they have exercised their rights.

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Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, June 12, 2019

12 News

Short News NSCDC deploys personnel June 12: CODE tasks FG on effective democratic governance for Democracy Day Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja

Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu has directed the massive deployment of personnel to provide security coverage ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day celebration in order to forestall security breaches nationwide and to guide against the insinuation that some persons with sinister motives are planning to scuttle the celebration.

The commandant general in a statement signed by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Okeh,

charged the operations department at the headquarters, zonal commanders as well as the state commandants on the need for strategic and massive deployment of personnel to all nooks and crannies as well as locations where critical infrastructure and national assets are installed.

The NSCDC boss reiterated that sniffer dogs and all specialised units be deployed for the operation.

Gana urged officers and men deployed for the assignment to be good ambassadors and remain neutral, resolute and committed to the service of the nation.

He reaffirmed that the welfare of the staff is of utmost priority therefore,

there should be no compromise, but should carry out their duties with a high sense of credibility, integrity and diplomacy bearing in mind the motto of the corps: ‘‘Defending the defenceless.’’

The commandant general also called on politicians and their supporters to shun all forms of violence, thuggery and acts that can lead to a breach of the peace as anyone caught disrupting the activities of the Democracy Day will face the wrath of the law.

He enjoined all Nigerians to pray for the country at this time, that God should guide and protect the elected leaders as they prepare to serve diligently.

Ukpono Ukpong, Abuja

As Nigeria marks the beginning of an era with the commemoration of June 12 as Democracy Day, a leading civil society group, Connected Development has charged the federal government on the need to empower its citizens socially, economically and politically.

According to CODE, true democracy thrives on an inclusive government, the assurance of fundamentals human rights and the freedom of the press, factors it said that promote good governance and peaceful coexistence of people of diverse cultural, religious and ethnic society.

Speaking during an interview in Abuja, CODE Chief Executive, Hamzat Lawal, said Nigeria has witnessed fluctuations in economic activities, high rate of insecurity and blurring of the middle class in our socio-economic spectrum, adding that political rivalry, resource allocation conflicts, ethnic and religious issues have posed as gridlocks to effective democratic governance in the country.

He added that it was imperative for the leadership of the country to adopt sustainable growth measures that will lead to the implementation of the roadmap for improved electricity, strengthen the quality of education and curtail the increasing number of out-of-school children amongst others.

Zamfara lawmakers elect Magarya as speaker Members of the Zamfara state House of Assembly have unanimously elected Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya from Zurmi Local Government Area as the speaker.

Also elected was the deputy speaker of the assembly in the person of Musa Bawa Musa from Tsafe East Constituency.

The election which took place on Tuesday in the chamber of the state House of Assembly was witnessed by Governor Bello Mutawalle, the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP0 Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Mallaha, the immediate past Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala and other prominent politicians.

The election of the speaker and his deputy was concluded in a few minutes as all the 23 members who belong to the PDP and one member of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) unanimously endorsed them.

The two principal officers have since been sworn in.

The speaker assured the people of the state that he would do his best to work in harmony with the executive arm of government in order to move the state forward.

Niger Assembly elects Wuse as speaker Saka Bolaji, Minna

L-R: Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Apapa Branch, Engr. Jima Bamfo; Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos State Branch, Mr. Olakunle Lasisi; Chairman, NSE, Apapa Branch, Engr. Sunny Ejeje; and member, NSE, Apapa Branch, Engr. Adeoti Dele, during a welfare visit and items donations to the Nigerian Red Cross Motherless Homes in Makoko by the NSE, Apapa Branch, in Lagos... On Tuesday.

Lagos speaker commends Buhari, Tinubu over June 12 Alade Tasma, Lagos Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Mudashiru Obasa has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for having the political will to declare June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day. He also commended the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who during his reign initiated the idea of making June 12, the real Democracy Day as well as other South West governors, past and present who followed in his footsteps.

Obasa’s message which was contained in a statement signed by Chioma Anifowose, press officer to the speaker is in commemoration of the new Democracy Day today.

“We have to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for having the political will to right the wrong and for going ahead to sign the bill passed by the National Assembly on the matter into law. It shows the courage and commitment of a man who is hell bent on correcting the ills of the past.

“Going forward, we should also not fail to recognise and commend the pioneering efforts of Asiwaju Tinubu, who was the first governor to declare June 12 Democracy Day in the history of Nigeria. After his historic declaration, other South West governors followed in his footsteps. We should therefore, salute and commend their courage,” he said.

The speaker also acknowledged those who lost their lives and properties during the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate, describing them as heroes

of democracy.

“We should also spare our thought for the martyrs of Nigerian democracy, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola and his wife, Kudirat, who lost their lives during the struggle,” he said.

The speaker however, stated that the ideal of June 12 lies not only in declaring it Democracy Day, but the lesson learnt therein.

“That election was a historic one where millions of Nigerians voted in a peaceful atmosphere for one man.

The struggle to actualise the election results and mandate was a clear indication that the Nigerian people will always fight for their right and struggle to defend what is right,” Obasa added.

He stated further that “on behalf of my colleagues in the Lagos state House of Assembly, I salute Nigerians on this historic celebration and wish them more of such.”

The Niger state House of Assembly on Tuesday elected the member representing Tafa Constituency, Alhaji Abdullahi Wuse, as the speaker of the 9th Assembly in the state.

Wuse was declared speaker following his nomination by the member representing Chachanga, Ahmed Marafa (APC) and the immediate past speaker of the assembly.

Bako Alfa (APC), representing Bida I, was declared deputy speaker following his nomination by Ndagi Baba (APC) member representing Lavun.

Wuse and Alfa were the only officials nominated for their respective positions after which they were declared speaker and deputy speaker respectively, by the Clerk of the House, Abdullahi Kagara.

In his acceptance speech, the new speaker pledged to work with his colleagues to move the state forward.

“I want to thank my colleagues for finding me worthy to occupy this exalted position. My colleagues and we will do our best to churn out bills and motions that will move the state forward,” he added.

U.S tasks new NASS leadership on insecurity Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States embassy in Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGibbon, has called on the new leadership of the National Assembly to work towards tacking insecurity in the country.

FitzGibbon, one of the foreign dignitaries who is representing the US Ambassador, Stuart Symington, made the call on the sideline of the 9th National Assembly inauguration on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said that the National Assembly should be prepared for work soon, to enable it tackle the issues of insecurity, development and poverty in the country.

“We wish and hope that the National Assembly can get to work as soon as possible to solve some of the critical issues in the country like insecurity, development among others.

“I am sure everybody here is looking forward to doing just that. “They need to vote for the best leadership of the National Assembly for the people,” she said.

She also urged the lawmakers to represent their constituents well by ensuring they fulfil their desires.

EDUCATION TIMESg Daily Times Nigeria Wednesday, June 12, 2019

UNILAG VC gets kudos from Senate over resolution of crisis

Hollandia Foundation donates dairy products to internally displaced children Esther Taiwo

Esther Taiwo The Senate of University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, at its meeting recently deliberated extensively on the strained relationship between the Governing Council and Management culminating in the allegation of impropriety against the Management of the University.

The Senate regretted that the avoidable development, if unchecked, will blight the noble efforts to improve the global ranking and generally advance the enviable Brand of the University at this crucial time.

The body noted that the intervention of Regulatory Agencies and the House of Representatives Committee on Procurement have so far confirmed that the issues bordered mainly on: day-today administration of the University, finances, infrastructure maintenance, security and official travel.

Senate, after due consideration of the foregoing, resolved that the actions of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and the Principal officers of the university were within their mandate as the Chief Accounting Officer and the Management of the University respectively and consistent with ideals of the University autonomy.

Consequently, Senate unanimously and unequivocally passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the Vice Chancellor and his Management Team in their relentless pursuit of the vision and mission of the University.

The body enjoined the Vice Chancellor and his team to continuously engage in academic and administrative activities that will sustain the UNILAG Brand to become one of the best in Africa by year 2022.

Cross section of children of journalists who were feted by Emirates Airlines recently in Lagos at Genesis Cinemas, Maryland, Lagos

ASUP, NAPTAN task Buhari on appointment of Education minister Stakeholders in the Education sector, on Tuesday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a competent and core educationist to oversee the education ministry.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos that a thoroughbred educationist would understand the problems, travails and other issues bedeviling the sector.

Mr. Usman Dutse, the National President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), said the education sector should not be politicised.

Dutse appealed to the President to appoint person with the required pedigree and commitment to move the sector forward.

He also said education sector should not be toiled with or politicised because of the critical role it played in the development of a nation.

“On the issue of appointment of minister for education, people may have divergent views and opinions but up till now, no one can tell exactly who the person will be.

“Our major concern is that, let the person be competent, have the pedigree and commitment to move the sector forward.

“People have been speaking about core educationist and the rest. It is important to have competent hand to oversee the sector.

“Sometimes, we have different types of people that had led the education ministry but if you put their performance on the scale, even the core educationists are not even better than the main administrators.

“But it is quite okay sometimes to have somebody that is from the core education area, at least, he can or she is able to make some good decision.

“That is our position. We need somebody that is committed to the sector and not just politics but service to the country.

“Education is not something we should play politics with, because it is critical to the development of every society,” he said.

He urged the President to nominate

the best candidate and someone who can make a difference.

The second Deputy National President, National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, also stressed the need for the appointment of core educationist for education ministry.

“We definitely advocate and admonish the President to please give us somebody who understands education, who is a core educationist.

“By doing that he would have actually, by all standards, solved the problems bedeviling the sector half way.

“The person will understand the entire situation that bedeviles it and be able to address them appropriately,” he said.

Ogunbanjo also urged Buhari and state governors to reduce the period for selection of members of their cabinet from six months to six weeks in the interest.

Ogunbanjo said the President surely needed time to select the best hands for the positions, but it must not be more than six weeks.

Be good ambassadors of Nigeria, A’Ibom Gov tells outgoing students Esther Taiwo Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, has advised the outgoing students of Atlantic Hall, Poka in Epe, Lagos State to be good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they find themselves.

The Governor gave the advice while addressing the 2018/2019 graduating students of the school during the 27th graduation/valedictory service held at the school hall, recently.

The unassuming governor, who came in company of his wife, was the last to speak at the event. He was highly impressed and could not hide his filling of fulfilment with the performances of the students that he announced scholarship for one of the students already studying in one of the Ghananian universities.

While advising students to remain focused in their pursuit of academic and future career, he told them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they find themselves, saying that the country is in need of them.

He charged them to replicate what the talented youths in the advanced countries are doing to contribute to the advancement of their countries, noting that those adolescent abroad were not better than them. He warned them to imbibe the principles of success and refrain whosoever will not contribute to their dream.

Also, with scriptural reference to buttress his point, Udom instructed the graduating students to shun “bad friends particularly those of you who will be outside the shores of this country for university education”.

13

He thanked the school management for instilling moral and maintaining high quality of academic discipline in the school. He also announced a donation of N10m for the proposed multipurpose hall of the school.

“Nigeria is waiting for you, don’t allow bad company, bad friends especially those of who you who will be going outside the shores of this country for university education. Keep focus, know that whatever you’ve done up to this point is the right thing. Fear God in everything that you do. Excellence should be your watchword, discipline should be that thing you need in whatsoever that you do. The best place to start that discipline is yourself; discipline your mind and you will yourself succeed.

“Once you have passion, nothing is impossible. I was just overwhelmed when the name came up for mention the girl who scored nine stars “A” grade in her external exams. I was full of awe. I think Nigeria is proud of you. I’m sure wherever you go to, you’ll be an ambassador of this country. It’s always very exciting for me to know that whatever they can do there, we can do better here,” Udom said.

He told them to differentiate themselves in any university they go to, urging them to go with the right attitude, adding, “Mind you, your attitude will determine your altitude. So, keep the right attitude, keep the discipline, have the right passion, certainly success will come”.

The Akwa Ibom State helmsman also offered scholarship worth millions of Naira to some outstanding students who performed excellently in their academics.

The students were the cynosure of all eyes at the 27th valedictory and graduation ceremony of

Atlantic Hall School, Poka, Epe, Lagos State as parents, guardians, guests and staff of the school listened and cheered them when their names came up for mentioning.

The 2018/2019 graduating students were described as the best in the history of the school spanning about 30 years.

The Ghanaian university, which sent representatives to witness the boy’s graduation ceremony, also announced to the chagrin of the participants a scholarship of $40,000 to support his education because of his sterling performance in his campus.

The Managing Director, Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Imrane Barry, who was the guest of honour, who took the graduands down the memory lane on the oil exploration activities of company among others, said their graduation was not the end but the beginning.

Represented by Mr. Gbenga Apampa, the Total MD noted that Nigeria’s challenge was not the end for the country but the beginning. He also informed the graduands that Nigeria is in need of their services and contribution to the growth of the country.

“For any nation to develop energy is powerful, energy is important, energy is a priority. Therefore, as you finish your education here today, it is not the end,” Barry posited.

He charged the students not to forget the school and those who have impacted their lives one way or the other.

“What the teachers have planted in you, what the school has tried to put into you, this is just the beginning, it is not the end. It’s going to follow you all the days of your life for you to achieve great things,” Barry added.

The MD explained that what Nigeria is generating in terms of electricity was way below capacity of the country.

He stressed that Nigeria has the potential to generate ten times what we are having today “just from the sun,” adding “we recognise this in Total.

That’s why for us it’s so key to develop renewable energy. The market needs young people like you who will decide Nigeria energy future is the base to improve Nigeria. Class of 2019, this is not the end; this is the beginning.”

The Chairman, Atlantic Hall Educational Trust Council, Trustees and Board of Governors, Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo, was full of gratitude that the institution is providing all-round education to young Nigerians and other nationalities and changing the face of private education in the country.

Feeling accomplished, she explained that the targets set 30 years ago have “been substantially achieved” while noting that the journey ahead still requires more dedication, commitment and sacrifice. However, she promised that the management won’t rest on their oars “until we reach the stage where Atlantic Hall can be counted among one secondary school in life with the 21st century teaching and learning standard.”

She said: “Accept who you are, learn to continue, embrace the spirit of hard work, diligence and integrity and never give up on your dream. I urge you to use all the knowledge you have gained from Atlantic Hall to make positive impact in your immediate environment and indeed, the entire world. Keep these in mind as you endeavour to be your best in your future career.

In a bid to alleviate child hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria so as to boost their intelligence, Hollandia, the leading dairy brand from the stables of CHI Limited, recently donated dairy products to more than 500 children at the Bogije Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) camp in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.

Speaking during the visit, Managing Director CHI Ltd, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, represented by the Head of Administration, Mr. Ebere Osunkwo, stated that “As a socially responsible company, we are naturally passionate about child nutrition. And in cognizance of the unsatisfactory situation with child nutrition globally and nationally, we initiated the Hollandia No Kid Hungry Foundation as a vehicle for contributing, in our own way, towards slowing down the spiraling number of cases of hunger and malnutrition amongst children.”

He added that the Bogije IDP camp visit marked a notable milestone in the Hollandia No Kid Hungry Foundation’s drive towards alleviating child hunger and malnutrition.

Going further, he said: “Many children have found themselves in certain adverse conditions due to no fault of theirs. When you think of these children in the IDP camps, you can imagine how many go to bed hungry every single night. Even when they get to eat, how nutritious is the food they consume? So we thought to ourselves, what better way to identify with them than on their day. This is why we chose to put smiles on their faces.”

Responding on behalf of the community, Chief Tajudeen Oniwolu, the Baale of the Bogije Oniwolu Estate, expressed his gratitude and joy at the event which he described as auspicious.

He said: “I am very grateful to the management of CHI Ltd for this special visit and the donation of their products to the children today.

It is obvious for all to see that the children are very happy and as the Baale of this community, this really gladdens my heart. I call on other companies to emulate this kind gesture. I also beckon on CHI Ltd to continue with this very laudable initiative.”

Commenting on the initiative, Mrs. Regina Ayomanor, Project Coordinator, Web of Hearts Foundation said: “As seen on the faces of the children, we are indeed happy and grateful to Hollandia for this act of kindness to the IDP children in this community. It is true that children ought to live up to their dreams, but some of these children have no food, not to talk of a future. We say a big thank you to Hollandia No Kid Hungry Foundation for the huge impact they have made today and look forward to more partnerships with them in the future.”

The donations were made under the auspices of the Hollandia No Kid Hungry Foundation, the vehicle for the brand’s corporate social responsibility initiative which aims to alleviate child hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria.

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Keep gas tanks outside, SON advises Nigerians Joy Obakeye The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has advised Nigerians on the need to place Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks and vessels outside, as it is the ideal practice to avoid unnecessary risk and fire outbreaks.

According to its Director General, Mr Osita Aboloma, the need to sensitise the general public is important, owing to the number of outbreaks reported and after enquiry, victims claim to be ignorant of the use of gas tanks.

Aboloma stated this recently at the general sensitisation of the agency’s certification of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Tanks and Vessels’ held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The DG who was represented by the Regional Coordinator of SON, Sale Babaji, said: “We have to sensitize the people about the standard of Liquefied Petroleum Gas tank and vessel. These are areas where nobody cares about what they are “We use it on a daily basis, we do not care to know the components.

We don’t care to know the dangers involved and the advantages, and how to protect ourselves from danger.

“So, SON feels it is a duty, as part of our mandate to meet our stakeholders and sensitize members of the public. It is a sort of capacity building”, Aboloma explained.

He disclosed that the Act which established the agency empowers it to carry out enforcement on any company operating and producing any substandard items.

“The Act has empowered us to prosecute offenders but, we don’t want to start with an arrest. We want to start with sensitising the people because, when people don’t know, you look stupid, if you are there to enforce.

He said, “LPG dealers should know what we are doing. We should not be surcharging our customers. We should do it rightly.

That is what is required.”

In his presentation, the Coordinator, Rivers/Bayelsa State, SON, Engr. Ololade Ayoola said SON certified LPG is more ideal to be used at home, describing it as the fastest combustible energy.

According to him, every certification must have met 100 per cent of all the requirements, adding that the consequences of not having certified LPG storage could be very disastrous.

Ogun State Governor, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun and others, during on-the-spot assessment to flood ravaged area in Abeokuta, Ogun State...on Tuesday.

Why intervention funds don’t work - Ex-AMCON boss Motolani Oseni Former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, Mustapha Chike-Obi has highlighted reasons why different intervention funds by the government did not work.

The investment expert noted that intervention funds as a means of boosting access to finance aren’t as efficient as reducing interest rates.

Chike-Obi at an economic agenda-setting forum in Lagos for the newly inaugurate government in Nigeria, said, “All these intervention funds, they don’t work. And let me tell you why they don’t work. If you give a man in agriculture an interest rate at 5 per cent,

you think you are helping him but everything around him is at 26 per cent.

“So, he gets a little bit of relief on his financing, but he doesn’t get reliefs on his supplies, diesel, food, employees, so at the end of the day, those things he gets at 26 per cent invades his 5per cent,” he said while delivering a lecture titled: “Repositioning The Nigerian Economy for Sustainable Growth”, he explained.

Chike-Obi said intervention funds also don’t work because “the default rates are as high as default rates of non-intervention funds. So, they don’t work. They are not very efficient.”

According to him, what the economic managers need to do instead, is to provide capital at a reasonable interest rates that work

for everyone.

He said: “There must be access to capital at a reasonable price. With 26 per cent interest rate, you cannot do a business successfully. So, we must find a way to provide interest rate to everybody at a reasonable rate. We must have an interest rate that will support our economy.

And it cannot be much higher to the borrower at 12 to 15 per cent. Every Nigerian should be able to borrow money at between 12 to 15 per cent, so, we must have capital available.”

Nigeria needs ministries of infrastructure, revenue generation Speaking further, he said it was about time Nigeria created ministries of infrastructure and revenue generation, with smart Nigerians heading those ministries to get the economy moving on the right path.

“We need policies and the way to get policies is to get everyone in the room. We have a man in Nigeria, his name is Bayo Ogunlesi.

BayoOgunlesi runs Global Infrastructure Partners. He owns Gatwick and he owns a pipeline in Italy, and he is there building infrastructure all over the world. Why can’t we get Bayo Ogunlesi to come and be a minister of infrastructure?

“We should have a ministry of infrastructure. We should also have a ministry of revenue generation. And if they (ministries) are too many, we can combine ministries of sports, women affairs etc, into health, education and welfare into one ministry. But revenue generation and (infrastructure) are our biggest problems and we must deal with them immediately,” he said.

Shareholders of approve Union Bank N54.4bn share premium reduction Temitope Adebayo Shareholders of Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) on Tuesday approved the proposed reduction of N54.4 billion from the bank’s share premium account aimed at restructuring its balance sheet for optimal performance.

They gave the approval at the bank’s Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM)

held in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the bank’s Chairman, Mr Cyril Odu, said that the company’s financial position, as of Dec. 31, 2018, showed a deficit of N54.458 billion, representing accumulated permanent losses from legacy transactions.

Odu said that the bank’s Board of Directors proposed the Share Premium Reduction in accordance with Sections 106 and 107 of the Companies and

Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to offset the negative retained earnings.

He said; “The transaction, which was subject to confirmation by the Federal High Court, would have no impact on the bank’s creditors or its shareholders’ funds.

“Instead, it was expected to pave way for the payment of dividends to shareholders.’’

Odu said that the bank’s major focus

was to deliver value to its stakeholders.

He said: “Union Bank is on course toward delivering its 2019-2021 strategic objectives.

“As we continue our push toward being Nigeria’s most reliable and trusted banking partner, we remain focussed on improving the profitability of our business and delivering value to all our stakeholders, customers, business partners and employees.”

NB opens entries for 2019 Maltina Teacher of the Year Michael Ajayi Nigerian Breweries Plc., has announced the opening of entries for the 2019 Maltina Teacher of the Year. This year’s edition is the fifth edition of the programme.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony held in Lagos on Thursday, May 16, 2019, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mrs Sade Morgan disclosed that the Maltina Teacher of the Year is one of the initiatives through which the company contributes to the development of education in Nigeria in line with its corporate philosophy of ‘Winning with Nigeria’.

Morgan explained that Maltina Teacher of the Year is an offshoot of the Nigerian Breweries-Felix

Ohiwerei Education Trust fund.The trust fund, which was established by Nigerian Breweries in 1994 to facilitate its active contribution to the development of the education sector in Nigeria, is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No.4.

She noted that the 2019 edition of the initiative is symbolic because not only this is the fifth edition, but also because the company has added a new twist to the project with the introduction of the consumer engagement online contest tagged ‘That one teacher’.

“Maltina Teacher of the Year is one initiative that is very close to the hearts of our vibrant and dynamic management team who are passionate about education. Through this initiative we have been able to rewrite history by changing the age-

long narrative that the reward of teachers is in heaven by ensuring that they receive deserved recognition while still in active service,” she said.

She also, stated that entries for the 2019 Maltina Teacher of the Year open on Friday, May 16, 2019, and closes on July 12, 2019. According to her, interested teachers are advised to download application forms from the Maltina website – www.maltina-nigeria.com or pick up a form at their States Ministry of Education, Nigerian Union of Teachers office nationwide. She said all applicants should complete their forms and upload to the website or sent by email to maltinateacheroftheyear@heineken.com.

Announcing the prizes for the 2019 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Morgan disclosed that the winner will receive a total cash prize of N6.5

million and a capacity training abroad while a block of classrooms will be built at the school where he or she teaches. She added that the first runner-up and the second runner-up for the competition will get a cash prize of N1m and N750, 000 cash prize respectively while state champion, will receive a cash reward of N500, 000 each.

Also, speaking at the Flag Off ceremony, the Director, Basic & Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Lami Amodu, disclosed that the federal government acknowledges the role of Nigerian Breweries Plc. in celebrating the impact and contributions of teachers through this initiative, noting that this would serve as an encouragement for them to aspire to a greater height.

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NCAA partners NAPTIP to combat human trafficking Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa (middle) and others, during an inspection visit to storm drainage sites in Asaba and environs...on Tuesday.

Broadband, key to employment creation, transformation to knowledge-based economy - Danbatta Ladesope Ladelokun The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Danbatta, has identified ubiquitous broadband as key to transformation of Nigeria’s economy to knowledge- based economy and employment creation.

Danbatta says it has been proven that for every 10

percent increase in broadband penetration, a commensurate increase in employment of two to three percent is achieved.

The NCC EVC also submits that productivity also increases to between five to ten percent with a 10 percent increase in broadband penetration.

Speaking at the eWorld forum on broadband in Lagos, Danbatta said the NCC would continue to support initiatives targeted at improving broadband penetration

in Nigeria. Represented by Engr. Oluwatoyin Asaju, Deputy Director, Administration, NCC, he said owing to the capability of broadband to tackle issues concerning sustainable development, facilitate socioeconomic development and causing transformative change in every sector of the Nigerian economy, it was hard to equate any modern technological tool with broadband.

He said the NCC was

committed to closing the gap between existing and planned fibre infrastructure, adding that machinery had been put in place to ensure access to ubiquitous broadband through an Open Access Model consistent with the National Broadband Plan.

Danbatta reiterated the commitment of the Commission to providing affordable and accessible broadband infrastructure through strategic actions.

New Eko Innovation Centre debuts Godwin Anyebe The new Eko Innovation Centre has been launched recently in Lagos. The primary objective was to transform the tech and innovation landscape in Lagos, Nigeria, and, by extension, Africa.

According to the founder, Victor Afolabi, the motivation was the need to create an enabling environment for young people to develop innovative solutions and create employment while leveraging technology to achieve more.

“We saw in the Lagos manifesto an agenda to make the State the 21stcentury economy. The only way to create a 21st-century economy is to make sure you are creating businesses and the solution to problems that are driven by innovation and technology,” he said during

the launch.

It will be noted that Nigeria recorded the highest growth of tech hubs in Africa, expanding by 40% in 2 years between 2016 and 2018.

Speaking further he said, “Eko Innovation Centre is designed not just to add to the growing figures of local tech hubs, but to provide a much-required platform for startups to scale through the challenges of their incubation period – a bold and audacious initiative for the country’s tech community.”

“Most of the existing technology centres and hubs primarily provide workspaces and basic facilities, including power and internet services, with a few more providing support platforms for the growth of the startups operating from there.”

Eko Innovation Centre will provide shared services

including legal, finance, tech, marketing, and PR services among others. And most importantly, Mr Afolabi explained that the centre would provide investment readiness services as well as funding for the startups.

The new Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babatunde Sanwo-Olu also graced the occasion to endorse the initiative and reiterated his administration’s commitment to leveraging technology in delivering the megacity dream.

In his short statement, Mr Sanwo-Olu said, “Technology is the way to go, it is the way of the future and it is the way the entire universe is going, and everybody is using technology to develop everything that we need. We believe that from here, things around the THEME concept that has to do with the environment,

education, transportation and health innovations would be developed. People from here would come and give us innovative ideas to solve our transport problem; ideas with which they think locally but act globally.”

Tech hubs are a vital part of the entire start-ups’ ecosystem by providing platforms and opportunities for collaborations and building support structures that are important to the growth of new startups. Lagos, over the last few years, has become one of Africa’s megacities with a robust tech ecosystem; it is currently the city with the highest number of technology hubs on the continent.

It is important to note, however, that the Eko Innovation Centre is a private investment, to run independent, without any government funding.

Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt.

Muhtar Usman has assured the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Person (NAPTIP) of the Authoritys unflinching support in its fight against the scourge of human trafficking in Nigeria.

This assurance was given by Capt. Muhtar Usman when he received a high-powered NAPTIP delegation led by its Director-General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli on an advocacy visit today, Monday, June 10th, 2019.

According to Dame Okah-Donli, it has become very imperative to embark on the visit to the NCAA as the regulator of the aviation industry in Nigeria, since young Nigerians are lured out of the country through the airports which are major exit points.

She said the visit will enable the two government agencies to chart a course to successfully stamp out human trafficking from Nigeria.

Dame Okah-Donli, therefore, implored NCAA that during its oversight responsibilities to overall aviation agencies, should ensure that airlines are mandated to fulfil part of their obligations under the Trafficking In Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

The DG NAPTIP presented some of the sensitization materials developed for the aviation industry for review and validation by the Authority before its implementation.

She added that a workshop to engage relevant operators in the industry is forthcoming.

While responding to the visiting team, the DG NCAA, Capt.

Muhtar Usman promised on behalf of the Authority and other aviation agencies to assist NAPTIP in achieving its mandate of stopping the menace from Nigeria.

Capt. Usman assured that the NCAA while discharging its regulatory functions will ensure all airline operators adhere to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) at all times.

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Osinkolu to Lawan: APC, Nigerians expect much from you, don’t betray us Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was the Director General, Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Council in Ekiti State in the 2019 elections. In this interview with our correspondent, GBENGA SODEINDE, he advised President Buhari to appoint the best hands as Ministers in his second term while also setting agenda for the Senator Ahmed Lawan-led Senate.

A new House of Assembly has just been constituted in Ekiti State. What do you expect from them?

The expectations are very high from the people. Firstly, there must be a clear departure from the immediate past assembly, because it was principally populated by those who had little knowledge of legislation. But this time, we are having tested hands and those who are highly educated and exposed and Ekiti people expect a paradigm shift in terms of constructive engagements with the executive arm. They must strive hard to balance the equation between representing the people well and also not rocking the boat by with the executive arm. We saw what happened in the fifth assembly where the House practically became an appendage of the governor’s office, so there must be some level of independence, though this should not be misinterpreted to mean that the lawmakers should see the executive as enemy. They must work in harmony and mutual respect.

The lawmakers should work hard on their oversight functions on the executive arm and the local governments, by serving as checks and balances and also ensuring strict compliance to financial regulations. However, the jobs will be easy for them, because our governor and leader, Dr. Kayode Fayemi made it clear that he was not interested in rubber stamp assembly and that was why the APC carefully selected the candidates that stood for elections and won across the 26 constituencies, so that Ekiti populace can enjoy robust and effective legislation unlike the immediate past that was more of a lame duck assembly.

Don’t you think that the fact that all the 26 lawmakers are members of APC could make them compromise?

I disagree with you, APC is a party of the masses. The masses are first on our agenda. That was why the APC dominated 8th National Assembly could disagree with President Muhammadu Buhari. On many occasions, both chambers of the National

Assembly had cause to disagree with the President and that is the beauty of democracy.

No democracy can grow when the legislative arm is not active, so we look forward to having a robust, active and coherent assembly in Ekiti. The new Speaker, Hon Funminiyi Afuye is a tested hand. He had been Leader of APC during the 13-13 equal strength between the PDP and the then Action Congress of Nigeria between 2007 and 2011. So, he understands the rudiments of legislation and he knew that having a firm assembly is more dignifying, but just like I said the other time, this should not be taken too far, I mean , they should not be confrontational or taking up the executive or draging it into any crisis in an attempt to assert themselves, it has to be by mutual understanding and respect.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been sworn in for a second term. What do you think can be done to consolidate democracy dividends to the people?

You could attest to the fact that President Buhari did well in three areas he promised to work to ensure sanity, that is fighting corruption, diversifying the economy and fighting insecurity. Before he came on board, insecurity had taken over virtually all the sections of the country, especially the North East and even parts of the North Central.

Today, Boko Haram had been technically defeated. The activities of the terror group had been restricted to Sambisa forest and we now have occasional bombing or killing unlike under President Goodluck Jonathan when bombings were like everyday occurrences.

Even the emerging banditry in Zamfara, Katsina and other states in the North West is being addressed. Before the advent of Buhari’s government, Nigeria depended solely on oil.

Over 90 percent of the revenues were coming from the oil, but with diversification agenda in the solid mineral sector and agriculture, Nigeria is gradually becoming self sustaining.

Most of the rice being consumed in the country is grown locally. Also in the anti graft war, Buhari’s government has done

Now that the choice of the party has emerged, we expect that the two arms will focus on those things that will promote unity and how best to work together to develop the nation through infrastructure, poverty eradication and generation of revenues for the nation. In achieving this, Senator Lawàn must carry everybody along. He should avoid segregation based on politics, ethnicity and religion. He should carry all the senators along and this is the only way the smooth relationship with the executive can be achieved and sustained.

Dr Olusegun creditably well. Political office holders, even governors are now careful with expenditure.

No more reckless spending like in the past.

So, he must consolidate on these gains by making sure that he appoints the ministers as soon as possible. In the first term, it took the President almost six months to constitute his cabinet and this in a way constituted serious impediment and slowed down governance.

So we expect him to constitute his cabinet within one or one and half months and then hit the ground running.

He should also appoints the right people, I mean, putting square pegs in square holes.

The President is also expected to bring in technocrats to help politicians in strategic positions to achieve the agenda of government and take the country to the next level.

Governor Kayode Fayemi is now the chairman of the Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum. What innovations do you expect him to bring on board?

It was a well deserved victory. My charge to Dr Kayode Fayemi is to deploy his energy as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to advance the development of the nation. I advise that Fayemi should use the highly influential status to fight on the side of Nigerians, by ensuring that there is equity and justice in the distribution of the country’s wealth. I want to congratulate the good people of Ekiti State and the South West, because the feat was a record broking event that will reshape the politics of the country.

I urge Fayemi to bring his administrative ingenuity as well as shrewd and political wizardry to bear in ensuring that Nigerians

feel the positive impact of the new position.

I want to congratulate Dr. Fayemi for reshaping the politics of our dear state with this new position. The image of Ekiti State had again been launched to higher pedestal with this new status, being the first time a governor from our state and region will occupy this position. We appeal to him to lead a cohesive forum and work hard to ward off enemies from returning the forum to old days when it was divided along party and personal interest lines occasioned by high wired political pursuits. I am confident that Governor Fayemi will surpass his predecessor, Alhaji Yari, who deployed the position to negotiate for the disbursement of Paris club refunds and other intervention funds to states while in crises over the payment of salaries.

Posterity will continue to remember Zamfara governor in this regard. Bearing this in mind, Governor Fayemi must be a vociferous voice against injustice in the land.

He must place high premium on the benefit accruing to Nigerians rather than personal political pursuit for history to be fair to him.

He should also be circumspect of the fact that those profiting from the deeply entrenched lopsidedness in our nation always loved to weaken the forum and throws it into crisis.

Our dear governor must be conscious of this and prepare hard to ensure a more cohesive body that can deliver democracy dividends to the Nigerian citizens.

What is your advice to the Senator Ahmed Lawan-led Senate?

His emergence was a big boost to APC, because we didn’t get it right in 2015, when Senator Bukola Saraki won through the support of some PDP lawmakers. But with Senator Lawan as Senate President, there would be more cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature and this should be the disposition of the current Senate. We could all bear witness to the fact that the last Senate was a little bit rancorous , owing to highly entrenched distrust and it affected governance because many times, the two arms disagreed on the passage of the budget over alleged padding of the budget.

Now that the choice of the party has emerged, we expect that the two arms will focus on those things that will promote unity and how best to work together to develop the nation through infrastructure, poverty eradication and generation of revenues for the nation. In achieving this, Senator Lawàn must carry everybody along. He should avoid segregation based on politics, ethnicity and religion. He should carry all the senators along and this is the only way the smooth relationship with the executive can be achieved and sustained.

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On June 12 we stand Times Guest

Sports WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019

VOL. 3

NO. 967

N100

Columnst

By Reuben Abati

It is ironic that it had to take a member of the military establishment now turned democrat, that is General, now President Muhammadu Buhari, for June 12 to be accorded its pride of place in the sociopolitical calendar of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Before now, the recognition/ celebration of June 12 as a watershed in Nigerian history had been observed majorly by the states of the South West of Nigeria, thus making its symbolism and significance a restricted and ethnic referent.

But that has changed, thanks to President Buhari. His decision to declare June 12 a national holiday, his award of a posthumous honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola and the subsequent amendment of the Public Holidays Act to accommodate June 12 as a Federal holiday is a welcome development.

President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) had pointedly ignored all entreaties for his administration to take the same step.

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007 – 2010) did not address the June 12 issue. President Goodluck Jonathan (2010 -2015) had taken steps to immortalize MKO Abiola when he decided to name the University of Lagos after the late icon of democracy, but the staff, students and the alumni of the University rejected this, as they insisted that the name University of Lagos must not be changed. The Jonathan administration would later recognize Chief MKO Abiola as one of the major Nigerians of the 20thcentury. That administration also considered giving Chief MKO Abiola a post-humous national award, but the then President was advised against doing so on the grounds that national honours in Nigeria are never given post-humously. Obviously, the controversy over the re-naming of the University of Lagos was so overwhelming, President Jonathan chose to listen to the Justice Alfa Belgore-led committee on national honours.

Whereas all other Presidents before him failed to make a statement with June 12, President Muhammadu Buhari has now chosen to do so. Tomorrow, all Nigerians will observe June 12 as a national holiday.

It will be the first time that this will happen.

This should lay to rest all the conspiracies and the revisionism involved in the attempt to reduce June 12 to a narrow, ethnic event, which it is not. The recognition of June 12 as a special national event would be one of those developments for which President Buhari will be positively remembered. It is again ironic that 26 years after, it took another member of the military elite to correct the problem caused by the military.

It has taken President Buhari to correct the error committed by General Ibrahim Babangida and his group on June 23, 1993 when they chose to annul the Presidential election held in Nigeria on June 12, 1993.

That unwise decision became General Babangida’s Achillee’s heel, and the ugly thing around his neck.

General Babangida or IBB as he is fondly known, could have ended up as one of Nigeria’s greats, given the performance of his government, but what is now remembered as his legacy, despite the best efforts of his biographers and PR managers, is that singular negative act, his violation of the people’s sovereignty. President Buhari is now being lauded for the courageous manner in which he has taken Nigeria beyond the denial and conspiracy foisted on the people by both the military and a segment of the professional political class. We look forward to what President Muhammadu Buhari would say to Nigerians and the international

community, tomorrow, June 12. His speech writers have a good opportunity to put words in his mouth that can reverberate like the claps of thunder. They must not waste that opportunity with their sleepy prose.

President Buhari should have a word for those who have kept this country down by perpetually denying the truth and turning back the hands of the country’s clock. He should take credit appropriately for the wise decision that he has taken on the matter of June 12.

I remember June 12, 1993, as clearly as if it happened only yesterday. On that day, Nigerians trooped out en masse to make a choice between the Presidential candidates of two political parties, Bashorun MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). General Ibrahim Babangida was military President, ruling the country with his Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and finally getting to the final stage of a slow-moving democratic transition programme. By 1993, Nigerians were already tired of military rule and particularly of the Babangida government which seemed to have mastered the art of deception.

The people wanted the military out of the way, to allow a return to civilian rule, which had been truncated by the military at regular intervals since independence in 1960. On that day, Nigerians voted massively for the Social Democratic Party and its candidate, Bashorun MKO Abiola (8, 341, 309 million votes – 58.36%). The NRC candidate, Bashir Tofa came second (5, 952, 087 million votes – 41.64%). This was an election in which neither religion nor ethnicity – two major dividing factors in Nigeria was an issue.

MKO Abiola, a Southerner got as much support in the North as he did in the South, even beating his rival, Bashir Tofa in his home state of Kano. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) was headed by political science Professor, Humphrey Nwosu. As the results were collated, it was clear that MKO Abiola (SDP) was leading in 19 states, with Bashir Tofa (NRC) winning in 11 states.

On June 16 however, NEC announced that it would no longer announce the results “until further notice”. Civil society and pro-democracy protesters objected to this.

It had been a free and fair election, the most peaceful that Nigeria had ever known. On June 23, 1993, the Babangida government annulled the election and suspended the Electoral Commission. The NEC Chairman, Humphrey Nwosu went underground and became incommunicado. Bashorun MKO Abiola claimed victory. The people demanded that their will as expressed on June 12, 1993 should be respected and that the results of the election should be declared.

The refusal of the military establishment brought it into direct collision with the people and the international community. June 12 became a catalyst for much that would happen to Nigeria. The crisis escalated so quickly, General Ibrahim Babangida known then as the “evil genius” had to “step aside” as President of Nigeria. He put in place as he left, an Interim National Government (ING) led by UAC chief, Ernest Shonekan with General Sani Abacha as Defence Chief.

That ING survived for only 83 days. General Sani Abacha, a veteran of military coups in Nigeria, pushed aside the ING and its Head and proclaimed himself Head of State. To put it as it was, hell broke loose. Civil society became tempestuous.

Concerned Professionals, Concerned Democrats, Progressives, voices of reason in Nigeria across all divides, the church, market women, every one with a voice, took

to the streets to say: “Never Again to military rule.” The general consensus was that the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election was after all a subterfuge by the military to remain in power and that IBB had played a “Maradona” game against Nigerians. “On June 12 we stand”, the people proclaimed and they took to the barricades. The diplomatic community even joined the protests, with the likes of US Ambassador Walter Carrington, leading the charge on the diplomatic front. The Abacha government was bound to fail. It died a-borning. It descended on Nigeria’s civil society and the progressive camp, and as Nigeria began to witness the worst form of dictatorship since 1960, the people fought back. And Abacha fought back. Not even newly born babies were spared. Journalists were special targets: those who were not hauled into prison, were made to flee abroad, or go underground.

Those were the days of guerilla journalism in Nigeria. The people at home fought, those abroad set up a short wave radio, Radio Kudirat which reported Abacha to the world. In due course, Nigeria became a pariah nation.

Three major events made this happen: the first is the declaration by Chief MKO Abiola of his due right to the mandate that Nigerians gave him on June 12, 1993. On June 11, 1994, Chief MKO Abiola in the Epetedo area of Lagos declared himself the democratically elected President of Nigeria. That speech is now known as the Epetedo Declaration. It should be widely circulated tomorrow, June 12 and on every June 12 henceforth, for it has become one of the landmark speeches in the mapping of Nigerian history, and the trajectory of our country’s democratic evolution. I am tempted to quote from that eminently quotable speech but I recall that it was in that speech that the phrase “Enough is Enough” was first pronounced as a revolutionary call to action. Abiola said: “Today, I join you all in saying Enough is Enough! We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years of independence.…Enough of military rule…” And he went on and on.…

The Epetedo Declaration became another catalyst for the Nigerian Spring! It was a call to action. The people responded.

Abiola was arrested by the Abacha junta but the genie had left the bottle. The people of Nigeria heard Abiola: “Enough is Enough” and they too responded: “Never Again to military rule”. Second event: On November 10, 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa, a writer and internationally renowned environmental rights activist was hanged by the Abacha administration. Third event: On June 9, 1996, Abiola’s wife, Kudirat was assassinated by Abacha’s killer squad. There were attempts on the lives of key pro-democracy activists as well including Chief Alfred Rewane who was murdered, and Chief Abraham Adesanya who survived. Journalists were murdered. It was as if at the Epetedo Declaration, Abiola had placed a curse on General Abacha. Nigeria suffered but the people wanted an end to it all. On June 8, 1998, General Sani Abacha died. There was dancing in the streets. But as it happened, Chief Abiola also died, in very suspicious circumstances, while still in detention, on July 7, 1998. By then, General Abdusalami Abubakar had succeeded General Abacha as military Head of State. Nigerians still didn’t give up. They wanted democracy. They wanted to be liberated from the shackles of military autocracy. On May 29, 1999, their will prevailed. General Olusegun Obasanjo who had also been framed and jailed by the Abacha government became Nigeria’s civilian president after all the turmoil.

WWC: We underrated Norway – Falcons skipper Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie has attributed their loss to Norway in their opening match to overconfidence having considered them the least opposition in group A. Speaking to newsmen in a telephone chat from France, Oparanozie said the 3 goals conceded in the first affected their game plan as they were cautious not to concede more goals before the end of the match.

The En Avant Guingamp forward said Nigerians should not lose hope as the team has resolved to put behind their defeat and fight for the remaining 6 points in the group.

“Frankly the defeat was a shock to us. We

thought Norway would be an easy ride or at worst a draw but the way it appears now we have to redouble our efforts by winning the two games left in the group if we have a chance of making it to the next round. ”we have to intensify our training and talked to ourselves the need to make the difference. We know Nigerians are not happy with us and we sincerely apologize to them but we will make them proud in our subsequent matches,” said Oparanozie.

She further stated that the second group match against Korea would be very difficult considering that the team lost their opening game to France.

Tokyo 2020 podiums to be made of recycled plastic Medalists at next year’s Summer Olympics will stand on podiums made from recycled plastic waste collected from local households or the ocean, Tokyo 2020 organizers said on Tuesday.

From June 13, collection boxes will be set up at more than 2,000 outlets of local supermarket chain AEON for residents to deposit any unwanted plastic items for the podiums project, organisers said.

They are looking to collect as much as 45 tonnes of plastic to make the approximately 100 podiums needed for next summer’s showpiece, they said.

It would be the first time Olympic podiums are made from recycled material.

Organisers have sought to frame the Games as environmentally friendly and a mechanism to bring about sustainable change in Japan, which, along with the United States, did not sign on to the G7’s ocean plastics charter in 2018.

The medals for the Games are being forged from recycled metal collected from old mobile phones and other electronic devices, while the uniforms to be worn by runners in the torch relay will be partially made from recycled plastic bottles.

Torino grab Ola Aina for €10 million Torino have completed the capture of Nigeria defender Ola Aina, the club president Urbano Cairo has revealed.

The Italian club signed Aina outright from Chelsea for €10m despite Chelsea’s apparent counter-option.

The details of Aina’s deal was however not revealed by Cairo.

Aina spent last season on loan at Torino from Chelsea playing 29 times and scored once for the Granata last season.

“We’ve redeemed Aina for €10m, as well as Cristian Ansaldi, and Koffi Djidji. Now Torino own all their players,” Cairo said at the Lega Serie A assembly held in Milan on Monday.

Aina made Nigeria’s final squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation billed to hold in Egypt.

Torino finished in seventh place with 63 points last season, three away from qualification for the Europa League.

“We fought for a European place until the end of the season. We were in the running for

a Champions League place but missed out by a few points,” Cairo added.

“We want to be ambitious. That’s why I intend to keep all my best players and strengthen the squad.

“I don’t want to talk about the possibility of Milan not participating in Europe next season.

We’ll wait and see what the decision is first, then we can plan ahead.”

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